Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Jeff Mattner from Martinsville, Indiana, a devoted educator whose impact on education will be felt for years to come. For 14 years, Dr. Mattner served with the Association of Christian Schools International as Senior Director of the Central Division, supporting more than 600 schools across 18 states with wisdom, integrity, and a servant's heart.

Throughout his decades-long career as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and trusted advisor, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing educational opportunity and strengthening communities through faith-based education. Guided by his faith, Dr. Mattner also engaged in advocacy efforts that advanced the mission of Christian schools. His legacy endures in the countless students, educators, and families he influenced through his service, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying legislation for H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would finally allow the year-round sale of E15 fuel nationwide.

For States like Indiana, this bill is not just a fuel policy. It is about supporting our farmers, strengthening rural economies, and lowering costs of hardworking families. My district is home to the countless corn producers whose livelihoods depend on strong and reliable markets. Right now, corn prices are painfully low, and many farmers are facing significant uncertainty heading into another growing season.

Passing year-round E15 would provide immediate relief. Experts estimate this policy would increase corn demand by roughly 2.4 billion bushels and raise corn prices by approximately 35 cents a bushel. That matters to the family farms in my district. It means stronger markets, greater stability, and more confidence for producers making investments in the future.

The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act is also a major win for American consumers. Year-round E15 is projected to save drivers nearly $27 billion annually at the pump, with the average household saving around $200 a year on gasoline purchases. This bill will bottom line lower prices at the gas pump and provide another source of fuel as we unleash American energy dominance.

Ethanol is already a powerful economic engine, generating more than $9 billion in tax revenue in 2025 alone while supporting jobs across agriculture, transportation, and energy production. This is an American-made fuel that reduces dependence on foreign energy while supporting domestic manufacturing and agriculture at the same time. H.R. 1346 is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that benefits both producers and consumers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Poynter family from Putnam County for winning the Farm Family of the Year Award for 2025.

The Poynters farm about 5,000 acres of soybeans and corn. The family frequently organizes educational community events, including mental health programming for farmers, and the annual Putnam County Ag Day.

Ray Poynter was the longtime beef superintendent for the Putnam County 4-H program. He has been an impactful leader in youth agriculture development and livestock education.

The Poynters have brought innovation to their farm. Noah and Jonathan Poynter each received their FAA drone licenses, allowing the farm to do its own fungicide applications.

The Poynter family is an outstanding example of Indiana's family farmers, as well as how we can bring agriculture into the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Poynter family on this well-deserved award.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

In my district, agriculture isn't just a part of the economy; it is the economy. Our corn and soybean farmers feed our country, fuel our bioeconomy, and supply global markets, all while operating on tight margins and managing significant risks.

This bill provides the certainty they need to plan, invest, and sustain operations that often span generations.

It also strengthens the critical link between research and production. Institutions like Purdue University are driving advances in crop science, soil health, precision agriculture, and supply chain resilience, moving the innovation from the lab to the field and keeping American agriculture globally competitive.

I am especially pleased this legislation includes provisions I have worked on to expand access to the technical expertise for conservation, strengthen local and regional processing capacity, improve coordination between the leading research agencies, and provide clarity for emerging agricultural technologies.

These are the practical steps that help farmers adopt innovation and build more resilient supply chains.

Just as important, this bill reaffirms our strong commitment to science-based standards, particularly at the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA's rigorous and data-driven review process ensures farmers have access to safe and effective crop protection tools while protecting consumers and the environment. We must maintain that gold standard while also ensuring that reviews are timely and predictable, so American producers remain competitive.

Madam Speaker, this bill strengthens farm programs, invests in conservation, and supports our rural communities. It is about stability, innovation, and national security.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, April 20, 2026, I was unable to cast my vote due to family obligations in Indiana. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 125, Passage of H.R. 1681, and YEA on Roll Call No. 126, Passage of H.R. 5200.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate four Boilermakers from Purdue University who competed in the NCAA wrestling championships.

These student-athletes are Joey Blaze, a 165-pound weight class junior; Blake Boarman, a junior in the 133-pound weight class; 174- pound weight class senior Brody Baumann; and senior Ben Vanadia in the 197-pound weight class.

Purdue junior Joey Blaze wrapped up a sixth place finish, becoming the 13th two-time All-American in Purdue wrestling history.

Brody Baumann is a three-time NCAA qualifier and was one of the only three Indiana natives to qualify for the nationals in 2026.

Blake Boarman went to the nationals for the second time, his first time as a Boilermaker.

Competing in his fourth year, Ben Vanadia went to the nationals for the first time.

Congratulations to these outstanding student-athletes. They should be proud of their hard work. Boiler up.

Congratulating David Betourne

Mr. Speaker, I would like today to congratulate an un-bee- lievable young speller from northwest Indiana.

David Betourne recently won the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee of northwest Indiana after seven rounds and nearly 2 hours of intense competition. David ultimately triumphed by spelling the word biomimicry, proving that every letter truly counts.

With this impressive victory, Mr. Betourne now has the opportunity to represent the Lafayette area at the National Spelling Bee in May in our Nation's Capital. Competing on the national stage takes not only knowledge but focus, preparation, and a vocabulary that would impress the dictionary.

I know David will do an excellent job, and I want him to know and remember that we are all rooting for him. I congratulate him again on this well-deserved and well-worded achievement. He will make Indiana proud.

Congratulating Wabash College Track and Field Athletes

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two Wabash College students who were honored at the North Coast Athletic Conference track and field.

Quinn Sholar was named the 2026 NCAC Men's Field Athlete of the Year. Brock DeBello earned the NCAC Newcomer of the Year award as a freshman. Quinn Sholar won shot put with a top mark of 16.42 meters. He also made a conferencewide and school record throw of 18.69 meters to win a February 27 weight throw competition.

As a freshman, Brock DeBello is having quite the season. Producing intense executions on the track, he broke a school record at the February 27 400-meter preliminaries with a time of 48.6 seconds. DeBello returned in the finals to secure a fourth-place finish at 47.47 seconds.

Congratulations to these two and to the entire Wabash track and field team for an amazing championship run.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the extraordinary men and women of the Department of Homeland Security. At a time of complex and evolving threats, our commitment to homeland security must be unwavering.

Despite this reality, some of my colleagues continue to block funding. This does not make us safer.

Thousands of employees at FEMA, TSA, and CISA are working without pay. These are people who save lives, prevent attacks, support communities in crisis, and safeguard the systems that keep our country running. These personnel serving in high-risk roles face an unacceptable stress of doing their jobs without the resources they need.

Supporting Homeland Security is not about ideology. It is about protecting the American people and ensuring our Nation is nearly and evenly taken care of during these threat periods.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to rise above partisanship and prove that the security of the United States will always come first. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Phil Deckard, the former mayor of Martinsville, Indiana, who passed away at the end of last year.

Phil dedicated 57 years of his life to public service and leadership in Morgan County and served four terms as the mayor of Martinsville.

Phil also served as the voice of the Martinsville Artesians, announcing football and basketball games at Martinsville High School.

Phil Deckard also served in the United States Navy as an airman from 1958 to 1959, before serving in the United States Air Force for another 4 years. He was honorably discharged as an E4 Airman First Class.

I am grateful for Phil's service to Indiana and our Nation. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.

Honoring Joe Root

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joe Root, who has served Clinton County as a veteran service officer for 25 years and served with the Clinton County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.

He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970 and eventually became a VSO in 2001 to advocate for fellow veterans and ensure our veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.

Joe Root's commitment to our veterans in Indiana does not stop there. He helped establish the Clinton County War Memorial at the courthouse and has led Memorial Day veteran services and honored veterans with 100-year birthday celebrations.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Joe Root for his selfless service to our country and to our Clinton County communities as well as his tireless advocacy on behalf of our Nation's veterans.

Remembering Dr. Philip Low

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Philip Low, a remarkable scientist and teacher from Purdue University, who worked on breakthrough studies in drug discovery and cancer research. Dr. Low recently passed away at the age of 78.

In his career, he served as Purdue University's Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. He held over 100 U.S. patents and is listed on 600 other patents and 145 invention disclosures. He received some of the highest honors that can be given by Purdue University.

Those who knew him well said ``he cared about everybody,'' and ``he spent every minute trying to do good.'' He certainly did, and his work truly helped save lives.

I offer my condolences to his family and friends during this time. Dr. Low was an outstanding Hoosier. May he rest in peace.

Catherine Myers Celebrates 20 Years in Community Journalism

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Catherine Myers from Hendricks County, who recently achieved a historic milestone, celebrating 20 years of publishing community journalism.

Catherine Myers and her husband, Rick, started a community newspaper

publishing business in 2005 when they launched the Business Leader, a newspaper featuring local businesses and business leaders in Hendricks County.

They went on to acquire additional newspapers in other counties in central Indiana. Unfortunately, Rick Myers passed away from cancer in 2021. After Rick's passing, Catherine Myers dedicated herself to launching a new community paper, the Hendricks County Community CONNECT, which serves Avon, Brownsburg, Danville, and Plainfield.

Catherine Myers has dedicated her life to bringing fresh perspectives and relevant content to our central Indiana communities. I thank her for her commitment to delivering local news, and I congratulate her on 20 years in the industry.

Mr. Speaker, due to a death in my family, I missed several votes the week of March 2, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 79, Previous question regarding H. Res. 1095; YEA on Roll Call No. 80, Passage on H. Res. 1095; YEA on Roll Call No. 81, Passage of S. 723; YEA on Roll Call No. 82, Passage of H.R. 6472; and YEA on Roll Call No. 83, Committee referral of H. Res. 1100.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express profound sadness on the passing of Captain Seth R. Koval of Mooresville, Indiana, and my gratitude for his service to our Nation. Captain Koval died during a refueling accident while supporting Operation Epic Fury.

Captain Koval was a KC-135R Stratotanker instructor pilot for the 166th Air Refueling Squadron. He enlisted as a machinist in the Indiana Air National Guard in 2006 and graduated in 2011 from Purdue with a bachelor's degree. He joined the Ohio National Guard in 2017 and was commissioned on November 9, 2018.

He eventually became advanced trained as an instructor pilot. He deployed multiple times over the past 12 years, including in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Spartan Shield, and Epic Fury. Captain Koval ultimately accumulated over 400 hours of flight in combat.

Captain Koval was married for 19 years and was the father of a young son.

I thank Captain Koval for his selfless service. My prayers are with his family.

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

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 4 o'clock and 14 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, on February 24, 2026, I was unable to make it to the floor for three votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 71, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 6329; NAY on Roll Call No. 72, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 2503; and YEA on Roll Call No. 73, On Ordering the Previous Question.

Mr. Speaker, I was indisposed during this vote due to a vehicle accident. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 2; YEA on Roll Call No. 3; and NAY on Roll Call No. 4.

Mr. Speaker, I was indisposed during this vote due to a vehicle accident. Had I been present, I would have voted present on Roll Call No. 1.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Steve Reeder, a dedicated local historian and the chair of the social studies department at Monrovia High School.

He has taught at Monrovia High School for over 25 years. Steve spent nearly 2 years researching and writing ``Our Town,'' a book that chronicles the history of Monrovia and the surrounding areas in Morgan County. He first undertook the project to help his students with pride and to have pride in their community. ``Our Town'' was published earlier this year.

Steve and his students have also helped with the installation of several local history markers in the community. In addition to getting published, Steve was honored by WISH TV with their Golden Apple Award, which recognizes exceptional teachers in central Indiana.

I thank Steve for his decades of educating children and for supporting Morgan County communities.