Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.

I thank the Congress of Bosniaks for bringing together dignitaries, faith leaders, human rights advocates, policymakers, scholars, and community leaders from around the country to mourn loved ones lost, and commit ourselves anew to a future of peace, mutual tolerance, and truth.

I want to give a special welcome to the delegation from my home state of Missouri.

I represent the largest Bosnian community outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the years, I've had the honor to get to know and

share meals with Bosnian families in my district, so many of whom came to Saint Louis in the wake of the tragic wars of the nineties.

This community has shaped what the city looks and feels like; it has added great cultural diversity to the city, immense intellectual capital, thriving small businesses, and a strong religious presence.

Three decades ago, members of our Bosnian community were refugees. In 1995, Orthodox Serbs under the command of General Ratko Mladic initiated a horrific ethnic cleansing campaign against majority-Muslim Bosniaks.

The escalating bloodshed forced 130,000 Bosnian refugees to seek new lives in the United States. Thousands more were murdered in Srebrenica.

We remember those unthinkable events as the Srebrenica Genocide.

On the 30th Commemoration of the genocide, I wish to honor the memory of innocent lives lost and celebrate the courage and indomitable spirit of the survivors--especially my Bosnian neighbors, whose wit, warmth, and generosity inspires me to seek change.

With conflict and turmoil roiling every corner of the world, including the Western Balkans, it is so important to look back at the experiences of the Bosnian people during the wars and genocide of the 1990's.

When we say ``never again,'' we must mean it.

That is why I am leading bipartisan legislation, the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act, that would codify and mandate key sanctions authorities to send an unmistakable message to any actor that threatens the peace, security, stability, or territorial integrity of Bosnia.

Sanctions work.

The State Department told me that Republika Srpska officials begged the U.S., ``Please, no more sanctions.'' However, much more leverage needs to be brought to bear against Dodik and his inner circle, their Russian backers, and the corrupt politicians who recklessly use ethnic tension to grow their power and wealth.

This bill has overwhelmingly passed the House multiple times, and I am pleased to announce that I reintroduced it earlier this week, alongside my fellow co-chairs of the Bosnia Caucus, Representatives Turner, Auchincloss, and Bell. With Dodik's separatists emboldened to a shocking degree and the institutions of Dayton under overt attack, it could not be clearer: the time to enact this legislation is now.

I thank those who traveled for this Commemoration and their commitment to justice and truth. They have many friends in Congress who will always fight for a peaceful, prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 910) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to pursue more equitable treatment of Taiwan at the international financial institutions, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 910, the Taiwan Non- Discrimination Act of 2025. I will start by thanking Representative Kim for her important work on this legislation.

Following the House's passage of this bill last Congress, Taiwan announced

that it would seek membership from the International Monetary Fund, or IMF. This is a direct result of the gentlewoman's leadership on the issue, and I applaud her for her dedication and her efforts.

Taiwan boasts a resilient and innovation-driven economy powered by its high-tech industries, robust financial institutions, and dynamic export sector.

The island plays a significant role in global supply chains, particularly in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors. Yet, despite its economic strength and proven track record of responsible financial governance, Taiwan continues to be marginalized and held to a second-class standard by the IMF.

Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is eligible to join the IMF, and U.S. policy has long supported Taiwan's membership in international organizations whenever possible. Excluding Taiwan undermines the legitimacy and effectiveness of the IMF as a truly global institution in an increasingly complex world economy.

The IMF's core mission involves advising governments on economic reform. What better society can the IMF point to when driving home the importance of good policies.

Taiwan's per capital GDP has grown more than 35 times larger since the end of the Chinese Civil War. The island has crucial insights to offer an institution that seeks to put its borrowers on stable footing. It is long overdue for Taiwan to receive the recognition and representation it rightfully deserves at the IMF.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 910, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, Mr. Speaker, it is long overdue for Taiwan to receive the recognition and representation it rightfully deserves at the IMF. I urge all my colleagues to

join me in supporting H.R. 910, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1713) to amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 to include the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1713, the Agricultural Risk Review Act of 2025. I thank Representative Lucas for his longstanding leadership on this important legislation.

Today, the United States confronts a critical issue at the intersection of national security and agriculture: foreign investment in American farmland.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, plays a vital role in safeguarding our country by reviewing foreign acquisitions that could pose risks to our national security. Ensuring that CFIUS has the right expertise and authority to evaluate these transactions is more important than ever.

For the first time since 2007, H.R. 1713 would formally add a Cabinet Secretary to CFIUS, giving the Secretary of Agriculture an official role in reviewing relevant agricultural transactions for national security risks.

CFIUS has long held jurisdiction over foreign acquisitions of agricultural businesses, including farmland involved in interstate commerce. Since 2018, it has also been authorized to perform reviews of land purchases near sensitive government sites. However, there is a need to connect the Agriculture Department's expertise, including its longstanding tracking of farmland purchases, with CFIUS' operations.

CFIUS could greatly benefit from the Secretary's expertise, and that is what Congressman Lucas' legislation allows. As one of the first Members of Congress to recognize this need at CFIUS, I applaud Representative Lucas for his foresight and his dedication in advancing this legislation.

I look forward to supporting his bill today. I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1713, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, there is a need to connect the Agriculture Department's expertise, including its longstanding tracking of farmland purchases, with CFIUS' operations.

I look forward to supporting this bill today. I urge my colleagues to do so and join me in supporting H.R. 1713, and I applaud Mr. Lucas for this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3352) to require the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise rules relating to general solicitation or general advertising to allow for presentations or other communication made by or on behalf of an issuer at certain events, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3352, the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act, and I thank Congressman Lawler for his leadership on this bipartisan bill.

Around the country, early-stage entrepreneurs are developing new technologies, products, and services not in boardrooms but in shared workspaces, university labs, and community accelerators. At this stage, the most important thing they need is capital and, often, a chance to talk with potential investors. That is what makes events like demo days so important.

These are informational forums where startups share their business ideas, not investment pitches. Under earlier SEC guidance, even participating in one of these events could be considered a ``general solicitation,'' which, in turn, could block the startup from using key offering exemptions.

Although the SEC has since addressed this through rule 148, H.R. 3352 codifies those protections and ensures that demo day participation does not unintentionally violate securities laws, provided certain conditions are met.

This bill strikes the right balance. It doesn't weaken investor protections. It simply ensures our regulations don't punish small businesses for talking about their work.

H.R. 3352 supports entrepreneurship, encourages capital formation, and reflects how innovation actually happens.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, H.R. 3352 supports entrepreneurship, encourages capital formation, and reflects how innovation actually happens. I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Lawler's bill, H.R. 3352.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2225) to permit a registered investment company to omit certain fees from the calculation of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2225, the Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act. I thank Congressman Sherman and the bipartisan cosponsors for their work on this bill.

This is a narrowly tailored fix to a longstanding problem that is hurting business development companies, or BDCs, which Congress originally created to help small and midsized businesses access capital.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the SEC rule called Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, or AFFE, requires funds that invest in BDCs to count the BDC internal expenses as part of their own expense ratio. The result is a higher reported cost, even though those fees aren't actually paid by the investor.

This has led many funds to avoid BDCs altogether, and it has kept BDCs out of key investment indexes. That means fewer dollars flowing to small businesses on Main Street.

H.R. 2225 fixes this. It allows funds to exclude expenses related to BDCs from their AFFE calculation, while still disclosing their investment in BDCs. This improves both accuracy and transparency. This is a smart and bipartisan solution that removes an intended barrier to capital formation without reducing investor protections.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this is a smart and bipartisan solution that removes an unintended barrier to capital formation without reducing investor protections.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2225, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3394) to amend the Securities Act of 1933 to codify certain qualifications of individuals as accredited investors for purposes of the securities laws, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3394, the Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act.

I thank our Financial Services Committee chairman, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), for his leadership on this bipartisan legislation.

For decades, the SEC's accredited investor definition has served as a gatekeeper to private investment opportunities, relying almost entirely on income and net worth thresholds.

This approach has excluded millions of Americans who may not meet those financial metrics but have the education, licenses, or professional experiences to make informed investment decisions.

H.R. 3394 modernizes that definition. It directs the SEC to expand eligibility to individuals who hold certain professional certifications, relevant degrees, or job experience, criteria that actually reflect financial sophistication.

This change is long overdue. It will unlock capital for small businesses, broaden investor participation, and better align our rules with how Americans build expertise and manage risk in today's economy.

The bill maintains investor protections, while removing arbitrary barriers that have held back individual investors and early-stage entrepreneurs alike.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense reform, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), who is the chairman of the Financial Services Committee and the author of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Haridopolos).

In closing, Mr. Speaker, the Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act maintains investor protections while removing arbitrary barriers that have held back individual investors and early-stage entrepreneurs alike.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3394, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3301) to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to specify certain registration statement contents for emerging growth companies, to permit issuers to file draft registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission for confidential review, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3301, the ELEVATE Act, and thank Congressman Nunn for his leadership on this forward- looking and bipartisan bill.

One of the key successes of the JOBS Act of 2012 was the creation of emerging growth companies, or EGCs, small and midsized firms given tailored disclosure requirements to encourage them to go public. These companies are a major source of innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

Today, over 90 percent of initial public offerings are filed by EGCs, but when an EGC spins off part of its business to create a new public company, that spinoff does not currently get the same treatment, despite originating

from a company already recognized as an emerging growth company.

H.R. 3301 fixes this inconsistency. It ensures that spinoffs from EGCs are allowed to provide 2 years of audited financials, just like when a standard EGC goes public. This helps reduce redundant compliance costs while maintaining full investor protections.

This is a smart and targeted update to our securities laws. It honors the original intent of the JOBS Act: to make it easier, not harder, for innovative companies to enter the public markets.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Nunn's ELEVATE Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn), my friend.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Nunn's ELEVATE Act is a smart, targeted update to our securities law.

I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3301, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3381) to amend the Securities Act of 1933 to expand the ability to use testing the waters and confidential draft registration submissions, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 3381, the Encouraging Public Offerings Act.

This legislation builds on the success of the JOBS Act by making it easier for companies of all sizes to go public while maintaining the transparency and investor protections our markets depend on.

H.R. 3381 allows any company, not just emerging growth companies, to test the waters by gauging investor interest before or after filing with the SEC. It also ensures that an issuer can submit a confidential draft registration statement before making it public, giving companies more flexibility and clarity as they prepare to go public.

These tools, Mr. Speaker, testing the waters and confidential filings, have proven valuable since the JOBS Act, especially for smaller companies navigating the complexities of going public. My bill makes them available to all issuers with consistent timelines tied to when a registration statement becomes effective, not when a road show begins.

This bill is about giving growing businesses the confidence to enter the public markets and helping them reach new investors, expand operations, and create jobs across our country.

I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and my Democratic cosponsor, Mr. Meeks, for supporting these efforts to modernize our capital markets.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

In closing, the Encouraging Public Offerings Act is about giving growing businesses the confidence to enter the public markets and helping them reach new investors, expand operations, and create jobs across the country.

I ask my colleagues to support my bill, H.R. 3381, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1190) to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to expand access to capital for rural-area small businesses, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1190, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. I commend Congressman Downing for leading this commonsense bipartisan bill.

Too often, the conversation around capital formation is centered on financial hubs like New York and San Francisco, but the backbone of America's economy is the local business communities in cities and towns and rural areas across all 50 States: the family-run manufacturers, agricultural innovators, entrepreneurs, and small-town tech startups. These businesses face unique but very real obstacles when trying to raise capital.

H.R. 1190 ensures that those voices aren't left out. The bill directs the SEC's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to proactively engage with rural communities, study the structural funding gaps that they face, and tackle their challenges when crafting policies.

This is not about expanding bureaucracy. It is about sharpening the focus of an office that already exists to ensure that its mission reflects the incredible variety of businesses that are the engine of the U.S. economy.

We all have rural counties in our districts where hardworking small business owners are ready to grow if only they can access the capital that they need. This bill gives them a seat at the table and a voice in sharpening the policies that affect their future.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1190, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Downing), my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act takes care of our hardworking small business owners who are ready to grow. They deserve a seat at the table, Mr. Speaker.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1190. I commend the Representative from Montana (Mr. Downing) for introducing this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, few people in Missouri politics have had more of a positive influence on our state and the Nation than Senator Kit Bond. A true statesman seemingly from a bygone era in today's divisive world, Kit Bond devoted his life to public service, working with others to find the best ways to lift up Missouri and the nation, to make it a better place for those he was so honored to serve. He was a cheerful warrior who always had an encouraging word and a smile on his face, even in challenging times.

After leaving elected office, Kit continued to advocate for our state and the policies he fought for throughout his career. My happiest phone calls in recent memory were from Kit and Linda inviting Ray and me to dinner. Sharing stories about Missouri politics, both past and present, spanning three decades, was always the highlight of the evening, and something I will miss dearly.

At a time when it was hard for women to break into politics, Kit was a forward-thinking visionary who worked to promote and advance the careers of many women entering public service. I was so honored to serve as Missouri Republican Party Chairman alongside Kit's incomparable female Chief of Staff Julie Dammann and Speaker of the House Catherine Hanaway, advancing strong conservative policies that benefitted our state.

Ray and I are heartbroken to hear of his passing and our prayers are with his wife Linda, who took such incredible care of him and supported him always, as well as his son, Sam, and the entire Bond family. Kit was a dear friend, a mentor, and I would not be where I am today were it not for his friendship, advice and support. I will miss him every day.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was not present for Roll Call votes on May 19, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 132, and YEA on Roll Call No. 133.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call No. 122.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1512, the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is undeniable that the People's Republic of China is the single gravest threat to our national security. It is undeniable that China has increased its destabilizing military activities in the Pacific. It is undeniable that China has its sights set on the full- scale invasion of Taiwan.

The United States must not waver in our deterrence of this threat and our support for this nation.

Just last month, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command testified to Congress that China escalated military pressure against Taiwan by 300 percent last year. Commander Paparo explicitly warned that these ``aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan are not just exercises. They are dress rehearsals for forced unification.''

It is imperative that the full weight of the United States stands firmly and publicly against these provocations.

For decades, our Nation employed a strategy of opacity, restricting our formal engagement with Taiwan to avoid upsetting or insulting the Chinese Communist Party.

In 2020, this body enacted the Taiwan Assurance Act, and the first Trump administration moved decisively to implement this new policy by declaring all self-imposed restrictions null and void.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration waffled and rolled back many of these diplomatic standards. Under my legislation, all administrations, now and into the future, will be required to periodically update these regulations, specifically with the goal of deepening and expanding U.S.-Taiwan relations.

We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners in the Pacific to deter the Chinese threat. I am proud to say that enacting this legislation, the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, will be a decisive step forward to ensuring peace through strength.

Mr. Speaker, I close by acknowledging my close friend and co-lead of this legislation, Congressman Gerry Connolly, for his work on this legislation. Congressman Connolly is a respected voice of authority on this issue and a tireless champion for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. It has been an absolute honor to work with the Congressman on this legislation and so many other issues.

Mr. Speaker, Gerry and his entire family remain in our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was not present for the following Roll Call Vote on March 10, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 63.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the Battle of the Bulge and the courage of the American troops who fought there.

This Saturday, January 25, marks the 80th Anniversary of this historic Allied victory.

41 days, Mr. Speaker.

For 41 days, our soldiers stood guard in much colder weather than we have experienced this week in Washington or back in my home State of Missouri.

For 41 days, these men, many still teenagers, fought from snow- covered foxholes when death and defeat looked imminent.

For 41 days, they saw their brothers, thousands of miles from home, succumb to hypothermia, bullets, bombs, and artillery.

For 41 days, over seven hundred thousand Allied troops, short on equipment, ammunition, and warm clothes, experienced warfare that they would never forget.

For 41 days, these heroes fought and won a battle that would fundamentally change the course of human history.

As we've all shivered through the freezing temperatures this month, it's impossible to imagine what must have gone through the minds of our soldiers hunkered down in the Ardennes.

The anguish and sacrifices these brave men endured will never be truly understood, but will never, ever, be forgotten.

It will not be forgotten by the liberated people of Western Europe, and certainly not by the American people these soldiers gave their lives defending.

Earlier today, the Embassies of Belgium and Luxembourg hosted a wreath-laying ceremony at the Battle of the Bulge Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.

I want to thank these Nations for organizing this moving tribute to those who held the line for freedom over tyranny.

But most importantly, it is my distinct honor to pay respects to the victors of the greatest land battle in the history of the United States Army.

We are, and forever will be, grateful for your heroism.