Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill.

The crime rates that we have seen skyrocket across the United States can be traced directly back to calls from far-left Members of Congress to defund the police.

In my own district, we have seen more violent crimes than ever before. In the city of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a community of just 20,000 people, we have already seen 10 murders so far this year.

Instead of confronting this issue head-on, this legislative package hands out over $2 billion to far-left programs while only funding $60 million worth of grants for police officers, and that $60 million would be spread out over 50 States.

This bill is deeply misguided and will not address the root issues of the crisis that we are facing. Instead, it spends Federal tax dollars funding social workers under the guise of supporting law enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on these bills, and I myself will vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, last year, over 100,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses and 70 percent of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

These lethal compounds have continued to pour across a southern border that is not secure, and into communities that remain overwhelmed by this terrible onslaught.

Unless we in Congress act, possessing fentanyl will become completely legal in just over 3 months.

Unless we work now to permanently make fentanyl a schedule I narcotic, Americans will wake up on New Year's Day in a country where a drug responsible for tens of thousands of deaths can freely be sold on our streets.

Our communities are counting on us.

We need to pass legislation that permanently labels fentanyl as the deadly drug that we all know that it is.

No more short-term bans.

No more playing politics while lives are at stake.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for holding this important Special Order tonight on an issue that truly affects all Pennsylvanians and all Americans.

I thank Representative Smucker, my colleague, who is a true leader and a fiscal conservative, for bringing this discussion to the United States Congress.

Yesterday afternoon, I conducted a survey in my weekly newsletter, asking respondents if, during the past year, the rising costs of gas and groceries had cut into their savings, a relatively simple question. Eighty-nine percent of the responders said yes.

Unfortunately, this is a sad reality. It is a sad reality in the American economy that has been decimated by President Biden's failed tax-and-spend policies that put far-left gimmicks ahead of the needs of the American people.

During the Biden administration, at a time when small businesses across our country were begging for workers, we saw legislation that paid workers to remain at home. We saw the government mandates that had no basis in science, policies that did not account for natural immunity, policies that forced highly skilled workers to leave their jobs, which, unfortunately, again, helped to cripple our supply chains.

During the Biden administration, we saw the so-called infrastructure bill that spent more money bailing out windmills and solar farms and did nothing on fixing roads and bridges. We saw the poorly named Inflation Reduction Act, which the Congressional Budget Office says will increase our national deficit over the next few years.

This is no time to throw a party celebrating these priorities as inflation continues to rise. This is no party situation.

Time after time, we have witnessed an administration that cowers to the radical left and fails to consider that their own runaway spending has led to these soaring prices at the gas pump and at the grocery store.

When I was seeing patients as a physician, one of the issues that I would stress to parents is how important it was for them to provide milk, whole milk, for their children's growth, whole milk that supplies the necessary vitamins for bone development, brain development, and muscle development. In the past year, the cost of milk has soared 17 percent.

That kind of price hike is unsustainable, and no administration can take the health and well-being of Americans seriously while deliberately creating policies that make healthy choices, like whole milk, more expensive for American families, more expensive for the parents who need to supply that for their growing children.

The cost of eggs is up nearly 40 percent, and the cost of food overall has risen more in the past year than at any time since 1979 when Jimmy Carter was President.

To make matters even worse, real wages have gone down, and inflation has outpaced wage growth for the 17 months that Joe Biden has been in the White House.

The economic situation the American people find themselves in right now is unsustainable. In the second quarter of this year, household wealth in the United States fell by $6.1 trillion--a record drop that has left families unable to pay for the everyday expenses that they face.

As I traveled through my district in August--like my colleague, Mr. Smucker, spoke about--I talked to a mother who told me that she was making difficult decisions, decisions on whether to buy the necessary groceries for her family, for her children's lunches or put gasoline in the family car. No American should be making those decisions.

The record inflation that has put parents and families in this position is the result of failed policies that have wasted taxpayer dollars and flooded our economy with too much cash while simultaneously killing the supply chain and causing shortages throughout the market.

When we look at the liberal partisan legislation passed this past year, we see laws that choose winners and losers.

So let's take stock.

By handing out tax breaks for purchasing an electric vehicle and by offering money to companies who put up solar farms that fail to produce baseload power, the Biden administration has sent a clear signal to Pennsylvania's energy producers that they are not valued by Washington liberals.

By canceling the Keystone XL pipeline and putting a halt on new drilling leases, Joe Biden has made one thing clear: He has no interest in lowering gas prices. He has no interest in lowering energy prices.

Instead of pivoting to failed technologies like wind and solar that cannot be stored and that can only be used during peak hours, we need to return to the energy sources that are under the feet of my constituents in Pennsylvania: the coal, the natural gas, the oil, the Marcellus shale that can help

to return our Nation to a position of energy dominance.

After dismantling nuclear energy, Europe is facing the worst energy crisis in a generation. By signing pro-Green New Deal legislation, President Biden seems intent on making the same mistake--the same mistake right here in the United States.

Digging out of that hole that President Biden and the far-left Members of Congress created will take some hard work, and it is time for Congress to stop the runaway spending on failed and untested programs.

We need to stop giving taxpayer dollars to Green New Deal priorities that only serve to hurt American families.

Right now, our communities are counting on us. The schools in our district are counting on us to get inflation under control. The families in our district are counting on us to get this runaway inflation back under control.

As President Biden creates crisis after crisis in our economy, one thing is very clear: We cannot spend our way out of the problems that the Biden administration has orchestrated.

We need to return to fiscal conservatism and pass legislation that supports Pennsylvania families, American families, instead of burdening them with crushing inflation.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for holding this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, this morning, we received data that highlights once again the failure of the Biden administration to provide for our economy and to provide for the economic well-being of America.

At home in Pennsylvania, I have heard stories of parents unable to afford back-to-school clothes and supplies for their children and patients unable to afford the gas to put in their cars to drive to doctors' appointments.

These problems are fruits from the same poisonous tree. Reckless government spending has sent prices skyrocketing across our economy. Instead

of addressing this cost, liberals continue to double down by passing their so-called Inflation Reduction Act while the Congressional Budget Office now reports that this act will increase our deficit through 2026.

The fact is simple. President Biden has proven that he is unable to stop the runaway inflation that has raised the cost of housing, raised the cost of groceries, and continues to affect energy sources throughout America. The answer to this crisis will not be found in more government handouts.

Now more than ever, we need to stop the inflation that is crippling our economy and hurting Pennsylvania and all American families.

Mr. Speaker, as students prepare to return to classrooms, it is now more clear than ever that the lockdowns of the past 2 years have dealt a devastating blow to the education of our Nation's children.

Isolation and a lack of hands-on learning was detrimental with students falling behind grade level in both reading and math.

In fact, new research shows that students have only recovered between 15 and 35 percent of the learning that was lost during school shutdowns.

Students are not learning the math, the science, the history, and the English that they will need to be successful, and over the long term, the consequence of this learning loss could be catastrophic for our young people.

Instead of addressing this crisis head-on and involving parents directly in their child's education to help get them back on track, the Biden administration has taken steps to limit parents' involvement and federally mandate what our children are taught in classrooms.

To take on this problem, I am proud to join my Republican colleagues as a cosponsor of the Parents Bill of Rights Act. This important legislation would ensure that parents know what their children are being taught in schools and that they have the chance to be heard and to be a part of their kids' education and not a bystander.

This bill would give parents the right to see their school district's budget and spending because it is time that we have transparency throughout our education system.

This would go even further to give parents the opportunity to protect their student's privacy by making sure that a school cannot change their policy on privacy without parental consent.

Our students are counting on us. They are counting on us to find solutions to the challenges that they face every day in school. It is time to increase family involvement, enforce high standards, and make sure that we are preparing our kids of all ages for success in education.

Celebrating Sigrid Andrew

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Sigrid Andrew on her upcoming retirement from her role as medical center director at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Andrews' 26 years of service to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs culminated with her time leading the Van Zandt VA Medical Center's team to where she has been a pillar of support for our veteran community.

Ms. Andrews' years of experience, not only as a nurse but as a leader in operational management, led her to find innovative solutions to a variety of unique challenges that face our veterans each and every day.

On a personal note, Sigrid Andrew has been instrumental in the development and deployment of the Homegrown Healthcare Initiative, which allows third- and fourth-year medical students to return to their communities in central Pennsylvania to care for patients and build the skills that they will need as young doctors, doctors who will be trained to address the physical and mental health issues of our great veterans.

Sigrid Andrews' tireless work to help address the rural physician shortage has been extraordinary and without her, the Homegrown Healthcare Initiative would not be where it is today.

Sigrid Andrews' persistence, her intelligence, and her dedication to excellence has been an essential tool to support the veteran community throughout Pennsylvania.

On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank Sigrid Andrew for her hard work and her commitment to the veterans of the United States military. I wish her all the best.

Madam Speaker, recently, I had the chance to meet with members of the Fraternal Order of Police while back home in Pennsylvania, and the stories that they shared were shocking.

They talked about how illegal drugs, like heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, continue to be widely available on our streets.

Now, as overdose deaths continue to soar, our communities are seeing the result of President Biden's open border policies that have allowed these drugs to pour into our communities, bringing with them terrible side effects that destroy our towns, our neighborhoods, and, unfortunately, sometimes families.

It is time to do more than stand with law enforcement. It is time to work with law enforcement and give them the tools they need to take these drugs off of our streets.

We cannot allow our police officers to be defunded while this crisis continues. It is time to work with law enforcement, to stand with them. It is time to stop the drug crisis that each and every community in America today is facing.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

I rise today in opposition to this legislation that has been rushed to the floor with no oversight, and without a single hearing in the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, the subcommittee of jurisdiction.

It is clear that the majority is, once again, trying to score cheap political points in the press and, in the process, the patients' and their health outcomes have not been evaluated.

This type of political malpractice would be similar to a doctor who prescribes a medication or recommends a surgery without doing the evaluation of the patient, without doing the due diligence, and without discussing the course of treatment which is best.

We cannot continue to rush to legislation without seeing the entire picture.

As a doctor, and as a Representative, I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and allow the committee of jurisdiction to do the work that is necessary in order to bring effective legislation to the floor.

Madam Speaker, as temperatures rise, our energy grid has been left unprepared to keep up with the power demands to keep up with this intense summer heat.

Instead of investing in the coal, natural gas, and Marcellus shale that is under the feet of my constituents in Pennsylvania, President Biden has turned his back on my communities in

order to enact Green New Deal policies that fail to meet our energy needs, fail to meet the needs that, right now, in the heat of July, are expanding.

It has become abundantly clear that solar panels and windmills cannot produce the power needed to keep the lights on and keep the air- conditioners humming.

This failed pivot to radical energy policies that could lead to rolling blackouts and has led to skyrocketing electric bills across the country needs to be addressed and needs to be addressed right now.

It is time for the Biden administration to protect our energy grid, and it is time to ensure that we are using the resources that we have right here at home to serve the American people. It is not time to turn to OPEC for additional support when we have the resources right here in America. It is time that we come together and serve the American people with the resources that are right here in America.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

I rise today in opposition to this legislation that would legalize abortion on demand up until the moment of birth.

As a physician, I first swore an oath to do no harm. As legislators, we cannot, in good conscience, vote to pass legislation that would claim the lives of unborn children in late-term abortions.

This poorly written legislation would put our Nation alongside countries like China and North Korea by allowing discriminatory abortions based on sex, based on race, even based on disability. This is unacceptable, and it is gut-wrenching that Congress would even consider passing such legislation.

This abortion on demand act would override pro-life laws passed in our States and prohibit State-level elected officials from passing legislation to protect unborn children in our communities.

It is time for all Members of Congress to vote against this poorly written bill.

It is time for all Members of Congress to vote against this poorly written bill. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record two articles, ``Democrats Launch Ads in Lifestyle Mags in All Out Push for Abortion'' from the Daily Caller and ``Ohio Right to Life Says Offices Targeted Twice by Pro-Abortion Vandals with Rocks, Spray Paint'' from FOX News.

[From the Daily Caller, July 13, 2022]

Democrats Launch Ads In Lifestyle Mags In All Out Push For Abortion

(By Mary Rooke)

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) launched a digital

ad campaign Tuesday in several lifestyle magazines telling

readers that Republicans want to outlaw abortion nationwide.

The DNC purchased at least $10,000 in digital ads in over

20 lifestyle publications to focus on abortion rights issues

as the midterms approach, the Associated Press reported.

Magazines like Teen Vouge, Elle, Refinery29, Essence, GQ,

Esquire, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan and Glamour, hosted the

DNC's ads, reported the AP.

The ad showed Republican Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell next

to blue, pink, and white lettering that read: ``Republicans

are pushing to ban abortion nationally. Join us in fighting

back,'' according to the report.

The DNC is looking to launch a separate abortion-centered

ad campaign with plans to spend six figures, reported the AP.

The DNC's ads promoting a ``week of action'' to defend

abortion are in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision

to overturn Roe v. Wade, sending abortion law-making back to

the state legislatures.

``With this Defend Choice Week of Action, we're giving

people across the country a chance to turn their anger into

action by holding anti-choice Republicans accountable and

helping to elect Democrats,'' DNC chair Jaime Harrison said,

according to the AP.

The DNC held a virtual launch for its ``all-hands-on-deck

effort to defend choice'' on Tuesday night, according to the

DNC website.

``This fight isn't over and we need all hands on deck. This

event will serve as the kickoff for our Week of Action, which

we'll highlight how to get involved with on the call,'' The

DNC event description stated.

The latest Associated Press-NORC poll released Friday

showed that only 16% of Americans feel abortion is the

biggest issue facing the U.S. In comparison, 40% of U.S.

adults said they were more worried about inflation and 33%

said gas prices, according to the poll.

The survey polled, 1,053 adults nationwide from June 23-27

with a margin of error of

+/-4.0%.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

When I was in medical school, I learned about the development and the journey of a child in the womb of the mother.

Madam Speaker, let me review that journey with you today. At 6 weeks, a child is developing a mouth, nose, ears, and--most important--a heartbeat of their own. At 12 weeks, a baby has fingers and toes.

Continue on this journey with me. At 15 weeks, a baby can sense light and even has taste buds. At 19 weeks, a child can hear and knows the voice of their mother.

These lives are precious, and they must be protected.

By 22 weeks, many babies can survive outside the womb if they are born prematurely.

Clearly, these are human lives. Clearly, we in Congress have an obligation to protect these human lives.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and support all human life. It is time for us to stand up for the American people and to stand up for all human life.

Mr. Speaker, this week, while gas prices remain near record levels across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, President Biden has chosen to spend his time meeting with Saudi Arabia instead of American energy producers.

By canceling the Keystone XL pipeline, and by refusing to allow new drilling leases here in the U.S., the current administration has declared a war on American energy. Instead of using cleaner and less expensive American energy, President Biden is now turning to OPEC to drill the oil that we so desperately need.

Because of skyrocketing inflation, American families are spending an extra $5,000 a year on everyday items. Right now, Americans are pulling up to the gas pump, and after filling their tank, they don't have money to buy their kids lunch.

To get our Nation back on track, we need to rely on American energy, not Saudi Arabia. We need to unleash American energy, and we need to return to American energy dominance.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I thank Representative Mike Kelly for holding this Special Order.

What a pivotal summer we have seen as the United States Supreme Court, after almost five decades, has overruled the terror of Roe v. Wade.

We all know that all life is sacred. As a doctor, I swore an oath first to do no harm, and for me as a doctor, that meant refusing to ever be involved in performing abortions or any abortion procedures. Now, as a legislator, it means working each and every day to protect and stand for human life.

Even after this historic Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there is still work to be done to protect human life here in the United States. Our Declaration of Independence states that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are unalienable rights given to all of us by our creator, and government is created to protect these rights. Government is created to protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We must all, as legislators, stand for life, and we must continue to fight for the unborn.

The sanctity of human life is an inherent part of America from our founding days, and it must be protected today and into the future.

Again, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, my colleague and my friend, for doing this Special Order this evening and allowing all of America to hear how we stand behind the sanctity of human life.

Mr. Speaker, last week, I received a letter from a Boy Scout in my district telling me how his family has been forced to change their budget and cancel their summer vacation.

Unfortunately, this story is not unique, and right now, more than two-thirds of Americans have been forced to dip into their savings to pay for groceries and gasoline. This is the reality of an economy that has been wrecked by Biden's socialist spending spree.

These policies have consequences, and it is estimated that American families will spend an additional $460 a month because of inflation. Just this morning, it was reported that inflation rose by 9.1 percent in the past year.

Let's call this 9 percent inflation what it is. It is a tax on workers and families, and it is having a severe impact on my community. It is time to stop spending money that we don't have on policies that we don't need. It is time to return to fiscal responsibility.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Borough of Windber as it celebrates its 125th anniversary of incorporation.

The Borough of Windber was established in 1897. The first people to settle here were the miners and energy producers who came to our area to mine the metallurgic coal that we still use and rely on to this day. Since its beginnings, Windber has grown to be an essential part of western Pennsylvania--and is home to businesses and organizations including Windber Hospital, that do incredible work for the Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Windber has been recognized for the important work that was done here which included mine the coal, produce the lumber, and create the fire bricks that would build cities and towns across our region.

It is an honor to recognize the Borough of Windber's Quasquicentennial celebration, and I look forward to continuing to work with residents and community leaders in Windber to bring the resources, tools, and family-sustaining jobs that are needed to ensure another successful century.

Madam Speaker, in the past 18 months, President Biden has shown the American people that he and his administration are not prepared to lead.

According to a new whistleblower report, problems at the Michigan baby formula plant were actually reported to the U.S. Department of Labor in February of 2021. Instead of addressing this crisis head-on, the Biden administration squandered precious time. As a result, American families were unable to buy the formula that their infant children so desperately need.

As a father, I think back on shopping for children's formula for my own children, and I am saddened by the thought of parents arriving today at the grocery store and seeing empty shelf after empty shelf.

The longer President Biden remains in office, one thing continues to become clear: Americans cannot afford the failed leadership that has allowed this crisis and so many crises to continue.