Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, this year, we will observe the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It will serve as a somber reminder of the fragility of our security, the bravery of our law enforcement and first responders, and the resilience of our democracy.

After the attacks on 9/11, Congress recognized the importance of establishing a bipartisan commission to investigate these brazen acts of terrorism. This body recognized the need to find the truth and help all of us understand how these heinous acts that not only forever changed our country, but also the entire world, could have been carried out.

The highly respected 9/11 Commission identified numerous challenges that needed to be addressed, which ultimately led to many concrete recommendations that were later enacted into law. These critical reforms vastly improved our information sharing, intelligence collection, vetting capabilities, and broader homeland security enterprise.

The security breach that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was completely unacceptable. It was a major breakdown in information sharing and preparedness, much like the shortfalls that existed prior to 9/11. It was not only an attack on this institution but an attack on our law enforcement brethren who defend us every day.

Unfortunately, we know that the Capitol, Federal buildings, and even Members of Congress remain a target for extremists of all ideologies, as we all saw most recently during the April 2 vehicle attack that took the life of Capitol Police Officer William ``Billy'' Evans.

The bill before us today, H.R. 3233, would create an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the relevant facts and circumstances relating to the January 6 attack on the Capitol, as well as targeted violence and domestic terrorism relevant to that attack.

It also charges the commission with providing and finding recommendations to, among other things, prevent, prepare for, and respond to similar attacks; improve the security posture of the Capitol complex; and ensure the security of Members of Congress and congressional staff.

Modeled after the 9/11 Commission, this bill creates a 10-member panel with five commissioners appointed by each party and equal subpoena authority.

While the expedited December 2021 deadline would only give the commission about 6 months to do its job, there is good reason for that: The American people and the Capitol Police deserve answers and action as soon as possible to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

We must find answers to the many questions surrounding that day. What information was known leading up to January 6? Why was that information not shared with the proper entities? Why were Capitol Police officers left so unprepared? Who failed to provide them with support? Why did it take so long for reinforcements to come to their aid? How can we improve the decisionmaking and bureaucracy that is clearly hampering the Capitol Police and the security of the Capitol complex? How can we ensure that the Capitol, Members of Congress, and our staffs are secure from attacks? And how do we ensure that this is a safer place for the members of the Capitol Police force who risk their lives every day to protect us?

These are only a few of the many questions that need to be answered. The American people and the Capitol Police deserve those answers.

As I have called for since the days just after the attack, an independent, 9/11-style review is critical for removing the politics around January 6 and focusing solely on the facts and circumstances of the security breach at the Capitol, as well as other instances of violence relevant to such a review.

Make no mistake about it, Mr. Thompson and I know this is about facts. It is not partisan politics. We would have never gotten to this point if it was about partisan politics.

Thanks to the strong partnership with Mr. Thompson, the Homeland Security Committee remains a bipartisan committee focused on securing the Nation while leaving partisanship at the door, which is exactly what the American people expect of us.

Chairman Thompson and I were able to work together to block out all the political noise surrounding the January 6 attack and turn the Speaker's partisan proposal into a reasonable, nonpartisan bill.

Now, H.R. 3233 is nearly identical to the original commission bill, H.R. 275, that I, along with 30 other Republican cosponsors, introduced on January 13, 6 days after the attack.

I sincerely appreciate Chairman Thompson's robust collaboration and strong commitment, as well as his friendship, by working together on this effort. The American people expect Congress to put partisanship aside for the sake of our homeland security.

I fully recognize that in a diverse body like this, Members come down on different sides of different issues. I welcome that. We all should. That is America; because, after all, none of this is personal. It is about our mutual desire to keep America safe and secure. To my friends on both sides of the aisle, I welcome honest, vigorous, and civil debate.

At the end of the day, I strongly believe this is fair and necessary legislation. I encourage all Members, Republicans and Democrats alike, to put down their swords just for once and support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Meijer).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton).

Mr. Speaker, I just want to note for the Record that the subpoena to which my colleague from California mentioned can only be issued if there is a consensus by both sides of the aisle on the commission. It is not something that one side can do unilaterally. And that is one of the key provisions of this, because it depoliticizes the process and it is a consensus-driven process.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Speaker for her comments.

I want to reiterate for everyone to understand: The way that Mr. Thompson and I crafted this bill, we crafted it in such a manner to make sure it would be depoliticized entirely. There is an equal number of members on both sides appointed by both sides. They have equal subpoena power. They can't subpoena one person without the other person on the other side of the aisle agreeing. They have to hire staff together, all those things.

I want to make sure people understand that we did this for a reason because that is exactly what made the 9/11 Commission successful and made it effective.

As someone who was in Federal law enforcement for 20 years before I took this job, I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that our country is infinitely safer because of what the 9/11 Commission did. We are much stronger against terrorism, and we share information in much better ways than we ever did--for example, the Joint Terrorism Task Forces, which are all over this country.

I ask my colleagues to consider the fact that this commission is built to work. It will be depoliticized, and it will get the results we need because the Capitol itself and the Capitol Police officers will be better off for it.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. Greene).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

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

Mr. Speaker, I just want to take a few moments to address some of the arguments that have been made here today, and some of the arguments that have been made in opposition to this bill.

One of them is talking about the scope of the commission being too narrow. I want to note that the commission is granted sufficient scope and flexibility to investigate targeted violence and domestic terrorism relevant to the January 6 attack. It will be up to the commission to decide how far they want to go with that perimeter.

Do I feel that the attack on the Capitol on April 2 that killed a Capitol Police Officer is relevant? I do. I hope the commission does, too.

Do I feel that the June 17 attack on Republican Members of Congress is relevant to the January 6 attack? I do. I hope the commission does. They have the flexibility to do so, if they want.

If there are other issues outside of this scope, we can look into them. We can have separate legislation. I encourage my colleagues, who are concerned about that, to do that.

Another charge I heard was that the commission could be controlled by partisan staff hired unilaterally by the commission chair. That is simply not true.

Here is what the bill does. It requires consultation between the chair, appointed by the Democrats, and the vice chair, appointed by the Republicans, for any hiring of staff. Further, it requires that it be in accordance with the rules agreed upon by the commission. The commission creates the rules as a team. They then hire as a team.

Lastly, there has been some concerns or arguments made about the criminal investigations. Make no mistake about it. This commission has nothing to do with the criminal investigations. This commission, by law, cannot interfere with criminal investigations. Criminal investigations alone won't get us what we need, like the 9/11 Commission concluded. It won't get us the recommendations, the insight, the expertise from the people on the commission who can come in, look at the Capitol security matrix, and say this is what needs fixing. A prosecutor can't tell you that. The commission can. That is what we want to do.

Second, the bill specifically requires the commission to respect ongoing investigations and build upon the investigations, learn from them, and avoid unnecessary duplication.

This language, in that respect, goes further than the 9/11 Commission in H.R. 275 in granting deference to other ongoing investigations.

So I just want to make sure people are clear about that going forward.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we all take a deep breath right now. Everybody breathe for a minute and everybody stop the theatrics, and everybody stop the arguments that are not relevant to this issue.

This is a very solemn moment. We are here to talk about something that is very important to the entire of our Government and the entire of our country. I ask that we think about the officers and their families and conduct ourselves accordingly.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains?

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close and I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not about partisan politics. It is about finding the truth and addressing the vulnerabilities of our security apparatus so that we can emerge stronger and better prepared.

The January 6 attack was a completely preventable failure of intelligence, information sharing, decisionmaking, and preparedness. The Capitol Police and D.C. police suffered greatly and continue to suffer as a result.

The institutions of our democracy are and will continue to be a target for extremists set on using violence to further their ideology. We, in Congress, owe it to this Nation, to our constituents, and to the dedicated men and women who risk their lives every single day to protect those institutions--and I honor them--to see that we learn from those attacks, that we get answers to the hard questions, and that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, as well as D.C. Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, all lost their lives in the wake of the January 6 attack. Over 140 more law enforcement officers--140-- were injured as a result of that attack.

Less than 4 months later, on April 2, Capitol Police Officer William ``Billy'' Evans was killed and another officer was injured when yet another extremist attacked the Capitol.

And, of course, we can't forget the 2017 terrorist attack against Republican Members of Congress during practice for the Congressional Baseball Game. Were it not for the officers involved, there would be scores of dead Congressmen. That is the plain truth. I acknowledge the heroic efforts of David Bailey and Crystal Griner.

We owe it to all of these officers and their families to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. This legislation is modeled directly on the legislation that created the 9/11 Commission. I sincerely believe that this commission, with strong support from this body, will embark on an objective, nonpartisan search for answers and solutions, just as the 9/11 Commission did.

Again, I want to thank my friend, Chairman Thompson, for his partnership.

I urge everyone in the body, on both sides--not just my side and not just the other side, all of us--to set aside politics just this once-- just this once. I beg Members to pass this bill.

I was a prosecutor for 20 years prior to coming here to Congress, and many times we would meet at 4:30 in the morning or 5:00 in the morning, and they would get ready to go out and do the raids and arrest very, very dangerous people. I was always the last person to see them before they went out to get these awful, dangerous people off the street: drug dealers, murderers, violent people. They did their job every day, and I was sending them into harm's way. It always made my heart sink.

Imagine being a family member of these officers who do this. So let's take a deep breath and think about what is really important here. These people, every single day, are willing to lay down their lives for us.

They deserve better, and we are going to deliver this. We are going to deliver it on behalf of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. We are going to deliver it on behalf of Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood. We are going to deliver it on behalf of Capitol Police Officer William ``Billy'' Evans. We are going to deliver it on behalf of D.C. Police Officer Jeffrey Smith. We are going to deliver it on behalf of D.C. Police Officer Michael Fanone and so many others who struggle with the events of that day. We do so on behalf of the people who risked their lives for us and continue to, like Capitol Police

Officer David Bailey and Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner.

I want these officers and their families to know that we are doing it not for us and not for politics. We are doing it for them. We are doing it for them.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

I was proud to join Chairman Nadler and Representatives Herrera Beutler, McBath, and Scott in introducing this important bipartisan bill.

This legislation addresses a seemingly simple issue that I have no doubt everyone in this Chamber agrees with. No mother or mother-to-be should have to choose between being a parent and keeping their job.

This commonsense notion is, unfortunately, not the reality in many places in the United States.

Before my home State of New York passed a law prohibiting discrimination against pregnant workers, I heard far too many stories of pregnant women facing discrimination in the workforce and having to choose between a healthy pregnancy and a paycheck.

There was Yvette, a single mother of three, who worked in the same grocery store for 11 years. Having suffered miscarriages in the past, she knew her pregnancy was high risk, and she gave her employer a doctor's note with a lifting restriction.

Instead, she was fired, despite the fact that an employee with a shoulder injury had been accommodated with lighter work.

She lost her health insurance and had to go on Medicaid. She and her family survived on food stamps and savings.

Then there was Hilda, an employee at a Dollar Tree who worked there for 3 years when she became pregnant. As her pregnancy progressed, it became painful to stand at the cash register for 8 hours to 10 hours at a time. Denied her request for a stool, she began to experience severe complications, including bleeding and premature labor pains, and was put on bed rest. With no paid leave, she and her family struggled to make ends meet.

These women and others who have been subject to similar discrimination in the workforce suffered an unthinkable physical and financial toll. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act ensures that going forward, no woman will face this type of discrimination.

This bipartisan bill provides pregnant workers with an affirmative right to reasonable--and I stress the word ``reasonable''-- accommodations in the workplace while creating a clear and navigable standard for employers to follow. These accommodations are minor, as simple as providing an employee with extra restroom breaks or a stool to sit on.

This bill is not a hiring statute and does not amend or eliminate existing religious freedom protections. The arguments against this bill made by

some Members of my own party are based on inaccuracies or wrongfully detract from the importance of this commonsense policy.

This bill is a product of extensive bipartisan negotiation and collaboration with advocates and the business community. Reflecting the widespread support for this legislation, the bill has received numerous endorsements from the business community, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as over 180 women's health, labor, and civil rights organizations.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support from a coalition of business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, SHRM, and the National Retail Federation.

May 13, 2021.

To The Members of the U.S. House of Representatives: We

urge Congress to pass H.R. 1065, the ``Pregnant Workers

Fairness Act.'' This bill would provide pregnant employees

with important workplace protections while also making sure

employers have clear and flexible options to ensure pregnant

employees can remain at work for as long as they wish.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, as reported by the House

Education and Labor Committee, is a balanced approach that

clarifies an employer's obligation to accommodate the known

limitations of employees and job applicants that accompany

pregnancy. This legislation uses an interactive, reasonable

accommodation process similar to the Americans with

Disabilities Act and specifies a pregnant employee may take

leave only after the employer and employee have exhausted the

possibility of other reasonable accommodations.

This bipartisan bill is a strong reminder that through good

faith negotiations, legislative solutions to important

workplace questions and problems can be found. We believe

that Congress should pass H.R. 1065 with no changes.

Sincerely,

Associated Builders and Contractors, BASF Corporation,

College and University Professional Association for

Human Resources, Dow, HR Policy Association,

International Franchise Association, National

Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, pH-

D Feminine Health, Retail Industry Leaders Association,

Society for Human Resource Management, U.S. Chamber of

Commerce.

Fundamental protections for mothers and soon-to-be mothers in the workplace are long overdue. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, critical legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the retirement of John McAuliffe, a central New York native, visionary, and driving force behind the Onondaga Lake cleanup effort.

In 2002, John McAuliffe was named program director for the Honeywell Company's $450 million cleanup of Onondaga Lake, one of the most polluted sites in America caused by Honeywell's predecessor.

McAuliffe tirelessly worked with Federal and State environmental regulators and oversaw teams of engineers and technicians to clean up a lake laden with more than 165,000 pound of mercury and other toxic substances.

Today, Onondaga Lake is the site of the Loop-the-Lake Trail, as well as the Lakeview Amphitheater, a popular music venue, and hosts thousands of boaters, fishers, and nature enthusiasts each year. It has also become a favorite place for bald eagles, especially in the winter months. The lake has experienced an extraordinary revival due to John McAuliffe's remarkable vision and unwavering commitment.

Central New York owes John a debt of gratitude for an enduring legacy of doing something that many thought was impossible. I wish John a happy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act. I was proud to introduce this legislation alongside my good friends and tremendous leaders on mental health issues, Congresswoman Napolitano and Congressman Beyer.

Every year during Mental Health Awareness Month, I stand before this body to highlight the mental health crisis facing our Nation and the urgent need for action. This year, however, the issue is more critical than ever.

As the coronavirus pandemic impacted nearly every aspect of our society and daily lives, we saw devastating increases in the number of Americans suffering from mental health issues. One report by the Centers for Disease Control last June indicated that 40 percent of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use, with nearly 11 percent of adults and over 25 percent of those aged 18 to 24 years old having seriously considered suicide. Those are stunning numbers. The threat of this pandemic was not solely a physical or financial one. It has taken a toll on the mental health of millions upon millions of Americans, and they need our support.

I am pleased that the bipartisan Suicide Prevention Lifeline Improvement Act takes important steps to provide individuals in crisis with lifesaving aid and resources by improving and strengthening the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Since its creation, the lifeline has been significantly underfunded and plagued with issues, like long call wait times and lack of consistency.

This bill increases the authorization from $12 million to $50 million, and dedicates 80 percent of that funding to local suicide crisis centers that are the backbone of the lifeline, like Contact Community Services in Syracuse, which literally saves lives every day.

The legislation also implements important quality assurance measures including the requirement to eliminate call wait times and implement evidence-based practices like follow-up and referrals to other health services that are required. For too long, the mental health and suicide crisis in our country has gone unspoken, underfunded and under- recognized. It is time we address this crisis as what it is: a crisis.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2981 and other important mental health bills on the floor today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of legendary Syracuse University Football Player and treasured member of the Syracuse community, Mr. Floyd Little, who passed away on January 1, 2021.

Floyd Little played for the Syracuse Orange Football Team from 1964 to 1966 and donned the number 44. This iconic jersey number was assigned to some of the most accomplished Syracuse University running backs including Jim Brown and Ernie Davis. Like these legendary athletes, Little achieved great success during his college playing career, earning three All-American Titles and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

After leaving Syracuse, Little was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1967 and quickly emerged as a star in the National Football League (NFL). In his nine seasons in the league, Little was selected to five Pro-Bowls, amassed over 12,000 all-purpose yards, was the league's rushing leader in 1971, and was later inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2010.

Outside of football, Floyd Little was a compassionate and kind- hearted man who dedicated much of his life to community service. He leveraged his success to give back to others and empower his neighbors. Little became a distinguished speaker for charities and fundraisers across the country and frequently donated his time to numerous philanthropic endeavors. He was particularly proud to support the annual Tom Coughlin Jay Fund fundraiser, which raises money to fight childhood cancer, and worked extensively with the Walter Camp Football Foundation, which provides athletic opportunities to youth across the country. Like his success in football, Little earned countless accolades in recognition of his generosity and commitment to serving others. Little and his family returned to the Central New York region in 2011 out of a desire to serve his alma mater and the community he loved. Central New York has undoubtedly benefitted from his presence over the past decade, and we all join his friends and family in mourning this loss.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring Mr. Floyd Little. Little's athletic legacy is one that is permanently cemented in record-books and Syracuse culture, and his crowning achievements will live on for generations to come. More importantly, however, Little will be remembered as an incredibly generous man who lived his life in service to others. His charitable work remains in the hearts of the thousands of people he helped throughout his life, and he will be remembered as a towering figure who came to be admired wherever he went.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to moving the previous question so that we can consider the bipartisan legislation I introduced, along with several of my colleagues, to address a crisis along the southwest border and provide resources for the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security who are serving on the front lines of this security and humanitarian nightmare created by the policies of this administration.

Madam Speaker, the Border Surge Response and Resilience Act is a commonsense approach for preparing for future migrant surges and is a direct response to a recommendation of the bipartisan and effective Homeland Security Advisory Council, which I hope will be reconstituted by the current administration.

I often hear from my friends on the other side of the aisle accusing Republicans of complaining about problems rather than offering solutions. Well, today, we are providing the opportunity to vote on a commonsense, bipartisan, and thoughtful solution.

I just returned from my second trip to the border in recent weeks. Any of us who have traveled there recently can observe what is happening and can attest to just how bad the crisis on the ground really is.

At the border itself, it is wide open. The wall construction has stopped. Border Patrol agents have told us if the wall is constructed, 80 percent of the drug-trafficking activity is focused and funneled to other areas where they can easily interdict the drug traffickers.

Madam Speaker, I was a Federal organized crime prosecutor for 20 years before coming to Congress, and I worked on the border as a Federal organized crime prosecutor going after cartels. I can tell you that they own the border.

If someone wants to cross the border, they have to pay. Chinese are paying $50,000 to $70,000 per person. Mexicans and Central Americans are paying $4,000 a person to come across.

Every single day that this crisis goes on, the cartels are being enriched to the tune of at least $15 million a day. In the last month, it is highly likely they were probably enriched to the tune of close to $1 billion in a month.

The Border Patrol agents are despondent. They are being pulled off the line, at least 40 to 50 percent at a time, in the Rio Grande sector alone to deal with the crisis. The drug traffickers

are smart enough to know: If I throw 100 people across the border over here, all the agents have to come off and deal with them. And then that place that they came off from, we are going to go right across there with the drugs.

In the Rio Grande Valley sector alone is a 2,000 percent increase in fentanyl coming across the border. Fentanyl is killing our kids all over this country. It is mixed with heroin; it is killing our kids. That is what the Border Patrol agents are telling us because all they want to do is to be able to enforce the laws on the books and to have the ability to do so. They do not have the ability to do so because of the administration's change of policies on January 22. They say there is a direct correlation.

Yes, there are problems in Central America. They have been there for 20 to 30 years; they haven't changed. If I had kids down there, I would bring them up to the border, too. But there is a right way to do things, and there is a wrong way. Running across the border and creating this crisis is the wrong way.

Madam Speaker, let me tell you what I saw at the detention centers like Donna.

People are put in pens, for lack of a better term. Thirty, forty people are supposed to be in there. I saw hundreds. I sent a picture to my wife. There are so many kids. They were all wrapped up in aluminum blankets. You couldn't see anything other than the aluminum blankets. They were literally stacked next to each other like cordwood.

Not a single child was tested. They are released from that facility because they just can't keep them there, and they are released without being tested.

When we were at the border, we encountered a couple of people at the border at midnight. The next morning, on a flight to Dallas-Forth Worth, they were on that flight. No ID. No idea who they were.

They put them on a plane without identification. They put them on a plane highly likely without testing because they said they are not testing right away. But when they do test, they know that 10 to 15 percent of these kids test positive for COVID.

They are putting people in our communities all across this country, not telling those communities that they are coming, and they are coming. They are oftentimes not being tested for COVID and, obviously, probably positive.

That is what is going on. In the Donna facility alone, we are spending millions of dollars a day to deal with this. There is nothing more tragic than seeing an 11-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted on her way up to the border and who is pregnant there.

That is what is going on. That is the reality of the situation, and it is an unforced error that we didn't need to have.

The administration, candidly, was caught short. But candidly, too, previous administrations were caught short with border surges.

So, I am not here to complain about the situation. I am here to offer a solution, and the solution is our bill, which I mentioned.

In addition to ensuring future preparedness along the border, this provision will create a $1 billion fund to be made available in support of our frontline enforcement personnel. It requires transparent metrics that were triggered when certain events happened, and it supports border security and law enforcement professionals. This funding would help prevent a humanitarian crisis from spiraling out of control, as it has on this one and on others before it, candidly.

If you don't know this, I will tell you: The money that is being spent to deal with this crisis now is being taken away from the funds set aside for the salaries of our law enforcement professionals on the border. That is a fact. We are going to need a massive supplement just to make sure that our Border Patrol agents can get paid.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues, in a bipartisan fashion, to support the security of the United States. This is not about arguing over what President Biden did on January 20. This is about saying, going forward, when we have these crises--and they will occur again-- that we are ready next time, that there is money set aside, that there is a plan, and that when certain things happen, the money kicks in and we are ready to go.

That is what I am asking my colleagues, to support the frontline men and women by supporting this provision.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Dennis DePerro, who passed away on March 1, 2021. Dr. DePerro was a champion of higher education, dedicating his life to helping students realize their full potential at universities and colleges across New York State.

Since 2017, Dr. DePerro had served as President of St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York. In just four short years, Dr. DePerro established himself as a forward thinking and compassionate leader who cared deeply about the students, faculty, and staff he served. As President of St. Bonaventure, he expanded school enrollment, embraced new academic programs, and improved access to online learning.

To those who were familiar with Dr. DePerro's work, his success at St. Bonaventure was no surprise. For eighteen years, he accomplished similar feats in my district in Central New York as Vice President for Enrollment at Le Moyne College and played a key role in bettering the college and advancing its core mission. Central New York is immensely grateful to Dr. DePerro for his many contributions to our community.

Beyond his astounding work in higher education, Dr. DePerro enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his wife, Sherry, and two sons, Andrew and Matt. His memory lives on through his family and friends. We join all who knew and admired Dr. DePerro in mourning his life.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House join me in honoring Dr. Dennis DePerro. Throughout his career, Dr. DePerro touched many lives and was a blessing to the students, universities and colleges, and communities he served. The passion and commitment he espoused is an inspiration to us all, and he leaves behind a lasting legacy of work that will continue to positively impact students in Upstate New York.

Madam Speaker, I missed the vote on Roll Call No. 84 on March 17, 2021. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 84.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Gordon ``Gordie'' Lane, who passed away on February 23, 2021. In my district in Central New York, Gordie was a proud and tireless veterans advocate who spent decades working to ensure local veterans and their families received the healthcare and recognition they deserve.

Gordie was a lifelong Syracuse resident, retiree of the Syracuse Police Department, and proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who served in Vietnam. After returning home from Vietnam, Gordie became acutely aware of the unique hardships facing many of his fellow veterans and the lack of support services available. To provide assistance and guidance, Gordie became a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 103, an organization that works to promote the general welfare of local Vietnam Veterans and provides support to those attempting to access benefits or services they are due. As a member of the organization, and later as its president, Gordie worked tirelessly with local officials, law enforcement, and veterans' hospitals to bolster access to critical resources and care for local veterans. Over the years, I had the distinct honor of working personally with Gordie and have partnered with him on a number of efforts to support our veterans community.

In addition to his tireless work to address the needs of local veterans, Gordie also passionately worked to recognize their service. Notably, in 1984 Gordie acted as a driving force behind the creation of a local Korea-Vietnam Memorial to commemorate those who served. Today, this memorial serves as a lasting reminder of the great contributions and sacrifices made by local Vietnam and Korean veterans in Central New York.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in honoring the life of Mr. Gordon ``Gordie'' Lane. Through his many years of advocacy, Gordie has undoubtedly made a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of local veterans. I ask my colleagues to keep him and his family in mind as we celebrate his life.

Madam Speaker, I will note, in response to my colleagues across the aisle, that there is nothing wrong with enforcing the immigration laws that are on the books. That is all we are talking about doing at the border, and keeping the border secure.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, I visited the southern border, and what I saw was unacceptable, full stop. I witnessed the dangerous and rapidly growing impacts of Biden's border crisis.

I spoke to Border Patrol agents on the front line of the crisis and witnessed firsthand what they are up against. Thousands of migrants are showing up every week, hanging onto the words and promises of President Biden's goal of relaxing border restrictions.

Our Border Patrol agents are underresourced and overwhelmed. They have been put in an untenable situation, with little regard for their health or safety.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas recently announced the Department would begin allocating FEMA resources. FEMA is the agency that is in charge of overseeing the pandemic and delivering vaccines to our American citizens. He has taken resources away from American citizens to deal with this crisis on the border. If FEMA is involved, it is, by definition, a disaster.

Last week, senior Department of Homeland Security officials told the committee that Customs and Border Protection doesn't have the capacity to test and quarantine migrants in their custody, and that there was no planning being done to ensure migrants are not released by the Federal Government at the border if they are COVID-19 positive. Thousands have been released.

I saw with my own eyes hundreds of people in this facility. Not a single one was tested. And only half of the Border Patrol agents have been inoculated. We don't know how many have COVID-19, and quite frankly, I don't think they want to know.

In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, it is the Department's job to ensure it doesn't release anyone who is COVID-19 positive. For this reason, I support efforts to defeat the previous question and bring up commonsense legislation to require that any individual released from CBP or ICE custody tests negative for COVID-19.

Madam Speaker, President Biden's knee-jerk reversal of productive, effective border security policies from the previous administration

was a political calculation that has, quite frankly, backfired and created a humanitarian, security, and public health crisis.

We can't allow our Nation's progress in overcoming the ongoing pandemic to be undermined by dangerous policies allowing individuals with COVID-19 to be released into our communities.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote to defeat the previous question.

Madam Speaker, I missed the vote on Roll Call No. 66 on March 9, 2021. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 66.

Additionally, on Roll Call No. 68, I mistakenly voted YEA and would like to correct my vote to a NAY.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 66.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bill and Jane Fox of Fox Dealerships in Central New York as they settle into well-deserved retirements. For nearly fifty years, Bill and Jane, siblings and co- owners of Fox Dealerships, have operated a thriving local business and demonstrated great generosity and care for the community they serve.

Growing up in Manheim, Pennsylvania, Bill and Jane gained an early appreciation for the automotive industry by spending their summers working with their father, a used car wholesaler. In 1976, Jane purchased her first auto dealership in Weedsport, New York, while her brother practiced law in Syracuse. Jane became one of the first female dealers in the Northeast and established herself as a leader in the industry. In 1979, Bill left his law firm to grow the family brand with the purchase of a second dealership in Auburn, New York. Over 40 years, Bill and Jane expanded their business, owning as many as 14 dealerships, and becoming a household name in Central New York.

Across Central New York, the Fox family has also become well-known for philanthropy and investment in the community. Local schools, hospitals, and charities have all benefited from both Bill and Jane's time and resources. The siblings have also always shared a strong commitment to hiring local workers and promoting them to senior positions.

Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in recognizing Bill and Jane Fox. Together, they have made a tremendous impact in our region through their business and efforts to give back to the community. I wish them both the best in their retirements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my dear friend Noreen Reale Falcone, who passed away on February 6, just shy of her 84th birthday.

Quite simply, Noreen led a remarkable life. She was a lifelong educator, a passionate philanthropist, and a cherished community leader who lived her life in service to others.

A Syracuse native, Noreen started her career working as an elementary school teacher. There she developed a passion for helping young people achieve their dreams and become well-rounded adults who strive to make the world more just and humane.

Even before she started teaching, Noreen always focused on philanthropy. Her family recounted a time to me when she was a child and received a new bicycle for Christmas. Instead of keeping it for herself, she gave it to someone less advantaged than her. That is Noreen.

In adulthood, she served on countless charitable boards, an incredible amount of boards that she was on. She also served as president of the board of trustees at Manlius Pebble Hill School and in a wide range of roles at her alma mater Le Moyne College.

In recognition of Noreen's contributions to education and her service to the community, in 1998, Le Moyne named its library the Noreen Reale Falcone Library.

Beyond her love for education and philanthropy, Noreen was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 60 years, Michael, better known as Mickey, 4 kids, and 13 grandkids. She so loved her grandkids and her kids that she actually put statues in her yard so when they weren't there in the later years, she could look out and be reminded of them when she sees these statues. That is the kind of person she was.

She was also a woman of strong Catholic faith who was an active parishioner at St. Mary's of the Lake in

Skaneateles and participated in service missions around the world. Remarkably, she was the first female ever elected president of the 900- plus-year-old order of the Knights of Malta, an incredible feat.

Noreen will leave behind an enduring legacy that will live on through the many community works she championed and the countless lives, including mine, that she uplifted through her educational endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring the life and legacy of Noreen Falcone. May she rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud American who has the distinct honor of serving this great body.

As a Member of Congress, we take an oath to defend the Constitution because at times it needs defending.

On January 6, the Nation watched as insurrectionists stormed the Capitol, threatened the safety of countless individuals, and successfully, albeit it temporarily, disrupted our process.

In the midst of the attack, hundreds of Capitol Police officers heroically upheld their duty to defend the United States and protect those who work here. Many officers were severely injured and beaten, including one of my former interns.

Tragically, one officer, Officer Brian Sicknick, succumbed to the injuries he sustained.

To Officer Sicknick's family, I extend my deepest condolences. Know that we are praying for you.

To all Capitol Police officers, we are deeply thankful for your bravery. Because of you, thousands of lives were protected, and the people's work was able to resume.

Now, just as the Capitol Police protected us, Congress must match that courage and protect the Constitution, our democratic processes, and this Nation.

The President's role in the insurrection is undeniable. Both on social media ahead of January 6 and in his speech that day, he deliberately promoted baseless theories, creating a combustible environment of misinformation and division.

To allow the President of the United States to incite this attack without consequences is a direct threat to the future of this democracy. For this reason, I will vote to impeach this President tomorrow.

The bill before us tonight is a nonbinding resolution, which requests the Vice President to invoke the 25th Amendment, a step he has already said he will not take. It is merely a symbolic gesture, and I will oppose that resolution.

After last week's attack on the Capitol, it is clear our Nation is more divided than ever in recent history. We began this great experiment over 240 years ago. To preserve it, we must remember that our faith, race, or political party is not what unites us. What unites us is that we are Americans. I would encourage members of this body, and everyone at home, to remember that simple truth.