Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for yielding and for the amazing example that she is in her leadership to our entire Congress.

Madam Speaker, of particular concern to myself and many of my constituents in south Jersey is the Democrats' attempt to stuff their tax and spend reconciliation bill, or as I like to call it, the big, bad bill, with massive expansions to the IRS.

In order to pay for this monstrosity of a bill, Democrats are looking to hire more than 87,000 IRS agents. This army of auditors have the singular goal of spying on private transactions of millions of Americans and our small businesses.

And it isn't the ultra-rich that they are going to be going after. With a threshold of only $10,000 a year, nearly every American who has a job will be targeted. This is despicable at best and anti-American at its worst.

Biden administration policies are already leading the way to rampant inflation and to job shortages. The last thing the American people need is to

worry that their daily transactions will become the target of the IRS. Unsurprisingly, this policy received near unanimous support from House Democrats, despite the widespread backlash it received from the American public.

Madam Speaker, I implore the Senate to strip this dangerous provision before it ever become laws.

Madam Speaker, this month, I had the pleasure of presenting Dominic Jones with his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Dominic joined the cub scouts Pack 10 at South Vineland Methodist Church at the age of 6. In the Pack 10, he earned the cub scouts highest honor, the Arrow of Light. Dominic, with his friend Tyler, then became the founding member of Troop 2. He served as Quartermaster for Troop 2 for three years and became a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. In October of 2019, Dominic earned scouting's highest rank, the Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, he built raised garden beds for the residents of Baker Place Senior living. Dominic obtained all the materials for the garden beds through donations and worked with volunteers to construct the beds. This young man should be very proud of his accomplishments. It was my honor to have had the opportunity to recognize him for his service to the South Jersey community. God Bless Dominic and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Women's Community Club of Cape May as they celebrate 100 years of volunteer and philanthropic service. The Club was officially formed in November of 1921 with 169 members who elected officers and became affiliated with the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs. These founders were women who advocated for women's suffrage. Over the past 100 years, the WCCM has enabled major projects like the Cape May Lewes Ferry, establishing a local hospital, and adding American G.I's and war victims during World War II. This Club truly has an incredible 100-year history of community activism, projects, good works, fun, and fellowship. I thank them for their work and dedication to our Cape May community, and congratulations on their 100-year milestone. God Bless the Women's Community Club of Cape May, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize and honor the life of Richard Foster of Nutley, New Jersey. Richard graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1954 and joined the Air Force reserves shortly after. After his time in the Air Force, he worked for Prudential Insurance company for almost 40 years until his retirement. In 1994, when in Ocean City, New Jersey, with his wife, Richard encountered a violent, horrific storm. The riptides and winds were unlike anything the city had ever seen. While near the beach, Richard noticed two women struggling to return to shore because of the storm. Without hesitation, Richard entered the water to help save them. Unfortunately, because of the severity of the storm and tides, Richard nearly drowned and suffered from cardiac arrest while trying to save the women, but never regained consciousness. Richard truly is a selfless hero. May he rest in peace. God Bless Richard and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Albert Zona of Pleasantville, South Jersey. At the age of 18, Albert was drafted into the Army during World War II and was stationed in Japan. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a Sergeant in 1947. After he was discharged, Albert worked several full-time jobs as an auto mechanic until he was able to start his own business. He then opened his first service station at Edgewater Avenue and Main Street and was one of the eight original founding members of the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Company, Station 2. Around 1952, Al moved his service station to Absecon and transferred from Pleasantville to Absecon Volunteer Fire Department. He then sold that service station in 1998, ending his career as a volunteer firefighter. Al should be proud of his accomplishments and service to the South Jersey community and to America. I thank Al for his service. God Bless Al and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, in October, I had the opportunity to attend the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol Annual Hall of Fame Induction. The Sea Isle Beach Patrol was officially formed in 1919 to protect beachgoers who vacationed in the popular resort town. It started as just two lifeguards and three volunteers and has now grown into a large group. At the induction I attended, Robert Herzog, Bill Feaster, Jr., Jim Guntle, Jordy Troyan, Danny Rodgers, and Pat Scannapieco were inducted into the Beach Patrol Hall of Fame. These individuals should be proud of their accomplishments and service to South Jersey, and it was my honor to watch the ceremony. God Bless the Sea Isle Beach Patrol, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, this month, I had the pleasure of presenting Tyler Wilson with his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Tyler began as a Tiger Cub at a young age and proceeded through the Scout ranks up to Eagle Scout in October of 2019. Throughout his time as a Scout, Tyler became a member of The Order of the Arrow and is now a Vigil member. Additionally, with his friend Dominic, he founded Troop 2. For his Eagle Scout project, Tyler constructed a therapeutic riding arena for handicap kids at the Gloucester County 4H grounds. Scouting has had a major influence in Tyler's life, and it was my honor to have had the opportunity to recognize him for his service to the South Jersey community. God Bless Tyler and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, I hereby remove myself as a cosponsor of

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for doing this and for yielding and for all of his good work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, a week before one of America's oldest, most deeply rooted holidays, ashamed of what this administration is doing to our great United States of America. American families look forward to a Thanksgiving feast where they are finally able to see distant relatives, reflect on their lives and, of course, share

a table covered in food made from old family recipes.

Yet, this year, families aren't thinking about that. They are not thinking about what they will cook, but rather, how they will afford a Thanksgiving meal. Turkey prices are up 18 percent. Pumpkin pie is up 17 percent. Carrots, strangely enough, up 50 percent. Some families might not even have to worry about these rising food costs because they might not be able to travel to see their families due to soaring gas prices. A gallon of gas is up 61 percent, on average. If they are able to travel despite the price increases, they may enter a frigid home, as the cost to heat our homes has increased by 54 percent.

The root cause of these price increases is no big secret to anyone. They are the direct result of failed Biden policies. Policies that have led to rampant inflation, a crippled supply chain, and labor shortages on a scale that we never would have ever imagined.

Despite recent comments made by this administration and the media, inflation is a bad, bad thing. Buying a home? More expensive. Building a home? More expensive. Renting an apartment? More expensive. Gas, groceries, turkeys, and presents, more expensive. This is the Biden Thanksgiving tax.

Americans deserve a joyous Thanksgiving after the suffering our Nation has endured over the past 2 years. And this administration is on track to be known as the grinch who not only stole Christmas, but the grinch that stole Thanksgiving as well.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in favor of the HOPR Act, H.R. 2915.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Mr. Correa, for his continued leadership on this issue to help bolster our domestic supply chains.

This bill requires that, to the maximum extent possible, at least one-third of the funds obligated for the procurement of the Department of Homeland Security uniforms and gear covered by the HOPR Act be used to purchase goods manufactured by entities that qualify as United States small businesses.

Additionally, this bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study of the adequacy of uniform allowances provided to Department frontline personnel to determine what improvements can be made to current uniform allowances, including increasing allowances.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to join me in supporting H.R. 2915, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5652, the DHS Acquisition Review Board Act of 2021.

The Department of Homeland Security invests billions of dollars each year in its major acquisitions. These programs include buying IT systems to help secure our border, Coast Guard cutters to increase marine safety, and tools to help TSA screen travelers more efficiently. These acquisitions, and others, enable the Department to execute its many critical missions.

In fiscal year 2021 alone, DHS planned to spend more than $7 billion on its major acquisition programs, and ultimately, the Department plans to spend more than $200 billion over the programs' entire life cycles.

However, the Government Accountability Office, GAO, and the DHS Office of the Inspector General, OIG, have reported on the longstanding challenges DHS faces in managing its major acquisition programs, which began with the inception of the Department and continue to this day.

For example, in January 2021, GAO reported that of the 24 major acquisition programs it audited, 10 had been in breach of their cost or scheduled goals, or both, at some point during fiscal year 2020.

Also, in 2018, the OIG reported that DHS components have an ongoing tendency to acquire systems before they adequately define their requirements or develop performance measures. We cannot allow this to continue.

Given these challenges and the significant level of DHS investment in these programs, it is important for Congress to ensure that the proper oversight structures are in place. That is exactly what this bill intends to do.

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act to include the DHS Acquisition Review Board, which has already been formed by the Department.

The bill outlines specific responsibilities and parameters for the Board, which it exercises today, including its membership and how often the Board should meet, such as at certain key points in the programs' life cycles.

The Board is held at the Department level and is chaired by the acquisition

decision authority--normally, the Under Secretary for Management or a designee--and consists of individuals who manage DHS' mission objectives, resources, and contracts.

The Board's primary oversight role is to review major acquisition programs for proper management, oversight, accountability, and alignment with the Department's strategic functions.

The Board keeps acquisition programs accountable to the Department, Congress, and the American taxpayer, most importantly, by doing the following.

First, it ensures that the Department considers tradeoffs between cost, schedule, and performance before approving a program to proceed to the next phase of acquisition.

Second, it determines whether programs are using acquisition best practices.

Third, it requires senior DHS leaders to review the programs' progress and see that the program requirements are being met as they should.

This bill also requires the Board to document the actions and the decisions that it makes, including rationale for its decisions, which are then submitted to the Committee on Homeland Security in the House and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in the Senate.

In conclusion, this bill simply proposes to codify better oversight, management, and accountability of the Department's acquisitions.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Demings, for reaching across the aisle and cosponsoring this commonsense bill with me. I also thank Ranking Member Katko and Representatives Garbarino, Higgins, and Miller-Meeks for cosponsoring this bill as well.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5652, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for H.R. 5574, the TRANSLATE Act.

According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 67 million U.S. residents speak a language other than English at home. This legislation requires TSA to ensure that its communications materials in airports are in the primary languages of individuals who travel through and work in our country's airports.

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

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

Madam Speaker, October is Italian Heritage Month, a time where we celebrate the culture and contributions of our beautiful Italian American community. Hammonton, South Jersey is famous not only for their blueberries, but their deep Italian roots and heritage too. Recently had the honor of attending Hammonton's annual Columbus Day event, where the Sons of Italy recognize a local family that has had an impact on the community. The Sons of Italy in Hammonton do their utmost to preserve the Italian culture, heritage, and history that is so special to the community. It was a privilege to present them with a Congressional Proclamation, in recognition of their dedication to the Hammonton Community, and on such a special day for Italian Americans. I thank them for the work their organization does, not just for the Italian community, but for every Hammontonian. God Bless Sons of Italy, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, Vineland, New Jersey's Planning Board approved a $17 million project which will benefit the senior community in Cumberland. Our seniors are the bedrock of our communities, not only in South Jersey, but the entire nation. It is necessary that we care and protect them, just as they did for us. Developer, Hans Lampart, and the Vineland Planning Board are doing just that with their redevelopment project. Their project will give seniors the opportunity to live independently and affordably in high-rise style apartments. On behalf of the senior community, I thank Hans, and wish him good luck as he moves forward with this project. God Bless Newcomb Senior Apartments, and God Bless America.

Madam Speaker, please recognize a dedicated and strong advocate for those who have been affected by domestic violence and sexual abuse. Juanita Battle of West Cape May passed away on October 7, 2021. She was a hero to many, and her legacy will live on with all of those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Juanita was the proud founder of Cape May County's Coalition Against Rape and Abuse. Her Coalition provides counsel, support, and advocates for victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She touched the hearts of many thousands of people during her forty-seven years of service, and she will live on in their hearts forever. Juanita truly was a pillar of strength in the Cape May Community and may she rest in peace. God Bless Juanita, and God Bless America.