Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from Missouri for this opportunity.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in objection to the so-called Equality Act. Once again, under the guise of equality, the left is prioritizing its radical agenda over religious freedom, the well-being of children, and the safety of women and girls.

As the father of three daughters and the grandfather of nine granddaughters, I am outraged at the assault that this bill launches on women in sports. And furthermore, as a healthcare practitioner, I am infuriated at its blatant attack on the conscience rights and religious freedoms of those in the healthcare industry.

This bill is not about preventing discrimination in medical treatment, it is about forcing medical professionals to abandon their conscience rights and medical judgment to comply with the left's extreme views on gender.

The Equality Act would prohibit physicians from counseling children with gender dysphoria. Instead, they would be required to administer dangerous medical treatments, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries.

This mandate contradicts science. Increasingly, we are finding that these treatments compound these children's confusion rather than solving it. The catastrophic effects leave children physically and psychological scarred and often render them sterile. It is nothing short of child abuse.

The left will not tolerate disagreement with its view on gender. They provide no conscience protections and explicitly state that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not apply to this new definition of sex. Physicians refusing to perform these harmful treatments would be punished, even if they object because of religious or moral convictions.

The Equality Act is another attempt by the left to promote its radical agenda and suppress everyone else who disagrees. We must fight for the conscience rights and religious freedoms of our medical professionals, and we must stop our children from being used as pawns in the game of political correctness.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Deborah ``Debbie'' Moseley, the Executive Director of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters in Pasadena, Texas. Commonly referred to as ``The Bridge,'' this organization has assisted men, women, and children affected by domestic and sexual violence or homelessness in southeastern Harris County, Texas. For thirty-four years, Debbie has served the organization as an advocate in the field of domestic and sexual violence.

Debbie began working as a volunteer at The Bridge in 1986 alongside her mother and grandmother. A year later, she started working with The Bridge's children's programs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. In 1988, Debbie began to work full-time at The Bridge as a Resident Advocate. Over the years, she has held many leadership positions in each of the different programs that The Bridge offers, including Shelter Coordinator, Resale Shop Coordinator, Non-Resident Director, and Advocacy Director. In 2003, Debbie was named the Executive Director and has served in that role ever since.

Under Debbie's leadership, The Bridge connected with community leaders and the community at-large, built a new location, and started Destiny Village--a long-term housing program for survivors of violence with disabilities and children. In addition, she has significantly increased the Bridge's share of funding granted by the Victims of Crime Act to provide critical support services to victims of domestic violence.

Debbie is a Licensed Social Worker and has dedicated her life to community and volunteer service. She serves on the boards of numerous community organizations such as: the Harris County Coordinating Council, the Texas Council on Family Violence, the Harris County Adult Fatality Review Team, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, the Pasadena Police Academy, and the Bridges to Life prison ministry. She is also active in the New Hope Church of Pearland, the Pasadena Kiwanis, the Bay Area Kiwanis, the Pasadena Rotary, the Salvation Army, and the Texas Invitational.

For her community and civic involvement, Debbie has received numerous recognitions including: the Governor's Victim Services Division ``Pathfinder'' Award in 2007, Debbie Moseley Day in Pasadena Texas, the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2010, Rotary Director of the Year in 2016, and the Stella Trimble Community Service Award in 2017.

In 1985, Debbie married the love of her life, Tom Moseley. Debbie is the mother to four children: John Miles of Burleson, Texas; Aaron Miles, also of Burleson; Derek Miles of League City; and Staff Sergeant Josh Moseley, who is stationed as a United States Marine Corps recruiter in Arlington, Texas. Debbie and Tom are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Debbie Moseley for her lifetime of dedicated service to the survivors of domestic and sexual violence and wish her the very best during her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the services of Ms. Deborah ``Debbie'' Moseley, the executive director of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters in Pasadena, Texas. Commonly referred to as ``The Bridge,'' this organization has assisted men, women, and children affected by domestic and sexual violence or homelessness in southeastern Harris County, Texas.

For 34 years, Debbie has served the organization as an advocate in the field of domestic and sexual violence. Debbie began working as a volunteer at The Bridge in 1986, alongside her mother and grandmother. A year later, she started working with The Bridge's children's programs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. In 1988, Debbie began to work full time at The Bridge as a resident advocate.

Over the years, she has held many leadership positions in each of the different programs that The Bridge offers, including shelter coordinator, resale shop coordinator, nonresident director, and advocacy director. In 2003, Debbie was named the executive director and has served in that role ever since.

Under Debbie's leadership, The Bridge connected with community leaders and the community at large; built a new location; and started Destiny Village, a long-term housing program for survivors of violence with disabilities and children. In addition, she has significantly increased The Bridge's share of funding granted by the Victims of Crime Act to provide critical support services to victims of domestic violence.

Debbie is a licensed social worker and has dedicated her life to community and volunteer service. She serves on the boards of numerous community organizations, such as the Harris County Coordinating Council, the Texas Council on Family Violence, the Harris County Adult Fatality Review Team, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, the Pasadena Police Academy, and the Bridges to Life prison ministry. She is also active in the New Hope Church of Pearland, the Pasadena Kiwanis, the Bay Area Kiwanis, the Pasadena Rotary, the Salvation Army, and the Texas Invitational.

For her community and civic involvement, Debbie has received numerous recognitions, including the Governor's Victim Services Division Pathfinder Award in 2007; Debbie Moseley Day in Pasadena, Texas; the Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2010; Rotary Director of the Year in 2016; and the Stella Trimble Community Service Award in 2017.

In 1985, Debbie married the love of her life, Tom Moseley. Debbie is the mother of four children: John Miles of Burleson, Texas; Aaron Miles, also of Burleson; Derek Miles of League City; and Staff Sergeant Josh Moseley, who is stationed as a United States Marine Corps recruiter in Arlington, Texas. Debbie and Tom are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Debbie Moseley for her lifetime of dedicated service to the survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and I wish her the very absolute best during her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, at the direction of the narrow Democrat majority, we are here today standing in judgment over a newly elected colleague of ours for things said as a private citizen that have since been retracted.

Meanwhile, some colleagues have engaged in anti-American, anti- Semitic tropes and commentary before and after their elections to Congress. Other colleagues have incited and called for violence across the country the day Donald Trump became President, and still encourage violence against him and those who support the Republican Party, not to mention other dangerous words that have been harmful to the security of our Nation.

But, Mr. Speaker, none of those are in question. Those Members never saw any condemnation and, in this Democrat majority, they never will.

I went to the Rules Committee yesterday, strongly opposing to this course of action, with a suggestion to correct this blatant double standard, should it move forward. I was told by the chairman that, ``We don't share the same values,'' because I was demanding that we prioritize accountability for members of his party and their comments and dangerous rhetoric carried out while in office before we address Representative Greene's commentary made before she was elected.

Perhaps the chairman is right. My values are that anyone who blatantly calls for violence against Conservatives; praises deadly antifa riots; endangers Americans; encourages the destruction of our ally Israel; and, perhaps worst of all, dismisses the significance of 9/11 has no business serving in the House of Representatives.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, no one in Congress should be more grateful than the Democrat majority that eliminated our motion to recommit last month and the Democrat members who have made these inflammatory remarks over the years, because I have no doubt that a motion by Republicans to oust those Representatives would have succeeded with very strong bipartisan support. By shattering this precedent today, perhaps this majority has set in motion a future majority's obligation to do so.

If my Democrat colleagues are attempting to take the speck out of our eye, I encourage them to also take the log out of their own eyes.

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Washington State--and a classmate--for having this. It is good to be here.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today as a proud representative of Houston, Texas, the epicenter of American energy and the catalyst for this country's pursuit of energy independence. But, unfortunately, our economic bedrock of oil and gas is under attack, severe attack, by an administration that is eliminating millions of jobs and leaving our national security wide open to threats from adversaries.

An oil and gas moratorium on Federal lands is projected to cost America 1 million jobs. Revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit will cost us 11,000 jobs in 2021 alone and account for the loss of $1.6 billion in gross wages.

Rejoining the Paris climate accord, which was originally poorly negotiated by President Obama, is projected to cost us 400,000 jobs and is simply a bad deal for the American people and very good deal for the world's biggest polluter, Communist China. What happened to this new administration's promise to stand up for all Americans?

From gas and electric bills, to new highways and bridges, to taxes, to putting food on the table, what happens to the oil and gas industry affects all Americans, and killing these jobs will have a ripple effect that will be felt in every home in the Nation.

Additionally, if we destroy oil and natural gas production here by canceling these pipelines and forcing adherence to widely burdensome red tape, we will then have to import oil and natural gas from overseas and burn

much fuel to get it here. And that means that we will be paying more for energy that was processed not using the same, stringent clean environmental regulations that we have here in America.

No, if we want to stand here and talk about cleaner energy solutions, we have to acknowledge the fact that pipelines are by far the safest and most environmentally friendly way to transport energy. In fact, pipelines have a 99.9 percent safety record. When we kill energy jobs here in the United States, we are in turn killing clean energy jobs globally.

Madam Speaker, we really appreciate Representative Smith.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in solemn memory of the 62 million innocent lives who have been aborted since the tragic ruling on Roe v. Wade.

Tellingly, earlier this week, as my wife of 48 years and I welcomed our 17th grandchild into the world, I was reminded of just how precious life really is.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration has already shown a blatant disregard for the unborn of our Nation. The President has promoted abortion at home and abroad by reversing the Mexico City policy and by taking the first steps in rescinding a protect life rule known as Hyde.

Although the fight for life will be an uphill battle under this particular administration, we will never give up. Life is just too important. In our Declaration of Independence, it is written that we have the right to life. That is the first of the inalienable rights that we are granted, the right to life. And although the fight for life will be tough this administration, we will resolve ourselves to continue this battle.

At a time when Americans are so deeply divided in our Nation, I pray to our good Lord above that we unite in the belief that life is precious and it should be defended at all costs. May we be the generation that will see Roe v. Wade overturned.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend Dr. Charles Eugene Cowles, Jr. of Houston, Texas. Dr. Cowles went to be with the Lord on December 26, 2020 following a motor vehicle accident.

Charles was born on April 19, 1968, to Charles Eugene Cowles, Sr. and Carol Janice Wood Cowles in Houston, Texas, at Hermann Hospital. He grew up in the Houston area with varied interests and developed lifelong friendships in the process. Charles suffered a personal tragedy as a young adult when his father died unexpectedly.

In 1986, Charles completed an associate's degree and became a paramedic and firefighter with the Beaumont Fire Department. He pursued degrees in sports medicine and nursing and completed studies to become a registered nurse (RN) in 1998 and also worked in area trauma centers in the ER as a nurse. He continued as a paramedic supervisor until 1995, when he began teaching EMS courses at San Jacinto College. Charles also had the opportunity to assist in the creation of curricula for medical training of NASA astronauts serving aboard the International Space Station and personally instructed several classes of Astronauts and Cosmonauts in emergency medical response at the Johnson Space Center in Houston from 1995 to 2006. Charles obtained his bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Houston in 1998. He later earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2013.

Charles took the next step in his professional career when he began medical school at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center-- Houston. He graduated in 2004 and accepted an anesthesiology residency at UT Houston, training in the same hospital where he was born. Upon completing his residency, he joined the faculty in the Anesthesia division at the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center, working as a neuro-anesthesiologist, and rose to the rank of Professor before his untimely death.

Dr. Cowles used the knowledge and wisdom he gained as a first responder throughout his medical and professional career. He served on multiple institutional safety committees and was ultimately named the chief safety officer for the Anesthesiology Division in 2016. Charles was an international expert in operating room fire safety and traveled worldwide teaching from his unique experience as both a firefighter and anesthesiologist. He served on multiple committees for local, state, and national medical societies. Not wanting to limit his contributions solely to anesthesia, Dr. Cowles also served as the Tactical Medical Director of the Pasadena Police Department and as the Local Health Authority for the City of Pasadena, Texas. Additionally, Dr. Cowles advised my staff, and I, on health care policy matters.

Inside and outside of work, his family, and faith were essential to Charles. Dr. Cowles was highly involved at First Baptist Church of Pasadena, where he served as a deacon and director of the church's medical committee. Charles was also a Board Member of First Baptist Christian Academy where his three sons attended elementary and middle school. He also served on the board of Youth Reach Houston, a home for troubled boys.

Dr. Cowles was a man of many personal and professional achievements, but more than all he was a family man. He and his loving wife Jennifer Kendrick Cowles met when she attended one of Charles' paramedic courses in 1995. Charles and Jennifer married on May 19, 2000 and celebrated twenty years of marriage earlier in 2020. Together they have three sons Christopher, Caleb and Jacob.

Dr. Charles Eugene Cowles, Jr. lived a full life focused on being a husband, father, man of faith, physician, first responder, teacher, medical leader, a connoisseur of barbeque, and grand storyteller. For all these things, he will be missed by many--myself included. I will continue to keep his family, medical family, and his friends in my prayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the objection.

It is with great pride and a profound sense of responsibility that I object to the 2020 election in the State of Pennsylvania.

I am very proud to stand alongside fellow patriots who have pushed back against a fraudulent and criminal election process--a process that was the antithesis to the very rule of law that governs these United States.

At the same time, standing here tonight is surreal because this is a critical juncture that will undoubtedly determine the survivability of this great Republic.

Our free and fair election process--and by extension, the people's trust in its legitimacy--is what has separated us as a nation. A process that we have shared with the world, its moral force. A process that now, sadly, has been bastardized by those more interested in the maintenance of power than they are in the free and open voice of the American people.

If I remember correctly, Democrats were calling for transparency in 2000 and 2004, when George W. Bush was elected; and again in 2016, when President Trump took office.

Where are you now?

I ask this, Madam Speaker: What do you have to lose by having a thorough investigation to determine the validity of these votes?

Why not encourage an investigation to relieve the concerns of half of the people in this country?

If you are so convinced that Biden was elected legitimately, what do you have to fear?

If there was no fraud, simply show us the proof. Investigate it. Validate it. This isn't about one candidate versus another. This is about upholding the principles that are indispensable to the existence of the democratic Republic that we are so fortunate to call home.

I have no doubt that there was widespread election fraud this past November, and I am not alone. I stand here today speaking for 75 million Americans whose voice was unconstitutionally silenced.

To you, the silenced, I say this: I will continue to fight for you. You have been heard. For more than 240 years, tyranny has sought to extinguish the light of freedom.

As Ronald Reagan said before: Freedom is a fragile thing, and it is never more than one generation away from extinction.

The Constitution and the Bible on which it stands is stronger than the cheap tyrannical tactics of those who seek to destroy it.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Budd).

Madam Speaker, I rise today in my opposition to the Democrats' Rules Package for the 117th Congress.

In the November 2020 House elections, many of the moderate voices in the Democratic Caucus were ousted in favor of Conservative values.

Now free of moderate or reasonable voices, the shrill progressives seized the opportunity to make their party even more radical--this Rules package is proof.

They're attacking the First Amendment by changing our use of gender specific pronouns--even ending prayers with ``Amen and Awomen''.

They're eliminating the minority's ability to amend legislation-- something Congress has allowed for more than 100 years--because they're embarrassed when their own members publicly join Republicans to rein in their laughable, tone-deaf policies.

These changes are not about fairness or good governance. They're about saving their own members from tough votes and accountability.

I urge my colleagues to reject this.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and I ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the Speaker to immediately schedule this important bill so we can take care of the most innocent of lives that we have in America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Gerald V. ``Jerry'' Cammack, a United States Air Force Veteran, long- time dentist, and integral member of the Southeast Texas community. Jerry passed away on June 26, 2019 at the age of 79.

Dr. Cammack was born in Jasper, Texas and lived most of his life in Pineland, Texas. In high school, Jerry graduated as the valedictorian of his class at Pineland High School in 1958. After graduation, he received a basketball scholarship from Lamar University. After finishing his undergraduate degree, Jerry moved to Houston, Texas to attend the University of Texas Dental Branch.

While a dental student, Jerry met and married the love of his life, Glenda Sanders. After completing his degree, he joined the United States Air Force and served as a Captain from 1967 to 1969. When his tour of duty was over, he moved back to Jasper, Texas to start both his dental practice and a family. After 39 years of dedicated service to his clients, Dr. Cammack turned the business over to his son and enjoyed a life of retirement doing the things he loved, like spending time with his family. Dr. Cammack is survived by his wife, Glenda Cammack, their two sons, Dr. Van Cammack and Decker Cammack, and four grandchildren.

Dr. Cammack leaves a special legacy of service to his neighbors through his dentistry and his friendship to all in the community. He was a great friend to me, and I will miss him dearly.

Madam Speaker, my prayers and condolences are with the family, friends, and community of Dr. Gerald V. Cammack.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate with 84 votes and could be sent to the President's desk for his signature today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of long-time Deer Park resident, Sue Fenley Meyers, who passed away on April 10, 2019 in Colorado.

Sue Fenley Meyers was born on May 10, 1938 in Lufkin, Texas. She had six brothers and six sisters, two children, three grandchildren, and 21 nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. Sue studied drama at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette and went on to act in, direct, write, promote, and produce over 200 theatrical events in her lifetime.

The city officials in Deer Park, Texas have long recognized the community's love of theatrical arts. On May 4, 1981, the City hired Sue as the full-time Artistic Managing Director of ``The Art Park Players.'' Under her leadership the program experienced rapid growth and in December 1986 the City opened its current theater facility. Sue's legacy is synonymous with the history of The Art Park Players. Several of her students have gone on to become professional writers, directors, actors, dancers, singers and influential artists to this day.

The thing she loved the most in the world were children. Sue established the Mead-Holm Scholarship in 1990, which was awarded annually to outstanding Junior Art Park Players students, and the first annual Sue Fenley Meyers Scholarships (six in total) were presented last month in her memory. Sue's 22-plus years within our community reflect a lifetime of achievement through her love for children, passion, vision and the importance of arts and arts education in Deer Park.

She retired from the City of Deer Park in 2004 and moved to Colorado, where she is survived by her beloved son Jay Meyers and wife Margaret, daughter Kelley Meyers-Southern and husband Brent, grandchildren Susannah Roberts, Mitchell Meyers, and Johnny Meyers, and her four sisters and three brothers.

Madam Speaker, my condolences remain with the family, theatre family, and friends of Sue Fenley Meyers.

Madam Chair, my amendment, which is part of the en bloc amendment 2, transfers $3.6 million to the Department of Commerce Management account from NOAA's Operations, Research, and Facilities account to facilitate the transfer of the Office of Space Commerce and the Office of Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs back to where they are authorized by statute, thereby advancing U.S. leadership in space commerce and commercial remote sensing.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Big Sandy High School on winning the University Interscholastic League (UIL) baseball state championship for the 2018-2019 school year.

On Thursday, June 6, 2019, Big Sandy High School claimed their second UIL Class 2A baseball state title with a 7-1 win over Linden-Kildare High School. This triumph marks the end of an incredible four-year run for nine seniors: Graden Emmons, Bryan Duff, Brandon Hendrix, Broch Holmes, McKane Maxwell, Garret Lilley, Brayden Lennox, Seth Lalumandier, and Bryan Moseley. Since Big Sandy Head Coach Jacob Hooker arrived four years ago, these senior Wildcats were first a game away from the state tournament their freshman year, then state runners-up their sophomore year, and now are back-to-back state champions of Class 2A baseball.

Big Sandy High School ends a season to remember with a record of 36- 4, losing only one Class 2A game all year to Refugio High School during the playoffs. They are only the 19th school in Texas history to win the baseball state championship two years in a row. I would like to personally recognize each student as well as their coaches. It is an honor to represent these young men in Congress, and I am so elated to say that they have made our community so proud.

I wish each of these talented athletes continued success on and off the field. Go Wildcats.