Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, when we talk about land for farmers and ranchers, we are really talking about that top eight inches of soil, which for some of you that may not recognize, that we consider that a living, breathing organism because of the organisms there and the complex chemistry that takes place, the nutrient exchange that grow the plants that rise above the surface.

I compliment our farmers and ranchers. We have spent a great deal of time and money and effort for conservation programs to protect that top eight inches of soil.

When we talk about land, we are also referring to a very precious resource. Since we have invested so much time and effort to make sure that we preserve that land, we are not interested in letting our adversaries have access to that.

In that vein, in Indiana, foreign investors own and lease about 400,000 acres of agricultural land. When I talk about agricultural land, I am talking about the land that either produces crops, forestry, pasture forages, and that sort of thing.

Some of them do not pose a real threat; however, foreign adversaries, including Communist China, are buying up farmland. Investors from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela under the Maduro regime, as I heard our speaker mention a minute ago, hold about 95,000 acres of American agricultural land, but between 2010 and 2021, just the last decade or so, individuals or entities affiliated with the Communist China increased ownership of our agricultural land from 13,000 acres to 383,000 acres. That is a tenfold increase.

We need to be conscious of that, we need to be aware of that, and we don't need to let our adversaries have that.

What is even more concerning is that the Chinese-owned entities have purchased farmland near at least 19 of our military bases. This strategically placed land could be used by the Chinese Communist Party to surveil our military sites. This is a huge national security threat.

Madam Speaker, our adversaries are buying up our farmland. I mentioned that. The U.S. is currently losing 175 acres of farm and ranchland every hour for housing and other industries. The reduction in the amount of land for sale is contributing to the higher prices of land as well as making it harder for young farmers to access quality land.

We cannot keep burning the candle at both ends and allow our adversaries to purchase land when the American

farmers are struggling to do so. Ultimately, food security, as has already been mentioned, is national security. We must ensure a resource as precious as our farmland cannot be exploited or purchased by our adversaries.

Mr. Speaker, due to technical difficulties, I was unable to cast my vote on July 22, 2024.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 358.

Mr. Speaker, every day, our men and women in blue leave their homes and families not knowing whether they will return. This is a heartbreaking reality that we do not give enough credit to. These heroes selflessly go out into our communities every day to ensure the safety of their families, friends, and strangers that they do not know and ask for nothing in return.

Mr. Speaker, this year alone, 98 officers were killed in the line of duty. That is 98 too many. One of them is Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar of Hendricks County, Indiana. Deputy Fislar's life tragically ended on April 16, 2024, while he responded to a deadly car crash. Officer Fislar is survived by his wife and two children. I pray for his family and every other officer who has been killed in the line of duty.

They sacrificed their lives for our safety. As we honor their lives during National Police Week, let us not forget how we are all impacted by these unsung heroes. Whether we see it or not, we must always back the blue.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, due to a district commitment, I was unable to cast three votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted:

YEA on Roll Call No. 179, H.R. 3354, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 220 North Hatcher Avenue in Purcellville, Virginia, as the ``Secretary of State Madeleine Albright Post Office Building;''

YEA on Roll Call No. 180, the Previous Question on H. Res. 1194; and

YEA on Roll Call No. 181, H. Res. 1194, the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 6192, H.R. 7109, H.R. 2925, and H.J. Res. 109.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, due to a district commitment, I was unable to cast five votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted:

YEA on Roll Call No. 182, Kelly, PA Amendment No. 3 to H.R. 6192;

NAY on Roll Call No. 183, the Motion to Recommit on H.R. 6192;

YEA on Roll Call No. 184, Passage of H.R. 6192, Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act;

YEA on Roll Call No. 185, Consideration of the Veto Message on H.J. Res. 98, Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to ``Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status''; and

YEA on Roll Call No. 186, Suspend the rules and pass H.R. 7423, Luke Letlow Post Office Building.

Mr. Speaker, unfortuately, due to a district commitment, I was unable to cast two votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 177, suspend the rules and pass H.R. 7219-- Information Quality Assurance Act; and YEA on Roll Call No. 178, suspend the rules and pass H.R. 7525--Special District Grant Accessibility Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) for yielding and for all the work done in committee to get this important piece of legislation to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I also thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren), the ranking member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, for her leadership and support on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of misconceptions about what this bill does, and, unfortunately, there are some who are intentionally spreading misinformation about this bill for political gain. Before I continue any further, let's put these rumors to rest by telling the American people what this bill does not do.

This bill does not give Federal agencies any authority to seize private property. I am a farmer and a private landowner, and I would never sponsor or support a bill that would give the Federal Government more power to seize private land.

This bill does not specify any land for carbon capture projects or undermine the property rights of American citizens.

This bill does not directly benefit or impact private companies with an interest in carbon sequestration.

The United States has been using carbon sequestration methods to store excess carbon emissions underground for over 50 years, and President Biden's Department of Energy is currently studying large- scale carbon sequestration at the Federal level. The problem is that our Federal agencies are not communicating properly about this technology, leaving a knowledge gap that wastes taxpayer dollars and could result in important findings falling through the cracks.

H.R. 4824 will force the executive branch to submit a plan to Congress and require Federal agencies to share research, data, and current sequestration technologies. Simply put, this bill puts guardrails on the administration's national energy plan by adding a reporting requirement to Congress and requires Federal agencies to talk to one another and share research in the most efficient way.

Mr. Speaker, I am sponsoring this legislation because I believe every Hoosier and every American, for that matter, should have the best information that is available when making informed decisions about their land and their community.

That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for all the work that we did in the committee to include my bill, the Precipitation Forecasting for Agriculture Act in the Weather Act's reauthorization.

The Precipitation Forecasting for Agriculture Act is a simple piece of legislation. This bill simply directs the United States Weather Research Program to study seasonal precipitation forecasts for agriculture.

Hoosier farmers rely on accurate forecasts to determine whether or not their farms will have rain needed for their crops. This bill supports that basic need through a collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and our universities to create measurable objectives in forecasting improvement.

This study will address the scientific challenges to improving precipitation forecasting by enacting the National Weather Service's recommendations for subseasonal and seasonal forecasting innovation in the 21st century.

These recommendations will enable the Indiana State Climate Office at Purdue University to produce operational models for land surfaces, soil moisture, and flash drought processes. Our farmers need the most accurate data available to guarantee a successful harvest. That is why I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, Hamas has committed countless acts of cruelty against the Israeli people since last year's unprovoked attack. Thousands lost their lives when Hamas stormed into Israel this past October to terrorize Jewish communities and brutalize their people.

Many families have mourned the loss of loved ones while others still live with the uncertainty of knowing if their family members are held in captivity.

I have had the opportunity to speak with the families of those hostages on multiple occasions, including some of those here tonight.

I stood shoulder to shoulder with them as they recount the terrible pain they have experienced as they nervously await news of their loved ones.

Despite the overwhelming grief these families have experienced, they continue to share their stories to shine a light on the true scale of Hamas' inhumanity.

I appreciate them for remaining in the spotlight to remind the world of the terrible atrocities committed by Hamas.

Their courage is a testament to the strength of the Israeli people and all those who have been victimized by the Hamas terrorists.

We will continue to fight for the release of all the hostages that are still held in captivity and stand with our friends in Israel in their struggle for their lasting security.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 102, I mistakenly voted ``yea'' when I intended to vote ``nay.''

Madam Chair, today, I rise in opposition to the Spartz amendment No. 76. This amendment states that none of the funds made available by this appropriations bill may be used to carry out commodity checkoff programs.

Checkoff programs function as research and promotion boards that help different commodities achieve industry success through market development, heightened demand, and expanded consumer awareness.

This amendment proves factually unnecessary and inaccurate since no tax dollars are used to implement the checkoffs and no appropriated dollars are used to oversee them, pursuant to the statute. These programs benefit our Nation's agriculture industry and bolster the work that is being done by our farmers and ranchers who put food on the tables across the country.

The continued success of these programs must not be interrupted and misguided by the lack of understanding and nongermane amendments.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Madam Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 357.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the distinguished career of Vice Admiral Sean Buck and to congratulate him on a well- earned retirement.

For over 40 years, this Hoosier has served his country in the United States Navy, quickly earning a sterling reputation as he rose in the ranks.

As a flag officer, VADM Buck held a series of vital command and staff positions, each demonstrating his exceptional leadership skills and strategic acumen. As commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, VADM Buck demonstrated his exceptional operational skills, and his steadfast commitment to mission success and the well-being of his fellow service members has left an indelible mark.

In the four years that VADM Buck has served as the 63rd Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has played a vital role in shaping the minds of future leaders, fostering a spirit of excellence and sense of duty in the next generation of naval officers.

As VADM Buck begins this new chapter in his life, I'd like to congratulate him on an exemplary career and thank him for his invaluable contributions to the U.S. Navy and our national defense. Fair winds and following seas in all your endeavors, Vice Admiral.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the great State of Washington for giving me this opportunity and giving the people back home this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise on behalf of the communities and the residents of west central Indiana to share our experience with the Endangered Species Act.

As an animal scientist and a farmer, I am a lifelong conservationist. I value the well-intended effort of the ESA to protect and conserve our Nation's most iconic species that really define our landscapes and have shaped our heritage.

Unfortunately, I believe the ESA has failed to achieve the underlying mission, and many of my constituents have been forced to experience the consequences firsthand.

Lakes Freeman and Shafer near Monticello, Indiana, have been a proper and appropriate tourist destination--home to many small businesses and attractions, and a vibrant local economy. A series of droughts and a tangle of bureaucratic red tape involving ESA devastated our once- thriving community.

Following a listing more than a decade ago of mussels on the endangered species list found in the Tippecanoe River, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service subsequently ordered a new higher volume of water to flow out of the Oakdale Dam that forms Lake Freeman, in an effort to preserve these now protected mussels.

This executive action by unelected bureaucrats became a death knell to the community and surrounding area. Businesses like the Tall Timbers Marina or The Madam Carroll cruise boat reported catastrophic losses of revenue. Homeowners along the lake reported ruined seawalls, dried up wells, and poor resale values.

The ESA not only failed to save the endangered population of mussels that sparked this misguided intervention--the mussels likely died from bacterial overload created by reducing a 1500-acre lake to a puddle-- but also claimed the lives of other wildlife in the area that died from the inhospitable conditions created by this rulemaking.

What happened in my district was an unmitigated disaster with antiquated Federal policies providing little resources for the community nearly leveled by its outstanding and outdated regulations.

After 50 years, it is time to modernize the law--to fix the broken parts, to make it better serve its intended purpose, and to allow for responsible solutions to disasters like Lake Freeman.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and I am glad he is pointing that out.

Madam Speaker, this National Police Week, we pause to recognize the brave men and women in blue who are committed to keeping our communities safe, and we remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Our Nation is blessed to have the bravest and most professional police officers in the world. This week gives us the ability not only to recognize their commitment to preserving peace and saving lives, but it gives us the chance to assess what we can do in Congress to help support them and to make their lives a bit easier as they protect our communities.

I may be biased, but I believe west central Indiana has some of the finest law enforcement officers in the country, and I am fortunate to have an open line of communication with them to identify issues that require Federal solutions.

Sheriff Myers in Morgan County has been instrumental in helping craft my bill, the PART Act, which gives law enforcement officials the tools they need to hold thieves accountable for catalytic converter theft. This may seem like a relatively small problem, but you ask any law enforcement official in your district, and they will tell you that skyrocketing catalytic converter thefts are taking up a lot of their time and resources that could be used for a better purpose.

This is an easy and bipartisan way for us to support our law enforcement officials, and I would encourage my colleagues to consider helping me get this bill across the finish line so we can unburden some of our law enforcement.

To close, I just want to say this to the men and women in blue who have dedicated their lives to protecting others: Thank you for your service and thank you for keeping us safe.