Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a major milestone in Centre County: the graduation of the 500th first responder from the Centre County Crisis Intervention Team Training Program.

Since 2011, this initiative has brought together law enforcement, EMS, corrections officers, and mental health professionals for 40 hours of specialized training.

These first responders are now better equipped to recognize mental health crises, use deescalation techniques, and connect individuals with appropriate care.

Prior to my time serving in Congress, I spent decades as a volunteer firefighter and cross-trained as an EMT. I recognize and value the commitment these individuals have to their communities and understand firsthand the vital role that they play in ensuring public health and safety.

These graduates are more than professionals. They are pillars in our community, working each day to ensure public safety with compassion and understanding.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the Centre County CIT team for their dedication and congratulate all 500 graduates for their service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a generational win for working families, our farmers, small businesses, and for the future of this great Nation: the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by President Trump.

This landmark legislation is not just a win for agriculture. It is a win for the American people. It delivers the largest middle-class tax cut in American history, bringing real relief to hardworking Pennsylvanians and families all across this great country.

Without this bill, the average taxpayer in Pennsylvania's 15th District would face a 24 percent tax increase. A family of four earning the district's median income would be hit with a $1,145 tax hike without this legislation, the equivalent of nearly 5 weeks of groceries for a typical household in our region.

This bill delivers on President Trump's commitment to rebuild our economy, reward work, and protect the American Dream.

For Pennsylvanians, this bill accomplishes the following: 66,690 families in PA-15 will benefit from an expanded child tax credit; 7,652 family farms in our district are now protected from the death tax; 38,110 small businesses in PA-15 are safeguarded by the 20 percent small business deduction, keeping effective tax rates low and allowing reinvestment in our local communities; 96 percent of PA-15 taxpayers are benefiting from the double standard deduction, reducing taxable income and simplifying filing.

This is the largest tax cut in history for middle-and working-class Americans.

According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the biggest winners are workers and families earning under $50,000 per year.

We are talking about $10,000 or more in extra take-home pay per year for working families. This bill eliminates taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits, and introduces new savings accounts for every newborn to help families build a stronger future.

It even includes a made in America car loan interest deduction and a major domestic energy expansion to drive down household costs and strengthen our national security.

Madam Speaker, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is also the most consequential investment in agriculture in decades. It is what I like to call farm bill 1.0. It restores the farm safety net, providing producers with the certainty they need to weather the storms, navigate market volatility, and continue to feed, fuel, and clothe America.

This bill finally ends the era of reactive ad hoc disaster spending and replaces it with long-term solutions, including investments in trade promotion to open up new markets for our farmers; livestock biosecurity to protect our food supply from foreign animal disease; specialty crops and dairy which are too often overlooked; agricultural research to ensure America leads, not China; and provides 6 years of funding for several critical programs that do not have permanent baseline support.

Critically, this bill delivers $120 billion in deficit reduction, while protecting the right of family farmers to pass down their land without the IRS knocking on the door.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act empowers rural communities, protects taxpayers, and helps lift more Americans out of poverty and into the dignity of work.

Let me be clear: This bill is not the finish line. It is a sizable downpayment on the full farm bill, and more progress is coming.

However, this is a generational victory for the American people; a victory made possible by the leadership of President Trump and the voices of rural America.

This is what it looks like when we listen to the people who make this country work: our farmers, small business owners, families, and workers.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a promise kept. It is a blueprint for prosperity, and it puts the American Dream back within reach for millions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievement of Mount Nittany Health Emergency Medical Services team.

Earlier this month, Mount Nittany Health Emergency Medical Services team was nationally recognized by the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline program for excellence in caring for patients with heart attacks and strokes.

This award recognizes exceptional performance and critical prehospital care, from the rapid identification of heart attacks and stroke symptoms to timely notifications to the hospital, precise assessment, and treatment protocols that save lives.

The Mount Nittany Health EMS team exemplifies the dedication, skill, and compassion that our communities expect and deserve.

Prior to my time serving in Congress, I spent decades as a volunteer firefighter and cross-trained as an emergency medical technician. I recognize the value and commitment these individuals have to their communities and understand firsthand the vital role they play in ensuring public health and safety.

Their efforts translate into faster treatment, reduced complications, and renewed hope for countless patients and families.

Mr. Speaker, I commend and thank Mount Nittany EMS for setting the standard in emergency medical care and leading the way in national excellence.

Mr. Speaker, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks the most significant investment in our farm economy in decades and delivers the most sweeping reforms to SNAP since the program's creation.

We are saving nearly $200 billion by restoring integrity to SNAP, closing loopholes, reinforcing work, and ending unchecked State abuse, all while preserving the program for the truly vulnerable.

At the same time, we are delivering $120 billion in deficit reduction and saving 2 million family farms from the death tax. We strengthen the farm safety net; invest in trade, research, and rural communities; and help keep ag innovation here in the United States of America, not in China.

This is a downpayment on the farm bill, and the rest is coming soon. Make no mistake, this is a generational win for rural America.

I thank Agriculture Committee members for their continued work in developing and advancing this policy. We are protecting taxpayers, helping low-income Americans return to work, and securing the future of American agriculture in our rural communities.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers on President Trump's campaign promises, and it is a win for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the cornerstone of the American Dream.

For generations, owning a home has symbolized stability, independence, and opportunity. It strengthens families, builds communities, and lays the foundation for long-term financial security.

Yet, today, that dream feels out of reach for too many, especially first-time buyers, young families, and those in rural and working-class communities. Rising interest rates, limited housing supplies, and increasing costs are making it harder for Americans to put down roots.

That is why we must work together across the aisle to support policies to expand access to affordable housing, invest in infrastructure, and reduce regulatory barriers that drive up costs.

Homeownership shouldn't be a luxury. It should be an achievable goal for every hardworking American.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the EMS Counts Act, a bipartisan, commonsense solution to a critical and longstanding oversight in how we value our first responders.

Prior to serving in Congress, I spent decades as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. I recognize and value the commitment these individuals have to their communities.

Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics fails to count firefighter EMTs and firefighter paramedics as part of the EMS workforce, which skews the data, masks staffing shortages, complicates funding decisions, and hinders emergency preparedness.

Correcting outdated classifications is important because without an accurate count of the number of EMTs, paramedics, and other emergency service providers, it creates a challenge to adequately meet the health and safety needs of our communities.

Accurate workforce data is not just numbers. It is the foundation for equitable funding, targeted training, disaster responsiveness, and enhanced workplace safety. It empowers us to stand behind the men and women who respond to more than 22 million emergencies each year.

Mr. Speaker, passing the EMS Counts Act is a decisive step toward recognizing and strengthening this indispensable part of our public safety infrastructure. I urge my colleagues to join me in support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a disease that impacts nearly every family in America in some way.

This month serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating toll Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia continue to take on our loved ones, our caregivers, and our communities.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's today. Around the world, nearly 50 million people are facing daily struggles with this disease or related dementias.

Alzheimer's is not just a health issue. It is a national crisis. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and remains the only one in the top 10 with no known cure. There is no way to prevent it and no effective means to slow its progression.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, deaths related to Alzheimer's increased by 16 percent, further underscoring the urgency for action. Behind these statistics are real people.

I recently had the privilege of meeting with two advocates from my district, Maria Frank of Wellsboro and Julieanne Steinbacher of Williamsport. They came to Washington on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association to share their personal experiences and to urge continued investment in research and support for patients and caregivers.

However, the Alzheimer's Association does more than just advocate for Alzheimer's, dementia patients, and their families. Through its strong network of nationwide chapters, the Alzheimer's Association invests directly in cutting-edge research, offering free, 24/7 care consultation for patients and their families. It hosts community education programs and caregiver support groups, ensuring families and patients receive the critical resources that they need.

Their stories are a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a family doing everything they can to hold on to moments, to dignity, and to hope. This is personal for so many of us.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's doesn't impact one individual. It affects entire families. There is hope. We have seen progress through bipartisan investment in research. Continued support for groundbreaking innovation can bring us closer to treatment and, one day, a cure.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Maria and Julieanne for their tireless advocacy and commitment to this cause. This month let's support the families impacted and never stop believing in a future where Alzheimer's is no longer a devastating diagnosis but a defeated disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the St. Marys Area School District for launching a new agriculture education curriculum, an investment in both their students and the future of our Nation's food system.

Agricultural education is not just for those in rural areas. It is foundational to the future of our economy, environment, and our national security. Programs like this one help students understand where their food comes from, how it is produced, and the science and technology driving modern agriculture.

Beginning next school year, St. Marys will offer ag curriculum starting in seventh grade and extending through high school. Already nearly 100 students have signed up, proof that our young people are eager to learn more about the science, innovation, and business behind agriculture.

As chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, I applaud this effort. It is exactly the kind of hands-on, forward-thinking program we need to develop the next generation of farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs.

Agriculture puts food on our tables, clothes on our backs, and fuel in our vehicles. Programs like this ensure it continues to do so for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the leadership, educators, and students of St. Marys for their vision, and I look forward to seeing the impact of this outstanding program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Leechburg Rotary Club on an incredible milestone, 100 years of dedicated service to their community.

Since receiving their charter in 1925, the Leechburg Rotary has been a pillar of civic engagement, compassion, and leadership in Armstrong County.

From their very first project of placing Bibles in hotel rooms to helping pave Canal Street, building a new bridge over the Kiskiminetas River, and championing the creation of a high school band in the 1930s, the Leechburg Rotary has always stepped up to improve life for their neighbors.

Whether it is supporting veterans or assisting children with disabilities or flipping pancakes for a good cause, generations after generations of Rotarians have kept the spirit of service alive.

The Leechburg Rotary Club has helped build more than infrastructure. They built a sense of community, and for that we are grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I again congratulate Leechburg Rotary on a century of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding group of students from Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.

The team from Rock L. Butler Middle School recently placed fifth in the Nation in this year's Capitol Hill Challenge, a remarkable achievement.

The 16-week financial education competition brings together thousands of student teams from across the country, each tasked with investing a hypothetical $100,000 in the stock market. The goal: to learn the fundamentals of financial literacy, teamwork, and long-term investing.

Competing against students from every congressional district, the Rock L. Butler team stood out not only for their strong returns but for their discipline, collaboration, and commitment to learning. Their performance reflects the dedication of their teachers and the support of the Wellsboro community.

I had the pleasure of meeting these students during their visit to Washington, and I can confidently say the future is in good hands.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Rock L. Butler Middle School team on this incredible accomplishment.

Mr. Speaker, happy National Dairy Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of this occasion of National Dairy Month and to honor the hardworking men and women of America's dairy industry, especially those in my home State of Pennsylvania.

As the Representative of Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District and as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, I know firsthand the central role that dairy plays in our economy, our communities, and our health.

Pennsylvania is an incredible dairy State. With more than 6,200 dairy farms, we rank second in the Nation in the number of dairy operations and eighth in milk production.

These farms care for nearly one-half million dairy cows and support more

than 52,000 jobs, generating $14.7 billion annually for our State's economy.

It is important that in addition to recognizing the success and strength of this industry, we also acknowledge the challenges it takes to produce the dairy products that we all know and love.

Rising costs, outdated Federal regulations, and policies that don't reflect the realities on the ground have all hurt this vital industry. That is why we must continue to fight for a modernized farm bill and for smart bipartisan policies that promote health and strengthen rural communities. In addition, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act we passed out of the House included key victories for our dairy producers.

The bill contains multiple enhancements to the Dairy Margin Coverage program such as increasing tier 1 eligibility from 5 million to 6 million pounds per farm, among other items.

One of those bipartisan policies is the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act which I proudly introduced alongside my colleague, Representative Kim Schrier, a pediatrician, and a bipartisan coalition in both Chambers of Congress. This bill is about returning whole and reduced fat milk to school cafeterias. It reflects updated science, addresses years of flawed Federal policy, and responds to what parents, schools, and health professionals across the country already know: Kids need access to milk that they will actually drink.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has also voiced support for returning whole milk to school cafeterias. He recognizes its value as a nutrient-rich option that supports child development and academic success.

Milk provides 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. These nutrients support bone health, immune function, and long-term well-being. However, today nearly three in four school- age children are not getting their recommended daily intake of dairy.

Since whole milk was removed from schools in 2012, we have seen declines in milk consumption, increased food waste, and growing concerns about childhood nutrition. This legislation is a commonsense solution that simply gives schools the option to serve whole and reduced fat milk once again.

I am pleased to report that the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act has already made significant bipartisan progress. It has passed the House Committee on Education and Workforce and most recently the Senate Agriculture Committee with strong support from both sides of the aisle.

With over 300 votes in the House last Congress, this bill is ready to cross the finish line.

Let me be clear. This is a win for everyone involved. It supports our children's health and gives a boost to our Nation's dairy farmers who work hard every day to provide safe, nutritious products.

Mr. Speaker, National Dairy Month is not just a moment of recognition. It is a call to action to stand with rural America, invest in the next generation, and ensure our food policies are rooted in science and not bureaucracy.

Let's finish the work we have started. Let's pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. Let's deliver for our farmers, and let's keep making American agriculture stronger, healthier, and, yes, great once again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today ahead of June 14th to celebrate an extraordinary milestone, the United States Army's 250th birthday.

Every year, just a few weeks after Memorial Day, our country celebrates our Army's birthday. This marks the anniversary in 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized the establishment of the Continental Army to defend the 13 American Colonies.

It was the beginning of a force that would go on to secure our freedom, shape our Nation's history, and stand as a pillar of strength in times of war and peace.

As the oldest and largest branch of our Armed Forces, the U.S. Army has played a central role in defending our Nation, upholding our values, and advancing peace around the globe.

For 250 years, generations of soldiers have answered the call of duty using the Army's values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

Mr. Speaker, as a proud Army dad, I know the sacrifices made by our servicemembers and their families.

In Congress, I remain committed to supporting legislation that strengthens our national defense and honors the men and women who wear the uniform.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a happy 250th birthday to the United States Army. May their legacy of service continue for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the exceptional artistic talent of Emma Zacherl, a sophomore at Clarion-Limestone High School and this year's winner of the Congressional Art Competition for Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District.

Since its inception in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has offered a platform for young artists across the country to showcase their creativity.

More than 650,000 students have participated nationwide, and I am proud to say that this year's winning entry from our district is a stunning example of that legacy.

Emma's piece, ``Waiting,'' a painting created using water-mixable oils, will soon hang in the U.S. Capitol along with winning entries from across the country.

For an entire year, thousands of visitors, guests, and Members of Congress will have the opportunity to view her artwork.

This marks Emma's second time taking first place in our district's competition, an incredible achievement that speaks volumes about her talent, vision, and dedication to her craft.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome her to Washington, D.C., and look forward to all she will accomplish in the years ahead.

Congratulations to Emma and to all the students who participated in this year's competition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the incredible athletes, volunteers, and supporters of the 2025 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games.

This past weekend, more than 2,000 athletes from across the Commonwealth gathered at Penn State University in State College to compete, connect, and inspire.

Held on campus for over three decades, the Summer Games have become a cherished tradition built on courage, inclusion, and perseverance. Since the first Games in 1970, which featured just 135 athletes, Special Olympics Pennsylvania has grown into a statewide movement with 54 local programs and thousands of participants.

These Games are not just about sports. They are about unlocking potential, building confidence, and fostering friendships that last a lifetime.

This year's opening ceremonies at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, hosted in partnership with the State College Spikes, featured the iconic Olympic torch lighting and an exhilarating action sports demo, setting the tone for a weekend of achievement and joy.

This program touches countless people in numerous ways and impacts regions far beyond the sphere of sports.

Mr. Speaker, I commend every athlete, coach, family member, and volunteer whose dedication made this celebration possible.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding achievements of the PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center, which was recently honored at the 2025 Pennsylvania SBDC Growth Conference.

Not only was PennWest Clarion SBDC named the 2025 Outstanding Center of the Year, but three members of the exceptional team were recognized for their leadership and their dedication.

Cindy Nellis was named the 2025 Director of the Year, honoring her visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the network's mission. Cindy's guidance has empowered both her team and the entrepreneurs that they serve.

Jeanne Best received the 2025 Administrative Service Award for her excellence behind the scenes, ensuring operations run smoothly.

Aleshia Marshall earned the highest honor in the SBDC system: The 2025 State Star Award, recognizing her outstanding performance, deep community engagement, and unwavering support for small businesses across the Nation.

PennWest Clarion SBDC continues to be a significant force for growth, innovation, and local prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the entire team on their well-deserved recognition and continued service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.