Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jerome Kater of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, who recently received the Jefferson Award from CBS 21 News.

As president of the board at Katie's Place, Mr. Kater has worked tirelessly to devote his time and resources to helping the people of Shippensburg. Under his leadership, Katie's Place serves as a distribution site for charitable goods and services. For his community efforts, Mr. Kater received the 8 Who Cares Award in November--another testament to his spirit of service. In addition to his volunteer work, Mr. Kater also serves as a member of the Shippensburg University Police Department. Through it all, he credits God with giving him a heart for service.

Jerome Kater is a selfless leader and exceptional role model. On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I thank Mr. Kater for his service to the Shippensburg community, and I congratulate him and his family on this remarkable honor.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Scott McKenzie and Jeremy Ulbricht of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania for starting the Cookies for Caregivers movement.

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a friendly competition between the two resulted in a cookie baking contest judged by the Mayor of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. After the competition was over, they took leftover cookies to the Huntingdon Police Department to thank the first responders. The gratitude the officers expressed inspired Scott and Jeremy to begin recruiting other members of the community to bake cookies for other essential workers.

Since then, Scott and Jeremy's group has baked more than 18,000 cookies. Their Facebook page, ``Cookies for Caregivers,'' has more than a thousand members. Additionally, 23 similar groups have been started across the United States.

While our first responders endure to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is encouraging to see southcentral Pennsylvanians express gratitude to our community's essential workers. As Scott and Jeremy continue to offer encouragement to those on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19, I wish them and their movement every continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Elizabeth Yothers on becoming one of the first young women in the Westmoreland-Fayette Council Boy Scouts of America to achieve the position of Eagle Scout.

Elizabeth joined the Boy Scouts in 2019 when girls were first able to join. She was one of the founding members of Troop 1372, which is partnered with the all-male Troop 372. She first began her goal of becoming an Eagle Scout while in her senior year at Greater Latrobe High School and finished while attending Westmoreland County Community College.

In her journey to become an Eagle Scout, Elizabeth earned 31 merit badges, 10 more than the 21 required. For her Eagle Scout project, she planted grass, removed weeds, cleared gravel, and other tasks at the Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center in Unity.

Elizabeth already is giving back to the Boy Scouts of America and her community by serving as an assistant Scoutmaster. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate Elizabeth Yothers on her trailblazing achievement and wish her all the best in the chapters to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Kalli Taylor of Bedford, Pennsylvania, for her selection to participate in the National Association of Music Education's 2021 All-Eastern Honor Ensembles as a member of the Treble Chorus.

The Treble Chorus is comprised of 120 members from nine states. Kalli was selected from a poll of more than 1,000 applicants to participate-- a testament to her outstanding musical talent. As a student at Bedford Area High School, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to music. She is a member of Varsity Singers, the school's select choir, and has starred in three school musicals.

Kalli's dedication to music demonstrates her commitment to hard work, determination, and dedication. I congratulate Kalli on her selection for the Treble Chorus and wish her every continued success.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the Fort Bedford Honor Guard as this treasured organization marks 75 years of service to the Bedford County community.

The Fort Bedford Honor Guard, which is believed to be one of the longest-serving all-volunteer veteran honor guards in the nation, was formed in 1946 by World War II veterans Fred Wilfong, Ray Mock, Adam Crouse, Bob May, and Bob Howsare. For decades, this group has lived out its mission statement, ``We Honor the Dead by Serving the Living,'' by serving the community with participation in funerals, parades, special services, and other ceremonies to honor the American flag, our veterans, and military families.

The members of the Fort Bedford Honor Guard are outstanding Americans, and we are indebted to their service to Bedford County, our Commonwealth, and our nation. I thank the leaders and members of the Fort Bedford Honor Guard for their years of service and congratulate them on this remarkable 75th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Hannah Yothers on becoming one of the first young women in the Westmoreland-Fayette Council Boy Scouts of American to achieve the position of Eagle Scout.

Hannah joined the Boy Scouts in 2019, when girls were first able to join. She was one of the founding members of Troop 1372, which is partnered with the all-male Troop 372. Hannah first began her goal of becoming an Eagle Scout while in her senior year at Greater Latrobe High School and finished while attending Penn State Behrend in Erie.

In her journey to become an Eagle Scout, Hannah earned 31 merit badges, 10 more than the 21 required. For her Eagle Scout project, Hannah worked on landscaping, built two benches that can be converted into picnic tables, and other tasks at the Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center in Unity.

Hannah already is giving back to the Boy Scouts of America and her community by serving as an assistant Scoutmaster. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate Hannah Yothers on her trailblazing achievement and wish her all the best in the chapters to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Waynesboro Area School District students, teachers, and leaders as they celebrate the successful completion of 100 days of school during the 2020-2021 academic year--a great accomplishment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This ongoing public health crisis has affected every American community across the country--including our children and schools. Despite the challenges they are facing, the Waynesboro Area School District is open for in-person instruction and has only required virtual instruction for eight days this school year.

Getting children safely back to school is a key piece of our nation's recovery from this pandemic, and I applaud the Waynesboro Area School District leaders, teachers, staff, and parents for their commitment to their students' continuity of quality education.

As they mark their 100th day of school, I congratulate the Waynesboro Area School District community on a successful reopening of in-person instruction and wish them a continued safe and successful school year.

Madam Speaker, every precious life is made in the image of our Creator. As image bearers, each person is deserving of fundamental rights, including the right to life.

As a doctor, I took an oath to protect all human life. That unequivocal truth was the foundation for my medical career, and it has continued through my work here in the United States Congress.

From forcing American taxpayers to pay for abortions against their conscience to rolling back our recent pro-life achievements, President Biden has cemented his anti-life agenda in the first few days of his administration. To paraphrase President George Washington, it is deeds, not words, that define a leader.

Right now, pro-life Americans are facing a daunting path ahead. But we are not without hope. Together, with the help of our Creator, we will persevere in our pursuit to defend the most vulnerable among us.

Our enduring commitment to life will always prevail.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the objection.

Tonight, my heart is heavy as we consider the dark acts that transpired in this Chamber today. But, Madam Speaker, the American people can be assured that violent and irrational attacks on this body cannot derail the constitutional responsibility that lies in front of us.

This has always been about upholding the law. It has always been about protecting government of, by, and for the people. Preserving the rule of law is more important than ever.

We must acknowledge that unconstitutional acts unduly impacted the Presidential election in Pennsylvania. Contrary to law, the supreme court extended the deadline for mail-in ballots for 3 days beyond the election day. Contrary to law, the secretary of the Commonwealth discarded mail-in ballot signature verification safeguards. These leaders took advantage of a deadly pandemic and seized the State legislature's rightful authority.

I took an oath to uphold the law and defend the Constitution. I pledged to protect free and fair elections. I cannot, in good faith, certify electors that were selected under an unlawful process.

I will object to the electoral college certification to protect the will of Pennsylvania voters, to uphold the law, to restore trust in our electoral system, and, ultimately, to save our Constitution.

At Gettysburg, which is in my district, President Abraham Lincoln spoke about the great task of ensuring government by, of, and for the people shall not perish from the Earth.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Altoona native Tom Wiley on his 75th Birthday. Tom has spent more than 15 years in public service protecting America's most influential leaders working for the United States Secret Service.

During his time in the Secret Service, Mr. Wiley protected Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. He also was Supervisor of Detail for Vice President Dan Quayle. Wiley was in charge of hospital security after the assassination attempt on President Reagan in 1981.

During his time in Altoona at Bishop Guilfoyle, Wiley was an outstanding student athlete, playing both football and basketball. He also met his wife, Kathy Urban, while they were both high school students and they have been together since. After college at Purdue University, Wiley returned home to Bishop Guilfoyle from 1968 to 1971 to teach and coach.

Wiley has dedicated his life of service to his country. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Tom Wiley a happy 75th birthday and thank him for his incredible service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2142. H.R. 2142 is a commonsense bill to ease the burden that Federal regulations place on small businesses.

As a small business owner myself, I can personally attest to the daunting feelings that are associated with new regulations. Navigating the bureaucracy of the Federal Government can be

incredibly intimidating, and I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Delgado, for his leadership on this issue.

Small businesses account for 99.6 percent of the businesses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These businesses are truly the backbone of the American economy, which is why I was proud to introduce this legislation with my colleague from New York. This legislation takes a simple, yet important, step to reduce the strain that the Federal regulations place on small businesses and provide much-needed transparency.

Any time a Federal agency is required to produce a final regulatory flexibility analysis on a rule, the agency is also required by section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act to publish one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule.

This legislation makes already available information more easily accessible to small businesses by requiring the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to create a public website to publish these compliance guides and list contact information for persons who can help small entities comply with these rules. Making this information publicly available on a centralized website is a commonsense way to ease the regulatory burden on small firms that are looking for assistance to comply with the Federal regulations.

I again would like to thank Mr. Delgado for bringing this issue to my attention and the chairwoman and Ranking Member Chabot from Ohio for their commitment to advancing this bipartisan solution.

I ask each of my colleagues to support this measure.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding and further thank him for his leadership on border security matters and for opposing this harmful and extremist amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise in the strongest possible opposition to the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from New York. This amendment is dangerous, and it is disrespectful to the hardworking men and women of our Border Patrol.

To make matters worse, my same colleague who is pushing this amendment also wants to eliminate the Department of Homeland Security.

Madam Chair, if you want to get rid of DHS and you want to take away DOD's ability to help secure the border, who is going to be left to stop the drug traffickers and the cartel members who continue to infiltrate our country in record numbers?

Madam Chair, this amendment is just another step in the ongoing effort by my colleagues across the aisle to make us a country of open borders.

I urge all Members of the House to stand up for the rule of law and reject this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ron Fiochetta, who will be posthumously inducted into the All-American Amateur Baseball Association Hall of Fame later this summer.

Baseball was not his only love. He also coached football where I had the opportunity to play for him. As a former player, student, and someone who looked up to Coach Fio, I realize this award is truly deserved. His late wife, Joy, and his children continue to exemplify his commitment to community, coaching, and leadership.

Sadly, Ron passed away in 1997 at the age of 51, but his legacy lives on. He brought national recognition to Altoona in the AAABA Tournament. He was the manager of Altoona's L.S. Fiore from 1984 through 1997. During his tenure, L.S. Fiore won 10 Altoona AAABA League championships, four AAABA Regional championships, as well as a second place finish in the AAABA National Tournament in 1994. I take great pleasure in congratulating the Fiochetta family on this great honor for Coach Fio.

Mr. Speaker, Congress has exactly 3 weeks to pass the USMCA before we break for our August work period, and we owe it to our constituents to get the job done.

The USMCA will benefit every district in America, as it will lead to 176,000 new jobs and grow the U.S. economy by an additional $68 billion.

This agreement will also be a huge benefit to my constituents. Pennsylvania's 13th District is made up of so many hardworking dairy farmers who have struggled in recent years. This deal will unleash new markets and bring our industry back to life.

Instead of hauling Robert Mueller before a committee to rehash a case that is already closed, Congress should be putting all of our efforts into making the USMCA agreement law.

During July, my focus will be on passing the USMCA and growing our economy for years to come. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in this mission.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table H.R. 3401, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment. This bipartisan bill passed the Senate with 84 votes and could be sent to the President's desk for his signature today.