Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friend from Pennsylvania, Dr. Joyce, for holding this Special Order tonight.

I find myself increasingly concerned with the future of our country, especially now under the Biden administration, where it has been one self-inflicted crisis after another.

How have we addressed these situations? Well, we have seen unprecedented intrusions into our daily lives by the Federal Government; trillions added to our national debt; and the birth of new, completely avoidable threats to our national security.

Even this administration's approach to energy unnecessarily threatens the safety and security of all Americans.

On day one of his administration, President Biden shut down the Keystone pipeline, costing thousands of jobs, and then turns around to support Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Big question mark.

Make no mistake. This is an America last policy. In fact, it could be America never.

We need an energy policy that gives America greater energy independence, not one where we are forced to rely on unstable foreign markets.

We have the resources and technology at home, right here, to give us that independence, yet Democrat leadership continues to ignore it in favor of the Green New Deal.

Don't get me wrong. I support energy policies that promote resiliency and

sustainability, but I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that we need to punish the American energy industry in order to achieve a healthy environment.

I urge this administration and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to focus on real investments in American energy, instead of policies that make us more dependent on foreign energy sources while destroying jobs, alienating American industry, and depressing the hardworking people who continue to strive to keep our country--that is our country, the United States of America--the premier example of integrity, innovation, and initiative that leads the world, especially in safe, affordable energy.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in intensely strong opposition to efforts to remove longstanding pro-life protections and potentially even the ban on taxpayer funding for abortions as evidenced by the bill Democrats want us to pass in a few hours.

With a single move, this legislation would eliminate 40 years of bipartisan consensus in Washington in State capitals across the country to protect the health of pregnant women and the unborn.

In addition to allowing elective late-term abortions and hampering access to proper care at abortion clinics in the case of emergencies, this bill would preempt any State laws that prevent sex-based or disability status-based abortion decisions. Medical professionals could also be forced to conduct abortions, despite moral objections.

Our Nation faces a host of crises, most of which are self-inflicted. I implore my colleagues to reject this bill and get back to the people's work.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the life of Frederick Dakota, who passed away recently after a lifetime of service to our country and his fellow Michiganders. Through his constant dedication, tenacity, and leadership, Fred became an essential part of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the United States of America.

Fred was born in Zeba, Michigan, on September 13, 1937, and was immediately welcomed into the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. After attending L'Anse Area Schools, he went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years and became one of the first M60 machine gunners. Shortly after retiring from the USMC, Fred moved to Baraga, where he began his public service in 1968 as a Councilmember of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. He would go on to serve on the Council for fifty years, being elected Tribal Chairman on numerous occasions. Fred became nationally renowned and respected as a Native American leader, being given the unofficial title of the ``Father of Indian gaming.''

Fred passed away on September 17, 2021, at his home in Baraga, MI. He is missed dearly by his family and friends, and his legacy will live on for generations to come. Fred's tireless devotion to the KBIC community and the public good improved the lives of countless Tribal members. The impact of his service as a truly passionate Native American leader cannot be overstated.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of Michigan's First Congressional District, I ask you to join me in honoring the life of Frederick Dakota. He will be forever remembered for the many lives he bettered through his tireless service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1281 to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Gaylord, Michigan, as the Navy Corpsman Steve Andrews Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic.

It is an honor for me to lead this legislation to designate a VA care facility in the hometown of a man who so embodied love and care for others, whether it was for a neighbor down the street, a constituent in his district, or his brothers and sisters in arms on the battlefield.

Steve Andrews led a life of service in every sense of the word, starting with the defense of our freedoms overseas. He entered the Navy in 1967 as a hospital corpsman, going on to serve in the Vietnam war-- not only at the U.S. Navy Hospital in Guam, but as a medic

in the 1st Marine Division attached to a force reconnaissance company in Vietnam. He is credited with saving the lives of countless marines during combat.

Steve earned the Navy Commendation Medal and Purple Heart for his service. I can personally attest that countless marines and new generations of Americans owe their lives to Navy corpsmen. Their service must never be forgotten, which is one of the reasons we are working to memorialize Steve Andrews with this legislation.

Steve led a dedicated, full life of public service. From 1979 to 1982, he represented Michigan's 106th District as a State representative fighting for Michiganders' best interests in Lansing. Giving back to the community in which he grew up, Steve coached local youth sports, helped found Petoskey Art in the Park, and sat on the boards of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and North Central College.

I personally met Steve in a rocking chair in January of 2016. He was terminal with cancer at that point. He did not hesitate to reach out to someone he had never met before in his life and share his thoughts on what it meant to be a public servant. I am deeply indebted to his perspective.

His legacy is beyond deserving of the designation that we are seeking today. I thank his loving family for all their support; his friends, who initiated this legislation; the Michigan veterans service organizations backing us up; and the entirety of my Michigan delegation colleagues for coming together in a bipartisan manner to cosponsor this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1281.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Robert Major Stafford, who devoted his life to serving our country and his community. Through his tireless work ethic and dedication, Robert has left a lasting effect on those he helped in both the military and his community.

Regardless of Robert's multiple life-altering injuries, he has consistently served the public with honor and is an amazing role model for his community. After suffering a partial loss of sight at a young age, Robert was ineligible to be deployed overseas. This did not stand in his way of pursuing a life of service, and Robert went on to be stationed at both Camp Ellis and Camp Grant in the 1940s. During his time there, he worked at the hospital caring for patients, managed a bowling alley, and worked at Caterpillar making belly pans for U.S. Army tanks. Even with his partial loss of sight, he was awarded the marksman badge for his incredible shooting accuracy and received the rank of TEC 5 during his time in the Army. Following his service, he and his wife, Dorothy Wills, moved to the Upper Peninsula and raised eleven children in Iron River, Michigan.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I ask you to join me in honoring the service of Robert Major Stafford. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing their state is home to such a selfless leader.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize retired Master Sergeant C. William ``Bill'' Hager as the 2021 Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year. His continued service on and off the battlefield, his dedication to fellow veterans, and his devotion to our local Michigan communities make him a well-deserving recipient of this distinguished award.

The U.P. Veteran of the Year is chosen annually by a selection committee consisting of past commanders of various service organizations throughout the Upper Peninsula. It recognizes Yooper veterans who go above and beyond in their service to their local communities and fellow veterans.

A native Yooper, Bill was born and raised in Iron River and has stayed a longtime resident of the U.P. During his military career, Bill served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. National Guard, where he was decorated with numerous awards which include but are not limited to the Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. His service to his fellow veterans has not waivered as he continues to be a life member of the DAV, American Legion, VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America, and AM Vets where he continues to advocate. The impact of his service on his fellow Michiganders cannot be overstated.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Bill Hager for his decades of service to fellow Michigan veterans and for being named the 2021 Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a selfless and devoted individual. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Bill all the best in his future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Phillip James DeVries II for his three decades of service in the United States Army. Through his exceptional leadership and steadfast devotion, LTC DeVries has helped to strengthen our foreign diplomatic relations and ensure the safety and security of his fellow Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

We all know mental health is a major problem in our country. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 50 million Americans from all walks of life suffer from a mental health issue.

One such population extremely close to my heart is veterans. With around 20 veteran and servicemember suicides per day, I consider one death to be too many. The amendment before us, however, is trying to solve a problem that, frankly, just doesn't exist.

There is plenty of research already being conducted featuring the use of schedule I drugs to treat mental illness and addiction. The amendment will do nothing to change this, despite its claims to the contrary.

What the amendment will actually do is repeal an existing provision that limits the use of funds to promote legalization of schedule I drugs. The amendment also repeals a provision that specifically allows Federal funds to be used to research the therapeutic uses of these substances.

The stated purpose of this amendment, which is to support this research on behalf of those who suffer from critical diseases, is contradictory to the actual effect. Therefore, because of the disingenuous nature and intent of this amendment, I urge my colleagues to oppose it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the passion and the articulate response of my colleague. I have had the honor to serve with him, and we agree on the vulnerability of veterans. In fact, a year-plus ago, we tried to move the IMPROVE Act through the Committee on Veterans' Affairs to try to look at different ways to provide opportunities to bring veterans into the VA healthcare system so we could identify them and treat their addiction. It wasn't necessarily about the research of the product. It was the research of the veteran as a whole, the veteran's vulnerability.

Mr. Speaker, it was painful in the committee setting to have the IMPROVE Act disapproved when, at the same time, that same committee authorized equine therapy.

As Dr. Phil Roe said at the time, this a first for the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. We have not allowed people to treat veterans, but we are allowing horses to treat veterans.

The point is, we are looking to do something here via this amendment that does not solve an existing problem. We need to have the outreach, the research, but we also need to have the human side to make sure that we connect all the dots for the betterment of the veterans' mental health.

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

Mr. Speaker, the amendment before us, as it has been presented, is trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist, as stated. There is ample research already being conducted featuring the use of schedule I drugs to treat mental illness and addiction. The amendment, as presented, will do nothing to change this, despite the claims to the contrary.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to not support or, said a different way, to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as a veteran and one who served the country for 40-plus years in uniform, the bond we have as veterans goes deeper than anyone could imagine. The worst thing that can happen, as has happened in my family, is to have a loved one and a veteran take their own life. I have decades, unfortunately, of family experience in this. Because of that, my passion for stating opposition to this amendment goes unabated.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my concerns with the far-left tax hikes proposed by the majority.

To help pay for their partisan spending sprees, the President and Democrats in Congress have proposed to double the tax on investment and raise our business tax rate to the highest in the developed world.

On top of this, they wish to repeal the stepped-up basis, a move that will disproportionately hurt family-owned farms and businesses.

The radical tax agenda will stifle investment and slow down our economic recovery at a time when communities

across our country continue to feel the effects of the pandemic and government lockdowns.

It will also hurt American competitiveness abroad and force even more businesses and jobs overseas. Increasing taxes on Americans while prices are rising faster than they have in more than a decade isn't just irresponsible; it is dangerous.

The Democrat tax plan will hurt workers and small businesses, diminish our position as a global business leader, and set our economy back for decades to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my deep disappointment with President Biden's fiscal year 2022 budget request-- more specifically, the President's removal of longstanding pro-life protections such as the Hyde amendment.

The Hyde amendment prohibits Federal funds from being used to pay for abortions. Historically, this policy has shared strong bipartisan consensus in the House.

I made a promise to my constituents to protect the unborn and to give a voice to those who have no voice. Since coming here to Congress, I have consistently supported pro-life policies. This is a value in the First District of Michigan that is shared across party lines.

Yet, this President's budget request forces American taxpayers to fund abortions, a denial of the basic human right to life.

I strongly urge my colleagues in the House to not follow in those footsteps and to oppose this proposal.

As we work through the Federal appropriations process, it is imperative Congress maintains these basic protections and opposes any other policies that would promote abortions here in the United States and throughout the world.

Let us, the United States of America, be an example to the rest of the world that, no matter how much we may disagree, we can come together for the protection of human life both before and after birth.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is not only my friend and colleague but also not well enough acknowledged as the largely singular author of the Commitment to Civility by the bipartisan freshman classes in 2017. That document, unfortunately, is too well hidden. I thank you again for all the work you did because you laid it out, and it is more applicable today than it was back 4\1/2\ years ago.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for getting America back to work. That support, if I spoke as loud as the support that I gave, you would probably have to tone down the microphone system.

As we look toward the future and to getting our economy back on track, I am increasingly concerned with the Federal Government's indiscriminate, uncalculated interference.

In April, we saw the unemployment rate increase to 6.1 percent at a time when you have more ``help wanted'' signs out than you can imagine. Frankly, as I drive across my district in the beautiful part of northern Michigan where summer has just now thought about arriving, and I see all those ``help wanted'' signs hanging in the windows of countless small businesses. That number, unfortunately, comes as no surprise, given the current administration's policies.

We in Congress should be thoroughly angered that with so many businesses looking for help, we instead advance policies that encourage people to stay unemployed.

The expanded unemployment benefits served a positive and caring purpose when businesses were being forced to close in response to the pandemic a year ago. However, as more Americans get vaccinated, and we return to a more normal life, the need is not the same as it was in March 2020.

Instead, the extra $300 a week President Biden and the Democrats gave in their latest relief bill to those who stay unemployed does little but distort the job market, disrupt our supply chains, and encourage many to simply stay home instead of finding a job.

Meanwhile, the backbone of our economy, small businesses across the country, are struggling to find enough workers, despite offering competitive wages, benefits, and, in many cases, hiring bonuses.

To start addressing this problem, States like Michigan should immediately end their participation in the enhanced supplemental unemployment program.

The only way for us as a country to fully recover from this pandemic is by having the Federal Government stop sabotaging our economy and instead encourage Americans to get back to work.

The dignity of work, of a job well done, cannot be underestimated when it comes to bolstering our citizens with a sense of faith in the future and faith in our country.

Mr. Speaker, please accept this personal explanation as I was unexpectedly detained during vote proceedings. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 143.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Johnson for yielding. It is an honor to be here on the floor with him tonight.

Our country recognizes leadership at all levels, regardless of party ideology,

and I see here on the floor real leadership, committed leadership.

I rise today to express deep concern for the state of our Nation's southern border. Words matter, and it is time we start calling this situation what it really is: a crisis. In simple words, it is what it is. Don't try to paint it in many different ways.

President Biden has invited this crisis through his words and in his executive actions, including terminating construction of the wall on our southern border.

We need real leadership now. Now is not the time to be hiding. We need the leaders to step out and step up. It is time to put up and put out the political gamesmanship, put that all behind us and take a serious look at what is happening on the southern border. When I say a serious look, I mean that literally.

Vice President Harris, let alone President Biden, has yet to visit the border since being charged with addressing the crisis there. The United States is and must always remain a free and welcoming Nation.

We are all immigrants. We are immigrants by generations who came here for one of two reasons, for an opportunity or fleeing persecution. That hasn't changed.

We are also, and by all standards measured, a Nation of law and order, and our laws must be followed.

Madam Speaker, I urge Congress to take up critical legislation, such as Representative Andy Biggs' Stopping Border Surges Act and Representative Jeff Duncan's H.R. 88, Build up Illegal Line Defenses with Assets Lawfully Lifted Act of 2021. These bills will begin to address the root cause of our immigration issues.

In addition, the bureaucracies here in D.C. can play a positive role, such as Department of Labor and DHS. They can help. Because when you look at those who seek to come here legally and work as guest workers, we can bring good people from around the world here through the H2B and H2A programs. They do not seek permanent status; they come here to work, and they go home. The bureaucracies can get involved to help good, legal immigration occur after you separate out the guest worker programs.

Madam Speaker, we can secure our border, protect those wishing to come here legally, and crack down on those who wish to do us harm--and I mean, crack down on those who wish to do us harm. It is time this body gets to work to address this critical issue immediately.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Captain Jonathan Turnbull on his promotion to major in the United States Army.

Captain Turnbull of Gaylord, Michigan, was deployed in Syria where he worked with local forces and nongovernmental organizations to stabilize the area and provide humanitarian assistance.

On January 16, 2019, an ISIS suicide bomber forever changed the course of his life and the life of his brothers. Four Americans were killed on that day, and Jonathan received life-threatening injuries. His courage and bravery on that day and each day since has inspired countless Americans as he recovered and continued his service.

Jonathan is the epitome of an American patriot and embodies the fighting spirit of our Nation's Armed Forces. He has fought for his life and his country and has truly earned this promotion to major.

I speak for the entire First District when I say how proud we are of Jonathan, his service, and his commitment.

I wish him, Samantha, Ian, and baby Scotty all the best in the many years to come.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Joseph A. Tormala, who was recently appointed as a National Americanism Officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Through his tireless work ethic and devotion to the common good, Joe has become an indispensable part of the state of Michigan.

A native Yooper, Joe served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps through seven overseas deployments between 1983 and 2004 during the Cold War, Gulf War, and Liberation of Iraq, where he was wounded. His devotion to service continued upon his return home to Michigan, where he has been active as a member and leader of Veterans Service Organizations, including the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). Formed in 1932, the MOPH is composed entirely of men and women who have received the Purple Heart award while serving in the Armed Forces. Their Americanism Program works with schools, churches, and other organizations to promote U.S. history and love for our country. In his role as a National Americanism Officer, Joe will help carry out this mission--ensuring future generations always remember the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I ask you to join me in recognizing Joe Tormala for his appointment as National Americanism Officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the First District is home to such a selfless leader. On behalf of my constituents, I wish Joe all the best in his future endeavors.