Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I recognize and celebrate Israel's 75th anniversary.

Like so many Americans, I am amazed by all that Israel has achieved in the face of immense challenges. Born in the aftermath of the horrors of the Holocaust and the Second World War, Israel's short history is full of success. In a short time span, Israel has become one of the world's leading nations for innovation and technology; its contributions to fields like cybersecurity, healthcare, and agriculture benefit Americans every day.

We also cannot lose sight of the fact that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and a beacon of hope for not only Jews, but freedom-loving people of all faiths and backgrounds. Our relationship with Israel is a mutually beneficial partnership that reinforces America's moral values and strategic interests, promoting stability in a highly volatile region. Our two nations face many of the same threats, making it imperative that America does not waiver in our commitment to strengthen Israel's ability to defend itself.

The U.S.-IsraeI relationship is truly the embodiment of ''peace through strength''. By standing together, we demonstrate to our adversaries that we will not be intimidated and that we will defend our shared values and interests. As malicious regimes like Iran continue their quest for nuclear capabilities, it is vital that America remains committed to ensuring a strong and secure Israel.

As a Member of Congress, I remain steadfast in my support for Israel and look forward to helping advance U.S.-Israel defense cooperation. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating Israel's 75th anniversary and reaffirming our commitment to this important partnership.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record remarks submitted at the request of a Virginia Beach constituent, Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman of Temple Lev Tikvah, and are a reflection of his views:

The significant 75th anniversary of the State of Israel,

the world's only Jewish state and a staunch U.S. ally,

behooves to reflect on the major personality behind the only

country whose people restored its sovereignty following 2,000

years of forced exile and oppression. While the modern

Zionist movement with roots in 19th century Europe, saw the

rebirth of Jewish statehood the solution to historical

antisemitism culminating in the unfathomable Holocaust, the

tormenting reality remains that antisemitism's deadly venom

has not died out and is a potent force aimed at both Israel

and world Jewry, with a precipitous rise in the U.S.

Against great odds Israel not only survived but has

thrived, literally making the desert bloom and is the only

source of Western and democratic enlightenment in the

troubled Middle East. The world is a better place because

Israel is in it, contributing to its progress in diverse

ways. However, Israel is the only country threatened with

annihilation since its inception. The terrorizing Islamic

Republic of Iran and its proxies challenge both Israel and

the U.S. The Abraham Accords have broadened the scope of

Israel's rapprochement with the Sunni Arab world that regards

Israel an asset facing the common Iranian Shite threat. The

complex conflict with the Palestinians awaits permanent

peaceful solution, as Israel preserves its Jewish and

democratic identity.

The latest critical biography by esteemed professors Motti

Golani of Tel Aviv University and Jehuda Reinhartz of

Brandies University (the Founding Father. Tel Aviv: Am Oved

Publishers. 2020), establishes Dr. Chaim Weizmann (1874-

1952), the Zionist leader and Israel's first president, as

the unquestionable founding father. David Ben-Gurion,

Israel's first prime minister and Weizmann's disciple and

rival, read the Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948,

as the British departed. President Harry Truman, the first

world leader to announce his critical support, only eleven

minutes following the historic proclamation despite the State

Department's opposition. Weizmann's ceaseless efforts secured

Truman's support, saving the Negev region for the future

state when showing the map to sympathetic Truman who

requested that Weizmann become president. As the authors

insightfully assert, ``A biography like history is a story of

encounters.''

It was Dr. Weizmann, the East European Jewish scientist

with a doctorate in chemistry from the University of

Manchester and his inventive aid to the British in WWI

coupled with dogged personal efforts and diplomatic skills,

that paved the way for the first international breakthrough

of the budding Zionist enterprise, the Balfour Declaration of

November 2, 1917 supporting a Jewish national home in

Palestine. Weizmann's foremost goal was creating a Jewish

state even if entailing territorial concessions to the Arabs,

with steadfast concern for maintaining morality as he opposed

Jewish terror against the British Mandate rulers of

Palestine. He was a British citizen since 1910 and held that

the British empire and the Jewish Zionist cause were mutually

interdependent, later adding the United States as a desired

friend and essential big brother.

Weizmann could not convince the United States to accept

Jewish refugees after Hitler's rise to power, nor the British

Eden and Churchill to bomb Auschwitz. He only partially

attracted German Jewish scientists of Noble Prize stature to

join the Hebrew University which he cofounded with Albert

Einstein and Judah Magnes in 1925, as well as his Ziv

Institute. Those scientists that Weizmann sought to save were

blind to the coming disaster and not impressed with what was

offered them, including Freud and Einstein. The Holocaust

weighed heavily on Weizmann who had a complex bond with East

European Jewry from which he emerged. It remained his ever-

beloved family though Western Europe became his preferred

physical and cultural home. He could not bring himself to

visit the DP Camps and facilitated sending Ben-Gurion

instead, strengthening his rival's stature. Yet, Ben-Gurion

said about Weizmann, ``That the state did not make him but he

made the state.''

Rabbi Dr. Israel Zoberman is founder of Temple Lev Tikvah in Virginia Beach. He is past president of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis and Cantors. He was born in Chu, Kazakhstan (USSR) to Polish Holocaust survivors who met in Siberia. Rabbi Zoberman and his family were at the Wetzlar DP Camp, Germany, American Zone, from 1947 to 1949. He grew up in Haifa, Israel.

His maternal great grandma, Rachel Leah, and the mother of Dr. Chaim Weitzmann, Rachel Leah, were first cousins.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly agree with him on Washington's excessive spending. Republicans are ready to lead the way to end the era of reckless government spending.

After only 2 years under the Biden administration, our Federal deficit has grown by over $6 trillion. This is unacceptable for our country but especially for our children, who will inherit this deficit.

However, I also agree that our great Nation cannot default on our debts, and this bill, like all others, must be paid. I support lifting the debt ceiling, but only if coupled with reforms to Washington's wasteful spending in order to repair the inflation crisis and strengthen America's economy.

While the President has offered no plan to avoid default, I am proud to be a part of this new Republican majority that has put forward the Limit, Save, Grow Act, which proposes solutions.

That being said, I do have serious concerns with the provisions of this legislation that repeals clean energy investment tax credits, particularly for wind energy. These credits have been very beneficial to my constituents, attracting significant investment and new manufacturing jobs for businesses in southeast Virginia. The energy production happening in my district will incentivize clean energy solutions here in America and provide jobs for Virginians and energy options for military installations in my district.

For all of these reasons, I do not support the repeal of these clean energy tax credits.

I recognize that this bill is not the final product, but I also understand that it gets us to the negotiating table. I worked hard for a new Republican majority to have a seat at that table.

My ask is for the gentleman's assurance that I will be able to address these concerns as we move forward in those negotiations and advocate for the interests of my district.

Mr. Speaker, I have full faith we can negotiate a final debt ceiling deal that both restores fiscal responsibility and empowers Americans to be good stewards of our Nation's vast natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate American President Lines on its 175th Anniversary. Founded on April 18, 1848 as the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, the company began with three ships and ran the first shipping line between Panama and California. Authorized by Congress under the Mail Steamer Bill in 1847, Pacific Mail operated under a U.S. contract to carry mail from Panama City to the west coast.

In 1867, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's SS Colorado was the first steamship to start regular service across the Pacific sailing from San Francisco to Yokohama and Hong Kong. In the 1880's and 1890's Pacific Mail modernized its ships again replacing iron-hulled ships with steel and installing electric lighting on the SS Columbia, the first ship in the world to have electric power.

In 1921, the company renamed ships after presidents, with the first five named as the President Cleveland, President Lincoln, President Pierce, President Taft, and President Wilson. These ships were sold to Dollar Steamship Lines in 1925, where they continued in the TransPacific service and expanded the line with seven additional ships named after presidents Adams, Garfield, Harrison, Hayes, Monroe, Polk, and Van Buren.

Under new management in 1938, the name was changed to American President Lines with an eagle as a mascot. American President Lines played a critical role in World War II by managing ships for the newly created War Shipping Administration and transporting troops and materiel in support of the war effort. Through World War II, APL lost nine vessels due to enemy attack or stranding in war zones.

As the world's post-war economy grew, American President Lines provided around-the-world cargo and passenger services and was a leader in Transpacific transportation between the U.S. west coast and Asia. Ever since, American President Lines has led industry innovation by pioneering containerized transport, developing the concept of seamless integrated intermodal service, implementing stacked containers on rail cars to improve operations and efficiency, deploying the use of RFID tags to track shipments, and, as a partner with the United States government, supporting critical sealift capabilities and U.S. military operations and personnel around the world.

We are proud to have American President Lines headquartered in Virginia, and I want to again congratulate American President Lines, their employees, and the U.S. merchant mariners who crew the ships, on their 175 year heritage and remarkable legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a former female athlete, mother of two daughters who are athletes, lifelong runner, and former coach of girls' sports teams. This week we will vote on a bill to protect women and girls' sports. I led a similar bill in the Virginia Senate and look forward to supporting this measure in the U.S. House.

I feel passionately about this issue and want to convey how important it is to protect women's sports for future generations.

This bill is not about discriminating against any group of people, but rather protecting the benefits of allowing biological girls to push themselves and bond over a shared physical goal. Allowing women to excel in a physical activity promotes teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-confidence. Women's sports offer opportunities for young girls to discover their strengths and teach them that hard work pays off.

Title IX protected these opportunities and allowed young women in this country to compete and win in fair fields of play. Biological men and women are physically different and should be respected for those differences.

Failing to acknowledge these differences takes away opportunities for girls and women to succeed on the playing field. We cannot allow this to happen.

I am proud to support the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, and I strongly urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight the passage of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which I voted for today, and this Chamber passed only minutes ago.

Over the past 2 years, we have seen record increases in energy prices coupled with inflation cause countless hardships for families in my district and across the country. In fact, gas prices have risen nearly every single month of President Biden's term, long before Putin's invasion of Ukraine. That is not to mention the fact that, in 2021, U.S. imports of Russian oil nearly tripled.

Despite these facts, this administration has consistently opposed American energy development.

Rather than restricting domestic energy and mineral production, we need to unlock American resources to provide energy security here at home and for our allies abroad.

H.R. 1 allows our domestic energy industry to flourish and puts us back on the path to energy dominance by removing unnecessary, complicated permitting regulations and modernizing outdated laws.

Many of the problems America's energy industry faces today stem from burdensome permitting requirements, the outdated NEPA process, and endless litigation over already leased lands and projects currently in progress.

H.R. 1 tackles these challenges head-on, unleashing American energy, reforming our broken permitting process, and imposing filing deadlines on litigation concerning energy and mining projects.

By doing so, this bill not only helps us slash energy costs for working families but also reduces our dependence on foreign fuel sources, which, in turn, benefits our environment and bolsters our national security.

America continues to be one of the cleanest energy producers in the world. For example, Russian natural gas exported to Europe has a lifecycle emissions profile 41 percent higher than U.S. liquefied natural gas exported to Europe. In fact, if the European Union switched all of their natural gas imports in 2021 from Russian to U.S., it is estimated that global emissions would have been reduced by over 218 million tons.

That is not to mention that the U.S. is at least 50 percent import reliant for 48 different mineral commodities, 24 of which come from China and 6 of which come from Russia.

Our energy security is national security, and it allows our Nation to deliver greater global emission reductions that substantially lower energy prices.

Madam Speaker, I am glad to say that not only will this bill benefit the people of my district at the pump and on their energy bills, but thanks to my amendment, I have guaranteed that it also protects the beautiful coastal waters that southeast Virginians call home by ensuring the existing moratoriums on drilling off the coast of Virginia are not affected.

We have worked very hard on the Natural Resources Committee to ensure this bill will directly benefit the American people.

We must restore strength in our economy, and that starts with restoring America's energy independence. Republicans are leading on this issue, and it is my hope that this bill will make its way to the President's desk and be signed into law so all Americans can benefit.

Honoring the Gallaudet Eleven

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Gallaudet Eleven and highlight their important yet seemingly unknown contributions during the space race, contributions that led to invaluable scientific knowledge and, eventually, the successful Apollo 11 Moon landing.

Before NASA could send humans to space, the agency needed to better understand the effects of prolonged weightlessness on the human body.

So, in the late 1950s, NASA and the U.S. Naval School of Aviation Medicine established a joint research program to study these effects. They recruited 11 deaf men from Gallaudet University: Harold Domich, Robert Greenmun, Barron Gulak, Raymond Harper, Jerald Jordan, Harry Larson, David Myers, Donald Peterson, Raymond Piper, Alvin Steele, and John Zakutney.

All but one of these men had lost their hearing early in their lives due to spinal meningitis, which damaged the vestibular system of their inner ear in a way that made them immune to motion sickness.

Now known as the Gallaudet Eleven, these men underwent extensive testing over the course of 10 years, pushing their bodies to the limits to advance our space program.

The testing and experiments included living 12 days straight inside a 20-foot slow rotation room, which remained in a constant motion of 10 revolutions per minute, a 200-mile journey on the choppy seas off the coast of Nova Scotia, and a series of zero-G flights in the notorious ``vomit comet'' aircraft.

The decade's worth of experimentation gave researchers critical insight into how the body's sensory system works when gravitational cues from the inner ear aren't available, as in the case of space flight. This insight helped give researchers the information they needed to safely send other men to space.

We cannot ignore that the space race played a significant part in the Cold War. Americans and Soviets competed to prove their technological and intellectual superiority by becoming the first nation to put a human into space.

When we landed on the Moon, our astronauts were seen as the ultimate American heroes, a distinction they would not have enjoyed without the contributions of the Gallaudet Eleven.

The service of these 11 men to the United States embodies a legacy of bravery, dedication, and love of country.

Madam Speaker, please join me in expressing gratitude to the Gallaudet Eleven for their honorable service to our Nation.

I hope that by highlighting the critical contributions of these unsung heroes, I have helped ignite an effort to provide them with the recognition and credit that they are due.

Problems Caused by Navy Dry Dock Closures

Madam Speaker, I rise today to address my grave concerns with the recent closure of four Navy dry docks that are responsible for maintaining our Navy fleet and sustaining our Naval seapower and maritime strength.

Approximately 7 weeks ago, the U.S. Navy closed three dry docks at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton and another at the nearby Trident Refit Facility in Bangor, Washington.

One of these dry docks that was closed was the only dry dock on the West Coast certified to repair a nuclear aircraft carrier.

Without this vital infrastructure in place, our aircraft carriers in the Pacific are left completely vulnerable. We are now left with one dry dock on the East Coast that has the capacity to repair an aircraft carrier.

Combined, these shipyards used to have 22 dry docks. With 4 out of commission, we are down to 18 and have lost 22 percent of our critical Naval support infrastructure. We are now left with one dry dock on the East Coast that has the capacity to repair an aircraft carrier.

As a result of significant divestment in the 1990s, our Nation has only four public shipyards: Puget Sound and Pearl Harbor on the West Coast and Norfolk and Portsmouth on the East Coast.

As you can see here in this graph, the U.S. now has the fewest public shipyards than any other time since the end of World War II. Additionally, we now have 36 percent of the Navy's attack submarine fleet either in or waiting for maintenance.

This backlog is due to a multitude of factors, including workforce challenges, but having fewer shipyards and dry docks is a significant part of the problem.

This problem impacts the readiness of our submarines and aircraft carriers and our entire Navy fleet, the men and women who crew them, the defense industrial base, and our national defense as a whole.

Without the basic infrastructure needed to support our Navy, how can we possibly provide adequate defense capabilities if called upon to engage with our adversaries.

If we were to engage in conflict with a near-peer adversary such as China, we need to have infrastructure at the ready to repair damaged vessels in a timely manner and return them to their area of operation.

Increasing our maritime industrial base, including dry docks, is absolutely critical for our Navy to be able to effectively defend the United States and must be prioritized in our national defense budget.

I came to Congress to restore Americans' strength. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee from both sides of the aisle to ensure that we support and invest in our public shipyards in order to protect and defend our great Nation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been

present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 144.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Our relationship with Israel is a mutually beneficial partnership that not only reinforces America's moral values and strategic interests, but also promotes peace and stability.

The U.S.-Israel relationship is truly the embodiment of peace through strength. Having served 10 years in the U.S. military, I know how volatile this region is and understand that a key element of our own national security is the strength and security of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East.

Our two nations face many of the same terrorist threats, the only difference being that Israel is surrounded by hostile regional actors. As malicious regimes like Iran continue their quest for nuclear capabilities, it is imperative that America does not waver in our commitment to strengthen Israel's ability to defend itself.

In a world that grows more dangerous by the day, weakening our allies would have disastrous consequences for the security of our country and threaten the possibility of world peace.

I remain steadfast in my support for Israel and look forward to helping advance U.S.-Israel defense cooperation here in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Virginia Wesleyan University Women's Soccer Team on their incredible season.

This year, the team finished fourth in the NCAA Division 3 National Tournament. This was the Marlins' second trip to the Final Four in school history and the first trip since 2006. With an overall record of 18 wins, three losses, and four ties, the Virginia Wesleyan Women's Soccer Team was the only unranked team to make the tournament this season.

Featuring three All-Region players, two NCAA All-Tournament players, and one Third Team All American player, the Marlins earned their spot in the Final Four with a combination of impressive talent and unrelenting hard work. The Marlins left it all out on the field and should be proud of their accomplishment. As a female athlete myself, I congratulate them on their amazing season and wish them all the best moving forward.

Again, congratulations to all the Virginia Wesleyan University Women's Soccer Team players, coaches, and fans on a historic and impressive season. Go Marlins.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of a member of the Greatest Generation, a Congressional Gold Medal recipient, an American hero: Montford Point Marine Corporal Linwood Holland.

A constituent of Virginia's Second Congressional District, Corporal Holland passed away in Suffolk on February 16 at the age of 99 years old. He leaves behind a legacy of bravery, perseverance, and love of country.

In 1942, Linwood Holland traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to enlist in the United States war effort. In the face of adversity and discrimination, he became one of the first Black Americans to serve in the Marine Corps.

Over the course of World War II, more than 20,000 Montford Point marines served in segregated units. Corporal Holland served our Nation and the Marine Corps honorably, fighting in the consequential battles of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

He courageously paved the way for future generations of Black Americans and U.S. Marines.

The Suffolk community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States as a whole has lost a valiant member of the Greatest Generation.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in mourning the loss of Corporal Holland and honoring this American hero for his service.

I thank the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Carter, for yielding me time to speak on this important issue.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that my first address on the House floor is about a subject that is important to me and so many people in my district.

As a Navy veteran and a primary care nurse practitioner, I am well aware of the challenges that our servicemembers face in the healthcare arena.

Over the past few weeks, I have heard from countless concerned constituents who are unable to get their medications from their local pharmacy because the pharmacy is no longer in the TRICARE network.

It is not just TRICARE members who are being affected by this change. I recently talked to a constituent who owns a small pharmacy on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

They are at risk of losing a significant percentage of their business because the reimbursement rates issued from TRICARE are now too low to be sustainable for pharmacy owners.

I was sent to Congress to help the people of Virginia's Second District in any and every way that I can.

This new contract helps absolutely no one. In fact, it does just the opposite.

Our military and military families need to remain strong to be effective. It is our job to ensure their needs are met and their health is prioritized. Make no mistake; this TRICARE contract does neither.

I strongly urge TRICARE to return to the negotiating table and ensure military members and their families can receive their medications, and our pharmacies are fairly compensated.