Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the Sierra Pacific girls' basketball team for their incredible 2025 season.

Last month, the Lady Bears won the CIF Central Section Division II championship. This was the highest CIF Central Division a team has won in Sierra Pacific High School history and the highest division a team has ever competed in.

These athletes showed grit, heart, and determination all season long. Their championship win isn't just a testament to their talent but also their discipline.

Wins like this don't just happen. They are earned through constant practice, tough losses, and in never giving up on one another.

They worked hard and trained all year for this, and I am honored to stand here today to celebrate them.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the players, coaches, and families. They have made us all in the Central Valley very proud.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding. I also thank Leader Scalise for his time today.

We have a historic opportunity to advance the key priorities of this administration with a one-bill solution, and I fully agree we need to move forward in a way that reflects the needs of the American people.

This budget resolution unlocks the next step in the reconciliation process to deliver on our priorities. That includes extending key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, like doubling the standard deduction, expanding the child tax credit, and maintaining the death tax exemption. These policies make a real difference for working families, farmers, and small business owners, and allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money.

We also need to fulfill our commitment of securing our border, strengthening our economy, and rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse.

It is my understanding that after this resolution passes, House leadership will be working with the Senate to come to an agreement on reconciliation language so that the committees can begin drafting specific policies to achieve the administration's agenda.

There has been a lot of political rhetoric about what this upcoming budget resolution does and does not do, and I want to be clear about where I stand.

As a Representative of one of the most agriculturally rich districts in

the country, it is my constituents who are responsible for putting food on everyone's table. My district also has one of the highest Medicaid populations in the Nation.

I have heard from countless constituents who tell me the only way they can afford healthcare is through programs like Medicaid, and I will not support a final reconciliation bill that risks leaving them behind.

Medicaid cuts are deeply unpopular with the American families who sent us here to deliver on President Trump's agenda. I understand Medicaid is not explicitly named in this bill, but achieving $880 billion in budget cuts within E&C's jurisdiction is not an easy task.

I also ask that leadership remain committed to working with my colleagues and me to produce a final product that strengthens critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP and ensures our constituents are not left behind.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2025, which would dramatically increase the number of airlift assets available for wildfire emergencies.

Containerized Aerial Firefighting Systems, or CAFFS, are airdrop- capable disposable containers for water or fire retardant, which can be dropped from much higher altitudes and with less visibility than current aerial firefighting operations.

Current operations depend on single-mission aircraft, but CAFFS can be used by any standard cargo plane. The use of CAFFS provides for more coverage for firefighters on the ground and allows teams to quickly respond to prevent smaller fires from raging out of control.

These systems are used by other countries, but the United States has not utilized them. We have the technology that we can deploy to stop or minimize the devastation these fires cause, and we should be using it.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Westerman and his staff at the Committee on Natural Resources for their work on this important bill to combat and contain wildfires in a quicker and more efficient way.

Mr. Chairman, the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act is a critical piece of legislation that will restore forest health and increase our resiliency to catastrophic wildfires.

The fires burning across southern California devastated entire communities and will have lasting impacts on our State for years.

Beyond the terrible loss of life and property, wildfires cause hazardous air conditions that lead to significant health concerns. Smoke and particulate matter from these fires can travel hundreds of miles, and geographic conditions trap these air pollutants in the Central Valley, which creates dangerous conditions for our families, farmworkers, crops, and those already battling respiratory diseases.

In 2023, over 1 million acres burned across California. While fires are inevitable, decades of forest mismanagement have directly contributed to the severity of the wildfires that we are witnessing. While there needs to be serious conversation at the State level about the management of California's natural resources, the Fix Our Forests Act will help address the root causes by providing Federal agencies with the tools necessary to help States practice proactive forest management and mitigate risk.

Mr. Chair, I thank the House Natural Resources Committee chair, Bruce Westerman, for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague Mr. Fong, to honor Mrs. Sylvia Chavez as she is named 2024 Cattlewoman of the Year by the Kern County Cattlewomen's Association.

Mrs. Chavez was born on February 21, 1943, and is a third-generation native of Kern County. From a young age, she has been deeply involved in the livestock industry, spending her youth competing in county fairs and attending brandings with her parents. At just six years old, Mrs. Chavez won her first horse show at the Kern County Fair. After graduating from South High School in 1961, she continued her education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Chavez has used her passion for livestock and cattle for meaningful service to her community. After her family relocated to Rosedale in 1968, she became involved in the 4-H agriculture program, volunteering her time to empower youth to explore their interests in livestock. She was instrumental in introducing the 4-H and Future Farmers of America Horse Show to the Kern County Fair, creating hands-on learning experiences for local youth. In 1978, she began working at a resort in Bear Valley Springs to manage the Equestrian Center and was proud to hire many young Central Valley residents interested in the horse business.

Mrs. Chavez's career has spanned three different ranches. She first joined her husband, Fred in 1978 to work on a large ranch in the panhandle of Idaho. The couple later moved to Oregon where she helped manage a 50,000-acre ranch with 2,000 cattle. They then returned to California to manage Cattani Ranch by Caliente Creek. In addition to ranching. Mrs. Chavez has served her community by working for the California Correctional Institution. Mrs. Chavez is the proud mother of three children--Julie Ann, John, and Megan, and grandmother to five. After her retirement, Mrs. Chavez became deeply involved with the Kern County Cattlewomen's Association, serving on the board and dedicating countless hours to the association's events. She is a longtime member of the Kern Sierra Unit of

Backcountry Horsemen of California, where she has served as president.

Through her many years of work and service, Mrs. Chavez's impact has been immense. Since 1962, the Kern County Cattlewomen's Association has named a Cattlewoman of the Year, celebrating the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication that an individual has made for the success of the Kern County cattle industry. As this year's recipient, Mrs. Chavez is recognized for her tremendous impact on the Kern County community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Mrs. Sylvia Chavez for being named the 2024 Kern County Cattlewoman of the Year, and thank her for her contributions to the Kern County community and cattle industry.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. David Hodge for his dedicated service to the Tulare County community and to congratulate him on his retirement from Tulare Western High School. Mr. Hodge attended the College of the Sequoias before earning his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Fresno State University. During his time at Fresno State, he was a member of the Water Polo team and served as captain of the Swim team his senior year. Mr. Hodge's career in education and passion for student success began in 1993, when he joined Tulare Western High School. Six years later, he received the Staff Yearbook Dedication, recognizing his dedication as an educator and the meaningful connections he made with students. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Hodge has taken on many important roles at Tulare Western, including physical education teacher and head coach of the Varsity Boys Water Polo and Swim teams. In 2020, he was appointed Department Chair of the Physical Education Department. For over thirty years, Mr. Hodge has had a profound impact on students at Tulare Western High School. As both a teacher and a coach, he has dedicated himself to developing the character and leadership skills of all his students. He is known by colleagues as a strong leader and mentor who always puts his students first. Mr. Hodge has received numerous awards throughout his career, including Visalia Times Delta Swim Coach of the Year in 2015 and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Central Section Division 3 Swim and Water Polo Coach of the Year in 2019. This year, he is nominated for the CIF State Model Coach Award, which recognizes coaches who demonstrate a longstanding commitment to fostering students' potential. One of his greatest accomplishments is the success of his sons, Austin and Daven, both of whom attended Tulare Western and played key roles in the water polo team's championship victory during their time as students. It is because of the commitment of educators like Mr. Hodge that students in the Central Valley community thrive, and I want to thank Mr. Hodge for creating an environment that helps our youth become the best they can be. His dedication to the students at Tulare Western High School is a true testament to his character, and I am confident that his leadership will have a lasting impact on the Tulare Western community for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in thanking Mr. David Hodge for his decades of service to the Central Valley and wishing him a happy and well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Citrus South Tule School on their 150-year anniversary and thank them for their significant contributions to the Porterville community. Citrus South Tule School, an elementary school located by Lake Success, opened its doors in 1874 as a one-room schoolhouse. For the first 140 years of its history, Citrus South Tule served the students in the immediate area of Lake Success. In 2015, the school became part of the Porterville Unified School District. Since its founding, Citrus South Tule has been committed to the academic success of all students. Today, the Citrus South Tule School offers a range of programs at the forefront of educational innovation. In 2017, the school opened its Future Ready and Qualcomm Thinkabit Labs, providing students with the opportunity to explore their interests in engineering, technology, and robotics. Through their range of STEM opportunities, the Citrus South Tule School helps students become innovative, collaborative, and hardworking members of the Porterville community. The Citrus South Tule School is a leader of educational innovation and attracts more than 2,500 visitors annually who come to explore their unique educational programs and scenic campus. Over the past century, Citrus South Tule has remained committed to their mission of ensuring all students have the education they need to thrive. It is because of the faculty and staff at Citrus South Tule School that students in the Central Valley community flourish, and I want to thank them all for creating a learning environment that helps our youth become the best they can be.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Citrus South Tule School on their 150-year anniversary. Their work to enrich the lives of students in the Central Valley will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Catholic Daughters Court Regina Coeli No. 1521 of St. Anne's Parish on their 75- year anniversary and to thank them for their significant contributions to the Porterville community. Catholic Daughters Court Regina Coeli No. 1521 of St. Anne's Parish, a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, was established on October 30, 1949. Since their founding, the Catholic Daughters have played a vital role in supporting the parish and the broader community through their volunteer work. Guided by a mission of faith and charity, the Catholic Daughters have made a profound impact on the Tulare County community. Today, the organization has 70 members and are active in non-profit and faith-based organizations. The Catholic Daughters participate in and host numerous events each year to raise funds for parish initiatives. The Christmas Bazaar is one of their signature events, and features auction items and homemade baked goods. They also host an annual Spring Tea, yard sales, bake sales and a Bunco game night. The Catholic Daughters support several charities in the community, including the St. Anne's Food Pantry, Tulare-Kings Right to Life, and the Homeless Alliance. Each year, the organization awards academic scholarships to support recent high school graduates from the parish. For 75 years, the Catholic Daughters have remained steadfast in their dedication to the well-being of St. Anne's Parish and the Porterville Community. The members of the Catholic Daughters have always been committed to uplifting each other through their faith, long-standing friendships, and shared commitment to the betterment of others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating the Catholic Daughters Court Regina Coeli No. 1521 of St. Anne's Parish on their 75-year anniversary. Their work to enrich the community of Porterville will be felt for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize Kern Energy on their 90-year anniversary and to thank them for their significant contributions to the Central Valley. Kern Energy, established in 1934, is an independent, family-owned and operated transportation fuel producer in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. For nine decades, Kern Energy has been critical to the success of Central Valley agriculture, providing the region with the fuel necessary to help transport goods across California and the Nation. To date, Kern Energy has produced over 58 million gallons of renewable diesel and blended over 74 million gallons of biodiesel into its finished fuels. Throughout their history, Kern Energy has been a leader of energy innovation, consistently overcoming California's operational challenges. Kern Energy is dedicated to advancing cleaner transportation fuels by investing in innovative solutions for future generations. The company's unwavering commitment to meeting the ever-changing energy needs of California has guided their mission for nearly a century. Kern Energy has adopted the motto of ``small but mighty'' to reflect their significant impact on the community. Kern Energy has

been a steadfast partner to the Central Valley and California, supporting the growth and progress of the region. It is because of the hard work of Kern Energy and their employees that Valley families, small businesses, and producers have the fuel they need to thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Kern Energy on their 90-year anniversary. Their work to provide the Central Valley with reliable, clean energy will be felt for generations to come. I wish them continued success in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or CJD. CJD is a rare brain disease that causes a rapid decline in a person's cognitive health and often leads to death within only a few months to 1 year following the onset of symptoms.

There are about 500 new cases in the United States each year. Sadly, one of these cases was a friend of mine and a well-known member of the Central Valley community, Bakersfield Mayor Harvey L. Hall.

In 2018, Mayor Hall lost his life from CJD just 2 weeks after his diagnosis. Mr. Hall was a beloved member of our community and the longest-serving mayor in Bakersfield's history. His sudden death was a shock to our community and devastating for all who knew him, including his wife of 28 years, who is here today, Lavonne Hall.

Madam Speaker, I am introducing a resolution today to designate November 12 as CJD Awareness Day, and I am proud to honor Mayor Hall's memory in this way and raise awareness for thousands of CJD patients and the families who have been impacted by this disease.

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

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Westerman and his staff at the Natural Resources Committee for their work on this very important bill. I appreciate his partnership and work to ensure my amendment was included today.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, which would dramatically increase the number of airlift assets available for wildfire emergencies.

Containerized Aerial Firefighting Systems, or CAFFS, are airdrop- capable disposable containers for water or fire retardant, which can be dropped from much higher altitudes and with less visibility than current aerial firefighting operations. Current aerial firefighting operations depend on single-mission aircraft, but CAFFS can be used by any standard cargo plane.

The use of CAFFS provides more coverage for firefighters on the ground and allows teams to quickly respond to prevent smaller fires from becoming uncontrollable. These systems are being used in other countries, but not here in the United States. We have the technology that we can deploy to stop the devastation these fires cause, and we should be using it.

Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support the passage of this amendment to help combat and contain wildfires in a quicker and more efficient way.

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

Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.

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

Madam Chair, I rise as the designee for the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa).

Madam Chair, my amendment would add the text of my bill, the bipartisan Headwaters Protection Act, to the Fix Our Forests Act.

This commonsense language is led by my colleague from California (Mr. Costa) and myself, and it has bipartisan support. It was included in the House Committee on Agriculture's farm bill.

This amendment expands public and private partnerships in forestry and watershed management projects under the Water Source Protection Program. These projects can improve access to clean drinking water, provide for greater downstream water availability, and prevent future wildfires.

My amendment makes changes to improve the program, including expanding the number of entities that are eligible to participate in the program to include local, regional, and public entities that have water management and delivery expertise; allowing non-Federal partners to input their knowledge and expertise in the design and implementation of forestry and watershed management projects; and allowing for the use of existing watershed condition frameworks to reduce bureaucracy and deploy projects faster.

Overall, this amendment would support efforts in the San Joaquin Valley like the Olam project, a series of wildlife prevention and restoration projects in the Pine Flat watershed between public and private partners. This amendment would build off of the good work done in the Fix Our Forests Act, and I urge its adoption.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, first, I thank my colleague, my coauthor, Brittany Pettersen, for her support on this. I also thank the members and staff of the committee. They have been very, very helpful in us moving this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of my bill, the Online Dating Safety Act. Each year, millions of people are deceived, defrauded, and misled by users of online dating apps.

While it is sadly common to see people lie about things like their age or occupation, this bill takes aim at the more sinister fraudsters who make their livelihoods preying on vulnerable individuals.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams resulted in victims losing $1.3 billion in 2022 alone, with senior citizens being the most at-risk age group.

There are countless horror stories of people being conned out of their entire life savings, all because they trusted someone they met online. Individuals who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms, so even when the fraudulent account is removed, someone might not even know they are talking to someone who has been removed from that original platform.

This bill requires that the dating platform issue a fraud ban notification to users who have ever interacted with the person who has been removed from the app for fraudulent activity. While we can't stop all criminals, this is a simple and important step to fill a communication gap and help people make more informed decisions about who they are really communicating with.

These apps have been around for years, but still there are few safeguards in place to protect users. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and prevent the widespread fraud.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, and I thank him and his committee for all their help on getting this bill here.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act. Sadly, many disabled veterans in the Central Valley and across the country are facing barriers in accessing the critical services they need. From struggling with physical infrastructure at VA facilities to navigating the red tape in the benefits process, disabled veterans are too often getting left behind.

Doorways that are too narrow, elevators that are constantly out of service, and exam rooms that aren't big enough to accommodate wheelchairs are just a few obstacles veterans face when trying to receive care.

Serving disabled veterans is a critical part of the VA's mission, but they need to do more to ensure the unique needs of disabled veterans are being heard.

By establishing a permanent advisory committee within the VA, my bill ensures disabled veterans have a seat at the table in providing feedback so they can easily access the benefits, services, and facilities they have earned.

We cannot leave our disabled veterans behind. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our Nation, and they deserve a VA that is responsive to their needs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise today in support of the Veterans Benefits Continuity and Accountability Supplemental Appropriations Act, which addresses the $3 billion mandatory shortfall for disability and education benefits that the VA expects to face in October.

Our veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our country, and it is our responsibility to guarantee they receive the benefits they have earned.

We are debating this legislation today because the VA failed to properly manage their budget this year, putting the benefits of millions of veterans at risk.

This is unacceptable. Our veterans should not pay the price for the VA's mismanagement. This legislation makes good on our Nation's commitment to care for the men and women who have served our country.

It also requires greater oversight on the budget process moving forward to hold the VA accountable so that this does not happen again.

I look forward to voting ``yes'' on this legislation to ensure our veterans can continue to access the benefits that they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I missed tonight's vote due to travel complications. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 401 and YEA on Roll Call No. 402.