Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of National Space Day, a moment to honor the extraordinary contributions of the aerospace community to our Nation and the world. Designating May 2, 2025, as National Space Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past, recognize the advancements of today, and inspire the possibilities of tomorrow.

Our Nation has long led the way in space exploration. From the Apollo missions that landed the first humans on the Moon to today's Artemis program, which will take us back to the Moon and beyond, the United States has shown what's possible when bold ideas meet determination. These milestones remind us of the pioneering spirit that defines America. Today, we see that same spirit driving innovation in every corner of the space sector.

NASA's groundbreaking missions, the Space Force's contributions to national security, and the work of private companies and universities are redefining what we can achieve in space. The work being done by numerous companies in my district, such as Intuitive Machines, continues to set new milestones and push the boundaries of ingenuity, technology, and inspire the next generation.

However, space exploration doesn't just inspire; it delivers real benefits to our daily lives. Our Nation's farmers utilize technologies like GPS, weather satellites, and the internet, which have allowed our producers to increase efficiencies and productivity in their operations. Beyond that, the aerospace industry supports thousands of jobs in Texas, contributing greatly to our state economy and strengthening our Nation's competitiveness.

Perhaps most importantly, National Space Day reminds us to invest in the next generation. By prioritizing STEM education, we ensure that young people across Texas' Thirty-Sixth Congressional District and the country have the tools they need to dream big and meet the challenges of tomorrow head-on. The programs and work done at the Johnson Space Center are lighting the way for future scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

On this National Space Day, I encourage all Americans to reflect on how space exploration shapes our lives and futures. I'm proud of my district's contributions to this great endeavor, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jerome Preston Owens, Jr., who passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 85.

Jerome was born on June 28, 1939, in Jasper, Texas to Reverand Jerome Preston, Sr. and Louise Nichols Owens. He graduated as Valedictorian of his class in Jena, Louisiana, where his father was the pastor of the First Baptist Church. Upon graduating, he received a football scholarship to play for Louisiana College. Jerome then patriotically served our country in the United States Marine Corps from 1960 to 1963.

His father served as pastor for the First Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas, which is where Jerome met Marilyn Fraser, the love of his life. In 1965, Jerome's father officiated their marriage and they began their lives together. Jerome and Marilyn were married for almost 60 years and were blessed with two daughters named Stacey and Sharla.

He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1969 from Baylor School of Law. While studying at Baylor, he was actively involved in the collegiate community, serving as a member of Alpha Chi and Senior Class President. Jerome practiced as an attorney specializing in corporate law for Coastal Corporation in Corpus Christi and Houston, Texas, where he traveled extensively. Jerome's primary devotion throughout life was for his family. His young daughter's drawing of him holding his suitcase inspired him to relocate to a smaller community to have more time with his family. He chose to move to Woodville, Texas where he established his own law practice and raised cattle with his father.

Truly a man with a commitment to serve others and seeking to make a difference in the community, Jerome served as County Judge of Tyler County for 17 years. He then served as a Texas State District Judge and a Texas Senior Judge. Jerome continued to faithfully serve his community by being a deacon and trustee of the First Baptist Church of Woodville. After moving to Houston, he became a deacon at Second Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas.

He received many awards recognizing his dedication to public service. Jerome was named the ``Ralph W. Steen Memorial East Texan of the Year,'' and ``Tyler County Citizen of the Year.'' For his leadership and skills, he received the ``Award for Excellence in Community Service,'' and the ``American Hometown Leadership Award.'' Jerome was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to chair the Texas State Community Development Review Committee. Additionally, he served on the board of trustees for East Texas Baptist University, board of directors for the Tyler County Hospital, served as president for Deep East Texas Council of Governments, president for Deep East Texas County Commissioners and Judges Association, the Tyler County Bar Association, and fellow at the Texas Bar Association. He was also a member of the American Legion.

Jerome is remembered as ``one who loved his family and friends, for his deep commitment to God, his unwavering integrity, his eloquent speeches, deep wisdom, quick wit, humor and bellowing infectious laugh.'' Jerome was highly esteemed and adored by his family and community. His family has said, ``He was an all-around kind of man, one that loved sports, southern food, current events and a good joke. He was well versed in politics and had an answer for any question asked of him.'' He served diligently, was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Jerome was a lifetime friend and inspiration.

Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Jerome Preston, Sr., and Louise Owens, and sister, Jane Owens Griffin. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Fraser Owens; daughter Stacy Owens Ekstein, son-in- law Chris Ekstein, daughter Dr. Sharla Owens Sundberg, son-in-law Dr. Eric Sundberg; grandchildren, Bella Frances Ekstein, Sophia Marilyn Ekstein, Savea Kenny Sundberg, Soren Jon Jerome Sundberg and Anders Owens Sundberg, sister, Diann Owens Dotson, brother-in-law Ray Dotson; brothers-in-law, Tom Fraser, III, and Ed Fraser, sister-in-law Jean Fraser; and many nephews and nieces.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor my dear friend, Jerome Owens, for his many years of faithful service to his community. My most sincere prayers remain with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank my very good friend (Mrs. Miller of Illinois), a very strong lady of faith, for this Special Order. We really appreciate this.

I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to recognize and to celebrate what we call Faith Month, a time when we proudly and openly give voice to the faith that strengthens and sustains so many of us who serve up here and all across this great Nation of ours, both here in Congress and, as I said, the United States of America that was built, as my good friend Mrs. Miller said, based on the Judeo-Christian Bible and faith that we were handed by our forefathers.

America was built on this foundation, as she said, of religious liberty: the very first freedom enshrined in our Bill of Rights. Our Founders understood that faith was not just a private matter but a powerful force for good in public life.

I get so weary of hearing people say: Oh, we don't want to hear about politics in church or we don't want to hear about church in Congress. Well, politics in church has become something--if it has to do with morals and good and evil, then it is not politics, folks. That is church.

We will talk about this very thing. It says right there before us: ``In God We Trust.'' We know where our Forefathers stood on this issue. Without a doubt, we are going to continue this great thing called the United States of America and what we were built on.

We will honor this tradition. We recognize that faith is not something to be hidden away but is something to be lived out boldly and with joy. The Scripture reminds us that we are called to be a light on a hill, not to hide this light under a basket but to let it shine for all to see.

Each of us comes from very different backgrounds here and with very different traditions, but the thread of faith that is woven through the fabric of our national story, we must always remember to honor that. Our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our Declaration of Independence are built on those principles, those Biblical principles.

From prayers whispered on battlefields long ago to hymns sung in chapels, from the simple faith of farmers to the heartfelt petitions of families, faith has carried America through many, many trials, through triumphs and every moment in between, win or lose. Sometimes we profit when we lose, because we learn and we make ourselves better people that way.

During this Faith Month, I am very proud to stand alongside my colleagues right here and speak of my Christian faith right on this very floor.

I encourage every other Member to please join us to lift up the faith that guides us, to celebrate the freedom that protects us, and to remember that enduring truth that has been proclaimed from generation to generation: ``Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.''

May we never take our religious freedom for granted, may we steward it wisely, and may we always seek to lead, to serve, and to govern with humility, with conviction, and that unwavering faith.

Mr. Speaker, I was attending the Space Symposium as a result of my duties as Chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 89, and YEA on Roll Call No. 90.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 359) to Amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require reporting relating to certain cost-share requirements, and for other purposes.

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 H.R. 359, the bill now under consideration.

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

H.R. 359, the Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025, is a good government bill that does exactly what it says: It improves accountability.

Led by Mr. Obernolte, this bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to submit a quarterly report to Congress describing instances where it has modified or waived cost-share requirements and make these reports publicly available.

DOE is subject to cost-share requirements when making awards for research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities. This means that each project must have a certain funding percentage, usually at least 50 percent, contributed by the award recipient. However, DOE can modify or eliminate those requirements, when necessary, which is an authority that can be critical to supporting early-stage technologies.

H.R. 359 does not prevent DOE from waiving cost-share requirements. It simply ensures that any changes are reported to Congress and are made public. Transparency and accountability are important because they allow us to track how taxpayer dollars are spent once appropriated to

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte) to speak on his bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill passed the House with unanimous support in the 118th Congress and is a prime example of the bipartisan backing for Congress' role in overseeing transparent and efficient spending by Federal agencies. I thank Representative Obernolte for leading this legislation again in the 119th Congress and Representative Foster for cosponsoring it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 730) to coordinate Federal research and development efforts focused on modernizing mathematics in STEM education through mathematical and statistical modeling, including data-driven and computational thinking, problem, project, and performance-based learning and assessment, interdisciplinary exploration, and career connections, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 730, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 730, the Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act, sponsored by my colleagues Representatives Houlahan and Baird.

The importance of STEM education to our economy cannot be overstated. The National Science Board's 2024 Science and Engineering Indicators report estimates that our country's STEM workforce constitutes 24 percent of all U.S. jobs. Further still, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the need for STEM jobs will increase by another 11 percent by 2032.

America's education sector must ensure that we meet this growing demand head-on. Many STEM jobs require data comprehension to inform decisionmaking, but we are currently not providing a strong foundation for that skill in our schools.

H.R. 730 would modernize our mathematics curriculum by providing competitive, merit-based grants to support mathematical and statistical modeling education.

Having served on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology since joining Congress, and now as the sitting chairman, I understand the importance of mathematical and statistical analyses. I have had a front row seat to the extraordinary accomplishments of our domestic STEM talent across many industries and professions. One thing they all share is a solid foundation and understanding of mathematics and modeling.

These skills are crucial to a wide variety of occupations, informing computational and data-driven thinking that supports the growth of a versatile STEM workforce. Statistical analysis underpins everything from the development of artificial intelligence to improving advanced manufacturing.

This bill will allow us to teach these skills more effectively through R&D and new curricula and methodologies. H.R. 730 also directs the National Academies to conduct a study identifying best practices for mathematical and statistical modeling education.

I thank Representatives Houlahan and Baird for their work on this logical legislation that supports our students and our economy. This bill passed the House in the 117th and 118th Congresses, and I urge my colleagues to pass it again today.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as teachers prepare the next generation of American STEM workers, we must invest in the best curricula and teaching methods. H.R. 730 will improve mathematical and statistical modeling education in the United States, ensuring American businesses have qualified workers with the necessary skills to drive innovation in STEM fields, including artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. This is good policy, which is why this same bill passed the House in the 117th and the 118th Congresses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it once again, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1318) to amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to clarify the definition of foreign country for purposes of malign foreign talent recruitment restriction, and for other purposes.

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 H.R. 1318, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand in support of H.R. 1318, the United States Research Protection Act, sponsored by my colleagues, Representatives Kennedy and Stevens. This legislation passed the House in the 118th Congress, and I am pleased that we are taking it up again today.

America's leadership in science and technology is built on the foundation of Federal investments and basic research. These investments enhance our national security, strengthen our economy, and improve the lives of our citizens.

Our unique research ecosystem, which combines Federal, academic, and private R&D efforts, drives America's advancement in science and technology. However, for this system to work, we need a degree of open science that facilitates collaboration and transparency. The challenge is ensuring this openness does not compromise our research security.

While the U.S. has significantly profited from this system, other countries--friends and foes--also benefit from U.S. investments. The theft of our basic research poses a significant risk to our global competitiveness. It takes our cutting-edge innovations and puts them to work for our adversaries, undermining our economy and hindering our ability to stay at the forefront of discovery.

A 2023 survey by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found 224 reported instances of Chinese espionage directed at the United States since 2000.

After conducting oversight of recently enacted research security requirements, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee was informed that complicated and confusing language in the CHIPS and Science Act was preventing the academic community from fully securing taxpayer-funded research.

H.R. 1318 will update and clarify the definition of a malign foreign talent recruitment program to assist universities and agencies in protecting our national investments. This bill is a simple bipartisan solution to protect our tax dollars and the research that they fund from foreign espionage.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Kennedy and Stevens for their work on this critical legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1318, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the government needs clear and explicit guidance for our agencies and federally funded researchers. While this body has passed multiple bills to protect American research, unintentional ambiguity has created confusion within the academic research community. H.R. 1318 will eliminate confusion around the implementation of research security requirements and increase protections of our R&D enterprise.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this simple and noncontroversial bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1325) to provide for transparent licensing of commercial remote sensing systems, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1325, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1325, the Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2025.

This bill updates reporting requirements for NOAA's Office of Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs, giving Congress the ability to monitor how regulations are affecting the expansion and development of the commercial and remote sensing industry.

Remote sensing uses data collected from satellites to produce images of Earth and has become a crucial tool in fields like agriculture, finance, trade, energy, and national security. Commercial remote sensing also provides us with vital information for many important applications. The technology behind it is constantly evolving, and the industry is seeing tremendous growth.

To effectively support and manage remote sensing activities, it is imperative that Congress receives timely and comprehensive reports in order to evaluate the state of the industry and how regulations are affecting this growth.

The Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015 established a reporting requirement for the Department of Commerce on the status of commercial remote sensing licensing and regulation. That requirement expired in 2020. H.R. 1325 will reinstate this reporting requirement and keep Congress informed of agency actions, their impact on licensees, and the state of the commercial remote sensing industry.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1325 is a no-nonsense, bipartisan bill that will ensure the U.S. remains at the helm of this important field.

I thank the former chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Mr. Lucas, for introducing this bill and his leadership on this important topic. This bill passed the House by a voice vote in the last two Congresses, and I look forward to working with the Senate to see it finally cross the finish line.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

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

Mr. Speaker, as I said previously, commercial remote sensing provides us with critical information related to a number of fields important to U.S. competitiveness.

H.R. 1325 will ensure that Congress receives the updates necessary to monitor industry regulations. Updating these reporting requirements will ensure the U.S. remains the global leader in this crucial sector.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1326) to provide for Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture joint research and development activities, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1326, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1326, the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act is a perfect example of government efficiency. This bill directs the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture to share their resources and knowledge to achieve common mission priorities.

DOE and USDA already have a successful track record of collaboration in topics such as the energy-water nexus, invasive species control, wildfire risk mitigation, and biofuels. Through the expanded interagency agreement authorized in this bill, DOE and USDA can tackle additional complex research challenges, such as genomics-based research, rural energy development, and grid modernization.

These joint efforts advance clean energy and agricultural technologies and promote rural economic growth. As global competition intensifies and our adversaries seek to gain an advantage by feeding and clothing the rest of the world, it is vital that we strengthen and preserve this interagency collaboration to keep pace through innovation.

This bill will do exactly that. We have two world-class agencies, DOE and USDA, conducting research, so it only makes sense that we ensure they are both at the table to coordinate on a wide range of topics.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill passed the House with unanimous support last Congress. That is because smart, bipartisan legislation rarely faces opposition.

I thank former Science, Space, and Technology Committee chairman, Mr. Lucas, and Ranking Member Lofgren for once again leading this effort.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1350) to provide for Department of Energy and National Science Foundation research and development coordination, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1350, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1350, the DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act, which passed the House in the 118th Congress. This bill supports the longstanding partnership between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, allowing these agencies to work on cutting-edge research and technological challenges.

As this body is aware, our adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party, are quickly closing the gap on innovative technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum information science, and advanced manufacturing.

The CCP's efforts to outspend, out-educate, and outpace the the United States in these critical areas are increasingly concerning and something that we cannot ignore.

This legislation will bolster U.S. leadership on the global stage in emerging technologies, ensuring that our competitors do not eclipse us. Additionally, by authorizing this interagency collaboration, we maximize our investments to maintain our competitive edge.

DOE is our Nation's largest supporter of basic research in physical sciences, while NSF is the backbone of the collaborative research environment between government and academia. Together, these agencies can fuel innovation across multiple disciplines, including physics, quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, and materials science.

This bill enhances the capabilities of DOE and NSF, leveraging their research and development investments to maximize the impact of taxpayer dollars. By authorizing collaboration between DOE and NSF, we maximize our return on investment and ensure that we remain at the forefront of technological progress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Stevens and Baird and the members of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for reintroducing this important legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1350, the DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act, will support U.S. competitiveness in emerging technologies and key economic sectors while leveraging taxpayer dollars, enabling more to be accomplished with fewer resources.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the good work of my colleagues, Representatives Stevens and Baird. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1368) to provide for Department of Energy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration research and development coordination, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1368, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1368, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act.

The Department of Energy and NASA have an extensive history of collaboration, which has enhanced both our understanding of the universe and our ability to explore well beyond our planet.

The Voyager spacecrafts, which were launched more than 40 years ago and are now flying far beyond our own solar system in interstellar space, continue to operate with DOE's groundbreaking propulsion systems.

This DOE-NASA partnership has driven and will continue to drive advancements in high-performance computing, keeping us at the forefront of research and development.

Additionally, their collaborative work on nuclear energy is vital to establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon and next-generation in-space propulsion. However, these joint technological breakthroughs not only aid our space endeavors, but they also can be utilized here on Earth to increase global energy production from reliable energy resources.

Furthermore, this partnership will help to propel satellite development, space situational awareness, and even planetary defense from near-Earth objects.

In short, this bill enables two of our chief scientific agencies to do better work by tackling some of our most challenging scientific problems together.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Begich, for introducing this legislation. I also thank Representative Whitesides for cosponsoring it. This bipartisan bill earned unanimous support in the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and passed in the House last Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to once again support it on the floor today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1368, the DOE and NASA Interagency Research Act is a smart piece of legislation that will ensure that we stay competitive in the global race to return humans to the Moon and then send crewed missions on to Mars.

Without key partnerships like this, we would be unable to take the crucial steps in energy production and propulsion technologies necessary to extend our reach beyond Earth. I thank Representative Begich and Representative Whitesides for their leadership in moving this bill forward.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1534) to strengthen and enhance the competitiveness of American industry through the research and development of advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of cement, concrete, and asphalt production, and for other purposes.

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 H.R. 1534, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1534, the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act, or IMPACT Act.

Today, much of the world is reliant on cement and concrete produced in China, which is home to the world's largest cement industry. It should go without saying that it is a big problem to be at the whims of the Chinese Communist Party when it comes to materials that are absolutely critical to our national defense, economic security, and our energy independence.

Beyond that, this reliance comes with severe negative environmental impacts. China's greenhouse gas emissions exceed all of the developed nations in the world combined. In fact, U.S. industrial manufacturing is nearly 28 percent cleaner than our competitors, including China.

If we want a cleaner, healthier environment and global security, U.S. leadership in this sector is an absolute must. The IMPACT Act ensures this by propelling America to the front in the cement, concrete, and asphalt industries. It will increase our Nation's competitiveness against global adversaries while also achieving significant reductions in emissions from manufacturing processes.

Specifically, this bill supports the research and development of innovative technologies, primarily at the Department of Energy. It builds off the cross-cutting Industrial Emissions Reduction Technology Development program established by the Energy Act of 2020 and provides specific direction for the advancement of tools, technologies, and methods related to cement, concrete, and asphalt production.

Concrete is the second most commonly used material on Earth, surpassed only by water. The demand is unlikely to decrease soon, making it crucial to allocate the Federal Government's top scientific resources to assist manufacturers in meeting our strategic goals, while ensuring the concrete supply that supports our economy continues to grow and thrive.

The IMPACT Act positions our country to rise to that challenge and become a resource for the entire world.

I thank Science, Space, and Technology Committee members, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Foushee, for cosponsoring this bill and working in a bipartisan fashion.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1534 is commonsense legislation that passed unanimously last Congress. It has the support of major industry associations, including the Portland Cement Association, the National Asphalt Pavement Association, and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. It also has the endorsement of those groups affected by downstream impacts, like the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions.

This diverse support is a testament to just how important it is for the United States to retain its global competitive edge when it comes to advanced industrial technologies.

I urge my colleagues to join me in backing this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), my good friend and co-chair. I really appreciate him having tonight's very important Special Order.

The truth is simple. The Biden administration threw open the floodgates, allowing murderers, rapists, and chaos to pour into our communities, all in pursuit of political power. They knew exactly what they were doing.

Securing the border was never an impossibility, as they let the Nation and us believe. It was always a choice.

For the last 4 years, the wrong choice was deliberately made. We were told that enforcement wouldn't work, that the crisis was simply too big to fix, but those were lies meant to cover up the fact that an open border was exactly what they wanted to do.

They dismantled every tool that worked, inviting criminals to walk right in. We saw the consequences play out in the most destructive ways imaginable. Mr. Speaker, 15 million illegals entered under the Biden administration's watch.

Tonight, you will hear about the evils that were unleashed on our neighborhoods by the Biden administration, resulting in death and destruction of innocent American lives.

How many more lives must be lost? How many more families must grieve before they admit their open-border agenda is destroying this country? There are 100,000 Americans dying per year from deadly Mexican cartel and Chinese drugs that have come in over our open border.

There have been hundreds of thousands of lost children from the child sex trade and human trafficking. There have been murders, rapes, and pillaging from illegal alien gangs and swamped public schools, hospitals, and public services.

Here is the good news, though. The days of lawlessness are over because, on day one of the Donald Trump administration, we finally have a strong leader in the White House. Just like that, the border was shut down. All it took was that leadership and the will to enforce the law. The message was sent loud and clear: America is not open for lawbreakers anymore.

Illegal crossings have plummeted. Deportations are back in full force. As co-chair of the Border Security Caucus, I am committed to keeping these dangerous criminals off of our streets.

Working hand in hand with President Trump, Vice President Vance, and leaders like Tom Homan, we are making sure that child traffickers, drug smugglers, and gang members are rounded up and sent packing back to where they belong. We are kicking them out by the thousands, just like we should have been doing all along these last 4 years.

This is how you put America first: You don't make excuses; you act. You don't let criminals run free; you lock them up or send them home. You don't leave the border wide open; you shut it down and take control.

The American people deserve safety, not suffering. They deserve law and order, not chaos. They deserve leadership that protects them, not one that absolutely betrays them.

That is what Donald Trump and Tom Homan are delivering to us right now, and they are just getting started.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann), my good friend, for holding this session for such a great and worthy cause.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of the lives lost in the tragic crashes of American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25.

To the families, friends, and loved ones of the 67 victims, we offer our very deepest condolences. No words can ever ease the pain of such a devastating loss, but we stand with them. We stand with every one of these folks in mourning and in the pursuit of answers in this tragic accident.

This tragedy demands a full and thorough investigation to ensure that no family endures this kind of heartbreak again. The safety of our skies and the trust of the American people depend on accountability, transparency, and action.

Mr. Speaker, let us honor the memory of those we lost by ensuring that such a catastrophe never happens again. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 153.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Timothy ``Tim'' Cliff Bauer of Winnie, Texas, who passed away at his home on December 19, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.

Tim was born to Patricia and Leroy Bauer on September 13, 1951, in Beaumont, Texas. He grew up in the Winnie-Stowell community and was a devoted member of Grace Methodist Church. While attending East Chambers High School, he met the love of his life, Vicki Cuniff. After graduation, Tim attended Texas A&M University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy in 1973. He married Vicki during his senior year, and they returned to Winnie, where Tim farmed rice and raised Red Angus cattle.

In 1998, Tim and Vicki moved to the original Bauer Ranch Homestead, lovingly restoring it and going to great lengths to preserve its history and significance to the local agricultural community. Tim founded Texas Financial in 2002 and revived the Bauer Ranch's cattle operation in 2011, creating the Fl Braford herd. He retired from his financial advisement business in 2015 but continued to ranch for another seven years. In 2023, Tim and Vicki moved to Kerrville, where he enjoyed the golden years of his life.

Tim was a man of conviction, stewardship, and passion. He held leadership roles in many organizations and was well known for his love of hunting, fishing, and Western art. Tim will be remembered for his sincere adoration for his family, unwavering faith, and steadfast presence. He was a true cowboy, a man's man, and tough as a boot--I am incredibly proud to have called him a friend. May the Lord bless his memory and his wonderful family. We will miss him.