Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for its extraordinary record of leadership, service, mentorship, and civic engagement throughout Broward County.

For decades, the Brothers of Zeta Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to strengthening our community and creating opportunities for future generations. The Chapter has promoted civic participation through voter education and registration, Souls to the Polls initiatives, community education regarding election laws, transportation to the polls, and engagement within Broward County, Florida.

That commitment to service is exemplified by the Chapter's Men of Tomorrow mentoring program, which has prepared generations of middle- and high-school young men for college, careers, leadership, and adulthood. During the past fraternal year, 51 young men participated in programming focused on college preparation, public speaking, financial aid, entrepreneurship, personal development, community service, and leadership. The Chapter's collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters has further expanded these valuable mentoring and enrichment opportunities. Zeta Alpha Lambda has also remained steadfast in supporting important health and charitable causes, including its near 20-year commitment to the March of Dimes' March for Babies and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

This year, Zeta Alpha Lambda celebrated another remarkable milestone--its 50th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, marking five decades of preserving and advancing Dr. King's legacy of service, equality, leadership, and community.

It is with great pleasure that I recognize and thank the Brothers of Zeta Alpha Lambda for the profound and lasting difference they continue to make in the lives of others. Their legacy reflects the very best of public service, brotherhood, and community leadership. May the Chapter continue to build upon this distinguished record and uphold the timeless principles of Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love for All Mankind--strengthening our community, inspiring future generations, and leaving a legacy of service for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Broward County Morehouse College Alumni Club on its 50th anniversary and to celebrate the generations of Morehouse men who have strengthened our community through leadership, service, fellowship, and a commitment to excellence.

The story of this organization began in the fall of 1966, when a small group of Morehouse brothers gathered at the Fort Lauderdale Elks Lodge. The meeting, called by Brother Leonard Gainey II, was an effort to establish a Morehouse College Alumni Club in Broward County and to build an organization that would serve its members and the broader community. Like many organizations that have endured for generations, the Broward County Morehouse College Alumni Club experienced its share of growing pains. Yet its founders remained committed to the vision of creating a lasting brotherhood dedicated to the ideals of Morehouse College.

Over the course of its 50-year journey, the club has been led by a remarkable succession of Morehouse alumni, including Norbert C. Williams, Benjamin F. Miller, Homer C. Arnold, Jr., Gordon Merritt, Arnold L. Williams, Herman Allen, William M. Nix, Travis Allen, Walton McDuffie, Robert Holmes, and Danny Holmes. Their leadership reflects the enduring Morehouse tradition of scholarship, service, and responsibility to community. As we commemorate this milestone, we recognize not only the organization's founders and past presidents, but also every brother who has contributed his time, talent, and service to keeping this legacy alive.

I extend heartfelt congratulations to the Broward County Morehouse College Alumni Club on 50 years of brotherhood, leadership, service, and excellence, and recognize the countless Morehouse men whose contributions have helped strengthen Broward County and South Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Sunshine Cathedral on its 55th anniversary and honor Bishop Durrell Watkins and Bishop Robert Griffin for 20 years of faithful service to our community. Sunshine Cathedral has served as a beacon of hope, inclusion, unconditional love, and spiritual grounding in South Florida for 55 years, cultivating a vibrant, welcoming community where all individuals are celebrated.

Founded on the principles of social justice, compassion, and progressive faith, Sunshine Cathedral has continuously opened its doors to all people--standing strong as a sanctuary of refuge, empowerment, and equality.

But Sunshine Cathedral's success would not be possible without steady hands. Bishop Durrell Watkins and Bishop Robert Griffin have faithfully served Sunshine Cathedral for two decades, offering exemplary pastoral care, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to the congregation and the broader community. Through their 20 years of leadership in Broward County, Bishop Watkins and Bishop Griffin have championed humanitarian causes, advanced civil rights, nurtured spiritual growth, and strengthened South Florida through impactful community outreach.

The 55th anniversary of Sunshine Cathedral and the 20th anniversary of Bishop Watkins' and Bishop Griffin's Sunshine Cathedral ministry mark historic milestones of transformative service, enduring resilience, and compassionate spiritual leadership. It is my honor to recognize them for these accomplishments and extend my deepest gratitude and congratulations to Bishop Watkins and Bishop Griffin for achieving this milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Prince Hall Freemasonry and join the residents of the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida, in celebrating Prince Hall Day. In particular, I commend the distinguished officers and members of Districts 32, 33, and 34 of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliated, for their enduring dedication to brotherhood, benevolent service, and civic leadership.

The story of Prince Hall Freemasonry is inextricably linked to the ongoing pursuit of equality, self-determination, and justice in our Nation. On March 6, 1775, Prince Hall and fourteen other free Black men--Peter Freeman, Benjamin Tiber, Duff Bufform, Thomas Sanderson, Prince Payden, Cato Speain, Boston Smith, Peter Best, Fortin Howard, and Richard Tilley--were initiated into Freemasonry at Castle William in Boston Harbor. Facing exclusion from local lodges following the American Revolution, Prince Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, which issued a charter on September 29, 1784, establishing African Lodge No. 459--the first independent Black Masonic Lodge on American soil.

From those foundational beginnings, Prince Hall Freemasonry expanded across the country, becoming a bedrock of civil rights leadership, education, mutual aid, and community strength. Since its establishment on June 17, 1870, the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliated, has carried forward this distinguished mission across the Sunshine State.

Today, under the principled leadership of The Honorable Gus Harris, Jr., 20th Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Grand Lodge of Florida remains a powerful instrument for positive change. Furthermore, I recognize Right Worshipful Randy L. Reddick, Jr., District Deputy Grand Master, whose administration over Districts 32, 33, and 34 exemplifies the core Masonic virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

The brethren of Districts 32, 33, and 34 serve as vital pillars throughout Broward County and South Florida. Their continuous work in supporting local families, aiding widows and orphans, providing youth mentorship, advancing academic scholarships, and uplifting the residents of Deerfield Beach deserves our highest praise and gratitude.

It is my pleasure to recognize Prince Hall Freemasonry and to join the City of Deerfield Beach in celebrating Prince Hall Day. I congratulate Grand Master Gus Harris, Jr., District Deputy Grand Master Randy L. Reddick, Jr., and all the members of Districts 32, 33, and 34 for their extraordinary contributions to Broward County, the State of Florida and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) for its leadership in advancing environmental engineering and science across our country.

The AAEES is the premier professional organization dedicated to recognizing excellence in environmental engineering and science while promoting the highest standards of ethics, innovation, and public service. The AAEES's commitment to advancing technical expertise in this field has strengthened the professions that safeguard our Nation's public health, natural resources, and environmental quality.

Environmental engineers and scientists play a vital role in addressing many of the most pressing challenges facing our Nation. Their work supports the protection of drinking water supplies, improves air quality, advances sustainable infrastructure, remediates contaminated land and water, strengthens community resilience, and develops innovative solutions to emerging environmental challenges. Their expertise helps ensure that communities across the United States have access to safe water, healthy ecosystems, and infrastructure that supports economic growth while protecting the environment.

As our Nation continues to invest in resilient infrastructure, clean water systems, environmental stewardship, and technological innovation, the contributions of environmental engineers and scientists have never been more important.

Today, I commend the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists for its enduring contributions to the engineering and scientific professions and for its unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and service. I extend my sincere appreciation for the Academy for their dedication to advancing the environmental professions and improving the quality of life for all Americans.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists for its remarkable achievements and in wishing the Academy continued success in fulfilling its important mission to promote continual improvement in environmental engineering and science education and practice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Broward Community and Family Health Centers, known as BCOM, during National Health Center Week, as well as the leadership of Rosalyn Frazier, BCOM's devoted CEO. For 27 years, BCOM has been a lifeline in the heart of Broward County, opening its doors to families who have nowhere else to turn.

Working with Rosalyn Frazier and her incredible team of compassionate and devoted healthcare professionals, I was proud to secure funding for BCOM's Promise Fund to begin a breast cancer screening program, so this deadly disease is caught earlier and more treatment options are available.

Walk into any of BCOM's five health center sites, including a facility dedicated entirely to dental care, and you find something remarkable: a team that treats every patient with dignity, regardless of what they can pay or what language they speak. BCOM's staff brings unmatched clinical expertise across internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, women's health, and psychiatry. More than 100 staff members speak English, Spanish, Creole, French, Cantonese, and Tagalog, so no patient ever must be left to explain their pain through a language barrier.

In 2025 alone, BCOM served more than 11,000 patients in Broward County. 99 percent live below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. 62 percent had no insurance at all or relied on Medicaid to survive. These are not just numbers--they are mothers seeking prenatal care, children needing their first dental checkup, and neighbors fighting to stay healthy with everything stacked against them.

BCOM meets them every single time. Today I ask this body to join me in honoring BCOM's tireless commitment to the people of Broward County and to the simple, powerful idea that quality healthcare belongs to everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

To my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), I was proud to be elected in the same class as his late brother, Mike. He was a good and decent man, someone who always reached across the aisle. I was really fortunate to be able to serve with him and with the current Congressman Fitzpatrick. I thank him for continuing the fight against cancer with us.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, the Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act, or the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025.

First, I thank Chairman Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone for their strong support of this legislation, because one in eight American women, as you have heard, will get breast cancer, and 42,000 are expected to lose their life from it this year.

The earlier it is caught, the better our chances are to survive and beat it. When breast cancer is caught in its earliest stage, survival rates shoot up to 99 percent.

Trust me. I know catching it early saved my life.

Almost 18 years ago, when I was just 41 years old, I heard those four harrowing words: ``You have breast cancer.'' I can tell you, I remember feeling like I was being crushed by an anvil.

Like many Ashkenazi Jewish women, I found out I carry the BRCA2 gene mutation, making me far more likely to get breast cancer and ovarian cancer during my lifetime, and far more likely for recurrence.

After 15 months and many surgeries and tons of support from family and close friends, I was cancer-free. Finding it early saved my life, and now we have generational awareness of this genetic risk in my family.

Millions of young women need these same tools, so once I was cancer- free, I passed the original EARLY Act, which became law in 2010. Since it first became law, breast cancer cases have steadily risen by 1.4 percent annually for women under 50, twice the rate of older women, and by as much as 3.5 percent in women between 20 and 29.

The law created three CDC programs that helped young and high-risk women focus on breast cancer risks and address the reality of rising breast cancer rates in young women.

The Bring Your Brave campaign amplifies stories to raise awareness in young women 18 to 44 about unique risks, signs, and symptoms.

The Young Breast Cancer Survivors Program funds grants for nonprofits that provide support services and resources to boost patient survival and their quality of life.

It also ensures healthcare providers know the unique challenges that breast cancer poses to young and high-risk women. Unfortunately, too many young women and high-risk women are dismissed by healthcare providers thinking, ``Oh, what you have is just a cyst,'' or, ``Young women don't get breast cancer.''

The bottom line is reauthorizing the EARLY Act saves women's lives, and I am proud to team up with Representatives Miller-Meeks, Castor, Fitzpatrick, Dingell, and Harshbarger, and Senators Klobuchar and Crapo, to make sure those resources are out there for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, early detection is our most powerful tool to beat cancer. It can be the difference between life and death, especially in combating breast cancer, especially for those with inherited mutations and women at higher risk, like Black women, for whom a deadlier form of breast cancer known as triple negative is more likely.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, the Senate to quickly pass it, and the President to make it law. Breast cancer diagnoses are on the rise in younger women, and we must meet this moment.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Chair, the State Department funding bill that we are considering here fails to meet this critical, historic moment. Our Nation is at a dangerous crossroads. We are at war, a war that Congress never voted to authorize, a war so recklessly managed that our allies increasingly see us as a threat rather than a reliable partner.

Yet, amid this global chaos, Republicans have abandoned investments to make the world a safer, healthier place. Their callous neglect has caused hundreds of thousands of needless deaths along the way.

President Trump has given up our seat at the table. He has put down the torch of liberty and democracy, all so he can glad-hand dictators and stuff his family's pockets. All the while, working Americans get poorer as the direct result of Trump's chaotic decisions on tariffs, immigration, and military action.

Instead of addressing real threats to our security, our interests, and our values abroad, this bill doubles down on petty, partisan culture war riders. This Republican bill includes a provision to suppress reproductive freedom abroad by boycotting humanitarian groups that provide lifesaving care to women and girls.

Is anyone surprised the same party that rips away Americans' reproductive rights and guts our healthcare is running the same anti- choice playbook worldwide?

Experts predict tens of thousands more unsafe abortions and maternal deaths. No part of this is pro-life. When I filed an amendment to strike this expanded global gag rule, Republicans refused to even allow a vote.

This bill does nothing to reverse Trump's America-last self-sabotage, his disdain for our neighbors in Haiti and Venezuela, or his racist refugee exclusion policy.

Instead of holding him accountable for his corruption, it offers Trump a $1.5 billion slush fund. That is $1.5 billion siphoned from law enforcement, peacekeeping, global health, and, yes, directly from starving children.

With the deficit exploding, prices out of control, and Americans crying out for relief, I can't imagine a worse prescription than a blank check for a President out of control.

When this bill came out of our committee, I thought it couldn't get any worse.

When this bill came out of our committee, I thought it couldn't get any worse. Yet, stunningly, Republican leadership attached President Trump's racist voter suppression bill to it, caving to far-right extremists who held the House floor hostage.

I am voting ``no'' because this Republican bill won't make your family stronger, safer, or more prosperous, unless your last name is Trump.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, as we close out Pride Month, I am proud to join my Equality Caucus colleagues this evening in standing up for the LGBTQ+ community and recognizing their invaluable contributions to our Nation.

My south Florida district is home to one of the most diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ communities in the entire country. It is a privilege to fight for them every single day here in Washington and push back against the heinous smear campaign driven by extremist, rightwing, culture warriors.

Unfortunately, Florida is a national staging ground to roll back the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. From the repulsive ``Don't Say Gay'' law, to some of the more vicious trans attacks, Florida is ground zero for hate.

It hasn't stopped. Earlier this year, funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or ADAP, which assists low-income Floridians living with HIV and AIDS to afford their medication and insurance premiums, was slashed.

Over 12,000 Floridians braced themselves to be kicked off of this lifesaving program.

I proudly led all of my Florida Democratic colleagues in demanding the Governor and the Department of Health and Human Services reverse these changes, and many organizations and leaders rallied to restore this vital funding as well.

Thankfully, it brought some relief. The Federal Government established a temporary special enrollment period for Florida ADAP patients to switch health plans.

Last month, Florida lawmakers averted these disastrous ADAP cuts in its fiscal year 2027 budget.

Let me be clear. This was an entirely preventable crisis created by Governor DeSantis to harm Florida's LGBTQ+ community. It is an utter disgrace, and I will always call it out.

I am proud to be a founding member and vice chair of the Equality Caucus and an original cosponsor of the Equality Act, to expand the Civil Rights Act, to ban discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

These attacks are relentless. As a senior House appropriator, I will always lead the charge against hateful, anti-LGBTQ+ policies and riders that peddle hate and do nothing to make life more affordable for Americans.

As ranking member of the Appropriations Committee Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I was able to end the ban on Pride flags from flying at VA facilities.

Several weeks ago, Republicans advanced a partisan Labor-H funding bill out of the House Appropriations Committee that decimates domestic HIV and AIDS research and prevention programs across the Federal Government.

It even eliminates funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative championed by President Trump himself in his first term.

This callous indifference shown by my Republican colleagues is astonishing, and that is why we must relentlessly fight the never- ending hate because it has no place in this country.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to brave freedom fighters, LGBTQ+ rights have come a long way. It was only 11 years ago that the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional right to marriage equality for same-sex couples. Yet, now, almost a decade later, insidious and hateful forces try to chip away at this and other landmark gains made by gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals, but we won't let them take us back.

Instead, we will recommit ourselves to building a future and a country that is welcoming, inclusive, and treats everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, with the respect that they rightfully deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership and, really, compassion for our dear friend Bill Posey. The term ``friend'' is thrown around loosely in politics, and Bill was someone who had a wry sense of humor, someone who you knew where you stood with him. He was someone who didn't mince words and someone who didn't take himself or, really, almost anything too seriously.

He always had kind of a joke that was on his lips, but he was, as Congressman Haridopolos mentioned, really someone who lived and breathed the Space Coast. He was really the voice of NASA here in Congress, and he always fiercely stood up for his community and his people.

He was humble. He was someone who did not swing from the rafters. You knew that he cared about the issues that he worked on, but he kept his head down, his nose to the grindstone, and he focused on his core set of priorities.

That is why I am here today to honor our late colleague, Congressman Bill Posey. He was a man who loved his home State of Florida and someone who was willing to put aside partisan politics to make it a better place for all of us.

I can personally vouch for this because he and I worked together since we began our public service work all the way back in 1992, when we were both elected to the Florida House of Representatives, in the legislature. We were also subsequently elected in the same year to the State senate, and it continued well into our time here in Congress.

Congressman Posey was a no-nonsense, principled legislator. Of course, we had our differences. We had many of them, in fact. We used to laugh about how little we agreed on, but when we came together and when we could find an issue on which we could work together, really, it was always incredibly impactful.

Bill Posey was committed to making Florida's coastlines and our children safer. He could drop his partisan flags and cross the aisle even in our most recent times when so many others would waver or refuse.

I saw it immediately, too, when he and I both worked in Tallahassee, Florida's capital. We joined forces to prevent children from drowning by ensuring our pools and spas were safer. That is no small matter in the Sunshine State.

I will tell you that I was working for 3 years to pass the Preston de Ibern/McKenzie Merriam Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act in Florida, and it was tough. There was a lot of Republican opposition. I remember the day like it was yesterday, when Bill came over to me and said: You make a lot of sense. We have to stop the kids from drowning. These are entirely preventable tragedies.

He just got it, so he spent political capital because he knew that it mattered, and he knew it would save lives. He was someone in Congress who just continually kept at the issues that mattered to his constituents. He was a fierce advocate for the Space Coast, as well as Florida's estuaries.

Those are the common bonds, really, that draw all Floridians together. We are a delegation that there is a boatload of things that we don't agree on, but when it comes to fiercely protecting our coastline, whether it is from oil drilling, or whether it is making sure that we can continue to restore the Florida Everglades, or if it is ensuring that we can protect our homeowners, condominium owners, kids in our year-round warm-weather State who really have a much higher likelihood of drowning, Bill was right there on so many issues.

Another example is, after the Nation saw the tragic death of 98 souls in Surfside, Florida--you remember when the Surfside condominium building came crashing down in the middle of the night, 1:30 in the morning. That Champlain Towers South was in my congressional district at the time. I went to Bill, and we knew we had to do something about making sure that those condominium buildings, especially on the coastline, were safe.

I asked him to co-lead the Making Condos Safer and Affordable Act. People all over our State need that help, so we worked together to push legislation that would help maintain their structural integrity and keep residents safe.

There are other bright moments over his long career, as my colleagues have attested to, and for that, he will be truly missed.

My heart is with his beloved wife, Katie, who was always by his side, never far. She was a true life partner. My condolences to their loved ones. May Bill's memory be a blessing.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Chair, I rise today to speak in strong opposition to this bill. I am a proud member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, but right now, our Nation's agricultural economy is in shambles.

Florida is known as a tourism mecca, but our number two economic driver is agriculture.

Our farmers, ranchers, and growers work tirelessly to put food on our table. They need real help, and they need it right now.

On the front end, this President's illegal tariffs body-slammed them, and then this administration's botched war sent fuel and fertilizer costs through the roof. Markets are now as volatile as the extreme storms and droughts they face every year, while this White House not only ignores the problem, they make it worse every day.

Clearly, we should be investing in our hardworking farmers, giving them the tools and resources they need to keep our country fed. Instead, this bill consciously chooses to make life even harder for them by cutting funding for the Department of Agriculture by more than $1.1 billion. It cuts staffing for the Farm Service Agency, which helps farmers access Federal financial help. It contains massive giveaways to the largest meat and poultry producers, yet fails to invest in ag research needed to grow more crops faster and more cheaply.

Madam Chair, do you know who pays for that?

It is our constituents at their local grocery store.

This legislation also directly harms nearly 7 million new mothers, babies, and children who count on the nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, with cuts of $200 million.

This bill also continues House Republicans' endless assault on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, slashing the most effective antihunger weapon the Federal Government has by $6 billion.

When grocery costs skyrocket, SNAP puts food on the table for working families, seniors, people with disabilities, and children. Every dollar cut from SNAP doesn't just disappear from a budget. It shows up in a hungry belly.

Worse still, this bill still continues America's withdrawal from the global stage by decimating international hunger assistance programs, leaving a massive void that China will gladly fill. This bill also makes our food and drug supply less safe, cutting roughly $60 million in discretionary funding from the FDA and boosting the chance that you will bite into your favorite snack, Madam Chair, and find large traces of heavy metals.

For example, this bill blocks FDA's food traceability rule from going into effect until 2028, even though ``Consumer Reports'' recently found high levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury in baby food, infant formula, bubble tea, and dark chocolate.

No one should have to question whether the food they eat is safe, not in this country, but that is another anxiety Republicans want to heap onto our families.

This is a bad bill that does nothing to help our farmers, new moms, children, or any of our constituents who are struggling to make ends meet.

I didn't come to Congress to make life worse for hardworking Americans, so I have no choice but to oppose this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend Ranking Member Takano for his leadership on the committee. I know he feels just as strongly as I do on this issue. That is why I must rise in opposition to this bill today.

Every day, 17 veterans die by suicide, and 13 of them use a firearm to take their lives. That number is simply unacceptable to me, as I know it is to all of my colleagues, but I am deeply concerned that, with this bill, we are about to make it worse.

The current law was written to help protect veterans. A key moment is when their doctor and care team deem that they are not able to manage their own life and are deemed to be mentally incapacitated.

At that point, the law is designed to prevent them from owning a gun and potentially harming themselves. The VA should be able to refer veterans to NICS who are at the most risk for the purpose of saving lives, but this legislation will permanently tie the VA's hands.

As the ranking member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I have opposed this legislation every time it has been attached to our bill, in the name of protecting veterans.

When I was in the Rules Committee last week and on the floor debating the MILCON-VA bill, this provision was raised multiple times, but, Mr. Speaker, I heard something different this year. There are some core agreements. There is a glimmer of hope.

We all agree that we have a major issue with getting help to our veterans and keeping them safe. While we disagree about this legislation, I think that there is a path forward to a bipartisan compromise, a compromise that could allow the VA to do the work that we need to save lives, the work that we directed them to do, and that also respects the choices of some of our veterans.

In the meantime, I must urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation that is attempting to use a sledgehammer where a scalpel can do the job.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the ranking member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee in opposition to the offset in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I was stunned to see this pay-for included in this bill and so disappointed that no one included appropriators in this discussion, but I was not surprised.

The benefits expansion that this bill would make are worthy changes that we absolutely should pass as a supplemental monthly allowance of $833.33 for severely disabled veterans requiring aid and attendants. That is an issue we haven't addressed since 1993.

I wish that we could have worked on this issue last week when our appropriations bill was on the House floor, or the month before when the bill was before the Appropriations Committee. Instead, House Members are going to

take a vote that will rob Peter to pay Paul. When we are talking about our veterans, that is just plain wrong.

This bill triples VA home loan fees, which amounts to hundreds or thousands of dollars on each home loan, which will make homeownership even harder for veterans. When a veteran refinances their home loan, they will get hit with this tripled fee, which will be cost prohibitive for many veterans.

Republicans are increasing, tripling fees for one group of veterans to pay for benefits for another. Do you know what I find the most despicable, though? It is that the veterans and their families were told that this pay-for was required or the bill would not become law. That is a flatout lie, and I speak as an appropriator and someone who understands the paygo rules.

At some point, if you recall, my friends on the other side of the aisle, we thought it was going to be tonight, but we will likely push that to next week or when we come back, you are going to push through a partisan spending bill that would include billions of dollars in spending that is completely unpaid for because the paygo rule would be waived, just like every point of order.

That is what you could do in this bill, but instead you are saddling one group of veterans with tripled fees to get a home loan to pay for benefits for the other, and that is why I must rise in opposition today.

This benefits expansion should be passed. It should. I firmly believe that we must honor our commitment to our veterans at every step, but let me be very clear: The precedent that we are being asked to set is a dangerous one. We will not take from one group of veterans to give to another, no matter how small we claim the pay-for would be.

Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano, I would ask that we all get together and meet--Chairman Carter, myself, and the two of you--to talk about how we can accomplish this in a bipartisan way. We should not waste any of the House's time because the House and Senate are going to need to conference on MILCON-VA bills, and I want to make sure that this issue is addressed in that bill.

Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking Member, when this bill drops the painful triple fee increase, you will have my vote.

Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking Member, when this bill drops the painful, triple fee increase on VA home loans, you will have my vote. In the meantime, I must strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

This is completely unnecessary. The pay-for is not required. They could waive it just like they do on nearly every other bill. I would ask my friends on the majority side to seriously reflect on what this precedent would mean for our veterans in the future.

We should not be tripling the cost of a VA home loan to pay for benefits that are sorely needed and deserved, but it is completely unnecessary to hit one group of veterans. Coming from a party that says they are against fee and tax increases, this is pretty shocking. It is unacceptable, and it doesn't have to be this way, and you know it. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ramat Shalom Beth Israel (RSBI) on its 50th anniversary.

Founded in Plantation, Florida in 1976 in what began as a small Jewish discussion group meeting in members' homes, Ramat Shalom, now known as Ramat Shalom Beth Israel, has evolved into a prominent and respected synagogue that provides a place of inclusivity and a sense of belonging.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, and his wife Rabbi Cheryl Jacobs, RSBI is an LGBTQ Safe Zone and weaves learning seamlessly into worship and holiday celebrations, deepening both understanding and spiritual experience.

The members of RSBI take the responsibility of Tikkun Olam, or healing the world, to heart. Through Ramat Cares, they volunteer to feed the hungry, house the homeless, shelter abused animals, clean our beaches and bring smiles to children who have lost everything. They are a thoughtful and compassionate group who perform various good deeds throughout the community--from hand-knitting healing shawls, baby blankets, and bonnets to baking challahs and cooking chicken soup for those who need some healing.

Rabbi Andrew's leadership extends well beyond the synagogue's walls. He is deeply involved in interfaith and community partnerships throughout South Florida, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and civic responsibility. Rabbi Andrew has repeatedly stood alongside me and our interfaith community whenever and wherever we have gathered to speak out against the scourges of racism, bigotry, and antisemitism.

As Ramat Shalom celebrates this Jubilee year, I join in celebrating their commitment to compassion, inclusivity, and lifelong Jewish learning.

On behalf of my constituents, I congratulate the ``Rabbis Jacobs'' and am proud to call them my dear friends. Mazel Tov to the entire congregation of Ramat Shalom Beth Israel on 50 years of service and community leadership. May the next 50 years continue to be filled with the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam and L'dor V'dor, lighting the way for future generations.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

Mr. Chairman, it is not the place for Congress to be pushing for increased use of experimental treatments.

This procedure is highly invasive, requiring an injection of medication into a collection of nerves at the bottom of the front side of the neck.

The VA and NIH are in the midst of a multiyear clinical trial to collect data on this treatment for potential use in treating post- traumatic stress disorder but do not yet have sufficient data one way or the other regarding this treatment. In fact, preliminary data show that SGB effects are not clear, and it is uncertain whether there is a direct link between the treatment and PTSD.

If this treatment is safe, effective, and appropriate for expanded use, then the healthcare experts at the VA should be the ones to expand the treatment for wider use. There is a deliberative process for expanding the use of emerging healthcare treatments, and we should let that process play out. It is really not Congress' role to micromanage medical decisions.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I can appreciate the gentleman's passion. This treatment is being trialed and piloted in 11 facilities for a reason, because we have to make sure it is safe. He is not Dr. Perry. I am not Dr. Wasserman Schultz. In fact, it is important to note that in many instances when this treatment has been administered, while it might provide some immediate relief, oftentimes the PTSD symptoms come back.

This trial is being wrapped up in June, and then it will take about a year to analyze the data.

We are not medical experts. I have argued time and again on this House floor that Congress is not equipped to be making medical decisions, particularly specific medical decisions that affect a unique group of patients.

I certainly hope that this trial results in progress and relief and that it will be scientifically validated, but it is our responsibility to wait for the experts to provide us with those results before decisions are made and leave those decisions to the VA.

Mr. Chairman, with that, I oppose this amendment. We should use the process for expanding the use of emerging healthcare treatments, and we should let that process play out. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

As a fellow Floridian, I just want to make sure I underscore the importance of making sure we preserve access to healthcare for veterans across our State. I look forward to working with the gentleman, as we have many times in the past, on ensuring that continued access. I understand his concerns and look forward to working with him, Judge Carter, and the VA to ensure continued access to his constituents.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would completely eliminate funding in the bill for

the NATO Security Investment Program. The base bill already underfunds NATO infrastructure by $122 million less compared to the President's budget request, and even President Trump recognized the value of this program and the return on investment that the NSIP Program provides for the American taxpayer.

The President's budget requests $604 million for the NATO Security Investment Program, which is the amount required to fully fund America's commitments toward NATO infrastructure investments. The base bill provides only $482 million for the program, and this amendment would take that number all the way to zero.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, this is not the time to abandon deterrence in Europe and undermine our alliances in the region. Moreover, these investments are not only needed to meet NATO's requirements to deter aggression from our adversaries but also to directly support U.S. troops stationed in Europe.

Around one-third of active NATO security investment program projects are at U.S. theater posture locations, and an even larger number indirectly support U.S. troops stationed in or moving throughout the region. Yet, the United States' share of funding for this project is only 15 percent. If the United States were to pay a share proportional to our gross national income at the same rate as our allies, we would pay for around 47 percent of these projects.

To cut funding for this program is not only not fiscally sound policy, without the NATO Security Investment Program the operational requirements for these projects would not go away, and many of these projects would become a U.S. military construction burden.

Our MILCON dollars are already stretched thin, and this amendment would abandon projects for which our allies pay 85 percent of the cost burden. Even if you are concerned about the overall defense spending levels of various NATO countries, this direct contribution program is one program through which our allies pay a disproportionate share.

Mr. Chairman, I encourage all of my colleagues to oppose this irresponsible amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), chair of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

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

Mr. Chairman, I think the point of Judge Carter and my argument is that this funding does support our warfighters in Europe.

President Trump asked for, in spite of all the things that he has said about NATO, he asked in his budget for $604 million, and this budget is $122 million less than that, and the gentleman from Florida's amendment would wipe it out.

So I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment because it would eliminate funding for infrastructure investments on which our troops and our allies rely. This is not for foreign troops. This is for our troops. It is not fiscally responsible to eliminate funding for this jointly funded program, which provides critical infrastructure.

Mr. Chair, if we don't support the NATO Security Investment Program, then either we have to pay more to fund the cost of our infrastructure and Europe will be leaving us on our own, or we allow these needs to go unmet to the detriment of our men and women in uniform and American military readiness.

We need to make this decision about this amendment not based on rhetoric but on reality, and the reality is that this funding ensures that we can keep our troops ready and safe.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.