Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share the incredible experiences from my recent ``Live the Dream Down East'' tour, a journey focused on creating economic opportunities for young professionals in eastern North Carolina.

I was privileged to engage with local businessowners, medical professionals, and community stakeholders throughout my tour. We discussed the challenges they face.

In Rocky Mount, local businessowners tell me about their hopes and inspiring aspirations for the future. By supporting our entrepreneurs and making them aware of available resources, we can foster an environment where businesses thrive and communities flourish.

Let's continue to showcase the true spirit of the American Dream down East.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight Precision Graphics, a family-owned electronics manufacturing and fulfillment facility in Snow Hill, North Carolina, my hometown.

It fills me with tremendous pride to witness our local business' growth and positive impact.

Precision Graphics, located just a block from my grandmother's home where I was raised, holds the resilience and strength of our community. While they have encountered supply chain challenges, the outlook is improving.

It is of utmost importance that we continue to support businesses like Precision Graphics and our STEM programs. We must restore hope and help young people across eastern North Carolina, rural America, and our country to live the American Dream.

Let's come together and work toward empowering our local businesses, fostering job creation, and contributing to the prosperity of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I represent nearly 50,000 veterans across North Carolina's First Congressional District, more than 10,000 of whom sustained injuries while serving our country.

Because of their sacrifice, I introduced a bipartisan Veteran Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform Act of 2023, or the CARE Act of 2023, for the specific purpose of helping to repay our veterans who can never fully be repaid.

The CARE Act, introduced with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia and Congressman Juan Ciscomani of Arizona, allows veterans service organizations and other accredited agents to advocate for disabled veterans while directing the VA to hire medical specialists to review applications.

We must allow servicemembers who nearly died for this country to assess the resources they need to apply for assistance. We must always keep our country's promises to our heroes in eastern North Carolina and across this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, today I stand before you, honored to share the progress we have made in improving the lives of eastern North Carolinians. Together we have cosponsored 100 bipartisan bills that address our communities' most pressing needs.

My commitment to put aside partisanship and focus on our shared values is stronger than ever. Working together, we can accelerate job creation, expand educational opportunities, and champion affordable healthcare for families across the First Congressional District.

This isn't just about the present, but it is about creating a brighter future for the next generation. With every bill I cosponsor, I envision a community where our children have boundless opportunities to succeed.

I am immensely proud of the bipartisan progress we have achieved. Mr. Speaker, let's continue to bridge divides, forge new pathways, and create a legacy of positive change that will inspire generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Matthew Paciullo, a student at South Central High School in Pitt County, and the winner of North Carolina First Congressional District Artistic Discovery Contest.

Matthew, who won first place, took inspiration from his father, Zachary, whose love of rock music led to the creation of this remarkable masterpiece titled, ``Liberty.''

Through his artistic work, Matthew transformed recycled Styrofoam into a creative piece that captures the spirit of liberty.

I commend all the participants for their outstanding work and contribution to the artistic landscape of our community because it fosters creativity and self-expression.

Together, let us continue to support and nurture the next generation of artists who inspire creativity and enrich our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Matthew and all competition winners. They rock.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, I introduce the bipartisan Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act of 2023 with Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia.

Currently, 27 States, including North Carolina, have adopted this symbol in honor of those killed in action. By supporting the Honor and Remember Flag Recognition Act, we can help the families of these fallen servicemembers find closure.

On behalf of these families, I ask all Members of Congress to support this vital legislation. Together, let us affirm our unwavering commitment to honoring and remembering our courageous and brave heroes who have given their lives for our freedom and democracy.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with immense joy to celebrate the 32nd season opener of the Jackie Robinson Baseball League at Thomas Foreman Park in Greenville, North Carolina. This occasion reminds us of sports' impact on our youth and communities across America.

During the opening ceremony, we honored the memory of Jayceon Epps, a remarkable young player whose jersey number 6 was retired. Although tragedy took him from us far too soon, his spirit lives in the hearts of our community.

Police Chief Ted Sauls was the guest speaker and threw out the first pitch.

The Jackie Robinson Baseball League goes far beyond the game itself. It instills values, fosters friendships, and provides mentorship opportunities for our children.

Thanks to the commissioner, coaches, families, this community, and above all, the talented players who make this possible.

Have a great season.

Mr. Speaker, Walstonburg, North Carolina, a town of 208 residents in my district, is a shining example of the best of small-town USA.

This past weekend, the Walstonburg American Legion Post 332 hosted the town's 15th annual Proud to be an American Day, a way this tight- knit community uplifts and honors our country's veterans, Active Duty servicemembers, and fallen military members.

This Proud to be an American Day was the first, however, without the late former Representative Walter B. Jones, Jr., and everyone missed his presence.

Mr. Speaker, this community proves making a difference doesn't require size, only passion.

Madam Speaker, we are the most powerful country, and we are less than a week away from defaulting on our debt. We should all be outraged, and we should all be here.

Constituents in North Carolina's First Congressional District will feel the impact immediately and long term if we default.

North Carolina's First Congressional District has over 174,000 residents who would lose Social Security payments, and nearly 50,000 veterans, our heroes who protect our communities and defend our freedoms, would see payments slashed.

As we prepare to honor those who died in military service, the best way that we can help their surviving family members and those that they served with is by Congress fulfilling its obligation to pay its bills now.

Mr. Speaker, I represent nearly 50,000 veterans across North Carolina's First Congressional District. North Carolina ranks 10th in the Nation for veteran-owned small businesses.

During Small Business Week, I introduced a bipartisan package of veterans' legislation to repay our veterans for their sacrifice and selfless service.

The first, the Veterans Jobs Opportunity Act, introduced with Congressman Zach Nunn of Iowa, provides veterans starting small businesses with a 15 percent tax credit on the first $50,000 of startup costs.

The second, the Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act, introduced with Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska, closes a loophole in an existing law that failed to provide Coast Guard servicemembers with the same tax benefits afforded to others.

Investing in our brave veterans while helping the communities that need it most should be our highest priority.

Mr. Speaker, defaulting on our debt is not an option and would only cause economic uncertainty for eastern North Carolina and rural America at a time when most are just trying to break even.

According to recent reports, a default would kick nearly 96,000 families across the First District off of food and health programs at a time when they can least afford it. It would also jeopardize benefits that support nearly 50,000 veterans in my district, causing delays in the delivery of care and poor health outcomes for our Nation's heroes.

A default that lasts as little as 6 weeks would result in nearly 7 million jobs lost, doubling the unemployment rate to 8 percent.

Mr. Speaker, we must focus on keeping America's full faith and credit intact.

Mr. Speaker, I traveled to the southern border to witness the challenges firsthand.

First and foremost, I thank the Brownsville port of entry field operation officers and Border Patrol agents at the central processing center in McAllen for working around the clock to ensure our Nation is secure.

While in Texas, I witnessed a drug bust, asylum seekers, and an unaccompanied minor in detention. I heard about the strain on the men and women fighting to keep our citizens safe.

Mr. Speaker, one officer told me you could double the workforce tomorrow, and there would still be plenty of work.

These workers are doing more with less, so we must ensure they have the technology, infrastructure, and recruitment tools to help secure our border most effectively.

Immigration reform must be safe, orderly, and humane.

Mr. Speaker, we must act on the border security crisis. However, with a divided Congress, we can act only on a bipartisan basis to be successful.

Any immigration reform needs to reflect our shared American values and the needs of our modern economy. We must set aside the partisan infighting and unite for the greater good and strength of our country.

On border security, I said it was a priority to travel to the southern border to see the challenges for myself. That is why I am heading to the Rio Grande Valley along the Texas-Mexico border today to do just that.

Madam Speaker, over the course of our country's history, generations of American servicemembers have made remarkable sacrifices to defend the freedoms we hold dear.

As we celebrate Armed Forces week, I ask for everyone across our country to join me in saluting the men and women who protect us, defend our freedoms, and safeguard the world from danger.

As a veteran of the United States Air Force, our servicemembers and military families hold a special place in my heart, and I will always fight to ensure they receive the respect and honor they deserve.

Madam Speaker, to the men and women who serve our Nation, I thank them for their selfless service.

Mr. Speaker, America should always pay its bills, and we must do everything under the Sun to avoid a default. Failure to do so would trigger massive job loss, a recession, and rising costs.

Mr. Speaker, our national debt is over $31 trillion, and we must look at ways while working together, Democrats and Republicans, to get this under control.

I encourage the President and congressional leaders to put the American people first. We must depoliticize debt ceiling negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, eastern North Carolinians elected me to fight for higher-paying jobs, policies that will boost our economy, and to end high prices. A default goes against all of this, and it would only make life harder for my constituents.