Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce for its continued leadership in hosting the 2025 Portside Art Fair, one of Northern Michigan's most prestigious and long-standing artistic traditions.

Founded in August 1962, the Portside Art Fair was the vision of a dedicated group of East Jordan residents who believed their community was the ideal setting for local artists to share their work with the public. What began with just 30 participants has now grown to its full capacity of 75, reflecting not only the fair's increasing popularity but also the vibrant creativity it continues to inspire.

Held along the beautiful shores of Lake Charlevoix, the Portside Art Fair honors the deep connection between our region's natural beauty and the inspiration it provides to artists. It showcases the work of established and emerging artists from East Jordan and throughout Northern Michigan. Each year, a qualified judge in the visual arts carefully selects standout pieces to be honored with inclusion in the prestigious Cygred Riley Gallery at Elm Point.

The standards for recognition at the Portside Art Fair are high, and the quality of submissions reflects the extraordinary talent of our local artists. The fair serves as a powerful reminder of the important role that the arts play in strengthening our communities, inspiring future generations, and celebrating the unique character of Northern Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing the 2025 Portside Art Fair and for its unwavering support of the arts. I offer my best wishes to all participating artists and look forward to the continued success of this treasured cultural event.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Raymond E. Carlson for being named the 2025 Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year. This well-deserved honor reflects his steadfast dedication to his fellow Servicemembers, the communities throughout the Upper Peninsula, and our Nation.

Mr. Carlson has long demonstrated exceptional leadership within the American Legion of Michigan, where his distinguished service has included terms as Post Commander, District Commander, Zone Commander, and as a member of the State Department Finance Committee. As president of the U.P. Convention Corporation, he successfully bid for and coordinated American Legion conventions for fourteen consecutive years. In this role, he also secured future convention dates in Sault Sainte Marie, ensuring the continued success of these important gatherings.

His commitment extends beyond organizational leadership. As Commander of Post 44, Mr. Carlson spearheaded a $240,000 renovation project to improve the post's facilities. He remains a constant presence at post- sponsored events, from Bingo at the Marquette County Fair and the Jacobetti Veterans Home, to Boys State programs that promote youth development and civic engagement.

In addition to his service to veterans, Mr. Carlson has been a pillar of support for youth athletics in the Upper Peninsula. As a youth baseball coach, he led his team to multiple district championships and a coveted spot in the state tournament. During his twelve years as chairman of the district baseball committees, he oversaw and organized numerous successful district tournaments, enriching the lives of countless young athletes.

Mr. Speaker, let us all join in recognizing Raymond E. Carlson for receiving the prestigious honor of being named the 2025 Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year. I thank him for his enduring commitment to veterans, his community, and our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of the Alpena Community College which is remotely operated and located in Alpena, Michigan, in the lower peninsula on the Sunrise Coast. The college's team is known as the Aquajacks. It is a great name, and it tells us right there what they are about.

The Alpena Community College remotely operated vehicle team, the Aquajacks, proudly represented Michigan's First Congressional District at the 2025 Marine Advanced Technology Education ROV World Championship hosted in Alpena, Michigan.

I will digress for just a couple of seconds here on what this team actually accomplished. For those who don't know the geography of Michigan, as I put my hands up, to those looking at me, this hand is the upper peninsula of Michigan. This hand is the lower peninsula of Michigan. Alpena is located right down here in the lower peninsula on the shores of Lake Huron.

Michigan's First District, which I am blessed to represent, encompasses 48.1 percent of the landmass of Michigan and more freshwater and deepwater shoreline than any other district in the United States. The only singular district that has a larger big water shoreline is Alaska, but that is all saltwater. That is the difference. We catch different kinds of fish in those two different kinds of waters.

What we have in Michigan surrounding the lower peninsula and capping the northern border of the upper peninsula before it transitions into Canada is some of the world's, if not the world's, finest, freshest, deepest, and clearest water that is available on the face of the Earth.

We use it for good. We fish in it. We farm in it. We experiment in it. We advance our country and also other countries in the world through research and development, especially when it comes to underwater activities, whether it is mapping the bottom of the ocean or looking at cables and pipelines that go from continent to continent. All of that education and training on the front end is what is happening at Alpena Community College in my district.

We see all the smiles and happy faces of the team here. They were excited by not only competing but also winning such a prestigious award. These talented students, who both live and study in northern Michigan, showcased remarkable ingenuity, teamwork, and technical skills. They earned an impressive third-place finish against nearly 80 teams from 22 States and 18 countries.

After months of design and testing, their ROV successfully completed complex tasks, while the team impressed judges with their professional presentations and real-time strategic thinking.

Their performance is a testament to Alpena Community College's commitment to hands-on STEM education. I commend their mentor, David Cummins, and their entire faculty for fostering such excellence.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize the Alpena Community College Aquajacks. These students not only represent the future of my district but also highlight the critical role that skilled innovators play in strengthening our Nation's infrastructure and advancing our national security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of the Alpena Community College remotely operated vehicle (ROV) team, known as the Aquajacks, who recently represented Michigan's First Congressional District with distinction at the 2025 Marine Advanced Technology Education Remotely Operated Vehicle World Championship hosted in Alpena, Michigan.

These talented students, who both live and study in Northern Michigan, demonstrated remarkable ingenuity, teamwork, and technical skill on the international stage, earning an impressive third-place finish against nearly 80 teams from 22 states and 18 countries. After months of designing, testing, and problem-solving, at the competition, the Aquajacks' ROV successfully completed complex technical tasks while the team impressed judges with their professional presentations and real-time strategic thinking.

Their performance stands as a testament to Alpena Community College's commitment to hands-on STEM education and development of real-world skills. I want to commend the Aquajacks' mentor, David Cummins, and the entire Alpena Community College Faculty for fostering such excellence.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize the Alpena Community College Aquajacks. These students not only represent the future of my district but also highlight the critical role skilled innovators play in strengthening our nation's infrastructure and advancing our national security. Their achievements remind us that effective investment into STEM education is essential to maintaining America's leadership and resilience on a rapidly changing world stage.

Mr. Speaker, on this 27th day in the month of June in the year 2025, we recognize Mark Ratner of Battle Creek, Michigan, for concluding his time on Capitol Hill after more than 20 years of outstanding service to the American people in the United States House of Representatives.

Ratner's career in public service has been marked by a steadfast commitment to the people of Michigan and the nation. A proud graduate of Michigan State University, Ratner began his journey serving Michigan Congressman Joe Schwarz and went on to devote 16 remarkable years working for Michigan Congressman Fred Upton. During his tenure with Congressman Upton, Ratner's leadership as Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff was instrumental in advancing critical legislative priorities, particularly in the field of healthcare, where his expertise and dedication helped shape policies that improved the lives of countless Americans.

Ratner further distinguished himself by bringing his wealth of experience and steady hand to the office of Wisconsin Congressman Bryan Steil, where he served as Chief of Staff. His contributions extended beyond Michigan and Wisconsin, including his service with Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, reflecting a career dedicated to principled governance.

Throughout his decades of service, Ratner has been known for his tireless work ethic, his keen understanding of complex policy matters, and his unwavering integrity. His efforts, especially in healthcare policy, have left an indelible impact on the legislative process and have helped ensure that the voices of his constituents were heard and represented with honor and diligence.

As Ratner concludes his exceptional career in the U.S. House of Representatives, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his many years of faithful service. His dedication has set a standard of excellence in public service, and his contributions will continue to benefit the American people for years to come.

We wish Ratner all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his extraordinary commitment to our country. Go Green.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition, although I am not opposed to the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my dear friend and fellow PATH Caucus co-chair, Congressman Correa, for his work on this amendment.

Washington, D.C., has built its success on good partnerships, especially across the aisle, on issues that benefit all of our Americans, not just a few.

I rise in strong support of this amendment, which directs the Veterans Administration to begin preparing for the rollout of breakthrough treatments for veterans battling PTSD, depression, and substance abuse disorders.

President Trump's first administration took a bold and necessary step by granting breakthrough therapy status to MDMA and psilocybin acknowledging their potential to transform mental health care.

Last December, the VA followed suit funding its first psychedelic- assisted therapy study in over 60 years. That was a critical milestone, but research alone is not enough.

Without a plan to turn findings into frontline care, we risk failing the very people this research is meant to help: our veterans.

We know the stakes. Too many servicemembers come home bearing invisible wounds. While traditional treatments work for some, far too many are left cycling through ineffective medications, suffering in silence, or worse, giving up entirely.

Emerging VA studies involving MDMA and psilocybin show remarkable potential not just for improvement but for truly lasting healing. They offer hope, but hope alone doesn't heal.

Washington has a bad habit of funding studies without ever building the systems needed to implement the results. We cannot afford to repeat that cycle here.

This amendment sends a clear message to the VA: Don't just study. Prepare. Prepare to implement new therapies and newfound ways to improve the lives of veterans now, not 5 or 10 years from now.

That means identifying the clinical infrastructure needed to deliver these treatments, training and certifying providers, and launching pilot programs to bring these therapies from the lab into real world care settings. Again, we can't wait 5 or 10 years while veterans continue to suffer.

Every day we delay is a day someone loses hope or their life.

If there is a treatment that works, we have a responsibility to be ready to deliver it. This isn't about politics. It is about promises kept. We owe our veterans more than research. We owe them results. We owe them implementation. This amendment moves us one step closer to delivering.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Master Sergeant (MSgt) Gerald Timmins for his valiant service with the U.S. Marine Corps as a member of the Medevac crews during the Vietnam War. This recognition is presented in correspondence with the Medevac crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act, which honors the selfless and heroic individuals who served in these lifesaving missions.

MSgt Timmins' service exemplifies the unwavering dedication demonstrated by members of these Medevac crews to both their fellow servicemembers and their country. These crews--which include a pilot, crew chief, and medic--courageously operated helicopter air ambulances and are credited with saving more than 900,000 lives throughout the Vietnam War.

Serving at the Marble Mountain Air Facility with Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) aboard CH-34 helicopters, MSgt Timmins participated in numerous recovery missions, often under intense enemy fire. His role in rescuing wounded soldiers from active combat zones required extraordinary courage and was vital to saving countless lives. His service reflects the bravery and sacrifice of the many Medevac crew members who risked everything to bring others to safety.

In his military service, MSgt Timmins was recognized with two citations for his courage and devotion to duty under hazardous conditions--an enduring testament to his exceptional service.

Mr. Speaker, let us all join in recognizing MSgt Gerald Timmins for his extraordinary courage as a member of the Medevac crews during the Vietnam War, and thank him for his steadfast commitment to his fellow servicemembers, community, and country.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Roger Sarrault for his valiant service with the U.S. Army as a member of the Dustoff crews during the Vietnam War. This recognition is presented in correspondence with the Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act, honoring the individuals who served in these selfless and heroic missions. Mr. Sarrault's service exemplifies the unwavering dedication shown by members of these Dustoff Crews to both their fellow servicemembers and their country. Dustoff crews--which include a pilot, crew chief, and medic--served courageously aboard helicopter air ambulances and are credited with saving over 900,000 lives throughout the Vietnam War.

Serving with the 68th Medical Detachment (Dustoff), Mr. Sarrault participated in numerous recovery missions, often under enemy fire. His role in rescuing wounded soldiers from active combat zones demonstrated extraordinary courage and was vital to saving countless lives. His service reflects the bravely and sacrifice of so many Dustoff crew members who risked everything to bring others to safety.

Following his military service, Mr. Sarrault has remained a steadfast advocate for veterans and his community. He is an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 274 in Cheboygan, Michigan, where he serves on the Honor Guard and regularly participates in events that honor fellow service members. In addition to supporting community celebrations and veteran fundraisers, Mr. Sarrault volunteers his time at Bishop Baraga School, teaching students about patriotism and proper flag etiquette. His community commitment is further reflected in his charitable efforts, including distributing toys at Christmas and making pasties to support his local VVA chapter.

Mr. Speaker, let us all join in recognizing Roger Sarrault for his extraordinary courage as a member of the Dustoff crews during the Vietnam War and thank him for his unwavering commitment to his fellow servicemembers, community, and country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members

may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in belated recognition of Post-Traumatic Growth Day--I repeat, post-traumatic growth.

Observed annually on June 13 as part of National PTSD Awareness Month, this effort was initiated by Boulder Crest Foundation, a nationally recognized nonprofit helping veterans, first responders, and their families turn their struggles into strength.

When we think about the numbers of veterans and first responders who have experienced an event, the numbers are small but not inconsequential and staggering but, I think, kept too well hidden. For example, over 50 percent of veterans have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime.

Mr. Speaker, let's just go back a little bit in history because ``PTSD'' was not always a term of reference and a term of the norm when it came to dealing with stress. In World War I, I believe the term was ``shell shock.'' In World War II, the term was ``battle fatigue.'' In Vietnam, when I was there, we used to call it the ``thousand-yard stare,'' a certain emptiness we would see in others that indicated an increased level of stress.

That was then. How did we, especially in the military, deal with whether it would be battle fatigue, shell shock, or the thousand-yard stare? Back in World War I and World War II, there was this thing called the troopship. When, let's say, you were in the South Pacific and coming back to the States, you boarded a troopship somewhere and sailed, in some cases, for well over a month just to return to U.S. soil. It was the same thing with the European theater or the North African theater.

There was a long period of time where those combat veterans who had been under tremendous stress had a chance to decompress over a period of time with each other and share their experiences, cry, hug, laugh, but work through it in a way that used the element of time together to, again, work through the challenges of the horrific events that they had experienced.

In Vietnam, the timeline shortened a little bit, and please don't let me forget Korea, as well. Because when you look at the memorials here in Washington, D.C., you have got the World War II Memorial, which is a tremendous testament to our country coming together to overcome evil. You have got the Korean War Memorial. For those of you who have been there, the darkness of that memorial is evident in the expressions on the faces of those soldiers there at the Korean War Memorial. You have got the Vietnam Memorial, which has all the 58,000-plus names of the men and women who gave their lives in Vietnam.

Some of my colleagues who served there, the only way that they can come to grips with some of their PTSD is to go to the memorial and visit their comrades whose names are on the wall. We have dealt with it differently, but we tended to think of it as relieving stress in a negative way.

After 9/11, after Desert Shield, and Desert Storm, the first war that we were involved in where members could be on the battlefield one day and back literally in their homes within 48 hours. During OIF and OEF where a person could come off the battlefield on a Wednesday and, again, be at home watching TV and watching their friends on the battlefield within 48 hours, there was no time to decompress. There was no time to work through the challenges that you have seen.

What do we do? Well, PTSD is real. Nobody disagrees with that at all. How do we turn a negative into a positive?

Well, how about in changing the term ``post-traumatic stress disorder'' into ``post-traumatic growth.'' Take the experience, work through it in such a way that you grow from it. Think about all the men and women who currently serve, only about 10 percent have been diagnosed with PTSD. That is of all who served.

For those who served in combat zones, the rate of PTSD can reach up to 20 percent. Among first responders, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, 80 percent have experienced at least one traumatic event while on the job.

Between 10 and 30 percent of first responders will develop post- traumatic stress disorder. Again, whether you are in the military, whether you are a first responder, whether you are a NICU nurse, a cardiac nurse, a physician, you give it all for those people you are serving. Whether you are a first responder in the healthcare field, or in the military, how do you deal with it? How do you deal with what you gave? Can you return to a positive attitude in your life?

That is why the belief among servicemembers and first responders who have gone through this, we have figured out that the best way to deal with what we deal with internally is to move forward with an attitude of what happened happened. How do we grow from it?

It is easier said than done because in the society in which we live today with instant communications, social media, and reliving things, it is tough, in many cases, to leave the negative behind us.

There are different therapies, group therapy, individual therapy, there could be potentially in some cases, as we advance therapies in new areas, and not taking a pill--here, take a pill for this. This will make you feel better. If that pill doesn't make you feel better, take two of these pills type of thing. We have to get rid of that because it doesn't help.

We are human beings, and I would suggest to you that one of the options we have to promote the idea of post-traumatic stress is to get behind some good things. Both Democrats and Republicans here in Congress, who want to do better in this arena, there is a caucus here in the House of Representatives called the PATH Caucus. It was formed about 3 years ago.

I happen to be the Republican lead and my dear friend and colleague Lou Correa from Los Angeles is the Democrat lead. We call it the Noah's Ark Caucus, where one Democrat and one Republican come together and join it, but the whole goal as the PATH Caucus--the title is, Psychedelics Advancing Therapies, keyword advancing therapies. We have kind of casually renamed it the good path caucus, which means get off opioid dependency and advance new therapies to allow members of the military and first responders and everybody else to actually get inside of themselves and be able to release those demons through different kinds of therapies that don't involve taking a pill, taking another pill, taking another pill, changing the pills, whatever it happens to be, forever.

It is about new therapies that will enable those members going through it to open up their minds, clear out the demons, and move forward with life.

We have a responsibility as the House of Representatives and as the legislative branch of our government, to include the Senate, to do the best we can on the legislative side in enabling resources to be focused on research that enables that individual growth to occur.

We are a long way from getting to the point where we can say we are done with this. We will never be done with it. There will always be new advancements in therapy, new advancements in dealing with the human mind, the brain, the least explored and least understood part of the human body, but it is who we are as God's creatures that will enable us to move forward with continuing to grow.

I am honored tonight to just call this to the attention of the people watching and especially to my colleagues who--again, not Democrat or Republican--have chosen to make the world a better place by helping people be their best selves, to continue to grow after, in some cases, very horrific, stressful events.

I ask everyone who is listening, please consider--because we can all have a bad day--what a positive affect you can have on others when you present yourself to them, when they are under a time of extreme stress and potential disorientation, to lead them down a path that they can grow from what they have gone through. We can all make this world a better place by helping one another.

I thank the Speaker and the House for allowing me to talk today on celebration of post-traumatic growth normally. We will be celebrating it again next year on the 13th of June on that annual day.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 29 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Mary Vollink, an exceptional resident of Traverse City, Michigan, for receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Traverse Connect Board of Directors. Since 1929, this prestigious honor has been awarded to outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to social, economic, and

cultural improvements within the Traverse City area.

Currently, Ms. Vollink serves as the Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for the Salvation Army in Traverse City, where her dedication to public service has made an immeasurable impact on Northern Michigan. Her tireless efforts have both helped countless individuals in times of need and undoubtedly strengthened the community across Grand Traverse County. Ms. Vollink's selection for this award speaks volumes about her character and her commitment to improving the lives of others.

Mary's work with the Salvation Army began nearly 40 years ago in Holland, Michigan. After relocating to Traverse City in 1988, Ms. Vollink joined the Traverse City Salvation Army while simultaneously working for the TCAPS Transportation Department as a school bus driver for elementary students and students with special needs--a role she held until 2010. In addition to serving as the Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for the Salvation Army, Ms. Vollink works as an Emergency Disaster Services Coordinator for the region. Throughout her continued commitment to public service, she has formed lasting bonds with countless Northern Michigan families.

Mr. Speaker, Mary Vollink exemplifies the spirit of selfless service that strengthens communities across Michigan's First District. Her selection for the Distinguished Service Award is well deserved, and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mary Vollink on this outstanding achievement and thanking her for her decades of exemplary service to the people of Traverse City and Northern Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my legislation, the VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act, a bill that puts veterans first by ensuring the systems meant to serve them are working as intended.

Last July, the VA came to Congress with a dire warning: the agency was facing major funding shortfalls, nearly $3 billion for veterans' benefits and additional $12 billion for healthcare.

The message was urgent: Without immediate action, benefits could be delayed for millions of veterans. Congress acted quickly and responsibly to approve supplemental funding because when it comes to our veterans and their families, there can be no margin for error.

Their peace of mind, their financial security, and their access to care are not negotiable.

Just weeks later, we learned that there were, in fact, no shortfalls. Revised financial estimates from the VA showed billions of dollars left unspent. While the shortfall didn't actually exist, the panic, confusion, and sleepless nights for the veterans wondering whether they would receive care was very real, and it was avoidable.

Mr. Speaker, the goal of H.R. 1823 is not to assign blame. It is to strengthen trust. Our veterans should never have to worry that an accounting error might prevent them from receiving their earned care and benefits. This bill simply ensures that the Comptroller General will audit the VA's budgeting and accounting systems, identify where things went wrong, and help make sure it never happens again.

Let's be clear: The VA serves millions of veterans with dedication and compassion every day, but we can always do better and our veterans deserve nothing less. They have earned the peace of mind that comes from knowing their government is not only committed to them but equipped to serve them reliably.

The VA Budget Shortfall Accountability Act is about reinforcing that commitment. This is not a partisan issue. It is about making sure we get it right for those who have served our Nation every time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this bill, which will help ensure that our veterans never have to question whether their benefits and care will be there when they need them.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 530) to provide for a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as Active Duty aircrew in the Armed Forces, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 530, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 530, as amended. The bill was introduced by my friend and fellow veteran, Representative Pfluger. This bill would ensure there is trusted medical research available to pave the way for toxic-exposed military pilots and air crew to assess their VA disability compensation benefits.

As someone who served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, I am troubled by how many times I have heard from my fellow aviators that military pilots

and air crewmen appear to be diagnosed with cancer at much higher rates than civilians.

Colonel Andrew Shurtleff, who testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in March, is one of those veterans. He served our country as an Air Force fighter pilot, and he started fighting stage IV cancer in 2019 when he was just 41 years old. My prayers are with him as he continues to battle cancer, and I wish him the very best.

Military pilots and air crewmen across the service branches, like Colonel Shurtleff, are exposed to chemicals and toxic fumes in confined spaces every time they fly a mission. However, there is not enough medical research available for VA to simply presume that their cancers are related to those exposures. That makes it much harder for them to access their earned VA benefits. Each one of those veterans has to prove to the VA that chemicals and toxins caused their cancer.

Many have had to fight the VA system for years before they received any disability compensation, and many others never received their earned benefits before they passed away.

H.R. 530, as amended, would ensure that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducts a study on whether the cancers suffered by military pilots and their air crew are related to their chemical and toxic exposures.

The VA needs robust medical research to streamline military air crew veterans' access to disability compensation, and VA needs it fast, for today and tomorrow's veterans. My friend from Texas' bill would ensure that research gets done and that our military pilots and air crewmen get the answers they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 530, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger), my esteemed colleague, an Air Force pilot, and truly a person who understands and cares about the subject matter of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1912) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the repayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of benefits misused by a fiduciary, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 1912.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1912 introduced by my colleague from Virginia (Mr. Connolly). My prayers are with him and his family as he once again battles cancer.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership teams, especially Leader Scalise and his staff, for agreeing to move this bill forward in his absence.

Representative Connolly's bill would ensure that the VA's fiduciary program is improved so that our Nation's most vulnerable veterans receive the benefits that they have earned. Let me say that again: our most vulnerable veterans.

The VA appoints fiduciaries for veterans who are unable to manage their VA financial benefits. These fiduciaries are required to use a veteran's VA benefits for the veteran's care and welfare. The VA periodically reviews fiduciary activities to ensure that fiduciaries are not misusing a veteran's VA benefits.

When a fiduciary misuses a veteran's benefit, current law does not allow the veteran to be made financially whole until after the VA determines whether the misuse was the result of VA negligence.

These determinations of negligence amount to bureaucratic red tape that have caused long delays before veterans could recoup their misused benefits. Some veterans have passed away before their misused benefits are returned.

We must ensure that the VA's fiduciary program is streamlined. This bill would get rid of red tape preventing victims of misuse from promptly recouping their VA benefits. It would prohibit the VA from withholding repayment of misused benefits while the VA is still working on a negligence determination.

It would also require the VA to implement methods to ensure that negligence determinations are made in a timely manner. Veterans deserve to have access to their benefits without bureaucratic hurdles and unnecessary delays.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1912, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation and send our colleague, Mr. Connolly, our best wishes and prayers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest gratitude to the electric cooperatives and linemen who worked tirelessly to restore power to the communities of Northern Michigan following the devastating ice storm of March 2025.

After multiple days of high winds and freezing rain, thousands of families in Michigan's First District were left without power, while temperatures remained in the single digits. During this State of Emergency, local electric cooperatives demonstrated extraordinary dedication and resilience. Lineworkers from Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative, and Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative braved dangerous conditions to restore essential services to the region, and I commend them for their hard work and a job well done.

For decades, these cooperatives and their workforce have provided reliable energy and critical assistance throughout Northern Michigan. In rural communities, dependable energy is not just a convenience: it is the backbone of modern life and public safety. These cooperatives consistently ensure that all residents of Northern Michigan--especially the area's most vulnerable individuals, including those with medical needs, families with children, and the elderly--remain safe and warm throughout harsh northern winters. Simply put, these cooperatives help deliver a quality of life to rural areas that might otherwise be left behind.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize and applaud the outstanding service of Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association, Cloverland Electric Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, Presque Isle. Electric and Gas Cooperative, and Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative. Their selflessness and dedication to our communities in Northern Michigan deserve our highest praise and deepest appreciation.