Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, the Biden-supported, Democrat-passed, irresponsible spending scheme is the most reckless tax and spending bill in history.

Americans are suffering from Biden inflation, and build back bankrupt will make it worse. Young Americans will be saddled with unimaginable debt, destroying jobs. For older Americans, Biden inflation is devaluing retirement accounts, undermining Social Security, and compromising Medicare.

House Democrats have misled Americans about the cost. The Congressional Budget Office says it will add $367 billion to the deficit. All this confirms that the Democrat elite think they are smarter than everyone and think Democrat voters are ignorant to believe that $4.5 trillion costs zero dollars. They pay with Biden inflation.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America.

Remember the Waukesha murders in Wisconsin.

Madam Speaker, in recognition of the 158th anniversary of President Lincoln's famous Civil War speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I believe it is appropriate that we take the time to remember these meaningful words.

Gettysburg Address

President Abraham Lincoln--November 19, 1863

``Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth,

on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and

dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that

nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can

long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final

resting place for those who here gave their lives, that that

nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that

we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot

dedicate, we cannot consecrate--we cannot hallow--this

ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here,

have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or

detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what

we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It

is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the

unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so

nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to

the great task remaining before us--that from these honored

dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they

here gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here

highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--

that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of

freedom, and that government of the people, by the people,

for the people, shall not perish from the earth.''

Madam Speaker, I am grateful to recognize Police Chief Marion Eugene Sealy, Jr., of the City of Forest Acres for his 48 years of public service to his community. Chief Sealy will be retiring at the beginning of next year and South Carolina will be losing a great public servant.

Chief Sealy joined the Forest Acres Police Department in 1974 as a dispatcher. In 1975, he became a full-time patrol officer and shortly after was put in charge of the investigative division. Through his hard work and dedication, he became the Chief of Police of the Forest Acres Police Department in 1994.

Throughout his career in public service, Chief Sealy led the department through many hardships including the tragic death of Officer Greg Alia. He has been so encouraging to his widow Kassy Alia Ray and their son Sal as Kassy has established Serve and Connect to improve neighborhoods challenged by poverty and crime.

Through his leadership, he was able to successfully relocate the police department during the devastating 2015 thousand-year flood to ensure the community of Forest Acres had access to its police department. Working overnight with his colleagues to set up operations, he dedicated himself to the safety of his officers and staff. He has set the standard of excellence in his community and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors .

Madam Speaker, Roxanne, a native of Florence, and I extend our thoughts and prayers for Jean and the family of South Carolina State Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman of Florence.

I was grateful to serve with Chairman Leatherman for 17 years in the State Senate and I saw firsthand his determined service for the citizens of the Pee Dee. He was relentless recruiting industries to locate for jobs and it is appropriate the new billion dollar terminal for the Port of Charleston is named in his honor.

We worked together as conservative Democrats and Republicans in the State Senate to develop The Renegades, challenging the status quo. With his party switch to Republican, he was unleashed to promote limited government with expanded freedom, leading to the Republican majority today.

The following is the obituary provided by the Waters-Powell Funeral Home:

Senator Hugh K. Leatherman, Sr., died peacefully at his

home on Friday, November 12, 2021, after a recent non-COVID

related illness. He was surrounded by his beloved wife,

children, and his grandchildren.

Senator Leatherman was born in Lincoln County, North

Carolina on April 14, 1931, the son of the late John and Ada

Gantt Leatherman. In addition to his parents, he was

predeceased by his brother, Ralph Leatherman. He is survived

by his loving wife of 43 years, Jean Helms Leatherman, his

children: Sheila Hardee (John), Hugh Kenneth Leatherman, Jr.,

MD (Sue), Karen Leatherman (Robin Parker), Lynn Leatherman,

Amy L. Smith (Merritt), Sarah L. Allen, MD (Keels).

Grandchildren: Hugh K. Leatherman, III (Cate), Alice Anne

Coakley (John), John N. Hardee, II, Ada Cathryn Allen,

McCauley Allen, Louise Allen, Mary Keels Allen and Lula

Smith. Great-grandchildren: Hugh K. Leatherman, IV, Tucker

Leatherman, and John A. Coakley, V. Hugh is also survived by

his sisters Jewell Eggleston (Max) and Jeanette Schalow

(Dick) along with niece, Tracy Eggleston.

A well-known public servant and successful businessman,

Senator Leatherman received a Bachelor of Science degree in

civil engineering from North Carolina State University. In

1955, he formed Florence Concrete Products in Florence, South

Carolina, which grew into a successful business with over 147

employees and is still in operation to this day.

In 1967, he was elected to Town Council in Quinby, South

Carolina and in 1980, he was elected to the South Carolina

Senate where he continued to serve until his death. During

his tenure in the Senate, he held many leadership positions

including President Pro Tempore from 2014-2019 and Chairman

of the Senate Finance Committee from 2001 until his death.

His legacy is felt at home and across the entire state. He

played a leading role in recruiting Honda and Boeing, among

many others, to open plants in South Carolina as well as

obtained funding to improve the South Carolina Port. A

terminal at the Port was named in his honor for his ongoing

efforts in support of this important driver to our state's

economic development. He was also a leading advocate to

improve South Carolina's road infrastructure.

A tireless leader and champion for Florence County, he

dedicated his life to improving his cherished Pee Dee region

with an emphasis on education, infrastructure, and job

creation. Senator Leatherman played a vital role in gaining

support and funds for enhancements to Francis Marion

University, the Florence Veteran's Village, The Continuum

Center for Education and Training, and Florence-Darlington

Technical College, among many others. He was also key in

creating the Pee Dee Medical Health Education Consortium that

will enhance medical and health science education at Francis

Marion.

Senator Leatherman knew first-hand the importance of a

quality education and attributed much of his success to

family and teachers who believed in him and ensured he became

the first member of his family to graduate from college. He

passed on this love of education to his children ensuring a

college education became the norm and not the exception. He

was often quoted as saying, ``They can take everything away

from you, but they can't take away your education.''

Senator Leatherman was an active member of Central United

Methodist Church and the Florence Rotary Club.

Madam Speaker, Thanksgiving 2021 will be the most expensive meal in the history of the holiday. You pay with Biden inflation, build back bankrupt. A typical meal will cost more than ever.

The Aiken Standard newspaper cartoon today is correct. Some specific price increases include turkey up 27 percent, carrots up 47 percent, potatoes 13 percent, and cranberries up 5.2 percent, in addition to gas up 61 percent and home heating bills up 54 percent.

These are brutal realities for families as we celebrate being an American with Thanksgiving.

Democrat elite think they are smarter than anyone, and they think Democrat voters are ignorant to believe $5 trillion in spending costs zero dollars. You pay with Biden inflation.

In conclusion, God bless our troops who successfully protected America for 20 years in the global war on terrorism as it continues moving from the Afghanistan haven to America.

Congratulations to the mayor-elect of Columbia, Republican Daniel Rickenmann, who is the first Republican in 40 years for the capital city elected yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the October Consumer Price Index has increased 6.2 percent in a year with Biden inflation. Annualized, this means inflation is going to be 7.4 percent, which would make it the highest rate since 1982, the highest rate of inflation in over 40 years.

At the same time, in 7 of the last 9 months, real wages have fallen and workers lost 2.6 percent of their salaries by the end of the first Biden year. Biden and the Democrats are accelerating inflation with insane spending bills, which now total over $5 trillion.

Democrat elite think they are smarter than anyone, and they think Democrat voters are ignorant to believe $5 trillion in spending costs zero dollars. You pay with Biden inflation.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from the Afghanistan safe haven to America.

Madam Speaker, with the Biden surrender to terrorists in Afghanistan claiming the war is over, events sadly reveal this is not true.

As Biden disgracefully left Americans behind in Afghanistan while 13 Marines were murdered, there have been further attacks. In New Zealand, a jihadist stabbed six shoppers. In Norway, with bow and arrow, a terrorist killed five people and injured three. In the U.K., Parliamentarian David Amess was assassinated. Across Afghanistan, mosques were bombed, killing and wounding hundreds as the terrorists practice to bomb houses of worship in America.

Sadly, the biased establishment media covered for Biden and concealed the ISIS bomb attack in Uganda on October 24, killing a waitress in Kampala. Shamefully, the media intentionally ignore the atrocities across Afghanistan and fail to report terrorist attacks worldwide as American families are at risk of suicide bombers.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan to America.

Madam Speaker, as Biden continues to push the insulting $3.5 trillion Big Government socialist scheme, real Americans will see their Thanksgiving 2021 ``shaping up to be the most expensive meal in the history of the holiday,'' as reported by MSNBC.

The price of turkey already costs 25 cents more per pound. It is not the only part of the holiday to take a bite out of your family account, with Biden inflation destroying jobs.

``Nearly every component of the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, from the disposable aluminum turkey roasting pan to the coffee and pie, will cost more this year,'' as sadly admitted by The New York Times.

Democrat elite think they are smarter than anyone, and they believe Democrat voters are ignorant to believe that $3.5 trillion in spending costs zero dollars.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan to America.

Congratulations to the people of Virginia and New Jersey and Springdale Mayor-elect Justin Ricard.

Mr. Speaker, Americans see firsthand Biden inflation at every turn and nowhere more than gas costs. The Biden failed policies are obvious at every gas station with prices up $1.50 per gallon over last year, an additional $20 per fill-up.

The $3.5 trillion Biden inflation spending bill would make it more expensive to heat homes, drive cars, operate trucks, and keep the lights on. The Biden tax increase on natural gas alone would raise heating bills and destroy 90,000 jobs.

The Energy Information Administration forecasts home heating costs this winter: Propane up 54 percent, heating oil up 43 percent, natural gas up 30 percent. The Democrat elite think they are smarter than anyone, and they believe Democrat voters are ignorant to believe that $3.5 trillion in spending costs zero.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism which now continues, sadly, from Afghanistan to America, as Biden ignored military advice, leading to 13 murdered marines.

Mr. Speaker, the Biden economy is moving in the wrong direction, destroying jobs and destroying small businesses.

In the Commerce Department report last week, the estimated third quarter Gross Domestic Product--the value of all goods and services produced in America--came in at a low 2 percent, lower than the last quarter, with Americans making less, below inflation.

Congressman Kevin Brady, the Republican leader of the House Ways and Means Committee, has said that there is more proof that President Biden is bungling the recovery, and now faces serious questions about his competency to heal our economy.

Economic growth has already peaked for President Biden's Presidency, and now he is nearly a million jobs short of his promises. Democrat elite think they are smarter than anyone, and they think Democrat voters are ignorant to believe that $3.5 trillion in spending costs zero.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan to America due to Biden ignoring military advice.

Mr. Speaker, sadly the Biden inflation is ongoing, and families are struggling to survive as jobs are being destroyed.

Last month I shared the Labor Department report the Consumer Price Index for August was rising at the fastest pace in 13 years. This continued in September, and here are a few price increase examples: gasoline up 42.1 percent; gas utilities up 20.6 percent; bacon up 19.3 percent; eggs up 12.6 percent; children's shoes up 11.9 percent; fresh fish and seafood up 10.7 percent.

Biden tax-and-spend policies cause inflation and destroy jobs. Clearly, the Democrat elite think they are smarter than anyone with the Democrat voters they see as ignorant making a claim that $3.5 trillion will have zero costs.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years as the global war on terrorism continues, moving from Afghanistan to America.

Madam Speaker, Tim Murtaugh, a visiting fellow at The Heritage Foundation, correctly wrote: ``President Joe Biden is drowning in a sea of crises of his own creation, and Americans are the ones who are paying the price.

``There's an ongoing humanitarian and national security calamity at the southern border.

``Thirteen U.S. servicemembers are dead, and an unknown number of our citizens remain stranded in Afghanistan following Biden's disastrous withdrawal.

``Americans are not taking the millions of jobs available . . . as many have chosen the option of being paid by the government to stay home instead of working.

``And energy prices continue to rise, helping to drive mounting inflation . . .

``Such a callous dismissal of real-world issues . . . simply feeds the prevailing belief that Biden simply is bad at his job.''

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan to America.

Our thoughts and prayers are with South Carolina Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman for a speedy recovery.

Madam Speaker, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Carl ``Chuck'' Spangler III, who passed away last week. Chuck was an important figure in South Carolina's manufacturing sector and a community leader. As President and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), he was instrumental in leading the organization in helping provide a range of innovative strategies and solutions. Under his leadership, SCMEP was ranked a top five center by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. South Carolina will forever be grateful to the positive impacts Chuck made creating jobs.

Throughout his career and his nearly 25 years with SCMEP, he assisted and trained thousands of manufacturers to improve their operations and financial performances.

In my capacity as Congressman, I was grateful to have known such a talented professional and genuinely good person. He will be missed. I appreciate the opportunity to include in the Record the following obituary for Carl ``Chuck'' Maynard Spangler, III:

Chuck Spangler

August 15, 1963-October 15, 2021

Carl ``Chuck'' Maynard Spangler, III, 58 of Hawkins Road,

Greer went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday,

October 15, 2021 at Atrium Health-Cabarrus, Concord.

Born in Cleveland County, NC on August 15, 1963, he was the

son of Faye Sparks Spangler and the late Carl Maynard

Spangler, Jr. Chuck was the President and CEO of SCMEP and

was a member of Double Shoals Baptist Church. He was a

graduate of Shelby High School where he was President of the

Student Body and a 1985 graduate of NC State. Chuck was also

board President for ASMC and severed on several boards

including the NIST MEP Leadership Team.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his high

school sweetheart and wife of 37 years, Sabrina Gibson

Spangler; three sons, Carl ``Chip'' Maynard Spangler, IV of

Simpsonville, SC, Joshua Luke Spangler and wife, Taylor Laken

Spangler of Mooresboro and John Michael Spangler of Greer,

SC; one grandchild on the way; brother, Dr. Michael Spangler

and wife, Karen of Winston-Salem and two sisters, Susan

Duncan and husband, Thomas of Raleigh and Angela Anthis and

husband, Stephen of Winston-Salem.

Above all, Chuck loved God, his family and his country.

An outdoor Funeral Service will be held on Thursday,

October 21, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Double Shoals Baptist Church

with the Dr. Brian Johnson officiating. Please bring a chair

if needed.

The burial will follow the service in the Double Shoals

Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Christians United for Israel, PO

Box 1307, San Antonio, TX 78295 or to Double Shoals Baptist

Church, 318 Old Mill Road, Shelby, North Carolina 28150.

A guest register is available at

www.stameytysingerfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral

Home & Cremation Center, Inc., Fallston, NC.

Madam Speaker, I would like to express my condolences to the family of MP Sir David Amess. As a member of Parliament, Sir Amess dedicated himself to his constituents and their concerns, often holding meetings with them on Fridays and was popular among his colleagues.

People who knew him described him as very approachable, who had a passion for animal welfare and pro-life issues. In the House of Commons, Amess was a loyal supporter first of his heroine, Margaret Thatcher, then successive leaders after her except where Brexit came into play.

Our office is especially appreciative of his service as Chief of Staff Jonathan Day worked with Sir Amess in London.

Much of his career was spent on committees and on campaigns to improve the health treatment for people with arthritis, asthma, and other conditions. Over the last three years he supported improved treatment for endometriosis, a cause he took up after meeting a constituent, and he recently supported a plan to erect a memorial to Vera Lynn on the white cliffs of Dover. He was knighted in 2015.

He is survived by his wife, Julia Arnold, and five children.

Mr. Speaker, James Freeman of the Wall Street Journal on October 19 wrote an editorial on how Americans should not be complacent living with less, as jobs are destroyed while inflation accelerates:

``Selling the Joe Biden-Bernie Sanders era of scarcity won't be easy. And it's going to get much harder if the President and his legislative coauthor enact their massive new plan to discourage productive labor.

Examining the House version of the plan, economist Casey

Mulligan estimates that by reducing the incentives to work,

the bill's planned expansions of Federal benefits will cost

nine million jobs.

Already, the COVID-era combination of astronomical

government spending and money creation has resulted in too

many dollars chasing too few goods.

Generations of them, American consumers, built the largest

economy in the world and various online commenters have

suggested a slogan for Democrats running in 2022: Expect

Less.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, who successfully protected America for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues moving from Afghanistan to America.