David J. Trone

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say it has been my greatest honor serving Maryland's Sixth District.

Over the past 6 years, I have met and listened to thousands of Marylanders and worked across the aisle to pass legislation that has improved and will continue to improve the lives of all Americans.

I didn't do it alone. I am forever grateful to my wife, June, and my four children, Michelle, Julia, Natalie, and Rob. During my time here, I have become a grandfather to two grandchildren, with a third on the way. Nothing reminds me more of how important our future is as when you see it through the eyes of children and grandchildren.

Many of you know that I chose to run for Congress because I lost my 24-year-old nephew to a fentanyl overdose in 2016. In 2021, I cofounded the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force with Annie Kuster to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fight the mental health and opioid epidemic, and we did.

Together, we passed dozens of bipartisan bills, delivered billions of dollars to communities to fight this crisis on the front lines, and united hundreds of our colleagues annually during National Recovery Month for Congress Goes Purple.

This past year, our State and country saw the first decline in overdose deaths. I would like to think that the work of our task force had a small part in that.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have stood by my mission to lead with compassion, civility, and competence and put people over politics. I was proud to deliver $53 million in community project funding, Federal funding going directly to where it is needed most in my district. By working as a team, we were able to make life-changing impacts in our communities.

In the last 6 years, I also led 30 bills that were signed into law, bills on issues that we can't afford to ignore--mental health, addiction, and criminal justice reform.

Suffice it to say, our work is not done. I leave Congress knowing that countless lives have been and will be changed as a result of what we have accomplished. I have served during a time in which Congress, like our Nation, has grown increasingly divided, and many Americans fear for their future.

We must all remember that what unites us is greater than what divides us. Despite our differences, I developed productive, meaningful relationships with many of my colleagues across the aisle. The sheer number of chili cheese dogs I have eaten in the Republican Cloakroom to get bipartisan support is one I will take to my grave.

Through it all, I remain certain that the path forward for progress lies in common ground. I thank my Republican friends for their partnership, for putting country over party to work together. I urge all of my colleagues to look to their counterparts on the other side of the Chamber and commit to fighting together, not against each other, to empower America to reach its full potential. If that is not why we are here, we don't deserve to be.

I am thankful for the privilege of representing my constituents, and I wish for all to have a safe holiday season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Pastor Timothy McLaurin.

As I stand on the floor of the U.S. House, I realize that our Nation faces a troubling path ahead, but we all must recognize a higher purpose: to leave a better world for our children and our grandchildren.

We must all realize our role as public servants: to serve those in need, those suffering from addiction and mental health issues, and our systemically racist criminal justice system.

A son of Baltimore, Pastor McLaurin answered the call to serve his community over two decades ago. He has empowered his congregants with the lessons of God, the compassion of Jesus, and the guidance of profound faith.

Pastor McLaurin and his wonderful wife, Kimberly, and their three beautiful daughters have stood as pillars of the community through easy days and tough times.

Mr. Speaker, I thank him and his family for being here with me today and for sharing his wisdom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge a ``yes'' vote on my bill, the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act.

Today, we must remember that the courageous men and women who have dedicated their lives to defend our country and our freedoms still need us. My bill addresses this longstanding issue affecting millions of veterans: fraud.

Just last year, the Federal Trade Commission estimated $477 million was stolen from veterans, military personnel, and their spouses. This is a $63 million, or 15 percent, increase from the year before.

Under current law, if a veteran passes away before their case is resolved, their family cannot be reimbursed for lost dollars. That is unacceptable.

My bill, the Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act, would help the veterans and their families reclaim these defrauded dollars and get them access to the money that they earned. Specifically, the legislation requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reissue the misused benefits to a beneficiary's estate in cases where the beneficiary passed before the reissuance.

We must ensure that veterans and their families are able to recapture any lost benefits they were scammed out of. It is just the right thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote.