Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the Schumer shutdown was proven irresponsible, achieving nothing and hurting American families.

Last week, I joined with Republican colleagues in voting to open the government, as Republicans originally voted in September to keep it open.

Now that the 43-day Democrat shutdown, the longest in history, is over, the government can get back to work on behalf of the American people.

The Democrat shutdown caused the loss of paychecks, destroyed jobs, delayed services to our military, and included the inconvenience of delayed and canceled flights worldwide.

I am grateful for the leadership of President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson for promoting families first over failed political stunts.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump and yesterday attacking a Turkish- flagged tanker, causing evacuation in Romania, both NATO allies that we so value.

Our prayers for the recovery of South Carolina native Jesse Jackson.

Mr. Speaker, President Donald Trump has another historic achievement for peace and prosperity in the Middle East, reducing threats to Americans at home and abroad.

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday: ``Syria has joined the U.S.- led mission to defeat Islamic State . . . after President Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met at the White House.''

This meeting was the first of a Syrian head of state to visit the White House in the 8,000-year history of Damascus.

It was promoted by Ambassador Tom Barrack, the tireless Trump envoy for Syria, and Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command.

I personally appreciate the Trump triumph as, last November, I was condemned by the Syrian dictator, Assad, as an enemy of the state weeks before he fled to Moscow.

Mr. Speaker, 8 months later, I was a guest in the Damascus office of Assad with the new President and Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump with attacks on civilians.

Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the U.S.- Thai Alliance Caucus, I want to extend my deepest condolences to both the Royal Family and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.

Born in Bangkok on August 12, 1932--a day now celebrated as Mother's Day--she married the future King Bhumibol Adulyadej, crowned Rama IX, in 1950.

Her Majesty led a life dedicated to public service and was a champion of furthering rural development in Thailand. As a steadfast companion of the King for more than four decades, she traveled with him throughout the country touring rural villages and advocating for projects to help the poor.

Queen Sirikit was also an advocate for the preservation of traditional silk-weaving and is credited with helping to revitalize Thailand's silk industry.

During my visits to Thailand, I have seen firsthand the warmth of the people and their love for the King and Queen, offering only the highest of praises. The Thai people's admiration of the monarchs is a testament of their patriotism and to national unity in Thailand. I am grateful to have been able to have seen these sentiments firsthand, in addition to the numerous other aspects of their rich culture. Thailand is a valued ally of America.

Once again, I offer my deepest condolences to Queen Sirikit's family and friends, and to the people of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize the honorable life of Major General Thomas Rew.

Having lived for over a century, born on March 13, 1922, Maj. Gen. Rew served 34 years as a U.S. Air Force officer, and fought bravely in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War to keep American families safe and protect freedom with Peace Through Strength.

In 1976, he retired from the military and moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where he became a valued community member. I especially appreciate his service as myself the son of U.S. Army Air Corps Flying Tigers in World War II, 1st Lieutenant Hugh Wilson, having served in Kunming, Chengdu, and Xian, China.

Maj. Gen. Rew is a true American hero, and I am grateful for his service to the country. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.

Maj. Gen. Rew was honored on June 7, 2025, at the WWII Veterans Honor Event at Woodward Field Camden, hosted by Colonel Rick Mantei and his wife Lisa through the Rick Mantei Charitable Fund.

His loving obituary has been published by Dunbar Funeral Home:

``Maj. Gen. Rew died Sunday, October 12, 2025. Born in

Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and

Lucy Davey Rew. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High

School in New York City. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps

during WWII and was quickly selected for officers' training

and flight school. After the war he graduated from

Springfield College, Massachusetts with a degree in Physical

Education, married Marie Hartigan of Queens, New York, and

was subsequently recalled to active duty in the US Air Force

during the Korean War. He remained on active duty for the

next 25 years flying B-47 and B-52 bomber aircraft. He served

in a variety of command positions and in combat during the

Vietnam War. He retired from the military in 1976 and resided

in Columbia, South Carolina, ever since. In addition to his

Christian faith and his family, his three main passions in

life were fishing (with his children), sports (playing

handball and watching the Los Angeles Dodgers), and aviation.

``Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Rew, and his three sons:

Fredric Rew (wife Paige and children James, Mark, Elizabeth);

William Rew (wife Christy and children Jessica, Mandy, Kat);

Thomas Rew (wife Diana and children TJ and Lindsay);

grandchildren Keegan Robar, Devin Brown, and Taylor Brown;

plus seven great grandchildren.''

``He was predeceased by wife Marie Elizabeth Hartigan,

sister Mary Carpenter, daughter Maureen Rew Brown, and

grandson Wlliam Rew.''

As I attended the funeral services at Northeast Presbyterian Church (PCA), thoughtfully conducted by Rev. Dr. George Crow with Dr. Robert Jones and Rev. Josh Desch, I was inspired to know firsthand of the success of Major General Rew with his World War II, Korea, and Vietnam service. He made possible my visits to formerly deadly enemies of Berlin, Tokyo, Rome, Pyongyang, Seoul, and Hanoi. Now Germany, Japan, Italy, and Republic of Korea have been enriched with American aid and in Vietnam, Americans are beloved. Today, more people live in freedom and democracy than ever in world history due to the American military.

Mr. Speaker, Satirist Greg Gutfeld of Fox Television Channel was at his best on September 23rd correctly analyzing the consequence of violence by the Fake News Media in America. Deranged false accusations of Fascism, National Socialism, against conservatives is dangerous.

``All right. So, NBC claims that investigators have found

no link between Charlie Kirk's assassin and any left-wing

groups.'' As for this narratives timing, all you have to see

are the responses which is, see everyone? No left -wing group

was involved in this murder. Congrats, NBC, you provided the

cover. You can add that to your other scoops. The laptop is

fake, COVID came from bad soup, Trump colluded with Russia,

Joe was sharp as a tack.

The mainstream media misses more mayhem than a blind

cleaning lady at Motel 6. So, is it a relief to know that the

assassin wasn't part of some radical group? That he was just

some guy who acted upon a daily reminder that in order to

save democracy you had to murder someone? True, there were no

records of him showing up at the nightly potluck at the YMCA,

He didn't need to. Every single day he was fed the message

that all US are nazis, fascists, white supremacist. From

colleges to comedy shows, you cannot escape the brainwash.

So, the media says good news, he wasn't radicalized by a

group. Yeah, because he was radicalized by you, the media.

The constant drumbeat from democrats, the press, activists

who have been screaming for years that people like Charlie

aren't just wrong, they are evil. Who needs an armed group

having a clandestine meeting in a basement when you have

nightly programming on MSNBC? They have more blood on their

hands than Jeffrey Dahmer after a first date, I know. Never a

second date with him. But if you are thrilled there was no

organized group behind this hate and how do you explain the

reaction after the assassination? It wasn't universal horror.

You had thousands of ghouls cheering his demise. Pop stars,

talking heads, teachers, bureaucrats. ANTIFA wasn't needed

because culture did the work for them. Saying no left-wing

group was involved doesn't mean there is no left-wing

influence. It means the poison has seeped into the

groundwater. You don't need a special club when the entire

ecosystem is the club.

It's like Charles Manson bragging that he didn't kill

anybody himself personally. No Charlie, it wasn't you. Just a

gaggle of human scum, that you brainwashed. These creeps gave

motive, permission, and the hopes that Kirk's assassin would

be seen as a hero. Meanwhile, the same fools now cite bogus

studies and say political violence comes from the right. But

the stats are less believable than the shoe polish on Jesse's

bald spot. They ignore everything that doesn't fit the

script. When their once vaunted economist magazine cited a

study showing that the most political violence is right wing,

they failed to mention that the study by an outfit called

TheProsecution Project was run by a self-proclaimed ANTIFA

member. And yet the media devoured this fanfiction like it

was objective data.

Coming up with a bogus study to smear the right and

laundering it through the media, rinse and repeat. So, you

have to wonder, why lie? Why did Jimmy Kimmel blame MAGA for

Kirk's death? It wasn't bad timing; it helped provide cover

for future left-wing violence. So don't tell me no group. The

group is CNN; the group is Hollywood. The group is the late-

night hosts losing millions but still propped up by the

networks. The group is every politician who calls the country

nazis. And they are shocked when some unhinged loser believes

them? If you can't see that, it means you're part of that

group too.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Dr. Seshadri Raju and his wife, Dr. Sybil Raju, as they honor his mentor, Dr. James Hardy. The Rajus donated one million dollars, endowing the Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

Dr. Raju has made considerable contributions in the areas of transplant immunology, organ preservation, and small bowel transplantation.

Dr. Raju performed the first clinically successful double-lung transplant in America and the first successful heart transplant in Mississippi. Notably, Dr. Raju performed a successful double-lung transplant on my predecessor and mentor, the late Congressman Floyd Spence. Congressman Spence incredibly lived an additional 13 year thanks to Dr. Raju and then was able to serve his country as Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services.

The work of Dr. Raju is possible because of his mentor, Dr. Hardy who welcomed him into his warm car for a 9,000-mile journey to UMMC where he worked as research fellow. Dr. Hardy would soon become his long-time benefactor, steering Dr. Raju into a successful career of his own.

Both doctors have had an immense impact on the practice of medicine and have paved the road in the field of transplant surgery.

The funds that the Rajus donated will support clinical transplant services, serve as a recruitment tool to attract world-class faculty, drive innovation, and more.

The Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery at UMMC will serve as a reminder of the dedicated work that both individuals have given to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize the Airport High School baseball team from West Columbia, ``The Eagles,'' as they rallied to defeat Seneca High School in the 2025 4A South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) State Championship. This marks the first State Championship in team history.

In the best of three-game final, the Eagles defeated Seneca 4-3 in the first game, and 10-0 in the second game--a strong close to their winning season record of 15-1.

The Airport High team includes players Brayden Dinlap, Gabe Ingram, Charlie Jackson, Ayden McCauley, Isahia Clemons, Landon Jeffcoat, Hunter Epps, Saundiata Anderson, Harrison Shoffner, Cash Epps, Casen Hatfield, Brice Gillette, Braden Gross, Justin Sightler, Sean Feliciano, Rodrigo Rizo, Caleb Eubanks, Cooper Chavis, and Daniel Butts. Alongside the players are talented coaches Casey Bradwell, former Eagles player, and assistant coaches Kris Kirkland, Jermey Epperson, Cameron Zimmerman, Brandon Caughman, Nick Gooding, Ryan O'Hora, and Layne Turner. Three of my sons, Add, Julian, and Hunter are Airport graduates and former baseball Eagles.

On behalf of all South Carolinas, I congratulate the Airport High Eagles on this impressive achievement and I wish them the best of luck as they defend their title in the upcoming season. This victory of the Airport High Eagles is well-deserved for the team, coaches, families, and community for all their hard work and support, making their dream come true.

Mr. Speaker, the last 2 days have actually been remarkable. Led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, we actually met for nearly 36 hours straight on an amendment for inclusion in the State Department Authorization Act.

Indeed, I am very grateful that last night a very historic step was taken as the people of the United States showed their love and affection for the people of the Republic of Georgia. An amendment was passed that provides for no recognition of the illegitimate Georgian Dream government that has seized power in a rigged election in Georgia on October 26, 2024.

We now have a resolution or amendment that calls for nonrecognition. I am so grateful to my colleagues who joined in supporting that resolution. Indeed, it is an indication that what has been done is positive.

The Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, has denounced this legislation. In an unintended consequence, he reveals that the people of Georgia want to live in fairness and freedom. Additionally, today the United Kingdom has passed legislation to block recognition.

With this, we conclude that Charlie and Erika Kirk are making a difference for God, family, and country.

Mr. Speaker, it is revealing that the corrupt Georgian Dream party of the Republic of Georgia canceled a proposed Trump Tower project in Batumi, which Donald Trump had personally announced in 2012.

Elections were rigged in Georgia last October. The illegitimate Georgian Dream party Putinist conspirator, Ivanishvili, has ridiculed Trump as a trickster. It is clear the illegitimate Georgian Dream party sabotaged President Donald Trump, while it has given its port on the Black Sea to the Chinese Communist Party.

America supports the freedom-loving Georgian people and rejects the current Georgian Dream regime. The United States House of Representatives voted 349-42 for fair elections in Georgia. The tyrannical regime is ruthlessly arresting political opposition. President Salome Zourabichvili, who is the legitimate President, is courageous as a champion for the people of Georgia.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump, as Putin invaded Poland last week with 19 drones and 100 miles, reminiscent of Stalin joining Hitler invading Poland on September 17, 1939, 86 years ago this week to kill 69,000 Poles in 5 weeks.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to recognize September 16, 2025, as Mexico's 215th Independence Day.

Mexico has served as an invaluable diplomatic, trade, and cultural partner with the United States for two hundred years, reflecting the close relationship that make this alliance invaluable to both countries.

In 2024, Mexico was the second-largest destination for U.S. exports and the top source of U.S. imports. Total U.S. goods and services trade with Mexico, in 2024, totaled over $935 billion.

I am particularly grateful of the trade ties between South Carolina and Mexico. In 2024, the Palmetto State exported over three and a one- half billion dollars of rubber and plastic products, electrical equipment and components, iron and steel, and other items to our southern partner, while importing more than five and one half billion dollars in motor vehicle and aerospace parts, and other goods.

This integration highlights the deeply connected partnership between Mexico and South Carolina.

I applaud the deep commitment of President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to cooperate and collaborate in stopping illegal aliens crossing our Southern Border, including the murderous threats posed by drug traffickers with human trafficking. This underscores the promise by President Trump to protect American lives.

This day is also special to me because I have a dedicated member of my staff, Daniel Ramirez, who is first generation Mexican-American.

I am appreciative that the United States and Mexico are partners--and neighbors--and wish the people of Mexico a Happy 215th Independence Day.

Mr. Speaker, with the abysmal assassination of American Patriot Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, this tragedy inspired South Carolina Poet Tony Pichoff of Hopkins, South Carolina, with his heartfelt poem of Turning Point:

Turning Point

On this twenty-fourth eve of 9/11,

One of Satan's minions

Sent your faithful soul to Heaven.

And in so doing,

Sowed the seeds

Of their undoing,

On the road to reckoning and ruin.

In this epic battle

For the very soul of America,

Never yielding

To the terror of

Those who seek to silence, you,

The disarming bearer of

God's good news.

Wielding intellectual weapons

Of well reasoned wisdom

With calm confidence

And articulate precision

That did mortally threaten

To undo the institution

Insidiously dedicated

To undermining our constitution.

An unholy breeding ground

Of hatred and division

Infecting our very youth

With lies disguised as truth.

Administered via ``higher learning's''

Spiritual circumcision.

In obedience to God,

Upon these battle grounds

You bravely trod,

And did not do so in vain.

For even in your very death,

You delivered victory again!

And just as the attack on 9/11

Our national resolve did anoint,

Your MAGA martyrdom

Marks THIS historic turning point.

And when 45 became 47,

Just as certainly as then we knew,

The tide continues to turn in our favor

Now confirmed by you.

As challenging as it may be,

While we mourn we must also see,

That it is through those like you

We shall remain the indomitable land of the Free.

Mr. Speaker, I was grateful for the passage last week of the National Defense Authorization Act championed by Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers. The legislation supports over 45 executive orders from President Donald Trump and funds peace through strength.

Authorizations provide a 3.8 percent pay increase and improvement of housing and education, funds to fight drug traffickers and deploy troops to the border, and funding to counteract the subversive activities of the Chinese Communist Party.

I appreciate initiatives to support funding for the defense research projects at the University of South Carolina and missions at the Savannah River Site.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war continues. Trump is reinstituting existing laws to protect American families with peace through strength; revealing war criminal Putin lies; insulting Trump and mocking Trump as Russian drones invade Poland, repeating history of September 17, 1939, 86 years ago tomorrow, when Stalin joined Hitler in invading Poland, murdering over 60,000 Poles.

Remember Charlie Kirk, God, family, country.

Mr. Speaker, a consequence of liberal, hateful bias and bigotry in campus academia is deranged radicalization, leading to violence as ``the ends justify the means.''

In 2009, David Horowitz, in his book ``One-Party Classroom,'' warned of indoctrination. The solution is mutual respect to disagree, ending liberal discrimination.

Sadly, I have endured liberal intolerance, with no philosophical diversity of faculty, where liberalism is dictated. Yelling ``fascism'' foolishly 3,000 times by liberals has resulted in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, as he courageously proclaimed God, family, country. He is a martyr for freedom.

President Donald Trump and his supporters are the opposite of fascist, national-socialist. Conservatives implement limited government, expanded freedom, and peace through strength, devolving power from Washington to the people.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump, speaking lovely as Iranian- designed Russian drones invade Poland, also Romania Saturday, threatening American troops.

Mr. Speaker, President Donald Trump is cracking down on murderers who threaten American families. Trump has signed an executive order to eliminate cashless bail. This will prevent Democratic district attorneys from putting criminals back on the streets, murdering random citizens. This could have prevented the merciless murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on August 22 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Her killer had 14 previous arrests. Her merciless murder was concealed for 10 days by Charlotte Mayor Lyles, as she faced a primary election yesterday. The mayor should resign, as proposed by Charlotte- area Congressman Ralph Norman.

Every other week, I am grateful to fly through Charlotte, with its professional staff, but as long as Lyles is mayor, I will avoid the Charlotte airport because every passenger in Charlotte is at risk of being stabbed to death.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting existing laws to protect American families with peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin's lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump, while Putin is invading Poland with Iranian drones 100 miles into Poland yesterday from Belarus, as Putin tries to resurrect the failed Soviet Union.

Mr. Speaker, President Donald Trump is creating jobs, allowing families to keep more of the money they earn.

Under President Trump, over half a million jobs have been created. Job-destroying regulations are being slashed, eliminating 10 regulations for every new regulation created, led by Administrator Lee Zeldin and with the appointment of Chairman David Wright to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The Trump America First trade policy has recruited $8 trillion in new manufacturing, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. The Trump tax cuts will benefit families by over $10,000 a year.

President Trump and Republicans in the House and Senate are committed to cutting taxes, increasing wages, and increasing jobs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. We know that President Trump is standing firm for families, revealing war criminal Putin's lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump, with increased mass murder of Ukrainian civilians while subverting Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova for a new U.S.S.R.

South Carolina is grateful for the success of our shared community, Charlotte. Sadly, it is clear Mayor Lyles should resign for shamelessly concealing the murder of Iryna Zarutska.