Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, America and our European Union allies find ourselves at an inflection point. We have an amazing opportunity, and the actions we take today will shape the outcome for generations to come.

The world is significantly more dangerous because of the Biden administration projecting American weakness to the world. Under the previous administration, America turned away from policies that had our adversaries quaking in their boots and instead bent a knee to the axis of evil. Make no mistake, China, Russia, and Iran are exerting influence across the globe that is causing harm and posing major threats to both the United States and our allies.

It is vitally important that the United States and our European Union allies work together to find solutions that both combat these adversities and ensure that we stay ahead of them in the process. All three are trying to impose their will physically, psychologically, and diplomatically on Europe, and we must be fully prepared for whatever approach they take.

As the chairman of the Europe Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I will continue to lead both reauthorization of the State Department and regional efforts under the leadership of Chairman Mast.

A significant part of our focus is achieving the policies that put America's interests first while building our relations with allies abroad against our common adversaries.

We have taken major steps in the right direction under President Trump and his administration, but there is still more work to be done. Our NATO partners must step up to the plate and give 5 percent of their GDP for the protection of Europe as America shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific region. The CCP has made significant advances in warfare, and we must remain vigilant while also building up our defense industrial base in order to be prepared for any scenario.

America must not remain idle while our adversaries are advancing their capabilities. The Europe Subcommittee will do our part.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise to support my amendment. I am outraged that our universities and institutions are receiving gifts or entering into contracts with foreign countries that seek to destroy or harm the United States.

H.R. 1048, the DETERRENT Act, would strengthen disclosure requirements by reducing the threshold from $250,000 to $50,000, but those provisions are not strong enough. The American people deserve to know about every

single dollar coming from adversary foreign sources, no matter how small.

That is why I am introducing an amendment to slash the reporting threshold from $50,000 all the way down to $1; total transparency of every cent. Any foreign gift, no matter how small, can influence our democracy, and we must close any loophole that lets foreign actors purchase access or sway our institutions.

This is not about research. This is about human intelligence collection and business espionage. Having spent time in the intelligence community while I was in the military, this is a serious matter.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and ensure full transparency. Our constituents demand transparency today, and I say let's give them transparency. I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas. It is a real honor to be here tonight. I thank you for hosting this important Special Order hour.

Michael Burgess and I have quite a history. We were primary opponents 22 years ago, and I finished third by 91 votes. Mike went on to win the runoff election and provide exemplary service to our Nation and the constituents in Congressional District 26. Shortly after that, I was recalled to Active Duty for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was obvious that God had his hand in both of our directions.

My sister-in-law also worked for Michael Burgess for 18 years in your district office. You provided her the same leadership that you did your colleagues here in Congress.

I am grateful for your friendship and for your tremendous service to our Nation.

I am also proud of your track record of defending the Constitution and your bold leadership in the pro-life movement. I will tell you, abortion is a talking point for many Members of Congress, but not Michael Burgess. You delivered about 3,000 babies in your career as a physician. Let me tell you, most of them, along with their parents and siblings, voted for you, which I realized in 2002.

Taking care of those mothers and their babies over the course of your 30-year medical career gave you a unique perspective on the value of life that you brought with you to Congress. You provided a bright beacon of light to the right-to-life struggle against those who advocate for abortion.

You always showed up. You knew your stuff. You were prepared. I will tell you, we will strive to carry on the mantle of pro-life, pro- liberty, and freedom for the next generation of congressional Members.

They have not only been your values, but they are our Texas values, and they are proving recently to be America's values.

Dr. Burgess, I join my colleagues in letting you and Laura know that our hearts are heavy with yours. I will quote C.S. Lewis: ``Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.'' We are truly sorry for your loss. May God bless you and Laura.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my direct concern over the United States Department of Defense's lack of agility when it comes to warfare.

Recently, my office hosted our annual defense roundtable with defense companies both in and out of my district. The theme of this year's defense roundtable was how to increase the readiness, engagement, agility, and delivery of lethality to the Department of Defense.

It was quite telling that these companies reaffirmed the troubling RAND Defense report, which explained that the U.S. defense industrial base is not prepared to engage in all-out warfare. The modern-day axis of evil, China, Russia, and Iran, continue to work around the clock to advance their military capabilities and cause further chaos in the world, while the U.S. is woefully lagging behind.

China continues to take steps that threaten the democracy of Taiwan, Russia continues its offensive in Ukraine, and Iran has sent hundreds of missiles toward Israel through its use of proxies throughout the region.

Make no mistake: if America does not take monumental steps to reform, modernize, and expand our defense capabilities and in a rapid manner, then we will be in a difficult position of choosing which allies we can help around the world.

During our defense roundtable discussions, it was made clear that, as the U.S. military stands today, we are not ready. We must immediately take significant steps to become ready. World circumstances demand that we do.

A major point of discussion that was emphasized multiple times by the industry was the red tape and bureaucracy surrounding every government- funded project. Congress must get rid of unnecessary regulations and allow our American engineers, scientists, and great thinkers to innovate and streamline our defense programs. A key issue in the discussion was the fact that the foreign military sales process must obtain 18 different approvals, whereas in other countries, such as Japan, it takes only one.

While extra oversight can, at times, be beneficial, given the state of the world, America must be willing to take on more levels of risk to keep pace with our adversaries.

It is well past time for Congress to take steps to eliminate these unnecessary provisions, encourage defense contractors to take on more risk, understanding that there may be failures along the way, and ultimately put ourselves in a strong position to combat the axis of evil that we face now and those we will face in the future.

In the words of former President Dwight Eisenhower: ``A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction. . . . American makers of plowshares could, with time and as required, make swords as well. But now we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense; we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. . . . ''

I would add: not only of vast proportions, but also agile and innovative.

Eisenhower's words still ring true today. It is imperative that Congress steps up to the plate to reduce these unnecessary regulations at the Federal level so our defense industry can be lethal, agile, and ready once more to accept the challenges of this increasingly dangerous world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Major John ``Lucky'' Luckadoo, an extraordinary American hero who displayed remarkable bravery in World War II.

Now 102 years old, Major Luckadoo is one of the last remaining members of the distinguished 100th Bomb Group, famously known as the Bloody Hundredth.

Major Luckadoo grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He joined the Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. After training, he served with the Eighth Air Force's 100th Bomb Group based in Thorpe Abbotts, England.

Of the 40 men from his training class who served in the 100th, only four completed their tour, highlighting the dangerous nature of their mission and Major Luckadoo's extraordinary fortune and resilience.

Major Luckadoo undertook 25 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, serving as both a pilot and copilot in the B-17 Flying Fortress, showcasing his outstanding bravery and expertise under highly challenging conditions and overwhelming odds.

Lieutenant Colonel John Bennett, leader of the 100th Bomb Group, aptly remarked: ``What the 100th lacks in luck, it makes up for in courage.''

Major Luckadoo embodied this spirit, and his extraordinary story of survival is chronicled in his biography, ``Damn Lucky.'' Major Luckadoo's survival and the subsequent telling of his story contribute significantly to the historical record of World War II and stand as a testament to the bravery and sacrifices of the Greatest Generation.

Major Luckadoo currently resides in Dallas, where he actively engages in his community and continues to share his story, ensuring that future generations will continue to draw inspiration from his courage and dedication.

In light of his heroic service and enduring legacy, it is fitting that we honor Major John ``Lucky'' Luckadoo and express our deepest gratitude for his remarkable contributions to our Nation.

In Recognition of Colonel Kenneth William Cordier

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Kenneth William Cordier, who dedicated his life to serving his country and embodied the

highest ideals of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice, including more than 6 years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.

Born in 1937 in Canton, Ohio, Colonel Cordier entered the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Akron University in 1960, beginning a distinguished military career that spanned over two decades.

After training as a Minuteman missile launch officer, Colonel Cordier earned his pilot's wings in 1963 and was assigned to the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron, flying the F-4C Phantom jet fighter.

On December 2, 1966, during his 176th combat mission, Colonel Cordier was shot down over North Vietnam. Captured and imprisoned for over 6 years, he endured harsh conditions in the infamous North Vietnamese prisons, in which he demonstrated extraordinary resilience and unwavering faith.

After his release in 1973, Colonel Cordier resumed Active-Duty service with distinction, directing air operations at Sembach Air Base, reactivating the Wiesbaden Air Force Base, and serving as an air attache in England.

Colonel Cordier's service to his Nation is dignified by numerous awards, including two Silver Stars, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars with Valor, the Purple Heart, seven Air Medals, the POW Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired with honors in 1985.

After the war, he worked tirelessly to dissuade animosity against the Vietnamese people and culture, instead advocating for diplomatic solutions to bring peace to the region and heal old wounds.

Colonel Cordier would return to Vietnam five separate times. A special note: On his second visit, this distinguished hero brought former POWs to help them find closure in their traumatic experiences as prisoners in Vietnam and to assist in their healing process.

Beyond his military career, Colonel Cordier was a devoted husband and father to his wife and daughter, Barbara and Ann.

Colonel Cordier's life and service are a testament to the values of duty, honor, country, and inspiring future generations to serve with the same dedication and courage. Therefore, I ask that all Americans take a moment to honor the legacy and life of Colonel Kenneth William Cordier, United States Air Force.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, it is no secret that China intends to take over America and become the world's superpower. It is all about control for the Chinese. They want to control our prices and our supplies. For the past few years, they have been on a spending spree, buying farmland across the United States.

Today, one in four pigs raised in the United States is owned by the Chinese, and 18 beef and 12 pork establishments have been given export licenses by the Chinese Government.

Even more alarming, not only do they intend to buy this land for their own benefit, but they also try to use these shell companies to buy land near classified military sites. One of the attempted purchases was in my district.

The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act is an important step to stop this from happening. We must pass this legislation to permanently add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and to take necessary actions to prohibit the purchase of U.S. agricultural land by foreign adversaries.

If we fail to act now, we risk more than just losing land. We risk the Chinese Communist Party controlling our future.

Mr. Chair, my constituents in Texas did not elect a single member of the World Health Organization to represent them.

This globalist cabal known as the WHO capitalized on the CCP bioweapon which we now call COVID-19 and pushed its tyrannical policies across the world.

As my colleague across the aisle said, these were dark days under tyranny.

Leftwing globalists surrendered American sovereignty and gave control to the WHO during the public health emergency. These power-hungry bureaucrats shut down our entire country and infringed upon the constitutional rights of Americans.

The Biden-Harris administration cannot circumvent the treaty process defined by the Constitution. Any agreement with the WHO on international pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response must be considered by the Senate as a treaty.

There are definite criteria that determine what constitutes a treaty. I recommend my colleagues across the aisle read those criteria.

Our lawless President and his lawless administration should execute the law. Our Founders of the Constitution wisely included a requirement for the United States to agree to any international treaty a Senate supermajority would be required.

Americans don't support empowering unelected bureaucrats at the WHO who don't hold American values.

H.R. 1425 reaffirms Americans' voices through their elected Senators. There can be no WHO pandemic treaty without Senate approval.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on my bill to rename the Plano, Texas, VA Clinic after former Congressman, Air Force Fighter Pilot, and POW Sam Johnson.

Congressman Sam Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force for 29 years where he was the director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School and flew the F-100 Super Sabre with the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team. He flew the slot.

He was a combat veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars as a fighter pilot, flying 87 combat missions.

On April 16, 1966, while flying his 25th combat mission over Vietnam, he was shot down and suffered a broken right arm, broken back, and dislocated shoulder. He was a prisoner of war for nearly 7 years, including 42 months in solitary confinement.

He was part of a group of 11 U.S. military prisoners known as the Alcatraz Gang, a group of prisoners separated from other captives because they would not break.

His heroic actions led him to be awarded two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and two Purple Hearts.

In 1985, he was called on again to serve, only this time in the Texas State House of Representatives, where he served until being elected to this body in 1991.

He went on to serve in Congress until his retirement in 2019. During his time in Congress, Sam was a force. His House tenure included many accomplishments, including holding a position on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

I am proud to serve as Representative for Texas' Third District, the same district that Sam served so honorably.

As I reflect on Sam's life, I am reminded of a story that demonstrates his signature tenacity, toughness, and character.

Gib Lewis, Texas Speaker of the House of Representatives at the time, tried threatening Sam regarding a piece of legislation. Sam put his old, crooked hands, those that had been broken many times in torture, on Gib's desk and said: What are you going to do, Gib? Break my hands?

There was absolutely nothing that Gib Lewis could say.

I truly can think of no individual who is more deserving of having a VA clinic named in his honor.

Mr. Chair, I rise as the designee of the gentleman from Tennessee, and I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment offered by Representative Ogles prohibits Federal funds from being used to make a mask mandate in Congress.

Policies involving mandatory mask implementation are not about science or safety, but they are about control.

Mr. Ogles and many other Americans recognized this years ago, and our views have been justified by Dr. Fauci's admission that these policies were not based on science.

In the 117th Congress, then-Speaker Pelosi compelled everyday Americans who visited the House of Representatives to walk around wearing glorified muzzles.

The House is supposed to be the most democratic body within our Federal Government. As Representatives, we are supposed to have the most direct connection with the people of any Federal officials. From the beginning of the Nation, we have been elected by a majority vote of our constituents.

Yet, Democrats chose to make it more difficult for constituents to visit their Representatives by forcing them to wear masks and follow COVID-19 protocols that didn't protect anybody. We have a responsibility to ensure that any future Congress does not adopt these same policies again.

My colleagues here have a choice between following the science that we now know or clinging to superstitions based on fear and ignorance.

During the height of the COVID frenzy, policymakers relied on studies far removed from anything resembling a scientific method. What we have before us is the most rigorous and comprehensive analysis of scientific studies conducted on the efficacy of masks. Frankly, I am going with the science on this one.

I am happy that many of my colleagues who argued in favor of these mandates realized their mistake and supported banning them last fall. Mask mandates destroyed our economy and damaged families for little discernible gain.

Mr. Chair, we have tried mask mandates in this country. They failed to control the spread of respiratory viruses and set our fellow citizens against each other. They, along with other policies based on the same bad science, were used to restrict the access the people had to their elected Representatives.

Mask mandates are ineffective at preventing the spread of disease, but they certainly infringed on our rights. They were part of a grotesque lockdown legacy that severely damaged our economy and instilled an unwarranted level of fear in the minds of Americans.

Mr. Chair, I urge the adoption of Mr. Ogles' amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer my amendment to the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill that will prohibit electric vehicle charging on the U.S. Capitol Grounds.

Imagine how ridiculous it would sound if we told the American people that Members of Congress and their staff could get unlimited gasoline for their cars for just $27 a month.

It would be outrageous. Nonetheless, that is what is happening inside the Capitol parking garages, but only for electric vehicles.

For $27 a month, Members and their D.C. staffers are plugging in their Teslas and Priuses, draining my constituents' tax dollars who are paying full price for their gasoline back at home. This is especially egregious in light of the fact that huge subsidies for EV purchases already exist.

The bottom line is this: It is a free market. The Federal Government should not be picking winners and losers. If you choose to purchase an electric vehicle with all of those subsidies, then you should pay for it and be prepared for higher costs. Americans should not be subsidizing the vehicle choices of D.C. elites.

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

Mr. Chair, I would like to remind the gentleman that those who drive gas-powered vehicles into work every day do not get reimbursed for their commute.

Why is it acceptable, why is it correct, and why is it seemingly prudent to reimburse someone for the energy to commute here every day given the subsidies?

Not only the purchase of their vehicle, but the energy to run that vehicle on a daily basis.

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

Mr. Chair, this is a simple, commonsense amendment. Politicians should not get a free pass on the ridiculously high energy prices under the Biden administration. I choose to stand with my constituents.

This amendment also reduces the cost of Federal spending within our branch of government and makes us more accountable to the constituents we represent.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Congressman Roy's bill to save our elections from illegal alien interference.

Sacrosanct voting is only theory unless we protect the election process.

Over the past 3\1/2\ years, President Biden has deliberately thrown the border open to over 11 million illegal aliens, many of whom now have Social Security numbers, driver's licenses, and other government- issued IDs, which enable them to vote in our U.S. Federal elections.

Today, many States and municipalities have no way to detect whether an individual with a government-issued ID is a U.S. citizen or not. In some States, any noncitizen can simply check ``yes'' on one box: ``Are you a citizen of the United States,'' and boom, they are a registered voter.

This is not right. If you are here illegally and interfere in our elections, you deserve a pair of handcuffs, not an ``I voted'' sticker.

We must pass the SAVE Act to prevent these loopholes from debasing and ultimately destroying our election system.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of Mr. Roy's amendment to prohibit any government funding for the Biden administration parole-in-place mass amnesty scheme.

This parole-in-place executive order clearly demonstrates that the Biden administration is not and has never been serious about securing the border. His process would grant mass amnesty to approximately 80,000 inadmissible alien spouses of American citizens per month.

Make no mistake, the timing of this executive order was purposeful. On June 21, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Department of State v. Munoz and concluded that a U.S. citizen spouse does not have a fundamental liberty interest in her alien spouse's admission into the United States. The Biden administration rolled out his executive order directly contradicting this opinion just 3 days prior. The decision was obviously leaked to the Biden administration.

This is another example of in-your-face tyranny. This administration is lawless.

We must not pass a DHS appropriations bill that funds this mass parole order that would grant amnesty to possibly thousands of criminals and further endanger communities across the Nation, particularly in light of the cynical and lawless timing of this order.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Wiley Wroten, Jr., Texas' Third Congressional District's Service Academy Nomination Board chairman, upon his retirement after 33 years of service to our nomination board.

John Wroten began his life of service as a member of the Naval Academy class of 1965, and after a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam, he completed his military service as a captain in the Marine Corps. John became a vice president at H. Ross Perot's Electronic Data Systems, where he also met his wife, Leahray.

Throughout his life, John has made considerable contributions to our district and State by leading the development of the Legacy Town Center, by serving as chairman of the Plano Chamber of Commerce, and by serving as a board member of the Plano and Allen campuses of the Texas Health Resources Hospital.

Of particular note is his service as chairman of the McKinney National Airport. John was instrumental in transforming it from a small, local airport into a significant economic driver for McKinney.

Additionally, John served as a board member for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City where he spearheaded the museum's mission of preserving and interpreting the culture of the American West.

Mr. Speaker, 33 years ago, John accepted the responsibility for chairing the Texas Third District Nomination Board. Three consecutive Congressmen have depended on John's wisdom, experience, and commitment to excellence as they endeavored to select and guide young men and women aspiring to serve our Nation in the United States' service academies.

John's dedication to his community and country exemplifies the best of American patriotism and service to others. With great respect, I commend John Wiley Wroten, Jr., for his 33 years of exemplary service, dedication, and effective contributions. I extend my deepest gratitude and best wishes to John and Leahray as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. May God bless them both for their selfless service and dedication to our community and country.

Recognizing Service Academy Appointees

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute our soldiers of tomorrow, the service-bound academy students of the Third Congressional District of Texas. This district of Texas is home to some of the best and the brightest young people, and it is always an honor to recommend such fine students to our Nation's service academies. I am confident that they are ready to join the premier service academies and ultimately serve with the best of the United States Armed Forces.

This year, Texas' Third District is going to send six cadets to the United States Military Academy, two midshipmen to the United States Naval Academy, four cadets to the United States Air Force Academy, three midshipmen to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, two candidates to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, one candidate to the United States Military Academy Civil Preparatory School, one candidate to the Naval Academy Preparatory School, and two candidates to the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School.

To these 15 appointees and 6 preparatory candidates, God bless them. God bless America. I salute them.

To the United States Military Academy: Jack Alexander Clutter, David Ross Graham, Chelsie Son, Samantha Jean Tillson, Jayden Prescott Walker, and Nicholas David Yarad.

To the United States Naval Academy: Pope Akanna and Duncan Keith Sullivan.

To the United States Air Force Academy: Jonah Rae Aron Bowman, Julia Chang, DeSean Caleb Davis, and Jalen Joshua Davis.

To the United States Merchant Marine Academy: Timothy Maximilian Koeppl, Rhett Ownby Sawyer, and Parker Lenwood Tinsley.

To the United States Military Academy Preparatory School: Nathan Ooreoluwa Adejokun and Khristian L. Turner.

To the United States Military Academy Civil Preparatory School: Blake Ryan McKenna.

To the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School: Nickole Sophia Rios.

To the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School: Taylor Rae Carroll and Corbin Benzi Glass.

I congratulate each of them.

Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of my amendment, which requires the Secretary of Defense to review and report on the personnel records of military chaplains who suffered retaliation for seeking a religious accommodation for the COVID-19 vaccine.

By way of background, the Department of Defense's COVID-19 vaccine mandate violated servicemembers' and chaplains' religious liberty and caused substantial harm to their careers.

The DOD's handling of the chaplains' religious accommodation requests was an utter disgrace, involving blanket dismissals instead of dismissals considered on an individual basis. My amendment seeks to account for the injustices suffered by the military chaplains.

The primary duty of chaplains is to provide spiritual guidance to our servicemembers. To do so, like every American, they must be free to follow their conscience without facing retribution from the government they swore to defend.

This amendment is an important first step to ensuring that those who serve our country can do so without sacrificing their freedoms, to quote the Declaration of Independence, ``endowed by their Creator.''

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment as part of this en bloc package.

Mr. Chair, today, I rise in support of my amendment, which would name a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport vessel after Lieutenant General Richard E. Carey, U.S. Marine Corps.

During General Carey's 38-year military career, he served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He rose from enlisted man to lieutenant by the age of 20.

Carey participated in the Inchon landing, captured communist forces, and led his rifle platoon to Seoul. Three months later at the infamous Chosin Reservoir, Carey and his fellow marines were outnumbered 8-1 but they held their ground and broke through the Chinese trap.

While in Korea, Carey was badly wounded. Over his decorated career, General Carey became a pilot, flew 204 combat sorties, received 41 medals, and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He later commanded the evacuation from Saigon, received promotion to lieutenant general, and was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc package to honor General Carey and his service to America.

Mr. Chair, I rise as the designee of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), and I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment by Mr. Roy.

This amendment prohibits any of the funding appropriated from being used to modify or remove any VA display of the original mission statement.

As you may know, the original mission statement came from President Lincoln's promise: ``To fulfill President Lincoln's promise `to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan,' by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's veterans.'' They want to change it to a gender-neutral version: ``To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our Nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.''

We believe that that is a bridge too far, that we have changed the original mission statement too much. The original mission statement is posted in roughly 50 percent of all VA facilities, and now the VA has been replacing them over the last couple of months. It is unclear which displays have been changed and which have been replaced.

The Trump administration resisted calls to change the motto and put an additional 140 plaques in national cemeteries bearing Lincoln's quote.

Legislation changing the motto passed by voice in committee and on the House floor in the 116th Congress.

We should not use tax dollars to allow the administration to unilaterally change the VA's historic motto and to erase the words of President Lincoln in order to appease the radical left. This is part of our mission to claw back Article I authority from the executive branch.

The VA's mission statement, established in 1959, used approximately the same words. This speech was part of the VA's creation of their mission, and the Department wants to use hard-earned tax dollars now to erase the 16th President's words said during the midst of the most traumatic time in our Nation's history, the Civil War.

In one attempt, they want to erase Lincoln's words and earn woke brownie points.

I am thankful for the millions of men and women who have served valiantly in our Armed Forces, but changing the VA's motto is just virtue signaling. We should be focused on providing the quality care and benefits veterans have earned in a timely manner.

We just had a hearing with the Secretary of the VA this morning in the Veterans' Affairs Committee. We are trying to keep them focused on quality healthcare as opposed to other issues. There are still far too many veterans who fail to get quality care at the VA, or if they do not get an appointment, it takes months to schedule through community care.

Mr. Chair, we had a long discussion this morning about the failure of the VA to get a handle on veteran suicide. That is where our focus ought to be, as opposed to changing plaques on the wall to some sort of woke motto.

We have the power of the purse to hold the administration accountable, to stop the implementation of the VA's decision, and to save the few remaining displays of Lincoln's work. This is a worthy and noble goal, and I urge support for this amendment.

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

Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mr. Chair, I agree with the gentlewoman about one thing: This is the modern-day erasing of America's traditional history, which is one of three things that they are trying to erase along with our nuclear families and our Judeo-Christian faith.

It is only one of three things that they are trying to erase. That is what they are trying to erase. That is why we need to stand by this amendment because our families, our faith, and our history reflect what has made America strong.

It does not leave anyone out. We are going to care for every veteran. In fact,

she is right, the Veterans' Affairs Committee is focused on our lady veterans in many ways. So this is a distraction from this bill. Let's keep our history where it is. Let's keep our nuclear families and our Judeo-Christian faith.

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