Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I had to miss votes today due to travel from Illinois to Washington. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 466 and YEA on Roll Call No. 467.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Jason Anderson for his 20 years of impactful service as Economic Development Director for the City of Rochelle. In this role, Anderson worked with Illinois businesses and others in the Rochelle community to attract increased economic investment and improve public infrastructure in Rochelle.

Anderson graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Business Administration. Before becoming the Economic Development Director, Anderson served in many roles, including Northern Illinois Regional Director for former U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald.

Through Anderson's tenure, the City of Rochelle saw robust improvement in their economy and infrastructure. Since 2005, there has been $1.3 billion in capital investments made by businesses and 2,200 jobs created in Rochelle. Highlights of this economic growth include investment projects from companies like Wheatland Tube and the CHS Ethanol plant as well as the construction of the Rochelle Business Technology Park.

Additionally, the City of Rochelle has received over $125 million in funding for infrastructure over the past two decades. Anderson's work as Economic Development Director focused specifically on infrastructure modernization of the railroad and airport. In Anderson's 10 years overseeing Rochelle's airport it received almost $11 million in funding and the Rochelle railroad's yearly revenue quadrupled under Anderson's vision.

Jason Anderson's tireless work has left a lifelong impact on the Rochelle community and the state of Illinois. His commitment to our community is truly inspiring and I congratulate Jason on 20 years of service to Rochelle and wish him the best in all future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Tyrone ``Ty'' Fahner of Northfield, Illinois, who passed away on September 16, 2024, at the age of 81.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Ty Fahner received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a law degree from Wayne State University, and a master's degree in criminal justice from the Northwestern School of Law. Ty's sharp legal mind and passion for public service led him to great accomplishments in both the public and private sectors.

Upon graduation, Ty began work in the private law practice for a short period of time before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. In 1976, Ty Joined Illinois Governor Jim Thompson's administration as Director of Law Enforcement,

focusing on Chicago government corruption and the reorganization of state law enforcement agencies. In 1980, Governor Thompson appointed Ty as the Illinois Attorney General. From 1980 until 1983, Ty proudly served the Illinois community, primarily investigating a sting of Tylenol poisonings across the state.

Ty later returned to private practice, serving as Co-Chairman of the prestigious Mayer Brown law firm from 1998 until 2001, and Chairman from 2001 until 2007. Ty also held positions as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Director at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party finance committee, and President of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. Ty was undoubtedly an impactful, dedicated figure within our Illinois community.

I want to offer my condolences to the Fahner family and then loved ones on the loss of a great man. Ty's leadership, commitment, and dedication have made a lasting impact on the Illinois community that will last for generations.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Sister Judith Ann Duvall for her 18 years of honorable service as the major superior of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis and as Chairperson of the OSF Healthcare system in Illinois.

Sister Judith Ann was born just outside of St. Louis, Missouri as the middle child in a modest Catholic family. She entered the convent in September of 1964 and then went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University, a master's degree in Catholic doctrine from St. John's University in New York City; and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Administration from Bradley University. Since entering the convent, Sister Judith Ann has devoted her life to her vocation and the advancement of the mission of

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize New Trier High School girls' soccer team for winning the 2024 Class 3A state title.

The New Trier Trevians defeated the St. Charles North Stars in a thrilling state championship that ended in a 4-3 penalty kick victory. Just six minutes into the match, the Trevians took a 1-0 lead. Shortly before the halftime whistle, the North Stars answered with a goal of their own making the score 1-1. In the second half, both teams scored once again, sending the match into a dramatic extra-time period.

Incredibly, the extra-time period saw both teams score their third goals one after the other which therefore required a penalty shootout to determine the state champion. The Trevians' freshman goalie came up with a consequential penalty save to secure New Trier the 2024 Class 3A girls soccer state championship.

With this state championship, the New Trier girls' soccer program has achieved their seventh state championship title. All these championships have been won under the leadership of Coach Jim Burnside--who with 611 victories, is the winningest coach in IHSA girls soccer history.

The New Trier girls' soccer team has made all northern Illinois proud with their accomplishments this season, finishing with a 25-2-4 record. Each member's commitment to their team and their community is truly inspiring. Congratulations to Coach Burnside and the New Trier Trevians for their remarkable state championship win.

The Trevian players include: #0 Annie Fowler--Fr-GK; #1 Caroline Hague--Jr.-GK; #2 Kennedy Colegrove--Jr.-D; #3 Sybil Evans--Sr.-MF/F; #4 Abby Morton--So.-D; #6 Quinn Brahm--So.-F; #7 Maeve Driscoll--So.- MF; #8 Addy Randall--Fr.-MF; #9 Maria Petrakis--Sr.-MF; #10 Annie Paden--Sr.-MF; #11 Noa Boeing--Fr.-MF: #12 Clara Deliduka--Sr.-D/MF: #15 Charlotte Dellin--Sr.-F/MF: #16 Basie Shannon--Sr.-D/MF; #17 Christina Tobon--Jr.-D; #18 Josie Noble--Sr.-F/MF; #19 Eleni Kanellos-- So.-MF/D; #20 Jaime Elias--Sr.-F/MF; #21 Bea Cirulis--Fr.-D; #22 Honor Dold--Jr.-D; #23 Claire Gallagher--Fr.-D; #24 Olivia Wilson--Jr.-D.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the City of Pekin, Illinois, which I'm proud to represent in Congress, as it celebrates its 200th anniversary.

Pekin's history began with Pioneer Jonathan Tharp building a small log cabin in 1824 on the high east bank of the Illinois River in what would become Pekin, Illinois. The families of Gideon Hawley, William Haines, Nathan Cromwell, Dr. John Warner, William Brown, Thomas Snell, Isaac Perkins, William Carpenter--among others--joined the Tharps in settling and establishing the new community.

Pekin, fondly referred to by its early inhabitants as the ``Celestial City'', embraces the inspiration its founders received by Chinese culture and geography in its namesake (Peking, current Beijing), with Pekin and modern-day Beijing existing on or about the same latitude.

Since its earliest days, Pekin's proximity to railroads and the Illinois River has made it

ideal for agribusiness and manufacturing--providing for its abundant growth and early establishment as the largest city and the current county seat in the County of Tazewell.

Abraham Lincoln freed his first slave, Nance Legins-Costley of Pekin, in Tazewell County, and Pekin is the birthplace of such prominent national figures as U.S. Senate Minority Leader Everett McKinley Dirksen; U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense and Advisor to Robert McNamara, John T. McNaughton; Journalist Richard Stolley of LIFE Magazine, and Astronaut Scott Altman.

Today, Pekin remains a closely-knit and primarily service-oriented community, with dozens of churches, civic and service organizations, and nonprofit agencies striving to make a difference in the Pekin community and beyond. The founding pioneer settlers of Pekin believed strongly that it was imperative to provide their youth with a strong education, and the Pekin Public Schools have diligently nurtured the children of the Pekin community since its first school opened in 1830.

Pekin is perhaps best known today for its annual Marigold Festival that draws visitors from all over the state and the nation, gathering primarily in its iconic Mineral Springs Park. Community members have successfully led an 18-month endeavor to raise over $1.2M in private funds and to build a performing arts venue in Mineral Springs as a major Bicentennial gift to the City, its residents, and many future generations.

Pekin continues to make exceptional efforts to preserve and understand its past while embracing its future, led by organizations such as the Pekin Public Library and the Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society: Its year-long 2024 Bicentennial celebration has been among the highest of such achievements.

Today, we celebrate the City of Pekin and its residents for their passion and dedication to their community. I extend my sincere congratulations to the City of Pekin, Illinois for a successful 200 years, and I wish them even more success in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Hanover volunteer Fire Department of Hanover, Illinois for celebrating their 135th anniversary.

In the 1800's, Hanover's file protection was virtually non-existent. The Hanover community rallied together to organize a fire company and purchased a Button hand fire engine in the summer of 1889. Later in 1890, a 414-pound fire alarm bell was gifted to the fire company by the ladies of Hanover and a tower was built on the North side of the town hall to house it.

On January 29, 1924, a new volunteer fire company was organized by twenty-two men. In the summer of 1942, the War Public Works Fire Station was built and was used by the Hanover Fire Department until another building, located at 201 Fillmore Street, was completed in 1970. The Hanover Fire Department remains at that Fillmore Street location to this day.

The illustrious history of the Hanover Fire Department is a testament to the strong spirit of community present in Illinois and demonstrates the importance of first responders and their service. As a Member of Congress, I will continue to support Illinois communities like Hanover and their emergency first responders who honorably serve their communities.

For 135 years, the Hanover Fire Department has served the residents of Hanover and Hanover Township and is possibly the oldest and largest volunteer fire department in Illinois. Today, we celebrate the Department and commend its multitude of volunteer fire fighters for their dedication to Hanover. I extend my sincere congratulations to the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department of Illinois for a successful 135 years, and I wish them even more success going forward.

Mr. Speaker, I had to miss votes today due to travel from Illinois to Washington. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 440, YEA on Roll Call No. 441 and YEA on Roll Call No. 442.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim) for yielding me the time. I echo the comments of both of my colleagues who spoke today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of our bill, H.R. 7438, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act. FIFA stands for Federation of International Football Association. As the co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, I am proud to lead the coin bill effort with my co-chairs of the Soccer Caucus, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen), the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon), and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor).

I am also very honored that the U.S. Soccer Federation, which operates the men's and women's team, is based in my home State of Illinois. Also, in my district, I have seven colleges and universities that have men's and women's soccer.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest sporting event in the history of the world. It will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the first time that three countries have hosted the World Cup.

We expect nearly 6 million fans to attend the matches in the United States alone. Half will be traveling to the United States from other countries. As has been noted, this is the first World Cup in 100 years where we expand it to 48 teams from the current 32 teams.

Hosting the tournament, which includes 104 matches in 16 cities, 11 of those cities in the United States, will bring generational opportunities to elevate soccer and build greater economic benefits in the States, cities, and local communities throughout the country.

Soccer is a global sport, one that continues to rapidly grow in the United States, and provides healthy outlets and opportunities for youth of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act will help support legacy programs for youth in underserved and rural communities across the Nation, ensuring kids engage in physical activity and sport.

The proceeds of the coin will support the growth of soccer throughout the United States with a focus on youth in rural areas, inner cities, and underserved communities. It is an exciting time for soccer in the United States.

The Soccer Caucus was proud to pass a resolution in 2017 supporting the United States' bid to host the 2026 World Cup, and I am proud to bring this bill to support the legacy of the World Cup to the floor here today.

Madam Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues who signed onto this bill, 290 Republicans and Democrats, who are supportive of our 2026 World Cup in the United States, along with Mexico and Canada.

The Soccer Caucus will continue to work with our partners across the Federal Government and in the soccer community to ensure a safe, smooth, and exciting World Cup here in the United States in 2026.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on this bill.

I rise today in strong support of our bill, H.R. 5861, the BRIDGE for Workers Act. This bipartisan bill demonstrates our joint commitment in Congress to supporting American workers.

Unemployment insurance is meant to help people without a job get through a rough patch and find new opportunity to support themselves and their families.

Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment grants allow States to provide services to recipients of unemployment benefits who are identified as those who could return to work more quickly. These grants are used for job skills training, resume preparation, English as a second language classes, and career exploration to connect unemployed workers to in-demand jobs.

Reemployment services have been demonstrated to improve employment outcomes and reduce the number of weeks that participants receive unemployment benefits. In addition, the program strengthens program integrity by ensuring claimants are complying with eligibility rules.

The bill before us today would make a technical correction to clarify that reemployment services provided through these Federal grants can be provided to all unemployment insurance claimants, not just those most likely to exhaust their benefits, as has been interpreted by the Department of Labor.

I thank my bill's co-lead and fellow Illinoisan and friend, Danny Davis, the ranking member of the Work and Welfare Subcommittee, for his work on this bill, which passed out of the Committee on Ways and Means with unanimous bipartisan support.

This legislation provides the permanent flexibility States need to make reemployment services a successful tool for those who have lost their job through no fault of their own. This really is a bridge to help workers. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Smith) for his leadership and guidance in bringing this bill through the Committee on Ways and Means and to the floor here today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, Supporting America's Children and Families Act. As chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Work and Welfare, I am proud that this important legislation demonstrates our bipartisan commitment to supporting vulnerable children and parents.

H.R. 9076 includes two pieces of legislation. Title I contains the Protecting America's Children by Strengthening Families Act, which I am proud to have introduced alongside the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), my fellow Illinoisan, ranking member, and friend, to reauthorize and improve the title IV-B program. The bill authorizes and reforms this critical child welfare program to support the safety and well-being of children in foster care.

The second bill, introduced by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Hern), my friend, will ensure States and Tribes have the tools necessary to continue to collect child support on behalf of millions of families across the country.

This combined legislation is the result of a yearlong investigation and five committee hearings to learn from stakeholders, parents, States, and Tribes.

Based on that work, we have been able to include bipartisan reforms that will improve child welfare and strengthen child support enforcement across the country, all with the net result of a reduction in direct Federal spending of $136 million over 10 years.

I repeat: a reduction in direct Federal spending of $136 million over 10 years.

I take seriously the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare's responsibility to ensure we have a strong safety net for the nearly 400,000 children in foster care who have experienced the trauma and hardships of abuse and neglect. This 5-year reauthorization modernizes the program and expands what we know is working.

In government, we often add to programs over time in our quest for improvement. Regrettably, though, this approach often results in fragmented and complex systems that burden administrators and hinder families from receiving the support they desperately need.

This legislation before us tackles that issue and represents the most significant reform and investment in child welfare since 1993. Bills which were the foundation of what we are voting on here today were introduced by 19 Members from both sides of the aisle.

This bill will specifically save taxpayer dollars through early intervention to keep families together, whenever possible, and reduce the need for foster care. It removes ineffective requirements and ensures States are accountable for matching Federal funds. It frees up more time for States and caseworkers to focus on families by requiring HHS to reduce administrative burdens by 15 percent. It expands access for Tribal communities by streamlining funding. It builds support systems for the 2.5 million grandparents and relatives serving as kinship caregivers, and strengthens post-adoption services to ensure children waiting for adoption find stable, loving homes.

This child welfare reauthorization has been endorsed by more than 200 organizations, including our county, State, and Tribal partners, as well as organizations representing former foster youth with lived experience.

Title II of the legislation before us includes the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act, which I am proud to have cosponsored with the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Hern), the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker), the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. DelBene), and the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).

A key tool used to collect past-due child support is the Treasury Offset Program. This program allows States to collect past-due obligations by intercepting Federal tax refunds from noncustodial parents.

Last year, 5 percent, or $1.5 billion, was collected for families through this program. Unfortunately, a statutory conflict threatens to cut off access to this important child support enforcement tool for 42 States.

Absent a legislative change by October 1 of 2024, States and the Federal Government face hundreds of millions in new costs, and millions of families could lose vital child support payments.

The legislation before us today will formally authorize State use of contractors while maintaining protections on the privacy of Federal taxpayer information.

Further, this bill authorizes Tribal access, providing much-needed parity for Tribal enforcement agencies.

I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Hern) for his leadership on this bill. This legislation has garnered endorsements from State and Tribal organizations across the country, including 26 sitting Governors.

The well-being and safety of America's children and struggling families is an area of common interest for both Republicans and Democrats. This legislation demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for his continued partnership and leadership on these issues.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I acknowledge all of the members of the Subcommittee on Work and Welfare and the full Committee on Ways and Means for their valuable contribution and input on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I missed Roll Call No. 338 today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 338.

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I had to miss votes today to travel back to Illinois. Had I been present, I would have voted:

AYE on Roll Call No. 327, AYE on Roll Call No. 328, NO on Roll Call No. 329, NAY on Roll Call No. 330, YEA on Roll Call No. 331, NAY on Roll Call No. 332, YEA on Roll Call No. 333, NAY on Roll Call No. 334, and YEA on Roll Call No. 335.

Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to commemorate the life of Akiko Soellner of Harvard, Illinois who sadly passed away on June 10, 2024.

Akiko was born on October 14, 1965, in Hamamatsu, Japan to parents Toshio and Makie Tomida. She married Peter Soellner on June 25, 1994 in Japan, and they have resided in Harvard since 2018 following Peter's retirement from the Illinois Air National Guard. Akiko is survived by her husband Peter; her cherished daughter Mica; and their loving cats Zippo and Q. She was preceded in death by Toshio Tomida, as well as longtime family pets Bailey, Boots, and cousin Sookie.

I join our Illinois community in mourning the loss of Akiko and send my condolences to her family and loved ones. May Akiko's memory be a blessing.

Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

The longstanding U.S. military investment for the independent Lebanese Armed Forces has worked to support U.S. security interests in the Middle East for over 15 years. Discontinuing this funding now will only serve to embolden Hezbollah on Lebanon's southern border.

I am proud to represent over 8,000 Lebanese-American families in my district in Peoria, Illinois. As the co-chair of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Congressional Caucus and a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I work closely with the brave men and women in the U.S. military and intelligence community to ensure robust and stringent oversight of U.S. investment into the Lebanese Armed Forces, including our Special Forces members embedded with the LAF. Let me just repeat that: Every day, we have 30 U.S. military Special Forces embedded with the LAF.

There has not been one piece of evidence presented today from our U.S. military that, in fact, any of this money goes to Hezbollah or anybody else. Given the ongoing tension between Israel and Hezbollah, this is the wrong time to prohibit this funding. It would only serve to strengthen Hezbollah on the battlefield against Israel.

The stability of the LAF is imperative to the region and serves as an important counter to Hezbollah's damaging presence in Lebanon. The LAF, the Lebanese Armed Forces, stands as an independent, secular force in Lebanon, preventing terror attacks by ISIS, countering the actions of Hezbollah, fighting against weapons and drug smuggling, and maintaining internal stability.

They are the glue that keeps the country together. I agree with my colleague that we must be responsible stewards of taxpayer money spent abroad and continue to ensure necessary oversight mechanisms are in place to prevent money from falling into the wrong hands. However, we must not make decisions based on generalities, misinformation, or conspiracy theories but, instead, trust the U.S. military experts on the ground who provide oversight and serve our national security interests.

The LAF remains one of the strongest functioning partners the U.S. military has in the Middle East, and destabilizing the LAF will only strengthen Hezbollah and further provoke instability with Israel. I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''