Floor Statements

Madam Speaker and my dear friend, I rise today for what will likely be my last speech as a Member of this Chamber.

Nine years ago, I was having coffee with my wife, Tammy, when she encouraged me to run for Congress. While I am sure there were times when she regretted that encouragement, she has remained the rock of our family and the reason I have been able to serve in the people's House.

A lot has changed in my life outside these walls. I have watched my sons get married and build families of their own, and bless us with the incredible gift of five grandchildren. I also experienced the loss of both my parents, two people who helped shape who I am today.

These years have brought great joys and difficult moments, reminding me of what matters most. In Congress, we spend a lot of time talking about titles: chairman, ranking member, leader, and so on. Husband, Dad, and Papi are the titles I am proud to hold most.

I was sworn into Congress in November of 2018. While most freshmen Members have a few months to prepare for this job, I had less than 7 days. I learned early in my business career to surround yourself with people you admire and respect. Little did I know then that Steve Womack, who chaired the House that day, would be one of those people. He and I grew up in the small town of Russellville, Arkansas, and we both graduated from Arkansas Tech University. Steve's wisdom and advice guided me early on, and I thank him for his friendship and support.

I often say there is no book written on how Congress works, but there is one man who knows how all of it works: my good friend and mentor, Tom Cole.

Tom is our historian and who we go to when we need advice, a kick in the right direction, or just a moment to take a break with a cigar, or maybe two, or maybe three.

I knew I wanted to serve on the Ways and Means Committee. I got advice from other Members, but Tom took me under his wing and showed me the full picture. I would not have been on Ways and Means today without his mentorship and support.

Ways and Means is where I found my home in Congress, where I could use my business background to offer policy solutions and push back on the ideas that I believe would hurt the economy.

I am honored to have served under the two great chairmen: Kevin Brady and Jason Smith, both who led the committee through major legislative victories and created tax policies that will allow our country to flourish for years to come.

Ways and Means was also a place where I saw that bipartisan work can also get done. In 2021, after months of trying to meet with Biden's Treasury Department, I shared my frustration with my fellow Ways and Means colleague, Brad Schneider. Brad offered to help set up a meeting, which was something I thought was an empty gesture.

Madam Speaker, I was wrong. A week later, I was on the call with those who I had been trying to meet with for months. It was a reminder that even when we disagree, we can still find ways to work together.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank my friend, Richie Neal, who chaired Ways and Means during my first 2 years on the committee and now serves as the ranking member. Richie is a true professional, something that sometimes we are lacking in this place. He is willing to work with you where common ground can be found, while respecting differences when it cannot.

One of my favorite jobs in Congress was chairing the Republican Study Committee. I worked with some of the best and the brightest staff in the world and brought together Republican Members to tackle critical issues, like government funding and debt ceilings. Those discussions helped to create policy proposals, many of which became law in Congress. I have no doubt that the RSC will continue to be a leading force in shaping conservative policy in Congress.

I also recognize Speaker Johnson and our leadership team, which is navigating one of the slimmest margins in history. It is no easy task, and Mike and his team have worked tirelessly to keep the House moving forward and delivering for the American people. I am grateful for their leadership and everything they have done for our Conference.

Lastly, I thank my staff who have worked alongside me for the past 8 years. I am proud to have one of the lowest turnovers on Capitol Hill. My chief of staff and district director have been with me from the very beginning, and the majority of my staff have stayed with me for multiple Congresses.

I am equally proud to have watched others grow into new opportunities, including four who have become chiefs of staff for other Members and others who have taken on leadership roles in the Republican policy areas.

My D.C. staff have worked countless hours to advance policy proposals, many of which have been signed into law. Back home, my district staff has achieved great successes in delivering for Oklahomans.

Almost 8 years ago, I ended my first speech by saying: ``Let's get to work.'' While I am proud of the work that we have achieved during my time here, the American people rightly expect a lot from those who are elected to office, and our job is to deliver for them. My hope is that I will have the opportunity to continue that work on the other end of the Capitol.

As I leave this great Chamber, I only have to say the same as when I started: Let's get to work.

Madam Speaker and my dear friend, I rise today for what will likely be my last speech as a Member of this Chamber.

Nine years ago, I was having coffee with my wife, Tammy, when she encouraged me to run for Congress. While I am sure there were times when she regretted that encouragement, she has remained the rock of our family and the reason I have been able to serve in the people's House.

A lot has changed in my life outside these walls. I have watched my sons get married and build families of their own, and bless us with the incredible gift of five grandchildren. I also experienced the loss of both my parents, two people who helped shape who I am today.

These years have brought great joys and difficult moments, reminding me of what matters most. In Congress, we spend a lot of time talking about titles: chairman, ranking member, leader, and so on. Husband, Dad, and Papi are the titles I am proud to hold most.

I was sworn into Congress in November of 2018. While most freshmen Members have a few months to prepare for this job, I had less than 7 days. I learned early in my business career to surround yourself with people you admire and respect. Little did I know then that Steve Womack, who chaired the House that day, would be one of those people. He and I grew up in the small town of Russellville, Arkansas, and we both graduated from Arkansas Tech University. Steve's wisdom and advice guided me early on, and I thank him for his friendship and support.

I often say there is no book written on how Congress works, but there is one man who knows how all of it works: my good friend and mentor, Tom Cole.

Tom is our historian and who we go to when we need advice, a kick in the right direction, or just a moment to take a break with a cigar, or maybe two, or maybe three.

I knew I wanted to serve on the Ways and Means Committee. I got advice from other Members, but Tom took me under his wing and showed me the full picture. I would not have been on Ways and Means today without his mentorship and support.

Ways and Means is where I found my home in Congress, where I could use my business background to offer policy solutions and push back on the ideas that I believe would hurt the economy.

I am honored to have served under the two great chairmen: Kevin Brady and Jason Smith, both who led the committee through major legislative victories and created tax policies that will allow our country to flourish for years to come.

Ways and Means was also a place where I saw that bipartisan work can also get done. In 2021, after months of trying to meet with Biden's Treasury Department, I shared my frustration with my fellow Ways and Means colleague, Brad Schneider. Brad offered to help set up a meeting, which was something I thought was an empty gesture.

Madam Speaker, I was wrong. A week later, I was on the call with those who I had been trying to meet with for months. It was a reminder that even when we disagree, we can still find ways to work together.

I would be remiss if I didn't thank my friend, Richie Neal, who chaired Ways and Means during my first 2 years on the committee and now serves as the ranking member. Richie is a true professional, something that sometimes we are lacking in this place. He is willing to work with you where common ground can be found, while respecting differences when it cannot.

One of my favorite jobs in Congress was chairing the Republican Study Committee. I worked with some of the best and the brightest staff in the world and brought together Republican Members to tackle critical issues, like government funding and debt ceilings. Those discussions helped to create policy proposals, many of which became law in Congress. I have no doubt that the RSC will continue to be a leading force in shaping conservative policy in Congress.

I also recognize Speaker Johnson and our leadership team, which is navigating one of the slimmest margins in history. It is no easy task, and Mike and his team have worked tirelessly to keep the House moving forward and delivering for the American people. I am grateful for their leadership and everything they have done for our Conference.

Lastly, I thank my staff who have worked alongside me for the past 8 years. I am proud to have one of the lowest turnovers on Capitol Hill. My chief of staff and district director have been with me from the very beginning, and the majority of my staff have stayed with me for multiple Congresses.

I am equally proud to have watched others grow into new opportunities, including four who have become chiefs of staff for other Members and others who have taken on leadership roles in the Republican policy areas.

My D.C. staff have worked countless hours to advance policy proposals, many of which have been signed into law. Back home, my district staff has achieved great successes in delivering for Oklahomans.

Almost 8 years ago, I ended my first speech by saying: ``Let's get to work.'' While I am proud of the work that we have achieved during my time here, the American people rightly expect a lot from those who are elected to office, and our job is to deliver for them. My hope is that I will have the opportunity to continue that work on the other end of the Capitol.

As I leave this great Chamber, I only have to say the same as when I started: Let's get to work.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this bill is coming to the floor today.

Every patient's health needs are unique, and every person's situation is different. This is why it is so important to expand and protect the different options available to individuals, and this bill does exactly that. It gives the decisionmaking process back to the American people.

I am honored that this package includes my bill, the CHOICE Arrangement Act, which makes it easier for small businesses--something that I know something about after 35 years in business--to offer healthcare coverage. It gives individuals more options to choose health plans that work for them.

CHOICE accounts put individuals in the driver's seat when it comes to picking their healthcare plan and lets their employer financially support their decision. This empowers people in one of their most personal decisions, their healthcare.

Over the last 15 years, healthcare has become unaffordable for everyone, including 164 million Americans covered by employer-sponsored plans. Yet, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to ignore these individuals in their healthcare conversations.

The gentleman from California just stated, ``This is for 4 million,'' what they are talking about. We want to lower the healthcare costs for over 300 million people in America.

Premiums are rising for all Americans, whether you are on the exchange or an employer-sponsored plan, whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, whether you are healthy or you are unhealthy.

We should be focused on making healthcare affordable for all Americans and include those on the exchange, employer-sponsored plans, Medicare, and Medicaid.

The provisions of this bill are a start to doing so by giving Americans what they need: lower costs, more choices, and increased transparency.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1069, the PROTECT Our Kids Act, and I urge my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to support this bill.

Through the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese Communist Party has been spreading its malign influence for over a decade. This initiative has one goal: to increase China's economic and political dominance over the United States and the world. Disguised as harmless global infrastructure, transportation, and production networks, this global campaign is anything but harmless.

Education is one of the primary targets of the Belt and Road Initiative, and they are succeeding in their mission to indoctrinate American students with their Communist ideals.

Mr. Speaker, Chinese state media has even bragged about the success of Confucius Institutes and other educational initiatives in spreading the CCP's influence.

This doesn't stop at our college campuses. Right now, China is invading our K-12 schools through Confucius Classrooms. Over the last decade or more, the CCP has infiltrated our public education system, setting up Chinese language and cultural programs in primary and secondary schools.

Similar to the Confucius Institute model at our universities, China rapidly expanded these programs to over 1,000 established worldwide by 2017, with over 500 in the United States. In exchange, their contracts allow China to staff these programs, provide curriculum, and require teachers to sign contracts, ensuring they do not damage the national interests of China.

Make no mistake, this is not out of the kindness of their hearts. The CCP is not interested in helping American students learn Mandarin. They want to brainwash our children, plain and simple.

Since 2013, the authoritarian Government of the People's Republic of China has sent curriculum and PRC-trained teachers into hundreds of K- 12 schools across America as an unofficial component of its global influence campaign.

Concern over the threat posed by Confucius Classrooms is not new. In 2020, Secretaries DeVos and Pompeo sent a letter to State education commissioners, outlining their concern with these types of programs and urging schools to consider the threat they may pose to academic freedom. The State Department found that approval from the PRC's Minister of Education is required when filling teaching positions associated with Confucius Classrooms.

Concerns over the threat posed by Confucius Classrooms are not always exclusive to the United States. In Australia, the New South Wales Department of Education ended the Confucius Classroom presence in public schools due to concerns of potential propaganda. They replaced the programs with Chinese language programs funded and managed solely by Australians.

Similarly, in 2019, the Canadian Province of New Brunswick initiated a two-stage removal of Confucius Institute-funded programs from elementary and middle schools--once again, due to the threat of Chinese propaganda.

The CCP has committed countless violations of human rights, and its authoritarian agenda is antithetical to

the democratic principles our country was founded on. Chinese propaganda has no place in our education system.

We have taken important steps toward mitigating Chinese influence at our American universities by cracking down on Confucius Institutes. Now that the Chinese Government has directed its attention toward our elementary and secondary schools, it is time we do the same and protect our children from the malign influence of the CCP.

The PROTECT Our Kids Act would prohibit Federal funding for any elementary or secondary school that continues to host a Confucius Classroom. Schools will be notified of these requirements and given guidance for how to comply.

To be clear, this legislation is only concerned with programs funded or supported by the CCP. Language programs in schools that do not partner with the CCP are not threatened by this legislation. The only objective is to prevent CCP propaganda from being taught to our kids. This should not be controversial.

Mr. Speaker, I will say it again: Protecting our kids from Chinese propaganda should not be controversial. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor Miranda Dabney who has served Oklahoma's First District with unwavering dedication since my very first day in office.

For nearly 7 years, Miranda's tireless work and invaluable contributions have been the cornerstone of our team's success. From shaping our message to driving our mission forward, her impact is immeasurable. We simply would not be where we are today without her.

I am immensely proud of her remarkable achievements and the legacy she

leaves with us. Miranda is not going far. She will be working for the Committee on Appropriations under my dear friend and fellow Oklahoman, Chairman Tom Cole.

As she embarks on her next chapter, I have no doubt her career will continue to flourish, inspiring us all. I thank Miranda for her service and for making Oklahoma stronger.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this one big, beautiful bill.

The American people have heard a lot of lies about this bill. The left and their friends in the media have settled for demagoguing and fear-mongering to try to stop President Trump from delivering on his promises to the American people.

Fortunately for all of us, the bill that they conjured up just simply doesn't exist.

What does exist is a bill that champions working-class families. It strengthens the middle class and provides much-needed support to small businesses.

It is thanks to President Trump's leadership on this big, beautiful bill that we have something we can all be proud of.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all of the committees and the chairs who worked on this legislation, but particularly our chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith, who knew 2 years ago that this might happen, that this might occur and that we would be in exactly this position. He spent those years ensuring that our committee was prepared, educated, and empowered to be ambassadors for the President's tax policies.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on its centennial anniversary.

Established in 1925, this parish has served Tulsa and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for a century. The Church continues to be a strong and dedicated partner in the Tulsa community.

This impressive anniversary highlights the congregation's devotion to the greater Tulsa community, as well as their unwavering faith in God and commitment to His will. One hundred years of service is an extraordinary accomplishment.

The rich traditions of the Orthodox Church extend back to the earliest days of Christianity, established in the lands surrounding the Mediterranean, where the first Christian communities lived and worshipped. These traditions have survived millennia, connecting the modern Orthodox Church to the earliest practitioners of our faith and welcoming congregants of all races and cultures.

Congratulations to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Tulsa for reaching this significant milestone. I join the congregation and Tulsa community-at-large in celebrating this centennial anniversary, and I sincerely wish the Church sustained success and prosperity for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation that will unlock the critical work the American people elected us to do.

Let's not forget that the only reason we are in this position to be working on such important legislation is because of President Donald Trump. President Trump's message resonated with the American people, and they elected him in historic numbers. They delivered Republican majorities in the House and the Senate because they want Congress to deliver on the promises we made.

Today, it is time for us to act so that we can get on with the real work in our committees. In passing this budget framework, we are unlocking the process to deliver on unleashing American energy production, permanently securing our southern and northern borders, and making tax cuts permanent for small businesses and working families.

If we fail, every American will see the largest tax increase in American history. Just days away from tax day, this is as important a time as any to put the American people first. We cannot fail the hardworking Americans who are trusting us to get this done or the small businesses that rely on consistency in our tax code.

President Trump has fully secured our border and eliminated over $100 billion in government spending on waste, fraud, and abuse.

My Democratic colleagues speak of confusion, as we have heard today. Let me remove some of that confusion. President Trump's new proposal on tax cuts is for those making tips, not the wealthy; those on overtime, not the wealthy; and reducing the tax burden on those receiving Social Security, our seniors, not the wealthy.

The President has talked about giving tax credits or deductibility for interest on automobiles made in America so our great union workers in America can have better jobs and continue to see jobs grow in America, not the wealthy.

My Democratic colleagues want to talk about fear over facts, as we have heard from their leaders today. Let me remind them of what happened. They inherited a government in January 2021 with 1.4 percent inflation, and they delivered 9.1 percent inflation just 5 months later. That was almost a sevenfold, 700 percent, increase in inflation on the American people.

When they talk about being good stewards of the American taxpayers' tax dollars, this is an outright abuse of the facts. The facts are they are the ones who increased inflation, as my colleague said, over 20 percent over a 4-year period.

The reason the American people are suffering today is not because of the 70 days that President Trump has been in office. It is because of the 4 years of the Biden administration and the Democratic Party.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this budget, and I am proud to fight for President Trump's legislative agenda. I urge every one of my colleagues here to vote so we can get on to the debate that the leader on the other side of the aisle talked about.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the opportunity to speak.

One of America's most famous sons, Will Rogers, once said: ``It costs ten times more to govern us than it used to and we are not governed one-tenth as good.''

That was in 1932. I can only imagine what he would say today. That is why this vote is so important. It moves us closer to delivering on the mandate the American people overwhelmingly demanded in November.

We are on an unsustainable path, and every Member of this body knows it. This budget resolution commits us to investing in strong border security and strengthening our national defense. It directs committees to find ways to make the President's tax agenda permanent. It paves the way to unleash American energy production.

The budget resolution calls for historic spending cuts as Congress works with the President to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse, something that every single one of us, regardless of party, should applaud, all in one, big, beautiful bill.

Failure to unite on this vote may very well result in breaking up the President's agenda. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Together we can build a stronger, more prosperous America before it is too late.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, combating the CCP's malign influence across the globe demands strong partnerships and a steady backbone. Our partnership with Taiwan is critical to that goal.

In 2023, I led a delegation to Taiwan, where we met with former President Tsai and current President Lai. We saw firsthand the importance of the economic partnership between our great nations, a partnership meaningful not only in economic terms, but in the true friendship and goodwill we share, as well as our common values. Taiwan is fighting for the very thing that our Founding Fathers did: freedom and opportunity.

Taiwan does not ask for our support without bringing their own strengths to the table. They have increased investment in domestic research and development to improve their own deterrence capabilities and are invested heavily in the semiconductor industry here in the United States of America.

Unfortunately, without a formal tax treaty with Taiwan, double taxation is deterring further Taiwanese investments in the United States. This unique issue requires a unique solution. H.R. 33 will alleviate the double taxation burden and, in turn, bolster the U.S. supply chain.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 33 today, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great honor and pride to the legacy of the remarkable Oklahoma Senator James Mountain Inhofe and to support S. 5314, a bill sponsored by my colleague Senator Lankford to name the new VA medical center in Tulsa after this towering figure in our State's history, and I would argue, in our Nation's history.

This new 275,000-square-foot, 58-bed medical-surgical VA hospital will bear the name of James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center, a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his career to championing our military, our veterans, and their families.

Senator Inhofe's legacy of service is unmatched. From his early days as mayor of Tulsa to his decades in the Senate, he fought tirelessly for the men and women who wear the uniform of this Nation.

I thank Senator Lankford for leading this effort in the Senate and for ensuring the unanimous passage of this important bill.

It was an honor to introduce companion legislation in the House alongside the Oklahoma delegation, knowing how much this hospital's name will mean to our veterans and their families.

For those of us privileged to call Senator Inhofe a friend, this is deeply personal. His unwavering dedication to our State and our Nation, his tireless advocacy for those who served, and his steadfast leadership left an indelible mark on every corner of Oklahoma.

Naming this hospital in his honor ensures his legacy will endure, reminding us all of the standard he set as a public servant.

Oklahomans knew Senator Inhofe as their Senator, their mayor, their advocate, and most importantly, their friend. This designation is more than a tribute. It is a promise to carry forward his commitment to the men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedom of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Spina Bifida Awareness Month to pay tribute to the numerous individuals and their families across our country living with this condition.

Spina Bifida is a condition I am very familiar with. My sister and my niece both suffer from spina bifida. I know how it can impact a family.

Spina Bifida is the nation's most common permanently disabling birth defect-compatible with life. Spina Bifida stems from a hole in the spinal cord, a condition known as a neural tube defect, as the spinal column fails to close properly during development in the womb, and it impacts virtually every major organ system. Children born with Spina Bifida typically undergo dozens of surgeries before they become adults. Adults living with Spina Bifida face myriad physical health, mental health, and other challenges, such as unemployment and limited access to quality primary and specialty care.

There are currently an estimated 166,000 individuals in the United States living with Spina Bifida, approximately 65 percent of whom are adults. This disease is now witnessing its first generation of adults, an incredible milestone, considering that the original designation of Spina Bifida as a childhood condition meant that the vast majority did not experience life beyond youth.

We have taken tremendous steps forward in recent years due to dedicated medical research, but there is so much we still don't know.

Unfortunately, funding for Spina Bifida is limited. The only place in the Federal Government that is specifically studying this complex

condition for children and adults is the Spina Bifida Program at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the CDC through the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry and the Spina Bifida Collaborative Care Network.

People with Spina Bifida deserve no less than the rest of us as we age. We must ensure that adults with Spina Bifida can receive high- quality medical care and that researchers have the funds necessary to continue the development of treatments for spina bifida.