Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Douglas County, Colorado, being named the second healthiest community in the United States by U.S. News and World Report in 2021. Douglas County was ranked second in the nation in both 2020 and 2018 and topped the annual list in 2019.

Douglas County enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year and, thanks to the beautiful Rocky Mountains, is home to some of the world's best hiking and outdoor recreation. Surrounded by 63,000 acres of natural land, Douglas County is home to three state parks, the Reuter-Hess Reservoir, and incredible walking trails, like the Devil's Head National Recreation Trail. These natural areas are important to the community as they provide recreational opportunities like fishing, hiking, boating, and biking to be enjoyed by residents.

This recognition as the second healthiest county is a testament to not only the beautiful natural areas of the Centennial State, but also its local government officials and those who call Douglas County home. As one of the fastest growing communities in the country, Douglas County has been ranked by the American City Business Journal as one of the best counties in the U.S. for quality of life.

On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I am honored to celebrate this recognition alongside the residents and local government of Douglas County, Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the gentleman for his leadership on this important issue. I think it is something that America needs to talk about, and I am glad we are talking about it on the floor of the people's House.

During the COVID shutdowns, more than 600,000 businesses shut their doors. This is 200,000 more businesses than typically close in a year due to natural market influences.

Unsurprisingly, many of these most severe lockdowns across the country were implemented by liberal Governors who caved to fearmongering and hostility to former President Trump.

To be clear, I recognize the dangers posed by this virus. However, reactionary and overreaching shutdowns significantly worsened the impacts of COVID on our Nation.

One of the most glaring examples of these negative impacts has been on our children who missed a year or more of in-person education because their schools were closed.

The resilience and creativity of many teachers to adjust to these tragic circumstances are admirable. However, the reality is that these closures resulted in deteriorating mental health among students and less effective educational environments for children across America.

Importantly, these shutdowns disproportionately affected children with disabilities, minority students, and students facing economic hardships.

America is beyond ready to reopen. Today, more than half of Americans have been vaccinated, and broad mask

mandates are clearly no longer necessary for most communities. The science overwhelmingly demands that the restrictions continuing to burden our communities be lifted, and efforts by liberal politicians to extend these mandates only serve to reveal their ideological motivations.

I urge our national, State, and local officials to follow the science, unshackle our economy from these burdensome and unnecessary restrictions, and reopen our country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work and dedication of Steve ``Greek'' Antonopulos who announced that he will be retiring after 45 seasons with the Denver Broncos. Mr. Antonopulos is the only individual to have worked for the Broncos during all eight of their Super Bowl appearances, as well as under three owners, and ten head coaches.

From Hugo, Colorado, Mr. Antonopulos grew up watching Broncos games with his father. After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, he worked as the head trainer at Fort Hays State University in Kansas, and in 1976, he joined the Broncos as an assistant trainer. Mr. Antonopulos ends his career with the team as the director of sports medicine, a position he has held since 2016. Throughout his time with the team, he treated 983 players and worked a total of 941 games. The dedication that Mr. Antonopulos has shown in his many years with the Broncos has undoubtedly been instrumental to the team and benefitted Broncos fans across Colorado and beyond.

On behalf of the 4th District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Mr. Antonopulos and his family. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize Steve Antonopulos for his accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today in recognition of Memorial Day and in support of the countless men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the security and freedoms we enjoy in our republic.

Outside the United States Special Forces Training Center, there is a quote from John Stuart Mill that reads, ``War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and

degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.''

Today, we honor the memory of those better men and women. These heroes paid the ultimate price so we can enjoy the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. They fought and died for this more perfect union. I am reminded of Winston Churchill's comment about democracy following the fall of Nazi Germany. He said, ``Many forms of government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.''

Since the founding of our nation, countless brave men and women stood in the face of imminent danger that we might continue their pursuit of a more equal, free, and prosperous society. And we are eternally indebted to and grateful for these champions of our experiment in democracy.

Madam Speaker, I am privileged and humbled by the opportunity to recognize these brave individuals.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his community. On March 22, Officer Eric Talley courageously confronted a gunman in the Boulder King Soopers. By racing to the scene and not hesitating to directly confront the armed suspect, Officer Talley undoubtedly saved countless lives. His heroic actions and remarkable bravery stand as a stark reminder of the danger that law enforcement officers face every time they pin on their badge.

Good people like Officer Talley represent the best of America. He was deeply committed to his faith, his family, and his community. He saw a need in his community and felt so strongly that he could contribute to his community that he made a mid-career change to serve as a member of the Boulder Police Department. His deeply held convictions are admirable, and his sacrifice deserves commendations that our human institutions are unable to offer. Colorado will be forever grateful

for his bravery and determination. On March 22, 2021, Colorado lost a dedicated guardian of the public, a family man, and a person of faith.

The circumstances that prompt this recognition of Officer Talley fill me with sorrow at the human cost of the gunman's crimes, but it also fills me with a solemn pride and gratitude to know of his resolute character and courage in the face of imminent danger.

I want to extend my deepest condolences to Officer Talley's family, friends, fellow officers, and community. Madam Speaker, I am humbled and honored to recognize Officer Talley's service and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, cancel culture is a dangerous phenomenon, the total silencing and erasing of people and truths the progressives dislike.

Americans are beginning to see what cancel culture is really about. A recent survey found that 64 percent of Americans now believe cancel culture is a threat to freedom.

Cancel culture aims not only to cancel certain elements of society but to replace them. Consider the following: for years, the political left has attempted to erase parts of our American history, especially our founding and the story of 1776.

Why?

Because their goal is replacement. In place of America's true history, the progressives want to push the 1619 Project. This false narrative presents students with an alternate history and an alternate reality that our Nation was founded not on the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence but instead on a racist pursuit of expanding slavery. Canceling 1776 makes sense only in the broader context of this effort to advance a false narrative.

Other areas of curriculum are being canceled in favor of critical race theory. Just last week, the Biden administration announced that it will use taxpayer funds to push critical race theory in public schools across the Nation. Critical race theory is the backdoor way to teach Marxism to students and adults in this country under the guise of pushing equity.

In my State of Colorado, the oil and gas industry is being canceled.

The goal?

Replace it with Green New Deal objectives.

Schools named after our Founders must be renamed after liberal icons according to the left. Professors and journalists who will not kowtow to the progressive agenda find themselves replaced in their jobs.

Our list of examples could go on.

I am joined tonight by my colleagues who wish to help expose cancel culture. The examples we will highlight touch on all aspects of cancel culture, but they all have one thing in common: in each instance, progressives seek to cancel, cut, censor, and silence so they can move to the next phase: replacement culture.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), who is my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for a slightly different purpose. She will tell us about a very sad circumstance in her home State of North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for her comments, and I assure her that our thoughts and prayers are with her and the families of those who have fallen.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas, and I appreciate the points that he made.

I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his impassioned remarks and great research. We could all learn a lot from that. I appreciate it very much.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cloud).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for not naming my home State as he was talking about the All-Star Game.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany), and I thank him for joining us in this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I suggest he is in the wrong line of work. That was great. I thank him very much for that.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his profound remarks. I now yield to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Cheney), my friend and my neighbor to the north.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman, and I inform the Speaker that we have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Gitanjali Rao for being selected as Colorado's 4th District Congressional App Challenge Winner. With one in five pre-teens in the U.S. reporting being cyberbullied, cyberbullying others, or having seen cyberbullying, Ms. Rao's app ``Kindly'' serves as a preventative measure to help protect America's children from this unfortunately common harassment.

Ms. Rao, a student at STEM School Highlands Ranch and TIME's 2020 Kid of the Year, created the app ``Kindly'', a one-of-a-kind app that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to detect and prevent cyberbullying at an early stage. Ms. Rao's commitment to young people affected by cyberbullying is a credit to her. Her hard work and ingenuity are showcased through this thoughtful, innovative app. She has shown true leadership in her community, and her app will help defeat cyberbullying around the country.

On behalf of the 4th Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my best wishes to Ms. Rao. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Ms. Rao for her great accomplishments.

Madam Speaker, there is a humanitarian crisis on our southern border. Every day, more migrants surge towards the border and overwhelm the dedicated men and women of Customs and Border Protection.

CBP is facing the most dramatic increase in detentions and illegal crossings in nearly 15 years, with no end in sight and no plan to address the situation articulated and caused by the Biden administration.

Mr. Biden revoked the remain in Mexico policy and the safe third country agreements with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. He stopped building the wall. He tapped Vice President Kamala Harris to coordinate the response to this humanitarian crisis almost a month ago. She still

hasn't visited the border, but she has had time to stop at a Chicago bakery and grab a slice of cake for her plane ride home.

The Vice President's message to the American communities being overrun with illegal immigrants is, apparently, ``let them eat cake,'' while the President rolls out the welcome mat to illegal immigrants pouring over our border.

My colleagues across the aisle want to fund lawyers for illegal immigrants and defund the police. They don't care if the American people are protected, but they want to make sure their friends in the local bar association get paid to represent criminals flooding into our country.

Democrats don't have time to fix our broken immigration system, but they have time to visit Minnesota and incite riots.

During the current crisis, immigration backlogs have gotten so extreme that illegal migrants are being housed in convention centers and hotels across the country. My liberal colleagues should try addressing the rising homeless problem with Americans rather than placing illegal immigrants in hotels.

Just 2 weeks ago, the CBP announced the arrest of two men on the FBI's terrorism watch list as they tried to cross the southern border. If this legislation was enacted, Americans would have paid for their lawyers to help these terrorists stay in our country.

This is a dangerous precedent that prevents our existing border security apparatus from working properly.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard-working Coloradans who form the bedrock of my state's livestock industry. In Colorado's 4th District, the livestock and agriculture industries account for more than 11,000 jobs, which contributes to the $41 billion economic impact these industries have statewide. During last fiscal year, 82 percent of Colorado's agriculture sales came from Colorado's 4th District. Meat and poultry suppliers, as well as other agricultural producers, are essential to the communities across the Eastern Plains and are foundational to Colorado's economy. Despite the many supply chain disruptions imposed on Coloradans by the pandemic, the agriculture community has come together to focus on feeding Americans during these challenging times.

These dedicated men and women serve our communities in countless ways every day. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize their hard work and determination.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time.

Madam Speaker, I have heard that President Trump radicalized the group of the rioters who stormed this Capitol. I would say that we need to look no further than ourselves to find out what happened and to look at history.

Americans were frustrated when they learned that the FBI was investigating the Trump campaign. They were frustrated to learn that the Obama administration and the DNC had created this false campaign against the Trump administration. They were frustrated, Madam Speaker, when the inauguration of the President was boycotted by over 40 Democrat Members of this House.

They were frustrated to read in The Washington Post the day after the inauguration: Let the impeachment begin.

They were frustrated when Members of this House spoke over and over about impeaching the President days into his administration. And then the Socialists in Hollywood joined their allies in Congress. Robert De Niro said that he wanted to punch the President in the face. Madonna thought about blowing up the White House. Kathy Lee Griffin held up a likeness of the President's beheaded head, and nothing was said by my colleagues at that point in time.

In fact, one Democrat colleague said that Trump supporters should be harassed wherever they are, in restaurants, on the street, and in supermarkets.

During this time, the President was under investigation by a special counsel who found no collusion and no conspiracy with Russia.

The President's supporters were harassed. Ajit Pai, the head of the FCC, was called a dirty, sneaky Indian. His children were harassed in school. The press secretary, Sarah Sanders, was kicked out of a restaurant for being a Trump employee. The DHS Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, was harassed by her home, and Trump donors were publicly shamed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 130th anniversary of Temple Aaron located in Trinidad, Colorado.

Temple Aaron was constructed in 1889 and is one of less than two dozen synagogues still standing that were constructed in the 19th Century. The temple is the oldest continuously operating Jewish synagogue west of the Mississippi River and has been recognized by major historical preservation organizations as being of tremendous importance to the state.

Additionally, I would like to extend posthumous recognition to Kathryn and Leon Rubin, and their two sons, Randy and Ron, for their 30 years of dedicated service and care to Temple Aaron. In 1985, the Rubin family took the primary leadership role in supporting the temple, managing its congregation, and maintaining the building's infrastructure--which included preserving the temple's historic stained glass windows. The Rubins also organized fundraising events and submitted grant applications in an effort to keep Temple Aaron's doors open.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my congratulations and best wishes to the Temple Aaron community. I applaud their efforts to preserve Temple Aaron as a monument to the Jewish history of the Rocky Mountain region.

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

I thank the Speaker for the opportunity to speak about this important legislation that I am proud to sponsor, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act.

I also want to thank my colleague, the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. I have appreciated working with the gentlewoman to make a meaningful change that will make our employment-based immigration into an equitable system, one that is based on merit, not on where you were born.

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you why this bill has a special place in my heart. Two years ago, as I was traveling through my district, I met with a group of individuals who were here legally but felt that they were being put at a disadvantage by our government's immigration policies. They were resolute that I, and Congress, more broadly, could change their futures for the better.

As we sat together, my new friends shared their stories of coming to the United States with a great sense of hope. They came here for any number of reasons, but every single person arrived seeking a new opportunity to succeed and realize their own American Dream.

During our conversation, we talked about a bill, but what we really were discussing was these individuals' hopes and dreams for a future that will be brighter because of this legislation.

You see, Mr. Speaker, our immigration policies are leaving these hardworking people stuck between a rock and a hard place. They had made the difficult decision to pack up their lives and come to the United States, seeking the opportunity to live and work in the greatest country in the world. But now these same people found themselves caught in a decades-long backlog to receive a green card, waiting to open their own businesses, create American jobs.

At this moment, there are approximately 1.5 million high-skilled immigrants living in the United States on an employment-based visa. They are working hard and paying their taxes, yet face decades-long waits, sometimes up to 70 years to receive a green card.

Worst of all, Congress created this state of limbo by instituting an arbitrary annual cap on the number of individuals who may receive a green card from any single country.

This system doesn't make sense. Our employment-based immigration system has a single purpose, bringing in the best and brightest. We shouldn't hamstring our economy by placing artificial caps on who can get a green card quicker based solely on where you are born.

As the Cato Institute and National Review deftly pointed out, we aren't considering that countries have different population sizes. India has a population 2\1/2\ times greater than the European Union, but has an employment-based green card cap that is 4 percent of the European Union's cap. This policy is not helping to develop our high- skilled economy.

Additionally, studies based on the Department of Labor's own statistics show that the per-country caps are depressing the average wage for employer-sponsored immigrants by $11,592. These arbitrary caps are depressing wages, hurting American workers, and hindering further economic growth.

We shouldn't be punishing highly-skilled individuals who come to this country legally. People who do everything the right way, and are only seeking an opportunity to work hard, contribute to the U.S. economy and support their families.

We should be celebrating this and helping to create an equitable system that benefits both U.S. companies and employment-based visa holders. I am happy to say that is exactly what this bill does.

The Fairness for High Skilled Immigrants Act creates an equitable system that eliminates the arbitrary per-country caps on employment- based green cards and replaces it with a first-come-first-served system.

This important change will free U.S. companies to focus on what they do best: hiring smart people to create products, services, and jobs in our districts, while ensuring all employment-based visa applicants are evaluated on their merit, not where they come from.

Mr. Speaker, it is time that Congress fixes this policy once and for all. Seventy-year backlogs are only going to dissuade talented individuals from coming to the United States and further hamper our economy. We need to create an equitable system that helps our businesses and is fair to the individuals who came here looking to achieve their own dream to live and work in the greatest country in the world.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, end the backlogs, and make our employment-based green card system first come, first served, not based on where you are born.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis), my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins), my friend and the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.

I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I would note for the Record that one of the reasons that I am so proud to sponsor this bill is it is not an amnesty bill. This is a bill that is based on merit, and it even further enhances the merit aspects of this program. I am proud to sponsor this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse), my good friend.

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

Mr. Speaker, today, Congress can create a truly fair and equitable employment-based immigration system. The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act will fundamentally change our employment-based immigration system for the better by ensuring our employers can hire people based on qualifications and ability to do the job, not the country of origin.

We must continue working to build the U.S.-based high-skilled workforce, but in the meantime, we simply do not have enough U.S. workers to fill our employment needs. Congress must address the system to ensure that we are

not welcoming high-skilled workers here and then promptly leaving them in a limbo that may last a lifetime.

It is time that we fix the system to create a merit-based, first- come-first-served system that is fair for all employment-based immigrants.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of a fallen Deputy Sheriff, Matthew Moreno.

A resident of Trinidad, Colorado, Matthew proudly served his community as a full-time Deputy Sheriff in Las Animas County. He also worked part-time as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Trinidad Ambulance District. In Matthew's free time, he volunteered as a firefighter--quickly rising to the rank of Fire Captain.

On December 12, 2018, Matthew was struck by an impaired driver while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Tragically, he did not survive the accident.

Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to our police, fire fighters, and first responders, especially our fallen heroes. Matthew's commitment to serving others exceeded expectations, and his willingness to put his life on the line to protect others will never be forgotten. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado, I extend my deepest gratitude for Matthew's service and deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire community that undoubtedly feels his loss.

Madam Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the life of Deputy Sheriff Matthew Moreno for his commitment to family, community, and the United States of America.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brendan Anderson, Benjamin Bi, Eugene Macias, Jr., Cameryn McKinnell, Luke Rohlwing, Nathaniel Spidel and Ryan Johnson, Air Force Academy Appointees from Colorado's Fourth Congressional District. I believe America's greatest assets are our brave men and women in uniform. These individuals are making an incredible sacrifice for our country and deserve our utmost support for their service. It is with great pleasure that I give Brendan, Benjamin, Eugene, Cameryn, Luke, Nathaniel and Ryan my endorsement to attend this prestigious institution.

Our nation owes no greater debt of gratitude than to those who fight to protect our freedom and liberty. I commend these young people and their families for their commitment. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado, it is an honor to recognize Brendan Anderson, Benjamin Bi, Eugene Macias, Jr., Cameryn McKinnell, Luke Rohlwing, Nathaniel Spidel, and Ryan Johnson as appointees to the United States Air Force Academy for their commitment to protect and serve our nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rudolph Caleb Churchill and Edward Custy, Military Academy at West Point Appointees from Colorado's Fourth Congressional District. I believe America's greatest assets are our brave men and women in uniform. These individuals are making an incredible sacrifice for our country and deserve our utmost support for their service. It is with great pleasure that I give Rudolph and Edward my endorsement to attend this prestigious institution.

Our nation owes no greater debt of gratitude than to those who fight to protect our freedom and liberty. I commend these young people and their families for their commitment. On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Colorado, it is an honor to recognize Rudolph Caleb Churchill and Edward Custy as appointees to the United States Military Academy at West Point for their commitment to protect and serve our nation.