Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the West Point class of 2024 on their graduation this past spring and for their continued commitment to service. It is no small feat, and the country is indebted to them for their immense willingness to sacrifice.

I hesitate because I myself am a West Point grad of 2004, and I know what they are signing up for. I know how serious it is, and I am very proud of them. It is the greatest service academy in all the land, and I know that each of them will be looked at as leaders not just now but for the rest of their lives.

So I ask them all to lead with the West Point motto in mind: ``Duty, Honor, Country.'' It is something that is ingrained into every cadet. It is something that is part of The Long Gray Line. They are our Nation's best and brightest, and I cannot wait to see what they and the class of 2024 does for our great Nation.

I also briefly want to congratulate them all on going 3-1 in their 4 years against Navy. They are winners.

On a more serious note, the country will be better off because of their sacrifice and determination.

I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the following 24 grads of the 2024 class from Michigan:

Kathryn Cornett of Muskegon

Dominic Curti of Bloomfield Hills, who is a fantastic intern, by the way

Lucas Dickerson of Sterling Heights

Colton Dougherty of Garden City

William Drake of Bloomfield Hills

Jason Fargo of Portage

Alexzandria Goss of St. Clair Shores, in my district

Aiden Griggs of Traverse City

Shane Haener of Brownstown

Joseph Hickson of Orchard Lake

Timmy Kipfmiller of Freeland

Brandon Liu of Northville

Brennan McAlister of Chesterfield

Titus McClary of Detroit

Mark Miller of Grand Blanc

Eamon Mott of Bloomfield Township

Andrew Przekora of Metamora

Alexander Roos of Hackensack

Atef Sikazwe of Novi

Dawson Stec of Canton

Chelsea Tene-Kuate of Macomb also in my district

Emily Vanderploeg of Hudsonville

Kyle Wallace of Brownstown

And the son of my sponsors when I was a West Point cadet, Second Lieutenant Robert Sundy of St. Joseph.

The class of 2024's service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. God bless them all and Godspeed to them.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to be here today, and I remind my colleagues that Communism isn't fought with Communism. That is exactly what this government takeover of our American auto industry is.

I thank, again, Chairwoman Rodgers for her unwavering support of this resolution and her leadership and Leader Scalise for his support on getting this to the floor, as well. They have been leaders not just on this issue, but on so many issues that are important to the livelihoods of Americans.

Again, I acknowledge how personal this moment is for me. My father was just inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame last night. In 1971, he started his trucking company with one truck, one trailer, and no excuses. He had to fight all the way up to the Supreme Court for the next 7 years for the right to be able to travel across State lines. He was a pioneer, not just as an African-American MBE, not just as an African American in the industry, but for all small businesses.

My father fought to deregulate, to preserve the American Dream in the country, and, 50 years later, his son is standing here today fighting to deregulate, to fight for the American Dream in this country, against the burdensome regulations that are choking out jobs from my district and others.

It is the end of September. In the beginning of October, in my district, in Warren, 2,450 UAW jobs are going to be sent from Warren, not to Sterling Heights, but to Saltillo, Mexico, because the automotive industry is in survival mode because of policies just like this.

The audacity of my colleagues on the left to say that we are wasting time. I hope that every single UAW worker who you just quoted, Mr. Ranking Member, hears that you say that we are wasting their time.

We are fast-forwarding right now to what the automotive industry understands is a comply-or-die moment. We must fight for the American middle class that was born in Michigan, and we must fight for the American Dream that so many people feel is dying all over the country.

This tailpipe emissions standard is not just harmful, but it is catastrophic. People with their heads in the clouds in this town, who don't understand the way people are living across this country, need to come to reality.

The reality is the automotive industry itself, if you actually listen, has told you that in order to get to 67 percent compliant of new-vehicle sales, they cannot get there with the current technology or the current infrastructure or the current software without going to battery electric vehicles. Nobody here is against battery electric vehicles, but we are against telling the American people what they can do with their money and when they can do it.

This is why we are here. In 2032, the standard requires 25 percent of all sleeper-cab tractors and 60 percent of light heavy-duty vehicles, your cars and trucks, to have zero emissions. This mandate will cripple the trucking and shipping industries and drive up costs.

Does anybody in this country have a problem with inflation or cost of living? Well, just look to your left, and you will find the source.

In Michigan, the 10th Congressional District alone, we have over 1,000 manufacturing businesses, many tied to the automotive industry. Biden's extreme EV agenda threatens 77,000 manufacturing jobs in my district alone, the number one manufacturing district in the Nation. This is not just bad policy for Michigan. It is bad for the country.

Name a district that doesn't have a dealership, and that dealership is likely the largest philanthropist in your church, to your bake sales, to your Little League team. Guess what is going to happen when they have cars on their lots that they can't sell. Guess what is going to happen with the same policies that spent $7.5 billion for charging stations and only got 7 in 2 years.

Madam Speaker, I will wrap up. I am fairly emotional about the livelihoods of the people who sent me here.

This CRA takes a stand and sends a clear message that we will not abandon our people or our automakers or our autoworkers. Michigan isn't afraid of the future. Republicans are not afraid of the future, but we demand that every American have a part in it.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of H.J. Res. 136. I think about every hardworking American whom Washington has forgotten when we talk about making vehicles that are affordable and making a nation that is competitive.

This isn't about partisanship. It is about common sense. It is called pragmatism.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), my chairwoman, friend, and mentor, for her stellar leadership and for giving me a shot.

One of the big reasons why I ran for Congress in the first place was to help people, and this bill, with strong bipartisan support, is going to take another step in helping everyday Americans.

I rise today to speak about my critical bill, H.R. 7858, the Telehealth Enhancement for Mental Health Act of 2024. At a time when mental health needs are soaring, this bill will revolutionize access to mental health care by ushering transformative changes to Medicare reimbursement policies for mental health services provided for by telehealth.

It will modernize healthcare delivery by establishing a new modifier, or code, tailored explicitly for telehealth-delivered mental health services.

In layman's terms, in normal people's terms, it is hard out there. It is tough out there, and Americans need and deserve help from the folks that they sent here to represent them. Simply, this bill is a critical step toward realizing the full potential of telehealth in delivering these vital mental health services to Americans who are at their wits end.

By introducing a specific modifier for telehealth-based mental health services, we are not only streamlining the billing and reimbursement processes, cutting red tape, but also amplifying access for those in need regardless of their geographic barriers or their economic abilities.

Mr. Speaker, this is a no-brainer. Right now, our Nation is experiencing a hopelessness crisis, and this bipartisan legislation will allow millions to get the care that they need right when and where they need it.

The bottom line is this legislation is going to save lives, and I ask all of my colleagues to please support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends, Mrs. Radewagen and Ms. Manning, for their support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 7089, the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Enhancement Act.

God's children are not for sale. Mr. Speaker, I am sure we can all agree that human trafficking must be eradicated everywhere.

The effort behind this legislation is about confronting modern-day slavery, a major stain, the worst stain, on humanity and decency.

My bill allows the State Department, specifically the Diplomatic Security Service, to investigate instances of transnational human trafficking. To clarify, a human trafficking violation is transnational when part of the offense occurs outside of the United States or involves one or more foreign nationals.

Currently, Diplomatic Security must account for document fraud to allow them to start investigating these instances--minutiae, bureaucracy, red tape. We are going to cut that red tape with this bill.

My bill further complements current Federal law enforcement efforts to prosecute these instances, given Diplomatic Security's global reach.

Differences in language and culture are commonly the greatest barriers to successfully prosecuting these transnational trafficking purveyors. Diplomatic Security is by far the most widely internationally represented U.S. law enforcement agency, with agents operating in over 270 posts all over the world.

I often hear: Why is America involved in different parts of this world? Well, when it comes to the safety of our children, young adults, the elderly, the most vulnerable around the world, American leadership can do more to help bring justice to these victims.

According to the State Department: ``There are about 27.6 million victims worldwide of human trafficking at any given time.'' Those are just the ones we know about.

This evil and depraved industry preys on people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities for their own profit--again, particularly women, children, and people coming from impoverished backgrounds.

God's will is clear. Luke 4:18-19 reads: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recover sight to the blind and set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

Mr. Speaker, my bill empowers our law enforcement to liberate the oppressed and the captive, and I ask my colleagues to please support

Mr. Speaker, southeast Michigan has been devastated by a recent string of egregious violence. On June 15, nine people were senselessly shot at the Rochester Hills Splash Pad in Brooklands Plaza. We continue to pray for the victims and their families and stand by ready to bring some small solace and resolution to those affected.

Within 2 minutes of shots being fired, police officers arrived on the scene. They saved countless numbers of lives on June 15 by running toward the danger, not away from it. The selfless sacrifice of our law enforcement officers stands as our greatest barrier between chaos and order, good and evil.

In the same way, just a week later, on June 22, Deputy Bradley Reckling, a sheriff's deputy in Oakland County, responded to a call and willingly went into harm's way. Upon responding to the scene, Bradley Reckling was ambushed, shot and killed in the line of duty, going toward danger, not away from it.

His remarkable soul is now in Heaven, at peace, but his life was lost to his family and his friends. Bradley was more than a law enforcement officer. He was a husband, a father, a son, a brother, and a friend. He leaves behind a loving family, his three beautiful little girls, and his wife, Jacqueline, who is now a pregnant, young widow.

Everyone in Michigan is both disheartened and horrified by this news of shameful crime. True evil has taken Bradley away from us, this light away from us, far too soon, and we are all committed to doing what it takes to end this senseless violence.

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and our prayers for Bradley's family are with them. I ask the Members in the Chamber to join us, the southeast Michigan delegation, to please rise and join us in a moment of silence.

Bradley, God rest your soul.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, this amendment revises section 1725 of the base text to strengthen the current reporting language regarding South Africa by including my legislation, H.R. 7256, the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act, that passed a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup with strong bipartisan support back in March.

This legislation would simply require the Biden administration to make a determination on whether South Africa's actions are undermining the United States' national security or foreign policy interests and conduct a full review of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and South Africa.

The only way that this would be threatening is if the ANC is actually undermining the United States and our partnership with the South African people. It is important to show the South African people that the United States is aware of its plight, and it is important to show the American people that we will no longer be played for fools.

Mr. Chair, on March 20, 2024, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee reminded us that a year and a half ago, the Biden administration put out a U.S. strategy toward sub-Saharan Africa. How is that going? In the last year and a half, in Sudan, there have been 10 million displaced, 15,000 fatalities, and 5 million on the brink of starvation.

The world's largest humanitarian crisis rages while external actors fuel the fight without repercussion.

In the last year and a half, across the Sahel, the epidemic of coups has resulted in severe democratic retreating with the forced withdrawal of U.S. military personnel from Niger being the latest example.

In the last year and a half, in Central Africa, the conflict in eastern DRC threatens to escalate and destabilize the entire region.

In the last year and a half, in Ethiopia, 15,000 to 30,000 have already died; 8 million have fled their homes; and 25 million people, including 14 million children, are in desperate need of food, water, and medicine.

Mr. Chair, in the past year and a half, the situation on the Continent of Africa has gotten even more bleak. Are we so naive to believe that the same U.S. strategy that got it so wrong throughout the rest of sub-Saharan Africa somehow got it right in South Africa?

As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, I am acutely aware of South Africa's important role on the African Continent, and I am proud that the United States has held cordial relationships with South Africa for nearly my entire life--over $8 billion in the very important PEPFAR assistance program since 2003, and growth in trade from $13.9 billion to $21 billion in 2021.

In fact, South Africa has been the United States' largest trading partner in Africa since 2014 and is home to over 600 American businesses. However, it is clear to me that the ANC of today is no longer the party of Mandela.

The ANC continuously moves away from its traditional stance of nonalignment in international affairs and has displayed consistent and overt anti-Israel sentiment in the wake of the devastating October 7 attacks against our number one ally in the Middle East.

These include then-South Africa Foreign Minister Pandor accepting a call from the Hamas leader on October 17 and visiting Tehran to meet with former President Raisi on October 22, South Africa filing a politically motivated and unfounded case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and then-Foreign Minister Pandor stating back in March of this year that South Africa will arrest Israeli South Africans who are fighting in the Israeli Defense Forces upon their return and could even strip them of their citizenship.

In addition to this overt anti-Israel sentiment, the ANC has increased its alignment with the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation, as well.

In February 2023, on the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the ANC hosted joint military exercises with Russia and China off the coast of South Africa. Excuse me? I am a military veteran. These drills and exercises are practicing killing American sailors and soldiers. Additionally, the ANC hosted the BRICS Conference in Johannesburg in August 2023.

I am also concerned about recent allegations of illicit financing flowing to the ANC from Russia and other malign actors.

In December, the ANC allegedly accepted 10 million rand from a Kremlin-backed holding company called the Chancellor House Trust. Prior to this donation, the ANC was all but bankrupt, and law enforcement had begun to seize assets at the ANC campaign headquarters in Johannesburg. Similar allegations exist relating to Iran. I am concerned that Russia and Iran are seeking to buy official influence in South Africa.

It is the fundamental right of every sovereign nation to chart its own direction, hear me clearly, but actions have consequences and repercussions. American people have choices, too.

I believe in the potential of a U.S.-South Africa relationship, but it is only fair if South Africa desires to remain a close partner to the U.S. and meets us halfway.

The current uncertainty in South Africa following last month's elections makes the determinations required by this amendment all the more timely. In order to strategically engage with South Africa, it is necessary to ensure the United States Government has a contemporary review of the bilateral relationship.

That is what this amendment does. It requires a certification and review that will ensure that the entirety of the U.S. Government is aligned to the realities of the current U.S.-South Africa bilateral relationship.

Mr. Speaker, while we often recognize noteworthy and acclaimed personalities, we have many other great unsung heroes and amazing souls who do a ton of heavy lifting with little to no recognition. Yet, if truth be told, they serve as the glue, sturdiness, strength, and all that is good about America. They go about their jobs quietly, without having the expectation of recognition. In fact, they do what they do because it's God's work. It's the right thing to do.

I am privileged to be in a position where I can acknowledge one such unsung hero, and his service to our country during the Korean War, Mr. Emilio Lena. Mr. Lena was born in Cassino, Italy on September 10, 1925. He immigrated to the United States on February 1, 1947, not knowing any English but wanting a better life for himself in pursuit of the ``American Dream.''

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 23, 1952, to serve his new, beloved country and was trained as an artilleryman. He learned to read and write English in the Army and obtained his U.S. citizenship. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on October 4, 1954. While in service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He cherished his time in the military and was a proud veteran his entire life.

He settled back in the greater Detroit area upon his return from service where he married the love of his life, Elena, and raised five children. He never returned to Italy due to his allegiance to his U.S. citizenship.

We thank him for his service and contribution to his country.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, an effort to bring a mobile medical unit and/or community-based outpatient clinic to my district, Michigan's 10th Congressional District.

There was a recent announcement from the VA that mobile medical units are coming to Arizona and Texas. I believe there is also a very high demand for them in Michigan. Many veterans, particularly those who served in Korea and Vietnam in my district have come to me directly, whether at the VFW Post 6691 in Fraser, Michigan, where I am now a member, or just recently at the Memorial Day parade in Sterling Heights about the need to have greater access to healthcare facilities for those who may be declining in their mobility as they age.

Currently, many veterans in Macomb County have to travel too far and too long to get the services they deserve. It is for this reason that we need to bring one closer to home, directly where they are needed most.

While the Dingell VA has made some strides to improve healthcare for veterans in the metro Detroit area, there is still a great deal of work to be done. I heard from women veterans, in particular, in my district office about the need to have more choice and better quality of services but also about staff turnover rate that is affecting their quality of care. Community-based outpatient clinics and mobile medical units are a path toward allowing veterans to get more specialized, local-based care in a manner that they have very much earned.

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day this week, we honor the brave American soldiers who fought our Nation's wars abroad so we may enjoy the privileges of freedom at home. As someone who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom myself, I believe that their sacrifices should be honored through our work here in Congress.

I know firsthand about the transition from military life to civilian life. It is not easy. The least we can do is make VA healthcare more available and accessible to our veterans. My amendment will further these aims through funding for facilities like mobile medical units and community-based outpatient clinics. I implore my colleagues to support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank Mr. Good for yielding, and I appreciate the opportunity to address my colleagues and you, Mr. Speaker.

It has been said that government doesn't create jobs, but they sure know how to kill them.

I agree with that.

Listening to my colleagues here today, I have to restate, Mr. Speaker, that the American Dream is worth fighting for.

Franchises create the surest and shortest path for entrepreneurs, working people in my district, and all across the country to achieve the American Dream. The reason we are here again is because we are giving our colleagues the opportunity to tell the American people that they will choose them and

their American Dream over the special interests and political selfishness that choosing their own best interests may lead to.

The right to collectively bargain was established by this body in 1935, and the right to work was enshrined in Michigan's constitution just last year. However, once again, the Biden administration has gone too far.

Franchise businesses are the path out of situations for people in urban America, rural America, and everywhere in between.

The Biden-led National Labor Relations Board resurrected a policy that, when imposed during the Obama Administration, saw jobs lost and dreams crushed. The last rule saw 376,000 lost job opportunities in the franchise sector.

It was also said what might happen, what could happen, and what should happen, and then I heard fixing a problem. It sounds like people who have never had the chance to live under the rules they are creating are now creating organizations and structures that they won't have to live under. This is exactly the reason we were elected to come here to represent our constituents' interests and not the interests here, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks to President Biden's policies, we have inflation and regulation, not success and determination.

My colleagues on this side of the aisle are willing to bet on America and are willing to bet on the entrepreneurial spirit while also respecting the right to collectively bargain without burdensome regulations that we know stifle the American Dream.

The President's veto is clear.

Mr. Speaker, while the President and the Vice President go around the country saying they are friends of small business, their administration is literally putting policies in place that crush it.

The only reason our colleagues would not vote to override this veto is because they are in lockstep with the administration, prioritizing politics over people. They have the opportunity to vote along with us, to overturn these harmful policies to allow Americans to self-determine without threat to their right to collectively bargain.

This is a clear opportunity to get this right, and I hope my colleagues on the other side will support our endeavor to do the right thing for the people in our districts who, no doubt, shed blood, sweat, and tears to make their dream a reality.

As our President seeks to make the case to the American people, he should not assume that small business is the enemy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my dear good friend, Frank Jonna, as he is honored as the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce's 2024 Businessperson of the Year.

Frank's entrepreneurial instincts can be traced back to working with his older brother, Jimmy, after he founded Jonna Construction in 1965. Early on, Jimmy's leadership taught Frank the meaning of hard work, patience, and perseverance firsthand, propelling him to later become CEO of Jonna Construction.

With over 40 years of dedication to the Metro Detroit area, Frank has served on the numerous Boards including Henry Ford Health, Catholic Central High School, Angel's Place, and Detroit Public Television.

Alongside these accomplishments, his legacy will forever live on in the community Jonna Construction has contributed to and built, including Michigan National Bank Building, the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Training Center, Mother of God Church, St. Thomas Church, Shenandoah Country Club, and the Chaldean Community Foundation Headquarters.

Frank is the embodiment of the American Dream. In every step of his career, he has showcased a neverending commitment to the Southeast Michigan community, so on behalf of all of Michigan's 10th Congressional District, congratulations to Frank Jonna.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Michigan debate team for winning the 2024 National Debate Tournament, the first in their history. As an alumni of the University of Michigan, I am incredibly proud of your accomplishment!

On April 8, 2024, the 78th annual National Debate Tournament took place and in a unanimous decision, the University of Michigan's debate team made headlines by bringing home the National Championship. This achievement is the culmination of hours and hours of hard work and preparation and is truly commendable.

In the elimination rounds, Michigan bested many other qualified teams before defeating Kansas in the championship round. U-M is proving once again that our great state of Michigan is yielding the next generation of leaders.

As a Michigan alum, I'd like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire U-M Debate Team, Coach Aaron Kall, and the University of Michigan. Go Blue.

Mr. Speaker, votes were pulled ahead without efficient notice on the morning of votes. WHIP FLOOR UPDATE sent today at 7:46 a.m. indicated voting ``approximately 1:00-1:30 p.m''. Voting began at 12:32 p.m. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 143, YEA on Roll Call No. 145, and YEA on Roll Call No. 146.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and say thank you to Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer for serving Southeast Michigan for over 60 years throughout his career in law enforcement.

His career spans the Detroit Police Department, the Farmington Hills Police Department, and the Warren Police Department.

Day after day and year after year, Commissioner Dwyer consistently went above and beyond the call of duty. He received the Presidential Medal from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Collegian Award from Wayne State University, and the Crime Stoppers of Michigan Police Executive of the Year award in 2010.

He served on the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Oakland County Chief's Association, Southeastern Michigan Chiefs of Police Association, High- Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Federal Anti-Terrorism Task Force, and the Michigan Homeland Security Council, just to name a few.

Even while receiving all these awards, he still found time to turn Warren, Michigan into one of the safest cities in the entire state.

Commissioner Dwyer is the exact, literal definition of what it means to be a public servant. On behalf of all of Michigan's 10th Congressional District, I thank him for his service.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, today, I stand before my colleagues with a grave concern that demands our immediate attention.

The Great Lakes, the lifeblood of our region, are under siege from a silent yet deadly threat, PFAS chemicals. These persistent, toxic substances pose a significant risk to both human health and our environment. Congress cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this pressing issue. The health and well-being of Michigan and Great Lakes communities depend on it.

That is why I have submitted an amendment that would bar any of the provisions in this bill from attempting to impede research into PFAS chemicals. Stopping PFAS research would be a disservice to the public and to millions of Americans who rely on the Great Lakes.

Mr. Chairman, we cannot allow political agendas to stand in the way of scientific progress and the health of our people. Our people are too important for that.

That is why I am similarly supporting an amendment from my friend, Representative Jack Bergman from Michigan, which would also ban gas and oil drilling in the Great Lakes.

This isn't a left versus right issue. This is an issue that impacts all of us and future generations.

Congress must do all that it can to protect the Great Lakes, and one step is supporting comprehensive research initiatives to fully understand the extent of PFAS contamination and its potential impacts.

We owe it to future generations to safeguard the Great Lakes and ensure they remain a source of clean water and natural beauty for years to come. Let us unite in our commitment to protect our environment and the health of our citizens.

Mr. Chairman, I ask all of my colleagues to please support this very important amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, once again, I thank my colleagues for supporting this very important bill. The Great Lakes is important to the entire United States of America and to Michigan especially.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 7298.