Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 270 on the motion to recommit H.R. 6955, I mistakenly recorded my vote as NAY when I should have voted YEA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the International Hearing Society's 75th anniversary and to recognize its decades-long commitment to making our world more accessible. The organization's positive impact extends far beyond its home here in Michigan, connecting hearing professionals across the country and internationally to mentor hearing aid specialists and patients. That is why I am proud to have introduced H. Res. 1214, which would recognize its years of significant efforts to promote better hearing care and visibility.

The predecessor organization to the International Hearing Society was founded in Chicago in 1951, later moving its headquarters to Michigan, where it established longstanding community ties to the Detroit area. There, it promoted the interests of hearing aid dispensers, now known as hearing aid specialists, and their patients. The International Hearing Society is responsible for connecting thousands of professionals, organizations, and partners in hearing care, and has consistently improved the quality of hearing healthcare by promoting dialogue across the field.

The International Hearing Society also made strides in hearing aid specialist education and training over the past 75 years. Alongside this work, it has consistently and meaningfully advocated for increased hearing health care access for veterans at the state and federal levels. In addition, the organization has produced numerous annual reports and editions of The Hearing Professional (THP) magazine, advancing the public understanding of hearing health care.

Mr. Speaker, I once again ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the International Hearing Society on its 75th anniversary. Michiganders, Americans, and thousands of impacted specialists and patients from across the world are so grateful for the contributions its staff and volunteers have made to patient care, visibility, and accessibility.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Airman First Class Keon Talik McDaniel of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who passed away on June 16 during the influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Keon was just 25 years old. Keon chose to serve his country, and his passing has left a family grieving, fellow airmen mourning a brother, and a west Michigan community heartbroken.

When someone raises their hand to put on our country's uniform, they make a commitment to all Americans. In return, we owe them a debt of gratitude, our support, and our promise that their service will never be forgotten or taken for granted.

Today, we remember Keon, and we stand with everyone who loved him.

We also keep in our thoughts all those serving in uniform both here at home and abroad and promise to do everything in our power to protect them as they protect us.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in standing for a moment of silence to honor Airman First Class Keon McDaniel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and support the thousands of Americans whose lives have been shaped by the cost of war: our Nation's toxic-exposed veterans and their children and grandchildren.

In my district, the 180th Transportation Company based in Muskegon, Michigan, answered our Nation's call for service. They served in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and most of their members have proudly called West Michigan home. Their families carry the weight of that service long after they return, including the lasting impact of exposure to toxic chemicals during their service. It is their stories, and the stories of families like them across the country, that bring me to the floor today. We have the unique and important opportunity this Congress to stand by these veterans and their families in passing Congresswoman Debbie Dingell's H.R. 1769, the Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act. I am a proud cosponsor of this bill, and I am calling on my colleagues to join me.

This legislation bears the name of Molly Loomis, whose story puts a human face to an issue that has gone unaddressed for far too long. Molly is the daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange during his service aboard the USS Ogden. Unfortunately, her father passed away from cancer related to this toxic exposure. Molly developed a spinal cord illness known as Spina Bifida, which was also caused by exposure to Agent Orange. She was unable to receive aid from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for this condition because she herself was not a veteran. A previous bill, H.R. 1769, the Toxic Exposure Research Act, became law in 2016 and authorized research into birth defects associated with chemical exposures during military service. Yet the VA did not act on it, determining the research was not feasible because it would focus on descendants rather than veterans themselves. The sons and daughters of our veterans were deemed, in effect, outside the scope of this pressing issue. That must change today.

Molly's story is not unique. Countless families in my own district share this story as well. Across the country, the children and grandchildren of veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other toxic chemicals are living with conditions that medicine is only just beginning to treat. Research has identified birth defects and health conditions in the offspring of exposed veterans, including spina bifida, heart deformities, autoimmune disorders, and many other rare conditions.

These families have waited decades for answers. The hidden cost of war is real; it goes beyond generational divides and deserves our full attention. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to amplify the voices of our veterans and their families. I want to recognize the bravery of our Nation's toxic-exposed veterans and honor the strength and resilience of their descendants. Their lives remind us that a true commitment to service members and veterans must also extend to their families, who, in their meaningful and heartbreaking stories, have also made brave sacrifices for our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Chairman Williams, for his assistance in getting this bill to the floor. It means so much to me.

As an attorney, I have to say this might be one of the easiest debates I have ever participated in. I think we are all in agreement that this is an essential bill for this moment in America.

Small businesses are the foundation of our economy, but too often they are left to compete against a handful of large corporations, a real David and Goliath situation. Our Nation's antitrust laws exist for the purpose of helping to level the playing field, not giving anyone a special step up, but leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs.

As costs continue to rise and practices, like predatory pricing, threaten businesses across industries, it is clear that we have to do more to keep markets fair and competitive.

When industry consolidation goes too far, innovation is stifled and small businesses struggle to compete. The truth is that we all end up paying the price for unfair, monopolistic conduct. It is time for Congress to act. This is the job that the people have entrusted us with.

My bill would direct the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy to work with the FTC and DOJ to examine the gaps in our antitrust laws.

We can't fix a problem that we don't understand. This bill will help us ensure that we have the information we need to boost competition in every industry.

I include in the Record a letter of support.

Main Street,

Competition Coalition,

June 23, 2026.

Members of Congress: On behalf of thousands of Main Street

businesses and agricultural producers across the United

States, the Main Street Competition Coalition writes to

express our support for the Main Street Competes Act.

This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Derek

Schmidt (KS-02) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03), would refocus

the Small Business Administration on promoting competitive

markets, enhancing consumer choice, and encouraging business

ownership.

The Main Street Competition Coalition represents a diverse

group of Main Street businesses and agricultural producers

dedicated to revitalizing and reforming the antitrust laws.

We support antitrust policies that establish a level playing

held for businesses and consumers alike. Our primary

objective is to promote competition so consumers have real

choices.

Rigorous enforcement of U.S. antitrust laws is critical to

preserving competitive markets empowering small businesses to

compete, and preventing dominant players from undermining

competition and free enterprise.

The Main Street Competes Act would empower the Small

Business Administration to evaluate the effectiveness of

antitrust law enforcement in maintaining a competitive

landscape for small businesses. We respectfully request that

members of the House of Representatives vote YES on the

legislation when it comes to a vote.

Sincerely,

The Main Street

Competition Coalition.

Mr. Speaker, as the voice for Main Street in our Federal Government, the Office of Advocacy is uniquely equipped to bring small businesses to the forefront of antitrust issues.

My bill will ensure that the Office of Advocacy is in lockstep with our Nation's top antitrust enforcement agencies, enhancing collaboration and bringing a unified response to monopolistic practices. It will also require the Office of Advocacy to submit a report to Congress, detailing antitrust violations reported by small businesses, so the people, through their Representatives, can have ready access to this information, as well.

If we want to build an economy that creates opportunity for everyone, we need Main Street at the table. My bill will do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Kansas, Mr. Schmidt, again, for working with me on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 156 and YEA on Roll Call No. 157.

Madam Chair, I missed a vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call No. 145.

Mr. Chair, as the designee of Mr. Neguse, I rise to speak in support of the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank all for being here burning the midnight oil with us.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would make it easier to carry out emergency watershed protection measures after a disaster.

The Western United States is experiencing record-setting drought and high temperatures, even in the winter months, exponentially increasing wildfire risk. Wildfires do not end when the fire does. They have significant impacts on our watersheds, and emergency measures are often needed to clear out debris and protect water supplies in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

This amendment would add the text of Mr. Neguse's bipartisan, bicameral bill, the Making Access to Cleanup Happen, or MATCH IT Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a list of approved watershed protection measures that local governments and Tribes can undertake in an emergency and establish an approval process for additional post-fire actions that might be needed. This measure would remove burdensome red tape and allow for expedited emergency response after a wildfire.

In the face of what is likely to be a devastating wildfire year, it is important that we equip our communities with all the tools they need to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and join me in taking action to protect our communities after a disaster.

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

Mr. Chairman, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, as the designee of Mr. Neguse, I rise to speak in support of the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be modified in the form I have placed at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would expand Federal support for sustainable agriculture and innovative sustainability solutions through the AGARDA program.

AGARDA helps to find cutting-edge solutions to food, agriculture, and environmental challenges. This amendment will build upon the already proven success of this program by expanding its research to include innovative sustainability solutions.

This amendment will give our agricultural producers the tools they need to increase sustainable and efficient use of water, soil, and other natural resources, and it will help farms adapt to challenges, like extreme weather event and drought.

This effort is bipartisan, done in partnership with Representative Flood, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, nonetheless, will support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment, which would incorporate the text of my bill, the bipartisan, bicameral Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act into the farm bill.

Too often, local farmers and ranchers struggle to accept benefits through critical Federal nutrition programs designed to feed communities, like SNAP and WIC. This is not because of a lack of need or demand, but rather because the system itself is too complicated to navigate.

Now, I fully believe in cutting this red tape to connect more communities to the healthy food that they need.

In a State like Michigan where we grow more than 300 commodities, that makes us one of the most agriculturally diverse States in the country, and these bureaucratic roadblocks mean less businesses for hardworking farmers and less fresh food on the table for families.

I deeply believe that food is medicine, and this is an agricultural issue. It is a food supply issue, but it is also a matter of health.

This provision would cut red tape to make it easier for farmers to participate in these essential programs while also ensuring that families have better access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.

This bipartisan, bicameral effort is about making the government work the way that it should and advancing practical solutions that are responsive to the farmers and the families that we serve.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and join me in taking action to protect our communities in this time of need.

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

Mr. Chair, I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can support this important amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 138 and YEA on Roll Call No. 139.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes today, due to inclement weather. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 111, No on Roll Call No. 112, and YEA on Roll Call No. 113.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes today. I had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 109 and YEA on Roll Call No. 110.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 97.

Mr. Speaker, during Black History Month, we honor leaders who shaped our country, and I rise today to recognize extraordinary Black leaders from west Michigan, whose impacts continue to guide our community.

Ingrid Scott-Weekly transformed Grand Rapids by expanding equal opportunity in city government and helping build institutions that still protect fairness and inclusion today.

Reuben Smartt, one of the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps, went on to dedicate his life to mentoring young people as an educator, coach, and community leader.

Dr. Faite Mack broke barriers as a founding faculty member at Grand Valley State University, shaping generations of educators and extending his work globally to ensure children have access to education.

Roger Wilkins, a civil rights leader and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, led national conversations on justice and equality at the highest levels of government and media.

Helen Claytor advanced civil rights and opportunity for women and families helping establish institutions that continue to promote equity in Grand Rapids and beyond.

These leaders remind us that progress is driven by those willing to serve, to teach, and to lead. Their legacy lives on in west Michigan and across our great Nation. I am proud to honor these contributions during Black History Month.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 57 and YEA on Roll Call No. 58.

personal explanation

Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 32 and YEA on Roll Call No. 33.