Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 36 and YEA on Roll Call No. 37.

Personal Explanation

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 28 and YEA on Roll Call No. 29.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 20 and NAY on Roll Call No. 21.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 18 and YEA on Roll Call No. 19.

[personal explanation]

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 13, YEA on Roll Call No. 14, and YEA on Roll Call No. 15.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, Audrey Meyers has dedicated her career to advancing health care excellence for over four decades at the helm of Valley Health System and Valley Hospital, culminating in twenty-five years as CEO of Valley Health System.

Audrey has spearheaded the development of a groundbreaking, cutting- edge hospital campus in Paramus, New Jersey, enhancing health care innovation throughout the region.

Audrey has provided leadership at Valley Hospital, ranked one of the Top Three hospitals in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report, named one of the World's Best Hospitals by Newsweek, and placed in the top two percent of hospitals nationwide by Healthgrades.

Audrey Meyers received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Jersey Hospital Association in recognition of her forty-four years of service.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 6.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 512, YEA on Roll Call No. 513, YEA on Roll Call No. 514, and YEA on Roll Call No. 515.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 479; YEA on Roll Call No. 480; YEA on Roll Call No. 481; NO on Roll Call No. 482; NO on Roll Call No. 483; and YES on Roll Call No. 492.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 474; YEA on Roll Call No. 475; and YEA on Roll Call No. 476.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 468, NO on Roll Call No. 469, AYE on Roll Call No. 470, AYE on Roll Call No. 471, AYE on Roll Call No. 472, and NO on Roll Call No. 473.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 466 and YEA on Roll Call No. 467.

personal explanation

Madam Speaker, I missed the following vote, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 465.

Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes, but had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 461, YEA on Roll Call No. 462, YEA on Roll Call No. 463, and NO on Roll Call No. 464.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment, which would designate Chinese universities that purposely undermine the United States' relationship with Taiwan as entities of concern under H.R. 1516. We cannot condone partnerships with academic institutions that undercut the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.

As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I understand just how vital the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is for both America's and Taiwan's national security. Taiwan is a democratic firewall, a valued economic partner, and a global leader on semiconductors, one of the most critical technologies to American industry and competitiveness.

The United States Congress must stand firmly with Taiwan and resolutely against the Chinese Communist Party, which aims to delegitimize our longstanding, bipartisan relationship.

Chinese universities have played an instrumental role in the Chinese Communist Party's strategy to intimidate Taiwan and interfere in its governing.

Let me just offer one example of many examples. Earlier this year, the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported that researchers at Xiamen University suggested that Beijing develop plans for a ``shadow government'' that could take over Taipei

in case of a ``reunification,'' the code word for invasion.

They are essentially writing the day-after invasion plan for the CCP. That is disgraceful and deeply disconcerting.

The United States supports a free, democratic Taiwan. American universities and research affiliates should never support or legitimize this propaganda masked behind the guise of research. We would never ever condone an American researcher working with Moscow to develop battle plans for Kyiv. Why should Taiwan be any different?

My amendment would hold American universities accountable for their collaboration with Chinese universities that delegitimize the U.S.- Taiwan relationship.

We will not stand for the schoolyard bullying tactics of the CCP, which are a threat to Taiwan's sovereignty and a challenge to America's global leadership.

I was glad to see such an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the House come together to support the Indo-Pacific security aid package in April. That bill made critical investments in our hard power and military assets. The Confucius Institutes are soft powers for China. By passing this amendment, we will help shore up the U.S.-Taiwan relationship on both fronts.

As I said earlier, Taiwan is not and should not ever be a partisan issue. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to prioritize our national security and support this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.