Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend Gordy Aamoth, Jr.

Gordy was the definition of fun. He was the life of the party. He lit up every room he entered, and he could make anyone laugh. He was also a great athlete and an incredible friend to so many.

He had really just started his life, living his dream of working in New York City, when it was cruelly cut short in the September 11 terror attacks.

As we reflect on this tragic milestone, I rise to honor Gordy; his parents, Mary and Gordy; his brothers, Peter and Erik; his sister-in- law, Tracey; and the enormous community of people who loved him.

We continue to grieve his loss every day. We remember Gordy and each of the thousands of lives who were taken from us 25 years ago. May their memories always be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Minnesotans who continue to be forced to pay for the President's failing economic policies.

President Trump's tariffs have cost Minnesotans alone $4.8 billion, and for what? For a debunked policy that is raising costs, damaging our economy, and alienating our allies? For taking the American people's money during a cost-of-living crisis to bankroll his corrupt, inexplicable war? Now he is escalating with Canada, of all places, one of our Nation's strongest allies and Minnesota's number one trade partner.

Why would we ever pick a fight with Canada? This will be a disaster for our small businesses, farmers, and every Minnesotan who is going to have to pay higher prices because of tariffs on everything from steel to kitchen appliances to hockey sticks.

We are not powerless, and it begs the question yet again: When will the Republican majority stand up to this President and represent the American people? If Trump won't end this trade war, Congress has to.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, alongside my colleague Representative Angie Craig, to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge--an extraordinary conservation achievement in the heart of Minnesota. Established in 1976, the refuge has become a national model for habitat restoration, wildlife protection, and community engagement.

As noted in the Record ten years ago, the refuge ``provides vital habitat for migratory waterfowl, fish, and other species,'' and remains ``a wonderful example of Minnesota's commitment to conservation and the environment.'' Those words continue to ring true.

Today the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge spans nearly 15,000 acres and stretches more than 70 miles along the Minnesota River from Bloomington to Henderson, Minnesota. Its wetlands, floodplain forests, prairies, and restored oak savannas support hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and pollinators. The refuge also manages more than 8,000 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas, providing a fertile nesting habitat for waterfowl and offering Minnesotans abundant hunting and fishing opportunities.

The refuge welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for wildlife observation, photography, hunting, fishing, environmental education, and interpretation. Its visitor centers in Bloomington and Carver serve as gateways to nature for families, community groups, and first-time public-lands users. The refuge also provides outdoor learning experiences for thousands of students annually, offering hands-on environmental education that connects young people to Minnesota's natural heritage.

Conservation work at the refuge has expanded significantly over the past five decades. Staff use prescribed fire, invasive species control, biological monitoring, and large-scale habitat restoration to maintain and improve ecological health. They collaborate closely with private landowners, watershed districts, local governments, and state agencies, strengthening habitat across the entire Minnesota River Valley.

Equally essential are the refuge's volunteers, who contribute tens of thousands of hours each year to habitat restoration, visitor services, trail work, wildlife surveys, and education programs. Their dedication reflects the deep stewardship ethic that defines Minnesota's relationship with its natural resources.

Mr. Speaker, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge stands as a testament to what federal, state, and local partners--working alongside committed volunteers--can accomplish together. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 50 years of service by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the many community members who ensure that this remarkable refuge will continue to inspire future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Minnesota State Senator Melissa Halvorson Wiklund for her distinguished service to the people of Minnesota and her lifelong dedication to improving the health and well-being of communities across our state.

Born and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota, Senator Wiklund developed an appreciation for public service from her parents, a teacher and a state employee. She attended Bloomington Public Schools before graduating from the University of Minnesota with honors, earning degrees in electrical engineering and interior design.

Before entering public service, Senator Wiklund built a successful career in the telecommunications and internet services industry, serving as an engineer, manager, and director. Her technical expertise, analytical approach, and thoughtful problem-solving would later become defining strengths throughout her legislative career,

Driven by a desire to serve her community, Senator Wiklund was elected to the Bloomington School Board in 2009, where she advocated for students, educators, and efforts to reduce disparities in academic achievement. She was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012, representing Bloomington, Richfield, and Minneapolis, where she earned a reputation as a thoughtful, compassionate, and effective legislator.

Throughout her four terms in the Senate, Senator Wiklund became a leading advocate for accessible, affordable health care. As Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and a member of the Commerce and Consumer Protection, Finance, and Human Services Committees, she championed landmark legislation that improved the lives of Minnesotans. Most notably, she authored the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, helping ensure that individuals across Minnesota could access the life-saving insulin they depend upon.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Senator Wiklund is a devoted wife to her husband, Craig, a caring mother of two children, and a lifelong member of the Bloomington community. Her dedication to family, community, and public service has shaped every aspect of her life and career.

Senator Wiklund's legacy will endure through the lives she has improved, the legislation she championed, and the communities she faithfully served. On behalf of the people of Minnesota, I extend my sincere gratitude for her years of dedicated service and wish her all the best in her retirement.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise against the Trump administration's reckless, costly, and illegal war in Iran.

In just the last 24 hours, President Trump's deal has collapsed yet again. Tensions have escalated, blockades have been reinstated, and strikes have resumed.

President Trump has informed the Nation that we are, once again, at war with Iran, an illegal war that no one asked for, no one wanted, and yet every American is paying the price for.

Donald Trump is backing the United States into a corner, and the worst part about it is that he has no plan to get us out. His strategy is to bomb first, think later. He is sacrificing our economy, our security, and our standing in the world, and for what?

One in two Americans can't afford health insurance. Food, housing, and childcare costs are astronomical. Inflation is at a 3-year high and the cost of gas, groceries, and everything in between is going up.

President Trump was elected to office on the promise of lowering costs and ending unwinnable wars overseas, and yet here we are.

Now, he is demanding that taxpayers pay hundreds of billions of dollars to fund his new endless, costly, illegal war in Iran.

The American people deserve so much better from their President. When Donald Trump first got us into this war, he said it would last about 4 to 6 weeks. Well, now it has been 20.

Over the last 5 months, the Trump administration has spent more than $100 billion on their illegal war on the other side of the world.

Do you know what $100 billion could fund here at home? Childcare for 7 million children, healthcare for 10 million people, food assistance for 45 million Americans. These aren't just arbitrary numbers. Trump's actions have real impacts and real costs on real people's lives.

Let's not forget that this comes as Trump made the single largest cut to healthcare and food assistance in our Nation's history last year.

After millions of Americans have lost their health insurance and families are struggling to feed their children, President Trump is now demanding that taxpayers send hundreds of billions of dollars to fight a foreign war overseas.

Of course, now President Trump has literally told us time and time again that he does not care about the American people. Well, he may not care, but the elected officials in this Chamber should. It is literally our job to do what is best for our constituents. We cannot stand by and watch President Trump drag us into yet another mess, especially when it is at the expense of Americans every single time.

Let's just step back for a moment here and ask the question: Why are we even in this war?

This administration still can't give us a good answer. No explanation. No reason. No strategy. No endgame. As an American, as a patriot, as the wife of an Army combat veteran, I am outraged. When you make the decision to send American soldiers into harm's way, you better have a damn good reason for it and you better know what you are doing. We have neither, and this administration continues to recklessly put our troops' lives on the line without care or cause.

It is shameful. That is why I am joining my colleague and combat veteran Representative Pat Ryan in fighting to end this reckless war and reassert our congressional authority over war-making powers.

Madam Speaker, we need to pass the No Funds for Iran War Act and stop any more taxpayer dollars from being used for military action against Iran.

Both Chambers of Congress, which are Republican controlled I might add, have passed War Powers Resolutions to end the Iran war but there needs to be more.

President Trump thinks he is above the law, but he is not. It is up to the Republican majorities in Congress to stop him. It is their constitutional duty to put the American people, our national security, our economy above a single President's self-serving war of choice.

Madam Speaker, I plead to my Republican colleagues, what is your line? When will you put the American people first and stop this war?

We are not powerless. We can end this war. I implore my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to listen to the American people, find their courage, and end this war.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor Minnesota State Senator Steve Cwodzinski for his lifelong dedication to education, civic engagement, and public service.

Senator Cwodzinski began his career in public service as a public school teacher. For over 30 years, he inspired students to become informed and engaged citizens.

Senator Cwodzinski brought that same passion for public service to the Minnesota State Senate where he was first elected in 2016. Drawing on his background as an educator, he became a leading advocate for students and teachers across Minnesota.

In addition to his championing of students and educators, he is a passionate advocate for protecting the Boundary Waters and chief author of legislation for permanent protection of Minnesota's crown jewel.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Senator Cwodzinski is a devoted husband to his wife, Patti; a proud father of two children; and grandfather of two grandchildren. His love of family, community, and country has shaped every aspect of his life and service.

On behalf of the people of Minnesota, I extend my sincere gratitude for his years of dedicated service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Bob Israel, whose remarkable photography has captured the beauty, character, and spirit of Minnesota and whose work will now help preserve a moment in our state's history for generations to come.

As part of Congress's celebration of America's 250th anniversary, each state's congressional delegation selected items for a time capsule that will remain sealed in the United States Capitol until July 4, 2276. After inviting constituents to submit pieces representing Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District, I selected one of Bob's images, a striking photograph of a loon family gliding across a Minnesota lake, to represent the district. The photo reflects our state's natural beauty, outdoor heritage, and enduring commitment to conservation.

For decades, Bob has explored Minnesota with his camera, documenting the landscapes, wildlife and quiet moments that define life in our state. His photographs invite viewers to slow down, appreciate the world around them, and see familiar places with fresh eyes. Whether capturing the vibrant colors of a sunrise over Lake Minnetonka, the quiet stillness of a winter landscape, or the graceful flight of Minnesota's wildlife, his work reflects a deep appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us. His work has been featured in galleries, publications, and community projects celebrating Minnesota's landscapes and wildlife.

Bob's photograph will remain sealed inside the United States Capitol for the next 250 years before being opened by future generations on our Nation's 500th anniversary. It is a fitting tribute not only to Minnesota's remarkable natural heritage, but also to the artists and storytellers who help preserve it.

On behalf of the people of Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District, I thank Bob for sharing his extraordinary talent and for helping tell Minnesota's story through his lens. His work will ensure that when Americans look back on this moment in history centuries from now, they will see not only the beauty of our state, but the values of stewardship, community, and wonder that continue to define it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Dr. Chace Anderson for his extraordinary career in public education and his dedicated service to the students, families, and educators of Minnesota.

I commemorate Dr. Anderson as he concludes a remarkable 43-year career in education, including 18 years as Superintendent of Wayzata Public Schools. Over the course of his career, he served as a teacher, coach, principal, administrator, and superintendent, bringing a deep understanding of education and an unwavering commitment to student success.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Anderson began his career in 1983 as a middle school science teacher, football coach, and track coach. He carried the lessons of those early experiences throughout his career, always approaching educational leadership with the mindset of a teacher and mentor.

Following his appointment as Superintendent in 2008, Dr. Anderson guided Wayzata Public Schools through a period of significant growth and change. Under his leadership, enrollment grew from approximately 9,500 students to over 13,000 students, prompting the construction of two new elementary schools, major additions to Wayzata High School, and facility improvements to meet the needs of the growing community. Through collaboration with teachers, staff, families, and community leaders, Dr. Anderson strengthened academic opportunities and supported student success across the district.

Dr. Anderson dedicated himself to improving students' day-to-day educational experience. He championed changes to school start times that better aligned with student learning needs, advanced initiatives supporting student health and well-being, and provided decisive leadership during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout every challenge, he uplifted students, families, and educators while ensuring stability across the district.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Anderson is a devoted husband and father. He and his wife raised two children who graduated from Wayzata Public Schools, giving him the unique perspective of serving as superintendent, parent, and community member.

Dr. Anderson's legacy will endure through the thousands of students whose lives have been shaped by the schools he helped lead and strengthen. On behalf of the people of Minnesota, I extend my sincere gratitude for his decades of service and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate David Davis, instrumental and general music teacher at Park Spanish Immersion Elementary in St. Louis Park, on being named the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Davis exemplifies the creativity, dedication, and innovation that define Minnesota's educators. Throughout his 16-year career, including the past five years at Park Spanish Immersion Elementary, Mr. Davis has inspired students to develop their creativity, confidence, and love of learning through music. A graduate of Lawrence University and the University of St. Thomas, Mr. Davis continues to hone his expertise through graduate coursework in Change Leadership at the College of St. Scholastica.

Mr. Davis has reimagined music education by designing a curriculum centered on student voice, creativity, and cultural responsiveness. At Park Spanish Immersion, Mr. Davis guides his students to compose original music, collaborate with one another, and connect their learning to their identities, families, and communities. His curriculum is rooted in his belief in ``inherent brilliance,'' creating classrooms where teachers and students learn alongside one another as partners in discovery.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Davis has earned national recognition for advancing innovative and inclusive music education. He was the first Minnesotan to be selected as a Top 25 semifinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award and has received honors including the Give A Note Foundation Music Education Innovator Award, the Music for All Elementary Excellence Award, and Yamaha's ``40 Under 40'' recognition. He also serves on the National Association for Music Education's Council of Innovations, participates in the Minnesota Department of Education's Culturally Responsive Arts Education cohort, and leads the Changemakers in Music Education project, expanding access and opportunity for students across Minnesota.

Mr. Davis's recognition as Minnesota Teacher of the Year reflects not only his remarkable talent as an educator, but also his unwavering belief in the growth potential of every student. His work reminds us that great teachers do more than impart knowledge, they inspire curiosity, foster a sense of self, and empower young people to see themselves as capable learners, artists, and leaders.

On behalf of the people of Minnesota, I congratulate David Davis on this well-deserved honor and thank him for his outstanding dedication to the students, families, and educators of our state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed for her distinguished service to Hopkins Public Schools and her unwavering commitment to the students, families, and educators of Minnesota.

Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed concludes nearly a decade as Superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools after a career dedicated to expanding opportunity and helping students reach their full potential. Throughout her career in education, she has served as a teacher, principal,

district administrator, and superintendent, bringing a deep commitment to educational excellence and student success.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed began her career as a social studies teacher in Saint Paul before serving in leadership roles across Minnesota and California. In 2017, she made district history by becoming the first woman and first person of color to serve as Superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools.

During her tenure, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed guided Hopkins Public Schools through a period of innovation and transformation. She led the development of Vision 2031, a community-driven strategic plan that established a roadmap for student achievement and future-ready learning. Under her leadership, the district expanded opportunities through Spanish Immersion, International Baccalaureate programs, project-based learning, and other initiatives designed to prepare students for success in a changing world.

Additionally, she also worked to strengthen academic achievement, expand access to advanced coursework and career pathways, and foster a culture of belonging throughout the district. Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed provided thoughtful and steady leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, helping students, families, and educators navigate unprecedented challenges while keeping student learning and well-being at the forefront of the district's work.

Throughout her career, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed has been guided by a belief that education can change lives. She consistently advocated for students who were underserved and worked to ensure that all students, regardless of background, had the opportunity to succeed.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed is a devoted wife and mother. She and her husband, Frank, have raised two children, Sterling and Maddie, and her experience as both an educational leader and parent has shaped her approach to serving students and families.

Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed's legacy in Hopkins will endure through the students, educators, and families whose lives have been impacted by her leadership. On behalf of the people of Minnesota, I extend my sincere gratitude for her years of service to Hopkins Public Schools and wish her all the best as she begins this next chapter of leadership and service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Minnesota State Senator Steve Cwodzinski for his decade-long service to the people of Minnesota and his lifelong dedication to education, civic engagement, and public service.

Born in Superior, Wisconsin, Senator Cwodzinski earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the University of Minnesota and spent more than 30 years teaching government and history at Eden Prairie High School. Through his decades in the classroom, he inspired generations of students to become informed and engaged citizens, and his extraordinary dedication to education earned him the Presidential Scholar's Influential Teacher Award.

Senator Cwodzinski brought that same passion for public service to the Minnesota state Senate when he was first elected in 2016, representing the cities of Eden Prairie and Minnetonka with integrity and optimism. Over the course of his tenure, he served as Chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee and on the Education Finance, Elections, and State and Local Government Committees.

Drawing on his background as an educator, Senator Cwodzinski became a leading advocate for students and teachers across Minnesota. He championed civics and financial literacy graduation requirements to better prepare students for engaged citizenship and adult life, and he consistently prioritized student voices in the legislative process by regularly inviting students to testify before legislative committees and participate directly in conversations about policy. In addition to his championing of students and educators, he is a passionate advocate for protecting the Boundary Waters and chief authored legislation for permanent protection of Minnesota's crown jewel.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Senator Cwodzinski is a devoted husband to his wife, Patti, a proud father of two children, and grandfather of two grandchildren. His love of family, community, and country has shaped every aspect of his life and service.

Senator Cwodzinski's legacy will endure through the countless students he mentored, the legislation he championed, and the communities he faithfully served. On behalf of the people of Minnesota, I extend my sincere gratitude for his years of dedicated service and wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor Chief Greggory Pederson for more than 51 years of extraordinary service to the Mound community and the people of Minnesota.

Chief Pederson joined the Mound Fire Department in 1975 as a volunteer firefighter and dedicated the next five decades of his life to protecting and serving others.

Over the course of his remarkable career, he served as captain, training officer, assistant fire chief, emergency management director, and ultimately fire chief.

Throughout his career, Chief Pederson answered more than 15,400 calls for fire and emergency assistance. His steady commitment helped to shape generations of firefighters and to strengthen the Mound community for decades.

Chief Pederson's career reflects the very best of public service, selflessness, professionalism, and a deep dedication to his neighbors and community.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Minnesota, I thank Chief Pederson for his incredible career and lasting legacy. I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of June as National Gun Violence Awareness Month.

As one Minnesotan wrote: ``I am standing up for our children because we are adults. It is our responsibility to make them feel safe.''

I have a stack of notes here from hundreds of Minnesotans who came together after the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, demanding action; calling for commonsense reforms; expressing their grief, anguish, and frustration; and begging for their elected leaders to do something--anything--to respond to the tragedy that left an 8- year-old and a 10-year-old dead, hundreds more forever traumatized, and a community reeling.

What are we doing if we are not listening to the American people and not protecting our children? We need to listen to the American people. We need to act to keep our children safe. We need to ban assault weapons, bump stocks, and high-capacity magazine sales, get weapons of war off of our streets, invest in addressing our Nation's mental health crisis, and the list goes on.

There won't be one policy alone that will end this public health crisis, but what we can't do is nothing. There are so many steps that we could take immediately. Gun violence is an epidemic that has stained our country, and we are going in the wrong direction.

As our country faces hundreds of mass shootings every year, more mass shootings than any country on the face of the planet, the Trump administration is taking an ax to our Nation's gun safety laws and doing the dirty work of the big gun lobby, rolling back dozens of Federal safety regulations, making it easier for criminals to buy and ship guns, cutting funding, and abandoning critical gun violence prevention programs that keep our communities safe. They are doubling down on the number one killer of children in the United States of America.

Gun violence is preventable. Our children deserve to be our priority. They deserve to feel safe. They deserve adults who will act.

Every day we are here in Congress, we are creating the world that our children will inherit. We should be creating a world where children feel safe at school, where they can be healthy and thrive, not where they live in fear and see adults refusing to protect them.

Mr. Speaker, I want to share some examples of what Minnesotans wrote:

``My students should not have to worry about being killed at school.''

``I shouldn't have to worry about if my kids are safe at their school and daycare.''

``My grandchildren go to school every day, and I worry they will be victims. I also am devastated they will live their school lives in fear.''

This is tragic. This is heartbreaking, and this is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way. We don't have to live like this.

We could choose to take steps to make our children and our communities safer. We could create a world with far less gun violence, where people don't live in fear of it, if only Congress had the courage to act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Dr. Alice Mann for her dedicated service to the people of Minnesota and her commitment to improving the health and well-being of communities across our state, on the occasion of her decision to retire.

Born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, she immigrated to Minnesota with her family at the age of eight, settling in Richfield. From an early age, she embraced the values of hard work, resilience, and opportunity that would come to define her life and career. A fierce champion of human rights, her unwavering advocacy has been matched only by her conscientious compassion to help those in need, regardless of ethnicity, zip code, or tax bracket.

A highly accomplished physician, Dr. Mann earned her Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and her Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College. She completed her residency at the Mayo Clinic Health System and has practiced both family and emergency medicine, caring for patients in Minnesota and beyond. Her medical career has taken her around the world, providing care to underserved populations in countries including Tanzania, Mali, Nicaragua, Haiti, Brazil, and Zimbabwe, as well as Syrian refugees in Greece, and to U.S. residents impacted by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Dr. Mann's experience as an immigrant and a physician informs her passion for providing excellent patient care and for transforming our health care system into one that meets all people's needs. Driven by her firsthand experiences with patients struggling to access affordable care, Dr. Mann was compelled to enter public service. She was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she represented the communities of Burnsville and Lakeville. During her tenure, she championed policies to lower healthcare costs, expand access to services, and improve outcomes for families, including legislation addressing prescription drug pricing, maternal health, and support for individuals with rare diseases.

After returning to the front lines of medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Mann continued her commitment to public service and was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2022, representing District 50. In the Senate, she has been a leading voice on healthcare and family policy, serving as a chief author of legislation establishing paid family and medical leave and supporting efforts to strengthen workers' rights and economic security.

Throughout her career, Dr. Mann has exemplified a deep commitment to service, whether treating patients in emergency rooms, advocating for vulnerable populations, or crafting thoughtful, impactful legislation. Her work reflects a steadfast belief in finding practical solutions and putting people over politics.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Mann is a devoted wife to her husband Elliot, and caring mother to Maxwell, Alexander, and Marcelo. Her dedication to family and community is evident in all that she does.

Dr. Mann's legacy is one of compassion, leadership, and service. On behalf of countless Minnesotans whose lives she has touched and improved, I extend my sincere gratitude for her contributions to our state and wish her all the best in her continued service and future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1041, legislation that would prevent VA from keeping firearms out of the hands of some of the most vulnerable veterans in the VA system.

As a physician and the wife of an Army combat veteran, I care deeply about making sure our veterans receive the care we owe them for their service. Like my colleagues, I am heartbroken and appalled by the scale of veteran suicides in our country, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues to end this epidemic.

Unfortunately, the bill before us today is a step in the wrong direction.

VA's decision to assign a fiduciary to a beneficiary is made based on medical evidence, and there already exist multiple avenues for beneficiaries to appeal VA's decision. In addition, we know that many of these veterans suffer from severe mental illness or impairment and may face an increased risk of death by suicide.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 46 percent of people who die by suicide suffered from a known mental health condition. In addition, a recent VA estimate suggested that veterans are 57 percent more likely to die by suicide than nonveterans.

All told, we lose more than 17 veterans per day to suicide, 13 of them using a firearm, which is completely unacceptable.

While mental illness and impairment do not lead to suicide on their own, we must be cognizant of veterans who might be at a greater risk than the general population.

As public health and suicide prevention experts will tell you, Mr. Speaker, putting time and distance between a firearm and a person experiencing a mental health crisis is essential to preventing a successful suicide attempt.

Preventing VA from reporting to the NICS background check system risks putting more firearms in the hands of a population of veterans who are already at an increased risk of death by suicide.

When we considered this legislation in the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I offered an amendment that would have made a carve-out for veterans suffering from severe conditions, such as schizophrenia, dementia, Alzheimer's, and other mental conditions with psychotic features.

Unfortunately, the bill my Republican colleagues decided to bring to the floor today fails to include even the most basic safeguards for veterans suffering from these severe impairments.

While no silver bullet that will eradicate veteran suicide, making it easier for veterans suffering from severe mental illness or impairment to obtain a gun is not the answer.

H.R. 1041 creates serious risks for a group of veterans who are already in a vulnerable position, and I cannot support it.

Instead of considering this partisan legislation that puts more veterans at risk, we should be working together to advance solutions that will help us fight veteran suicide, like improving access to timely mental health care, protecting crisis intervention resources such as the Veterans Crisis Line, and ensuring VA has the resources and staffing it needs to give our veterans the outstanding care they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation. For this reason, at the appropriate time I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill.

My amendment would ensure this legislation does not take effect until the VA Secretary certifies that it will not lead to an increase in veteran suicide using a firearm.

If my Republican colleagues are so confident that this legislation won't risk increasing the rate of veteran suicide, then this should be an easy measure for them to support.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the motion to recommit.

I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.