Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 480, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a resolution and ask unanimous consent 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. Con. Res. 24, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 1 p.m. tomorrow, and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet at noon on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the

Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 12) and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 294, I call up the bill (H.R. 22) to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE Act, introduced by my colleague, Chip Roy of Texas.

As chairman of the Committee on House Administration, I have been focused on improving election integrity and increasing confidence in our elections.

Let me be clear: Noncitizen voting reduces confidence in our elections. American elections are for American citizens, and we intend to keep it that way.

The SAVE Act will strengthen our elections administration and restore Americans' confidence in our elections. The SAVE Act contains critical reforms to update the National Voter Registration Act which currently requires States to give registration forms to everyone who receives a driver's license, regardless of citizenship.

The bill before us will help States prevent noncitizens from voting in Federal elections by requiring States to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering an individual to vote in Federal elections.

Mr. Speaker, you are sure to hear from my colleagues on the other side that noncitizen voting doesn't exist or that it rarely happens so we don't need to do anything about it. It couldn't be further from the truth.

However, let's look back 2 months ago. The secretaries of state that I had conversations with shared with me their difficulties that they are experiencing in administering the most recent election. Two of their top concerns were about integrity of voter rolls and noncitizen voting.

In a most recent election, we just saw 13 individuals referred by the Michigan Secretary of State to the attorney general for noncitizen voting in the State of Michigan. In the House of Representatives where we often see close elections, we have one Member here who won her election by simply six votes.

It is clear we must pass the SAVE Act and prevent noncitizen voting.

There have also been many other examples of noncitizens voting or being

on States' voter rolls. Just a few years ago, Illinois removed almost 600 noncitizens from its voter rolls. In Pennsylvania almost 10,000 noncitizens were removed from their voter rolls. In Georgia an audit recently determined that more than 1,600 noncitizens had attempted to register to vote.

Every State also needs access to the tools necessary to remove noncitizens from their voter rolls. Right now States don't have free access to the Federal data that tracks citizenship status.

Another crucial element of the SAVE Act will provide States with cost-free access to existing Federal and State databases so they can perform this important voter list maintenance.

In recent years we have seen an increasing number of jurisdictions across the country allowing noncitizens to vote in municipal elections. Right here in our Nation's Capital, noncitizens are eligible to vote in these municipal elections. In Washington, D.C., a noncitizen only has to reside in the District for 30 days in order to register to vote.

Mr. Speaker, 388 noncitizens cast ballots here in our Nation's Capital in Washington, D.C., in the most recent election.

By passing the SAVE Act we can ensure that only eligible Americans are registering to vote.

Additionally, the SAVE Act is aligned with President Trump's recent executive order, Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of Elections, which will help restore trust in American elections, enhance our election administration, and make our elections secure.

This legislation is just one step that we can take to ensure President Trump's executive order could not be undone. Americans deserve to have confidence in our elections. We must pass the SAVE Act to prevent noncitizen voting and secure our elections.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee), the chair of the Subcommittee on Elections and the former Florida secretary of state.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller), a member of the Committee on House Administration, to speak on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) to speak on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice), a member of the Committee on House Administration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Boebert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack) to speak on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentlewoman from Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bean) to speak on the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am hearing from the other side that it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote. That is true. It is also illegal to evade Border Patrol and cross the border illegally into the United States of America, but enforcement matters.

We can look at what happens when you don't enforce the law under the Biden administration and what happens when you do enforce the law under the Trump administration.

I think back to when I went home to my hometown in Janesville, Wisconsin, the other day and I went to buy a six-pack of beer. I walked in and the gentlewoman at the desk said: Bryan, good to see you. I went back, grabbed a six-pack of beer, came up, and she said: Bryan, I need to see your ID. I pulled out my ID and handed it to her. She reviewed it. She allowed me to purchase a six-pack of beer.

Am I the only one here that thinks it is absolutely absurd that we protect our beer more than we protect our ballots? This law allows us to make sure that only U.S. citizens are voting in U.S. elections. Mr. Speaker, it is about enforcement of the law. I ask my colleagues across the aisle: How many noncitizen votes should be okay?

The answer to me and my colleagues on this side of the aisle is zero because every noncitizen that votes in a Federal election in the United States of America cancels out the vote of a U.S. citizen. As we know in this Chamber, very often House races are close. One of our Representatives in this Chamber was elected by simply six votes. One noncitizen voting in a Federal election in the United States is too many, and the arguments I am hearing from my colleagues on the left is that they are okay with noncitizens voting.

It is essential that not only do we have the law but that we enforce the law, and the SAVE Act does just that.

This is my good friend, Chip Roy, from the State of Texas, the author of the bill, who I have been working with to do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy) to speak on the bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley), my friend and colleague.

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

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

The SAVE Act is clear. Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections.

Let's summarize the arguments here. My colleagues on this side of the aisle believe that only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections, and we should keep it that way.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle just moments ago said that there is no appreciable illegal voting. Well, how much illegal voting should be allowed in the United States of America? In my opinion, no noncitizens should vote in U.S. elections.

We can go down and look at the data. Illinois had to remove 600 noncitizens from their voter rolls. Pennsylvania had to remove 10,000 noncitizens from their voter rolls. In Georgia, 1,600 noncitizens attempted to register. In our Nation's Capital, where they allow noncitizens to vote in municipal elections, this past November, 388 noncitizens voted here in our Nation's Capital in municipal elections.

You will hear the argument from my colleagues across the aisle that it is already illegal to vote if you are a noncitizen in a Federal election. I tell them, as I said earlier, it is already illegal to evade Border Patrol and to come into this country, but Joe Biden was happy not to enforce the law. Millions of illegal immigrants have come into the United States of America.

The National Voter Registration Act, as drafted by this body, if you broke it, you have to fix it. We have to fix the voting laws.

The National Voter Registration Act requires States to give voter registration materials when an individual comes to get a driver's license. In States that give driver's licenses to illegal aliens, like the State of Illinois, just to the south of my home State of Wisconsin, they are handed voter registration materials.

Mr. Speaker, I view that as insane. We should be making sure that only U.S. citizens are voting in U.S. elections. You will hear arguments about it is burdensome.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is absurd that we are protecting beer more than we are protecting ballots. You have to show a photo ID when you go in to buy a six-pack of beer. You should have to go in and show that you are a U.S. citizen when you register to vote. It is just that simple.

I remind my colleagues that we had this debate in this Chamber last Congress. Five Democrats joined us in voting for this bill. In a few moments, we will be voting, Mr. Speaker. It will be darn interesting to see how many Democrats have the courage to come across the line and say ``yes'' to only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections. My colleagues should support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, 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 the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 22, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the resolution (H. Res. 198) providing for the expenses of certain committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

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

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself and the Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle, I rise today to recognize J. Mark Sweeney, Principal Deputy Librarian of Congress, for his exemplary service to Congress and the American people upon his retirement.

Mr. Sweeney began his career at the Library in 1985 as a Library Technician, sorting, organizing, and shelving government publications. Nearly forty years later, he retires as one of the agency's most impactful leaders, leaving behind a commendable legacy of public service.

His legacy includes advancing several critical Library-wide initiatives that have enhanced the Library's services and enriched its offerings to users. Since stepping into the role of Principal Deputy Librarian in 2018, he has provided executive leadership to further the institution's priorities, including leading a process to develop and launch a user-centered strategic plan and improving the visitor experience for Americans traveling to the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building on Capitol Hill. His strong management skills also successfully guided the Library's operations through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

As Associate Librarian for Library Services, beginning in 2015, he was responsible for acquiring, securing, and preserving the Library's universal collections. His career contributions include playing an instrumental role in preserving and ensuring access to hundreds of years of American newspapers, from the eighteenth century to the present. His work with the United States Newspaper Program, along with his leadership in expanding digital accessibility within the National Digital Newspaper Program, continues to serve as a model of national cooperation in preserving important aspects of America's cultural heritage for Congress, researchers, and future generations.

Throughout his distinguished career in public service, Mr. Sweeney has held multiple positions at the Library, including Chief of the Preservation Reformatting Division, Chief of the Serial and Government Publications Division, Chief of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division, and Director of Preservation, among other roles.

On behalf of the Committee on House Administration, Ranking Member Morelle and I commend Mr. Sweeney for his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the Library of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Con. Res. 17, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 250) to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol.

Madam 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 bill.

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

Madam Speaker, today I bring forward two bills. Our Nation faces major challenges and concerns, and this body continues to work on those. While we do that, these bills are simple and noncontroversial and do require legislative action to take effect.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 250 to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for placement in the Capitol.

The nonpartisan legislation will allow Congress to place a statue of Benjamin Franklin in the Capitol. The legislation will require that not later than 2 years after enactment, the Joint Committee on the Library shall enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin. It will also be required that the statue be placed in a publicly accessible permanent location no later than December 31, 2026.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representatives Houlahan and Fitzpatrick and their 72 additional cosponsors for bringing this legislation forward. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 250, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick) to speak on the bill.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared close.

Madam Speaker, I would like to say, once again, I thank my colleagues, Representative Houlahan and Representative Fitzpatrick, and my long working relationship with Ranking Member Morelle for being able to bring this to the floor.

It is correctly noted that as we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, I think it is true and important that we put this statue here in the United States Capitol.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 250, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 469) to provide for the creation of a Congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes.

Madam 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 bill.

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

Madam Speaker, today, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 469, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act.

This nonpartisan legislation would authorize a time capsule to be buried on the Capitol Grounds to mark the Nation's semiquincentennial. America is turning 250 on July 4, 2026. This time capsule represents one way that Congress will participate in the Nation's yearlong celebration of democracy and freedom.

Amongst our toughest challenges of the day, this legislation reminds us that we can all work together. The contents of the capsule will be selected by the Speaker of the House, House minority leader, and the majority and minority leaders in the United States Senate. Maybe we can even ask Speaker Johnson to include a pair of his glasses.

The capsule will remain sealed until July 2, 2276, the Nation's 500th anniversary.

The gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman) introduced H.R. 469 as a Member of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission with an additional 54 cosponsors.

The Architect of the Capitol provided technical input to the Commission and will work with the congressional leadership to implement the capsule.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have worked with Ranking Member Morelle on these efforts. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 469, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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 yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle), the ranking member on the Committee on House Administration, for his work.

The gentleman correctly noted that we are in challenging times as we face difficult national issues. As we reflect back in 2 years, we will have a celebration of 250 years of the greatest country in the world.

This time capsule, when viewed 250 years from now in 2276, may it be a reflection that, at the midpoint then, which will be today, we navigated these challenges that we faced with great courage and great vigor.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's work and support on both pieces of legislation today, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 469.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and dedication of Charlotte Cremin. Charlotte served my office for over six years. She was one of the first members of my team when I came to Congress in 2019 and has remained a loyal and trusted advisor throughout her tenure.

As every Member of Congress and staffer knows, taking on a new role in a freshman office is no easy task. Even throughout the challenges we faced as my office was stood up, Charlotte was always ready to take on something new for the team. I tasked Charlotte with managing the health care, veterans, foreign affairs, and defense legislative portfolio. Whether it was late nights reviewing NDAA amendments, or spending time listening to and helping each health care group or veteran who walked through my office door, I could always rely on Charlotte to get the job done well.

Charlotte has treated her colleagues and my constituents with kindness, professionalism, and respect. Everyone in the office could always rely on Charlotte. She has been a trusted advisor and staffer for Wisconsin's First Congressional District and her dedication and service will be greatly missed.

While Charlotte's title in my office has been Senior Policy Advisor, she has recently taken on the new role and title as a mom. Charlotte and her husband David welcomed Isabel Loretta Cremin into the world on November 20, 2024. I thank Charlotte for her steadfast commitment to serving Wisconsin's First Congressional District and wish her and her family the very best.

Mr. Speaker, on this past Saturday, February 1, 2025, United States Capitol Police Recruit Officer Christopher Katz was tragically killed in a car accident in Glynn County, Georgia. Five other Capitol Police recruits were seriously injured in the crash, as well.

Chris was an ambitious young man who had dreams of serving his country and his community. He had several career options in law enforcement but chose the United States Capitol Police due to their rich history and dedicated service to the United States.

He had tremendous respect for the critical role in protecting the Nation's elected officials and the institutions of democracy. Chris' family and friends remember him for his unwavering dedication to service and his love of life.

He was a young man with a bright future taken far too soon, but he will be forever remembered for his passion, kindness, and commitment to making a difference. We are thankful for his service.

Every single day members of the Capitol Police put themselves in the line of danger to protect this great institution and those of us who work and visit here. Our prayers and sympathies are with the United States Capitol Police community, these officers, and their families.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, Ranking Member Joe Morelle, and the House of Representatives, I ask that the United States House of Representatives observe a moment of silence.