Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for giving me this opportunity to speak.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 75. Once again, I join my House colleagues in working to overturn another last-minute, so-called energy efficiency standard from the previous administration.

In reality, the Biden administration imposed standards that are nearly impossible for commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturers to meet. According to estimates from the Biden Department of Energy, the final rule will cost approximately $8 billion. This will be borne by those purchasing equipment, many of whom are small businesses. The payback period for certain commercial refrigeration equipment under these standards is up to 93.9 years. That is right, nearly 94 years.

To make matters worse, the Department of Energy's test procedures do not align with real-world conditions. The DOE's estimate of the CRE door openings in an hour often undercounts the real number of door openings. This means the appliance's interior temperature may rise above safe food-storage conditions, jeopardizing food safety.

Once again, the left's pro-Big Government, Green New Deal agenda harms the little guy. The Biden Department of Energy implemented a policy that threatens small businesses, harms consumers, and drives up costs, even as many Americans continue to struggle under the long-term effects of the Biden administration's inflationary economic policies.

That ends now. I am proud to join my House Republican colleagues in standing up for America's consumers and small business owners across the country. With this bill, we are continuing to deliver on the mandate of the American people to cut burdensome red tape and ensure American consumers and small businesses can thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act seeks

to improve the quality of STEM education in America. This bill will allow us to modernize math curricula and improve K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

While this bill directs the National Science Foundation to grant awards to educational institutions, it does not award any new funding. As we look at reining in the out-of-control government spending and bureaucracy, we must work with the resources we already have.

As an animal scientist, I understand the life-changing effects STEM education can have when it comes to our livestock, creating innovative, more effective farming techniques, our food quality, and ultimately our Nation's well-being.

Proper STEM education has an invaluable impact on American innovation. It equips our students--our future workforce--to tackle the challenges of our modern digital economy. Modernizing STEM education also has wide-ranging impacts on our national security.

The United States' ability to create cutting-edge technologies has been vital to defeating our adversaries, especially as our adversary, Communist China, continues to make huge investments in STEM to try and out-compete the U.S. Beating China and maintaining our global competitive edge begins with strengthening STEM education in K-12 schools.

That is why I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to ensure that the United States continues to dominate when it comes to STEM education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation Interagency Research Act, and I thank Congresswoman Haley Stevens for working with me on this bipartisan bill.

The Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation are vehicles for some of our nation's cutting-edge scientific research. Combined, these agencies tackle the modern challenges of physics, quantum information sciences, Artificial Intelligence, and beyond. However, there is no clear directive for these organizations to work together.

This LegisLation explicitly directs the Secretary of Energy and the Director of the NSF to coordinate their activities to accelerate research and unlock new opportunities.

Operating in a silo is never the best practice when it comes to conducting scientific research, especially as our country looks to maximize the use of Americans' taxpayer dollars AND bolster our science and technology sectors to combat the growing threat of the Chinese Communist Party.

With this bill, the Department of Energy and the NSF can maximize their impact through coordination and leveraging each other's investments in research and development. The United States has earned its reputation as a world leader in scientific research and innovation, and now more than ever, we must reinforce critical partnerships that promote these advancements.

As we face increased competition from Communist China, we must ensure WE lead the world in research and development, including in areas like Artificial Intelligence, so that our country--not Communist China-- continues to set the rules of the road.

Thank you again to Congresswoman Stevens for working with me on this commonsense, bipartisan approach that empowers American innovation. This legislation unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023, and I hope we see this bill across the finish line this Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Arizona for this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, under the Biden administration, our borders were wide open with record numbers of illegal immigrants and deadly drugs flooding across our border.

Under President Biden, every single State became a border State including Indiana. These include dangerous criminals with ties to gangs such as the Tren de Aragua and MS-13, who have committed horrific crimes and vicious attacks against innocent Americans.

Last year, an illegal immigrant with ties to MS-13 stabbed a teenage girl in the hand at a baseball game in Lowell, Indiana. After an extensive search, the culprit was found and arrested. I thank law enforcement officers for their hard work to find and arrest this criminal.

Under President Trump, we have swiftly returned to commonsense border policies, and illegal border crossings have plunged to a record low. In January 2025, there were 61,465 illegal border crossings, down from 176,000 in January '24. Just last month, illegal crossings at our southern border plummeted to the lowest level on record.

President Trump has sent a message loud and clear that the border is closed, and his strong border security policies are working. House Republicans are working with the President to implement his agenda to secure our border and keep Americans safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Nick Bostic, a former pizza delivery man who saved five sisters from a burning house.

Just after midnight, July 11, 2022, Bostic was driving nearby when he saw the house in flames. Bostic entered the home, where he found an 18- year-old woman, a toddler, and two 13-year-olds outside the upstairs bedroom. He led them out of the house before running back inside to rescue the 6-year-old girl.

For his actions, Nick Bostic received the Carnegie Medal, given to American and Canadian citizens who put themselves in extreme danger while saving and attempting to save the lives of others. It is North America's highest honor for civilian heroism.

The entire Lafayette community is grateful for his courageous actions to save the lives of these young girls.

Congratulating Brownsburg Bulldogs on Their IHSAA 6A Victory

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Brownsburg High School football team for winning the IHSAA 6A State championship this year.

The Brownsburg Bulldogs took on Westfield High School in the State finals in Lucas Oil Stadium and emerged victorious, with a final score of 22-17. This was Brownsburg's first State title in nearly 40 years, and I know this win has meant so much to the Brownsburg community cheering them on to victory.

I congratulate these outstanding student athletes on becoming State champions. They should be incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication that brought them this victory. I also congratulate the parents, coaches, and faculty who gave their time and talent to this team. They couldn't have done it without them.

Congratulations again to the Brownsburg Bulldogs.

Honoring Dr. Mark Russell on His Retirement

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Dr. Mark Russell, who recently retired from his position as a professor of agricultural sciences education and communication at Purdue University. Dr. Russell joined Purdue in 1982. From August of 2015 to September of 2022, Dr. Russell served as the head of the agricultural sciences department.

Dr. Russell has truly been a leader in the Purdue community. Thanks to his expertise, he has judged over 1,100 horse shows for national breed associations in 14 countries. Dr. Russell has also established and expanded multiple exchange programs around the world, growing the university's global presence and relationships.

He has been a stalwart professor at Purdue University's ag department, and his loss will be felt by the Purdue community and beyond. We wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Avon Marching Black and Gold, Avon High School's marching band who won both the 2024 Bands of America Grand National Championship and the ISSMA State finals for the second year in a row.

Avon High School's marching band also won all three special award categories at the 2024 Bands of America Championship, taking home awards for Outstanding Music Performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, and Outstanding General Effect Performance.

I congratulate the students on their two big wins this year, and I am proud of their outstanding talent and perseverance that has led to their continued successes and national dominance.

I also thank the parents, teachers, directors, and volunteers for their hard work and dedication to this program. They couldn't have done it without you.

Congratulations again to the Avon Marching Black and Gold.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John W. Hall. John Hall is 99 years old and a U.S. Army veteran who fought in both World War II and the Korean war.

Hall became a prisoner of war in December of 1944 following the Battle of the Bulge. John Hall and his fellow POWs faced extremely harsh conditions in the disease-ridden POW camps with little or no food each day. He and his fellow POWs were liberated on April 2, 1945.

John Hall earned a Bronze Star for his service in Korea, where he was wounded in combat.

To this day, Hall exemplifies humility and insists that he is not a hero. Yet John is precisely that. Our country

owes him our utmost gratitude for his courage and selfless sacrifice to defend our country and our precious freedom. I thank him for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Kerry Shepherd, who is the chief of the Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department, for winning the 2024 Indiana Emergency Response Conference Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Award.

Kerry Shepherd was nominated for his selfless and unwavering commitment to the Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department. He became a volunteer firefighter over 35 years ago to promote safety and preparedness for the Cloverdale community. Kerry has consistently fostered strong relationships with the fire department and the community around him through volunteering and public service.

Kerry won the Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year Award for his outstanding leadership capabilities, his perseverance during full-time, night-shift jobs, and his continuous dedication to volunteer. I am grateful for his exceptional service to our central Indiana communities, and I congratulate him on this outstanding accomplishment.

Honoring 2024 IERC Fire Officer of the Year Darrick Wiatt

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Darrick Wiatt of the Greencastle Fire Department for winning the 2024 Indiana Emergency Response Conference Fire Officer of the Year Award.

Darrick Wiatt has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication and was recently promoted to captain after 6 years as a lieutenant.

Darrick showed extraordinary commitment during an incident in February 2024 where he supported EMS staff in maintaining the well- being of a pediatric cardiac arrest patient.

Darrick is also active in his community through volunteering with other fire departments and taking part in peer mentoring and engaging with others who struggle with mental health.

Darrick won the Fire Officer of the Year Award for setting an exemplary standard of work, his outstanding professionalism, and his commitment to the continuous improvement of the fire department.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate Darrick on winning this award.

Madam Speaker, I am a decorated Army combat veteran who served in the Vietnam war. I know how well and how much the sacrifices our servicemembers make to defend our Nation. Access to timely healthcare for our veterans is mission critical for the VA, and failure to deliver is unacceptable.

In 2014, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs discovered that 40 veterans died while waiting for medical care. This is just one example. My bill, the VA Same-Day Scheduling Act, will ensure that no veteran is more than one phone call away from the care they have been promised.

I am encouraged that the spirit of the bill is included in the Elizabeth Dole act which requires a plan to get the VA to same-day scheduling. This is a step in the right direction to fix that bureaucratic travesty.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Stephanie Winegar, the

EMS division chief of the Washington Township/Avon Fire Department and for winning the 2024 Indiana Emergency Response Conference EMS Officer of the Year Award.

As is displayed on this poster, Stephanie won this award for exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication to serving our central Indiana communities. She began her EMS career in 1988 as a volunteer EMT with the Wayne Township Fire Department. She tirelessly worked for Wishard Ambulance Service, while pursuing her paramedic certification from St. Vincent Hospital.

In 2023, she became Washington Township/Avon Fire Department's first female EMS chief. Thanks to Stephanie's leadership, her teams are always well-equipped when responding to emergency situations and excel in patient care.

We are so grateful for her service to our central Indiana communities for over two decades. She is to be congratulated on her outstanding achievement.

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

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 44 minutes a.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday, November 18, 2024, at noon for morning-hour debate.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Joseph Allen, a native Hoosier from Crawfordsville, Indiana, and a renowned astronaut. He earned his bachelor's degree from DePauw University in math and physics and went on to work for NASA in 1967.

While at NASA, Joe Allen flew on the first operational mission on Columbia in 1982 and the first satellite salvage mission on Discovery in 1984.

On Columbia, Allen helped deliver the first satellites to orbit for paying customers, marking the first commercial deployment from a shuttle. On Discovery, he retrieved two satellites that had been stranded in useless orbits.

Joe Allen was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2005. We are proud of his immense accomplishments, and we thank him for his service to our country at NASA and in the final frontier.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Houlahan for her dedication to improving STEM education and for being a great partner to work with on advancing this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act provides a much-needed solution to improving the quality of STEM education in America. This bill would advance mathematical instruction in our classrooms by incorporating modern tools and context, with data and computational studies.

Mathematical modeling is taught today, but on a limited basis. Even so, mathematical modeling is the foundation for the important work of our Nation when it comes to research, development, and, ultimately, technological innovation.

While the bill directs the National Science Foundation to grant awards to our institutions of higher education, the bill does not award any new funding. We must work with the resources we already have.

As an animal scientist, I understand the life-changing effects proper mathematical modeling can have on our livestock, our food, and, ultimately, our Nation's well-being.

That is why I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to ensure that the United States continues to dominate in STEM education, and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Corporal Brandon Schreiber, a native Hoosier and a Newton County Sheriff's deputy who was shot in the line of duty on September 1. He passed away on September 11 as a result of his injuries.

Corporal Schreiber served with the Newton County Sheriff's Department for 8 years, 5 of which were full time.

Like so many law enforcement officers, Corporal Schreiber always put the needs of his community above his own. His friends and family described him as a light of empathy, even in the toughest of situations.

Corporal Schreiber leaves behind his beloved wife and their two children. Our thoughts and prayers are with Corporal Schreiber's friends and family and the Newton County Sheriff's Department during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to cast one vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 420, Previous Question.