Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on January 3 we said the 118th Congress is about three things: pass the bills that need passed, do the oversight work that needs to be done, and stop the inevitable omnibus that comes from the United States Senate right before the holidays.

Kevin McCarthy has been rock-solid on all three. We have passed the bills we told the American people we would pass: the 87,000 IRS agents, that bill passed; Parents Bill of Rights, that bill passed; energy legislation, passed; border security immigration enforcement legislation, the strongest bill ever to pass the Congress, passed earlier this year.

We have done what we told them we were going to do. We can't help that the Senate won't take up those good commonsense bills. They will have to answer to the American people come election day.

Oversight. We have done the oversight that we are supposed to do. Because of our oversight, we know that parents were targeted by the Department of Justice. Because of our oversight, we know that 51 former intel officials misled the country weeks before the most important election we have.

Mr. Speaker, because of our oversight, the Disinformation Governance Board at the Department of Homeland Security is gone. Because of our oversight, the memo attacking pro-life Catholics has been rescinded. Because of over oversight, unannounced visits to Americans' homes by the Internal Revenue Service has stopped. That happened under Speaker McCarthy.

On the third one on this side, we know there is a big, old, ugly bill coming at the end of the year with all kinds of spending and garbage in it. We are still in that fight. Frankly, to Mr. Gaetz' point, we don't know how that one is going to shake out.

We do know this: On Saturday, we didn't take the Senate's bill. The Senate tried to send it over and shove it down our throats on Saturday, but we didn't take that bill. The Speaker was in a tough position.

There were five options on the table last week. Option one was to send a long-term CR over there that would have leveraged the 1 percent cut--something a bunch of us voted for, both parties. We couldn't get the votes for that one.

The second option was to focus on the one issue the country is now completely focused on, the border issue. We couldn't get the votes for that one either. When the Senate tried to send us that bill, he said ``no'' to it.

Mr. Speaker, I think the Speaker has kept his word. I know my colleagues and friends are saying different, but I think he has kept his word on those three things that we talked about on January 3 and, frankly, that entire week.

Mr. Speaker, he has kept his word, and I think we should keep him as Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the fiscal year ends in 36 hours. This bill funds the government. We have a $2 trillion deficit, $33 trillion debt. This bill cuts spending.

We have a border that is wide open. This bill secures the border.

Those are three simple commonsense things, but the most important of those three is the one that Mr. Diaz-Balart was just talking about, the border situation.

Mr. Speaker, 2021 was the highest number on record for illegal migrants entering the country, the highest year on record until 2022, and that was the highest year on record until this year. That is how bad this is.

Here is the important point: It is not just conservatives, it is not just Republicans talking about securing the border, the mayor of New York said the migrant crisis will ``destroy New York City.''

Everyone in the country knows what needs to be done. This bill does it and does it in a commonsense way. Reasonable cuts in spending to deal with the huge deficit we have, but most importantly it addresses the most pressing issue we have.

The most pressing issue in the country today is the border situation. Everyone in the country knows it, it seems, except Democrats in the United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to commend to the House the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club. Members of the club gathered earlier today to kick off an extended celebration of the centennial of their organization.

Optimist Clubs date back to the early 1900s, established to support young people and encourage their development. The Mansfield club, founded in October 1923, is the second oldest in the State of Ohio. Through the years, its members have devoted countless volunteer hours to promote youth-related programming throughout Richland County, from clothing drives to college scholarship competitions and Adopt-a-Child gift drives.

To commemorate this special anniversary, this year the club has donated $50,000 to build a children's playground at the Buckeye Imagination Museum in downtown Mansfield. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place next month.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, I congratulate the members of the Mansfield Noon Optimist Club as they mark 100 years of being ``Friends of Youth.''

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to commend to the House the 50th anniversary of the first concert of Ohio Wesleyan University's Gospel Lyres Choir.

From its founding in October of 1972 by students Cheryl Smith and Marteal Pitts, the Gospel Lyres Choir provided a place for African American students at Ohio Wesleyan to gather in fellowship and friendship and to use their musical gifts to praise God. At its debut concert on campus on November 4, 1973, the Choir numbered an impressive 22 members.

Through the years, Choir members served as unofficial ambassadors of Ohio Wesleyan, performing at churches not just in the city of Delaware, Ohio, but across our great state and beyond. Its members formed strong, lifelong bonds as they touched countless lives with the Gospel message they shared through their music.

Mr. Speaker, Choir alumni will gather on campus during Ohio Wesleyan's homecoming weekend this October for a reunion concert and celebration. On behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, I thank the members of the Gospel Lyres Choir for contributing so richly to the musical landscape of our great state. I wish them all the best as they mark their golden anniversary.

Mr Speaker, I was absent from the Floor during today's roll call vote (No. 251) on H.R, 3099, the Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act. I strongly support this legislation, which builds upon President Trump's important work toward greater stability between the State of Israel and other countries in the region, and would have voted in support of it had I been present,

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office for H.R. 3091, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the Committee report filing.

Mr. Speaker, since Joe Biden took office: 5 million illegal border crossings have been encountered, another 2 million illegal aliens have been released into the country, and over 370,000 unaccompanied alien children have been encountered on the border. The Biden administration has lost track of 85,000 kids of that number. Nearly 200 on the terrorist watch list have been encountered on our border. At midnight tonight, it gets worse. It gets worse tonight.

Here is the kicker. It has all been done intentionally. Day one, January 20, 2021, Joe Biden said: No more wall. No more remain in Mexico. If you get to the border, you get released into the country.

Well, shazam, everyone is going to come. That is exactly what has happened. They are all coming. Tonight, it gets worse.

It was done in a premeditated fashion, deliberate fashion, purposely. It was all done intentionally. I cannot figure out why they would do this.

Who seized on this? The cartels. They are making tons of money exploiting people and kids. It is terrible.

This bill, the strongest immigration enforcement legislation in modern times, does all kinds of good things on E-Verify, visa overstay, parole authority, the Flores decision, unaccompanied alien children, and asylum reforms.

The best part of this bill, the key component of this bill, is where we say that if you come to our country, you will get, according to the law, to file your asylum claim. We are going to follow the law, but you will be detained or returned while your claim is adjudicated.

We changed the incentive. If you don't do that, you never solve this problem. That is what this legislation does.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership of our Conference, the Speaker, the leader, the whip, and the Conference chair, their staff, Andrea Loving and her staff for doing an amazing job.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Biggs, Mr. Bentz, Mr. Roy, Mr. Tiffany, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Carter, Mr. Moran, Chairman Green, and Mr. Diaz Balart, who sponsored the legislation.

The guy who deserves the most thanks is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement. Without his work, his effort, and how he has stuck to this issue and got it done, this doesn't happen.

This is a good day for the country. Let's hope that the Senate will take up this bill after we pass it. This is the only thing that will help stop the craziness that, for 28 months now, has been going on, on our southern border.

Mr. Speaker, the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor will hold a ceremony at the statehouse in Columbus today to mark the induction of its 2023 class. Selection for the Hall of Fame is a high honor that has been accorded to only a few hundred Ohioans since 2000. To be considered for induction, individuals must have been decorated for heroic actions in a combat situation.

I am honored to commend to the House seven inductees from Ohio's Fourth Congressional District:

Specialist Fourth Class William Arnold, recipient of the Bronze Star with ``V'' Device, Army veteran of the Vietnam war.

Lieutenant Victor Dodds, recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal with ``V'' Device, Navy veteran of the Vietnam war.

Specialist Fourth Class Gary Dotson, recipient of the Bronze Star with ``V'' Device, Army veteran of the Vietnam war.

Private First Class Willard Humphrey, recipient of the Silver Star, Army veteran of the Vietnam war.

First Lieutenant Roger Leasure, recipient of the Bronze Star with ``V'' Device, Army veteran of the Vietnam war.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Steven Van Horn, recipient of the Silver Star, Navy veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Private First Class Ronald Wenger, recipient of the Bronze Star with ``V'' Device, Army veteran of the Vietnam war.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to commend to the House the memory of Kristopher W. Jordan of Ostrander, who died unexpectedly at the age of 46 on February 25. Kris ably served the people of Delaware County in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Kris was a man of strong faith and strong conservative credentials. He was a leader of the pro-life movement in the General Assembly and a champion of smaller government throughout his time in government service, which included 8 years in the Ohio Senate and 6 as Delaware County Commissioner.

His dedication and connection to the people of his district was so strong that he would knock on thousands of doors each election season even when running unopposed.

Mr. Speaker, we are grateful that good men like Kris Jordan are willing to dedicate themselves to public service. We offer his family and especially his 3 children--Macy, David, and Everly--our deepest condolences at this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce in Ashland, Ohio, will hold its annual awards banquet this Thursday, March 9. I am honored to commend to the House this year's recipients, who were selected based on business performance, customer service, community involvement, and promotion of Ashland County:

Small Business of the Year: The South Street Grille, Sean and Carly Little, owners.

Manufacturing/Industrial Business of the Year: Cowen Truck Line, Tim Cowen, President.

Professional Services Business of the Year: Directions Credit Union, Jill Comer, Branch Manager.

Health and Medical Services Organization of the Year: Brethren Care Village, Mindy Scurlock, Chief Executive Ofticer.

Non-Profit and Social Services Organization of the Year: Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Jerry Strausbaugh, Executive Director.

Hospitality and Recreation Services Business of the Year: The Salvation Army Kroc Center--Ashland, Billy and Annalise Francis, Officers.

In addition, these four area young professionals have been selected as winners of the 4 Under 40 Award for their leadership potential and commitment to long-term career excellence:

Brianna Noel, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones.

Angela Ringler, President, Advantage Marketing.

Brittaney Reep, Chief Financial Officer, Ashland County Community Foundation.

Stephen Knowlton, Integrator and Director of Innovation, Spire.

On behalf of the people of Ohio's Fourth Congressional District, I am pleased to join in the accolades for all of these distinguished professionals and thank them for their dedication to Ashland.

Mr. Speaker, I always appreciate the opportunity to share positive news about young people from Ohio's Fourth Congressional District. Today, I am pleased to commend to the House 12 high school students who are being honored for their outstanding leadership skills and volunteerism.

On Wednesday, the Noon Optimist Club of Lima will recognize Emma Core, Gabi Croft, Brady Shea, Lauren Cunningham, Elena Oliver, Grant Hardeman, McKenna Bader, Jordane Dues, Jacquelyne Lynch, Alora Patel, Ryan Kaverman, and Sabrina Heffner at its annual youth appreciation luncheon. These students were each nominated by their schools for being good role models for their peers.

I thank the Optimists for their efforts to celebrate the many achievements of these students and am proud to join in the accolades to them. They have my very best wishes for continued success in their lives in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, this morning we will read the full text of the United States Constitution. The text read today reflects the changes to the Constitution made by the 27 amendments. Those portions superseded by amendment will not be read.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the State of California (Mr. Kiley).

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cline) control the time.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 5, I call up the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 3) expressing the sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 3.

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

Madam Speaker, the FACE Act prohibits threats of force, obstruction, and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive healthcare services. Let me just go over that again. It prohibits threats of force, obstruction, and property damage intended to interfere with reproductive healthcare services.

The Justice Department has said that this act is not just about abortions but applies, as well, as to ``pro-life pregnancy counseling services and other pregnancy support facilities providing reproductive healthcare.''

So it applies across the board.

Here is the problem. On May 8, 2022, Mother's Day, activists targeted a pro-life, nonprofit center in Madison, Wisconsin, setting it ablaze and vandalizing it with the words, ``If abortions aren't safe then you aren't either.''

On June 3, 2022, leftwing anti-life activists targeted the Capitol Hill Crisis Pregnancy Center throwing red paint on the door, eggs at the window, and spray painting the window with, ``Jane says revenge.''

On June 25, 2022, in Longmont, Colorado, vandals graffitied and set fire--set fire--to the Life Choices free pregnancy center.

This has happened dozens and dozens and dozens of times all across the country.

What has the Justice Department done?

To my knowledge, no one has been prosecuted on the FACE Act--not one single person, to my knowledge.

But, oh, Madam Speaker, if you are a pro-life activist and you are praying outside an abortion clinic, like Mark Houck, then guess what happens to you?

The FBI kicks in your door, arrests you, puts you in handcuffs, and does it in front of your wife and seven children. That is what happens.

Madam Speaker, we don't want violence anywhere. As Mr. Cicilline said in his 1-minute speech, we don't want any violence anywhere. But let's not have this double standard.

Not to mention this: Think about what happened after the Dobbs decision was leaked, the leak draft of that opinion; we had activists protesting at every Supreme--well, not every one because only the conservative Justices' names were doxed, and information put out there. We had protests at their homes. In direct violation of the statute 18 U.S.C. 1507: You are not supposed to be protesting and interfering when a decision is pending in front of a Supreme Court Justice's home.

This was a direct violation of the statute, and, again, nothing happened.

That situation, as we all know, got real serious. It got real serious with the assassination attempt on Justice Kavanaugh.

So this resolution is straightforward.

What has happened literally now at hundreds of crisis pregnancy centers and churches around the country this past year is just flat-out wrong. This is a resolution that says that we appreciate the good work that happens at crisis pregnancy centers where they take in women and where they help them and help that unborn child and make sure that that unborn child gets to experience the gift of life.

The sanctity of life is what this is all about.

I commend my colleague and friend, Mr. Johnson, from the great State of Louisiana for this resolution and the people across the country who volunteer and who work every day at these centers to help these ladies who are in a tough situation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

What purpose? It says it right in the title: ``Expressing the sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches.''

Over 100 churches and pro-life facilities have been attacked in the last 7 months. That is all this resolution does.

Republicans condemn violence every time it happens. We condemn it when it happens to abortion clinics. We condemn it when it happens to churches. We condemn it when it happens to pro-life centers. We condemned it when it happened in the summer of 2020 all over the country. We condemned it when it happened on January 6. We condemn it every single time.

This is just highlighting what has happened in the last 7 months with churches and pro-life centers around the country. It is that simple. This should be unanimous.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson), my friend and the sponsor of this great legislation.

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

I point out to my friend from Tennessee that it is not that I believe the DOJ has the ability to use the FACE Act to prosecute people who vandalize and attack crisis pregnancy centers; they have said it. The Department of Justice says they can do that. I am just asking why they haven't.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Carl), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from the great State of Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), a pro-life leader and good friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. Greene).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Buck).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing.

Madam Speaker, I just want to read what the resolution says: That Congress condemns recent attacks, over 100 of them in the last 7 months, on pro-life pregnancy centers and churches; condemns recent attacks of vandalism, violence, and destruction against pro-life facilities, groups, and churches.

Second, it recognizes the sanctity of life, the important role pro- life facilities, groups, and churches play in supporting pregnant women, infants, and families.

Three, it calls upon the Biden administration to use all appropriate law enforcement authorities to uphold public safety and protect the rights of pro-life facilities, groups, and churches.

That is all it says. This is as apple pie as it gets. The hundreds of churches and crisis pregnancy centers that have been attacked in the last 7 months, this resolution says: Biden administration, use the FACE Act, which you have said applies not just to pro-abortion clinics but also to pro-life crisis pregnancy centers, use that to make sure we can stop this stuff from happening in the future.

We condemn all violence every time it happens. Here is what is interesting: The violence that has been cited by the other side against abortion clinics and people associated with them, guess what? Those individuals were prosecuted, and we support that.

What we want to know is why. With over 100 attacks, why hasn't the Justice Department, to my knowledge, used the FACE Act to prosecute anybody? Why?

They say there is no political nature at the Justice Department now; there is no weaponization. Really? Because it sure looks like there is a conflict here. Sure looks like there is a double standard here. This resolution is as basic as it gets.

Madam Speaker, I urge support, hope this thing passes unanimously, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 5, I call up the bill (H.R. 26) to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to enter extraneous materials on H.R. 26.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 26, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. In simple terms: Life is precious, life is sacred, all life, including unborn children, but that is not what this legislation is about.

This legislation is about those kids who are born alive making sure they get protected. For over 40 years, the decision in Roe v. Wade, as Justice Alito has stated, inflamed debate and deepened division over the issue of abortion in this country.

We have seen that play out over the last year, but what should be undisputed is the care of a child who is born alive after an attempted abortion.

Unfortunately, as evidenced by comments from prominent Democrats, not everyone believes that a child born alive should be protected.

We all know in 2019, then-Governor Northam of the State of Virginia stated this: The infant would be delivered, the infant would be kept comfortable, the infant would be resuscitated if that is what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.

Think about that. It is not just anybody saying that. It is the Governor of one of our largest States. The cavalier

attitude he displayed toward human life is just wrong.

H.R. 26 would require healthcare practitioners to give the same level of care to a child born alive after an abortion or an attempted abortion as the child at that same gestational age. Work to save the kid's life, work to help that newborn. It would also require the immediate transfer of the surviving infant to a hospital.

This legislation requires healthcare practitioners or other employees to report any violations of this provision to State or Federal law enforcement for criminal prosecution.

In addition, H.R. 26 provides the mother of an abortion survivor with a civil right of action against the healthcare practitioner who fails to provide the required level of care.

It is simple. Infants born alive following an abortion are kids. They are children. All newborns deserve the same level of care.

In the Declaration of Independence, our Founding Fathers declared that it was life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that are the unalienable rights bestowed on us by our Creator.

Congress has a duty to protect these fundamental rights. This should be an easy vote for all Members.

I thank my colleagues, Representatives Ann Wagner and Kat Cammack, for their diligent work on this legislation, and I urge all Members to support it.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I point out this bill has passed multiple times in previous Congresses, the exact same language, and it has passed with bipartisan support.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the State of Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), the sponsor of the legislation who has worked tirelessly on this good piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I would point out, the minority leader said their position is Roe v. Wade. Their position is real simple and it is real radical. Their position is you should be able to take the life of an unborn child right up until their birthday, and then as Governor Northam has said, even after their birthday. That is what this bill seeks to stop and to make sure that it doesn't happen.

That is as radical as you can get, taking the life of unborn children right up to their birth day. And then, as Governor Northam pointed out, even after that. We want to make sure that ``even after that'' part never happens because we believe life is precious and life is sacred.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack), one of the cosponsors of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), my friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin) for her first speech on the House floor.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) a longtime champion of the pro-life cause.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good), my friend.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Miller).

I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the great State of Virginia (Mr. Cline).

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

I will say that the document that launched this experiment in freedom we call America, the Declaration of Independence, talks about all are created equal, endowed by our creator with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I think it is interesting the order in which the Founders placed the rights they chose to mention: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

You can't pursue happiness; you can't chase down your goals and dreams if you first don't have freedom. You don't have freedom and true liberty unless government protects your most fundamental right: your right to live, your right to breathe, your right to life.

That is what this legislation is about, protecting the most innocent, the most vulnerable's right to life.

I urge a ``yes'' vote and hope this thing passes unanimously. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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