Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8333) to prohibit contracting with certain biotechnology providers, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to support H.R. 8333, the BIOSECURE Act.

This bipartisan, bicameral bill prevents U.S. tax dollars from flowing to biotechnology companies that are owned, operated, and controlled by China or other foreign adversaries.

Specifically, this bill names five genomic companies with direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party as biotechnology companies of concern.

The bill then prohibits a Federal agency from procuring any biotechnology equipment or service from such companies. The bill also prohibits Federal loan or grant dollars from being used to procure, obtain, or use biotechnology equipment or services from such companies.

The companies named in this legislation create significant risks to U.S. national security.

BGI, one of the named entities, is a CCP biotechnology company and is the world's largest collector of genetic data. BGI, alongside its subsidiaries, which are also named in the bill, have been found to conduct research alongside the Chinese military.

WuXi, through its two subsidiaries named in the bill, operates genetic testing centers established in coordination with the CCP, helps carry out research to promote the Chinese military, and has reportedly stolen U.S. firms' intellectual property.

The House Oversight Committee has worked hard with outside stakeholders and other committees of jurisdiction to ensure these national security risks are meaningfully addressed without disrupting medical and pharmaceutical supply chains.

Existing contracts are exempt from the prohibitions in the bill until January 2032, and the bill includes a targeted waiver and exception process.

The bill also exempts biotechnology equipment and services from the bill's prohibitions that were, but are no longer, produced or provided by a company of concern.

This bill is a necessary step toward protecting Americans' sensitive healthcare data from the CCP before these companies become more embedded in the U.S. economy, university, and Federal contracting base.

I thank the bill's sponsor, Representative Brad Wenstrup, chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, for his efforts in ensuring this bill continues to advance.

I also thank the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party chairman, John Moolenaar, and ranking member, Raja Krishnamoorthi, both original cosponsors, as well as the House Oversight's ranking member, Jamie Raskin, and the Senate Homeland Security Committee chairman, Gary Peters, and their staff for their hard work on this legislation over the past year.

I urge all my House Oversight colleagues to support this critical national security bill. I encourage everyone to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi).

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup), who is the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn).

Mr. Speaker, I have two speakers left.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers and am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, we have heard here today broad consensus among my House colleagues that U.S. taxpayer dollars should not go to foreign biotechnology entities that steal Americans' genetic data, contribute to a foreign adversary's military, or support the violation of human rights.

The BIOSECURE Act addresses this national security problem by clearly prohibiting a Federal agency from procuring any biotechnology equipment or service from a company controlled by a foreign adversary, such as the CCP.

Americans saw firsthand during the COVID pandemic what happens when a foreign adversary acts irresponsibly in the biotechnology sector. China restricted the export of vital medical equipment to the United States, refused to tell the world about COVID when it first emerged, and covered up evidence related to the origins of COVID-19.

This bill is a necessary step toward protecting Americans' sensitive healthcare data from a foreign adversary like the CCP before the U.S. biomedical and healthcare sector becomes even more dependent upon Chinese-influenced organizations. It is critical that we pass the BIOSECURE Act before more harm is done.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this national security bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements of Kevin Lyons and his work with the Monroe County Agriculture Extension Agency for Natural Resources.

Kevin has been an advocate in the agricultural industry for the past thirty-seven years across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is with the Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Cattlemen's Association where he served on the state board of directors for both organizations.

Kevin has devoted his time to improving agricultural productivity in Monroe County and the surrounding areas. Kevin helps people in the area start their own farms when he served as Financial Services officer for Farm Credit Mid America.

I am proud to recognize Kevin and all that he has done for agriculture in the 1st Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 890, the Guidance Out Of Darkness Act, or the GOOD Act.

Regulatory guidance includes agency statements that, while not intended to have the force and effect of law, establish agency policies on statutory, regulatory, or technical issues. Since such guidance communicates how an agency will administer a law and its programs, it has a significant effect on regulated entities.

Regulated entities and the public should know what agency guidance says about the laws and programs that affect them. However, guidance documents are not easy to find. They are not consistently posted on agency websites.

This inconsistency burdens regulated entities. It especially burdens small businesses that often lack the resources to hire compliance experts. The problem is so bad that agency guidance documents are known as ``regulatory dark matter.''

For a brief time, the prior administration brought needed sunshine to this situation. Following the GOOD Act's passage by the House during the 115th Congress, the prior administration voluntarily adopted the bill's reforms through an October 2019 executive order after the Senate failed to act.

Under the executive order, guidance was required to become fully transparent online. Across the government, each agency was directed to make available on its website a single searchable, indexed database with links to all guidance documents in effect.

As a result, for the first time, members of the public could easily find whatever agency guidance they needed online in one central location. The order was in effect during 2019 and 2020 but has since been rescinded.

Ever since, agencies have been pulling down their guidance web pages, and guidance has once again fallen into darkness, increasing the potential for agency abuse.

This is why we need to once again pass the GOOD Act in the House and require agencies to publish their regulatory guidance in a single, easily accessible location. The American public deserves nothing less from their government.

I thank my committee colleague, Representative Ro Khanna, for cosponsoring my legislation. I especially thank the ranking member for working with my staff to strengthen the bill and helping us advance a bipartisan bill here today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this simple and necessary transparency bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Henderson County High School girls' softball team on an amazing season and their first- ever State championship.

The Lady Colonels won the title in a dominating fashion by a final score of 11-0.

This State title capped an impressive season. The team notched 36 wins and recorded multiple school records, including highest batting average, most hits, most runs scored, most singles, most doubles, most RBIs, and most stolen bases.

Three players on the Henderson County team were also named to the All-Tournament Team. This is an amazing accomplishment for Henderson County High School, for the program, the community, and I am so honored to represent this great community in west Kentucky.

I again congratulate the Henderson County girls' softball team on their first-ever State championship.

Conflicts of Interest

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the new bill that I filed titled the ``Presidential Ethics Reform Act.''

This bill is a bipartisan bill that I have filed with Representative Katie Porter from California. The American people are skeptical about whether government officials actually work in the public interest, regardless of which party they are in.

This bill would require Presidents and Vice Presidents to disclose foreign payments, family gifts, family loans, family use of government travel, and tax returns.

Increasing transparency is a key step to restoring trust in the government. Let the American people see for themselves whether or not there are conflicts of interest with their leadership.

Both parties have complained about previous administrations having conflicts of interest, especially among

their immediate family members. That is why Representative Porter and I have filed this piece of legislation.

To summarize, let me go through what the Presidential Ethics Reform Act actually does.

First of all, it requires Presidents and Vice Presidents to disclose payments, transfers, or other items of value from foreign sources received by themselves or immediate family members within 2 years before taking office, during their time in office, and for 2 years after leaving office.

This bill requires Presidents and Vice Presidents to disclose conflicts of interest upon taking office and throughout their time in office.

This bill requires Presidents and Vice Presidents to disclose gifts valued at more than $10,000 received from or by immediate family members within 2 years before taking office, during their time in office, and for 2 years after leaving office.

This bill requires Presidents and Vice Presidents to disclose loans or loan repayments made to them by an immediate family member of any amount or received by an immediate family member from any source, except commercial loans, for over $10,000 within 2 years before taking office, during their time in office, and for 2 years after leaving office.

This bill requires Presidents and Vice Presidents to disclose when immediate family members accompany the President or Vice President on official travel, specifying when they do so, and whether or not it is for business purposes.

Finally, the Presidential Ethics Reform Act requires Presidents and Vice Presidents to disclose tax returns for the 2 years preceding their time in office, during their time in office, and for the 2 years following their departure from office.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that this ethics bill will address all the concerns that Members of both parties and members of both the conservative and liberal media have had about this administration, the previous administration, and administrations prior to the last administration.

When I announced the Biden influence pedaling investigation in November of 2022 when it was apparent that the House was going to flip from Democrat to Republican, I said two things about that investigation that I hoped would be accomplished: number one, that the American people would be given the truth about just exactly what the Biden family has been doing in their family schemes, and I believe we have provided that; and, secondly, we were going to pass legislation to define influence pedaling and prevent it from happening in the future.

That is what the Presidential Ethics Reform Act does today. I am pleased to file this bill in a bipartisan manner with my colleague Katie Porter.

Mr. Speaker, I am very honored to represent more miles of recreational lakes and marinas than any Member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

My wife and I and our family just came back from a great weekend vacation, a weekend getaway at Dale Hollow Lake near my home in Monroe County. Dale Hollow is located in Cumberland and Clinton Counties in my congressional district.

I was thinking about all the great lakes that we have in the First Congressional District of Kentucky: Dale Hollow, Lake Cumberland, Barren River Lake, Green River Lake, Kentucky Lake, and Lake Barkley.

There are no finer places in America, no more beautiful places in America to travel, and I appreciate the economic impact that these lakes have in Kentucky and in my congressional district.

I encourage people to support these lakes, and I thank all the great employees, all the great staff, and all the great people that make our lakes in Kentucky what they are.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Ohio for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution. This is not a complicated matter. The Oversight and Judiciary Committees issued duly authorized legal subpoenas to Attorney General Garland for a certain set of documents, including the audio recordings of Special Counsel Hur's interview with President Biden.

The Attorney General has refused to produce these audio recordings. Unlike what my Democratic colleagues keep claiming, this is not just Republicans who need these recordings for their oversight duties. Media outlets, including the AP, CBS, CNN, NBC, and The Washington Post, among others, have filed suit to get these same audio recordings as well because the media, like everyone else, knows there is no substitute for a recording of an interview. Not a transcript, not a summary, not the Attorney General's judgment that Congress doesn't need it.

The Oversight Committee's investigation of these classified documents has already revealed that the White House's official timeline of events regarding these classified materials left out very important details.

For instance, White House employees were entering the Penn Biden Center and moving documents months before the discovery of the classified materials by President Biden's personal attorneys in November 2022. One of those employees was former White House counsel Dana Remus. We issued a subpoena for Ms. Remus' deposition, but the White House has blocked Ms. Remus from speaking to the Oversight Committee. The White House has also blocked other White House employees who visited the Penn Biden Center before November 2022 from speaking to us.

What is the Biden administration trying to hide?

Attorney General Merrick Garland's refusal to produce this evidence establishes a clear pattern of obstruction by the DOJ to cover up President Biden's wrongdoing. President Biden has lied to the American people about his mishandling of classified documents.

He has repeatedly denied not knowing about or being involved in his family's influence-peddling schemes, which the Oversight Committee can now show has raked in $18 million from foreign individuals and entities for the Biden family members, including President Biden himself. He also met with nearly all his family's foreign associates.

President Biden's Department of Justice appears to be taking every step to insulate him from the consequences, whether it is hiding these audio recordings or attempting to give Hunter Biden a sweetheart plea deal to shield Joe Biden from facing accountability for his role in his family's influence-peddling schemes. This is unacceptable.

The House of Representatives cannot serve as a necessary check on the Presidency if the executive branch is free to ignore the House's subpoenas. I urge my colleagues to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ginger High Colvin, who was recently announced as the 2024 Women's Basketball Coaches Association NAIA National Coach of the Year.

Ginger has been the women's basketball coach at Campbellsville University for 17 years.

Ginger has deep ties to Kentucky's First Congressional District, growing up in Monroe County and being a basketball star at both Tompkinsville High School and Campbellsville University herself.

Ginger receiving this award for the second year in a row is a testament to her commitment and dedication to her players and the university.

Under Ginger's leadership, the Lady Tigers have a 477-98 record and a 31-2 record this season, making it to the NAIA Elite Eight.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my friend, Coach Ginger Colvin, on this well-deserved award and another successful season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lyon County High School basketball team for achieving their first-ever state championship.

The Lyon County basketball team was the first state championship game to feature a county school since 2011. Lyon County finished their season with a school record of 36 wins.

The Lyon County basketball learn is the fifth team from the Second Region to win the state title. I am honored to stand with the community of Lyon County to celebrate their state basketball championship.

I am proud to recognize this tremendous achievement by the Lyon County basketball team as they add this trophy to their case.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Union County High School wrestling team for achieving their 15th state championship and 3 individual state champion titles.

The Union County wrestling team has been the gold standard for Kentucky wrestling for nearly two decades and has created a dynasty of success. In the past 11 seasons, they have achieved 9 state titles.

Their first state championship title was in 1976 and they have continued their winning traditions since. I am honored to stand with the community of Union County to celebrate another state wrestling championship.

I am proud to recognize this tremendous achievement by the Union County wrestling team as they add another trophy to their case.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy) for yielding, and I thank my cosponsor, the gentlewoman from Washington, D.C., (Ms. Norton).

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4984, which repurposes approximately 174 acres of unused Federal land in Washington, D.C.

Despite its long history and importance to D.C. residents, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium campus in southeast D.C. has been abandoned to become unused parking lots, open fields, and a deteriorating stadium that is being demolished.

The campus is currently under a lease that requires the land to be used for stadium purposes, recreational purposes, or other public purposes. Under current law, the campus cannot be used for commercial or residential development.

Absent congressional action, this land in our Nation's Capital will remain unused with ongoing maintenance costs and environmental liabilities remaining the full responsibility of the National Park Service--an ongoing burden for the American taxpayer.

My bill, H.R. 4984, will change that.

The bill transfers administrative jurisdiction from the National Park Service to Washington, D.C., while preserving the Federal Government's ownership of the land. This allows Washington, D.C., to use the land for stadium purposes, commercial and residential development, recreational facilities, open spaces, or additional public purposes.

However, D.C. may not use Federal funds for any potential future development of a sports stadium. The bill enables D.C. to transform the unused RFK campus into stores, restaurants, office buildings, and apartment complexes.

This economic development will help revitalize the RFK stadium campus, creating new jobs and tax revenue for the District's residents.

Let me be clear. Congress has a constitutional duty to oversee the Nation's Capital City. We have diligently exercised this role by holding numerous oversight hearings in the Oversight Committee this Congress with the Mayor of D.C., and the D.C. City Council.

We have also successfully blocked, in bipartisan fashion with the President's support, the city council's ill-advised criminal reform legislation from going into effect last year--the first law of the 118th Congress.

We will continue looking for legislative opportunities to return order to the District by addressing the rising crime crises, returning Federal workers to their offices in the District to contribute to the local economy, and seeking ways to bolster the educational system.

The D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act also represents Congress doing its job to oversee the District by authorizing the best utilization of area land to help the city thrive.

We should want this for our Nation's Capital City--a home to the taxpayer's Federal workforce and a city that hosts millions of American visitors and global tourists each year.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my committee colleague, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, for working with me to write this smart, bipartisan legislation. I thank the Natural Resource chairman, Mr. Westerman, Ranking Member Grijalva, and their staff, for working with my staff to write the improved bill we are considering today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill so that we can help revitalize our Nation's Capital.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and achievements of Alfred Turner from Gamaliel, Kentucky.

Alfred, along with his late brother-in-law Burr Boyles, co-founded Stitches, a small manufacturing company in my home county of Monroe. Stitches was one of the last surviving garment manufacturers in Kentucky and Tennessee after the passage of NAFTA.

Alfred Turner was a tremendous leader, and he was a tremendous corporate citizen in the tiny town of Gamaliel where my family originated.

Alfred did a lot for many people keeping those jobs going after just about everyone else in the garment industry went to Mexico or some other country after the passage of NAFTA. Stitches is still in business today because of the great work that Alfred Turner did for his community and his employees.

So, again, Mr. Speaker, I recognize the life and legacy of my friend, Alfred Turner, who passed away a few weeks ago in Gamaliel, Kentucky.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise and recognize the Boyle County Rebels, a football powerhouse, in the 1st Congressional District of Kentucky upon their recent winning of the state championship.

I am honored to recognize the Boyle County Rebels on their fourth consecutive state championship. The hours of hard work that this team puts in both on and off the field does not go unnoticed as they ended their undefeated season as champions.

I want to congratulate all the players, staff, faculty, and the entire community of Boyle County on this great achievement. This football program has had historic success, and I have no doubt they will continue their winning traditions in the future.

I join with the community of Boyle County in celebrating the Rebels football team in their fourth consecutive 4A state championship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th anniversary of the Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce of Kentucky's 1st Congressional District.

Through the efforts of the Rotary Club, Lions Club, and local businesses, the Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce was first organized in May of 1949. Membership was small at first but has grown over the decades to include over 325 investors. I commend the bridge that has been created between local businesses, education, government, civic, and religious organizations.

The Chamber has been able to boost tourism efforts in Taylor County and has organized many popular events that has brought the community together, including the annual 4th of July Celebration which has become the largest Independence Day Celebration in Kentucky. I am honored to represent them in Congress.

I join with the community of Taylor County in celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce and look forward to many more years of services.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ezra Foote of Kentucky's 1st Congressional District for earning the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout.

I would like to offer Ezra my sincerest congratulations for attaining this high-esteemed rank. He should be immensely proud of the accomplishments he has made to reach this point. I encourage him to continue taking on new projects and setting a positive example in his community.

I am honored to recognize him for this accomplishment. Ezra has achieved a place of honor, but he now also has a responsibility to strive for greatness. As an Eagle Scout, he is challenged to become the best person that he can be. I wish him all the best in his great future endeavors, of which I know there will be many.

I join with the community of Calloway County in celebrating Ezra Foote for his hard work and dedication. Congratulations once again and best wishes for continued success.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to rise to recognize two football powerhouses in the First Congressional District of Kentucky upon their recent winning of State championships.

First of all, I recognize perennial State champion, the Mayfield Cardinals on another class 2A State football championship, and I also recognize the Boyle County Rebels on their three-peat as State champions.

Mayfield won the 2A class title in Kentucky High School athletics and Boyle County won the 4A. These are common achievements for both football programs. I congratulate all the players, the staff, the faculty, and the entire communities of Mayfield and Boyle County on this great achievement.