David P. Joyce

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Jeff Molter MBA, MSN, CRNA. Mr. Molter will soon complete his term as national president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). I am proud that Mr. Molter was elected as the 2025 to 2026 president of this prestigious healthcare organization, with a storied history in Ohio where the AANA was founded.

As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Jeff worked to support CRNAs across the country during his term. CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses who administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year. They provide anesthesia in every healthcare setting, providing critical services to so many, particularly in rural and underserved communities. CRNAs provide anesthesia for all types of surgical cases and are the sole anesthesia providers in many rural hospitals.

As an AANA member since 1997, Mr. Molter has contributed greatly to the healthcare community nationwide and in the great state of Ohio. As a (CRNA) for more than 25 years, he began his career at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland and has since worked across hospitals and surgery centers throughout Ohio. Mr. Molter's extensive involvement with the AANA spans decades and includes national roles as Vice President, Board of Directors and Region 6 Director. His work on AANA committees includes the State Organizational Development, Finance, Executive, Governance, and Nominating committees. Mr. Molter also has significant experience with Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) includes roles as President, President-elect, and Director; additional committee positions included OSANA State Government Relations, Communications, Finance, and Nominating committees.

In addition to his work as a CRNA, Mr. Molter is also an innovator. He is the co-creator of the Block Pro app along with fellow CRNA and business partner Scott Urigel. Mr. Molter is an alumni and guest lecturer for the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. Mr. Molter earned his MBA degree from Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio, his Master of Science degree in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.

During his AANA presidency, Mr. Molter has been a strong advocate for the patients and practice of nurse anesthesia before federal agencies and members of Congress. He has worked tirelessly to promote anesthesia patient safety and the value of CRNAs to our healthcare system, and to help protect the profession for future generations.

I extend my sincere congratulations and appreciation to Mr. Molter today on a job well done. His service to AANA and commitment to safe, quality anesthesia care nationwide, and in the great state of Ohio, are highly commendable. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Molter's notable career and outstanding achievements.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment, and I thank my friend, Representative Mast, and my friend, Representative Titus, for their leadership on this issue and for their continued advocacy on behalf of our Nation's veterans.

This amendment is about ensuring veterans are not denied access to treatment options that may improve their quality of life.

Mr. Chair, do you want them getting advice from doctors or budtenders?

It is a simple question.

As President Trump's administration continues examining broader reforms to Federal cannabis policy, Congress has a responsibility to ensure veterans are not left behind in that process.

Many of our servicemembers come home carrying invisible wounds that last long after the battlefield, chronic pain, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, depression, and other service-connected conditions that can profoundly affect the quality of their lives.

For some veterans, traditional treatments have not worked. Others are searching for alternatives that may help manage pain, improve daily functioning, or reduce reliance on highly addictive opioids.

Across much of the country, patients are able to have open and honest conversations with their doctors about whether medical cannabis may help treat serious medical conditions. Yet veterans receiving care through the VA still face Federal barriers that prevent VA physicians from fully engaging in those same conversations and recommendations with their patients.

I think that is fundamentally wrong.

Regardless of where someone stands on broader cannabis policy, we should all agree that veterans deserve access to informed medical guidance and treatment decisions driven by science, evidence, and patient care, not outdated Federal restrictions.

That is especially important as President Trump's administration and Federal health agencies continue taking steps to expand legitimate cannabis research and better understand both its risk and potential therapeutic benefits. If we are serious about evidence-based medicine and improving outcomes for veterans, then we should not be standing in the way of research, dialogue, or responsible treatment options.

Frankly, the current system is not working. We have veterans living in States with legal medical cannabis programs, veterans seeking relief from serious service-connected conditions, and VA physicians whose hands remain tied by outdated Federal policy. That disconnect serves no one, least of all the men and women who served this country.

Mr. Chair, I urge strong support for this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in strong support of my legislation, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.

Organized retail crime is far beyond isolated shoplifting. It is a highly coordinated criminal enterprise that harms businesses, workers, and families in every corner of our country.

Whether you are a truck driver, a small business owner, or an everyday consumer, this issue affects you.

These criminal organizations are engaging in large-scale theft operations involving violence and intimidation, putting the lives of retail workers, small business owners, and everyday shoppers at risk. They disrupt supply chains, drive up costs, and create economic shock waves that reach far beyond the retail sector.

Cargo theft and supply chain fraud are surging nationwide, and the consequences are serious.

First, it puts hardworking Americans in danger. Our truck drivers and rail workers play an essential role in keeping this country running, and they should not have to fear for their safety on the job.

Second, these crimes disrupt supply chains and raise consumer prices. As we have seen in recent years, when supply chains break down, it is hardworking families who are ultimately paying the price.

The goods stolen by these criminal organizations are not simply resold for profit. In many cases, the proceeds are used to finance broader criminal activity, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons trafficking.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act gives law enforcement the tools they need to combat this growing epidemic. By establishing an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security, this legislation will improve coordination among Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies.

This bill also strengthens prosecutors' ability to pursue those criminal investigations and hold those threatening our businesses and our communities accountable.

From small businesses on Main Street to retailers operating nationwide, organized retail crime threatens a key pillar of the American economy. We can't allow criminal organizations to intimidate hardworking Americans, threaten jobs, or destabilize communities across our country.

That is why I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, especially this Police Week, and demonstrate that Congress will always stand with law enforcement, protect small businesses, and fight organized crime.