Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the economy shrank for the second quarter in a row. Americans are now facing a recession that was totally avoidable but brought on by President Biden and

Washington Democrats' Big Government spending and war on American energy.

Proving just how out of touch President Biden is, he shrugged off talk of a recession and said Americans are just facing an economic transition.

This administration has spent more time trying to convince Americans we are not in a recession than actually working on the problem.

Americans are hurting right now, and as the price of gas and groceries continues to rise, Washington Democrats are preparing legislation in Congress that will raise taxes on farmers, businesses, and working families.

The Democrat elite don't live in the real world, and they continue to put the priorities of their radical agenda over working American families--the same people they profess to help.

Our economy is shrinking, and Big Government spending is growing.

Americans cannot afford Washington Democrats' far-left agenda.

Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Dr. Foxx, of North Carolina for yielding.

Unlike the multi-employer pension program, which was recently injected with billions of taxpayer dollars, the single-employer insurance program is self-sufficient. It is funded by premiums paid by employer sponsors to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. By most accounts, PBGC's single-employer insurance system is healthy and not in need of bailouts. Yet a bailout is exactly what H.R. 6929 is. You cannot give public money out to one person without first taking it from another.

This bill does not help Pennsylvanians without a pension plan or with losses in their personal retirement accounts. On the contrary, this bill is an irresponsible giveaway that sets a dangerous precedent for the Federal Government's involvement in pension plans going forward.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this bailout will cost taxpayers nearly $800 million over 10 years; not including the lifetime cost of the bill, which could reach $1.3 billion. I wonder how the people that have to pay that in the next generation are going to pay their rent, afford their college, and afford their groceries.

Congressional Democrats and the Biden administration have already spent tens of billions on insolvent and failing multi-employer plans, without holding trustees accountable for failing workers or retirees, or meaningfully reforming the pension system to prevent future insolvency.

Once again, the Federal Government is offering a pension bailout.

Hardworking taxpayers who have their own retirements to worry about cannot continue to shoulder this burden. We cannot set this kind of precedent for a single-employer system. If Congress gives special treatment to this plan covered by today's bill, the other 5,000 single- employer plans also managed by PBGC will pressure Congress to do the same for all.

Is Congress then expected to top up or provide a lump sum to every future terminated plan? These are serious implications that cannot be ignored.

The vast majority of participants in terminated plans receive their full benefits. The Delphi plans are no exception. Nearly three-fourths of participants were not subject to the PBGC's statutory guarantee limits.

This body must remember it works for the taxpayers, not political interest groups. Americans don't work hard each and every day to fund irresponsible pet projects. We need more fiscal sanity, not more pension bailouts.

On top of all these issues, the manager's amendment is simply a budget gimmick to make the bill appear to cost nothing.

In reality, it accelerates the time period in which single-employer plans are required to pay their variable rate premiums to the PBGC to fit within the budget window, and it adds nothing to the PBGC's bottom line.

PBGC is going to receive the same amount of money with or without the manager's amendment.

I encourage my colleagues to oppose this legislation and the dangerous, fiscally irresponsible precedent it sets.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana.

Madam Speaker, I am Fred Keller. My pronouns are he and him, and I am a man standing at the podium wearing a blue suit, demanding that border czar, Kamala Harris, get serious about securing our southern border, rather than playing identity politics.

The number of illegal aliens crossing at our southern border has already surpassed last year's record of 1.7 million encounters. The U.S. Border Patrol confirmed in its latest report that there were over 200,000 encounters in June alone, the fourth consecutive month that encounters have been this high.

Border Patrol's report also revealed that 15,000 unaccompanied children were apprehended and released to sponsors without verification or documentation to ensure those sponsors are legal residents or U.S. citizens.

This loophole in the Biden administration's sponsor assessment process puts these children in danger by exposing them to illegal activity, human trafficking, and other dangers.

Yet, in the same month that this report was released, Secretary Mayorkas said that the border was secure. Meanwhile in Congress, Democrats refuse to hold a hearing on securing the southern border. In fact, Republicans on the Oversight Committee have requested a hearing on this issue, not just once, not just twice, but six times. Every request has been ignored by the Democrat majority on the committee.

Beyond their blatant detachment from reality, the Biden administration and House Democrats have made it clear they are unwilling to take action to secure our border and protect Americans.

With a new majority after the November elections, Republicans in Congress will tackle this issue head-on.

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

Mr. Speaker, over 2 years ago, committee Republicans opened an investigation into the veterans' records requests backlog at the National Personnel Records Center.

Pennsylvania veterans and their families were frustrated and concerned with the lengthy delays they were experiencing as they tried to access their own documents outlining military service.

American veterans and families rely on these records to prove eligibility for medical care and the benefits they are entitled to.

What we found was deeply disturbing. The records at the NPRC are on paper. They cannot be accessed remotely.

When the NPRC shut down in-person operations and told its workforce to go home, the backlog piled up to more than 500,000 military service records requests.

Veterans put their lives on the line for our country. The least we can do for them is to ensure they have access to the care and benefits they have earned.

Based on our findings, we urged the chairwoman to hold hearings. We pressed the NPRC to get staff back to work in person. But under the current administration, the backlog has grown to over 600,000 pending requests, with more added daily.

That is why, in June of last year, I introduced the RECORDS Act to require the NPRC to get back to work in person. Finally, after significant pressure from congressional Republicans, the NPRC returned to full in-person staffing on March 7 of this year.

I am pleased that this legislation has finally reached the House floor.

The Access for Veterans to Records Act incorporates improvements Republicans made to ensure the backlog is fixed. This bipartisan legislation requires the NPRC to maintain in-person staffing levels.

The bill also authorizes the funds necessary to speed up the digital preservation of records, so we will not face this problem in the future.

Finally, the bill contains reporting requirements to ensure proper accountability for addressing the current backlog and preventing future issues.

The Access for Veterans to Records Act is a bipartisan bill that demonstrates how Congress can work together to advance legislative reforms that are truly responsive to the needs of the American people and those who have given so much for our country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7337 is a bipartisan bill directly addressing a current problem facing America's veterans. I am thankful that the chairwoman and her staff worked with me to bring this necessary legislation to the House floor.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, as an emerging technology, quantum computing holds great promise and potential peril for our Nation. It has the potential to exponentially increase computing power and processing speeds, which will mean technological leaps for American research activities and business sectors.

While such major advances are likely decades away, there is a clear risk that foreign adversaries like China are using early developments in quantum computing technology for malicious purposes.

One immediate risk is that our foreign adversaries may use the first quantum computers to unlock data that has already been stolen from U.S. Federal agencies.

Current data encryption methods protect the privacy, security, and integrity of underlying data and are nearly impossible to decrypt with today's computing capabilities. The computations required to unlock encrypted data require computing resources that we do not currently possess. However, as quantum computing matures, so does the possibility that sensitive information could be unlocked. This is a clear national security threat.

The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act will require a governmentwide strategy to better secure valuable government data.

While the Federal Government already has initiatives underway to address such emerging threats, including the development of post- quantum cryptography standards and a recent Presidential national security directive, H.R. 7535 makes this a clear congressional priority.

The bill requires a governmentwide review of vulnerable agency information systems and consistent guidance to Federal agencies, and it seeks to ensure proper congressional oversight.

Advancing a strategic approach to evaluating quantum computing risks to Federal IT and network cybersecurity is important given the significant potential risk to our public-sector data.

And since this bill only requires centralized guidance and reporting, the Congressional Budget Office found it would cost American taxpayers less than $1 million over 5 years. This is a reasonable investment.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my House Oversight and Reform Committee colleagues, Representatives Ro Khanna and Nancy Mace for their work on this important bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Ms. Mace).

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill that addresses an emerging national security issue.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the Government Accountability Office serves a vital role in examining agency spending and advising lawmakers and Federal agencies how to make government work better for the American people.

GAO makes many recommendations regarding specific actions executive branch agencies should take to save taxpayer dollars. It also suggests legislative actions Congress could take to improve government performance.

Despite GAO's successes, there are more than 100 actions executive branch agencies could take to be more effective and achieve greater efficiency.

H.R. 7331 will consolidate open GAO recommendations for review by congressional leadership and the appropriate committees of jurisdiction. It will annually highlight the congressional oversight and legislative actions suggested to address these recommendations.

In doing so, the bill will help ensure that Congress has the tools it needs to pass needed legislation and spur executive agencies to implement needed reforms.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7331 will help Congress address specific--but fixable--issues across our sprawling Federal Government which are causing waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.

This bipartisan legislation will help improve the functioning of the American people's government and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, our Federal law enforcement and safety officers should not have to risk losing their retirement benefits if they are disabled in the line of duty. Likewise, Federal agencies should not lose talented employees who could otherwise continue their service in an alternative capacity.

Fortunately, this narrowly tailored bill fixes a technological flaw for Federal law enforcement officers who are injured on the job. The First Responder Fair RETIRE Act gives disabled public safety officers the option to continue serving their country in a different capacity. This bill covers first responders, including special agents, Customs and Border Protection officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials couriers, CIA agents, and members of the Capitol Police and Supreme Court Police.

To be clear, H.R. 521 only applies to injuries sustained while on duty and as a direct result of the performance of such duties. Moreover, it only applies to officers who choose to continue Federal service and continue to pay into the accelerated annuity system as they did prior to their injury. If they leave Federal service, they are not eligible for this benefit.

In conclusion, the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act ensures that our Federal law enforcement officers are not penalized when they make sacrifices in service to our Nation. H.R. 521 will also ensure the Federal Government agencies who employ these American heroes are able to retain their talent and skills for continued public service.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to support this bill, I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to help advance the First Responder Fair RETIRE Act through the House. This legislation ensures that our Federal law enforcement and public safety officers can continue their service to our Nation after being injured in the line of duty.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 203, which names a Houston post office for Benny Martinez.

Mr. Martinez was a native Texan and attended segregated schools in his hometown of Goliad before moving to Houston with his family in the pursuit of greater opportunities. He served in the U.S. Army and was deployed during the Korean war.

After he was honorably discharged, Mr. Martinez went back to school at Houston Community College and the University of Houston. He recognized the importance of education and became an associate teacher in the Houston School District and raised money for student scholarships.

Most famously, Mr. Martinez worked with the League of United Latin American Citizens to organize a gala for President Kennedy held the night before his assassination during his trip to Texas in 1963. This was the first time a sitting President met with a Latino civil rights group. Mr. Martinez was a leader in the civil rights movement and is deserving of this honor.

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

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology to all Americans. Access to computers and computer technology is necessary for success in the modern world. This became even more critical during the height of the pandemic when many Americans struggled to juggle Zoom meetings and help their children with remote school.

That is why this bill is important. It will help Americans get the access they need.

H.R. 3544, the Computers for Veterans and Students Act, will repurpose surplus Federal IT equipment to help American veterans, students, disabled individuals, low-income households, seniors in need, and educational institutions of all kinds.

H.R. 3544 requires the General Services Administration to transfer computers and tech equipment in need of repair to nonprofit computer refurbishers. These third-party refurbishers will then repair and distribute the IT equipment directly to veterans, students, and others in need.

The bill also obligates these third-party refurbishers to offer training programs on the use of the technology being distributed.

Those with access to computers and an understanding of how to use technology can enjoy many benefits, but a lack of such access and understanding presents significant challenges. Americans need to be able to conduct online research for a school project, connect with loved ones, or find and keep a steady job.

I appreciate Representatives Abigail Spanberger and Rob Wittman for their leadership on this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to help our Nation's veterans and students by supporting H.R. 3544.

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

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

I note that Congress is expected to pay tribute to veterans when we honor retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel ``Woody'' Williams. Woody, the last surviving World War II veteran who received a Medal of Honor, will lie in honor this week in the U.S. Capitol.

In the spirit of that event, let us pay tribute to all those who have served our Nation and all those who will serve our Nation in the future.

Instead of letting technology that American taxpayers have already invested in go to waste, the bipartisan Computers for Veterans and Students Act will get such repairable government technology into the lives of Americans in need.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5794 which honors Sergeant Leonard Funk.

Sergeant Funk was a paratrooper who served in some of the most critical campaigns during World War II, including the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.

He became one of World War II's most decorated paratroopers. Notably, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the government's highest and most prestigious military decoration, as well as the Distinguished Service Cross.

Sergeant Funk exemplified what it means to be an American patriot. I am proud to say that following his military service, Sergeant Funk returned to the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where he continued his public service with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Pittsburgh area.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1095, which names a Compton, California, Post Office for Private First Class James Anderson, Jr.

PFC Anderson grew up in Compton where he attended Centennial High School and later Los Angeles Harbor College. During college, he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps and serve the United States in the Vietnam war.

While deployed, his platoon was ambushed, and an enemy grenade landed near him and his fellow soldiers. Without hesitation, PFC Anderson threw himself on the grenade, sacrificing his own life to save those of his fellow marines. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill which honors an American war hero, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5659, which honors John R. Hatcher III.

Mr. Hatcher was born in Birmingham, Alabama, during the Jim Crow era. He spent his lifetime fighting for equality.

He was a longtime member of the NAACP and spent nearly 40 years as president of the Ventura County Chapter and an additional 6 years as the NAACP southern area president.

Mr. Hatcher was also a United States Air Force veteran and served more than 22 years in the military before working as a civil servant for the Department of the Navy. He was honored with the African- American Achievement Award at California State University, Channel Islands.

He also aided in the establishment of the Ventura County African American Chamber of Commerce, the Tri County Sentry newspaper, and the naming of the Thurgood Marshall School in the Oxnard School District.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5271, which honors former Tennessee State Senator Thelma Harper. Senator Harper was the first African-American female elected to the State senate and the longest- serving female State senator in Tennessee history.

Prior to this, she served as the grand jury foreman for the Davidson County Fifth Circuit Court as a representative of the Metropolitan Nashville Council.

Throughout her time in public service, Senator Harper championed children's issues and has been recognized with numerous awards for her public service.

She worked to create a safe haven law to save abandoned babies and establish a fee waiver to provide low-income students with school supplies and lunches.

Senator Harper was a dedicated public servant, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5809, which honors marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui.

Lance Corporal Nikoui was born in 2001, the same year that the war in Afghanistan began.

Last year, he was killed by a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He had gone back inside the Kabul airport to guide children to safety when a suicide bomb went off.

While only 20 years old, Lance Corporal Nikoui served America with dignity and courage while fighting to protect those seeking refuge and freedom in our great Nation.

I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill honoring a true American hero, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

I support the bill and would encourage all my colleagues to do the same.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4622, which honors Ronald Rosser.

Mr. Rosser served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the war. While acting as a forward observer in an artillery unit in a region known as the Iron Triangle, his unit came under heavy fire.

Mr. Rosser led the charge forward up a hill when he suddenly realized he was alone. His colleagues had all been injured or shot, but Mr. Rosser kept assaulting enemy positions. When he ran out of ammunition, he exposed himself to enemy fire to obtain more and resumed the fight.

When he ran out of ammunition again, and despite being injured, Mr. Rosser made several trips across open terrain to help other wounded soldiers get to safety.

He passed away in August of 2020, leaving a legacy of bravery. He was a true American war hero, and I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson).

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.