Floor Statements

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

I, unfortunately, could not possibly disagree with the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford), my friend, more on the description of this bill, which is why I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3944, the fiscal year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies bill.

While I unfortunately cannot support the bill on the floor today, I will say in Chairman Carter's absence that I am thankful and appreciative of the work that we have been able to accomplish together over the years on this subcommittee. I know he and I both prioritize quality of life for our servicemembers and their families and caring for our veterans.

Unfortunately, this bill hurtles us toward VA privatization, a top Project 2025 priority that undercuts what veterans consistently ask us for in Congress. They want high-quality medical care at the VA; not privatized care that takes longer to receive.

By transferring record funding from VA medical services to community care, which is a 67 percent increase of $14 billion, this bill pushes veterans into private care, even though veteran polls and studies show that when given the option, veterans prefer to receive their medical care at the VA.

In 2024, veteran trust in VA healthcare rose to a record 92 percent. We should build on this success, not kick veterans to an already crowded private market. I understand that there is a need for community care, especially for veterans in rural areas and specialty care when necessary, and when appointments at the VA are scarce.

However, countless studies show that when veterans seek care at private hospitals and clinics, they wait longer to see providers, and they get worse care. They know VA medical professionals choose this work due to their mission to care for our veterans, and that is something the private sector simply cannot replicate.

We should invest more in VA provider recruitment and retention incentives, increase benefits counselors and adjudicators, not ignore veterans' wishes and speed recklessly into privatization.

On the military construction side, this bill underfunds military construction by $904 million compared to the President's budget request, and fails to fund some specific needs such as installation resilience and NATO infrastructure commitments. As Russia continues to wage an illegal war in Ukraine and threaten Europe, we should be sending a clear sign that we stand with our NATO allies, allies who have stood by us for decades. We are talking about infrastructure for our troops who are over there, as well as our allies' troops.

We all know that warming global temperatures are having a devastating impact on our military installations, including sea level rise, recurrent flooding, hurricanes, and extreme weather, as well as extreme heat and drought, yet this bill includes zero dedicated funding to mitigate this extreme weather damage to our installations and force readiness.

We have seen time and again what devastating extreme weather can do to installations. In 2018, Hurricane Michael mauled Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, my home State, and cost the Air Force $4.9 billion to rebuild. When Typhoon Mawar ran through Guam and devastated the island, this Congress provided almost $1.8 billion to begin recovering from the damage. Unfortunately, we know that future need from Typhoon Mawar will cost many billions more.

Finally, this bill includes a plethora of harmful poison pill riders. It once again prohibits the VA from implementing its interim final rule to protect a woman's right to abortion and counseling. The message sent on that is clear: Republicans want to further limit women's access to healthcare.

Never mind if an abortion is in the best medical interest for the veteran, between her and her doctor. Disturbingly, Republicans think you should only have access to abortion if you are dying.

This bill has the government making personal medical decisions for veterans, not their doctor or the veteran themselves. It is a cruel and ironic way to treat those who fight for our freedoms by taking them away.

This bill also undermines VA's ability to keep at-risk veterans safe by preventing VA from reporting a beneficiary to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. This rider prohibits VA from following Federal law to keep guns out of the hands of people who Federal law says should not have them because they are a danger to themselves or others.

My subcommittee receives notifications every time there is a suicide on VA property. Over the last year, Mr. Chairman, we received suicide notices from Asheville, Los Angeles, McAllen, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, south Texas, Puget Sound, and many, many more. Every single veteran committed suicide with a firearm. Every single one.

With all of these serious concerns, I cannot in good conscience support this bill. I urge my colleagues to oppose it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I would certainly agree with the gentleman from Missouri if the Trump administration under Elon Musk's DOGE effort hadn't actually fired employees and interrupted the ability of employees of the Veterans Crisis Line from actually doing their job.

We have no idea how many people lost their lives as a result of that interruption in service. I would love to agree with the gentleman, but unfortunately, the facts on the ground actually reflect that they do not share the same commitment that we do to ensure the safety of our servicemembers and making sure that we look out for them.

Mr. Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the distinguished ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), my dear friend who is the distinguished ranking member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Escobar), a new member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Mrvan), a member of the Appropriations Committee. He just joined us, and I am happy to have him.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano), the distinguished ranking member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a champion of our Nation's veterans.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from California.

Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Frost), my colleague and friend.

Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Florida.

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

Mr. Chair, I want to add some further information because the Veterans Crisis Line was referenced by the gentleman from Missouri.

I want to make it very clear that the Secretary of the VA actually did a YouTube video specifically denying firing anyone from the Veterans Crisis Line when, in reality, he fired 24 people who worked on the Veterans Crisis Line.

If there was any improvement to the Veterans Crisis Line in this bill, it is thanks to my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean), who was successful in passing an amendment that added $5 million to funding for the Veterans Crisis Line, and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood), who actually added an amendment that prohibits any further cuts from the Veterans Crisis Line.

We are certainly appreciative of the bipartisan support for that. However, I want to make it clear that we need to remain united in fighting cuts to the Veterans Crisis Line and ensure that veterans have everything they need and a safety net firmly in place.

With all the issues raised during this debate, Mr. Chair, from the blatant push toward privatization of VA medical care to the underfunding of infrastructure and climate resiliency projects and the harmful poison pill riders, I just cannot in good conscience support this bill.

It breaks my heart because we do have such a good working relationship across the aisle with Chairman Carter and myself. I look forward to working together to improve this bill. I know it is possible as we move forward, and I am hopeful. I urge my colleagues at this point to vote against it.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. This amendment contains noncontroversial amendments that raise awareness on programs that we all care about. That includes the need to address a variety of medical care issues at the VA, the need to build more childcare development centers, construct more State extended-care facilities, expediting claims processing, and many others.

Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer), a fearless defender of our Nation's veterans.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Goodlander), who is a new Member and a veteran of our Armed Forces.

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

Mr. Chairman, I do not have any additional speakers, and I also yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Chair, this en bloc contains eight amendments that will make this bill worse than it already is.

It includes a funding cut to the Veterans Benefits Administration, further exacerbating the backlogs in processing disability compensation claims, leading to long waits for veterans.

The Republican MILCON-VA bill already cuts the NATO Security Investment Program by $188 million. This amendment would further cut it by another $4.1 million. It is shocking that my Republican colleagues would condone this, especially while they are offering amendments encouraging the speedier processes of claims and lamenting the delays in countless Republican speeches.

NATO infrastructure investment receives robust funding from our NATO

partners, but there is an illegal Russian war going on, so it would seem that we need more investments in NATO infrastructure now more than ever. Yet, this amendment would further cut into it.

The amendment also seeks to continue the Republican push to privatize VA medical care. The bill already includes a 67 percent increase to medical community care which is an increase without justification or rationale. We received no backup information from the administration whatsoever as to why they proposed this or why it is necessary because it isn't. It is a simple additional attempt to march the VA toward prioritization and away from what we know veterans want.

The amendment promotes untested and dangerous medical treatment for our veterans. It makes a bad bill even worse.

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

Mr. Chair, this en bloc doesn't do a single thing to improve this bill. In fact, it makes it worse. It cuts the Veterans Benefits Administration. It discriminates against veterans and doubles down on privatization of VA medical care.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), and I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), who is the distinguished ranking member of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and the dean of women of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Hernandez).

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I recognize the Zeta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) on its 70th Anniversary.

Founded on April 16, 1955, the Zeta Rho Omega chapter is the oldest and largest chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in Broward County. The chartering of the Fort Lauderdale chapter began with the vision of Willard Lamar and 14 young women. This aspiring group organized for approximately one year, locating members and completing the necessary requirements to become an established chapter.

Charter Members included: Gladys Cohen, Sylvia Epps, Jean Everett, Parthenia Hamm, Virginia Hamm, Hazel Hankerson, Daphne Harrison, Cecelia Hayes, Eula Mosby, Betty Smith, Millicent Sworn, Gloria Talbot, Albertha Latimer, and Willard Lamar, the first chapter president.

Zeta Rho Omega Chapter continues to be an active and integral part of the Ft. Lauderdale community and has received many awards and recognitions for its youth leadership programs, health fairs, and volunteer services, voter registration drives, and scholarships. Zeta Rho Omega Chapter will always strive to exhibit excellence in community service by providing ``Service to all Mankind.''

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is an international service organization founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women, and service and sisterhood have been the cornerstone of AKA since its founding.

Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of more than 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 nations and territories including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, often is hailed as ``America's premier Greek-lettered organization for African American women.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this one big, ugly bill.

Instead of cutting costs, it imposes the biggest healthcare cut ever, forcing 14 million people to lose coverage.

This bill makes the deepest cuts to nutrition assistance in U.S. history, ripping food from the mouths of kids, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

It guts clean energy, hurts farmers, expands abortion bans, and explodes the debt so badly it will trigger $500 billion in cuts to Medicare.

Its thousand-plus pages all boil down to this: $1.1 trillion is swiped from SNAP and Medicaid and stuffed right into the pockets of the richest 1 percent.

It no longer, thankfully, gives tax breaks to tanning beds, although Republicans tried that in the dead of night, yet strips Affordable Care Act coverage from millions of families and raises deductibles and copays for millions more.

This is worse than the haves versus the have-nots. It is just one big giveaway to the have yachts.

Just like Trump did to all his businesses, this bill will drive our constituents and our country into bankruptcy.

Any Republican with a spine, which they clearly lack, and a conscience, which they also lack, should join me in voting ``hell no.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland for yielding and for his stalwart and unyielding support for the Jewish community, for his leadership as a member of the Jewish community, and for his decades of work to support Jewish community values.

I rise in strong support of my resolution, H. Res. 352, to recognize Jewish American Heritage Month and highlight the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to our country.

I proudly sponsored this bill when I was a freshman Member of Congress, and it was the first piece of legislation that I passed as a freshman 20 years ago. I thank my co-leads, Representative Troy Carter, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, and Congressman Fitzpatrick, for joining me in co-leading this resolution. It is a resolution that highlights the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to our country.

Every May, we come together to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, also known as JAHM, and the generations of Jewish Americans who are integral parts of the rich mosaic of people and the heritages that make up these great United States.

While we joyfully celebrate this month, it is the second JAHM that we commemorate under the shadow of Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel. This was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Since that fateful day, the United States has witnessed a historic rise in anti-Semitism, which was already explosive prior to October 7, with an absolute explosion of online hate.

In 2024, the ADL tracked 9,354 anti-Semitic incidents across America. That marked a 344 percent increase over the past 5 years, and it was the highest number on record since these instances of hate were first tracked in 1979.

It is so disheartening that every year a new record is set of anti- Jewish incidents, but it also demonstrates that we have a lot of work to do together.

According to the American Jewish Committee, in 2024, one-third of American Jews had been the personal target of anti-Semitism over the past year, and sadly, one-third of Jewish college students felt uncomfortable or unsafe on campus due to their Jewish identity.

While we must take steps to protect Jewish students on college campuses, we cannot allow anti-Semitism to be used as a vehicle to take away the rights of others. Make no mistake, anti-Semitism is a canary in the coal mine. Attacks on Jewish students in any school setting are unacceptable, and there should be serious consequences.

By investing in policies that protect Jewish students, like fully funding the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights to fund investigations and hold colleges and universities--and, quite frankly, schools across the country and secondary schools--tolerating anti- Semitism accountable, we can support all students' ability to live and study in places that value and respect their heritage.

While there is no simple solution to end this extremist hate, we all can take steps to end this violence.

In the Biden administration's national strategy to counter anti- Semitism, the U.S.' first-ever blueprint, it called on all aspects of society to commemorate JAHM and use it as a tool to fight hate. That is because we need Jews and non-Jews alike to learn about all the remarkable Jewish Americans who served in government or the military, or who won Nobel prizes, for example, and how Jewish Americans lead universities and make lifesaving medical discoveries that we all count on today.

However, the significant contributions Jewish Americans have made and continue to make toward America's success are not widely known, so today's resolution highlights Jewish American inventors who created services and products that all Americans rely on each and every day.

For instance, Mr. Speaker, Irving Naxon invented the slow cooker. He took inspiration from Jewish cooking traditions in Europe to allow Jewish communities to have fresh and hot meals on Shabbat.

Sylvan Goldman invented the shopping cart, transforming the ease with which people are able to shop for their families.

When Hedy Lamarr, the famous and accomplished actress, was not acting in films, she invented the concept of frequency hopping, which opened the door to a wide range of wireless communications technologies, including WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

There are a whole lot of gamers who would love that Ralph Baer invented the Brown Box, a prototype for the first multiplayer, multiprogram video game system.

These are just a few of the innovative contributions that American Jews brought to all of our lives. As Jews, we have a longstanding commitment to tikkun olam, a commitment to repair the world. We take great pride regarding the impact we have made on so many generations of Americans.

As we celebrate the 20th year of Jewish American Heritage Month, we have made progress toward the goals of JAHM to educate Americans by celebrating Jewish contributions, which promotes understanding and reduces bigotry.

Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone on both sides of the aisle for helping shine a light on this important moment in time, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be physically present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 113 and NAY on Roll Call No. 114.

Personal Explanation

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be physically present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 111 and NAY on Roll Call No. 112.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, as part of ongoing efforts to educate our communities about the dangers of inattentive driving and to promote safer streets.

On average, nine people a day are killed in a distracted driving crash. Texting and cell phone use while driving is the most common type of unfocused driving; however, any action that takes a drivers' attention away from the road is distracted driving and is extremely dangerous.

Texting while driving is especially prevalent among younger drivers, with 39 percent of high school students reporting texting or emailing while driving during the past month, according to a 2019 CDC study. Even though 48 states have banned texting and driving, including Florida, drivers engage in this behavior anyway.

That is why I am proud to uplift leaders in my district who are taking action this month to educate Floridian students and families about the importance of attentive driving. The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter at Hollywood Hills High School and the Florida Teen Safe Driver Coalition's April Safety Awareness Campaign truly shows the power of community-based advocacy.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have focused on road safety, especially for our teens. So, in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, I will take the following pledge from the National Safety Council and encourage others to do the same:

``For my friends, my family, and anyone else who may have fond feelings toward me, I pledge not to drive distracted or recklessly. For every person I may never meet, but share the road with, I pledge to give driving the 100 percent attention it deserves.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate my Florida Gators, the University of Florida men's basketball team, for winning the 2025 National Championship. It is their third title and the first since back-to-back Gator wins in 2007.

In a heart-stopping final, mostly my heart, they erased a 12-point, second-half deficit to defeat the amazing Houston Cougars with a score of 65-63.

Under Coach Golden, they showed the resilience, discipline, and heart that epitomize Gator athletics.

Walter Clayton, Jr., the tournament MVP, led that charge, proving time and again that he and his teammates rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Yet, this championship is more than just a trophy. It is a symbol of U.S. excellence both on and off the court. It reflects the strength of our State's public universities and the pride we all share as Floridians.

The Gator Nation is still humming. As a proud alum, along with my dad, brother, husband, and all three of my kids, I will say it is great to be a Florida Gator.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate all the players and coaches and all the students and alumni who cheered them on. Our Gator boys stayed hot and brought a title home.

Go Gators.

Mr. Speaker, the State of Florida is teeming with champions. I rise today to proudly congratulate Nova Southeastern University on winning the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship.

The NSU Sharks, based in Davie, in my congressional district, have made our entire State proud. With a thrilling 74-73 victory over California State University, Dominguez Hills, they capped off a dominant 36-1 season to bring home their second national title in just 3 years. This is such an accomplishment.

Led by Head Coach Jim Crutchfield and tournament MVP MJ Iraldi, these Sharks showed grit, determination, and the excellence that defines Florida's student athletes. Their 23-game winning streak to close the season is nothing short of extraordinary.

These student athletes represent the very best of south Florida excellence, pride, and heart. Their dedication, both on the court and in the classroom, is an inspiration to us all.

We congratulate President Moon, the coaching staff, the students, and alumni. We thank them for bringing another national championship back home to the Sunshine State.

Go Sharks.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to honor the life, the work and the legacy of Congressman Raul Grijalva.

While others rush to punch down on people who chase a better life, he was always a brave, bold voice for Tribes, workers and migrants.

And he always swung straight and hard at the powerful who blocked their path.

Congressman Grijalva was just as comfortable demanding environmental justice from a Big Oil lobbyist, as he was striking up conversation with a bus boy at a restaurant.

He served his district, and this Nation, with a humility and genuineness that fostered love and respect from anyone who worked with or for him.

His legacy is long and will not be forgotten.

As a community organizer, local elected official and leader in Congress, his footprints are all over this nation's march toward progress.

Countless acres around the Grand Canyon and Bears Ears National Monuments are federally protected because of him.

He demanded and won the right to clean land and water for indigenous peoples and all his constituents.

If you heard demands for urgent climate action and immigration fairness in Congress, it was his voice that often rang out.

As Chairman and the lead Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Grijalva insisted that historic investments be made in our environment and public lands, and that they touch all communities, not just the well-connected ones.

Your grandchildren will benefit from his push to tackle the climate crisis in the Inflation Reduction Act.

We all know that the prevailing currency of this realm is stoking divisions, but Raul Grijalva built bridges.

As a cancer survivor, I also know how hard the battle against this terrible disease can be, and his stoic determination in staring it down while doing his life's work was inspiring.

He fought that disease, and for the people he represented--with grace and dignity.

Congressman Grijalva was a mentor to me and so many others. I'm proud to have been touched by his friendship, and his life of service. May his memory be for a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Dr. Stanley and Pearl Goodman, two extraordinary individuals whose unwavering dedication to service, philanthropy, and cultural enrichment has profoundly impacted South Florida and beyond.

Since making Broward County, Florida then home in 1962, Dr. Stanley and Pearl Goodman have been steadfast champions of initiatives that uplift individuals, families, and seniors. Then generosity and leadership have played a vital role in expanding social services, advancing education, promoting Jewish values, fostering a love for the arts, and supporting groundbreaking research in Multiple Myeloma.

Through their philanthropy, the Goodmans have cultivated a spirit of giving, inspiring others to contribute their time, talents, and resources to causes that create lasting change. Their contributions have not only provided immediate support to those in need but have also established a legacy of enduring impact through endowments and promised gifts that will benefit generations to come.

Today, we recognize and celebrate Dr. Stanley and Pearl Goodman for their remarkable generosity, vision, and commitment to strengthening our community. Their efforts serve as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the power of service and the profound impact compassionate, thoughtful individuals can make on others.

On behalf of the constituents of Florida's 25th District, I extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Stanley and Pearl Goodman for their lifelong contributions. May their legacy of kindness and philanthropy continue to enrich lives for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this cruel betrayal of America's veterans, seniors, and working families.

This 1-year CR doesn't make rent or healthcare bills more affordable, which is what keeps my constituents up at night. Instead, it actually cuts housing aid that could force 32,000 veterans, domestic violence survivors, seniors, and people with disabilities into homelessness.

What does this spending patch do as we all now stare down the barrel of another Trump recession? It hands an unelected billionaire free rein to keep stealing taxpayer dollars and paves the way for billionaires and big corporations to luxuriate in more tax breaks.

This isn't a clean CR. This CR stands for cut and run. It lets Trump close hundreds of Social Security offices and fire thousands of workers who deliver our seniors' checks. It allows Musk to keep hacking into your private tax data. It puts critical Everglades restoration funds at risk. Worst of all, it lets Trump and Musk keep up their brutal assault on veterans and the people who care for them. It does it by eliminating $23 billion in guaranteed funding for healthcare for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins.

We should debate bipartisan, full-year funding bills that grow the economy and provide vital resources Americans need. Instead, this Republican cut-and-run bill turns Congress into a missing kid on a milk carton and cedes massive power to Trump.

This is the same President who, in 2 short months, tanked your 401(k) and unleashed a job-killing trade war. Yesterday, the stock market just recorded its worst day since 2020.

What really enrages me is that this cut-and-run bill sides with the most anti-veteran President in American history. Trump has fired 6,000 veterans, inflicted mass VA layoffs, and killed hundreds of veterans services contracts. Trump even plans to lay off another 83,000 VA workers. On top of that, this cut-and-run bill makes even deeper cuts to the healthcare services for all those who bravely served our Nation.

Democrats are more than willing to back bipartisan funding legislation, but we will never sell out our seniors, veterans, and children like this cut-and-run bill shamelessly does. Vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I announce to the House the passing of the respected and revered former colleague from the State of Florida, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

Lincoln and his brothers are family to me, and Lincoln was a man whom I was honored to learn from, a respected public figure who was in politics and public service for all the right reasons.

The one thing you must know, Mr. Speaker, is he loved this country. Lincoln was a fierce patriot. He championed many issues important to our community, our country, and our continent, but few, if any, fought any harder for a free and democratic Cuba.

Whether as a Democrat or later as a Republican, he was always a guiding light in this fight for freedom in Cuba and around the world.

I am so grateful I was able to serve with him for 6 years and then continue our work with his brother and ``my brother,'' ``mi hermano,'' Mario, ``at the same time,'' ``en el mismo tiempo.''

Mr. Speaker, he was exactly who you wanted in your corner because he was a fierce fighter who put principle over politics.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart was a kind and giving leader and a remarkably effective legislator who led by example. He also loved this institution, what it represented, and his constituents. He served as a member of the Rules Committee including serving as ranking member from 2007 to 2011.

Lincoln also worked to open this building and our legislative process to more Americans, especially Hispanic Americans. To that end, he; his brother, Mario; and former Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen started the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute.

Today, as a mark of respect for that legacy, the institute has a public service fellowship named in his honor. Congressman Lincoln Diaz- Balart will be sorely missed but never forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members in the House Chamber along with Members, staff, and guests throughout the Capitol complex rise for a moment of silence in remembrance of Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart.

Mr. Speaker, ``may his memory be for a blessing,'' ``Que su recuerdo sea una bendicion.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the Republican budget resolution that utterly betrays middle-class Americans and threatens to explode the deficit.

This deceitful budget would gut Medicaid, schools, and affordable housing, all so Republican billionaire donors can get more tax breaks.

Instead of cutting costs for families, it undermines veterans' benefits and forces millions more families to live paycheck to paycheck. Instead of lowering prices at the pharmacy or the supermarket, this budget will bleed Americans dry. Billionaires get a windfall, and taxpayers get stuck with the bill.

This budget would swipe food from seniors and children, and in my district, ACA healthcare premiums would leap by almost $500. A 60-year- old Broward County couple with a household income of $85,000 would see their ACA premiums jump $16,000 a year, a 226 percent increase.

How does this Republican rip-off help American families? Long story short, it won't.

I urge my colleagues to reject this billionaire buyout budget that would crush working families, make Americans less safe and secure, blow out the debt, and devastate lifesaving resources that families need.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and I thank my fellow appropriator and friend, Marcy Kaptur, for initiating and hosting this Special Order hour.

I thank my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi), for standing in for the gentlewoman because it is incredibly disturbing that we must come together to condemn what should be inherently obvious.

Elon Musk was elected by no one, confirmed by no one, and is accountable to no one. Yet, President Trump allows this conflict- riddled billionaire to rifle through Americans' highly sensitive records and attack the public servants who look out for all of us. I have never witnessed such utter contempt for the Constitution and the rule of law.

It is clear who is running this White House. It is Elon Musk, whose nonstop lies would leave human rights groups in Cuba and Venezuela out to dry and victims of famine and natural disasters left to starve or die.

Donald Trump is allowing Musk to illegally slash our efforts to counter dictators and protect democracy, the man with billions on the line in China.

Trump and Musk are gutting agencies that are investigating Musk's companies. Is that coincidence?

All the while, Donald Trump ignores what he committed to prioritizing throughout his campaign: making everyday life more affordable for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, this chaos crew in the White House is rocking the faith of Americans. It is alienating allies and destabilizing our businesses. It is trashing our ability to honor our commitments and fulfill the basic functions of government.

My constituents are angry and afraid, and they should be. It is understandable. Musk and his minions will gut any program that doesn't line their own pockets.

These cruel, reckless cuts built on lies and illegal funding freezes will devastate the children, veterans, and seniors that we Democrats fight for every day, and worse. All that this chaotic Republican rip- off will do is raise grocery prices and healthcare costs for our families. While Musk steals children's Social Security numbers, Trump is busy enacting policies that will raise prices on everything from prescription drugs to affordable housing.

As Musk digs through mom and dad's tax returns, he and Trump are gutting consumer protections that keep scammers from ripping Americans off. All of this is designed for one thing: to pay for more millionaire and billionaire tax breaks and open the door to gut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

In fact, the Budget Committee is meeting right now, as we speak, to do

just that. They all get wealthier, and the lives of working families become even more unaffordable.

Mr. Speaker, we are not going to roll over and let this madness continue. Every dollar illegally stolen from our Federal agencies must be restored. We must continue to hold Trump and his billionaire friends accountable. We are going to continue to protect victims of scams and natural disasters, regardless of what Trump or his billionaire puppeteer proposes.

The Musk-Trump unchecked raid of taxpayer dollars must end. We must commit together to reduce people's everyday kitchen-table costs, and Democrats will stand up every single day to fight to put lowering people's costs at the top of the agenda.