Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as a Congressional UK Caucus co-chair, I rise today along with my colleagues and fellow co- chairs, Congressmen Gabe Amo, Jim Himes, and David Rouzer, to recognize Lyndon Hughes-Jennett.

It is with great respect and admiration that I recognize the outstanding service of Lyndon Hughes-Jennett, who has served as Northern Ireland Attache at the British Embassy in Washington since 2021. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Hughes-Jennett has played a vital role in strengthening the relationship between the United States and Northern Ireland and in advancing engagement among partners in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

In his role, Mr. Hughes-Jennett worked tirelessly to foster constructive dialogue with Members of Congress, U.S. officials, and a wide range of stakeholders. He was instrumental in supporting visiting delegations from Northern Ireland, facilitating meaningful exchanges that deepened understanding of Northern Ireland's political, economic, and cultural landscape. His efforts helped ensure that Northern Ireland's priorities were well represented and thoughtfully conveyed to audiences across the United States.

Mr. Hughes-Jennett's service was further exemplified by his involvement in high level engagements, including accompanying President Joe Biden during his visit to Northern Ireland for the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast-Good Friday Agreement. Throughout his time in Washington, he demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and a steadfast commitment to partnership, serving as a trusted interlocutor and a bridge among communities and nations.

As Mr. Hughes-Jennett concludes his service at the British Embassy, we extend our sincere appreciation for his dedication and contributions. His work has had a lasting and positive impact on U.S.- Northern Ireland relations, and we wish him every success in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, led by House Republicans with our leader and Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump, this year millions of Americans received larger tax cuts.

By signing the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, President Trump has allowed 53 million hardworking Americans to keep more of their own money, creating jobs.

Sadly, every single Democrat in the House voted to oppose the tax relief, promoting taxes to rise by 22 percent on working families. Democrats want Big Government. Republicans promote limited government.

Millions of Americans have already benefited from no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security. Promises made, promises kept.

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 mocking Trump as war criminal Putin has subverted the Government of the Republic of Georgia with the Georgian Dream Party collaborating with the Iranian regime as Iranians meet today with war criminal Putin in Moscow to coordinate death to America.

Madam Speaker, President Donald Trump has a proven agenda of tax cuts, deregulation, energy dominance, and more. An immediate benefit is creating jobs.

The Department of Labor announced 178,000 new jobs in March, nearly triple the number forecast, a powerful confirmation of the Trump pro- growth agenda.

Most positively affected is manufacturing, the first growth in that area in 3 years, and also the construction industry, expanded by gains in specialty trades and residential homebuilding.

Yesterday, the Scout Motor Company with President Scott Keogh dedicated a phenomenal training facility with readySC and technical colleges in Blythewood, South Carolina, beginning the hiring of 4,000 skilled workers. Blythewood is now home of Scout.

In conclusion, God bless our troops. As the global war on terrorism continues, Trump is reinstituting peace through strength revealing war criminal Putin's lies, insulting and mocking Trump as war criminal Putin provides targeting information to Iran to kill Americans.

Our sympathy upon the death of the American patriot Jerry Bellune of Lexington, South Carolina, a fair and honest journalist.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I sadly received this message from a courageous friend in Ukraine: ``Dear brother Joe, today our hearts are heavy. Just a few hours ago, Russian troops struck a Baptist church in Zaporizhzhia. This was not just a building. It was a beautiful house of prayer that believers built over many years, sacrificing their own finances and strength. For more than 300 people, it became a spiritual home, a place of worship, fellowship, and family.

``Now it lies in ruins.

``We already know of at least five victims, including one minister Ruslan Utyuzh who was inside the church at the moment of the strike. . . .

``Please stand with us in prayer and action. This must be stopped.''

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is continuing to reinstitute peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump with war criminal Putin bombing churches to intimidate Ukrainians, but war criminal Putin is a loser as Ukrainians will achieve victory.

I congratulate Congressman Neal Dunn on the birth of a granddaughter an hour ago, Nora Amelia Dunn. Grateful parents are David and Isabel Dunn of Phoenix, Arizona.

Mr. Speaker, Carolinians are grateful to express appreciation for the life of Commandant James Emory Mace, Sr., of Hampton County. He not only served our Nation as a decorated Army Officer but was the beloved father of Congresswoman Nancy Mace. I include in the Record the following obituary provided by The Citadel Alumni Association:

J. Emory Mace, Sr., '63

James Emory Mace, Sr., of Mount Pleasant, the decorated

Army officer who led The Citadel through a dramatic

transition from an all-male institution to a co-ed military

college, has died. He was 85.

Mace, a Vietnam War veteran, was among the most decorated

graduates in The Citadel's history. He served as the school's

commandant from 1997 to 2005--a period marked by cultural

upheaval, internal reforms and national scrutiny.

Mace took over the role in February 1997, months after the

first woman, Shannon Faulkner, enrolled at the formerly all-

male military college following a protracted legal battle

that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

While Faulkner's stay was brief, his daughter, now-U.S.

Rep. Nancy Mace, would eventually succeed in becoming the

school's first female graduate.

She confirmed his death on the night of April 14. A cause

was not immediately announced.

``Rest in peace, Dad. I love you and I'll see you again,''

she wrote on social media the following morning.

As commandant, Mace moved quickly to reshape cadet life.

Known for his blunt, disciplined leadership style, he

implemented sweeping reforms: prohibiting harassment during

meals and study periods, eliminating sophomore rank authority

over freshmen, banning physical contact with first-year

cadets, limiting ``knob knowledge'' requirements and

shortening the military orientation period.

In 1997, cadets lived by a new Citadel creed written by

Mace. It read, in part: ``I will always endeavor to uphold

the prestige, honor and high esprit de corps of The Citadel

and the South Carolina Corps of Cadets . . . Under no

circumstances will I ever embarrass The Citadel and the South

Carolina Corps of Cadets.''

The changes marked a significant shift in the school's

culture as it worked to integrate women into a traditionally

rigid system, including his daughter.

He would hold the role as third-in-command at the school

for eight years.

When he told the school's board of visitors he was stepping

down, he said he had accomplished what he came to do--help

men and women cadets coexist at the college.

``I feel I made a small difference in the life of The

Citadel,'' Mace said in 2005 when announcing his retirement.

That year, when state lawmakers recognized Mace for his

contributions at the state's military college, the resolution

noted that under his leadership some 95 women had graduated

from the Corps of Cadets.

The year Mace retired as commandant, the 1,900-member body

included about 120 women.

Born in Hampton County, Mace attended The Citadel and

earned the nickname ``Bulldog.'' He graduated in 1963.

He became something of a living legend. In her memoir,

Nancy Mace wrote that her father built a near-mythic

reputation at The Citadel for his extreme backwoods antics,

including poaching alligators to pay for school and using

them to intimidate freshmen.

In one story, he allegedly threw a live alligator into a

cadet's room to make a point about discipline, while in

another, he chained a gator to the parade field overnight,

leaving officers scrambling to remove it the next morning.

The stories, she wrote, cemented his image as both feared

and legendary among cadets.

The persona he cultivated as a cadet was later reinforced

by his record in combat.

Mr. Speaker, Americans are grateful for the safe return of the brave astronauts of the Artemis II space mission, an extraordinary achievement for all mankind.

NASA Astronauts Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, as well as Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen demonstrated unparalleled dedication. Through their efforts, humanity traveled nearly 249,000 miles into space, farther than ever before in history.

Their success inspires a future generation of scientists, astronauts, explorers, and engineers across America. President Donald Trump is successful in advancing American dominance in space exploration.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Donald Trump is instituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump as war criminal Putin facilitates the Chinese Communist Party to provide missiles to Iran to kill Americans through the Black Sea Port of the Republic of Georgia, oppressed by the corrupt, illegitimate regime in Tbilisi.

Our sympathy to Congresswoman Nancy Mace on the death of her father, former Citadel Commandant Emory Mace.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Brian Mast and agree with his assessments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition of the proposed resolution. Appeasement leads to larger war as we learned in 1939.

President Donald Trump has courageously taken decisive action against the regime in Tehran, eliminating Khamenei, the architect of decades of terror, mass murder, repression, and aggression against the United States, Iranian patriots, and our Gulf allies.

The removal of this murderous dictator marks a pivotal moment in history. It is going to be so beneficial for stability, peace, and prosperity for our Gulf allies of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, and Yemen, which we cherish their friendship. Additionally, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq will be fully

liberated of Iranian interference. President Trump is correct again of giving Syria a chance.

Iran has been at war with America and Western civilization for 47 years. President Donald Trump has sent a clear message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable.

I am particularly grateful that four of my sons have served in the Middle East to defeat terrorism overseas and to protect American families at home. Recent events have exposed the dangers by Tehran. As Special Envoy Steve Witkoff learned of the Iranian capability to build nine bombs, President Trump courageously acted to prevent ``death to America, death to Israel,'' with their ballistic missile range into central Europe and India. President Trump has unified our allies from Turkiye to the Arab Gulf States to Saudi Arabia.

As the Iranian people look forward to the future, we can recognize their aspirations for freedom and dignity have been crushed with the murders of 35,000 patriots this year. The United States stands with the Iranian people, not with the tyrants who murder them.

Today, we honor the courage of our American troops, reaffirm our commitment to allies, and recognize President Trump's leadership in confronting one of the most dangerous regimes in the modern era. America remains vigilant, resolute, and committed to defending freedom wherever it is threatened, weakening war criminal Putin as Ukrainians are courageously achieving victory.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, on Easter Sunday, President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine completed a successful mission to rescue two American airmen in Iran.

Less than 48 hours earlier, an American fighter jet had been shot down with a shoulder-fired missile as part of Operation Epic Fury.

A rescue was launched immediately, locating one pilot within hours. However, the second crewmember landed much further away, complicating recovery efforts.

Despite this challenge, President Donald Trump emphasized the promise that no man is left behind. He correctly described the mission as ``one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing combat rescue searches ever attempted by the military.''

As the grateful father of four sons who have served in the Middle East, I especially appreciate President Donald Trump.

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 war criminal Putin facilitates the Chinese Communist Party providing shoulder-launched missiles through the Black Sea Port of the Republic of Georgia, collaborating with the illegitimate regime of the rigged elections in Tbilisi to kill American pilots.

Mr. Speaker, the American military has liberated more countries than any other Nation in history. I have witnessed personally in Sofia, Bulgaria; Seoul, South Korea; Monrovia, Liberia; and Bogota, Colombia, the success of American liberation.

Mr. Speaker, 2026 has seen spectacular achievements with the leadership of President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of Joint Chiefs Dan Caine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The dictator of Venezuela has been arrested. Ukraine maintains sovereignty, defeating war criminal Putin; and the mass murderers of Iran are eliminated.

President Trump has unified support in Latin America and strengthened NATO defense spending, and Arab Gulf states stand with America.

As the son of a World War II Flying Tiger, I appreciate those who fought to liberate China, and I have had four sons who have served in the Middle East.

In conclusion, God bless our troops as Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump, with Putin providing Iran satellite targeting to murder Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize 100-year-old Staff Sergeant Phillip Bruce Cook, a proven patriotic resident of Lexington, South Carolina, on his reception of the French Legion of Honor medal, as well as his invaluable contribution to victory in World War II.

Staff Sgt. Cook is receiving the French Legion of Honor medal for a career of profound courage and leadership as he served as a member of the U.S. Army Air Force 379th Bomb Group, 524th Bomb Squadron.

Staff Sgt. Cook was born in Swansea, South Carolina, on September 23, 1925, and from a young age, he had a passion for flying. At just 17 years old, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and received training as an aerial gunner.

Based in England, his first combat mission was in 1944 as a ball turret gunner flying over France. This was a particularly dangerous role aboard a B-17 bomber.

Over the course of his service, Staff Sgt. Cook flew a total of 35 missions.

The combat record of the 379th was the most successful of all the Eighth Air Force heavy bomber groups. The unit held records as far as bomb tonnage dropped--26,459 tons--more than any other group, including those in operation before the 379th even arrived in England.

Staff Sgt. Cook was honorably discharged in 1945. Following the war, he returned to Lexington and attended a trade school to learn how to repair watches and clocks.

A graduate of Swansea High School, he is married, has two children, and attends Northside Baptist Church in Lexington.

Due to his outstanding sense of courage and commitment, he will be receiving the French Legion of Honor medal on April 9th, 2026, at the South Carolina Historic Aviation Foundation in Columbia. This medal is the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit and recognizes those brave men and women who have done great deeds for France. Following a comprehensive examination of his military record and post war life experiences, French President Emmanuel Macron approved his application.

I am grateful to Staff Sgt. Cook for his incredible service and unwavering dedication to America. I wish him and his family all the best.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that President Donald Trump has taken successful actions to reduce government regulations, especially in the field of energy, creating jobs.

Last month, the Department of Energy gave approval for the first, full-power portable microreactor test to Radiant Industries of California.

Microreactors are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants, transportable in a single shipping container--with one-day installation.

The Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, announced three public-private partnerships to develop small modular nuclear reactor technologies, ideal by military facilities and islands such as Guam and Puerto Rico.

President Trump, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission Member David Wright, along with Thomas McAllister with Department of Energy Congressional Affairs, are working to make America energy independent, reliable, and secure.

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 war criminal Putin provides drones to Iran to murder American troops. War criminal Putin insults Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu providing drones to Iran to murder Israeli civilians. War criminal Putin provides satellite targeting information to kill Americans and Israelis along with courageous allies of Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen and Jordan as war criminal Putin bombs Syria and Turkiye and Azerbaijan.

Mr. Speaker, the Tehran regime is the leading sponsor of global terrorism, responsible for the cowardly murder of Iranians. Yet, the courage of the Iranian people continues, inspiring President Donald Trump to take action for the Iranian people to be liberated, ending 47 years of war on America and Israel.

Beginning in December, nationwide protests against the Iranian dictatorship grew as consumer prices soared with crushing inflation. The regime responded in shutting down the internet and began murdering demonstrators. More than 30,000 Iranians have been mercilessly murdered.

Fanatically, the regime continues killing its citizens as gruesomely evidenced last week, hanging 19-year-old Iranian wrestling champion, Saleh Mohammadi. Previously, beautiful Neda Agha-Soltan was shot and left to bleed to death on a street in Tehran.

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, mocking Trump. This week, he was mass murdering Ukrainian civilians in apartment buildings as exposed today by The Washington Times.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a happy Greek Independence Day, and I welcome Antonis Alexandridis, our new Ambassador from Greece and Athens to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, friends of freedom are saddened by the anti-American Georgian Dream party support for the terrorist regime in Iran. A recent report by the Hudson Institute, ``Georgia's Iranian Turn,'' outlines Georgian Dream support for Tehran, attacking President Donald Trump.

The Georgian Dream puppet prime minister of Tbilisi traveled to Iran twice in 2024, standing with leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah. In 2025, the Georgian Dream party expressed sympathy for the Iranian terrorists killed in U.S.-Israel airstrikes. Most recently, on March 2, the Georgian Dream party expressed condolences on the death of the Iranian supreme mass murderer Khamenei.

The people of Georgia deserve fair and free elections, not the rigged elections by war criminal Putin, making his Mafia collaborators in charge. The legitimate President is Salome Zourabichvili of the Republic 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 Trump and mocking Trump, with massive Russian drone attacks today on Ukrainian apartment buildings to kill civilians.

Mr. Speaker, Iran has been at war for 47 years, murdering American families, justifying President Donald Trump to respond to the imminent threat from the Iranian regime.

Since the 1979 embassy seizure in Tehran to sponsoring terrorism through puppets like Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraqi militants, and Houthis, to Iran boasting to Envoy Steve Witkoff of 11 nuclear bombs, the regime in Tehran has chosen oppression of Iranians over peace and prosperity. They chant: ``Death to America.''

President Trump has made the decision, with Israel, defending Americans: destroying missile capabilities, annihilating naval assets, and ensuring that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

We are forever grateful for the servicemembers defending American families.

Courageous commentator Mark Levin of Buckley, Goldwater, and Reagan heritage, stands with Trump, condemning isolationists as either dumb or evil.

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 mocking Trump as Putin provides targeting information to Iran to kill Americans.

Our prayers for Suzie Wiles for a full recovery.

Mr. Speaker, due to weather-related flight cancellations, the following is a one-minute speech I was unable to deliver in-person.

I include in the Record the following editorial The New York Post correctly editorialized yesterday:

The United States saw four terror attacks on its soil in

just the two weeks since the Iran war began, yet Democrats

voted yet again last week to #Defund Homeland Security.

Are they trying to help the terrorists?

They also seem to hate TSA workers and flight passengers:

Chaos has reigned at airports around the nation, with hours-

long security lines; the shutdown has prompted 300 agents to

quit and others to take unscheduled leaves rather than work

without pay.

The defunding's latest horror: The Department of Homeland

Security's Office for Bombing Prevention just canceled a

training class on how to handle IEDs.

Actually, it's unthinkable: Airport misery and flight

safety are bad enough, but defunding bomb prevention--at a

time like this?

Dems are holding the nation's security and air travel

hostage in a purely symbolic protest to prove their hatred of

ICE to their base.

The funding cutoff doesn't even hit ICE, which already got

ample cash in last year's Big Beautiful Bill Act.

It's well past time for Democrats to end the games and

think about everyday Americans for a change.

Appreciated former House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mike McCaul has correctly warned that Democrats are being irresponsible by shutting down the Department of Homeland Security during an increased threat from Iranian terrorists, and that they will have ``blood on their hands'' by not preventing attacks.

Provocative insightful Sean Hannity stands with Trump exposing isolationists as either dumb or evil.

Coordinating with determined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, destroying the capability of eleven nuclear bombs boasted by Iran to Envoy Steve Witkoff is existential for Western civilization. Iran building intercontinental ballistic missiles puts all of Europe and South and Central Asia at risk with drone attacks already our valued NATO member Turkiye, along with Azerbaijan.

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 provides targeting directions to Iran to murder Americans.