Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition of H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021.

Let's be very clear: Apprenticeship programs are a tremendous benefit to our economy. They provide a diverse range of opportunities for emerging workers to hone and develop skill sets while providing competitive salaries that strengthen our economy.

I agree with my colleagues that our existing apprenticeship system is severely outdated and it must be restructured to reflect the needs and challenges of the current economy and the modern workforce. However, H.R. 447 completely fails to address and expand work-based learning programs.

Current regulations permit a special carve-out for union-sponsored apprenticeships to ignore the mandatory ratio of apprentices to supervisors intended to keep workers safe. This preferential treatment, by definition, creates an uneven playing field and jeopardizes worker safety.

I offered an amendment to this legislation that would have closed this loophole, leveled the playing field, and ensured the safety of all apprentices on the job. However, the majority voted to

reject this effort to hold all apprenticeship programs to the same standards of safety regardless of which entity sponsors the program.

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our economy, now more than ever we need an apprenticeship system that provides and protects workers and gives them the tools and opportunities for success. The bottom line is that this law must be updated so employees can participate in a system that is reflective of their needs and the needs of their workers, something this legislation in its current form fails to do entirely.

Voting for H.R. 447 in its current form would mean doubling down on the outdated policies and bureaucratic red tape that too often prevents innovative and necessary improvements from taking place.

This bill should be rejected.

Madam Speaker, since the Supreme Court wrongly decided Roe v. Wade 48 years ago, we have lost 62 million lives to abortion. Any loss of life to abortion is not only heartbreakingly preventable, it is completely unacceptable in our modern society.

This pin, I always wear on my collar. These two little feet represent the exact size and shape of a baby's feet 10 weeks after conception. Every day, as I put this pin on my collar, I reflect on the millions of lives cut short and the innovations, ideas, and improvements lost to our world. If anything else was extinguishing life on the same scale as abortion, every American would be up in arms fighting to right that wrong.

Why is the sanctity of life any different?

As Members of Congress, if we are not willing to fight for life, then what are we willing to fight for?

The Lord has blessed me with two children and now three grandchildren. Every individual can attest to the indescribable feeling of joy meeting a newborn for the first time and holding that child. Our Creator has a plan for every single one of us, and I will work tirelessly to ensure every life has the chance to realize its full potential.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker) for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the violence that occurred in the Capitol today was shameful, unacceptable, and un-American. We are a nation of laws, not lawlessness, and we will never give in to the mob.

Thank you to the men and women of our Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies who heroically defended this building.

The criminal behavior we witnessed today does not erase the facts before us.

I am objecting to the certification of Pennsylvania's electoral votes because Governor Tom Wolf, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court violated the State legislature's clear constitutional authority to set election proceedings.

Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, only the General Assembly has the power to set election law.

Additionally, Article II of the U.S. Constitution explicitly grants State legislatures, not the Governor acting alone and not the courts, the explicit power to determine the manner of appointing Presidential electors.

Pennsylvania's court unlawfully extended the deadline to receive absentee and mail-in ballots. Governor Wolf's administration dismissed signature authentication procedures for absentee and mail-in ballots, allowed for the uneven administration of the election across counties, and unilaterally changed Pennsylvania's election code without the State legislature's consent.

The Constitution is clear and the facts are indisputable.

This past weekend, each Member of this body stood in this Chamber and swore an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. I intend to fulfill my constitutional oath which the people of Pennsylvania have entrusted in me. My objection is grounded in the Constitution and rule of law.

If we allow the Governor to violate the constitutional rights of the General Assembly, what is stopping him from violating the constitutional rights of the 12.8 million Pennsylvanians our State legislators were elected to represent?

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize and congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who will take his oath of citizenship today in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Nearly 19 years ago, Alex arrived in Selinsgrove for the first time as a 16-year-old high school exchange student from the Ukraine. Upon his arrival, Alexander knew no one, had no family to accompany him but in spirit, and spoke very little English. But as Alex stood at the beginning of a journey that would eventually bring him to raising his right hand today in allegiance to our nation, he held with him what our nation's earliest settlers had established and would take him toward a brighter and better future: the promise of America.

Alexander readily adapted to American life by forging new friendships in Central Pennsylvania and joining several groups in his school: the soccer and baseball teams, chess club, and the school band, to name a few. He worked tirelessly to improve his English, studied hard, frequently offered a unique perspective on world events to his classmates, and was always willing to offer a helping hand to a friend in need. To this day, he continues his close friendship with his host father in the United States, George Kinney.

Upon his graduation from high school, Alexander attended Susquehanna University and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance and Information Systems in 2005. He worked full-time after college and attended Drexel University's LeBow College of Business at night. In 2011, he received a Master's of Business Administration in Investment Management and International Business. In July 2015, Alex obtained his green card and married his wife, Erin, later that same year in October. They currently reside in Selinsgrove with their three adopted cats and are currently

restoring one of the town's historic properties on Market Street.

Today, Alexander remains a selfless member of his community. He previously served as a volunteer firefighter, takes part in 5k races and soccer games to raise money for charitable causes, and frequently participates in volunteer opportunities through his employer, Prudential Financial. He is also an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies.

Madam Speaker, if today we were tasked with finding some living proof that demonstrates how alive and well the promise of America is today, I would respectfully reference this invitation to congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko on becoming a citizen of the United States of America. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate and welcome him, as he is officially guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize and congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who will take his oath of citizenship today in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Nearly 19 years ago, Alex arrived in Selinsgrove for the first time as a 16-year-old high school exchange student from the Ukraine. Upon his arrival, Alexander knew no one, had no family to accompany him but in spirit, and spoke very little English. But as Alex stood at the beginning of a journey that would eventually bring him to raising his right hand today in allegiance to our nation, he held with him what our nation's earliest settlers had established and would take him toward a brighter and better future: the promise of America.

Alexander readily adapted to American life by forging new friendships in Central Pennsylvania and joining several groups in his school: the soccer and baseball teams, chess club, and the school band, to name a few. He worked tirelessly to improve his English, studied hard, frequently offered a unique perspective on world events to his classmates, and was always willing to offer a helping hand to a friend in need. To this day, he continues his close friendship with his host father in the United States, George Kinney.

Upon his graduation from high school, Alexander attended Susquehanna University and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Finance and Information Systems in 2005. He worked full-time after college and attended Drexel University's LeBow College of Business at night. In 2011, he received a Master's of Business Administration in Investment Management and International Business. In July 2015, Alex obtained his green card and married his wife, Erin, later that same year in October. They currently reside in Selinsgrove with their three adopted cats and are currently restoring one of the town's historic properties on Market Street.

Today, Alexander remains a selfless member of his community. He previously served as a volunteer firefighter, takes part in 5k races and soccer games to raise money for charitable causes, and frequently participates in volunteer opportunities through his employer, Prudential Financial. He is also an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies.

Madam Speaker, if today we were tasked with finding some living proof that demonstrates how alive and well the promise of America is today, I would respectfully reference this invitation to congratulate Alexander V. Mitrenko on becoming a citizen of the United States of America. We, as a free and democratic nation, congratulate and welcome him, as he is officially guaranteed the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate with 84 votes and could be sent directly to the President's desk for his signature today.

Madam Speaker, today I rise on the day that Congress will compete in the 110th Congressional Baseball Game for charity.

I rise to recognize a local sports team from a high school in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, in the heart of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District.

These young men overcame adversity, injury, and people who just didn't think they were going to win, but they did what we do in the heart of PA-12 and across our great Nation: they rose to the challenge, they overcame the adversity, they worked together as a team, and they won the Pennsylvania Quad A State Championship for baseball, a remarkable group of young men that came together to make their community proud.

Madam Speaker, I wish best wishes for this crew of young boys, men, their coach, and the community as we celebrate the hard work and success they have achieved.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, fellow Members of Congress. Thank you to the folks of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District.

Before I begin, I just want to make note of the gentleman whose position I am replacing, and that is Congressman Tom Marino, a dedicated public servant. We want to thank him for that service, and also wish him and his family all the best in the future.

I also would like to take a few moments to thank my family who are here with me tonight, my granddaughter, Carson, standing next to me, and up in the gallery, my wife, Kay, of 34 years, our daughter, Jamie, and her husband, Ron, our son, Freddie, and our other granddaughter, Camrie.

There are a lot of things that go into public service, but having your family and friends support you, it can't be any better than that.

I also would like to thank the outstanding folks of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District who have placed the privilege of representing them in me here in Congress.

I also look forward to working with all the Members of the United States House of Representatives under Speaker Pelosi's leadership. I also look forward to working with the United States Senate and our President to positively impact the lives of all Americans.

Again, I thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to working with everybody.

May God bless you. May God bless the United States of America.