Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on my amendment.

Mr. Chairman, President Biden and congressional Democrats continue their attacks on traditional energy with proposed tax hikes that will kill jobs, raise fuel prices, and leave America more dependent on foreign oil.

This administration's proposed oil and natural gas tax hikes are harmful to our economy. The oil and natural gas industry accounts for 10.3 million jobs and is nearly 8 percent of our Nation's GDP.

This amendment shows it is the sense of Congress that we disapprove of this administration's proposed harmful tax hikes on the oil and gas industry.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle seem to be simultaneously concerned about high prices at the

pump while aggressively pursuing an agenda designed to entirely phase out oil and gas from domestic energy production. The audio simply doesn't match the video.

Uncertainty surrounding energy policy decisions in D.C. is causing oil and natural gas producers to make decisions based on unfavorable policies that haven't passed yet.

Repealing the immediate deduction of intangible drilling cost would cost 265,000 jobs. For every job lost in the oil and gas sector by repealing IDCs, two-and-one-half times as many indirect jobs are lost.

The percentage depletion deduction is the small business deduction for the smaller producers of oil and gas. Eliminating percentage depletion would force many family-owned small businesses to lay off employees or, worse, shut down operations altogether.

I am proud to support H.R. 1 to restore American energy independence.

Mr. Chairman, I urge all of our colleagues to disapprove of President Biden's tax hikes on the oil and gas industry by supporting this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong).

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

Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 1139.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my mother, Freda Flansburg.

My mom was born on March 5, 1944, and peacefully passed away last week, last Monday, January 2, 2023, at 12:20 a.m.

She was truly a fighter. She lost a child, my older sister, Kimberly, just after birth. She fought the loneliness of being a mom of two boys while my dad was away on multiple deployments to Vietnam. When the weariness of war destroyed our family, she started a new journey in life that traversed many unplanned hardships.

Life was truly tough as we grew up. My siblings, Jeff, John, Jayme, and Kia, knew from an early age that our life was different from those around us. We had no running water, no indoor plumbing. Times were tough.

My mom worked to do the best she could to provide for us. She never backed down from the challenges that came before her.

She never cared much for us using our life lessons as excuses. Rather, she pushed us to use our experiences to become better and to keep moving on.

Like all moms, she was an encourager. As the oldest child, she looked to me to set the example for my brothers and sisters. She wasn't sympathetic when things weren't going my way.

The world is full of opportunities, she would say. The challenge was always: go to school, make good grades, work hard, treat people with respect, and see where life takes you. The government will never make you wealthy, she said. You will have to do that on your own, she would always tell me.

My mom became a nurse and spent long hours taking care of the elderly in nursing homes. Many of my visits with my mom over the years were in the skilled nursing facilities as she would take a break from the grueling work schedule that she had that demanded so much of her.

After the long years of losing a child, raising five children, being a grandmother of countless grandchildren, and the arduous work of being a nurse, my mom's body had withered away.

Her heart had tired, and her eyes could no longer see. The last 4 years have been especially hard for me to watch her health rapidly decline.

Last Monday, my mom took her last breath on this earthly world. We all know she is in Heaven looking down upon us with Kimberly by her side. Her heart is strong, and her eyes are new.

My mom would have never wanted me to stay home and not do my job last week. She was with me all week as the world watched our great Nation debate the future of our Republic.

I especially thank the nurses and doctors who cared for my mother in her last years, months, and days. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

I thank my congressional colleagues for their kind words, sincere thoughts, and prayers over the last week.

I was truly moved by the outpouring of love from both Republicans and Democrats over the past week. I thank Democratic Leader Jeffries, Caucus Chair Aguilar, and so many of my Democratic colleagues for setting politics aside and offering quiet condolences.

To all of my Republican colleagues, I simply want to say thank you. From Leader Scalise, who contacted me immediately upon hearing the news, to the members of our freshman class, thank you all.

Finally, I thank my loving wife, Tammy, and my children, Ashtyn, Kelby, and Kaden, for their warmth and love during these difficult times.

To my mom in Heaven above, I simply want to say, I love you, and I miss you.

Mr. Speaker, on March 1, 2022, President Biden made a promise to the American people during the State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress. I was sitting in this room as the President stated: ``Under my plan, nobody earning less than $400,000 a year will pay an additional penny in new taxes. Nobody.''

Mr. Speaker, the President lied to us all because, in August 2022, CBO confirmed that the Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act, which supercharges the IRS with 87,000 new agents, will, in fact, lead to more audits and enforcement measures and higher taxes for families making less than $400,000 a year. In fact, the CBO confirmed that lower- and middle-income taxpayers would see as many as 710,000 more audits.

Americans are suffering under harmful inflation caused by the irresponsible fiscal policies from President Biden and our congressional Democrats. The last thing the American people need is burdensome IRS audits.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill to make Joe Biden's promise come true.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brian O'Hara in appreciation for his outstanding public service to the people of Oklahoma's First Congressional District and wish him well as he enters retirement.

Brian has spent nearly 10 years serving constituents in our district office as a congressional staffer, first with my predecessor, Jim Bridenstine, and then in our office. He has a lifetime of knowledge and experience that our office will dearly miss as he leaves his post.

Prior to his congressional staff career, Brian served as a councilman for the city of Jenks. He had a robust business career, as well.

In his private life, Brian contributes much of his time, money, and efforts to benefit several good causes. However, no cause has meant more to Brian than fighting against cancer, and I don't know anyone who has been a better ambassador for this profound effort.

Brian, thank you for serving our constituents in the great State of Oklahoma like every day is Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and your wife, Karen, and happy retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor an impressive accomplishment for a group of job creators and innovators in my district.

This week, the Mid Continent Group celebrates their 75th anniversary. Founded in Oklahoma City by economic and cultural pioneers J.H. Edwards, E. Fred Johnson, and C.R. Anthony, the Mid Continent Group eventually moved to Tulsa under the leadership of Senator Jim Inhofe's father, Perry Dyson Inhofe, Sr.

Since 1983, the Mid Continent Group has operated as a subsidiary of Great American Insurance, under the umbrella of American Financial Group (AFG). Their business-focused approach to commercial insurance has led them to sustained success in the Tulsa area. Much like Senator Inhofe and his family, they've had a lasting positive impact on our community and the state of Oklahoma.

I thank Mid Continent Group for 75 years of hard work to help businesses flourish, and thanks to all the individuals who have contributed to that mission.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 500.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor a woman who has served Tulsa veterans with care and compassion for years. Rachel Runfola is a champion for Oklahoma veterans. She works tirelessly to help the men and women who have faithfully served our country. She is an invaluable asset, not only to our veterans, but to all of Oklahoma.

Thanks to Rachel's leadership with Tulsa's Support Services for Veteran Families, our veterans have access to safe housing, and the support they need to maintain it.

SSVF works to help local veterans who are homeless, experiencing a housing crisis, or facing eviction within 21 days. SSVF covers 42 counties and is planning to help over 800 families every year.

Our veterans deserve the very best we have to offer, and I know Rachel gives them exactly that.

I thank Rachel and the entire SSVF team for what they do every day to give our community's veterans a better life. It does not go unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 7229, a bill originally introduced by Representative Walorski of Indiana, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting re-printings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the centennial commission of

the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that stands for the countless ultimate sacrifices of our military men and women in pursuit of preserving our American freedoms.

I am proud to highlight the people of Jenks, Oklahoma as they honor our great veterans in their local veterans park with the installation of a beautiful garden that stands as a powerful memorial to our heroes that we may not know, but must never forget.

I grieve for the many heroes that have been lost and celebrate their courage and dedication to fight in defense of the constitutional freedoms and liberties we celebrate today. May God give the unknown but unforgotten rest, and may God bless America.

Madam Speaker, I recognize today as National Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day, and additionally October as National Spina Bifida Month. Spina Bifida impacts families across our great nation, including my own; many in my family have suffered with Spina Bifida.

Spina Bifida is a birth defect which forms from a hole in the spiral cord where it fails to close properly, allowing nerves and fluid to form a sac outside the body. To correct this, the child must undergo dozens of surgeries before they become adults, and even then, they face a myriad of physical and mental health issues. No two children will be affected the same way, as each condition is unique.

In a testament to the innovation and research of our American scientific ingenuity, we currently have the first generation of adults to live with Spina Bifida. Still, there is much work to do. It is our responsibility to ensure proper funding for Spina Bifida care and research so that both treatment and quality of life improve for all Americans with the condition.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor a very special anniversary in my community.

In 1972, frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of early childhood care options for their visually impaired daughters, Marcia Mitchell and Sheryl Poole decided to take a leap of faith and founded the Little Light House. In the 50 years since, their organization has proved invaluable to countless families in the Tulsa area.

Their mission is simple: serving the whole family by offering free, unparalleled services to help every child reach their unlimited potential by providing tools to assist them in communicating, walking, and learning, all while serving and glorifying God.

The Little Light House has grown into a major operation, currently serving 116 families in their Developmental Center and 126 families in their Early Intervention Program. In 2006, they opened their first affiliate location in Jackson, Mississippi, and continue to expand the reach of their community impact to this day.

Marcia & Sheryl's mission still burns brightly at the heart of the Little Light House today.

I'm honored to recognize them as they celebrate this milestone. Happy 50th Anniversary, Little Light House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 77th anniversary of V-J Day on August 14, 2022. Without the sacrifices of our service members on that day, and on the horrific days of World War II leading up to it, we would not be a free people.

Victory over Japan Day, V-J Day, marked the triumph of American forces and the end of the most consequential war in modern history. This day commemorates the signing of Japan's surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay in 1945.

Our veteran community in Oklahoma esteems this day as all Americans should. Fewer and fewer members of the greatest generation are with us today, and those we have left are American treasures to admire.

Frank Reisinger, a veteran himself, is one such treasure who has coordinated the remembrance of this historic moment in Broken Arrow for many years. Frank still remembers celebrating the initial V-J Day in downtown Tulsa with his father 77 years ago as an 18-year-old young man. This memory is forever seared into Frank's mind and the inspiration of that glorious moment has lasted him a lifetime. Now he inspires countless others to revere our great American flag and the freedoms it represents.

I am thankful for this event and the work of Frank Reisinger, and the city of Broken Arrow to honor this day.

I rise today in strong opposition to the bill before us today.

Never in our history has the Federal Government responded to a recession by raising taxes on Americans. It is simply unthinkable.

Nearly everything our colleagues across the aisle have said about this bill has been proven false. I have noticed they have stopped calling it the inflation legislation because they know it is not true. They are hailing it as a climate and tax plan. I will give them that because this legislation will raise American taxes and give that money to handpicked socialist green companies. I wouldn't be proud of that if I were them.

What this bill will absolutely do is not reduce inflation. In fact, even liberal economists are warning it will do the exact opposite.

Just today, 56 percent of Democrats and 91 percent of Independents are now gravely concerned with the direction of our economy. I have received thousands of phone calls, text messages, and emails from my constituents over the last week pleading with me to stop this bill from passing. They understand what half of this Chamber does not.

When the Federal Government spends more, American families have less. I find nothing redeemable in this legislation and, therefore, I urge my colleagues to vote a resounding ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, a member of my delegation and my colleague, Mr. Lucas, for his leadership on this bill. No one has worked harder on this issue, and the fact that he is willing to stand up against it today is a testament to the importance of stopping the build back broke plan.

America is in crisis. Even Obama's economic advisers agree that wasteful government spending is what got us into this mess. And yet, the Democrats continue to push for more.

We are staring down the barrel of another useless, wasteful build back broke plan that will only make our problems worse.

We should not pass one more bill on this floor until we see a bill than reins in government spending, lowers taxes, unleashes American energy, and gets Americans back to work.

When the government spends more, the American people have less. The time to fight is now. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in opposition to this legislation.