Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for one vote during the vote series last night. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 383.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``NO'' on rollcall No. 368.

Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Master Gunnery Sergeant Scott Howard Stalker of the United States Marine Corps for his extraordinary dedication to duty and service to our Nation. After 31 years of service to the United States Marine Corps, Master Gunnery Sergeant Scott Stalker is retiring from active service culminating as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of United States Space Command.

A native of Lebanon, New Hampshire, Master Gunnery Sergeant Stalker earned the title ``Marine'' on January 20, 1993. As a Command Senior Enlisted Leader, in addition to his current assignment, he has serviced for the Defense Intelligence Agency, United States Cyber Command, the National Security Agency, and as the Intelligence Chief for Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.

He has completed a total of 5 combat deployments to Somalia (1) and Iraq (4), and several deployments to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos as an assistant team leader for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Stalker earned his B.A. in Intelligence Studies from American Military University, and his M.S. in Cybersecurity from American Public University. He also attended certificate programs at Harvard Kennedy School of Government and John Hopkins University.

Mr. Speaker, Master Gunnery Sergeant Scott Stalker has dedicated his life to the service of our Nation and to the United States Marine Corps. On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless sacrifice of ``Team Stalker,'' his wife Malerie, and their children, Olivia, Grace, and Scarlett. I wish them the very best in this next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for one vote during the vote series this afternoon. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 332.

Personal Explanation

Mr. Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 302.

Amendment No. 21 Offered by Ms. Greene of Georgia

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment, and to all of the amendments that have been added to this bill as a Christmas tree and a mockery of the men and women who serve in our military. I am opposed to making this bill into a vehicle for perpetuating the culture wars of this extreme majority.

In particular, I am opposed to the amendment that would attempt to enact an extreme, anti-choice agenda, to ban abortion nationwide, and to interfere with the healthcare of women in our military who are serving in a post-Dobbs era when their efforts to provide for their family, to create a family, and to have the full range of reproductive health will be compromised.

Mr. Chair, I am opposed to amendment No. 40. I am speaking in opposition to all of the amendments that have been added.

Mr. Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Brownley), my colleague.

Mr. Chair, I am opposed to the amendment that has been offered, but I want to get back to the crux of the matter of the Christmas tree of cultural war issues that has been added to this bill to the detriment of our servicemembers.

My own father fought in World War II. He was a hero. He was shot down in the Battle of the Bulge, and he served for 6 months in a German prison camp. I have the utmost respect for those who are serving our country and keeping us safe, but the amendments that have been passed in this Chamber today are putting the lives of our servicemembers at risk.

I have a very brief story from a constituent just this week who was pregnant and very much wanted to carry to birth. She lost that baby at 20 weeks. It was tragic. What was even more tragic in a post-Dobbs era was that she could not get the healthcare that she needed for herself, for her family, and she was forced to travel out of State. She was forced to get care that would save her life, and that is my point about how horrific we are.

We are in a state in this country where my colleagues across the aisle would put servicemembers at risk who could have been raped and molested by members of the military, and we know that to be a very significant risk.

Now, servicemembers would not be able to travel to get the healthcare they need for a pregnancy that they very much wanted.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Sorensen).

Mr. Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Sorensen).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the service of one of the New Democrat Coalition's most exceptional staffers, Kevin Klinkenberg. Kevin recently left the Coalition to begin his tenure as a Senior Advisor and Congressional Liaison at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). I can truly say that HHS and all Americans are lucky to have him in this role.

In his 2 years with the Coalition, including my tenure as Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, Kevin proved himself to be an invaluable asset who shaped our policy work and outreach efforts. From health care and trade to immigration, Kevin's work was exemplary. We would not have been able to accomplish all that we have without Kevin's presence on our team.

Kevin also led the New Dems' outreach work, forming critical relationships with important stakeholder groups, from labor to the business community. His commitment to expanding the reach of the New Dems has positively impacted each of our nearly 100 members, including me, and his work will continue to benefit the Coalition long after his departure.

Kevin has not only contributed to the Coalition through his superb work but also through

his kind and collaborative spirit which is known to all those who had the privilege of working with him. Although we are sad to see him go, we know that Kevin will excel in his new role, and I wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sally Chen, the New Democrat Coalition Senior Member Services Advisor. Sally is leaving the Coalition to work for the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

During her 2 years with the Coalition, Sally played an integral role in growing our Member Services portfolio, amplifying our communications work, and ensuring that staffers from our

98 Member offices are connected to the resources and professional development opportunities they need to succeed in their roles.

In particular, Sally helped Member offices bolster their mail and constituent outreach programs and provided support to legislative staff in Coalition Member offices, helping them move their legislative priorities through committee and the House.

Having had the pleasure of working closely with Sally during my last five months as Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, I have seen firsthand how Sally's dedication, work ethic, and `can do' attitude has elevated our Coalition to new heights.

Although her departure is bittersweet, I extend my sincere best wishes for her continued success at the White House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish a very happy birthday to the greatest state in our union: New Hampshire.

For 235 years, New Hampshire has been a pillar of freedom and democracy. From our beautiful streams and scenic lakes to the stunning peaks of Mount Washington, the `Live Free or Die' state has so much to offer.

And in 235 years, New Hampshire has been home to some incredible people and places: trailblazing explorers, including Alan Shepard and Christa McAuliffe; innovative artists and inventors like Ken Burns, Dan Brown, and Dean Kamen; and impressive centers for education and research like the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and my alma mater, Dartmouth College.

Happy 235th birthday, New Hampshire. Here's to many more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of the AVA Gallery and Art Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

The AVA Gallery and Art Center's tireless dedication to the arts has fostered a love and fascination for the visual arts in New Hampshire and beyond for decades. Through the AVA Gallery and Art Center's programming for artists and patrons of all ages, they have enriched the lives of countless New Englanders and have nurtured our creative spirit.

On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's Second Congressional District, I thank the AVA Gallery and Art Center for their continuing efforts to promote the important values of art and culture and for being a part of what makes the Granite State such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. I am honored to recognize and congratulate them on 50 years of incredible work, and I wish them many more.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the dedicated service of Sonya and Mike Campbell, longtime owners of the Hanover True Value Hardware Store. For over 50 years, Sonya and Mike faithfully served their community with a helping hand and an easy smile. Their store has been an institution of downtown Hanover, and over the decades they helped so many to improve their homes, yards, garages, and offices. Mike and Sonya are embarking on their well-earned retirement this year, and their presence in Hanover and the Upper Valley Region will be sorely missed.

Sonya began working at the True Value store in 1976 as a teenager, at the same time I was attending Dartmouth College in Hanover. In 1991, Sonya bought the store and became the owner. She remained the owner for more than three decades, maintaining the hardware store that locals came to love and rely on with her family by her side. The strong family ties are part of what makes the store so authentic to Hanover and the Upper Valley cornmunity--it is run by people who care about their neighbors and want to help in any way they can. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of visiting Sonya and Mike's store many times, and during each visit they reminded me of the values of hard work and kindness in the community.

Sonya and Mike's dedication to their community runs deep, and there are few in Hanover and the Upper Valley who have not felt their positive impact. From serving as a long-time resource for the town's older residents--fixing flashlights, replacing keys, and helping with household repairs--to working with the local newspaper, the Valley News, to provide free copies of the paper to Hanover High School graduates so they had a record of the news on the day they graduated, Mike and Sonya are always looking for ways to help their neighbors.

I wish them well in their retirement and know that their presence in downtown Hanover will be sorely missed.

Madam Chair, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 467, the HALT Fentanyl Act.

The fentanyl crisis has touched every community across our State and country. We need to take serious, bipartisan action to address this epidemic and save lives.

Unfortunately, the legislation on the floor tonight misses the mark.

The HALT Fentanyl Act does not address how these dangerous drugs enter our country, nor does it include any measures to address the underlying demand driving the substance use crisis.

This bill simply preserves the status quo by continuing to schedule fentanyl-related substances as schedule I, which has been the case since 2018, and under current law, will be the case until December of 2024.

Scheduling alone will not change the overdose crisis. We need to broaden our scope.

Madam Chair, I urge this body to instead consider a public health approach to address this crisis. I am leading with Lisa Blunt Rochester and Don Bacon, a bipartisan, alternative bill that would address both the supply of and demand for illicit fentanyl in this country.

Our bill, the STOP Fentanyl Overdoses Act, will enhance fentanyl surveillance through investments in technology, dedicate resources to strengthen law enforcement response, and improve data collection of seized drugs.

The bill will also help reduce the demand for illicit drugs by expanding access to recovery resources, protecting people who administer opioid reversal drugs, and supporting education on the harm of drug misuse.

The STOP Fentanyl Overdoses Act is an alternative to the scheduling- only approach on the floor. An issue this complex requires an equally comprehensive solution.

Fentanyl doesn't care about our politics and neither should our approach to addressing the overdose crisis.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to consider my alternative, bipartisan solution.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the dedicated service of Sonya Campbell and Mike LeMay, longtime owners of the Hanover True Value Hardware Store. For over 50 years, Sonya and Mike faithfully served their community with a helping hand and an easy smile. Their store has been an institution of downtown Hanover, and over the decades they helped so many to improve their homes, yards, garages, and offices. Mike and Sonya are embarking on their well-earned retirement this year, and their presence in Hanover and the Upper Valley Region will be sorely missed.

Sonya began working at the True Value store in 1976 as a teenager, at the same time I was attending Dartmouth College in Hanover. In 1991, Sonya bought the store and became the owner. She remained the owner for more than three decades, maintaining the hardware store that locals came to love and rely on with her family by her side. The strong family ties are part of what makes the store so authentic to Hanover and the Upper Valley community--it is run by people who care about their neighbors and want to help in any way they can. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of visiting Sonya and Mike's store many times, and during each visit they reminded me of the values of hard work and kindness in the community.

Sonya and Mike's dedication to their community runs deep, and there are few in Hanover and the Upper Valley who have not felt their positive impact. From serving as a long-time resource for the town's older residents--fixing flashlights, replacing keys, and helping with household repairs--to working with the local newspaper, the Valley News, to provide free copies of the paper to Hanover High School graduates so they have a record of the news on the day they graduated, Mike and Sonya are always looking for ways to help their neighbors.

I wish them well in their retirement and know that their presence in downtown Hanover will be sorely missed.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 1, the polluters over people act. I will take my time to point out two glaring flaws with this bill: First, H.R. 1 will make energy more expensive for Granite Staters.

Right now, natural gas is the single largest source of electricity in New England. When natural gas prices go up, electricity prices in New Hampshire go up, yet H.R. 1 makes it easier for natural gas producers to export American fuel to foreign adversaries like China. Making it easier for natural gas companies to export fuel to China, where the prices are currently higher, will cause U.S. natural gas prices to rise.

As a result, electricity prices in New Hampshire will rise, too.

My amendment to H.R. 1, which the Rules Committee did not make in order, would have addressed this problem, but instead of putting American consumers first, the majority is focused on lining the pockets of Big Oil and Gas companies.

The solution to our Nation's energy problems is building new low-cost renewables so we aren't reliant on expensive carbon-polluting forms of energy.

Second, H.R. 1 is going to actually weaken control on PFAS chemicals. In New Hampshire, we know just how damaging PFAS can be to our water supply and the communities that rely upon them. Congress should be making it more difficult to bring new PFAS chemicals to the market, but H.R. 1 erodes the chemical review process under the Toxic Substances Control Act, allowing new PFAS chemicals to come on the market without any consideration for the danger that they may present to the public. It is the responsibility of Congress to prevent these dangerous chemicals from coming to the market.

Rather than wasting our time pursuing legislation that puts polluters over people, let's focus on coming together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible accomplishments of New Hampshire's own Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated skier of all time.

On March 11, 2023, during Women's History Month, Mikaela broke the record for the most alpine World Cup wins by any skier, male or female, earning 87 championship wins and securing her place in history.

Shortly after, she won another title, breaking her own record and making history, again.

I love having a woman be the most decorated skier in the world.

From her earliest days, when I met her at the Dartmouth Ski Way and first watched her race with her late father, Jeff, Mikaela has taken the world by storm.

Her record-breaking win and dedication to the sport will inspire women and girls across the country.

I thank Mikaela for inspiring us to be nice, think first, and have fun.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as co-chair of the Bipartisan Ski and Snow Board Caucus to recognize the incredible achievements of New Hampshire's own Mikaela Shiffrin, the most-decorated skier of all time.

On March 11, 2023, during Women's History Month, Mikaela broke the record for the most World Cup alpine wins by any skier, male or female, earning 87 championship wins and securing her place in history.

Shortly after, she won another title, breaking her own record and making history again. I love having a woman be the most decorated skier in the world.

From her earliest days, when I met her at the Dartmouth Ski Way and first watched her race with her late father, my friend, Jeff, Mikaela has taken the world by storm. Her record-breaking win and dedication to the sport will inspire women and girls across the country and around the world.

Thank you, Mikaela, for inspiring us to be nice, think first, and have fun.