Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 85, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 3222) to ensure the security of office space rented by Senators, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2747) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the Administrative Fine Program for certain reporting violations.

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 the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2747, a bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the Administrative Fine Program for certain reporting violations for an additional 10 years.

Congress has previously extended this program six times, each time on a nonpartisan basis. I rise today to encourage my colleagues to again extend the authorization of this crucial program.

The Federal Elections Commission, commonly referred to as the FEC, enforces Federal law that requires political committees to file reports of receipts and disbursements by a certain date.

Under the Administrative Fine Program, the FEC is able to swiftly resolve infractions related to late-filed or unfiled reports, ensuring transparency and accountability in our political process.

Currently, the Administrative Fine Program is set to expire on December 31, 2023. By passing this bill today, the House will extend the program for an additional 10 years, ensuring the FEC can expeditiously assess and enforce fines against campaign committees for their late-filed or unfiled reports.

Without the Administrative Fine Program, the FEC would be required to go through its traditional enforcement process to achieve compliance. This process is more costly and more time consuming. It would result in fewer available resources for the agency to devote to serious violations of campaign finance law.

The Administrative Fine Program has been successful. Before the inception of the Administrative Fine Program, an average of 21 percent of campaign finance reports were filed late. Now, late-filed reports are below 10 percent, and the agency has assessed over $9 million in fines. It is important to note that these fines do not fund the agency but are deposited in the U.S. Treasury.

Fewer late-filed reports means greater transparency for the American public. Greater transparency builds Americans' confidence in our elections.

The bill not only accomplishes the immediate goal of efficient campaign finance regulation, but it also aligns with the broader objectives of the American Confidence in Elections Act, or ACE Act: transparency and our shared goal to ensure confidence in our elections.

By passing this bill today, we can ensure the FEC enforcement operations continue to run smoothly. In late September, the Committee on House Administration considered an identical bill, H.R. 5734, and reported it to the full House by voice vote.

Our Senate colleagues passed S. 2747 by voice earlier this fall, which means this important bill would go to the President's desk following passage in the House.

I am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join the bipartisan membership of the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules Committee to support this important measure today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee), the chair of the Subcommittee on Elections of the Committee on House Administration and the former Florida Secretary of State.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

I thank my colleague, Mr. Morelle, the ranking member on the Committee on House Administration, for his work in this regard.

As noted by my colleague, sometimes we disagree on elections administration. We have had those debates in our committee. This piece of legislation is a true nonpartisan opportunity for us to come together to provide more transparency for the American people, in particular, to make sure that this important program continues in place at the Federal Election Commission.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for speaking in support of this important measure. By passing the bill today, we can ensure FEC enforcement operations continue to run smoothly. I am urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join in supporting this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize today a special group of dedicated and outstanding employees of the Officers (Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer) and of the Inspector General of the U.S. House of Representatives and congratulate them for reaching the milestone of 25 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The House's most important asset is its exceptional and steadfast employees, whose work is essential to keeping the operations and services of the House running efficiently and effectively, allowing legislators and their staff to focus on their primary mission. The employees we acknowledge today are commended for their hard work, dedication, professionalism, and teamwork; support of House Members, their staffs, and their constituents, and for their day-in and day-out efforts and impacts to the overall operations of the House. These employees, whose work is primarily performed behind the scenes, possess a wide range of responsibilities, skills, and knowledge that supports the legislative process, ensures the security of this great institution, maintains our technology and service infrastructure, and contributes to more efficient and productive House support operations. These devoted employees have accomplished noteworthy and essential work in a diverse range of activities, and the House of Representatives, its Members, staff, and the American public is better served because of them.

We recognize and honor the following individuals for 25 years of loyal service to the House. Collectively, the employees listed have provided 250 years of service to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Trena Gates, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Karen Granger, Office of the Clerk of the House; Gregory Holland, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Tanya Hughes-Goins, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Steven Johnson, Office of Inspector General; Kathleen Joyce, Office of the Sergeant at Arms; Jimmy Lambert, Office of the Clerk of the House; Justin Supon, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Stanley Turek, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer; Kevin Wood, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.

On behalf of the entire House community, I once again congratulate, acknowledge, and express our gratitude to these employees for their professionalism and commitment to the U.S. House of Representatives as a whole, and in particular to their respective House Officer or the Inspector General, and collaboratively across these organizations. Their long hours, hard work, diverse skills, and team spirit are invaluable, and their years of unwavering service and dedication to the House sets an impressive example for their colleagues and for the employees who will follow in their footsteps. I applaud all our honorees, and I am proud to stand before you and our great Nation on their behalf to recognize the importance of their public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of World War II veteran Lyle Tennis' honorable service to our Nation and to wish him a happy 100th birthday.

Lyle Tennis was born in Unity, Wisconsin on September 18, 1923, and resides in Racine, Wisconsin. Lyle joined the United States Navy as a Lieutenant during World War II.

During his service in the Navy, his ship was the target of frequent and deadly Kamikaze attacks. During an attack, Lyle saved his crewmates' lives by notifying the crew to abandon the ship before sinking and returning to the ship to rescue the remaining crew. Lyle was awarded the distinguished Navy Cross for his heroic actions.

In addition to his Navy Cross, Lyle was awarded a Purple Heart, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Navy Unit Commendation.

After WWII, Lyle served an additional 28 years in the Naval Reserves and had a career in education for 31 years. Lyle Tennis is a genuine American hero.

On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, I am honored to wish Lyle Tennis a happy 100th birthday and recognize his distinguished service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Patience Roggensack's 20 years of service on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Justice Roggensack's legal legacy will be long remembered. She helped to guide the court throughout her tenure during some of its most important times. She has mentored countless attorneys and judges and will continue to serve as an important role model for the next generation of judges. She will always serve as their fiercest advocate.

Justice Roggensack led a historic career. Before serving on the Supreme Court, Justice Roggensack served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals for 7 years. She was elected to the Supreme Court in 2003. I had the great honor of working for Justice Roggensack shortly after law school and saw her dedication to the law, her diligent work ethic, and her compassion for serving Wisconsin. Everyone who has worked with Justice Roggensack, including myself, has benefited from her mentorship.

12 years after her election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Justice Roggensack became the first Justice to be elected by her colleagues in the court to the position of Chief Justice. She held the position of Chief Justice for 6 years until relinquishing it in 2021. Justice Roggensack's incredible service, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments will be long remembered after her July 31, 2023 retirement.

I congratulate Justice Patience Roggensack on her retirement and 20 years of service to Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor 2 Capitol Police officers, Officer Jacob J. Chestnut, Jr., and Detective John M. Gibson, who were shot and killed by a gunman in the Capitol on July 24, 1998.

In the afternoon of July 24, 1998, a lone gunman forced his way past a security checkpoint, fatally shooting Officer Chestnut. The assailant ran toward an entrance that led to the offices of Tom DeLay of Texas, the Majority Whip. Detective Gibson, a member of DeLay's protective team, told others to hide and find cover. The gunman shot Gibson, and although mortally wounded, Gibson returned fire, striking the gunman. Detective Gibson's selfless acts resulted in lives saved and provided an opportunity for responding officers to restrain the gunman and end the horrific events that day.

Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut, Jr., was a 20-year Air Force veteran, having served 2 tours in Vietnam, and retired as a Master Sergeant. He has the distinction of being the first African American to lie in honor at the Capitol. He was 58 years old.

Detective John Michael Gibson had been selected as part of the dignitary protection team for Congressman Tom DeLay and had served with the United States Capitol Police for 18 years. He left behind his wife, a 17-year-old daughter, and 2 sons, 14 and 15 years old. He laid in honor with Officer Chestnut in the Capitol rotunda.

Both men were buried with full honors in Arlington National Cemetery. These men gave their lives in defense of the democracy that serves all of us while defending the lives of congressmen and -women, congressional staffers, and other United States Capitol Police officers.

In the days that followed, Representative DeLay stated that the death of these officers symbolized, ``the sacrifices of thousands of police officers across the Nation who do their duty to serve and protect the public, sometimes under great abuse, sometimes under great disregard, and many times people take them for granted. It all comes together when an incident like this happens and we realize how much we owe to police officers all over this country.''

I'll say that the women and men who comprise the United States Capitol Police Department continue to be a very important component in safeguarding the form of government that allows us daily and routine freedoms.

Today we remember Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson while thanking all who are a part of the United States Capitol Police Department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be made in order at any time on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting His Excellency Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 593, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order at any time through July 20, 2023, to consider in the House, H.J. Res. 79 if called up by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, or his designee, that the joint resolution be considered as read, that the previous question be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to final passage without intervening motion except 30 minutes equally divided among and controlled by Representative McCaul of Texas, Representative Meeks of New York, and Representative Gaetz of Florida, or their respective designees, and that the provisions of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622) shall not apply to the joint resolution through July 20, 2023.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kikkoman Corporation on celebrating 50 years of brewing Kikkoman Soy Sauce in the United States. Kikkoman is one of the oldest and most recognizable food brands in the world.

In 1973 Kikkoman opened its first major soy sauce plant in Walworth, Wisconsin. Kikkoman Foods selected Walworth as the location for its pioneering U.S. production plant due to its proximity to the main growing regions for the company's primary ingredients, and the diligent local labor force. This groundbreaking facility was among the first ever established by a Japanese company in the United States.

The significance of Kikkoman's Wisconsin plant extends beyond Wisconsin and has a considerable impact on a global scale. The Walworth Kikkoman plant employs over 200 hardworking individuals and is the highest-producing brewed soy sauce facility in the world. The products that are made in Walworth are shipped across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and to more than 20 overseas markets.

Kikkoman prioritizes helping both local and national philanthropic causes, donating over 12 million dollars through The Kikkoman Foods Foundation. The foundation has offered college scholarships for high schoolers, supported educational programs, aided community development projects, assisted local fire and rescue teams, contributed to disaster relief efforts worldwide, and supported local food banks and non- profits that serve the underprivileged. Kikkoman Corporation has had an incredible impact on Wisconsin.

On behalf of Wisconsin's First Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Kikkoman Corporation on its 50th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H.J. Res. 62, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H.J. Res. 63, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H.J. Res. 64, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.