Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as the senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, an Army veteran myself, and father of four sons who served in the military in the Middle East, I am particularly grateful that House Republicans passed the Defense appropriations bill with the leadership of Chairman Mike Rogers.

On behalf of national security for American families, some key provisions are: support for troops and families by delivering a pay raise and improving the quality of life; restoration of combat readiness by funding cutting-edge aircraft, weapons, and modernization; and deterrence of our adversaries with border security and countering the Chinese Communist Party worldwide.

House Republicans are achieving peace through strength, the agenda of President Donald Trump.

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, talking lovely as he murders Ukrainian citizens with rocket attacks.

Our sympathy for Rosalie Smith on the passing of her husband, Mayor Pat Smith, of Springdale, South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Syria Caucus, I am grateful to co-lead bipartisan legislation to repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019.

Even with the support of war criminal Putin and the terrorist Tehran regime, the murderous Syrian dictator Assad was forced out of the country by the Syrian people. The Syrian people deserve an opportunity for the reconstruction of Syria, assisted by Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.

By issuing an executive order, Donald Trump temporarily waived the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which imposed sanctions on Syria. Now is the opportunity to make it permanent.

Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack is doing an incredible job for freedom.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength. He is revealing war criminal Putin's lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump with lovely talk while murdering civilians in Ukraine.

Today, we celebrate Guam Liberation Day with Delegates Madeleine Bordallo and Jim Moylan, appreciating the courage of 1,200 Navy and Marine servicemembers who died for the liberation of Guam.

Mr. Speaker, Americans are grateful that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, America is beating inflation, leading to lower costs, higher pay, and job creation.

American families are experiencing a 7.5 percent increase in real income, more than three times the pace of last year under the Biden administration. Gas prices have fallen nearly 3 percent in May alone, and everyday costs are also down over the past month, including those for meat, poultry, and eggs.

President Trump is succeeding in creating jobs for families, increasing opportunities, and defeating inflation. These achievements reflect the goal of President Trump and the Republican-led Congress to put America First. Promises made, promises kept.

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 that war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump, mocking Trump, with Moscow dismissing today Trump issuing a ``theatrical ultimatum'' as Putin murders civilians in Ukraine and even in Russia.

Our sympathy on the death of National Committeeman Glenn McCall, a devoted American patriot.

Mr. Speaker, voters made their mandate clear for a Republican House and a Republican Senate to deliver the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to President Donald Trump on behalf of American families.

Passage of this comprehensive law delivers on the America First agenda of President Trump by eliminating wasteful government spending and making government work effectively for American families. Limited government prevails over Big Government.

This law provides a framework to secure the border, unleash American energy dominance, extend the Trump tax cuts, create jobs, bring common sense to government, and more. Medicare and Social Security will be protected, ensuring services to the most vulnerable American citizens. Promises made, promises kept.

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 lies, insulting and mocking Trump with ``lovely'' talks with Putin and then ``bomb people at night,'' murdering civilians in Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Ms. Jan Jernigan, First Vice President with Morgan Stanley in Columbia, South Carolina, on being awarded South Carolina's highest civilian award, as authorized by Governor Henry McMaster: The Order of the Palmetto.

The Order of the Palmetto is awarded to the State's most accomplished and esteemed individuals who make a significant contribution to a particular community. Jan represents all that this award entails as she has devoted her life to helping those in need.

In 1984, Jan began her career in wealth management with Merrill Lynch in Columbia and has helped clients ever since.

Jan is a founder of Pawmetto Lifeline, one of the most successful animal rescue organizations in the state. She has served as president of the USC Board of Dance since 2010 and is the current Chairwoman of the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Board.

Jan also serves on the boards of the Midlands American Heart Association, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Columbia Sailing Club.

Additionally, in 2017, Jan was given a key to the City of Columbia in recognition of her lifelong service.

Jan is a person of honor, dependability, and exceptional distinction. She has many accomplishments to be proud of and has contributed greatly to the state.

I send my warmest congratulations and best wishes. I am appreciative for all she has done for South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Watchmen Broadcasting on 30 years of ministry.

In 1995, Dorothy and Russell Spaulding felt a calling to begin a Christian television station in Augusta, Georgia. Now, 30 years later they have transformed the ministry from broadcasting locally with 1,000 watts of power to internationally with 150,000 watts of power, increasing potential viewership.

It is through faith that the Spaulding family and Watchmen Broadcasting have helped tens of thousands of people reach Salvation and have prevented more than 8,000 suicides.

Without the generosity of ministries like Perry Stone, Channel 55 in Orlando, and local Networks, Watchmen Broadcasting would not be the meaningful success it is today.

The Spauldings are a true testament to faith; starting with less than one hundred dollars and a hotel room as an office, Dorothy and Russell have touched the lives of many.

Their ministry continues to represent that God uses small beginnings for big impact.

Best wishes and prayers for their continued success in faith and ministry as they continue to influence lives and follow the plan God has for them.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Virginia Foxx of North Carolina for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, indeed, Republicans were elected last November, but with promises made, promises kept.

Despite the extraordinarily ignorant lies on the other side, the American people know that the bill that we will be voting on today reduces taxes, creating jobs.

It is the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime. It provides for securing the border. It provides for energy independence. It provides for the ability to have peace through strength. All of this is in the bill.

On compassion, it is not compassion to support programs that are ultimately going to fail. Republicans want people who need assistance to receive assistance.

Margaret Thatcher has identified what they are proposing, and that is that socialism will work until you run out of other people's money to spend.

They are putting the poor people of America at risk. We are the ones with compassion.

Additionally, with promises made, promises kept by Donald Trump, I have lived it. I led the delegation to move the Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He did that. People at the State Department said that we shouldn't do it because it leads to dislocation. No, it led to the Embassy being in Jerusalem, and it led to the Abraham Accords.

We know that last week the President was advised not to bomb Iran, that it would lead to World War III. No, it has led to a cease-fire and the ability to have the Abraham Accords extended to other countries, including Syria.

I am really grateful that Lindsey Graham was such an adviser. The President acted despite the naysayers that we have all around us.

I just appreciate Donald Trump. Promises made, promises kept.

Mr. Speaker, House Republicans have passed legislation that delivers on the promises made, promises kept of President Donald Trump by stopping wasteful spending with the big, beautiful bill, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.

This bill secures the border, unleashes American energy, delivers the largest tax cut for working- and middle-class families ever, creates jobs, and brings common sense to government. Medicare and Social Security will be protected, while Medicaid will be guarded against waste, fraud, and

abuse as pioneered by Senator Billy Garrett of South Carolina, ensuring it is available to our most vulnerable Americans, with laws enforced by Solicitor David Stumbo.

This is important to everyone. A family with two children in South Carolina will receive higher take-home pay, between $7,000 to $10,000, with the new, beautiful bill.

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, with Putin allied with the murderous regime in Iran who proclaim death to America.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 23, 2025, I was otherwise detained in South Carolina. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 172; YEA on Roll Call No. 173; and YEA on Roll Call No. 174.

Mr. Speaker, the corrupt Georgian Dream party continues to wrongfully arrest opposition leaders of the Republic of Georgia.

As the Georgian Dream schemes a one-party state, gives the Chinese Communist Party their Black Sea port, and blocks America from trade, the Georgian people have conducted over 200 days of consecutive protests for freedom.

Americans stand with the legitimate President Salome Zourabichvili and the Georgian people. The MEGOBARI Act for freedom, sovereignty, and rule of law received 90 percent of the vote in the House. Joining the proposed Trump Tower in Damascus, Syria, should be the Trump National Golf Course in Tbilisi, Georgia.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is defending American families with peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin's lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump, and hosting Iranian murderers in Moscow.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful, at the direction of President Donald Trump, the U.S. Armed Forces have successfully destroyed the nuclear threat of Iran, defending American families. General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a VMI graduate, correctly praised this as ``the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history.''

Iran is the leading state sponsor of murderous terror in the world, and President Trump has successfully ended a nuclear-armed Iran. Promises made, promises kept.

President Trump has proven his willingness for negotiations. However, enemies of America insult this effort. Dictator Assad of Syria was warned in 2017, the Iranian regime was warned, and war criminal Putin has been warned.

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, with Putin-ist leaders proposing Russian nuclear weapons for Iran this week.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Dr. Dave Olson, President and Program Manager at Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), upon retirement after more than 40 years of dedicated work and service.

Before being named President and Program Manager, Dr. Olson served as the president of the former Savannah River Site (SRS) liquid waste contractor. He has years of experience in safety, security, project and risk management, maintenance and engineering in nuclear materials processing, and much more.

SRMC is responsible for the safe reduction of curies in aging waste tanks at SRS. As one of the Department of Energy's largest production sites, SRS performs actives ranging from environmental cleanup and protection to nuclear materials storage and disposition.

Under the leadership of Dr. Olson, SRMC has worked more than 21 million hours without an injury that has caused a missed worked day, ensured that all facilities are operating safely and efficiently, and met five key regulatory milestones to remove waste from and clean tanks to prepare them for operational closure.

Dr. Olson has many accomplishments to be proud of and has aided greatly in the success of SRMC.

Best wishes for a wonderful retirement. I am appreciative for all he has done for South Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, a dream come true and answer to prayers has been the restoration of friendship of the people of Bulgaria with America after decades of separation by the Iron Curtain.

The latest achievement has been the establishment in the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria of the Friendship Group Bulgaria-- USA. This duplicates the Bulgarian Caucus I founded in 2004 in the U.S. Congress, which I now co-chair with Congressman Brad Schneider of Illinois, confirming Republican and Democrat appreciation of Bulgaria and valued Bulgarian-Americans.

My affection for the people of Bulgaria began when I was selected by Lee Atwater of

the Reagan Administration to be an observer of the Bulgarian National Assembly elections on June 10, 1990, on behalf of the International Republican Institute. With the collapse of the Soviet Empire, countries of Europe, the Baltics, Central Europe, and Central Asia conducted the first post-communist elections, replacing totalitarian dictatorships.

Before arriving in Sofia, my research incorrectly identified Bulgaria appreciated being the most subservient Soviet satellite. Upon arriving, I found that this was not true as it was instantly inspiring to meet courageous Bulgarian patriots restoring democracy, which had been destroyed by Nazis and communists.

Additionally, getting my attention was that Bulgaria and my home state of South Carolina were so similar--beautiful beaches to the east, mountains to the west, and our respective capitals of Sofia and Columbia are both in the center.

I enjoy confirming to Bulgarians that an extraordinary feature in Bulgaria that we do not have in South Carolina are the phenomenal structures and antiquities of ancient Thrace, Greece, and Rome being the foundation of Western Civilization and remain to remind us of our shared heritage.

Pumping gas myself in college, I especially understand gas stations. In 1990, arriving Bulgaria, I only recognized that a pathetic building appearing as an outhouse was actually a gas station because there were lines of cars waiting patiently--with no gas. Then, I found out the cars were not actually cars, but Russian Ladas and East German Trabants, being 2-stroke motorcycle engines with a hood.

Now, I see modern Circle K's convenience stores fully stocked with a Wendy's or a Lukoil with a Burger King. And especially good, many cars are now X-5 BMW's made in South Carolina--and I want every Bulgarian to have a BMW.

The foundation of the Friendship Group Bulgaria--USA encourages Black Sea patriots of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia who are under attack by war criminal Putin who is insanely seeking to resurrect the failed Soviet Union, oppressing the people of Russia.

One day, Russians will liberate themselves for freedom.

Last month, I was honored to meet with Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov and Ambassador Georgi Panayatov, with talented Bulgarian pilots in Greenville, South Carolina, receiving F-22 jet fighters produced by Lockheed Martin.

We join valued NATO allies Romania and Turkiye in support of Bulgaria, as Bulgaria is a vital ally with the Novo Selo NATO Base, where young Bulgarians and young Americans train side-by-side for Peace Through Strength.

Mr. Speaker, the Chinese Communist Party is committing genocide against the Uyghur Muslim population.

Four years ago, I was grateful to join with Congressman Jim Banks, now Senator, as the first Members of Congress to declare Chinese Communist Party crimes against the Uyghur population as genocide. Only a week later, President Trump carefully declared these crimes a genocide.

The Chinese Communist Party is eliminating the Uyghur population through slave labor, forced sterilization, and mass detention.

Today, Uyghur retired doctor Gulshan Abbas will spend her 63rd birthday unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party in retaliation for her family's courageous advocacy in America. It is important that Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service be able to confirm that Congress stands for the immediate release of Dr. Abbas.

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 lies, insulting Trump, mocking Trump with murderous drone attacks intended for hospitals in Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, war criminal Putin, the Chinese Communist Party, and the illegitimate Georgian Dream party are betraying the people of Georgia.

The Chinese Communist Party aids Putin with mass murder in Ukraine. According to Media Center Ukraine, the Russian-occupied Ukraine is being illegally mined for granite using Chinese equipment.

In April, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: ``Chinese representatives are engaged in production of weapons in Russia.''

Additionally, a Georgian port on the Black Sea awarded to Georgian, European, and American companies was terminated and given to Chinese companies. The Georgian Dream is colluding with the CCP.

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 more war criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump and mocking Trump with increasing mass murder of civilians of Ukraine with world-record illegal drone attacks.