Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, we wouldn't have a country without our brave men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives to keep us safe.

Today, I have the privilege of recognizing a friend, a constituent, and a former law enforcement officer, Jeffrey A. Katz, from Virginia's Fifth Congressional District, whose dedication to honoring law enforcement officers has made a profound impact across central Virginia.

Jeffrey A. Katz established the Lieutenant Jan McTernan Blue Friday Honor, a recognition that has been bestowed to many Federal, State, county, and city officers for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. Katz' unwavering support to the law enforcement community extends far beyond the establishment of this honor. He is also a board certified mental health coach specializing in services for first responders and holds the certified advanced peer support provider designation from the Virginia Peer Support Association.

Mr. Katz is an exemplary member of the Commonwealth, and I thank him for his commitment to the law enforcement community.

Mr. Speaker, imagine riding 40 miles through dark Virginia woods to save the American Revolution.

In June 1781, militia Captain Jack Jouett did just that, galloping from Louisa County in the Fifth District to Monticello, also in the Fifth District, to warn Governor Thomas Jefferson of an impending British capture. Jouett's warning saved Jefferson and the general assembly in Charlottesville, preserving our young Nation's leadership.

These heroes are deeply tied to Virginia's historic Fifth Congressional District, which still includes Albemarle and Louisa County today.

In 1789, the Fifth District hosted a legendary race: James Madison, the father of the Constitution, campaigned against his friend and neighbor, James Monroe, the Revolutionary War veteran who was the father of the Monroe Doctrine. Madison won, becoming Virginia Fifth District's very first Representative.

From Jack Jouett's courage to the vision of three Presidents, the legacy of American liberty was forged right here in Virginia's Fifth Congressional District.

A Remarkable Founding Story

Mr. Speaker, Virginia's Fifth can tell one remarkable founding story through four names.

Thomas Jefferson gave the Nation its words in the Declaration of Independence and served as Virginia's wartime Governor and our third President. He left this district with Monticello and the University of Virginia.

James Madison gave those words structure, helping shape the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Though Montpelier now sits just outside today's Fifth, his work still lives in Charlottesville through the university he helped build and lead.

James Monroe was a soldier, diplomat, Governor, and the fifth President. He gave us the Monroe Doctrine, and he carried that work forward from his Albemarle home, Highland.

Jack Jouett rode through the night from Louisa to Charlottesville to warn Jefferson and save Virginia's leadership from capture.

Together, these Virginians helped write, defend, and steady the American experiment.

It Began With Thomas Jefferson

Mr. Speaker, Virginia's Fifth Congressional District began with Thomas Jefferson. He gave independence its voice as the principal author of the Declaration, then helped secure liberty again through the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and the founding of the University of Virginia.

Beside him stood James Madison, Jefferson's close collaborator and the Nation's constitutional architect. Known as the father of the Constitution, Madison helped win ratification through the Federalist Papers and then steered the Bill of Rights through Congress.

James Monroe carried that Virginia legacy from soldier to statesman. A Continental Army veteran, he later helped to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase, presided over the Era of Good Feelings, and gave American diplomacy a landmark win in the Monroe Doctrine.

Connecting them all is militia Captain Jack Jouett, whose overnight warning in 1781 helped Jefferson and Virginia leaders escape British capture, protecting the cause these Founders were still building.

Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith for their leadership.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this historic National Defense Authorization Act.

In the Navy, we used to say: The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.

For decades, our Defense Industrial Base was allowed to decay, but thanks to President Trump, our Secretary of War, and this Armed Services Committee, we are finally turning the ship around. This bill supercharges our industrial base and builds on last year's acquisition reforms.

For Virginia's Fifth District, this bill unleashes local expertise in munitions manufacturing and next-generation nuclear power. We wouldn't have a country without our men and women in uniform. We owe them the best we have.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize journalistic excellence in Virginia's Fifth Congressional District.

This year, news anchor Noreen Turyn will retire after 36 years at ABC 13 in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Noreen began her career at WJLA, right here in Washington, D.C., followed by time at a station in Baltimore before finding her way to the Fifth District.

Noreen has earned an Emmy Award, a Virginia Association of Broadcasters Award, and the Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for her incredible reporting. Her dedication to seeking truth and giving a voice to the voiceless has made her a trusted newscaster and beloved community member.

I congratulate Noreen on over three decades of excellence in journalism.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Patriot Industries of Louisa County, Virginia, for being named the Small Business Administration's Virginia Manufacturer of the Year.

Founded in 2010 by Tom and Sarah Click in a modest 1,000-square-foot facility, Patriot Industries has grown into a leading manufacturer of electrical infrastructure products, operating three U.S.-based facilities and employing nearly 100 Americans.

Their conduit, fittings, and other critical components help support construction, energy systems, and infrastructure projects across the country.

Through continuous investment in manufacturing, innovation, and workforce development, Patriot has strengthened domestic supply chains while creating jobs in Virginia.

I congratulate Tom, Sarah, and the entire Patriot team on this well- deserved recognition and thank them for representing the very best of American manufacturing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the centennial anniversary of E.W. Thomas Grocery Store and DMV in Fluvanna County in Virginia's Fifth Congressional District.

Since their founding, this family-owned store has withstood the test of time.

Through generations, E.W. Thomas has served as more than just a grocery store: providing local jobs, supporting families, delivering DMV services in a rural area, and fostering goodwill in the community.

Today, the Thomas name remains a cornerstone of the store and the community it serves.

As E.W. Thomas Grocery Store marks its 100th anniversary, we recognize not just a business, but a living symbol of resilience, service, and the enduring spirit of rural America.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize and celebrate the historic 125th anniversary of Sweet Briar College in Amherst County of Virginia's Fifth Congressional District.

Founded in 1901 by Indiana Fletcher Williams, Sweet Briar has spent more than a century preparing women to lead with integrity, resilience, and purpose in critical roles throughout America's workforce.

Sweet Briar's many notable alumnae, including Mary Pope Hutson, the current president of the college, hold true to the mission of guiding and inspiring the next generation of female leaders.

For 125 years, Sweet Briar has stood as a testament to academic excellence and preparing women for lifelong leadership. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this extraordinary institution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act of 2026.

I am a proud cosponsor of this vital piece of legislation, and I thank my colleague, Chairman Pfluger from Texas, for his leadership on this matter.

In 2022, the Mexican Government unlawfully took over and shut down a limestone quarry in Mexico operated by a U.S.-based company. This seizure violated the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, undermined American property values, and threatened U.S. economic growth and national security.

It is of the utmost importance that we protect American businesses and vessels from being unfairly targeted or having their assets unlawfully seized while operating around the world.

I am proud to support H.R. 7084, which ensures that there are real consequences when American property is seized abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill and show the world that America stands firmly behind its workers, businesses, and investments at home and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor athletic excellence in Virginia's Fifth Congressional District.

The University of Virginia women's swimming and diving team captured their seventh consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference Swimming and Diving Championship and their 22nd conference title overall.

The team of 29 women won 11 titles, including seven individual and four relay events.

Junior Claire Curzan claimed two individual events and contributed to three relay wins, earning her the honor of being named the championship's Most Valuable Swimmer.

This team continues to exemplify discipline, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence.

We congratulation the athletes, coaches, and staff of the University of Virginia's women's swimming and diving team.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1131, I call up the bill (H.R. 5103) to establish a program to Beautify the District of Columbia and establish the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I support the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2025, which codifies core components of President Trump's Executive Order No. 14252 titled: ``Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful.''

Our Nation's Capital is a direct reflection of our great country and should be a symbol of pride for the American people and a safe and beautiful location for all who reside and visit. Violent crime in Washington, D.C., has been far too high for far too long.

The Oversight and Government Reform Committee's investigation into D.C. crime has shown that lawlessness and violence on D.C.'s streets are not an inevitability. It is a policy choice.

Specifically, we show that D.C. leadership pressured and, at times, directed police commanders to manipulate crime data in order to maintain the appearance of low crime in the Nation's Capital.

You have to ask yourself: Why would the Democratic D.C. Council do that? They sought to deceive the American people because their misguided policies hurt American citizens.

Unfortunately, years of soft-on-crime policies have turned Washington, D.C., into a city with high crime rates, rampant homelessness, and graffiti on historic buildings and monuments. Symbols of our great Nation, such as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II Memorial, have all been vandalized and defaced over the years.

President Trump and congressional Republicans are tackling crime in Washington, D.C., head-on.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5103 establishes the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission, made up of key Federal law enforcement and other Federal partners, to focus on ensuring the safety of District residents and visitors through full enforcement of Federal and local laws in the District.

The commission will develop recommendations on how to prioritize the safety of the District's residents and visitors. This bill also requires the development and implementation of a D.C. beautification plan.

Key Federal and local leaders will be tasked--I will repeat that one. Key Federal and local leaders will be tasked with coordinating the cleanliness of the District's facilities, infrastructure, and parks. These leaders will also work to restore Federal public monuments, statues, markers, and similar properties that have been defaced.

Every day, my constituents from Virginia's Fifth Congressional District visit D.C. for work, travel, and my office coordinates tours for them. My constituents, as well as all who work or live in or travel to D.C., should feel safe while walking down the street.

Today, congressional Republicans will again show that we are the party

of law and order by voting in support of H.R. 5103.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, there was a great debate in 1790 with Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison. Many here may remember the play ``Hamilton.'' At the end of the day, they came up with the idea of having Washington, D.C. At the time, they wanted the seat of Federal Government to be in Pennsylvania or in New York. What that would have done is that would have given us a superstate where all of the money and all of the priorities would have gone.

Maryland ceded a little bit of land, Virginia ceded a little bit of land, and we came up with Washington, D.C.

Under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, we are Congress, and we, by the Constitution, have complete authority over Washington, D.C. It is not a State, because if it was, it would be a superstate, which would have all of the money and all of the power for the country, and it would take away voices from the other States.

Now, as I have been in Congress for 14 months, I have been around the District of Columbia talking with law enforcement and people that have lived here for years. In just 14 months and into the first year of President Trump's term, I have a lot of anecdotes.

I ran into a young woman, who went into a Subway, and a homeless woman said: Let me get the door for you. So the homeless woman opened the door. As she walked in, this woman punched her in the back of the head, nearly knocked her out. When she came to, that woman that knocked her out went to jail. She got a phone call just a few hours later from a detective saying: Hey, we put that woman back on the street, but don't worry, she is not going to harm anyone.

It seems like the policies coming out of the D.C. Council indicate to the American citizens visiting and living here that police are bad, criminals are good, and nobody cares about the victim. They have made a mockery of the criminal justice system.

Again, that authority is Congress, and this bill codifies that.

My bill codifies many elements of President Trump's successful executive order until 2029, ensuring there isn't a backslide into lawlessness in the city.

I had a young woman come up to me and say: I walk my dog at 8 p.m. I didn't understand what that meant. What she then said is: 2 years ago, I would not walk my dog in the dark. That is just in 14 months, and we need to codify that.

This bill is not partisan. It is common sense. Whether you are Democrat, Republican, Independent, we are all Americans, and I think we all want to live, work, and raise our family in peace. It should be nonpartisan. Wanting our Nation's Capital to be safe and beautiful, again, is not political. It is in the best interests of all who travel to and call D.C. their home.

When people come to Washington, D.C., they are not just visiting a city. They are visiting our Nation's Capital, the greatest country with the greatest people in the history of Earth. We may not be perfect, but we have lifted more people out of poverty, given more people freedom, and given more people opportunity than any country on Earth. Even in our worst days, everyone around the world wants to come to America because of our freedom.

What they see in The National Mall, the memorials, in our parks, and transit quarters shapes their pride and our shared heritage. If those spaces aren't clean, safe, and cared for, we all feel it--residents, commuters, small businesses, and millions of visitors who power D.C.'s local economy. When people visit D.C., they should feel safe

while taking in the scenery and historic landmarks, not scared to walk two blocks because of the crime or confronted with a homeless encampment while walking on The National Mall.

One young staffer told me that she takes an Uber if she has to walk more than two blocks, but in the last 14 months she now walks 20 minutes to work. So, we are making progress, and we need to codify that.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 6 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, reckless D.C. Council policies have caused citizens from all over the United States and in D.C. to be robbed, raped, and murdered. They are reckless. They are not getting the job done, which is why we need to do this bill.

In the Oversight Committee we pointed that out. Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia Chief Pamela Smith actually resigned immediately following the release of the Oversight Committee's report. Why would they cover up these crimes? It is to trick the American people so they don't understand how bad their policies are.

In 2023, there were 274 homicides in D.C., a 20-year high.

In 2024, D.C. had the fourth highest homicide rate in the country.

While these crime statistics are troubling on their own, they significantly understate the level of crime in the D.C. area.

Last year, an investigation into D.C.'s crime statistics by the Oversight Committee revealed that D.C. leadership pressured and at times manipulated crime statistics to maintain the appearance of low crime in our Nation's Capital. This pressure demoralized the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department making the city less safe.

President Trump's crackdown on violent crime in D.C. last year resulted in a significant drop in crime and increased arrests.

My bill, H.R. 5103, facilitates the deployment of more robust Federal law enforcement presence in D.C. in coordination with local law enforcement, providing vital support to ensure that both Federal and local laws are being followed to keep D.C. safe.

Now, sanctuary cities are sanctuaries for criminals. If you are a criminal, would you rather go to a city where local and Federal police authorities cooperate, communicate, and work as a team, or would you rather go to one where they don't work as a team? They have not been working as a team in D.C., and it is causing people to die.

That is unacceptable.

On the concealed carry permit aspect of the bill, D.C. has some of the most complicated and strict gun laws in the country.

Law-abiding residents who wish to protect themselves and their loved ones are forced to wait 4 months on average for a concealed carry permit appointment. This is unacceptable and, frankly, infringes on their Second Amendment rights, which are enshrined in our founding documents.

Criminals don't care about the law.

My bill establishes the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission which will collaborate with appropriate local government entities to speed up and reduce the cost of D.C.'s concealed carry permit process.

Criminals do not care about the law. You can create whatever law you want and try to get guns out of D.C. The criminals do not care. They are always going to get a gun, and you are making law-abiding citizens helpless victims.

The only people who are affected by D.C.'s complicated process are law-abiding residents. Streamlining concealed carry permits will decrease crime by allowing law-abiding citizens to better protect themselves and their families.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, crime statistics coming from the other side, obviously, I can't see them being reliable, especially as a member of the Oversight Committee. We talked about the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Chief Pamela Smith resigned immediately following the release of the Oversight Committee report, where they had a clear coverup on crimes to make it look like D.C. crime is not accurate.

Since President Trump's Federal enforcement action, the D.C. crime, especially violent crimes, has truly drastically decreased. Carjackings have dropped 87 percent. This is proof that increased Federal and local cooperation is essential to reducing crime in D.C.

Again, if you are a criminal, Mr. Speaker, you would rather go to a city where they don't cooperate, communicate, and work as a team. We are ensuring that they cooperate, communicate, and work as a team, and they will be less attracted to D.C.

Mayor Bowser herself stated that she appreciated the surge of Federal law enforcement officers as it enhanced the Metropolitan Police Department's law enforcement efforts. In contrast, the D.C. Council has proven time and time again that they prioritize dangerous criminals over the law-abiding residents of D.C. and the thousands of tourists who visit our Nation's Capital every day.

My bill will ensure coordination between Federal and local law enforcement continues, providing local police the additional Federal resources and personnel they need to combat crime in the District.

Again, on the concealed carry permit, nowhere in the United States do you have to wait 4 months, Mr. Speaker. That is an infringement on our Second Amendment, for whatever excuse they have.

Thankfully, not only is President Trump making America great again, he is making Washington, D.C., great again.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that my colleagues, my friends on the other side, will consider the priority of the safety of American citizens in D.C. and the rest of the country, and keep the city that represents our great Nation safe and beautiful.

Under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17, Congress has a constitutional duty to ensure the District of Columbia is safe, secure, and beautiful.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 6365, the Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act.

Wintergreen, Virginia, is a popular tourist destination located in my district. Wintergreen is one of the largest planned communities in Virginia, with over 3,000 properties situated on 11,000 acres. The risk of wildfires was not top of mind when this mountaintop community was designed in the 1970s.

The original developers did not reserve an emergency egress corridor before conveying a few thousand acres of unneeded land to the Appalachian Trail commission. Because of this, Wintergreen only has one entrance and one exit route.

As awareness of wildfire risk grew, the community of Wintergreen was placed on the Virginia Department of Forestry's radar as a wildland- urban interface community with a high risk of a devastating fire. Since becoming aware of the increased risk of wildfire, the community has worked steadily to mitigate that risk. However, an emergency egress is still needed.

For over 25 years, and working with five other Members of Congress, the Wintergreen community has fought to complete an emergency evacuation route. The town of Wintergreen has already constructed all portions of the road that are not on Federal land. Unfortunately, the only thing that has stood in their way all these years is a small section of land controlled by the National Park Service, approximately 400 feet, that separates the unfinished road from being connected to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The recent wildfires in California and Maui highlight the danger posed by limited evacuation routes. People lost their lives in those fires because they were trapped in their vehicles with no way to escape.

My bill is a proactive response to the very real threat to public safety that the town of Wintergreen currently faces if it needed to evacuate due to a natural disaster. We cannot wait until a tragedy occurs to make a change. Public safety and lives are at risk.

The Wintergreen community, including Chief Curtis Sheets of Wintergreen Fire and Rescue, has spent over 25 years fighting for the completion of this emergency evacuation route. I am proud to assist the entire Wintergreen community in continuing and finishing this fight.

I am proud to have bipartisan support of seven of my colleagues in the Virginia delegation. This bill is not political. It is a commonsense solution that is vital to preventing a tragedy in my district.

I thank Chairman Westerman for his friendship and leadership in helping me address this important issue for my district, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 6365.

Mr. Speaker, Charlottesville Hyperbarics has become a frontline in the fight for veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war.

They recently launched the Hyperbaric Wellness Foundation and have partnered with the HOW Foundation to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans battling PTSD or other traumatic brain injury.

Additionally, generous grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs have allowed them to successfully treat over 59 veterans so far this year.

As a Navy SEAL veteran, I have friends who have battled wounds that go deeper than emotion. Advanced imaging now confirms that PTSD is a neurological brain injury. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, using pure oxygen under pressure, heals these injuries directly and restores brain health.

When I visited the clinic last May, I saw the healing in action. Two of the staff members leading the veterans program are veterans who suffer from PTSD. They went through the program themselves. HBOT changed their lives so completely that they have now dedicated themselves to helping others do the same.

We are still losing over 20 veterans a day to suicide, despite exhaustive and costly efforts to stop it. That is not just a tragedy. It is a call to action.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is saving lives and helping veterans rejoin their families, their communities, and the workforce. With sufficient funding and support, we can expand this model across Virginia and across our country. Our veterans deserve a program that can help them.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Edith Younger Edmunds of Halifax County, an artist who uses her quilts to celebrate African-American history.

At 100 years old, Edmunds is still making quilts, a passion she discovered at the young age of 7, and is still using the same sewing machine she had since 1954.

Her quilts go beyond artistic talent. Each stitch reflects the coded patterns enslaved people used to navigate the Underground Railroad, preserving the powerful stories of America's past.

Through her publications, ``Secret Stitches: Underground Railroad Quilt Activity Book for Children and Adults'' and ``Sacred Stitches,'' Edmunds educates future generations about the role of quilts during the Civil War and the fight for emancipation.

Today, she and her daughter, Amy Edmunds, continue this work together. I am honored to represent such a talented constituent who is dedicated to keeping our history alive one stitch at a time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and life of Timothy C. Hess, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025.

Tim Hess was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 11, 1949, and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, by Curt and Joan Hess.

After graduating from Milligan College, Tim began his professional journey at The Sea Pines Resort in South Carolina.

In 1975, he moved to Nelson County, where he played a pivotal role in opening a staple of Virginia's Fifth Congressional District: Wintergreen Resort.

At Wintergreen Resort, a location known by many Virginians, he met the love of his life and wife of 48 years, Lynne, and raised their three children: Greg, Lauren, and Paul.

Over the next five decades, Tim became a respected agent, broker, developer, and managing partner of the Wintergreen Real Estate Company.

Mr. Speaker, Tim Hess will be deeply missed, but he will be remembered for his legacy in Nelson County and in the many lives he touched. Please join me in honoring his life of service, conservation, and kindness.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize a great achievement by a student in Virginia's Fifth District, one that honors both his college and his country.

Ryan Sigsbee, a junior at Hampden-Sydney College, won gold while representing the United States in Panama at the World Union of Karate- Do Federations' Latin American Open Tournament this fall.

Ryan joined nearly 900 competitors from 25 countries, with participants ranging in age from 10 to 60 years old.

In an interview for his college paper, Ryan said, ``Global competitions are incredible,'' and require a lot of persistence while training for them. ``Representing the United States and Hampden-Sydney was an unforgettable experience. . . . As president of [my fraternity], it also meant a lot to see my fraternity brothers . . . cheering me on.''

It is an honor to represent students like Ryan and their outstanding accomplishments that they contribute to our great Nation and Virginia's Fifth Congressional District.