Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, for far too long, the mainstream media and Big Tech companies like Twitter, Google, and Facebook have used their power to censor one type of speech while favoring and promoting other speech that they prefer in an attempt to manipulate public discourse.

There is even evidence that the mainstream media and Big Tech use their own judgment to suppress information related to the origins of coronavirus as well as available medication and treatment options.

In December 2020, shortly after medical professionals and infectious disease specialists testified before the United States Senate on the effectiveness of COVID-19 treatments, Google's YouTube removed the testimony from their online platform. The big takeaway is that these conglomerates have been complicit in limiting discussion of facts and evidence about the COVID-19 pandemic to the detriment of the American people.

We must rein in Big Tech and the mainstream media's abusive and monopolistic practices that have led to an abundance of censorship, views, and opinions deemed, in their own judgment, to be objectionable.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Gimenez for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise before you tonight to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. The right to life is one of the founding principles of our Nation. Every human being born or unborn is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Our government was created to secure these rights without exception, not to take them away. Yet, today, we see this right under attack as the Biden administration continues their war on the unborn by seeking to remove the Hyde amendment, a longstanding pro-life protection that has saved 2.5 million lives from abortion since 1976.

As a father of two sons, Guy and Sam, I have been blessed to watch them grow from a tiny dot on a medical monitor to the strong and healthy boys they are today. When I look at my sons, I am crestfallen for the millions and millions of children whose lives have been cruelly taken right as they were beginning.

Not too long ago, President Joe Biden stated: ``Those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for it.''

But this proposed budget fails to include the Hyde amendment, making it clear that President Biden does not value life. Before coming to Washington, I vowed to be unapologetically pro-life.

I stand before you tonight because I, along with most of my fellow Tennesseans, disagree with this administration and believe taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund abortions.

Societies are measured by how they treat their most vulnerable. That includes the unborn. This is why it sickens me to see the Biden administration's intention to use the power of the Federal Government to force us to support and fund organizations that perform abortions.

I thank God for the miracle that is life, and I will work to secure a chance at life for every unborn baby so that we may hear their voice, see their potential, and give them the same basic opportunity at living that we have secured and received ourselves.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1187. This legislation is just the latest attempt by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to implement a far-left social agenda, this time through our securities laws.

Contrary to the principles-based disclosure standard that is typical of most material risk disclosures, President Biden and the Democrat-led Securities and Exchange Commission have advocated for a separate standardized set of disclosure requirements related to climate risk and environmental, social, and governance or ESG, concerns. This legislation would impose disclosure mandates that focus on costly one- size-fits-all metrics rather than material, decision-useful information for investors.

During the markup process, several of my colleagues submitted commonsense amendments that would have added an important materiality standard. These amendments would have required disclosure of ESG, climate change, or compensation metrics where there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable shareholder would consider such a disclosure important with respect to making an investment decision. However, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to support them, including this simple standard.

By adding these additional disclosure requirements to the already substantial list of mandatory disclosures for public companies, H.R. 1187 would also increase the cost of compliance for public companies, thereby discouraging private companies from going public.

Further, I think it is important to point out that this legislation misses an opportunity to address China and its daily human rights atrocities. If we were serious about disclosure, not just a political agenda, we would be looking at security and democracy threats like those that the Chinese Communist Party and their state-owned enterprises pose.

Bottom line, this legislation would add even more costly and confusing disclosure requirements, hurting everyday investors, and discouraging initial public offerings, all while failing to include important national security protections.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the evidence of the Chinese Communist Party's denial, distortion, and concealment of the coronavirus pandemic from its critical beginning to the present day is overwhelming.

In January 2020, if not before, the Chinese Communist Party knew it was dealing with a fast-spreading disease in Wuhan but rejected transparency in favor of a propaganda campaign to spread disinformation.

From manipulated statistics and the prevention of an investigation by international experts to ousted journalists and whistleblowers who were silenced through intimidation and foul play, there are countless examples of how the CCP lied to the rest of the world about the origins of the pandemic.

Prominent epidemiologists and biologists have raised concerns about a possible spillover in the Wuhan lab, and CDC director Dr. Walensky said it is possible COVID could have leaked from a lab.

It was recently reported that three researchers from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology became ill with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and sought hospital care in November of 2019. On top of that, China has not been forthright in sharing information nor have they cooperated with the U.S. or the global community.

The dishonesty of China's Communist leadership regarding the coronavirus pandemic has led to hundreds of thousands of American deaths, millions of sick Americans, and trillions of dollars of economic damage to our country.

In the face of this mounting evidence, I join 211 of my House colleagues in urging Speaker Pelosi to investigate the origins of COVID-19. But House Democrats continue to stonewall this effort.

The Biden administration and House Democrats cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the CCP's nefarious behavior. We must penalize and hold the CCP legally and financially responsible for the human and economic suffering its Communist Government has caused. Enough is enough.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to be a voice for the most innocent and vulnerable among us. This Sunday many families, including mine, will celebrate Father's Day.

My faith and my family are the most important parts of my life, and I couldn't be more grateful for my wife, Chelsea; and our two sons, Guy and Sam. Being the father of Guy and Sam has only intensified my belief that we must protect the sanctity of life. Our society cannot leave our most vulnerable unprotected.

Safeguarding the right to life has always been one of my top priorities, and I will continue working to protect life at every stage of development.

As a Christian and a father, I will always fight for the right to life and for traditional family values. We must protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my steadfast support for the nation of Israel, our closest and greatest ally in the Middle East.

Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, has been targeting civilians by firing thousands of rockets on Israeli cities. These attacks are both tragic and unacceptable, and Israel undeniably has the right to continue to defend itself.

As Hamas continues these attacks, the United States must show its unwavering support for Israel, condemn this aggression by Hamas, and sanction those who fund terrorism, such as Iran. That is why I am a cosponsor of the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act introduced by Representative Brian Mast. America does not tolerate those who fund terrorists, and this legislation would put in place sanctions on governments and individuals that do.

The nation of Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and the relationship we share is indispensable. With the world watching, we must send a clear message to Hamas, Islamic jihadists, and those that fund them that the United States stands with Israel.

I unequivocally support our friend, Israel, and recognize its right to self-defense in the face of these horrific assaults by Hamas. I pray for peace in Jerusalem and for the safety of all Israelis.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS Act.

Americans enjoy the blessings of hard-earned peace and liberty because of our warriors who answer the call to defend our country. Our men and women in uniform are a constant reminder of the true source of our Nation's greatness.

In middle Tennessee, we have a proud history of military service. Our veterans represent the very best of America, and they deserve our full support when it comes to ensuring that they have access to the resources they need to help them live a meaningful, productive post- service life.

It is widely acknowledged that the suicide rate for veterans is tragically high, as 20 veterans are lost to suicide every day. We need to address this problem.

No one can deny the emotional and psychological benefits of man's best friend, but for our service veterans, that connection has an even greater impact. Psychiatric service dogs paired with veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder have been shown to provide hope, independence, security, and companionship.

As I travel my home State and speak with our Nation's heroes, I have heard how service dogs help improve their quality of life, and I have even heard that had it not been for their service dog, they wouldn't be with us today. The PAWS Act would pair more servicemembers with quality service dogs trained by reputable organizations.

Every veteran has earned a life after their military service free of post-traumatic stress disorder that too often leads to suicide. In that regard, we should do everything we can to ensure their well-being. In my view, passage of the PAWS Act is a minimum down payment on what we owe these brave Americans.

I encourage my colleagues to join me in letting our veterans know that Congress stands with them on their path to healing.

I thank my colleague, Representative Stivers, for his leadership on this bill and wish him success as he leaves the House next week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the incredibly brave patriots who keep America safe. This National Police Week, I want to share my profound appreciation to members of our law enforcement community, our officers, deputies, and troopers, and especially those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

America is the land of opportunity because we are a nation of laws. For our Nation to remain strong, we must have law and order.

Low morale is permeating police departments across our Nation as rioters and lawbreakers repeatedly vilify, demonize, and verbally attack the thin blue line. I will tell you here today: any violence against law enforcement must end, and it must end now.

Fair treatment in the justice system is critical, but it will not be achieved by the defund the police movement and cop-free zones. Lawlessness without police equals crime and the destruction of our Republic.

In my State, Tennesseans know that the men and women who serve in law enforcement are some of the best people in our communities. They run towards danger, never away, and they risk their lives to protect us and our families. Those who serve in law enforcement deserve the respect of every citizen every day.

I thank our law enforcement officers for what they do every day, and this National Police Week we respect, honor, and remember those we have lost.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a critical need for infrastructure for all of America, and especially in my home State of Tennessee.

I believe it is past time that we build new transportation systems and refurbish structures to accommodate our modern economy and our growing workforce. I am a strong proponent of fixing our crumbling roads and bridges and expanding access to broadband internet in unserved areas.

In Tennessee, over half a million residents only have access to one internet service provider, and 274,000 Tennesseans still have no access at their place of residence. These are real infrastructure projects that desperately need our attention.

Unfortunately, President Biden's most recent multitrillion-dollar giveaway has little to do with actual infrastructure, with only 6 percent of this bill going to projects that fund roads, bridges, or highways.

Even if we use the most expanded definition of infrastructure, which might include upgrading wastewater and drinking water systems, expanding high-speed broadband internet service to 100 percent of the Nation, modernizing the electric grid, and improving infrastructure resilience, infrastructure in this plan is only 24 percent of its total cost.

President Biden is attempting to redefine infrastructure to include all of the Democratic Party's pet projects and extreme priorities. In this case, it means enacting Green New Deal-style programs and implementing job-killing tax hikes on Americans and their businesses.

Since this proposal has little to do with infrastructure and grossly inflates the number of jobs it would actually create, we should call this proposal what it really is, a con job.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise before you today in honor of National FFA Week.

As an eighth-generation farmer and former member of the Future Farmers of America myself, I have seen firsthand the positive difference that FFA makes in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success throughout agricultural education.

FFA members know that American agriculture truly is one of the best traditions of our national life and that service to one's community is a pillar of good leadership and citizenship.

I am confident that the future of our Nation's agriculture is in good hands because it is being shaped by members of the National FFA Organization.

I wish a happy FFA Week to the 28,000 members in my home State of Tennessee and to the 760,000 members across the country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of February 7-14th being recognized as Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week. Each year in the United States, more than 40,000 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. The medical community has identified congenital heart defects as the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. Currently, there is no cure for congenital heart defects, and it is a lifelong disease requiring ongoing specialized care.

Chance Bond, a ten-year-old boy that resides in the Sixth District of Tennessee, was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS. He had received three open heart surgeries by the age of two. He is now ten years old and his mother, Amanda Bond, says that he is still living his life to the fullest. I was blessed to meet Chance last year when he visited Washington, D.C. His courage and bravery at such a young age is truly an inspiration.

Fewer than 10 percent of adults with congenital heart disease are receiving the recommended care they need. Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week provides the opportunity for patients and families affected by this condition to share their experiences and knowledge, so that the general public may be made aware of how this defect affects their lives. I urge all of my colleagues to support the recognition of February 7-14th as Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the objection to counting the electoral votes from Pennsylvania.

Violence today did not prevail. We are back in this chamber, carrying out our constitutional duty by holding this debate and eventually moving forward with our American tradition of a peaceful transfer of power. I want to echo the Majority Leader's statements tonight that we need to act as Americans, as ``we the people,'' and that is what I am doing--fighting to ensure the election integrity of this nation so that all Americans can have trust in the process that defines us. I am fighting today to preserve our democratic republic through a thoughtful debate on the obvious flaws of the 2020 election process.

While our actions today may not reverse the blatant failure of some states to properly vet the votes, this is an important venue to discuss the concerns of the many people who are dissatisfied with the 2020 election process.

Serious irregularities and improprieties in several states raise legitimate concerns about the election administration in those states. These documented irregularities were then under reported or ignored altogether by the media.

Although states have long been empowered to administer their elections, when a state or states blatantly fail to a provide a trustworthy process, those states should expect calls for accountability and transparency from citizens, officials, and states nationwide.

This 2020 presidential election has shone a bright light on the fact that states need to step up and properly reform their election processes, where needed, to deliver trustworthy results for all Americans.

Madam speaker, I urge my colleagues today to support this objection and to join me in the fight for election integrity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2409, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act. I want to thank Representatives Axne and Mooney for their leadership on this important issue as well as my colleagues, Representatives Velazquez, Pappas, and Riggleman, for their original cosponsorship.

Small businesses are truly the heart of job growth in rural communities. The vast majority of the 19 counties in Tennessee's Sixth District are rural, with four being categorized as economically distressed counties.

The workforces in these communities depend on the job opportunities provided by entrepreneurs who build their businesses from the ground up.

In my short time in office, I have visited small businesses in rural communities of Tennessee's Sixth District. The men and women who run and work for these rural small businesses are some of the hardest working people I have ever met.

This bill is simple. It includes rural businesses in the mission of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation. This will allow rural small businesses to receive the capital formation assistance they might need and will require the Securities and Exchange Commission to consider any adverse effects regulations might have on rural small businesses.

Rural small businesses are often overlooked by their capital formation challenges, but their capital formation challenges deserve the same attention as any other type of small business.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this commonsense bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Cumberland Container Corporation in honor of its 50th anniversary.

A time-honored mainstay of Putnam County, Cumberland Container Corporation was granted its corporate charter by the State of Tennessee on October 21, 1968. Nine months later, this company planted its roots in a 6,000-square-foot building in Monterey, Tennessee. At its commencement, this company served the area by providing manufacturing containers and packaging materials to local businesses with nothing more than four pieces of used equipment and six employees.

Cumberland Container Corporation was dedicated to its belief in efficiently supplying local companies. Although times proved to be tough at the beginning, this company persevered and demonstrated the brilliance of this concept through consistent customer growth over the last five decades.

Fast forward to this year, Cumberland Container Corporation is currently operating in a 260,000-square-foot building on over 18 acres of land. By current count, Cumberland Container Corporation now employs 85 associates and owns a vast assortment of machinery for its production and logistical needs.

To my House colleagues here today, I hope that you will join me in recognizing the Cumberland Container Corporation for their longstanding service to the community. It is the hardworking nature of this company and its employees that truly reflect exactly what it means to be a Tennessean.

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.