Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6267) to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the impediments to digital documentation and verification in the aviation supply chain, 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 insert extraneous material into the record on H.R. on 6267.

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

Mr. Speaker, the safety of our airspace is and has always been the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's top priority.

That commitment to aviation safety extends down to the raw materials and components used to manufacture and maintain aircraft that are operational in the National Airspace System.

Recent reports of bad actors falsifying paperwork, leading to unapproved parts entering the supply chain, are not only highly concerning but also underscores the need to authenticate documents and intercept counterfeit parts.

Unapproved parts and falsified documentation threaten the safety of our aviation system and the integrity of our supply chain, which we have worked so diligently to strengthen.

Mr. Speaker, American manufacturers, repair stations, air carriers, aircraft lessors, aircraft brokers, and parts brokers deserve and need the tools to easily identify falsified documentation and ensure they are not buying, selling, or installing counterfeit parts.

H.R. 6267 will identify barriers to tools that can help identify counterfeit parts, ensuring everyone in the aviation supply chain has the ability to verify the authenticity of the materials and parts they purchase.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Knott).

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Representative Knott from North Carolina for his leadership on this important issue.

To reiterate, unapproved parts and falsified documentation threaten the safety of our aviation system and the integrity of our supply chain which holds it all together.

This legislation will improve aviation safety by identifying barriers to adopting digital tools to identify the authenticity of materials and parts in the aviation supply chain.

Furthermore, H.R. 6267, the Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act of 2025, will support the Federal Aviation Administration as they work to digitize legacy paper systems as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.

Mr. Speaker, as a Representative of Ohio, where the Wright brothers built and designed the very first airplane, I urge support of 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. 5663) to modify the termination of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 5663.

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

Mr. Speaker, travel advisers and ticket agents serve as a critical consumer-facing component of our Nation's air transportation system. Collectively, they sell more than 780,000 airline tickets each day and were responsible for over the $99 billion in airline ticket sales last year.

Because they work directly with travelers, they understand firsthand what works well for consumers and what does not. Their perspective deserves to be included when shaping consumer protection regulations.

This bill builds on the bipartisan work of this committee during the last Congress. In the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, we reauthorized the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, or ACPAC.

A similar provision to the ACPAC Modernization Act was included in the House-passed FAA reauthorization but was ultimately removed during conference negotiations.

This legislation simply ensures that a representative of ticket agents has a seat on the advisory committee.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 5663 reflects a simple but important principle. Those who work directly with consumers should have a voice in the policies that affect them.

Travel advisers and ticket agents interact with travelers every day, helping families, small businesses, and communities navigate an increasingly complex aviation marketplace. Their practical, real-world experience is invaluable.

By adding a representative of ticket agents to the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee we strengthen the advisory process without expanding bureaucracy or imposing new mandates.

This is a measured, bipartisan step that builds on the work we began in the last Congress and ensures the committee benefits from a more complete range of industry and consumer perspectives.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6427) to amend title 49, United States Code, to permit the use of State highway standards for airfield pavement construction and improvement under certain circumstances, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 6427.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 6427, the Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025, is a commonsense piece of legislation that reduces the burden on States seeking to use State highway specifications for airfield projects at nonprimary airports serving smaller aircraft.

Our Nation's small and general aviation airports are vital links for rural communities, connecting them to essential services, supporting local jobs, and strengthening the national aviation system.

Under current law, States seeking to use State highway pavement standards for airfield projects must formally request approval from the Secretary of Transportation.

This legislation cuts unnecessary red tape by allowing States to notify the Secretary, rather than navigate a lengthy approval process. At the same time, the bill preserves safety by maintaining the requirement that the Secretary determine that such standards will not negatively affect aviation safety.

By streamlining the process while upholding safety, this legislation will help deliver airfield improvements faster and more efficiently to the communities that need them most.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Begich for his leadership on this issue. I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Begich), who is the author of this legislation.

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

Madam Speaker, nonprimary airports play a vital role in connecting rural and underserved communities like mine to essential services, sustaining local jobs, and enabling emergency response capabilities. Cutting red tape helps reduce project delays, lower construction costs, and gives communities faster access to modern, safe airfield infrastructure, allowing limited dollars to stretch further and deliver greater value to passengers and local economies.

This commonsense measure reduces the burden on smaller airports seeking to use State highway pavement standards for airfield construction projects.

Madam Speaker, I was cosponsor of this legislation. I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6460) to amend title 49, United States Code, to clarify exceptions for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 6460.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann) for his initiative and leadership on this issue.

General aviation, including recreational drone operations, are the lifeblood of the American aviation ecosystem. As such, it is of the utmost importance that we protect their access to the sky.

Section 928 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 established a novel process by which community-based organizations could seek administrative approval from the FAA to conduct recreational unmanned aircraft systems operations in controlled airspace from a fixed site.

If approved, the community-based organization would then work with the appropriate air traffic control facility to establish mutually agreed-upon operating procedures.

Unfortunately, when it came to implementing the law, the FAA's interpretation was at odds with congressional intent, and that resulted in recreational UAS clubs being unable to legally fly in certain sectors of class E airspace.

H.R. 6460, the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act, represents a commonsense solution to ensure community-based organizations can seek authorization from the FAA to operate legally in all types of class E airspace, as Congress intended.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann), the author of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Madam Speaker, to reiterate, freedom of the skies is an inherently American ideal.

This legislation does not require the FAA to approve every community- based organization request. Rather, it provides the FAA with the statutory authority to consider all applications and approve or deny at the agency's discretion.

The Recreational Drone Empowerment Act represents a solution oriented to fix, ensure, and protect America's ability to access the airspace. Once again, I thank the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann) for his work on this issue.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2247) to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize the use of physical or digital copies of certain certificates for certain Federal Aviation Administration inspections, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 2247.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 2247, the Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act, is commonsense legislation that would bring the Federal Aviation Administration into the digital age.

In today's digital age, it is past time for the FAA to join the 21st century and allow digital options for airmen certificates. I am supportive of any initiative that safely lowers barriers and ultimately allows more Americans to exercise their freedom to fly. Allowing pilots the option to carry digital copies of their certifications in lieu of paper copies accomplishes that.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directed the agency to holistically review and digitize processes. The Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act builds upon those efforts and represents an incremental step toward digitization that benefits all users.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), the author of this legislation.

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

Madam Speaker, in closing, I thank Representative Burchett again for his leadership in introducing this commonsense legislation.

For decades, pilots have been required to carry physical copies of their certificates, even as aviation has entered the digital age. Allowing pilots the option to carry digital certificates is a simple, safe, and practical step that reduces unnecessary barriers and makes it easier to exercise the freedom to fly.

This legislation represents a reasonable, incremental move toward fully digitized systems that benefit all users.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3410) to allow for the operation of civil supersonic flight in the national airspace system under certain conditions, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 into the Record on H.R. 3410.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 3410, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, or the SAM Act, lays the preliminary framework for a return to civil supersonic aircraft operations in the United States.

The SAM Act directs the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue or revise current regulations that are outdated and, in some cases, to create an artificial speed limit that hampers American innovation.

Despite these restrictions, engine technology has continued to mature and successfully demonstrate that it is feasible to conduct supersonic operations in the National Airspace System

without generating a sonic boom that reaches the ground.

Furthermore, the SAM Act builds on key work done in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to usher in a new age of American innovation in the skies.

President Trump's executive order titled: ``Leading the World in Supersonic Flight'' documented the importance of American leadership in this reemerging sector of aviation.

To that end, the time is now. Let's come together and support American business and innovation.

Madam Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, in closing, I thank Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Representative Nehls for his leadership on this issue.

A return of civil supersonic operations within the National Airspace System will reimagine how Americans travel and commute, opening new possibilities for people and commerce to traverse this great Nation.

Think of the possibilities: DC to Los Angeles in just 2 hours. While this may seem far-fetched, it is closer to reality than many would believe. In fact, several U.S. airlines already have preorders of supersonic jets.

To reiterate, the SAM Act will revise current outdated regulations and place the United States in a prime position to be the global leader in civil supersonic technologies.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6422) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain EPA geographic programs, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 into the Record on H.R. 6422, as amended.

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 6422, as amended, reauthorizes several longstanding EPA programs through fiscal year 2031, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Long Island Sound Program, the Colombia River Basin Restoration Program, the National Estuary Program, and the BEACH Act Program, among others.

It also includes strong oversight provisions, requiring the GAO to study the management, effectiveness, and ethical practices of these and additional EPA geographic programs and report back to Congress.

Additionally, the programs included in H.R. 6422 have bipartisan support. This legislation includes the ESTUARIES Act, which would reauthorize the National Estuary Program that helps local communities protect important estuaries and improve water quality, and the BEACH Act, which would reauthorize a program that helps local communities keep Americans recreating in coastal waters, safe from diseases and pollution.

I am proud to say that these bills were previously reported out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with strong bipartisan support and that H.R. 6422 was approved by voice vote.

Madam Speaker, it is our constituents on the ground who know what is best for their communities. Reauthorizing these programs will continue to empower them to address water quality and pollution issues where they live,

yielding better results for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 6422, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

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

Madam Speaker, H.R. 6422, the American Water Stewardship Act, is an important bipartisan bill that will empower local communities to continue to take the lead on improving water quality in coastal areas, as well as to ensure strong oversight of these EPA programs by Congress.

I thank Mr. Stauber and Ms. McDonald Rivet for their leadership on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as Representatives Joyce, Larsen, Figures, Rouzer, Sykes, Huffman, Bonamici, LaLota, Pallone, Ezell, Scholten, Mast, Haridopolos, and Hoyle for their leadership on specific initiatives contained within

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. McClintock for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Deporting Fraudsters Act. As Mr. Harris just said earlier, estimates show that between $233 billion and $521 billion is lost to fraud each year. These funds are taxpayer dollars from American workers, intended to go to Americans who need help getting back on their feet, not to illegal alien fraudsters who shouldn't even be in our country to begin with.

The massive fraud we have seen in Minnesota and other places around the country should be a no-brainer. If a person is not an American citizen while defrauding the American people, they should not be able to walk freely in this country.

The story that inspired this bill originally came from California where five foreign nationals were apprehended with over 160 fraudulent SNAP cards on them. These were non-Americans stealing from the most vulnerable among us. It needs to end.

Democrats have used American taxpayer dollars to attract and retain an electoral majority for too long. To my Democratic colleagues, the bill before us is a binary choice. Do they support the American people, or do they support illegal immigrants who steal American tax dollars?

Failing to support this bill is betraying the Americans whose interests Democrats claim to represent. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Raskin for the question.

Mr. Speaker, it was not part of the original text. It was suggested in Committee. This was in the Judiciary Committee. I wasn't a party to those conversations. I was consulted about the decision to add that, and I fully supported it.

I am not sure I got what you said there. It requires a conviction unless there is an admission.

In looking back at that, it is probably something I should have included in the original text. If the person is going to admit it, they probably should be deported, obviously, if they are admitting it.

It is something that is, honestly, apparently commonly occurring at the border as people come in.

Mr. Speaker, in this situation my read of the bill is an un-withdrawn admission is the same as a guilty verdict. This is a person who has admitted they have broken the law. Therefore, they sit in the same position as someone who has been convicted of it, if they are not even going to say: Oh, no, actually I didn't break the law. They admitted it. They are deportable.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Foxx for yielding the time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule which provides consideration of my bill, the Deporting Fraudsters Act.

A few weeks ago during the State of the Union Address, Democrats confirmed to the American people who they really are and whom they really work for. When President Trump asked Congress to stand and reaffirm the fundamental principle that the first duty of the American Government is to protect American citizens and not illegal aliens, every single Democrat remained seated, every single one.

Now, Madam Speaker, with this bill, we have the chance to see who will stand with criminal illegal aliens and against the American people.

This bill should be common sense: Any person who defrauds the United States or steals money from Americans who need it most should not be able to walk freely in this country.

This seeks to fix the numerous examples of criminal aliens stealing Social Security benefits or cloning SNAP cards and not facing any immigration consequences. It is time for that to change.

This bill in front of us, the Deporting Fraudsters Act, will make it explicitly clear, Madam Speaker, that if you are not a citizen and you are defrauding law-abiding Americans, then you should be deported.

Again, it should be common sense. It is a privilege to live in this country, and our laws should reflect that.

To the American people: You should remember this vote. You should remember that those who vote against this bill are voting to support illegal alien fraudsters over the American people.

To the elderly couple who has paid into Social Security their entire life, or to the working mother who is just trying to get by for her children but needs some assistance, this should be an eye-opening vote.

That is because this vote provides a binary choice: Either they support the American people and their benefits, or they support illegal alien fraudsters.

Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ezra and Cleo Teeters from Waverly, Ohio. Ezra and Cleo represent an extraordinary love story that spans more than eight decades.

Ezra and Cleo met as children, growing up in the same neighborhood and sharing the same bus ride. Their life has been full of love and amazing memories as together they have one son, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Their marriage began in the middle of a snowstorm. During the Christmas season of 1945, when Ezra was on leave from his service in the Army in World War II, Ezra and Cleo drove across the Ohio border into Kentucky to get married at the age of 19. Ezra and Cleo kept this secret, telling everyone they were going Christmas shopping, but really they were going to get married.

This year, both Ezra and Cleo will celebrate their 100th birthdays. I wish them continued health and congratulate them on their amazing life that they have shared together over the past eight decades.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Clermont County Sheriff Chris Stratton. With over three decades of service, Sheriff Stratton is a driving force, holding criminals accountable in our community and keeping illicit drugs like fentanyl off our streets.

Over the more than 30 years I have known him, I have seen firsthand his tireless work ethic, strong leadership of his team, and his unwavering commitment to Buckeye families.

Thanks to the action President Trump has taken to support our Nation's law enforcement, officers just like Sheriff Stratton now have the tools they need to do their jobs and better collaborate with Federal law enforcement to keep our communities safe. Through no tax on overtime that was passed in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, officers will take home more of the money they earn.

It is because of incredible officers like him that southern Ohio is a safer and more prosperous place to live today. Buckeye families can breathe a sigh of relief because they have law enforcement that are tough on crime and a President who backs them all the way.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Carl and Nancy Schneider.

Carl and Nancy taught music in southern Ohio for 43 years before retiring at the end of the 2025 school year, leaving an indelible mark on the arts in Ohio's Second Congressional District.

Carl served as the band director at West Union High School, the choir director at Manchester briefly, and later as music supervisor across the whole school district. Carl built West Union's marching band from the ground up, starting out with only 13 students and ultimately taking the program to the State and national level. He led musicals, ensembles, and challenged students to become the best they could be.

Having taught at several schools and across all grade levels, Nancy touched the lives of countless elementary students and gave them the skills and encouragement needed to pursue their love of music. Beyond the classroom, Nancy is an amazing musician herself, serving as the pianist for her church and previously performing at county festivals. In retirement, she is looking forward to spending time with her first grandchild and continuing to stay involved in music at schools across southern Ohio.

Teachers like Carl and Nancy Schneider represent the best America has to offer. They are the quiet heroes who made a difference in the lives of countless students. Our educators deserve the highest level of respect and should be recognized for the amazing work they do.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Carl and Nancy on their retirement, and I thank them for their service to our young people.

Recognizing the Waverly High School Marching Band

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Waverly High School marching band. The Waverly band recently had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii and play in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade. This parade is an annual event that honors veterans, survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack, and the men and women who actively serve in our incredible Armed Forces.

As part of the ceremonies, the Waverly band played on the dock of the USS Missouri, which is an Iowa-class battleship used by the Navy in the 1940s. More than 140 members of the Waverly community participated in this trip, including students, parents, and support staff.

This opportunity was particularly special because of the deep military roots in many of the band members' families. We are forever grateful for those who serve in our Armed Forces and the millions of Americans who fought in World War II to preserve our freedoms.

I thank the Waverly High School band for the great lengths they went to in order to honor our Nation's heroes.

Recognizing the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce. The Clermont Chamber recently earned a five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for its positive impact on the community.

Ohio's Second Congressional District has been ground zero for problems facing rural America. For too long, communities like the ones I represent have been forgotten about at the Federal level. However, thanks to the work of community organizations like the Clermont County Chamber, Ohio's Second Congressional District is making a comeback. The Clermont Chamber is an integral part of local economic development projects and supports businesses of all sizes. Their work is helping to build a community where Ohioans can achieve the American Dream.

Economic development remains one of my top priorities in Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Clermont County Chamber on projects that make a difference in southern Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Clermont Chamber on their commendable achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize C.J. Jones and Isaac Corcoran of the Ross County Junior Fair Board.

C.J. and Isaac had a desire to help address hunger needs in their community and decided to participate in the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer program, run by Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural 1st.

This program challenges junior fair boards to collect as many pounds of food as possible to donate to local organizations, addressing food insecurity in our communities.

C.J. and Isaac set an ambitious goal of collecting 100,000 pounds of food throughout Ross County. While many questioned whether this goal was achievable, C.J. and Isaac ultimately went above and beyond, leading Ross County to break their previous record of food collected. They collected 122,640 pounds of food last year, which is 92,000 pounds more than what was collected in 2024.

Efforts from youth like C.J. and Isaac will ensure that fewer Buckeyes will go hungry. Their actions show just what can be achieved when Ohioans set their minds to a common goal to look out for the needs of others.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for yielding me the time.

Ohio families are working harder than ever day in and day out just to make ends meet. They are frustrated that they have to stretch their dollar as far as it can go just to keep a roof over their heads, afford to buy the basics, and deal with higher utility bills to keep their water and power on. Buckeye families have worked too hard to struggle this much, and I am standing here today ready to do something about it.

House Republicans have listened to hurting families, and we are bringing forward legislation to help them get ahead. The Affordable HOMES Act will cut through unnecessary and complicated red tape that has been driving up the cost of manufactured housing for far too long.

Who has ultimately shouldered the burden of these soaring costs? It is not the manufacturers. It is the hardworking families who are simply trying to buy a home and live the once-attainable American Dream.

Owning a home shouldn't be this much of a challenge. This bill will help Ohio families check homeownership off the list, knowing they were able to achieve exactly what they worked for.

House Republicans are also reining in the Biden administration's overregulation of everyday household water fixtures and bringing down costs for all Americans with the SHOWER Act. I applaud Representative Fry for leading on this legislation.

Americans don't need the government to tell them which showerhead to use. They need the government to get out of the way so they can afford the necessities and have money to spend on other things in their lives. This bill will claw back ridiculous Biden-era red tape and put American families first.

Lastly, I am working alongside my fellow Republicans to pass full- year funding for several critical programs. In my district, several water and police projects will be funded, which will benefit some of the poorest and most rural areas in this country. These projects will help fund long-overdue water infrastructure projects and make local improvements, ultimately driving down costs for communities throughout the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize Representatives Houchin and Russell Fry, as well as our Republican leadership and the Appropriations Committee led by Chairman Cole, for their leadership on these critical pieces of legislation being considered. I urge Congress to pass these commonsense bills to lower the cost of living not only for Buckeye families but for families across America.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Graves and Chairman Collins for their hard work on this pragmatic and effective piece of legislation.

I rise today in support of H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act, which would cut red tape within the Clean Water Act's permitting processes. This legislation will provide much-needed regulatory certainty for America's farmers, small businesses, manufacturers, home and road builders, and many other permit holders.

My colleagues across the aisle continue to promote the fallacy that improving permitting processes comes at the expense of the environment. Congress can continue to be good stewards of our environment while also removing regulations and processes that do not protect the environment but rather create obstacles that prevent economic growth and prosperity in Ohio and across the country.

Among these provisions, the PERMIT Act makes commonsense reforms to the Clean Water Act permitting process that will continue to protect our Nation's water resources. These reforms increase transparency and provide clarity and consistency for permit holders so they can maintain compliance with the law and provide reasonable guardrails to prevent the weaponization of these permitting processes.

In particular, I am proud that my bill, the Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act, is included in the underlying legislation. My bill provides reasonable protections for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit holders against frivolous lawsuits if they are acting in good faith and within the scope of their permits. Permit holders who are in compliance with these permits, and who often provide well-paying jobs to Americans, should not be punished with frivolous lawsuits when they comply with the terms of their permits.

I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of the PERMIT Act to provide regulatory relief and certainty under the Clean Water Act for businesses in Ohio and across the Nation.