Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today during National Pollinators Week to recognize the important work of our natural pollinators.

Each year, Pollinator Week focuses on promoting the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research.

It is time we protect natural pollinator species, such as honeybees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies, as essential partners of farmers and ranchers in producing food.

These pollinators are vital to keeping items like fruits, nuts, and vegetables in our diets. And healthy pollinator populations are crucial to the continued economic well-being of rural America and the U.S. economy.

Pollinators provide pollination services to over 180,000 different plant species and more than 1,200 crops. This equates to one out of every three bites of food eaten being there because of pollinators.

In addition, pollinators added $217 billion to the global economy, and honeybees alone are responsible for between $1.2 and $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity in the United States.

Madam Speaker, as someone who has a beehive in his backyard, I fully support efforts to raise awareness and keep our pollinators buzzing for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, this April, the House Agriculture Committee hosted an important hearing on one of America's most pressing issues, broadband connectivity.

For years, the digital divide has left many Americans unable to access reliable high-speed internet service, resulting in lost opportunities to expand businesses, learn new skills, or even participate in daily activities.

I see this cost and frustration every day. I am fortunate to live in the service territory of a rural electric cooperative which offers quality internet services to my home. But, just a few miles away, my neighbors are on the wrong side of the digital divide.

I represent 14 counties in rural Pennsylvania, and I can tell you, it is like

this all across my district, with digital haves and have-nots just down the road from one another. It is a checkerboard of connectivity.

In the height of the pandemic, I heard one too many home-schooling horror stories that were a result of not having reliable access to the internet. A number of families were driving to the nearest local library, sitting in the parking lot, and connecting to the public WiFi in hopes of completing assignments.

COVID-19 laid bare the urgency of rural broadband, but the connectivity struggles in rural communities predate this pandemic, and they will not ease as we return to normal. As more of American life is being put online, more of it is being put out of reach of Americans without high-speed internet access, and those without are falling further behind.

Despite years of efforts and billions of dollars spent, too many communities are being left behind.

Broadband is not just needed for our homes; it is desperately needed on our farms as well. The demands of a 21st century farm economy depends on reliable connectivity.

The Agriculture Committee has done tremendous work on a bipartisan basis to address the digital divide, most recently with the broadband provisions in the 2018 farm bill. Those changes reflected 2 years of work to develop policies and design programs which meet the unique challenges of rural communities. That farm bill became law with broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.

Unfortunately, those policies and programs are languishing. Changes and improvements championed by Members of both parties regarding eligible areas, long-term network viability, assistance for our most rural communities, program integrity, and more, remain unfunded and unimplemented more than 2 years after they were signed into law.

This is unacceptable. That is why I recently introduced the Broadband for Rural America Act. This bill is the responsible path forward to bridging the digital divide. It prioritizes the needs of rural communities and is a step in the right direction as we begin to rebound into a resurgent post-COVID economy. I urge my colleagues to join me on this critical piece of legislation.

The one issue that unites rural Members on both sides of the aisle is the need to address the digital divide. This critical infrastructure void has been exacerbated by the challenges faced by rural families and businesses during the pandemic.

I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to tell the story of the 2018 farm bill and the improvements we made and continue to fight for broadband investments so desperately needed in our rural communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Religious Freedom Week. Religious Freedom Week began on Monday and runs through June 29.

Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. Our Founding Fathers made sure it would always be protected. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion along with the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press.

This assurance of freedom gives us all the opportunity to openly practice and speak our beliefs. It allows me to speak on the House floor right now.

The United States is a place where all faiths can be peacefully practiced free from the fear of persecution.

The very foundation of our Nation, a place of freedom and liberty for all, was conceived by individuals in search of religious freedom.

Mr. Speaker, the United States of America will always be a beacon of light in the world, and we will always protect our fundamental, unified commitment of religious freedom because no person should live in fear for their beliefs.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my brother firefighter for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the importance of the Hyde amendment.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson penned three unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As Members of Congress, it is our job to uphold those rights, and that can start with protecting the Hyde amendment. For over 40 years, the Hyde amendment has maintained bipartisan support and passed through Congress. Even President Joe Biden, then-Senator Joe Biden, supported this amendment.

The Hyde amendment ensures that Americans are not forced to pay for abortions with their tax dollars. But this year, the Hyde amendment is under attack. The current administration budget proposal calls for the Hyde amendment to be removed from the fiscal year 2022 budget. This is radical, even for Democrats.

The Hyde amendment saves lives. Since its original introduction, nearly 2.5 million lives have been saved from abortion. With nearly 60 percent of Americans agreeing that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions, we must keep the Hyde amendment in the fiscal year 2022 budget and beyond.

For these reasons, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. This bill would make the Hyde amendment permanent and governmentwide. Mr. Speaker, we know life begins at conception. That is why we must stand up and continue to fight for the unborn.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a truly great public servant. Mr. Bradley Karmen served 41 years at the Department of Agriculture, most recently as associate deputy administrator of Farm Programs at the Farm Service Agency.

Put in perspective, President Lincoln established the Department of Agriculture in 1862, and Brad Karmen worked there for nearly one-third of the Department's entire existence.

Ironically, Brad is a city kid, having grown up on Long Island. He would be the first to tell you he knew nothing about agriculture or the Federal farm policy that he would help fashion over the course of nearly a half century. It is not an exaggeration to say that no regulation cleared the Farm Service Agency or farm law was enacted without Brad's careful eye and wise counsel.

Madam Speaker, I don't know how a Long Island kid with no knowledge of agriculture or farm policy came to dedicate his professional career to helping the American farmer, but I am sure grateful he did.

Thank you, Brad, for your distinguished career of public service. Godspeed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the hidden tax that is plaguing hardworking Americans. This hidden tax is inflation.

Under President Biden, we have seen the largest spike in 13 years, with consumer prices surging 5 percent in May. Core inflation rose at its fastest pace since 1992.

American families are being forced to pay more for the products that they need. Gasoline is 56.2 percent more expensive today than 12 months ago. Transportation services have increased 11.2 percent. Together, food and energy prices have increased 3.8 percent. Even used cars and truck prices have increased 29.7 percent.

Yet, Democrats rammed through a trillion-dollar package that is crushing small businesses and hurting hardworking American families by incentivizing Americans to stay at home and not get back to work. We are currently down 7.6 million jobs from our pre-pandemic levels. Our inflation is rising because of President Biden's far-left tax-and-spend proposals.

Americans cannot afford the Biden inflation tax. We know wasteful government spending will not solve this crisis, no matter how many times President Biden and the Democrats propose it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Flag Day and celebrate the United States Army's 246th birthday that we observed on Monday of this week.

Every year, just a few days after Memorial Day, on June 14, our country celebrates Flag Day and the Army's birthday.

Flag Day is a celebration of our Stars and Stripes, which the Second Continental Congress designated as the symbol of our Nation on June 14, 1777.

While our flag has changed over the years to celebrate our growing country, it remains a glorious symbol of hope for our brave servicemen and -women who salute it; defend it; serve it; and, in some cases, die for it, to protect our freedom and liberty.

Since our founding, our flag has flown from sea to shining sea and around the world. Old Glory remains one of the most powerful symbols on Earth.

June 14 is also the U.S. Army's birthday. Without our Army 246 years ago, we would not be the great Nation that we are today.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, our great Nation celebrated our Army and our flag, both of which symbolize America being the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as National Dairy Month.

National Dairy Month began as National Milk Month in 1937. Now it has developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world.

Milk contains nine essential nutrients which may help reduce your risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and certain cancers; yet dairy products, particularly milk, continue to be unfairly demonized.

Coming from a long line of dairy farmers, I understand the impact that this decrease in milk consumption has caused. Not only does it hurt our dairy industry, but it has also resulted in the loss of an entire generation of milk drinkers, which has negatively impacted their health.

That is why I introduced the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act in March of this year with the gentleman from New York, Mr. Antonio Delgado. This bill addresses the importance of providing both flavored and unflavored whole milk in school cafeterias.

This builds upon the efforts from the School Milk Nutrition Act, which allows for flavored and unflavored 1 percent milk to return as an option for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

Last month, Mr. Joe Courtney and I led a bipartisan coalition of 55 Members of Congress from across the country in writing a letter to Secretary Vilsack of the USDA. This letter urged him to codify the efforts to continue to provide schools the option to offer low-fat flavored or unflavored milk.

Whether it is protein to help build and repair the muscle tissues of active bodies or vitamin A to help maintain healthy skin, dairy products are a natural nutrient powerhouse.

That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sign on to my bill, the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act, during National Dairy Month and allow our students the option of consuming the type of milk that they love.

And this month, when you pour a glass of milk, enjoy a cheese board, or cool down with some ice cream, remember the hardworking dairy farmers and farm families who made that possible.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and congratulate USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen on her recently announced retirement.

Chief Christiansen has dedicated 40 years as a professional forester, wildland firefighter, and land manager.

I have had the great privilege of working with Vicki and appreciated her visit to the Allegheny National Forest.

While visiting, it was made clear her passion for problem-solving, connecting people with their natural resources, and her commitment to local collaboration.

The ANF is Pennsylvania's only national forest, and it plays a vital role in our communities throughout the region.

Vicki's work as USDA Forest Service chief focused on saved natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality for all communities.

Madam Speaker, I thank Vicki Christiansen for her leadership, dedication, passion, and advocacy for our Nation's national forests in rural areas. May she enjoy her retirement.

Madam Speaker, over the last few days, well more than 3,000 rockets have been fired into Israel by Hamas. This comes as no surprise, given that the Hamas charter written in 1988 includes 36 articles all explicitly dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

As a sovereign nation, Israel has every right to defend its borders, communities, and citizens. The Biden administration has prioritized the nuclear deal with Iran instead of making a full commitment to continue our robust support for our most important ally in the Middle East, Israel.

Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, tweeted that Palestinians must ``stand strong'' and ``confront the enemy'' shortly before Tel Aviv was targeted by rocket fire.

Madam Speaker, many Democrats will not condemn the ceaseless attacks against the Israeli people. Republicans are committed to ensuring that the United States fully upholds its commitments to Israel and continues to support the programs which have saved thousands of lives from destruction by Iran, Hamas, and other terrorist groups.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank our men and women in uniform and remember those who gave their life for this country.

The month of May is recognized as Military Appreciation Month, and we have several days dedicated to honoring our servicemen and -women, as well as their families.

May 7 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. May 8 is Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe. May 15 is Armed Services Day, where we thank Active Duty members from all branches of the military.

But on the last day of May, we have our most solemn occasion, Memorial Day, where we mourn those whom we lost in defense of this Nation.

The tradition of Memorial Day dates back to 1864 in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. Three ladies decorated the graves of fallen Civil War soldiers, and the custom has continued every year since then. Boalsburg still puts on a traditional Memorial Day celebration, complete with a parade, a community walk to the cemetery, speeches, military reenactments, and much more.

In the days leading up to Memorial Day, many place flags or lay wreaths at the graves of our soldiers. We gather with friends and family to attend parades and special services to remember those lost.

As we take the time to thank our Active Duty members and remember the fallen, we must also never forget the soldiers who have not returned home.

As the father of a wounded warrior, I thank God every day he returned home safely. Not every family has been as lucky, and we owe our greatest efforts to recovering the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Currently, there are more than 80,000 American servicemembers who remain unaccounted for, from World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the Cold War, and the gulf wars. We must uphold our promise to our POW/MIA who made the ultimate sacrifice and work to return these members home to their families.

That is why today I am introducing the Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Trade Agreement Resolution. As we develop trade ties in regions where servicemembers once engaged in combat, we must make every effort to guarantee these countries are active participants in aiding in the recovery of our fallen soldiers. While several of these nations have worked to assist in the research and recovery efforts, many challenges still exist.

This resolution ensures that as we enter mutually beneficial trade agreements, our trade partners will commit to the research and recovery efforts of our Nation's missing servicemembers.

In addition, it also sends a message to the families of those who are still waiting for their loved ones to return home. The United States will uphold the eternal promise to our Armed Forces to always bring our men and women home.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, especially in advance of Memorial Day weekend. As Memorial Day approaches and we make plans to see family and friends and to attend services and parades, let us remember that our freedom is not free and we owe thanks to those who died in sacrifice.

May God bless them, and may God bless the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as National Foster Care Month and to say thank you to every parent, volunteer, and mentor who work with our foster children.

I am a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and had a foster brother growing up, who is still part of my family.

During this month, we renew our commitment to ensure that every child has a safe and loving family.

I know firsthand how a supportive and loving home can make all the difference in a young person's life.

There are over 460,000 children and youth in foster care. These children and youth range from infants to 18 years old, when they age out.

Foster youth who transition out of the foster care system without a permanent home are at a higher risk of unemployment, poor educational outcomes, health issues, early parenthood, long-term dependency on public assistance, increased rates of incarceration, and homelessness.

Every child deserves a safe, supportive, and permanent family. We have the responsibility to continue to create policies that will improve the outcomes of the overall well-being of foster youth and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his leadership tonight and for hosting this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because it is time to get Americans back to work. At the beginning of the pandemic, industries of all types were desperately trying to keep their doors open and thousands of Americans lost their jobs. Since then, Congress has passed measures aimed to aid individuals and businesses, including five bipartisan relief bills, which I supported.

Today, we are starting to return to normal. Businesses across the country are opening their doors to pre-COVID operation levels. However, these industries are facing a new challenge: Getting qualified employees to return to work.

This is abundantly apparent in my district. The number one need of businesses, both manufacturing and service industries, is qualified and trained workers.

This past April, Clarion County held their annual career fair. Employers from numerous sectors gathered and hoped to find employees of all skill levels, great paying, family sustaining jobs available. Sadly, the career fair lacked individuals ready to rejoin the workforce.

Stories like this are, unfortunately, not unique. Right now, there are more job openings in the United States than any point in our Nation's history.

Mr. Speaker, as we continue to return to normal and more restrictions are lifted, we must continue to follow the science and encourage Americans to reenter the workforce. It is time to fully reopen America for business and put Americans back to work.

Madam Speaker, due to a death in the family, I was unable to cast my vote on May 14, 2021.

Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 143

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ely Blaisdell of South Fork, Pennsylvania. Ely has accepted a fully qualified appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York.

Ely is a senior at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. He has two siblings, Eban and Margaret. He is the son of Michael and Karen Blaisdell. He is the grandson of the late Herbert and Carolyn Kessler and Eva Stahr-Kessler, all of Johnstown; and Margaret and the late Mark Blaisdell of Wilmore, Pennsylvania.

Ely is following in the footsteps of two of his uncles, Dan Kessler and Paul Kessler, who graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1979 and 1975, respectively.

Madam Speaker, Ely Blaisdell is a dedicated member of his community. His passion for service and his commitment to his education will serve him well as he heads to Kings Point, New York.

Good luck to him as he enters this next chapter of his life, and I thank him for his service to our country.