Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 9 o'clock and 22 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell you what is true about what Mr. McGovern said. It is true that last night, after midnight, the Republican majority leader introduced a piece of legislation on the floor of the Senate. It is true that no Republican Senator objected to that. I can tell you, I am very disappointed in the Republican leader and in the Republican Party over there for not objecting to it.

I want to read, for the American citizens, what is written in the bill because I want you to understand why we cannot accept, and it is not in your best interest as American citizens for us to accept, the language that the Senate sent over here. While this is boring, I do think the words on the sheet of paper matter, and you need to understand the consequences of accepting the language.

Section 4, Explanatory Statement: ``The explanatory statement regarding this act, printed in the House section of the Congressional Record on or about January 22, 2026, and submitted by the chair of the Committee on Appropriations of the House, shall have the same effect with respect to the allocation of funds and implementation of this act as if it were a joint explanatory statement of a committee of conference, except that all contents printed under the headings `U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement' ''--that is what they want you to think it is about, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement--``and `Border Security Operations' under the heading `U.S. Customs and Border Protection' shall have no force or effect for purpose of this act, and amounts specified in the `Final Bill' column under the subheading `Border Security Operations' ''--not just ICE, but border security operations--``and under the heading `U.S. Customs and Border Protection' and under the heading `U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement' in the `Department of Homeland Security Act, 2026' table shall all be $0.''

That is what you are demanding, that we zero out Customs and Border Protection so that the border can be open the way you want it to be open, the way you did it under Joe Biden.

Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed in the Republican leader, and I am disappointed in the Republicans in the Senate for not objecting to this madness.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1009 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1009, providing for consideration of three measures. H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, is under a closed rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, is under a closed rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

H.J. Res. 140, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN, is under a closed rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate a rule on three pieces of legislation. Beginning with H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act.

Mr. Speaker, across the country, pregnancy centers serve as trusted, community-based nonprofits that offer a wide range of material assistance and support, including pregnancy testing, prenatal education, parenting classes, ultrasounds, diapers, baby clothing, adoption referrals, and connections to housing and other services.

In 2024 alone, these organizations assisted nearly 2 million individuals nationwide, Mr. Speaker.

Despite their longstanding role in supporting families and advancing the core purposes of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a proposed rule under the previous administration raised uncertainty about whether States could continue partnering with pregnancy centers even though these services clearly align with helping children remain in their homes and reducing dependence on government assistance.

H.R. 6945 addresses that uncertainty by making clear that States may not be restricted from choosing to work with pregnancy centers and that Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds may be used for these services consistent with Federal law.

This bill does not mandate participation. Again, Mr. Speaker, this bill does not mandate participation, but instead preserves State flexibility and protects against future administrative overreach.

At a time when families are facing rising costs and difficult choices, ensuring access to proven community resources matters. This legislation reinforces support for pregnant and parenting women, respects State decisionmaking, and strengthens efforts to help families thrive.

Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. Mr. Speaker, today's student population looks very different than it did decades ago. Nearly one in five undergraduate students is raising children while enrolled, yet many pregnant students remain unaware of the rights and accommodations already available to them under Federal law.

While Title IX clearly prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy and requires reasonable accommodation, those protections are only meaningful if students know they exist and understand how to access them. Too often, that information is buried, inconsistently shared, or not communicated at all.

H.R. 6359 takes a straightforward approach by requiring colleges and universities that receive Federal student aid to clearly disseminate information regarding pregnant students' rights and available accommodations, as well as both on-campus and community resources. This bill also ensures students know how to file a Title IX complaint if those rights are violated.

This legislation does not expand Federal authority or create new rights. Instead, it promotes transparency, consistency, and accountability so that pregnant students can remain enrolled, complete their education, and plan for their futures. By reinforcing access to information respecting existing law, H.R. 6359 supports students, families, and institutions alike.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the rule provides for the consideration of H.J. Res. 140, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.

The Duluth Complex is home to one of the largest undeveloped mineral reserves in the world. It contains roughly 8 billion tons, Mr. Speaker, of copper and nickel, in addition to cobalt and platinum. It is the world's second largest copper deposit and the world's third largest nickel deposit.

Currently, China controls approximately 60 percent of global critical mineral production, and we have seen them use their control over the industry as a bargaining chip. It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that increasing domestic production of critical minerals is vital for America's economic and national security.

However, in 2023, the Biden administration issued PLO 7917, which withdrew 225,504 acres from mineral development in the Superior National Forest. This PLO locked these reserves for 20 years and prematurely ended the permitting process.

H.J. Res. 140 is simple. It permanently ends this irresponsible withdrawal and allows a transparent process to potentially develop the minerals in the Duluth Complex to move forward.

As the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), the sponsor of this bill, stated in the Rules Committee last night, this legislation doesn't green-light mining in the Duluth Complex. It reverses the Biden administration's mineral ban in the area and allows companies to continue to compete while following Federal permitting and environmental processes. Again, they will continue to follow Federal permitting and environmental processes.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these pieces of legislation. I urge passage of this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, before I yield to Mr. Bost, I will say that by my count, I think my colleague blamed Donald Trump 14 times for the things the Democratic Party did before he got elected. Gas is very close to $2 a gallon in Tifton, Georgia, and I think it costs a lot less for gasoline in most Republican States than it does Democrat States right now because of the Democrats charging more and more taxes on their citizens.

As for the Affordable Care Act or ObamaCare that you all take so much credit for and are so proud of the way you wrote it, the benefactors of that legislation, the large insurance companies' CEOs are actually going to be on the Hill this week and will get to be questioned. I hope you will question them fairly hard, but I did bring one of my bills because I expected you to say that.

The charge is $546.53. The insurance carrier discount is $509.93. Insurance paid zero, nothing, not one dime. I paid $36.60.

Now, if you wanted to fix it for the American citizens, the question is: Why was it even a $500 charge if the fair value is $36? Republicans are trying to work to fix that. Unfortunately, we can't get a single Democratic vote for a piece of healthcare legislation that will actually work for all of the American citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost), my friend and chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank).

Mr. Speaker, while the gentlewoman was speaking, I did take a second to pull up a couple of things on gas prices since they are blaming President Trump for it. They are correct.

In Worcester, the gas price is $2.91 a gallon on average. In Oklahoma, it is $2.21. In Wyoming, it is $2.22. In Texas, it is about $2.23. In Georgia, it is about the same thing.

Do my colleagues know what the difference is? We all have Republican Governors. Our Republican Governors are working to lower the cost of energy. The Democratic Governors are obviously keeping energy prices high and blaming the President for that. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want everybody to take a deep breath, and I want you to know that Donald Trump, nor the United States is going to invade Greenland. It is not going to happen. It is just not.

Now, Russia might invade it, and China might invade it. As far as Canada and the NATO alliance goes, I just have to tell you that Canada committed to buying approximately 90 F-35s. Do you know how many they actually purchased? Less than 20.

Canada's national security strategy is to pick up the phone and call Donald Trump to protect us. Donald Trump has done the right thing by making NATO and our partners stand up and acknowledge that they don't have the defenses in place that they need.

While some people might not want to believe it, I will tell you one that does.

Mark Rutte, NATO chief, praises Trump at Davos by saying that he forced Europe to step up on defense. Now, this is the head of NATO. He is the head of NATO. A couple of comments about President Trump.

`` . . . I'm not popular with you now because I'm defending Donald Trump, but I really believe you can be happy that he is there because he has forced us in Europe to step up, to face the consequences that we have to take care more of our own defense,'' Rutte said.

Wednesday, in remarks at Davos, Switzerland: ``No way. Without Donald Trump, this would never have happened. They are all on 2 percent now.''

It went on during a panel at the World Economic Forum.

``I'm absolutely convinced, without Donald Trump we would not have taken those decisions. And they are crucial, particularly for the European and the Canadian side of NATO to really grow up''--``grow up,'' this is the head of NATO saying this about NATO--``in the post- Cold War world.''

``The Americans still have over 80,000 soldiers in Europe. . . . including in Poland, in Germany . . . they are still heavily invested in European defense. And yes, they have to pivot more towards Asia. So, it is only logical for them to expect us in Europe to step up, over time.''

I will tell you: Donald Trump doesn't have any plans to invade Greenland, but the Russians do. The Russians do. If NATO is not willing to do what it takes to defend Greenland, then the United States should.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend from North Carolina (Mr. McDowell).

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

Mr. Speaker, I know a lot of people who work in these centers. They are honest, dedicated, hardworking people who care about the pregnant mothers and the unborn children. I think that the attacks on them are unfounded, unwarranted, and unprofessional.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on the rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, after listening to that, I can't help but go back to when 99 percent of Republicans voted to keep the government open just a couple of months ago, and 100 percent of Democrats voted to shut it down, how the Democrats were running around saying: See what the Republicans did. I mean, it is a totally false narrative.

Mr. Speaker, this week, the House can advance three simple pieces of legislation under this rule.

H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, addresses uncertainty and makes clear that States may not be restricted from choosing to work with pregnancy centers and that TANF funds may be used for these services consistent with Federal law. This is not a mandate, Mr. Speaker. We are not saying that the States have to do this.

H.R. 6359, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, requires colleges and universities that receive Federal student aid to clearly disseminate information regarding pregnant students' rights, available accommodations, and both on-campus and community resources.

H.J. Res. 140 rescinds the Biden administration's mineral ban on almost a quarter of a million acres in the Superior National Forest and allows a transparent process to develop the minerals in the Duluth Complex to move forward.

Mr. Speaker, all three of these measures are worthy of support, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

The text of the material previously referred to by Mr. McGovern is as follows:

An Amendment To H. Res. 1009 Offered By Mr. McGovern of Massachusetts

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 4. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the

House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the

bill (H.R. 12) to protect a person's ability to determine

whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a

health care provider's ability to provide abortion services.

All points of order against consideration of the bill are

waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of

order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous

question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on

any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening

motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and

controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the

Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective

designees; and (2) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 5. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX and clause 8 of rule XX

shall not apply to the consideration of H.R. 12.

Sec. 6. The Clerk shall transmit to the Senate a message

that the House has passed H.R. 12 no later than three

calendar days after passage.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I have, as other Members, gotten a number of calls over the last couple of days about whether or not I think the President did the right thing or not. I will read this to you: ``. . . President of the United States of America, find that the situation in Venezuela, including the government of Venezuela's erosion of human rights guarantees, persecution of political opponents, curtailment of press freedoms, use of violence and human rights violations and abuses in response to antigovernment protests, and arbitrary arrest and detention of antigovernment protestors, as well as the exacerbating presence of significant public corruption, constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. . . .''

Now, what I want you to know is that wasn't Donald Trump that wrote that. That was Barack Obama that wrote that. If President Obama or President Biden had taken the same actions to remove Maduro from power and help not just the United States but the Western Hemisphere and the world as a whole, I can honestly tell you that Republicans would have applauded those actions. Because it was President Trump and the Trump derangement syndrome and the hatred that Democrats have for him, he has been attacked for it.

Remember this: President Trump did put a bounty on Maduro, but it was President Biden that raised the bounty to $25 million in January of this year.

Chuck Schumer in 2020 attacked: ``And the President brags about his Venezuela policy. Give us a break. He hasn't brought an end to the Maduro regime. The Maduro regime is more powerful today and more entrenched than it was when the President began.''

That was Chuck Schumer in 2020.

What is Chuck Schumer saying today? ``This is reckless. And the American people are just, this morning, in fear of what is going to happen here.''

Let me tell you something. The world is a safer place because of what Donald Trump ordered and what our military carried out this past week. The Western Hemisphere cannot be a safe space for China, Russia, Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, or the other terrorists that were being given safe haven in Venezuela.

Speaker Pelosi in 2019 ended her round table comments with a resounding: ``It is clear Maduro must go, the sooner the better.''

Madam Speaker, you should congratulate President Trump. Instead, what did she say: ``Venezuela is ruled by an illegitimate regime, but the administration has not made the case

that an urgent threat to America's national security existed to justify the use of U.S. military force.''

Mr. Speaker, I am thankful that we have a President in the White House with the guts to get it done, who has helped us build a military with the capability to get it done. It was one of the most impressive military operations that I think the world has ever witnessed. Those men and women, whether they were on the ground, in the air, or supporting that mission, deserve commendations, not criticism, as does the President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to say Doug was a kind and gentle giant. He was firm and fair. He was wise, and he was funny.

I remember one day in the Agriculture Committee when he spoke for 5 minutes. He spoke so long that he finally remembered that he forgot to leave people any time to answer his questions. It was a pretty funny moment for the committee. He laughed about it, and he didn't make that mistake again.

Mr. Speaker, I will say this about him. He was 100 percent American. When the local sheriff's department asked for help with people who knew how to operate diesel equipment, Doug showed up. Doug is the one. He is the Member of Congress that we saw on camera, getting on a bulldozer, saying: I love the smell of diesel power in the afternoon. It smells like victory.

Mr. Speaker, Doug LaMalfa and only Doug LaMalfa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lowndes County in Georgia's 8th Congressional District. Lowndes County was established by the Georgia State Assembly on December 23, 1825. Since then, the county has grown to be home to more than 118,000 people and spans 511 square miles. What was once a railroad town dominated by cotton sales has grown to serve as home to Valdosta State University, the Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area, Moody Air Force Base, and many charming Georgia towns. Lowndes County has served our airmen at Moody Air Force Base for many years and sets the example for how we can best support our soldiers and their families. I am honored to represent this community and look forward to seeing Lowndes County continue to grow for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 936 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume.

During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Mr. Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 936, providing for consideration of six measures.

S. 1071 is the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026

under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act, is under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure or their respective designees, provides one motion to recommit, and makes eight amendments in order.

H.R. 3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, is under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees, provides one motion to recommit, and makes one amendment in order.

H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act, is under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees, provides one motion to recommit, and makes five amendments in order.

H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, is under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees, and provides one motion to recommit.

H.R. 3383, the INVEST Act, is under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services or their respective designees, provides one motion to recommit, and makes five amendments in order.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate a rule on six pieces of legislation. First is S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Adam Smith, one of the top priorities of the fiscal year '26 NDAA was to reform the defense acquisition system and equip our armed services with the technology they need to deter national security threats.

As anyone who follows this process knows, it can take more than a decade before new capabilities are finally deployed. Yet, by then, the threat has changed, the technology is outdated, and the program is over budget.

This bill cuts red tape and shifts the focus of the defense acquisition system from compliance to quickly and cost effectively fielding new capabilities to ensure that our armed forces are the most lethal and effective fighting force in the world.

Implementing the Peace Through Strength agenda, the fiscal year '26 NDAA codifies all or parts of 15 executive orders and 30 legislative proposals from President Trump. It fully funds top defense priorities. It revitalizes the defense industrial base. It grows manufacturing jobs in America, all while pressing our NATO allies to pay more for their own defense.

Building upon last year's NDAA, which focused on servicemembers' quality of life, this bill supports a 3.8 percent pay raise, Mr. Speaker, for all servicemembers. It improves housing and Department of Defense schools, and it expands access to healthcare and childcare.

To deter our adversaries, the fiscal year '26 NDAA focuses on countering threats from China, bolsters Taiwan's defense, and supports Indo-Pacific allies and partners.

Additionally, this bill continues the focus on countering threats to our national security from Russia, North Korea, Iran, and other foreign terrorist organizations. To counter emerging threats, the bill focuses on rapidly deploying new and innovative technologies to our warfighters, while strengthening nuclear deterrence and missile defense.

To further secure our border and fight drug trafficking, the fiscal year '26 NDAA fully funds the establishment and enforcement of national defense areas along the southwest border of the United States of America, authorizes the Department of Defense to provide additional support to Customs and Border Protection, and authorizes over $1 billion to combat drug trafficking.

Finally, the fiscal year '26 NDAA reforms programs and saves taxpayer dollars. It saves over $20 billion from DOGE cuts and Department of Defense workforce reforms, improves congressional oversight of Department of Defense audit results, and overhauls military construction to reduce costs and expedite project delivery.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and all of the staff for their work that went into the fiscal year '26 NDAA which should pass with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Second, Mr. Speaker, we have H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act. This bill contains targeted commonsense reforms to the permitting process under the Clean Water Act, restoring the balance between the need to ensure both water quality and economic growth.

Simply stated, this bill will cut red tape, reduce costly project delays and frivolous litigation, and provide greater regulatory certainty for our Nation's infrastructure builders, energy producers, farmers, homebuilders, water utilities, and small businesses.

Third, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3628, is the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act. This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require State utility regulators to consider sufficient and reliable generation when considering electric utilities' integrated resource plans.

A stable supply of electricity is critical for most aspects of modern life, and peak demand growth is now higher than any point in 20 years. Net-zero mandates of renewable subsidies have disrupted the market, causing grid reliability issues as demand grows. This bill clarifies that reliable electricity means dispatchable, baseload energy.

Reliable energy is foundational to everything, and this bill will help ensure we have reliable, secure generation that keeps the lights on.

Fourth, Mr. Speaker, is H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act. This is a simple bill that directs the Department of Energy to assess our country's electric grid component manufacturing capacity and determine potential problems with imported grid components. We can't afford to fail in securing our electric supply chain. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation aims to ensure we won't.

Fifth, Mr. Speaker, is H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act. This bill aims to speed up the consideration of pipelines by promoting interagency coordination for reviewing certain authorizations for LNG facilities and natural gas pipelines under the Natural Gas Act.

Demand for natural gas in the United States has grown by 47 percent since 2013. Infrastructure to deliver that gas, however, has only increased by 26 percent.

Currently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, has the responsibility of authorizing pipelines, and generally, after thorough review, finds these projects consistent with the public interest.

Yet many of these federally approved projects often don't come to fruition because certain States and other agencies fail to issue the proper certifications.

Under the current process, one State has the ability to veto a multi- State pipeline project for reasons far outside the scope of water quality. This results in reliability and affordability issues in resource-constrained areas in our country.

Natural gas is clean, affordable, and reliable. The United States also has an abundant supply, and this bill will ensure we have the pipelines needed to keep up with the continually increasing demand for electricity generation.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, we have H.R. 3383, the INVEST Act. This is a bipartisan package containing 22 pieces of legislation that have all been reported favorably out of the House Committee on Financial Services. This legislation will strengthen public markets, produce more opportunities for investors, and expand access to capital for small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these pieces of legislation. I urge passage of this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Mrs. Biggs).

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Sykes) on the success of her amendments in the legislation. The National Defense Authorization Act is something that I am proud to work on year-round on the Armed Services Committee.

I give a lot of credit to Ranking Member Adam Smith, Chair Mike Rogers, and the members of the House Armed Services Committee for working together in very much a bipartisan fashion to make sure that American citizens are protected, not just here in America, but that our troops have the resources they need around the world to protect themselves so that we can be free here in the United States of America.

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

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

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule and ``yes'' on the underlying piece of legislation, especially the National Defense Authorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, I want to address a couple of things since, as usual, the Democrats continue to blame President Trump for everything.

Just as a reminder, the Democrats controlled the House, Senate, and White House until January 2023. They controlled the Senate and White House until January 2025. Every State in this country has a public service commission, so it doesn't make any sense to blame President Trump for what is happening with energy prices when, if you look, it is the States that are controlled by Democrats that have the highest energy prices.

I would suggest that we have a little honest reflection here as we talk about different types of things and where inflation comes from. I would remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the American citizens of the deficits that they ran when they had the House, Senate, and White House. When they passed the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan, as they call it, it cost trillions upon trillions upon trillions of dollars.

By the way, it was the Democrats who chose not to extend the subsidies beyond this year when they had the House, Senate, and White House, not the Republicans. It was the Democrats who did that. They voted for it, not us.

Let's just be honest. President Trump is doing a good job. He is making sure that the rules of engagement are set so that the American citizens are protected and the pangas go to the bottom of the ocean.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, first of all, if you are over 65, you are not eligible for the tax credit. If you or your spouse work for someone who even offers health insurance, you are not eligible for the tax credit. People on CHIP are not eligible for the tax credit. People on Medicaid are not eligible for the tax credit. If my colleagues think that expanding this tax credit is going to fix the problem, let me just give you a couple of examples from my personal life.

I am covered under the Affordable Care Act today. Do you know what I do when I go to the pharmacy? I don't file it on my health insurance. I pay cash because the cash price is less than the copay on my health insurance. The plans, for the most part, are junk. It is junk, and we are not going to continue to send billions upon billions of dollars to the insurance companies.

The President has made it very clear. We will give the people money to help them purchase their health insurance, but we need more competition in the system so that people could actually buy a good plan that works for them instead of this junk that I have.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

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

Mr. Speaker, I will make sure that my colleague understood what I said and meant when I said that when I go to the pharmacy, I pay cash instead of using my insurance card.

The retail cost of the drug is less than the copay on the insurance.

Mr. Speaker, that is just the reality of the system that Americans are forced to live in.

I thought I might share with you another bill that I kept, where the total charge was $111. As I said, I am covered under the Affordable Care Act. My copay for that doctor's visit was $60. The insurance provider and adjustments were a total of $51. Of that, the insurance company paid $7.99 and just discounted the doctor's bill by $43.01. Again, on a $111 charge, I paid $60, the doctor got beat down by $43, and the insurance company paid $7.99.

Let me just tell you, the Affordable Care Act needs to be replaced with something that actually works for the American citizens. I think the worst thing that has ever happened is when it obtained the name of ObamaCare because then it became about President Obama instead of about what the actual law and the flaws in the piece of legislation are.

Let's just be clear: If we could fix it, we would. However, giving more cash to the health insurance industry that already has record profits and record stock prices is not going to reduce the premium for American citizens as a whole or is it going to improve the quality of care. We have to get competition back into the market.

If it wasn't named ObamaCare, we might have been able to fix it. We might have been able to fix it, but the Democrats are scared to do anything, because their primaries, to change ObamaCare. They are sure not going to give President Trump a vote to fix the mess that they made. They don't want him to get the credit for fixing the mess that they made, so they simply won't vote for anything that would actually work.

Mr. Speaker, I want to get back to some other issues. I want to get back to the National Defense Authorization Act.

It is a dangerous time in the world right now. It is a dangerous time with all of the things happening in China, with all of the aggression of Russia, with all of the things happening in the Western Hemisphere. The National Defense Authorization Act is probably the most important piece of legislation that we pass on an annual basis in this country.

We have two good leaders, Adam Smith and Mike Rogers, and we have a committee that has been able to work together in a bipartisan fashion to put this piece of legislation on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is time to pass this rule. It is time to pass this bill.

As you have heard from some of my Democratic colleagues, they have amendments that they are very proud of in this legislation. I am glad it is a bipartisan piece of legislation. Let's pass this rule. Let's pass this bill, and let's move on.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am thankful that we have a Speaker of the House with the character of Mike Johnson. He is a friend of mine. He is a very devoted individual in many, many ways, and I am thankful that he is the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

I might ask my colleague if she is prepared to close. I don't have any further speakers, Mr. Speaker, so I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to submit for the Record a PBS News article titled: ``Obama reveals how many civilians died in U.S. drone attacks'' under him. It states in here that various human rights groups suggest the range was as high as 1,100 killed by Barack Obama's drone strikes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this week, the House can advance six pieces of legislation under this rule.

S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, significantly improves the defense acquisition system. This bill implements the peace through strength agenda and restores lethality to our Armed Forces. It further secures America's borders and improves the quality of life for our servicemembers.

The fiscal year 2026 NDAA reforms key programs and saves taxpayer dollars resulting in a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force. This legislation will deter China, defend Israel, and

counter Russia, North Korea, Iran, and other foreign terrorist organizations.

Finally, this bill strengthens our nuclear deterrence, supports the Golden Dome initiative, and grows our Nation's strategic space capabilities. This is a bipartisan, must-pass piece of legislation that all my colleagues should support.

H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act, contains targeted, balanced reforms to the permitting process under the Clean Water Act that will cut red tape, reduce project delays, and provide regulatory certainty.

H.R. 3628, the State Planning for Reliability and Affordability Act, will require State utility regulators to ensure we have reliable, secure baseload energy that keeps the lights on.

H.R. 3638, the Electric Supply Chain Act, will direct the Department of Energy to ensure we are securing our electric supply chain.

H.R. 3668, the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, aims to speed up the consideration of pipelines by promoting interagency coordination for reviewing certain authorizations for LNG facilities and natural gas pipelines under the Natural Gas Act.

Lastly, H.R. 3383, the INVEST Act, will strengthen public markets, produce more opportunities for investors, and expand access to capital for small businesses.

The bills before us this week give this body the chance to provide for our defense, to make energy more affordable and reliable, and provide opportunities and access to capital.

They are all worthy of support, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

The material previously referred to by Ms. Leger Fernandez is as follows:

An Amendment To H. Res. 936 Offered By Ms. Leger Fernandez of New

Mexico

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 9. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the

House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the

bill (H.R. 6074) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

to extend the enhancement of the health care premium tax

credit. All points of order against consideration of the bill

are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points

of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The

previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill

and on any amendment thereto to final passage without

intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally

divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority

member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their respective

designees; and (2) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 10. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the

consideration of H.R. 6074.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, wow. There has been a lot said in the last few minutes.

Let's be clear: Senate Democratic leadership knew about the language, as well as Senate Republican leadership. Both sides knew about this language.

Nobody in the House supported this language. This language did not go through any committee in the Senate, did not go through any committee in the House, and could never be passed and signed into law if it was discussed openly where the American citizens could actually see and understand what was happening.

We were given a choice the other day, open the government or keep the government closed.

The people on my side of the aisle, almost unanimously, voted to open the government. I am glad that we ended the chaos, Mr. Speaker. I want you to know that because if the Democrats had had their way, the chaos would be ensuing today.

There is a provision in this bill that I believe is probably the most self-centered, self-serving piece of language that I have ever seen in my time in office in any piece of legislation. For the people who are saying it is $500,000, I want the American citizens to know this: It is not $500,000. It is $500,000 per account, per occurrence.

We have one Senator, one, who maintains that this provision is good and is currently saying that he is going to sue for tens of millions of dollars. I believe my side did the right thing in voting to open up the government. There are a select few people that did the wrong thing in putting language in the bill that would make themselves individually wealthy.

All this language does is repeals that. All this does is repeals that one provision of the law that would enrich what is now down to one individual Member saying they are going to sue for tens of millions of dollars.

There is not a whole lot to debate here. I hope all of the House will vote unanimously to do it. Then I hope that, like yesterday, Senator Thune will immediately put the bill on the floor, so we can immediately get this to the President's desk and get back to doing the business of the people now that the government is open.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, the American farmer needs this bill to pass. The American soldier needs this bill to pass. Our air traffic controllers need this bill to pass. The men and women who protect us here in this Capitol and all Federal law enforcement need this bill to pass.

Mr. Speaker, I am one of those who represent a lot of Federal employees, and they have been without a check for a long time. This is very simple. It is very simple. It is way past time to open the government up. There are going to be a lot of excuses about could have, should have, would have, and that we need to take this provision or that provision out, or Democrats are going to vote to keep the government shut down.

Mr. Speaker, the vote today is straight up or straight down. You vote to open the government up today, or you vote to keep it closed. That is all there is to it.

As for the provision that has been mentioned a few times about the Senate language, I have introduced a piece of legislation already to repeal the Senate language, and I am hopeful that we will have a vote on that as soon as we get back.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, first, I thank my friends, Mr.

Panetta and Mr. Carbajal, from the Democratic Party for being sponsors of this amendment as well, making it bipartisan.

My amendment authorizes the Secretary of Defense to carry out a security assistance program known as the Baltic Security Initiative for the purpose of expanding security cooperation with the armed forces of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This security assistance program has been in existence since the first Trump administration in fiscal year 2020.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal).

Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).

Mr. Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. Chair, this is an extremely important program. It was originally done in fiscal year 2020 under the Trump administration. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania deserve our support. If you look at what happened last night with the Russian incursion of drones into Poland, I think it is now, more than ever, necessary that we make sure that these countries have what they need to defend themselves from Vladimir Putin's aggression.

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

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 682 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Scanlon), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume.

During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this morning, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 682, providing for consideration of two measures.

The first measure is H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, under a structured rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Armed Services or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and made 298 amendments in order.

Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, under a closed rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate a rule on two pieces of legislation. First, H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of Chairman Mike Rogers and Ranking Member Adam Smith, one of the top priorities of the bipartisan fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act was to reform the defense acquisition system and equip our armed services with the technology they need to deter national security threats.

Mr. Speaker, as anyone who follows this process knows, it can take more than a decade before new capabilities are finally deployed. By then, the threat has changed, the technology is outdated, and the programs are over budget.

This bill cuts red tape and shifts the focus of the defense acquisition system from compliance to quickly and cost-effectively fielding new capabilities to ensure that our Armed Forces are the most lethal and effective fighting force in the world.

Implementing the Peace Through Strength agenda, the fiscal year 2026 NDAA codifies over 45 executive orders and legislative proposals from President Trump. It fully funds top defense priorities, revitalizes the defense industrial base, and grows manufacturing jobs in America, all while pressing our NATO and other allies to pay more for their own defense.

Building upon last year's NDAA, which focused on servicemember quality of life, this bill supports a 3.8 percent pay raise for all servicemembers, improves housing and DOD schools, and expands access to healthcare and childcare.

To deter our adversaries, the fiscal year '26 NDAA focuses on countering the threat from China, bolsters Taiwan's defense, and supports Indo-Pacific allies and partners. Additionally, this bill continues to focus on countering threats to our national security from Russia, North Korea, Iran, and other foreign terrorist organizations.

To counter emerging threats, the bill focuses on rapidly deploying new, innovative technologies to our warfighters while strengthening nuclear deterrence and missile defense.

To further secure our border and fight drug trafficking, the fiscal year '26 NDAA fully funds the establishment and enforcement of national defense areas along the southwest border of the United States, authorizes DOD to provide additional support to Customs and Border Protection, and authorizes President Trump's budget request of nearly $1 billion to combat drug traffickers.

Finally, the fiscal year '26 NDAA reforms programs and saves taxpayer dollars. It saves over $20 billion from DOGE cuts and DOD workforce reforms, limits funds available for senior leader travel until DOD makes progress toward fully passing an audit, and overhauls military construction to reduce costs and expedite project delivery.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues and House Armed Services committee staff for all the work that went into creating this strong, bipartisan legislation that should pass with overwhelming support.

Mr. Speaker, moving on, the rule also provides for the consideration of H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025. While existing law criminalizes both illegal entry and illegal reentry to our country, often the punishments are not sufficient to defer aliens from illegally reentering the country after committing crimes or being removed from the United States.

In fact, of all the aliens charged with illegal reentry in 2023, more than 70 percent had criminal records, Mr. Speaker. H.R. 3486, if enacted, gives Federal officials more tools to prosecute aliens who illegally enter the United States.

It requires between 5 years of imprisonment to life imprisonment for an alien who illegally enters the United States and is later convicted of a felony. It requires between 10 years of imprisonment to life imprisonment for an alien who illegally reenters the United States after being removed following a felony conviction.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these pieces of legislation, and I urge passage of this rule.

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

Mr. Speaker, if you don't like President Trump, that is fine. If you don't like the legislation, that is fine. However, for a Member of the House to walk down here and to intentionally take the name of the Lord in vain on the floor of the House of Representatives of the United States of America is just a new low for this institution, Mr. Speaker.

I think it is a sad day for our country, and it says a lot about how far society has fallen. While I know, and I actually read the Book of James yesterday, the tongue is hard to tame, that was an intentional use of language taking the name of our Lord in vain on the floor of this House. I am going to leave it at that.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Schmidt).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the Chairwoman of the Rules Committee and the toughest lady in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely nothing that can make Affordable Care Act plans affordable. It was a gift to the insurance industry from the Democratic Party.

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

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

I commend Chairman Comer for the work that is being done in the Oversight Committee. I commend the courage of the victims who came forward. I should have commended the courage of the victims that came forward to Congress last week and met with Members, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, before I even commended Chairman Comer for his work on the Epstein files.

The key to the Epstein files is the flight logs and the tax records, neither of which is mentioned in the Khanna-Massie language. We are pushing forward.

Chairman Comer is doing a good job. I commend him and the bipartisan work that is being done on the Oversight Committee. I commend the victims for coming to Washington and doing this.

I apologize to the victims for the gamesmanship that is being played at their expense by the other side of the aisle in the Democratic Party. I think they support, from what I understand, what is being done in a bipartisan manner in the Oversight Committee. We are going to continue to push forward that way.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, first of all, it wasn't a speedboat. It was a panga full of drugs. I would rather that so-called speedboat, as they call it--I call it a panga full of drugs--be at the bottom of the ocean than another American be at the bottom of a six-foot hole because of drug overdoses.

I personally think the President and the Secretary of Defense made the right choice, and I hope they will do it again. In fact, I challenge them to do it again.

Mr. Speaker, this week the House can advance two pieces of legislation under this rule. H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, significantly improves the defense acquisition system. The act implements the Peace Through Strength agenda and restores lethality to our Armed Forces. It secures America's borders and improves the quality of life of our servicemembers.

The fiscal year '26 NDAA reforms key programs and saves taxpayer dollars, resulting in a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force. This legislation will deter China, defend Israel, and counter Russia, North Korea, Iran, and other foreign terrorist organizations, including the drug dealers riding around the oceans with pangas full of dope.

Finally, this act strengthens our nuclear deterrence, builds the Golden Dome, and grows our Nation's strategic space capabilities. This is bipartisan, must-pass legislation that every one of my colleagues should support.

Additionally, H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, simply strengthens current law to deter criminal aliens from entering and reentering again and again the United States and gives Federal officials more tools to prosecute aliens who have illegally entered the country and are convicted of a felony or who try to reenter the country after removal following a felony conviction.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 4550. This legislation reauthorizes the United States Grain Standards Act, a cornerstone of American agriculture and trade for nearly a century.

Mr. Speaker, I don't want to go any further without first thanking Chairman Thompson for his work, Ranking Member Craig for her work, and the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids) for her work on this piece of legislation.

As chairman of the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee, I, too, have seen firsthand the importance of this law. Earlier this year, we held a hearing with industry stakeholders to discuss the act's significance and explore ways to foster innovation.

The provisions in this bill ensure transparency, market confidence, and fair price discovery, all of which are essential to a functioning agricultural market.

H.R. 4550 not only reauthorizes this critical legislation, but also advances grain grading technology to modernize inspection and weighing services. These updates will help the industry adopt new technologies, improve the accuracy and the efficiency of grain standards, and keep American agriculture competitive in a global market.

Allowing this law's authority to lapse would have severe consequences, costing our farm economy over $70 million a day and disrupting supply chains and international trade partnerships.

Exports of grain and grain products in my home State of Georgia contribute over $900 million annually in economic output. The United States exports over $26 billion of grain on an annual basis. These numbers underscore the need for uninterrupted, reliable, and cost- effective inspection services.

H.R. 4550 protects these essential services and helps maintain the United States' reputation as the global standard in grain production.

I was proud to work with Ranking Member Davids on the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee to hold a hearing that laid the groundwork for this reauthorization.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support its final passage.

Mr. Speaker, we all know from watching the last 4 years the Democrats have been working for an autopen the last 4 years and not the American citizens.

As a guy from a small town, I want my friends on the other side of the aisle to know this. My town is so small that we literally don't have a red light unless the train comes through. We don't need big-city people telling us how to live. We get along just fine.

In fact, right down the road from my house, a person can open up a cooler and pull fresh vegetables out of there based on the honor system. The bag says how much someone is supposed to pay for them. There is a box with cash in it.

Mr. Speaker, try that in one of your metropolitan areas. While I hear my colleague talk about how much help we in the small town need for more government, as a small-town guy, the deficit and the debt scares us. It does.

Let's talk about the facts about this package. If there is anything that is wrong with the package, it is that it doesn't cut enough.

The net increase in spending so far this fiscal year, the last 9 months, is $318 billion.

Let me say that again for the American citizens.

The net increase in spending has gone up $318 billion in the last 9 months.

This piece of legislation cuts less than one-half of 1 percent of discretionary spending. It is a rounding error on the increase. I wish that DOGE were working as effectively today as it was the first several months of the year. I hope that we, as Republicans, get back to exposing where the American tax dollars have been wasted over the last several years.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage people to vote for this minor cut, but a minor cut is better than no cut.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address the American citizens for just a couple of minutes.

I know many of our citizens are concerned about some of the language in the bill, and I think maybe the reason they are concerned is because the people that are telling them what is in the bill never bothered to read the bill, so I thought I would just read to them a part.

If the Democrats have read this, then they are lying to the general public.

This excerpt is on SNAP. ``Exceptions. Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an individual if the individual is-- (A) under 18, or over 65, years of age;

(B) medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment;

(C) a parent or other member of a household with responsibility for a dependent child under 14 years of age . . .''

When the Democrats are telling you that we are kicking disabled people off of SNAP or we are kicking disabled people off of Medicaid, it is an absolute lie.

Look at pages 16 and 17 of the legislation. It will take about 60 seconds to read it. That is exactly what it says.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 530 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume.

During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 530, providing for consideration of four measures, including H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, provides for one motion to recommit, and makes 32 amendments in order.

Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 275, the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025, under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security or their respective designees and provides for one motion to recommit.

Further, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 875, the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees and provides for one motion to recommit.

Lastly, the rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 516, Condemning the Violent June 2025 Riots in Los Angeles, California, under a closed rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective designees.

Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate the rule on four pieces of legislation, beginning with H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3944 supports those who have sacrificed for our country and maintains our commitment to the well-being of both servicemembers and veterans.

It provides a total of $453 billion in overall funding, including a discretionary allocation of more than $152 billion, which is nearly $5 billion above the previous year's enacted level.

It fully funds veterans' healthcare programs, including medical care for toxic exposure. It fully funds veterans' benefits and VA programs and supports President Trump's effort to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new bridging rental assistance for the veteran empowerment program.

It protects the Second Amendment rights of veterans by preventing the VA from sending information on veterans to the FBI without a judge's consent.

Further, it syncs with President Trump's executive order on no funds for DEI or gender-affirming care and protects the Hyde-like language at the VA.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3944 continues support for the Guard and Reserve, providing more than $1.2 billion for Guard and Reserve facility construction.

It includes $2 billion for military family housing, with a focus on child development centers to improve the quality of life of our military families.

It provides robust funding for military construction, which enables continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region and the infrastructure necessary to support U.S. advanced weapon systems.

Furthermore, it prohibits the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People's Republic of China.

Mr. Speaker, this bill provides significant investments and support for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families, and it should pass in a bipartisan manner.

Moving on, Mr. Speaker, the rule also provides for the consideration of H.R. 275, the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025.

It goes without saying, Mr. Speaker, that the situation at our southern border has improved significantly under the Trump administration. However, under the previous administration, illegal aliens from over 170 different countries, including Iran, the People's Republic of China, and Russia, came across our borders.

H.R. 275 would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a monthly report on the number of special interest aliens--people who pose a significant threat to our national security based on analysis of travel patterns--who have been encountered while attempting to illegally enter the United States.

This bill is common sense, and the American people have a right to know.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 875, the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025.

This bill is simple and necessary. It closes a loophole in U.S. immigration law and ensures that aliens who endanger communities by driving while intoxicated are inadmissible to and deportable from the United States.

All three of the individuals included in the title lost their lives in automobile crashes caused by illegal aliens who were driving under the influence. We should honor their memory and work to keep the American people safe by passing this bill in a bipartisan manner.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 516, Condemning the Violent June 2025 Riots in Los Angeles, California.

The First Amendment to the Constitution protects the right to peacefully protest. However, it does not protect against riots and violence. This resolution recognizes the right to assemble and protest peacefully while condemning the riots and violence against law enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these pieces of legislation. I urge passage of this rule.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump--I know it pains my colleagues to say that, ``President of the United States Donald J. Trump''--for his decisive action. I thank him for calling both sides out on the cease- fire.

I point out to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that, as of right now, the cease-fire is holding, and most of the world wants that cease-fire to hold.

Mr. Speaker, when you talk about a cult, the cult would be the people who hate Donald Trump so bad that they want the cease-fire to fail.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time each side has remaining.

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

Mr. Speaker, I don't think that the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is ridiculous. I think it is necessary. I think our veterans have earned it. I think it is a good piece of legislation. Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, I expect it will probably pass in a bipartisan manner.

I will say this: President Trump wants peace between Israel and Iran. He took decisive action, and without that decisive action, that peace would not have been possible. He wanted peace with India and Pakistan, and he wants peace with Ukraine and Russia. He wants peace.

Now, Mr. Speaker, you may disagree with the way he goes about it, but to attack him and say that he doesn't want a resolution that ends the killing, you just don't know the man if you think that about him. He wants peace.

Sometimes peace requires strength, and it requires a leader who has the mental capacity to make the decisions to carry out the actions necessary to bring about that peace. I am thankful that we have a President who has the ability to make those decisions.

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

Mr. Speaker, I certainly have thanked before, and I will thank again, all of the law enforcement and the men and women who keep us safe in this Capitol. I appreciate what they do for us.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close. I don't have any additional speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this week, the House has the ability to advance four pieces of legislation under this rule.

H.R. 3944 is the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026, which provides significant investments and support for our veterans, servicemembers, and their families, as well as military construction. I expect and hope that it will pass in a bipartisan manner.

H.R. 275 is the Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2025 which provides transparency by publishing a monthly report on the number of special interest aliens attempting to enter the U.S. and includes the encounter location and their country of origin. This is information that the public has a right to know.

H.R. 875 is the Jeremy and Angel Seay and Sergeant Brandon Mendoza Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025, which works to keep the American people safe by closing a loophole in U.S. immigration law to ensure that aliens who drive intoxicated are inadmissible to, and deportable from, the United States.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I hope and expect it will pass in a bipartisan manner.

H. Res. 516 condemns the violent June 2025 riots in Los Angeles, California, which recognizes the right to assemble and protest peacefully while condemning the riots and violence against law enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.