Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, justice that is not blind is not truly justice. Our courts, our law enforcement, and our laws have always strived to uphold that ideal. That is why it is so disturbing to see the whistleblower testimony that has been given this week.

As we continue to investigate the business dealings of the Biden administration, his family, and associates, it continues to become clear that the President has pressured the agencies he is entrusted with overseeing into providing his family with special treatment and special favors to avoid the consequences of their unlawful acts.

This isn't justice. It is time to put a stop to a two-tiered justice system that has flourished during Joe Biden's Presidency. We must stand for the rule of law and condemn anyone who deliberately uses their position as a public servant for personal gain.

Madam Speaker, today President Biden's Department of Homeland Security announced that they did not know the location of nearly 40 percent of illegal immigrants who have entered our Nation.

The failed catch-and-release policies that have been championed for the past 2 years have led to the chaos and the confusion that has made each and every State a border State.

Since Joe Biden took office, there have been more than 5.5 million illegal crossings at our southern border, and now liberal-run cities are attempting to use our schools as shelters for illegal immigrants.

These policies have only worsened the situation, and it is time for his administration to return to solutions that will address this crisis.

It is time to reinstate title 42, it is time to stop using our schools to house illegal immigrants, and it is time to fully secure our border.

Mr. Speaker, since the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, the right to free speech has been the cornerstone of American democracy.

Sadly, we have seen deliberate and malicious attempts by President Biden

and his administration to censor and silence this unalienable right.

Under the guise of public health, the Biden administration has attempted to use the Oval Office as a bully pulpit to punish those who share beliefs that the President disagrees with and news that he doesn't like.

The Federal Government should never punish Americans for using First Amendment rights, and the decision by a U.S. district judge to limit the Biden administration's contact with social media companies is a positive first step toward correcting these wrongs.

My constituents who have been censored deserve accountability, and it is time for the Biden administration to fully admit to the actions that were taken to stifle free speech.

Mr. Speaker, since the Wright Brothers first took flight in 1903, exploration, commerce, and transportation have relied on the ability to fly.

For decades, regional airports have been the sole provider of flights in and out of rural communities, and it is crucial that we protect the Essential Air Service program for years to come.

It is time to invest in our next generation of pilots, ensuring that students from across the country are properly trained and equipped to fly the passengers and the cargo that our economy needs.

In the past 2\1/2\ years, we have seen the consequences of failed aviation policy from the Biden administration, leading to a record number of delays and cancellations for travelers across our country.

These delays are the result of a Department of Transportation that has failed to put in place systems that support our airlines and our airports.

The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act will provide the reforms necessary to support air travelers and ensure that the DOT addresses their fault in preventing on-time arrivals.

This legislation is the next step in our commitment to creating an economy that is strong. It will enhance our infrastructure, uphold our safety standards, promote innovation, and support the 850 million passengers who fly each year.

Newburg Volunteer Fire Department Celebrating 100 Years of Service

Mr. Speaker, this weekend the Newburg Volunteer Fire Department celebrated 100 years of service in Blair County, Pennsylvania. We owe a debt of gratitude to the selfless volunteers who have dedicated their time and resources to protecting our community.

Their willingness to leave home at the sound of a bell and rush toward those in need shows an incredible commitment to the residents of Blair County.

For decades, the fire station has been more than a place to house trucks or to conduct training. It has been a place for the community to gather and to come together to celebrate special occasions.

Under the leadership of Chief Mike Zeigler, the Newburg Volunteer Fire Department has strived to reach a standard of excellence.

Further, the department has worked tirelessly to recruit multiple new members, training students who will continue to work and serve in Blair County.

As these firefighters continue their education, it is essential that Congress provides our volunteer departments with the tools and the training that they so desperately need.

On behalf of the entire 13th Congressional District, I congratulate the Newburg Volunteer Fire Department on reaching this milestone, and I thank them for their continued service.

Madam Speaker, for the past 2 years, the American people have been led by a President that has failed to bring accountability to the executive branch.

This weekend, the House Energy and Commerce Committee uncovered the embarrassing and disastrous fact that HHS Secretary Becerra failed to lawfully reappoint key NIH officials before their terms expired.

This failure to reappoint the above NIH directors jeopardizes the legal validity of more than $25 billion in Federal biomedical research grants made in 2022 alone. This is yet another example of the Biden administration's reckless decisionmaking.

Our Republican Commitment to America means creating a government that is accountable. Since January, House Republicans have fought to expose the wrongdoing by President Biden and those that he appointed.

It is time to put a stop to the reckless actions that the Biden administration continues to pursue that has led to 74 percent of Americans believing that our Nation is on the wrong track.

Madam Speaker, it is time to demand accountability from the President. It is time, once again, to have a Federal Government that is worthy, worthy of the American people.

Celebrating 285 Years of Worship at Presbyterian Church of Upper West

Conococheague

Madam Speaker, this year marks 285 years of worship at the Presbyterian Church of Upper West Conococheague, located in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1738, the Presbyterian Church has been in its current location since 1794, during President George Washington's second term as President.

Since that time, the church has grown into a pillar and a major part of the community that it serves, working tirelessly among so many local charities and missions. These works include Bountiful Blessings, Operation Christmas Child, and the Giving Tree, a program the Presbyterian Church launched in order to ensure that every school student in local schools has the clothing and the resources that they need to be fulfilled and successful in their education.

This great Nation was born on the fundamental belief that no government and no king can tell us what to believe or how to worship. For the past 285 years, Presbyterian Church of Upper West Conococheague has stood as a testament to that principle.

On behalf of everyone in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate them on reaching such a significant milestone and wish Presbyterian Church and their congregation every continued success.

Mr. Speaker, we gather today to remember the life of a Pennsylvania State Trooper, Jacques Rougeau who was killed in the line of duty on June 17 while serving at the Juniata County Barracks in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District.

Trooper Rougeau leaves behind a loving wife, Chloe, and all of our hearts go out to her, along with the rest of his family, his friends, and the entire Pennsylvania State Troopers.

At this time, I ask that we also recognize Lieutenant Jim Wagner who was injured in the line of duty on that same terrible day and remains hospitalized.

Please join me in a moment of silence to honor the life of State Trooper Jacques Rougeau and in prayer for the full recovery of Lieutenant Jim Wagner.

Mr. Speaker, the failed policies that President Biden chose to enact have created a national security, public health, and humanitarian crisis on our southern border.

In the 1 month since title 42 has expired, we have seen the impacts of President Biden's reckless policy decisions in action.

In April of this year, more than 70,000 illegal immigrants were turned away under title 42.

Now, without the protections of title 42 in place, the influx of illegal immigrants and the drugs smuggled by the cartels have overwhelmed resources at Federal, State, and local levels.

Under President Biden's watch in the past 2 years, we have seen the number of attempted entries by those on the terrorist watch list skyrocket to over 100 a year. With 1.5 million known got-aways reported by the Border Patrol, that number might even be higher.

We have seen an increase in overdose deaths from the deadly fentanyl analogues smuggled across our borders.

We have seen reports of public schools being used as holding facilities for migrants instead of being used for American students already suffering from historic learning loss. This follows President Biden's prolonged school shutdowns.

All of this amounts to a pattern of failure brought on by the Biden administration's refusal to confront the crisis at our border head-on.

It is time to finish the construction of the border wall.

It is time to reinstate the remain in Mexico policies that protect American citizens.

It is time for President Biden to finally address the crisis that his administration has created with its open border policies.

That time is today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Everett Lions Club on their formal dedication of the statue, ``Brothers of Honor'' to memorialize Everett Medal of Honor recipients, Sergeant Ellis Weicht and Staff Sergeant Robert Hartsock.

The Everett Lions Club has continuously dedicated their efforts to ensuring the legacy of our American heroes is kept alive. With an unwavering focus on honoring those who served, and those who never returned home, the Lions Club has created a life-sized bronze monument to Medal of Honor recipients Sergeant Ellis and Staff Sergeant Robert Hartsock, for their valor in combat.

Sergeant Ellis Weicht received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Saint-Hippolyte, France on December 3, 1944--while commanding an assault against encamped enemy positions in the town, Sergeant Weicht drew enemy fire, and with disregard for his own safety, provided effective fire before being mortally wounded.

On February 23, 1969, Staff Sergeant Hartsock was serving with the 44th Infantry Platoon when the Dau Tieng Base Camp came under attack. During the attack, Staff Sergeant Hartsock led his men bravely, protecting the vital brigade tactical operations center and nearby prisoner compound. As an enemy fighter detonated a satchel charge, Staff Sergeant Hartsock, with no regard for his own safety, pulled the charge under himself in order to shield his fellow soldiers from the blast.

Both of these men gave their lives while working to save the lives of the men they served beside, and we owe them both a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay.

On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank the Everett Lions Club for their dedication to honoring these men who, in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, have given ``the last full measure of devotion.''

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chair, at a time when rolling blackouts have become more common and as it has become clear that green energy tools, like wind turbines and solar panels, cannot meet our energy needs, the Biden administration has taken yet another step to limit the ability of Americans to use natural gas in their homes.

The weaponization of government against our energy industry only serves to make our energy future less secure.

This legislation is about ensuring that American families have access to the products and the energy resources that they need and that they want.

Currently, natural gas stoves are the preferred cooktop appliance of nearly 40 percent of American homes. We know that natural gas is safe, it is reliable, it is affordable energy, and it is a source for millions of Americans.

The Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act is a step toward getting the Federal regulations out of homes and out of businesses. Any attempt to say that the Biden administration's actions are based in public safety is not supported by the data that we have at hand.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, electric ranges were 2\1/2\ times more likely to cause a home fire than gas stoves. Let me repeat that. Electric ranges were 2\1/2\ times more likely to cause a fire than gas stoves.

We know that gas stoves are safe, and we cannot allow the Biden administration to strip away consumer choice simply to fulfill its green energy agenda.

Mr. Chair, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 1615.

Mr. Speaker, 20 days from now, the Homer City Generating Station in Pennsylvania will power down its turbines and close its doors. Since opening in 1969, the plant has reliably utilized the coal that has been mined in Pennsylvania communities for generations.

After years of continual operation, Homer City's closure will leave just four operational coal plants functioning in the Keystone State. The closing of this plant is not only a symbolic loss, but one that will have real-world consequences for energy production.

What President Biden, liberals in Congress, and green energy supporters across the United States fail to realize is that technologies like wind turbines and solar panels lack the capacity to keep the lights on.

These alternative methods of production simply cannot produce enough power to meet the needs of our families and businesses. Without the capacity to store enough energy to be used in peak hours, green technologies are unable to support our electric grid.

Eliminating coal power will have disastrous consequences, including rolling blackouts for families across America. We have seen the warning signs. Look to Europe, as Austria, Germany, and Italy announce that they are reopening coal plants and admit that the green technologies have failed to produce the energy that those countries need.

Let's face it, Americans have always led on innovation, and now countries around the world will rely on America to build the carbon capture systems that will make coal plants safer and more reliable. That will not be possible as long as the Biden administration continues to force the shuttering of these facilities here at home.

We need to return to the energy resources that are underneath the feet of my constituents in Pennsylvania. We need to return to American energy dominance. It is time for the Biden administration to end its reckless attacks on our energy producers.

Mr. Speaker, when President Obama said that he would govern with a telephone and a pen, he was setting an example for his then-Vice President. Now, the Biden administration has attempted to enact a radical agenda through agency rulemaking.

During his first year in office, President Biden finalized regulations that cost taxpayers more than $200 billion. This wasteful spending cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.

It is essential that we pass the REINS Act and ensure that President Biden is forced to account for every wasteful dollar. This legislation would, once again, assert that Congress and not the far-left Biden administration has the power to create law.

It is time to put a stop to the runaway spending. It is time to end the backroom rulemaking that has been a trademark of the Biden administration.

Madam Speaker, this June, we celebrate National Dairy Month and recognize the farmers and the producers across Pennsylvania who provide healthy dairy products for our children who need that as they grow and mature.

Pennsylvania's 13th District is home to the greatest number of dairy cows in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For generations, family-owned-and-operated dairy farms have been at the heart of our rural communities.

This year, Congress will work to pass a farm bill. To prepare for this legislation, I have been traveling across our district to hear from the farmers who will be affected most by this legislation.

Over the past years, we have seen inflationary policies lead to rising prices on the grain, the fertilizer, and supplies that our farmers rely on, and they are faced with imitation products that continue to put a strain on the dairy markets right here in America.

Last year, dairy substitutes made over $2.8 billion in sales, directly harming these locally owned dairy farmers in Pennsylvania.

The attacks on our dairy farmers have been going on for far too long. We have seen liberal policies dating back to the Obama administration that have yanked whole milk from school cafeterias and have pulled away the nutritious product that growing young men and women need.

This decision is directly harmful. We know the nutritional benefits to bone, to muscle, and brain development that only whole milk can provide. Now, our students are missing out on these benefits.

National Dairy Month allows us to recommit to returning whole milk back into the schools, back to the kids who need it.

Let's pledge to end the false labeling of fake dairy products, and let's commit to standing with our dairy farmers.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Chair, 6 months ago I received an email from Ray Cullen, a resident of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, who, along with his wife, Deb, had raised their kids in my district, Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District.

Ray told the story of his son, Zach, who last year was out with a bunch of buddies when he was sold cocaine that was laced with fentanyl, unfortunately, a deadly poison that claimed Zach's life. Zach didn't know that the drugs that he and his friends had purchased were laced with this deadly synthetic opioid.

Because of how lethal the drug is in small quantities, fentanyl has become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 49. It was Franklin County Coroner Jeff Conner who put it so bluntly to me. He said: ``Fentanyl is easy to get and it is fast to kill.''

The Cullens reached out to share the memory of their son because they wanted to make a difference. They wanted to make sure that the pain that they were feeling was not shared by parents anywhere else in Pennsylvania or anywhere else in our country.

Now, on the eve of the HALT Fentanyl Act vote, we in Congress have a chance to help prevent these needless deaths by passing the HALT Fentanyl Act, legislation to finally classify these deadly fentanyl substances as schedule I narcotics.

Deb and Ray Cullen have traveled and presented their case before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee of Health. Deb and Ray Cullen will be here tomorrow. They will be in the gallery as we have a choice to make to vote in a bipartisan fashion to halt fentanyl and its deadly cause here in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, the ambulances, the emergency medical technicians, and the paramedics that we all rely on each and every day have come a long way since Ernest Hemingway and the first casualty transports of World War I.

From highway crashes to heart attacks and falls, we call on our EMTs to be the first medical care a patient receives, regardless of their circumstance.

During National Emergency Medical Services Week, we recognize and thank the men and women willing to respond at a moment's notice. More and more, we rely on these first responders to address significant instances, instances like a diabetic coma, a fractured limb, or a patient who has overdosed.

We in Congress owe it to our EMTs and the communities that they serve to ensure that they have the tools and resources necessary to arrive quickly and to treat these patients.

So often, we forget the toll that these jobs take on first responders and their families. This week, let's remain grateful for the care and the professionalism of our frontline healthcare workers and pledge to support the EMTs and paramedics--volunteers and paid alike--who support our communities and, ultimately, care for our families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate DelGrosso Foods as they celebrate the opening of a new food processing and sauce plant in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

DelGrosso Foods has a long history in our Blair County community and has made a rich impact across central Pennsylvania. As the family-owned business continues to expand, this newest plant will produce white sauce, as well as increase production of private label products for major grocery chains and several pasta sauce and salsa brands.

Further, this facility will create over 50 family-sustaining jobs in our area, making it one of the largest single business expansions ever in Blair County.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and I am thankful that DelGrosso Foods can continue to find success and invest in our local community.

On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate DelGrosso's on this milestone and wish them every continued success.