Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, due to personal illness, I was unable to vote from December 3 through 6, 2024. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 484; YEA on Roll Call No. 485; YEA on Roll Call No. 486; NAY on Roll Call No. 487; and NAY on Roll Call No. 488.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Neil Middleton for his distinguished and award-winning career in journalism, as a longtime trusted news broadcaster and vice president of WYMT-TV, a CBS affiliate in Hazard, Kentucky.

Broadcasting from the heart of Kentucky's Appalachian region, the station's call letters, WYMT, stand for We're Your Mountain Television. It is much more than an acronym. It is the station's mission.

WYMT-TV has become synonymous with the very region it serves, thanks in large part to the leadership and journalistic integrity of Neil Middleton and those who blazed a trail for news coverage and weather alerts in one of the most rural areas of the United States.

In an expansive region separated by mountainous terrain, national media outlets have only made their way to Appalachia after major disasters, while others have blistered our communities by drudging up negative stereotypes that have misrepresented our beloved hometowns that are filled with hardworking, innovative, and extremely talented people.

As both well-known and unknown reporters from around the country have breezed in and out of our region for 15 seconds of fame, it is WYMT that has earned the trust of southern and eastern Kentuckians since the station first signed onto the air in 1985.

They have not only provided lifesaving weather alerts during catastrophic floods and tornadoes but they

have also followed their news coverage with fundraising telethons, using the power of the airwaves to collect vital donations to help our communities recover in the wake of disaster.

WYMT has also built a reputation for holding local State and Federal leaders accountable in the public eye, while not only providing critical news to the region in every newscast but also celebrating our victories in regional development and success.

Thanks to their central location in the region, mountain student athletes have had an exclusive highlight real on the station's ``Sports Overtime'' program, swelling up pride through every rural county for student athletes who get little notoriety elsewhere.

In fact, that is where Neil Middleton started his broadcast television news career in 1987. He drove across the mountains from Harlan County every day to cover news and sports in southeastern Kentucky for WYMT and WKYT-TV in Lexington.

Starting out as a radio DJ in high school, Neil worked his way up the ranks as a broadcaster, eventually taking over the helm of WYMT as vice president and general manager. Under his leadership, WYMT achieved a record-breaking growth in advertising sales. He expanded newscasts, sports, and weather. Neil developed new digital media assets and earned countless accolades including regional Emmy awards.

The Associated Press has also recognized Neil's personal excellence in journalism with numerous awards throughout his career. His same passion and work for the region has also been recognized by the Kentucky National Guard, local chambers of commerce, and many others.

Over the last four decades, Neil's passion to serve Kentucky's Appalachian region has reached far beyond the news desk. He has served as a board member for several organizations in the region, including The Center for Rural Development, One East Kentucky, Alice Lloyd College, Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, East Kentucky Leadership Foundation, the Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Associated Press, among others.

As Neil closes this chapter of his career at WYMT, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to Kentucky's Appalachian region. With every breath, he has advocated for growth and development in the mountains, understanding the value of every investment here and, likewise, the pain of every opportunity sent away from central Appalachia.

Madam Speaker, it has been an honor to work in tandem with Neil on many projects, including a hard-fought battle to add WYMT to satellite broadcast in select areas to ensure local people have access to news and weather alerts close to home. Neil should take great pride in his efforts to make southern and eastern Kentucky a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Neil Middleton for his distinguished and award-winning career in journalism, as a long-time trusted news broadcaster and Vice President of WYMT-TV, a CBS affiliate in Hazard, Kentucky.

Broadcasting from the heart of Kentucky's Appalachian region, the station's call letters stand for, ``We're Your Mountain Television.'' It's much more than an acronym. it's the station's mission. WYMT-TV has become synonymous with the very region it serves, thanks in-large-part to the leadership and journalistic integrity of Neil Middleton, and those who blazed a trail for news coverage and weather alerts in one of the most rural areas of the United States. In an expansive region, separated by mountainous terrain, national media outlets have only made their way to Appalachia after major disasters, while others have blistered our communities by dredging up negative stereotypes that have misrepresented our beloved hometowns that are filled with hard-working, innovative and extremely talented people. As both well-known and unknown reporters from the around the country have breezed in and out of our region for 15-seconds of fame, it is WYMT that has earned the trust of southern and eastern Kentuckians since the station first signed on the air in 1985. They have not only provided life-saving weather alerts during catastrophic floods and tornado outbreaks, but they have followed their news coverage with fundraising telethons, using the power of the airwaves to collect vital donations to help our communities recover in the wake of disaster. WYMT has also built a reputation for holding local, state and federal leaders accountable in the public eye, while not only providing critical news to the region in every newscast, but also celebrating our victories in regional development and success. Thanks to their central location in the region, mountain student athletes have had an exclusive highlight reel on the station's Sports Overtime program, swelling up pride through every rural county for student athletes who get little notoriety elsewhere. In fact, that's where Neil Middleton started his broadcast television news career in 1987, driving across the mountains from Harlan County every day to cover news and sports in southeastern Kentucky for WYMT and WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky.

Starting out as a radio DJ in high school, Neil worked his way up the ranks as a broadcaster, eventually taking over the helm of WYMT as Vice President and General Manager. Under his leadership, WYMT achieved record-breaking growth in advertising sales, expanded newscasts for news, sports and weather, developed new digital media assets, and earned countless accolades, including regional Emmy awards. The Associated Press has also recognized Neil's personal excellence in journalism with numerous awards throughout his career. His same passion and work for the region has also been recognized by the Kentucky National Guard, local Chambers of Commerce and many others.

Over the last four decades, Neil's passion to serve Kentucky's Appalachian region has reached far beyond the news desk. He has served as a board member for several organizations in the region, including the Center for Rural Development, One East Kentucky, Alice Lloyd College, Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, East Kentucky Leadership Foundation, the Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky and the Kentucky Associated Press, among others.

As Neil closes this chapter of his career at WYMT, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to Kentucky's Appalachian region. With every breath, he has advocated for growth and development in the mountains, understanding the value of every investment here, and likewise, the pain of every opportunity sent away from Central Appalachia. It has been an honor to work in tandem with Neil on many projects, including a hard-fought battle to add WYMT to satellite broadcasts in select

areas to ensure local people have access to news and weather alerts close to home. Neil should take great pride in his efforts to make southern and eastern Kentucky a better place to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express immense gratitude on behalf of the people of Eastern Kentucky who have received flood recovery assistance from Samaritan's Purse during two back-to- back disaster relief missions, starting in 2021.

Breathitt County has essentially become a second home to some team members of Samaritan's Purse, who first arrived in our region after a major flood in March 2021. They have provided the most comprehensive response efforts, rallying volunteers from across the country to help muck-out damaged homes, provide cleaning supplies and food to flood victims, and resources to help rebuild homes. The crew dedicated an entire year of service to our region and had only been gone for a few days before a second catastrophic flood hit the heart of our region in July 2022, taking the lives of 45 Kentuckians. Without hesitation, the Samaritan's Purse tractor trailer reloaded supplies and turned around to head right back to Breathitt County. Our region was briefly crippled by the widespread impact of that overnight flood that took out power lines, washed out critical roadways and bridges, damaged thousands of homes and vehicles, leaving hundreds of Eastern Kentucky families homeless in an instant.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of individuals across the country, donations flooded into our region, giving flood survivors a glimmer of hope for the long journey ahead. Many organizations, like Samaritan's Purse, also dispatched recovery teams to our region, helping sustain families through their darkest hour. As various crews expended as many resources as possible to aid Eastern Kentucky, there has been one constant team remaining long after everyone else had to leave--and that is Samaritan's Purse. For every meal provided, every mop distributed, every bucket of mud carried out, every nail that has been driven and every prayer that has been prayed in our region, I want to personally express my gratitude to Samaritan's Purse.

This organization has carried out the vision of the late evangelist Bob Pierce for more than 50 years, which he established ``to meet emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission agencies and national churches.'' Rev. Franklin Graham took up the mantel over 40 years ago, spreading the same kindness, generosity and steadfast hope around the world.

We are blessed that Samaritan's Purse found our small corner of rural America and made our people a priority when they needed it the most. As a result of their dedication, we are now celebrating with flood survivors in Breathitt County who now have a safe, new house to call home. On behalf of Eastern Kentuckians in Breathitt and surrounding counties, we thank them for standing with us through the flood and long after the flood waters have receded. May God continue to multiply the efforts of Samaritan's Purse as they rebuild hope in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. Forest Service's Redbird Ranger Station Club House in southeastern Kentucky, which has a rich history tied to Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company and Fordson Coal Company.

Southern and Eastern Kentucky has an abundance of historic American treasures tucked away in our Appalachian communities, like the Redbird Purchase Unit. Location names in the mountains preface the stories that unfold on the land, including the fork in the Kentucky River where this unit is located, named for Chief Red Bird, a legendary Cherokee.

The Ford Motor Company owned 60,000 acres in the Daniel Boone National Forest to harvest timber when hardwood was used for automobile parts and wheel spokes. The land was eventually acquired by the U.S. Forest Service and today, the Redbird Purchase Unit includes nearly 146,000 acres of the forest. Mary Breckinridge, the region's famous nursing pioneer who established the Frontier Nursing Service to offer prenatal care to Appalachian women, personally visited Washington, D.C. to advocate for the federal purchase unit to help protect and manage the forest at the headwaters of the Kentucky River. Mary Breckinridge was a friend of Henry Ford's wife, Clara, who helped support her efforts to provide nurse-midwives in our rural region where healthcare access was desperately needed. Her dedicated efforts to save lives and protect the forest were both successful.

The building that now serves as the Redbird Ranger Station was built by the Fordson Coal Company 100 years ago to house Fordson survey crews, engineers and draftsmen. The ``Club House,'' as it was known, is where employees would gather for meals and social activities. The original hand-cut wood paneling in the home was made from native maple, oak, walnut and American chestnut trees, and is still preserved on the walls today.

Conservation efforts of the U.S. Forest Service have helped preserve the Daniel Boone National Forest and the incredible history of Kentucky's Appalachian region. It is an honor to recognize their diligent efforts on the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. Forest Service's Redbird Ranger Station.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the glowing basketball legacy in London, Kentucky, now headlined by North Laurel High School graduate Reed Sheppard, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, inspiring young athletes across the Bluegrass State.

Reed Sheppard, the 2023 Mr. Kentucky Basketball and McDonald's All- American, thrilled the Big Blue Nation, and especially Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, when he chose to follow in his parents' footsteps to play basketball at the University of Kentucky. His stellar performance for the Wildcats earned national attention and countless accolades, including the premiere Freshman of the Year for the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the Field of 68, Dick Vitale's ``Diaper Dandy'', and the highly competitive Southeastern Conference. Reed's shooting percentage was unmatched at the college level with 53.6 percent from the floor, 52.1 percent from the 3-point range and 83.1 percent from the free- throw line. As exciting as it was to watch him don the blue and white jersey, Kentuckians watched in awe as Reed topped his personal best performance during the NBA Summer League games against the nation's top NBA recruits. He averaged 20 points, 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, showcasing his skills as an offensive threat and a dominating defender.

Some say it's all in his DNA, and while the Sheppard family certainly has talent, it's their hard work and determination on the court that has acquired the respect of other basketball legends. His father Jeff, who inspired Reed's decision to wear No. 15, won the hearts of Wildcat fans as part of the National Championship Teams in 1996 and 1998. The Georgia-native star was the 1998 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and went on to play in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks and the Toronto Raptors, before taking his professional career overseas.

Reed and his sister Madison, who had an impressive collegiate basketball career at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, were blessed with a double-dose of talent. Their mother, Stacey Reed Sheppard, a Laurel County native, set new records for the University of Kentucky Women's Basketball team, becoming the all-time leader in steals, ranking among the top 10 in scoring and assists, and earning respect as one of the best players in the SEC. She was also a member of the USA Women's Basketball Team, representing our Nation and our Commonwealth in international competition.

While the Sheppards strive for championship banners, their pursuit of excellence has not been contained to the basketball court. They have been generous stewards of our region, donating countless hours and resources to give back to their beloved hometown. Stacey founded and operated the Laurel County Backpack Club for 16 years and served on the Board of Directors for Operation UNITE, while Jeff founded and led UNITE's Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camps for 11 years, inspiring thousands of students to make good choices on and off the court. After the catastrophic flood in Eastern Kentucky in 2022, the entire family made the trek to Eastern Kentucky to help cleanout and rebuild homes for months with their church, Faith Assembly of God, showing compassion that matches their seismic talent.

The Sheppards are now icons of a Laurel County Basketball Legacy that spans nearly a century, starting in 1926 with a team who won the first state title and went on to win the Final Four National Championship. Since then, Laurel County high school basketball teams have earned eight more state basketball titles and 48 trips to the Sweet 16. The Laurel County Lady Cardinals legendary coach Roy Bowling was named Coach of the Year three times, raising the bar for competitive basketball to southeastern Kentucky.

It is only fitting that the Laurel County Wellness Park now features the Sheppard Family Basketball Courts, along with the names of student athletes and coaches who pursued excellence for generations. We have enormous talent in the mountains, and it is a joy to see our region in the national spotlight as a result of such wonderful athletes and leaders.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding time.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. The Appalachian Regional Commission has been an invaluable partner for Appalachia since its inception in 1965. ARC investments have propelled our region forward, especially after the decline of the coal industry.

Thanks to the ARC, the regional poverty rate has been cut by more than half. Additionally, the number of high-poverty counties has been cut by more than 60 percent.

In fact, in just the past year, the ARC has supported the creation or retention of over 50,000 jobs and served over 50,000 households with improved critical infrastructure. That is real, impactful economic development. Last year in Kentucky, the ARC supported 74 projects, supporting nearly 900 jobs.

Mr. Chair, cutting off ARC funding back to the fiscal year '19 levels will

slow progress in our region when we need it most. We can't turn our back on Appalachia, not now, not ever.

I urge opposition to this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of a legendary leader and a pillar of innovation in Eastern Kentucky, my longtime friend Don Childers, best known for founding Childers Oil Company in Whitesburg, Kentucky. After spending a lifetime creating jobs and investing hope in our rural Appalachian region, Don received his heavenly reward at the age of 92.

Over the years, you learn the dynamics of a meeting can change by the presence of one strong leader. Don Childers significantly shifted the dynamics of our entire region, spanning the coalfields of southern and eastern Kentucky, by putting actions to his words and remaining a loyal friend to the region he loved.

Sons and daughters of the coalfields deeply understand the value of hard work, perseverance, and southern hospitality. Every venture that Don and his wife Peggy established over the last five decades are marked by those same characteristics. While Don delivered oil to coal mines in Central Appalachia, Peggy focused on the retail side, designing and operating convenience stores where customers would be greeted with the smell of fresh, homemade food. Established in 1966, Childers Oil Company has now grown from three petroleum trucks and three drivers to a successful family-owned business group with more than 40 convenience stores and a thriving restaurant featuring Peggy's home recipes, as well as more than 1,000 employees in a region desperate for jobs.

Twenty years ago, Don rallied together a group of community leaders to form the Letcher County Planning Commission, focusing on the development of educational, recreational, and economic opportunities. During that time, they have boldly led the charge to build a federal correctional facility in Letcher County to create more than 300 federal jobs, a new airport to improve industrial development, new recreational trails, improved infrastructure, and much more.

Don was not only a good leader, but a respected mentor and teacher, passing down his unwavering work ethic, determination, and compassion to his children and those around him. Most recently, in response to the catastrophic flood that swept through our region in July 2022, the Childers family helped organize flood relief efforts and provided temporary housing for some families who lost everything overnight. Their generosity and quick response ensured flood survivors had emergency supplies and shelter when they needed it the most.

Despite the challenges that have crossed Don's path over the years, he has always responded with the utmost grace, fortitude and resolve to honor his word. He has never allowed fear of criticism to deter his mission to make Eastern Kentucky a better place to live.

Aside from his success in business, Don was equally dedicated to the Whitesburg First Baptist Church, a generous supporter of local schools and non-profits, and a proud U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran. He left a lasting legacy that will carry far beyond his time with us. I am eternally grateful for Don's friendship and support, as well as the investments that he, Peggy and their children have made in the lives of Eastern Kentuckians every single day. My wife Cynthia and I share our heartfelt sympathy with the entire Childers family and especially Peggy, who lost the love of her life after 71 years of marriage.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, I rise in support of the appropriations act that we are considering today.

The fiscal situation facing the Nation requires Congress to make significant spending reductions while maintaining strong commitments to the safety, security, and well-being of the American people.

After tough but fair bipartisan negotiations, we have produced a strong bill that prioritizes everyday Americans while rightsizing the bureaucracy.

Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, many agencies with important missions face reductions under this legislation. We believe it is important to reverse the out-of-control growth of the Federal Government and that is reflected in this agreement.

The CJS bill scales back spending by holding most agencies to `23 levels or lower. Agencies must refocus on their core missions and responsibilities.

Despite limited resources, we maintain robust funding that prioritizes the fight against fentanyl, support for local law enforcement, and efforts to counter China by supporting innovation, space exploration, and scientific research.

We do this while also utilizing the power of the purse to address the weaponization of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the overreach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. To that end, the FBI and ATF will be receiving less money than last year.

In addition, the CJS bill contains two new policy riders to protect the American people. One prohibits the Department of Justice from targeting parents who exercise their right to free speech at local school board meetings. The other prohibits the Department of Justice from investigating churches on the basis of their religious beliefs.

The bill supports local law enforcement by including critical funding for Byrne Justice grants and COPS hiring grants.

This assistance will help empower our local police departments and ensure they have the resources they need to safeguard our neighborhoods. Law enforcement plays an important role in the well-being of every American in every congressional district. Passage of this bill today sends a strong message: We have their backs.

In closing, I thank Chairwoman Granger for being a trouper in tough circumstances and has done a wonderful job. I congratulate her. I also thank the subcommittee ranking member, Mr. Cartwright. He has been a valued partner and colleague in this effort. I also thank all the members of the subcommittee for their help and assistance, as well as Ranking Member DeLauro.

This legislation is a product of good-faith, bipartisan negotiations. It is a win for the American people. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Mr. Don Bloomer, who is retiring after nearly 50 years of service at Citizens National Bank in Somerset, Kentucky. Over the last five decades, Don has been a trusted leader in the Lake Cumberland area, dedicating countless hours of volunteer service to other community entities, and helping local families and businesses reach or exceed their financial goals.

Raised on a small farm in Pulaski County, Don knew the value of hard work and loyalty from an early age. His life's dream was to be a successful citizen in his hometown community and a strong family man, both of which he has accomplished through diligent work and compassion.

Don first arrived at Citizens National Bank as a Management Trainee in 1976, under the guidance of former bank president Clay Davis. From there he climbed the banking ladder as auditor, comptroller, and cashier, until he was promoted to President and CEO in 2007, where he has guided the bank and the local community through unexpected changes in technology and financial shifts ever since. Clay encouraged Don to learn every aspect of the industry through advanced educational opportunities, strengthening the future of the institution he serves and the local community.

May his life's story be an inspiration to our aspiring youth who hope to one day follow in Don's footsteps, working hard from the family farm to become the local bank president in their hometown. We can all make a difference in our communities, like Don Bloomer, with a tireless work ethic and sheer resolve to make this region a better place to live.

My wife Cynthia and I deeply appreciate the loyal friendship of Don and Rhonda Bloomer, and we wish them the most joyful years of retirement in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I share my colleagues' support of H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act. This bill is pro-growth, pro-small business, pro-family, and will truly help our people in southern and eastern Kentucky.

I want to first point out that this bill will help folks in my district who are still recovering from the devastating flooding that we endured in 2021 and 2022. The recovery process has been long and difficult, and this bill takes important steps to make it easier for flood survivors to deduct their losses by eliminating minimum loss requirements and not penalizing individuals for compensation they received. Our people need all the help they can get, and this bill will help us move forward and build back stronger than ever.

This bill will also help our families struggling with the lingering impact of inflated high prices by expanding access to the child tax credit, eliminating the penalty for larger families, and ensuring that the tax credit is adjusted for inflation, so this benefit isn't reduced over time. This will truly make a difference for the people of Kentucky's rural Appalachian region.

This tax relief bill will also boost our economy, jumpstart innovation by allowing businesses to deduct research and development costs immediately, which will enable us to always be at the forefront of the world economy. It will also help small businesses by incentivizing capital investments, enabling them to boost their growth and increase productivity. Finally, this bill eliminates wasteful COVID era spending by accelerating the deadline for backdated claims under the employee retention credit.

This credit system has experienced rampant fraud and abuse, and its elimination will save hardworking Americans taxpayer dollars.

I am proud to support this legislation, and urge the Senate to consider it quickly to provide much-needed tax relief in southern and eastern Kentucky and across our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I share my colleagues' support for H.R. 5585,

the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, H.R. 6678, the Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act, H.R. 6679, the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act, and H.R. 6976, the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act.

Our Nation is amid unprecedented chaos at our southern border. Every day, thousands of illegal aliens are flooding over the border and into our cities, increasing crime at alarming rates. The rise of unabated human trafficking at our southern border should be among our greatest motivations for meaningful action. While some illegal aliens are fleeing oppression and poor economic conditions in their countries, many of them are trafficking large quantities of drugs, weapons, and other contraband. At a time when Americans are dying from fentanyl and other drug overdoses at catastrophic rates, we must do everything in our power to slow the stem of trafficking. Moreover, with surges in violent crime across our country, we need to ensure that our federal immigration authorities have the resources necessary to remove illegal aliens who commit crimes against innocent Americans.

Each of these bills aim to empower federal authorities to reject or remove illegal immigrants who commit certain crimes. This includes aliens who intentionally evade border patrol agents or law enforcement assisting those agents; aliens who commit social security fraud; aliens who are convicted of driving under the influence; and aliens who are members of the Hamas terrorist group or involved in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

We must take action to make the United States safer, and I am proud to support these efforts to do exactly that.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on January 17-18, 2024.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 11; YEA on Roll Call No. 12; YEA on Roll Call No. 13; YEA on Roll Call No. 14; YEA on Roll Call No. 15; NAY on Roll Call No. 16; YEA on Roll Call No. 17; NAY on Roll Call No. 18; and YEA on Roll Call No. 19.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on January 11, 2024 and January 12, 2024.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 4; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 5; ``nay'' on rollcall No. 6; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 7; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 8; ``yea'' on rollcall No. 9; and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 10.

Mr. Speaker, I share my Republican colleagues' strong support of H. Res. 957, to hold the Biden Administration accountable for their shameful and disastrous handling of our Nation's southern border. Every day, this Administration's open border policies are allowing illegal immigrants and drugs, including fentanyl, to pour into our country's communities--including many in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District. It must be stopped.

The President has outright refused to enforce the law, and Americans are suffering for it. Data has shown that drug seizures at the U.S.- Mexico border increased by over 58 percent from 2022-2023, not to mention the drugs and fentanyl that are going around our ports of entry. In 2022, fentanyl killed over 70,000 people and accounted for over 50 percent of all overdose deaths, which are only increasing because of this crisis.

I urge my colleague to stand together to condemn this Administration's shameful treatment of our southernmost border by passing this resolution.