Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today as a Member of Congress who has proudly worked to fight and defeat terrorism as a CIA officer. I worked with my colleagues to protect the lives of the American people, our servicemembers, and our interests around the world.

I fully agree that we need to revisit our Authorizations for Use of Military Force. I have worked with Members of Congress, including the esteemed gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gaetz), to raise this issue. I am proud to see that we are actually seeing progress toward the repeal of the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. That is encouraging.

However, that does not mean that we should abandon ongoing operations that keep the United States safe that are authorized under the 2001 AUMF. Should we discuss it? Should we debate it? Should we look toward reforming it? Perhaps. Should we order the men and women in uniform to come home over the next few months? Absolutely not.

We should not encourage a resurgence of ISIS. We should not abandon our work with the Kurdish fighters on the front lines. We should understand the implications for the long-term stability of the Middle East and the actions we take here today.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I oppose the resolution to withdraw quickly from Syria, and I look forward to earnest, bipartisan, forward-looking conversations about how we can reassert our constitutional role and protect our ongoing work to defeat terrorism and keep the homeland safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia on their centennial celebration on March 4, 2023.

For 100 years, the Virginia VFW has worked hard to protect and fight for our veterans to ensure that they receive the benefits that they have earned and deserve. They support veterans, servicemembers, and their families by providing opportunities through education, scholarships, and living assistance.

I thank the VFW for their relentless advocacy and support of those who sacrificed for our country.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Virginia on 100 years of service to our veterans and to making the Commonwealth of Virginia a better place for our veterans and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ebenezer Baptist Church of Woodbridge, VA, a stalwart of the Seventh District, in honor of its 140th anniversary.

In 1881, only seven years after the Town of Occoquan's incorporation, the land that Ebenezer Baptist Church would eventually be built upon was purchased, setting the stage for it to become one of the first Black churches in all of Northern Virginia.

Founded by the formerly enslaved Reverend Lewis Henry Bailey, Ebenezer Baptist Church quickly developed an identity of dedicated ministry and servant leadership to its community. Though the first cornerstone of Ebenezer Baptist Church was laid decades ago in May of 1883, the church's communal foundation is unwavering and its spirit as alive today, as it was 140 years ago.

Born from these roots, Ebenezer Baptist Church has continued to strive toward its focus of ``putting the family back together.''

From hosting the Woodbridge Toastmasters Club to community food giveaways to Sunday services, Ebenezer Baptist Church remains a primary source of enrichment of the mind, body, and soul for many residents of Virginia's Seventh District.

As a fixture of the community, Ebenezer Baptist Church has faithfully answered the bell and opened its doors when needed most.

Notably, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Reverend Dr. Charles A. Lundy and First Lady Reverend Jacquelyn Lundy, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ebenezer Baptist Church provided critical community health services to the Occoquan District and Prince William County. This selfless service included providing food and shelter to those in need, while also hosting vital testing and vaccinations.

The combination of grace and effectiveness with which Ebenezer Baptist Church has served the Seventh District is extraordinary. As the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I am grateful for the tremendous community asset that is Ebenezer Baptist Church of Woodbridge, VA, and wish them another 140 years of exceptional communion, ministry, and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 38th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration and the cornerstone of the event, the 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest, hosted by the Prince William Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Each year, the members of the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated invite community members to gather on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to celebrate and reflect upon his life and his legacy. The pinnacle of this event has become the Youth Oratorical Contest, which brings together students in grades 6 through 12 for a public speaking competition to honor and sustain Dr. Kings spirit of optimism, public service, racial harmony, and human rights through the voices of youth.

Dr. King had a vision for what our United States of America should be and worked tirelessly towards making it a reality. Our country still faces obstacles that Dr. King fought to remove, and we must commit ourselves to realizing his vision: ``the creation of the Beloved Community.''

Dr. King's words continue to inspire our youth, who carry on his legacy and prepare to become the future leaders of our country. Participants in the MLK Youth Oratorical Contest pay tribute to Dr. King with their ability to communicate with passion and clarity, just as he did. This year, the competition challenged students to deliver speeches addressing the theme, ``A View of the Promised Land''-- inspired by Dr. King's ``I've Been to the Mountaintop'' speech that he delivered on April 3, 1968--the night before he was assassinated.

Six Virginia students presented their reflections on Dr. King's legacy, and they eloquently demonstrated how his words empower them.

I congratulate the following finalists and commend them for their participation in the 33rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest:

Sakshi Gowda--Reagan Middle School

Kiomi Ninasaume--Gainesville Middle School

Alyssa M. Godfrey--Benton Middle School

Brooklynn Saunders--Gar-Field High School

Myles Lanier--Manassas Park High School

Shavonne Davis--Patriot High School

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for showcasing the power of Dr. King's tireless commitment to equality and in congratulating the talented youth of the 2023 MLK Youth Oratorical Contest. Let us learn from our young people and consider how we might honor Dr. King's legacy by seeking justice in our own communities.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 29.

Mr. Chair, as a proud Virginian, I rise today in defense of our region's coastal communities, our Nation's military and defense equities, the Chesapeake Bay, and the economy of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I am concerned that the legislation under consideration today would open the door to drilling of oil and gas off the shores of Virginia, something that has never been done before and something staunchly opposed by Virginians.

Offshore oil and gas drilling poses a grave threat to our economy, our natural resources, and America's military infrastructure along Virginia's coast.

Virginia's economy relies heavily on deepwater port commerce, and offshore drilling operations would severely impact these industries.

According to one report, offshore drilling could jeopardize approximately 86,000 Virginia jobs, as well as roughly $4.8 billion in Virginia's GDP from coastal tourism, commercial fishing, and aquaculture alone.

According to NOAA, in 2016, Virginia's commercial seafood industry collected more than 440 million pounds of seafood with a value of close to $300 million.

This driver of Virginia's economy could be threatened under the overarching legislation considered here today.

I also point out that Virginia's Wallops Island could come under threat. Wallops Island is home to space infrastructure that enables NASA missions, but offshore drilling could undermine decades of Federal, State, and local economic development efforts related to our space program.

Virginia's spaceport has bolstered the local economy to the tune of $820 million annually, and it has provided thousands of jobs in our Commonwealth.

Back in 2015, NASA raised the alarm bells about offshore drilling, releasing a statement that read, ``The presence of either temporary or fixed structures at or below the sea surface . . . would have significant detrimental effects on our ability to conduct aerospace test activities.''

Offshore drilling in Virginia has been shown to be a critical national security risk. According to a study published by the United States Department of Defense, any oil and gas leases off the coast of Virginia would disrupt military operations, training, and testing activities considered to be vital to our United States' national security and readiness.

Finally, I am deeply concerned about the environmental impacts that offshore drilling could have in Virginia. As the largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay has been recognized by Congress as a ``national treasure'' and has been under federally funded cleanup efforts since 1965.

The Chesapeake Bay is home to more than 3,600 species of plant, fish, and animals--several dozen recognized as threatened or endangered.

Over the last several decades, we have made tremendous progress in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Virginians do not want to risk a disaster like the Deepwater Horizon spill.

What is more, I am concerned about more regular releases of crude oil that occur in offshore operations. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation reports that spills from platforms, pipelines, and other offshore infrastructure release, on average, 157,000 barrels of oil annually.

These releases would destroy many of the environmental gains that have helped revitalize Virginia's economy, Virginia's coastal communities, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

I urge my colleagues, from those in Virginia to those across the country, to vote to protect Virginia's fishermen, farmers, coastal towns, beaches, natural beauty, and importantly, our national security by voting ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Offered By: Ms. Spanberger

Amendment No. 29: Page 3, line 9, strike the closing

quotation mark and the final period.

Page 3, after line 9, add the following:

``(4) Offshore exclusion.--The plan required by paragraph

(1) shall not include oil and gas leasing in any tract

located off the coast of Virginia.''.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to honor the lifetime of achievement of Mr. James Holmes.

Following decades of service to the Culpepper community and 35 years of service to the Culpepper County Electoral Board, Mr. Holmes is stepping down as the current chair of the board at the end of this year.

Growing up in Culpepper, Mr. Holmes attended George Washington Carver School and was among the first integrated classes at Culpepper High School.

Mr. Holmes' determination to improve our Commonwealth for future generations of Virginians brought him back to Culpepper after he graduated cum laude from Virginia Union University and earned his J.D. from Howard Law School.

A licensed and ordained Baptist minister who has pastored in Culpepper for decades, Mr. Holmes has held many positions with the Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Association.

From his service on the electoral board to casting an electoral vote in 2008 for our first Black President, Mr. Holmes has demonstrated a commitment to civic engagement and elevating the voices of Virginians within our communities.

Mr. Holmes has touched many lives throughout his career as president of Culpepper Housing and Shelter Services, president of the Culpepper County United Way, president of the Culpepper County Equalization Board, and as a caring member of his community.

Today I stand on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to thank James Holmes for his commitment to progress, equality, and community empowerment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William ``Joe Joe'' Dickson for the building security service he has provided to Virginia's Seventh Congressional District Office over the past 8 years.

Since 2014, Mr. Dickson has ensured the safety and security for 3 Members of Congress, including myself, and my predecessors Representative Eric Cantor and Representative Dave Brat. In his role, he has kept a watchful eye on our offices and our staff, allowing us to safely focus on serving the constituents of the Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. Dickson consistently and selflessly goes above and beyond his job description to ensure that my district staff and constituents are safe and feel welcome when entering our office building. He has become a friend to us all, greeting my staff each morning with a smile. His jovial nature and compassion for my team is evidence that he has genuine care for the well-being of those around him.

His dedicated protection and service to the office of the Seventh Congressional District is well deserving of commendation and celebration. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking William ``Joe Joe'' Dickson on his 8 years of service to the Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today, a day after we celebrated the life of A. Donald McEachin, to again on the House floor remember the life and legacy of my friend, my mentor, and, as he used to call me, his neighbor. When I was first running for Congress, Mr. McEachin, Donald, used to tell people: I need a new neighbor in Virginia.

I had the privilege of working closely with him, learning from him, and being his friend throughout our service together in Congress and our work across our shared communities.

He was a good man who endeavored to make others feel heard throughout his career, whether he was in the courtroom, in the Virginia General Assembly, or here in Congress.

For decades, he served his community each day with a passion for people, a sense of humor, and an abiding faith in God. He was a relentless advocate for those who needed a voice, our natural resources, and every Virginian.

His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of so many. I will miss my friend, my brother, my mentor, and I stand here on the House floor to give my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Colette; his wonderful, adored children, Mac, Briana, and Alexandra; and his beloved grandbaby.

He will be missed. We will continue to do right in his memory and in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here as a Virginian, a UVA alumna, and a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives to remember the UVA football teammates who were shot and killed earlier this week.

For the University of Virginia, it has been an unimaginable loss for their families, and it has been an unthinkable reality.

This week, we remember Lavel Davis, Jr. We remember Devin Chandler. We remember D'Sean Perry.

Both on the field and off the field, their classmates, their coaches, their professors, and their loved ones saw their commitment to success. They saw their selflessness, their curiosity, and their determination to make the University of Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our Nation a stronger place.

Please join me in remembering their lives, honoring their memories, and standing strong as their families mourn. We also stand with the University of Virginia student body, professors, the community, the entire football team, and all those who are impacted by this horrific loss.

We also pray for the recovery of Michael Hollins, Jr., as he and his family continue on the long road to healing.

This week has demonstrated the resilience of the UVA community. May we forever remember the lives that were lost: Lavel Davis, Jr., Devin Chandler, and D'Sean Perry.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a distinguished Virginian, Ms. Edna Lewis.

Edna was born in Freetown, Orange County, Virginia in 1916. As a child growing up in a small farming community of emancipated slaves, Edna learned how to grow and cultivate food on her grandfather's farm. Drawing upon the heritage and culture of her African-American ancestors, Edna developed her distinct style of traditional Southern cooking.

At the age of sixteen, Edna left Freetown and eventually settled in New York City. Working as a seamstress and dressmaker, it wasn't until 1949 that she began cooking professionally as the head chef at Cafe Nicholson, a new restaurant in Manhattan. The restaurant and Edna's unique style of Southern cooking quickly gained a dedicated following-- including prominent individuals ranging from Eleanor Roosevelt to Truman Capote.

Even after Edna eventually left Cafe Nicholson, demand for her cooking and culinary expertise did not diminish. She published her first cookbook in 1972, followed shortly after by The Taste of Country Cooking in 1976. The Taste of Country Cooking, her seminal work, combines recipes and stories from her childhood in Freetown. Edna's ability to impart her voice and heritage in the cookbook made it loved and adored by many.

Edna published two more cookbooks over the course of her life. She was the recipient of numerous accolades, including the James Beard Living Legend Award and International Association of Culinary Professionals Lifetime Achievement Award, among many others. In 2014, she was honored by the creation of a U.S. postal stamp with her image.

Now, in honor of Edna's life and achievements, the Orange County community will be installing a historical marker so that visitors can learn more about her and her contributions to our Commonwealth and our Nation. As the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I thank Orange County for creating an enduring memory of Edna so that future generations can remember one of the great champions of Southern cuisine.

Mr. Speaker, in follow-up to my colleague from Texas' comment, I would also say that we get what we pay for, which is why I rise to support the bipartisan Invest to Protect Act which is legislation I was proud to cosponsor. This legislation follows our prior increases of funding to the community-oriented policing program through the appropriations process.

The Invest to Protect Act would help get the job done of ensuring that police departments--particularly those like I represent in smaller and rural communities--have the ability to recruit and retain officers.

This legislation invests in officer safety, it invests in domestic violence response training, and it invests in funding the police departments like those I represent.

Throughout Virginia's Seventh District, I hear directly from local police departments about the need for stronger investments in training, equipment, recruitment, and retention. And as a

former law enforcement officer, I greatly admire and am thankful for the dedication of the men and women who work every day to keep our communities safe.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Congressman Gottheimer and Congressman Rutherford, for their leadership on this legislation. I thank CBC Chair Beatty for her partnership on these important issues of public safety and public trust. And I appreciate that this bill has the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Association of Police Officers.

This is a smart investment, smart policy, and at this moment we should have the common commitment to keeping America's communities safe.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Chris R. Jenkins on his 45th anniversary of service to Virginia with the Culpeper Police Department.

On August 15, 1977, Chris Jenkins began his law enforcement career at age 18 serving the Town of Culpeper as a dispatcher. In the 45 years since, Chief Jenkins has honorably served his community and worked to make Culpeper a safer place to live and raise a family.

Chief Jenkins was first appointed as the Culpeper Police Department's fifth Chief of Police in 2010. In this role, he has implemented many successful programs including a community policing model, mental health co-responders, and Body-Worn Cameras. Beyond his career, Chief Jenkins has also helped raise thousands of dollars for local non-profit organizations--such as Team Jordan, a coalition which supports suicide prevention and response in Culpeper--and served on multiple boards and committees to support his community. His dedication and integrity to make Culpeper a better place is inspiring and deserving of commendation and celebration.

Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Chief Jenkins on 45 successful years in law enforcement and a lifetime of making Culpeper a better place.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am so proud to rise in support of the Inflation Reduction Act.

As chair of the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, I am excited that this bill includes dedicated funding to further the role of Virginia's crop and livestock producers in our work to protect our planet.

Farmers are the original conservationists, and their expertise cannot be ignored if we are going to meet our shared climate goals while also bringing greater investments to rural America, strengthening our farmers' bottom lines, and lowering the cost of inputs.

We can make investments in our Nation's producers by investing in existing voluntary conservation programs at USDA, and that is what this legislation does.

I am proud that the conservation provisions in this bill reflect multiple pieces of legislation that I have championed to make possible, including my bipartisan REAP Improvement Act.

These provisions include stronger investments in the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, and support our conservation workforce and our Natural Resources Conservation Service. These are smart investments for the bottom lines of our farmers.

Mr. Chair, I stand in support of my amendment to increase funding for suicide prevention coordinators at the VA, and I thank the chairwoman for her advocacy and good work on the larger bill.

Last Saturday, the new 988 national suicide prevention lifeline launched. Now veterans in crisis can reach the veterans crisis line by calling 988 and pressing 1.

This new number will allow more individuals to access help when they need it the most, and it will save lives.

Due to this transition, the VA anticipates an increase in call volume, as much as 2\1/2\ times higher than last year. We need to make sure that there are enough professionals in place at the VA to handle the uptick in caseloads--starting with suicide prevention coordinators.

Suicide prevention coordinators receive referrals from Veterans Crisis Line callers, and remain in contact with high-risk veterans, providing follow-up care and connecting them with resources within their communities.

The 988 number is an important step in providing mental health care to veterans in crisis. But it is our duty to ensure that there are suicide prevention coordinators in place to care for those who have borne the battle.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Americans who represent the very best of our country and ensuring the success of the new 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for all those who may need it.