Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heart full of appreciation and gratitude for one of the many incredible communities I have had the privilege of representing. At the end of the 118th Congress, I said goodbye to one of my beloved district offices nestled on the northern outskirts of Montgomery in beautiful Wetumpka, Alabama.

As I reflect on my time serving south Alabama, it is not only the legislative victories and achievements that come to mind, but our constituent services and successes. The generosity and warm welcome from the City of Wetumpka, and Mayor Jerry Willis, have allowed my team to grow and work diligently for the citizens of Alabama's Second Congressional District to achieve these triumphs.

I thank my staff who have helped me every step of the way. Their hard work and passion for public service have allowed benefits, dollars, and recognition to be restored to our citizens. I am forever grateful to the people of Wetumpka for the trust they placed in me and the success we achieved.

My commitment to serving the people of Alabama remains steadfast. I will continue to carry the friendships and the warmth of this community with me.

I thank them once again for their kindness, and unwavering support. It has been an honor to serve them. May God continue to bless Alabama's Second Congressional District, the state of Alabama, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heart full of appreciation and gratitude as I say goodbye to many of the communities in Alabama's Second Congressional District that I have had the privilege of representing over the years.

On the plains of southeast Alabama is the city of Troy. Nestled on the northern outskirts of Montgomery is beautiful Wetumpka. At the end of the 118th Congress, I said goodbye to both of my beloved district offices in those cities.

As I reflect on my time serving south Alabama, it is not only the legislative victories and achievements that come to mind, but our constituent services and successes.

The generosity and warm welcome from the cities of Troy and Wetumpka, Mayor Jason Reeves and Mayor Jerry Willis, have allowed me and my team to grow and work diligently for the citizens of Alabama's Second Congressional District to achieve many victories.

To my staff who have helped me every step of the way, particularly to Bill Harris and Joan Cox who staffed those offices, I thank them. Their hard work and passion for public service have allowed benefits, dollars, and recognition to be restored to our citizens.

To the people of Alabama's Second, I am forever grateful for the trust they have placed in me and the successes we achieved together.

My commitment to serving Alabama remains steadfast. I will continue to carry the friendships and warmth of these communities with me into Alabama's First Congressional District. I thank them once again for their kindness and their unwavering support. It has been an honor to serve them.

May God continue to bless Alabama's Second Congressional District, the State of Alabama, and the United States of America.

Mr. Chair, had I been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call No. 364 and AYE on Roll Call No. 372.

Amendment No. 51 Offered by Mr. Perry

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6162, my legislation to name the post office located at 379 North Oates Street in Dothan, Alabama, as the LaBruce ``Bruce'' Tidwell Post Office Building.

Bruce Tidwell enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and served as a radio operator on the LCT 801.

Born and raised in Dothan, Bruce returned to Dothan after the war ended in 1945 and began working at the Dothan Oil Mill.

After a few years, Bruce decided he wanted to become a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.

From radio room to mail room, the Navy veteran, Bruce Tidwell, was dedicated to serving his State and his country.

Bruce was known for altering his usual mail route during the Vietnam war in order to ensure that those families with servicemembers received letters from home as quickly as possible because he knew how much that would mean to those families. He walked the route, and he changed the route to make sure those families got those letters to home.

He was beloved by the Dothan community where he lived for 86 years. There is no better post office to rename than the exact location in Dothan where Bruce worked.

I thank my Alabama colleagues and my colleagues here, Representative Aderholt, Representative Carl, Representative Palmer, Representative Rogers, and Representative Sewell, as well as Representative Strong for their support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation in honor of Mr. Bruce.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of amendment No. 129 that would cut $4.91 million from the DOD climate change research and reallocate that funding for the enhancements to the Army's unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs.

I start by thanking my friend and colleague from Alabama, Representative Strong, for cosponsoring this important amendment.

Mr. Chairman, we should not be focusing on climate change research at the Department of Defense. Instead, we should be preparing for the next conflict and assure that our military is lethal and ready for combat.

According to the Presidential budget item justification for this project submitted by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, they claim that climate change will impact the full range of U.S. military operating environments. That is complete hogwash. Do we really think China cares about climate change that impacts their operations based on environment? Absolutely not.

To better protect American servicemembers from enemy fire, we should upgrade unmanned systems that operate in enemy environments. UGVs have already demonstrated their transformative potential on the battlefield. They can perform a wide range of tasks from reconnaissance to surveillance to logistics to explosive ordnance disposal without putting human lives at risk.

By increasing our investment in these technologies, we can significantly reduce the casualties and injuries among our troops, ensuring that fewer families will have to face the heartache of loved ones being harmed in the line of duty.

Moreover, enhancing our UGV capabilities will give us a strategic edge over our adversaries. As geopolitical tensions rise and threats become more and more sophisticated, having a fleet of advanced UGVs will enable our forces to respond swiftly and effectively to any threat. These vehicles can operate in environments that are too dangerous and inaccessible for humans, providing critical support in situations where conventional vehicles or personnel could be compromised.

This amendment aligns DOD dollars toward closing the most urgent warfighting gaps rather than funding climate research that does nothing to enhance national defense.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Strong).

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Increasing funds for Army UGVs is not just a matter of military necessity. It is an investment in safety, security, and the future of our Nation. Let us act decisively to equip our forces with the tools they need to protect and serve.

I urge the adoption of my amendment, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of amendment No. 32 that would express congressional opposition to TSA's use of facial recognition technology at American airports.

Facial recognition technology encroaches on the privacy of American citizens. This gives the government unprecedented surveillance capabilities that can track a person's movements in real time.

At a time when the government already conducts warrantless searches of our data through the FISA programs, we should not give our weaponized government another inch when it comes to mass surveillance, especially without a sophisticated system of checks and balances.

TSA has expanded its facial recognition technology at American airports. While TSA states that the program is optional, it is the stated intent of the TSA to expand this technology beyond the security checkpoint and require that passengers undergo facial recognition scans every time they travel. Further, there are several airports that I have traveled to that do not have sufficient signage to alert passengers that they have the option to opt out of this intrusive technology.

In April of 2023, TSA Administrator Pekoske admitted at the South by Southwest Conference that we will get to a point where we will require biometrics across the board.

The potential for misuse of this technology extends far beyond airport security checkpoints. Once Americans become accustomed to government facial recognition scans, it will be that much easier for the government to scan citizens' faces everywhere, from entry into government buildings, to passive surveillance on public property like parks, schools, and sidewalks.

This powerful surveillance technology as deployed by TSA does not make air travel safer. As a matter of fact, the 3 percent error rate cited by TSA represents more than 68,000 mismatches per day if used on all 2.2 million daily travelers.

Recent news reports that hundreds of passengers have bypassed TSA security checkpoints entirely in recent years suggest that TSA should focus on the fundamentals, not expanding its facial recognition program.

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

Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley) for cosponsoring this amendment. I encourage my colleagues to support this effort, as well.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, I encourage all Members and friends to support this important amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 80th anniversary of D-day, where more than 2,500 Americans gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy for our freedom.

On that night of June 6, 1944, President Roosevelt went on national radio to address the country for the first time about the Normandy invasion. His speech took the form of a prayer that I will read.

``My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

``And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

``Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

``They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest--until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

``For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

``Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. And for us at home--fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas-- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

``Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

``Give us strength, too--strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed

forces. And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

``And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other; Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

``With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

``Thy will be done, Almighty God.

``Amen.''

Several of my colleagues are here joining me tonight to read letters from American soldiers describing the events of D-day.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Steube), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Mississippi for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Utah for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self), my friend.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas and certainly all my colleagues. That is quite an amazing story to get firsthand in letters.

I will close with an actual excerpt from a newspaper describing the reaction to D-Day at home in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dear Gang, you are probably wondering what it was like at

home on D-Day. Well, like everything else in the world, we

guess, Montgomerians were steeped in reserved excitement,

wanting to shout out: We are pulling for you, gang; but

realizing there was an ocean in between.

Everyone was literally burning with pride as the news

flashed throughout the day. Radios were never turned off

during that first 24 hours, and there was one topic of

conversation and only one.

All stores closed at 5 p.m., and at that same hour,

twoscore buglers, stationed throughout the city, went into

action.

All traffic stopped, and a period of silent prayer was

observed. At 8 p.m., prayer services were held in every

Montgomery church. Almost without exception, every pew was

filled.

WSFA canceled all commercial programs and announcements and

for more than 30 hours broadcast only invasion news or

specially prepared programs in honor of the courageous men

who sailed and flew across the channel.

When prayers were being said over the air, it was not

uncommon to see a sidewalk group, including some, perhaps,

who were praying for the first time, lift their hats and

stand reverently until the prayer was done.

At 9 p.m., the whole town, along with the remainder of the

Nation, listened with bowed heads as President Roosevelt

offered his invasion day prayer.

As the full Moon, riding in the partially clouded sky,

shone down in later hours, Montgomerians finally closed their

eyes; proud, appreciative, and confident of the eventual

outcome.

I thank all my colleagues again who participated and Congressman Palmer and his staff for their help in coordinating this Special Order.

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

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1227,

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 354.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 354, the Law Enforcement Safety, or LEOSA, Reform Act allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm in national parks, school zones, public transportation, and some Federal facilities that are open to the public.

LEOSA was initially signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2004 to exempt certain active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms. In order to qualify under LEOSA, active law enforcement officers must meet several important requirements. For example, they must be authorized to carry a firearm by their agency.

They cannot be subject to disciplinary actions by the agency that can result in the loss of their police power.

They must meet certain firearm qualification standards. They cannot be under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. They must not be prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

Retired law enforcement officers must also meet several requirements in order to qualify under LEOSA. For example, they must have separated from service in good standing and served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more. They also are required to meet certain firearm training standards and must not be prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

The LEOSA Reform Act will allow these officers to carry a concealed firearm in the same manner many citizens carry a firearm in their State.

For example, the LEOSA Reform Act will allow law enforcement officers qualified under LEOSA to carry concealed firearms in national parks, Federal facilities that are open to the public, on public transportation, in school zones, and in other areas.

The bill also reduces the frequency that qualified retired law enforcement officers are required to obtain certain qualification standards.

Many States allow State-licensed, concealed carry permit holders to carry concealed firearms in gun-free school zones and on public transportation in the State in which they are licensed. This bill affords certain law enforcement officers the same privilege.

The legislation improves public safety. Our officers face greater dangers, and current restrictions hinder their ability to carry firearms.

At a time when violent crimes continue to plague our Nation, we must support our active and retired law enforcement officers and ensure that they are able to protect themselves and others, no matter where they are in the United States.

This legislation is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and many others.

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

Mr. Speaker, I actually listed four organizations. There are 21 law enforcement agencies and organizations around the country that support this legislation.

I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford), a friend of mine and one of the best shots I know.

Mr. Speaker, our colleagues across the aisle very often told us that we didn't need firearms to protect ourselves, that they would send the police, and then last year and the year before, they were calling to defund the police. The very constituents that they said, don't worry, you can call the police, they want to defund.

Now, they want to disarm retired law enforcement officers, who could be Johnny-on-the-spot, in many cases, to save civilian lives.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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 subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, American citizens from Alabama and Texas and their Nicaraguan partners have made it their mission to spread the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Nicaraguan people for nearly 30 years.

Evangelists with Mountain Gateway Ministries have worked across the country, leading on disaster recovery and feeding, clothing, and planting churches with the support and assistance of the Nicaraguan government.

In January, however, the Attorney General of Nicaragua began pursuing charges against three U.S. citizens associated with Mountain Gateway and 11 Mountain Gateway Nicaraguan pastors on trumped-up charges of money laundering and organized crime.

In addition to being barred from meeting with their legal representation and their families, the lawyers on their case were denied access to the case files and to other relevant documentation against the pastors.

During the sham trial, the government was unable to produce evidence of the alleged illicit activity. Despite this, the 11 pastors have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and a combined $1 billion in fines.

These pastors were working to bless the people of Nicaragua, and now they have been thrown in prison, and all their property has been seized.

These sentences leave families without income and children without mothers and fathers simply for sharing the good news of Jesus. I am deeply concerned that these citizens and pastors were targeted for sharing their faith.

Matthew 5:10 says: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

I recently introduced a resolution, H. Res. 1019, condemning the Nicaraguan government for unjust imprisonment of these people, and I hope my colleagues will join in support.

I am praying for a swift resolution to this situation so these pastors can be safely returned to their families and continue sharing the Gospel.

I am grateful to the Members of Congress who joined me for this Special Order to highlight this issue and call on the Nicaraguan government to release the imprisoned pastors immediately.

I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), one of my first cosponsors of H. Res. 1019.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer), my friend.

Mr. Speaker, previously our colleagues across the aisle were talking about hope and mental health in America.

I think in Nicaragua, these ministries and certainly these missionaries were impacting people's lives and bringing them hope. It is just a shame what has happened to them.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Ms. Hageman speaking tonight on that. I certainly want to encourage everybody to get on this resolution, H. Res. 1019, to help free these folks and bring attention to this issue.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3602) to prohibit the intentional hindering of immigration, border, and customs controls, 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 insert extraneous material on H.R. 3602.

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

Joe Biden took the office of President and immediately did exactly what he had promised on the campaign trail to do: He reversed the Trump administration's immigration policies.

By doing so, the new President let the world know that America's borders are open. President Biden rescinded the remain in Mexico policy, prevented the removal of illegal aliens, and blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from enforcing immigration laws.

In the weeks and months that followed, President Biden terminated the Trump-era policies aimed at preventing fraudulent asylum claims, ending catch and release, increasing criminal alien removals, and preventing illegal immigration.

We are still in the midst of the Biden administration's extended result: The biggest mass illegal immigration in the history of the United States.

More than 7.6 million illegal aliens have been encountered by CBP on the southwest border. There have been 38 straight months of more than 100,000 southwest border CBP encounters.

The Biden administration has released nearly 4.7 million illegal aliens into America's communities, in addition to at least 1.8 million known got-aways avoiding apprehension.

At least 357 illegal aliens on the terrorist watch list have been encountered by Border Patrol along the southwest border. No doubt more have evaded detection.

All of this is just on the southwest border. Our northern border is also seeing record-high numbers of illegal aliens encountered by CBP.

Early last year, House Republicans acted to secure our border. We passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, to end the abuse of the U.S. immigration system, whether by the administration, cartels, or the illegal aliens themselves. Had Senate Democrat leadership not refused to debate H.R. 2 on the Senate floor for more than 330 days, perhaps we would not still have mass lawlessness on our border.

In the meantime, we keep reading media reports that President Biden is looking to use his executive authority to quell the border chaos. Each time, though, the open-borders advocates tell Joe Biden not to use that authority, and each time he bends to their wishes.

Americans are outraged that our own Federal Government turns a blind eye to the chaos that has been created. Americans are tired of seeing mobs of illegal aliens beating up New York police officers, watching endless numbers of illegal aliens stream across the southwest border, and hearing the heart-wrenching details of the deaths of innocent young men and women, including a U.S. Senate staffer, caused by illegal aliens who should not have been here in the first place.

Today, House Republicans are trying again to make our Democrat colleagues and President Biden take this border crisis seriously. H.R. 3602 will restore successful Trump-era policies and remove the rewards and incentives

the Democrats have used to entice people to violate our own Nation's sovereignty.

Division A includes provisions in the Homeland Security Committee's jurisdiction that help secure our border. For instance, it includes provisions to require border wall construction, to increase the number of Border Patrol agents, and provide them with bonus pay and to deploy additional technology to that border.

Division B includes provisions in the jurisdiction of the Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees.

Title I reforms the asylum process to deter fraudulent asylum claims from aliens, including economic migrants, and assures that aliens granted asylum are truly being persecuted by their existing government.

Title II ends the Biden administration's catch and release policies by clarifying that the DHS Secretary must remove or detain illegal aliens who arrive at the border or place them into remain in Mexico- type programs. There are no other options. The aliens cannot be paroled or otherwise released into the U.S. unless an immigration judge grants that alien asylum or some other immigration benefit.

Title III directs the Secretary of State to renegotiate successful Trump policies--asylum cooperative agreements and the remain in Mexico program--with his diplomatic counterparts.

Title IV fixes the disastrous Flores settlement that rewards illegal aliens who rent or buy children to pose as family units to avoid detention. Instead, it keeps legitimate families together as they await adjudication of their asylum claims.

Title V requires that unaccompanied alien children be immediately and safely returned to their home country--as we already do for unaccompanied children from Mexico and Canada--rather than trafficked, abandoned, and then exploited in our country. It helps end our government's role in child smuggling and trafficking, a role that is morally reprehensible.

Title VI applies the same penalties for visa overstays as we currently do for illegal border crossings. Under current law, it is a misdemeanor to cross the border illegally, a felony to cross it repeatedly, and yet only a civil infraction to overstay your visa.

Title VII ends the Biden administration's abuse of parole authority, abuses which circumvent immigration law. Parole is inherently a case- by-case review based on individual circumstances in which the rigors of the law are inappropriate. Parole by category isn't parole. It is a new law by fiat. Instead, such changes must be considered and passed by Congress in a Nation that respects the rule of law.

Finally, Title VIII creates two grant programs. The first provides funding for States to construct or improve border barriers and border technology. The second reimburses States for money spent on law enforcement activities related to the border.

H.R. 3602 will help end the border chaos and ensure respect for U.S. immigration laws.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Ciscomani).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan), my good friend and chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), my friend from another border State.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry), my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

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 for closing.

We had Sheriff Daniels in the Judiciary Committee a few months ago now, and he said he had never seen the border as secure as it was in 2018 and never as broken as it is today. Our colleagues across the aisle often want to set the building on fire and then fund the fire department.

We have solutions to the problem on the southern border. We are not trying to make this a political issue. It is an issue of our time. The American people see it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 3602, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, evangelists with Mountain Gateway Ministries have worked across the country doing disaster recovery, providing food, clothing, and planting churches with the support and assistance of the Nicaraguan Government.

Americans and their Nicaraguan counterparts associated with Mountain Gateway have made it their mission to spread the hope of the Gospel to the Nicaraguan people for nearly 30 years.

In January, the attorney general of the Nicaraguan Government began pursuing charges against 3 U.S. citizens associated with Mountain Gateway and 11 of the Gateway Nicaraguan pastors on trumped-up charges of money laundering and organized crime. Since then, 11 pastors have been charged with up to 15 years in prison and a combined $1 billion in fines.

These pastors were working to bless the people of Nicaragua, and now all their personal property has been seized. They have no legal representation, which is a violation of their human rights.

These sentences leave families without income, children without mothers and fathers, simply for sharing the good news of Jesus.

I am deeply concerned these citizens and pastors are being targeted for sharing their faith. I ask the Nicaraguan Government to release the imprisoned pastors immediately.

Matthew 5:10 says: ``Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.''

I am praying for a swift resolution to the persecution of these pastors and that they be safely returned.

Mr. Speaker, 3,394,053. That is the estimated number of U.S. person queries conducted by the FBI during my first year here in Congress. The number of improper searches by the FBI is in the hundreds of thousands, according to a DOJ audit.

We may be voting to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, but the people of Alabama clearly see

it is being used to spy on Americans like themselves and President Trump.

That is why I voted in the Judiciary markup and will continue to support the Biggs amendment that requires a warrant or a court order before the query of a U.S. person under section 702.

We, as Members of Congress, owe it to our constituents to protect their civil liberties. We cannot allow the intelligence community, which recently spent its resources weaponizing against pro-life grandmothers, concerned parents at school boards, Catholics, and Biden's political opponents, to freely spy on American citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to adopt the rule, and I urge the adoption of the warrant amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Auburn University's men's basketball team as the 2024 SEC Tournament champions.

It is my honor to congratulate Coach Bruce Pearl, the players, and staff on an outstanding season once again. The Auburn Tigers won their third SEC championship in program history as they fought to the finish line, beating the University of Florida 86-67.

As 1 Peter 4:10 says: ``As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.''

Winning this championship is not just about the celebration on the court, but it is a testament to the Tigers' character, dedication, and efforts for Christ.

Through the leadership of Coach Pearl, this program has embodied the Auburn creed by believing in a sound mind, a sound body, and a spirit that is not afraid. As they have developed these qualities, they have worked heartily and confidently to achieve their worldly and eternal goals.

The Auburn men's basketball team, under the leadership of Coach Bruce Pearl, has set a standard of excellence that will be remembered for years to come, not just in athletics, but in every aspect of life.

The State of Alabama is blessed to have men like them, and it is great to be an Auburn Tiger. ``War Eagle.''

Second Chance Month

Mr. Speaker, April is Second Chance Month, a time to raise awareness of the challenges people face when attempting to return to life after time behind bars.

Securing a steady job, housing, and reintegrating into a community can be tough when you have a criminal record. This is a challenge that more than 70 million Americans face.

However, America is built on the principles of God and His grace. It has always been a land of new beginnings and second chances.

I am proud Alabama's Second Congressional District is home to J.F. Ingram State Technical College, which helps provide many of these second chances through education.

J.F. Ingram State offers 20 technical training programs for incarcerated adults, including automotive repair, construction, cosmetics, and logistics. I can vouch for the extensive training, as I visited last year and got a wonderful haircut.

In 2022, they placed nearly 250 formerly incarcerated adults in jobs. Those who participate in these correctional programs through education are 43 percent less likely to recidivate than those who do not.

Lamentations 3:21-23 King James version says: ``This, I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness.''

May we all be reminded of God's compassion towards us as we consider supporting those who are committed to rectifying their mistakes. Getting back on track and making meaningful contributions to society can reduce recidivism and make our communities a better place.

Mr. Speaker, the only thing this CR does is prolong the out-of-control spending of Biden and Pelosi that fuels our 17.9 percent inflation rate.

This legislation provides no funding for President Trump's border wall. More than 600,000 illegal alien criminals and 300 on the terrorist watch list have entered our open southern border under Biden, and there is no doubt that American families are in danger.

Just this week in Alabama, two illegal aliens were arrested as part of a child trafficking sex ring.

Last week in Georgia, a young girl, with a bright future ahead of her, was murdered by an illegal alien. The list of tragedies is growing, and it is past time to do something about it.

I signed the Immigration Accountability Project pledge to oppose all government funding until the action is taken to secure our southern border. Instead of kicking the can down the road with another CR, the number one priority of this Congress should be funding Trump's wall and defunding this invasion. We must fund President Trump's wall and defund Biden's backdoor contributions to organizations that are sending illegals to a city near you. It should not take more than one tragedy for our border to become a priority. It is time to finish the Trump wall and protect Americans.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 980, I call up the bill (H.R. 6976) to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that aliens who have been convicted of or who have committed an offense for driving while intoxicated or impaired are inadmissible and deportable, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on H.R. 6976.

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

Mr. Speaker, every 45 minutes: that is how often someone in the United States dies in a crash involving an alcohol-impaired driver.

In 2021 alone, there were 13,384 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. In the same year, drunk driving crashes led to 400,000 injuries. Those crashes don't discriminate. The victim could be me, it could be you, or it could be one of our family members.

This issue hits close to home for me. There was a newlywed couple from my hometown of Enterprise, Alabama, named Angel and Jeremy Seay. I knew them personally.

Angel and Jeremy were riding a motorcycle together when, out of nowhere, an illegal alien under the influence of alcohol collided into the newlyweds with his pickup. Their lives were cut dramatically short.

Sadly, tragedies like this are not uncommon across our country.

Consider this case from Missouri. Just 2 months ago, an illegal alien from Honduras was sentenced for driving drunk at 100 miles per hour and killing a man.

Now, Mr. Speaker, if you listen to my Democratic colleagues, you may think

that drunk driving is no big deal. In fact, at a Judiciary Committee markup in 2021, my Democratic colleagues voted down three Republican amendments that would have made certain aliens ineligible for green cards if they had 1, 2, or even 10 DUI convictions.

Despite that, that should come as no surprise.

In 2020, then-candidate Joe Biden said that illegal aliens with DUI convictions should be allowed to stay in the United States. Biden asserted that ICE should not arrest aliens with drunk driving convictions because: You only arrest for the purpose of dealing with a felony that is committed, and I don't count drunk driving as a felony.

Candidate Biden even called for ICE officers to be fired if they arrested aliens without felony convictions.

To President Biden and my Democratic colleagues, today we say: Absolutely not. If you are a guest in this country and you drive drunk, you should be removed from our country, period.

Instead of hearing agreement on this from Democrats, today we will hear these farfetched hypotheticals and accusations that this bill is cruel and too broad.

Instead of engaging in hypotheticals, let's again revisit the facts: Drunk drivers are involved in 31 percent of all crash deaths in the country.

On average, drunk driving has killed nearly 11,000 people in the United States every year from 2012 to 2021. Yet, immigration laws do not explicitly make aliens inadmissible or removable if they drive drunk and recklessly break our laws.

H.R. 6976 changes that, and it creates safer streets and safer communities for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Protect Our Communities From DUIs Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats want to pretend that this bill is extreme, cruel, and harsh, as if imposing consequences on aliens for breaking our laws is somehow unheard of.

Yet, guess who also bar drunk drivers entry into ports?

Canada. That is correct.

In at least this one particular area, our liberal friends to the north get it right. Of course they do because it just makes sense. Mr. Speaker, if you are a guest in our country, and you drive drunk or impaired, you shouldn't be allowed to stay here as we wait for you to do it again or to kill or seriously injure someone.

Mr. Speaker, let's pass H.R. 6976 today and make these sensible changes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Posey).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), a former law enforcement officer and a good friend of ours.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis).

Mr. Speaker, in response to my colleagues on the left. First, my colleagues across the aisle say that it is a campaign issue, that we are trying to make this is a campaign issue.

It is not. They made it a campaign issue when Joe Biden came in day one and did away with the remain in Mexico policy, when they started this catch and release program, and now they are saying they need more money. It is the executive orders that have created the problem on the U.S. southern border.

I have been there a number of times--three times, to be exact--and

Sheriff Dannels told us the best he had ever seen the border in 2018 was under Donald Trump. The worst he has ever seen the border was then, and that was before the recent 200,000 people came across last month.

To get up here and say that the administration needs more money or that they need some law--no. Biden has every tool in the toolbox to shut the U.S. southern border down, and he has continued to create crises for our communities. This government is so good often at setting the building on fire and then wanting to fund the fire department.

We don't need more money. We just need to apply the laws that are on the books and shut this flow down across this border before more and more people get killed and injured in these accidents we are talking about.

The Democrats would prefer to engage in these outlandish hypotheticals and make light of driving under the influence rather than protect American communities from dangerous drivers.

Again, here are some facts. According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving: Most drunk driving offenders drive at least 80 times drunk before they are arrested.

Additionally, a 2014 article detailed how more than one-third of the individuals who are convicted of driving under the influence are repeat offenders.

The Protect our Communities from DUIs Act ensures that aliens who drive drunk can be removed from the United States after their first conviction--not after the tenth, not after they kill or seriously injure a child of yours or mine or a grandchild--instead of spending time on a 50-State survey of DUI laws to formulate some farfetched hypotheticals.

I encourage my colleagues to grapple with the consequences of drunk driving and support this commonsense bill.

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

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