Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center, David McBride, on his retirement after many years of service to the scientific community.

Pursuing his passion for aeronautics research, David kicked off his career with NASA as a cooperative education student in 1982. Specializing in digital flight control systems analysis, he explored the way in which aircraft perform under an array of flight test conditions. Wanting to continue his interest in the field, David received both an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of New Mexico, earning his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1985 and Executive Master of Business Administration in 1998.

Upon graduation, David climbed the ranks at NASA Armstrong, eventually becoming Program Manager for the Flight Research Program, as well as Deputy Center Director and Associate Director for Programs and Projects. In these roles, David was integral in the study, development, and testing of groundbreaking technologies, including the Intelligent Flight Control System, X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing flight research project, and solar-powered Helios aircraft.

In 2010, David was appointed Director of the Armstrong Flight Research Center, formerly the Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center. Under his leadership, NASA Armstrong remained the premier research center for aeronautics in the United States. In fact, NASA Armstrong conducted critical flight development tests over the years, including the notable testing of the X-48B/C hybrid wing body experimental aircraft and the testing of NASA Orion's launch and abort systems. Additionally, during David's tenure as Director, NASA Armstrong's Boeing 747SP SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) project became fully operational--a feat that has allowed our nation's foremost scientists to further our nation's scientific understanding.

Throughout his career, David has devoted himself to exploring new frontiers and building upon NASA Armstrong's proud legacy of scientific discovery. Though he will be greatly missed at the Armstrong Flight Research Center, I am confident David will continue to be a force in the world of scientific development. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California, I would like to thank David for his service to our community, and I wish him and his family the very best as they enter this new chapter of their lives.

Madam Speaker, after three unanimous consent requests of mine that were blocked, Congress will finally vote to provide Supreme Court Justices and their families with more security.

I am glad this bill is coming to the floor as is. The Senate passed it unanimously, 100-0, more than a month ago. Madam Speaker, the House Democrats have delayed it for more than a month.

The question the American public asks is why? Why would you delay it?

We have all known that additional security has been necessary since the Dobbs opinion was leaked last month. Justice Kavanaugh was targeted by an armed and dangerous man who flew clear across the country to kill him. He had zip ties. He had a plan.

Far-left groups have plans to target Justice Amy Coney Barrett and her children. They put out where their children go to school. But Congress kept it here for a month--for a month. These unnecessary delays put the safety of the Justices and their families in danger.

By passing the bill as is, we are sending a clear message to the leftwing radicals: You cannot intimidate the Supreme Court Justices. I hope we all take that message to heart.

How can we forget what Senator Schumer said? He didn't just say it-- he screamed it--on the steps of the Supreme Court. ``You will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.''

I don't know what he meant by, ``You will pay the price,'' because the Supreme Court Justices aren't up for an election. It couldn't be that they would lose at the polls. They are lifetime appointments.

Now, I don't know if that young man who came all the way from California to kill a Justice, if that is what he thought Schumer was saying, but what was he saying, ``You will pay the price''?

I hope Senator Schumer understands that his words have consequences. I believe he should apologize for contributing to this heated climate.

With that said, again, I am glad this bill is finally coming to the floor. It should not have been this hard or taken this long. Every single person in the Senate voted for it: Republican, Democrat, Independent. It sat here for a whole month. Even though we came

to the floor and asked for unanimous consent to bring it forward, we were denied.

It should not have taken a threat against Justice Kavanaugh to force action, a threat that even Speaker Pelosi dismissed in her press conference. She said, ``Everybody will be fine.''

But at the end of the day, this is the better bill, and I am glad it will be heading to the President's desk without any poison pills to ping it back to the Senate, to delay it further. This is a big victory.

Now, let's work to defend our justice system for everyone by upholding the rule of law which is under attack daily in our cities. We can't uphold the rule of law when there is looting, when cities and police stations are being burned down, when criminals are coddled instead of locked up.

Now that this Congress has come together to condemn intimidation against Supreme Court Justices, let's take the next step to keep America safe. Let's support our police, not defund them. Let's enforce all the laws on the books like the law that prohibits protesting outside Justices' homes. Even President Biden encouraged people to do that.

Let's get tough on crime so that every American can feel safe in their homes and in their communities. Just in my home State, back in the home city of our Speaker, San Francisco, the people had a big voice. They have just recalled their district attorney because of crime.

It is not for me to give any political advice to the other side of the aisle, but if you want to know what the Republican registration in San Francisco is, it is 6.8 percent. I think your message of defunding the police by this majority party, and I think your message of not upholding the law, the American public doesn't want that.

They want to feel safe, just as a Supreme Court Justice does. They want to be able to go do their jobs and not feel they are being intimidated.

Let's get tough on crime. We want the American public to feel safe in their homes and their communities. They want to feel safe. Those are the things that would create a safer, stronger America, just like we had before.

I will make this one promise. If Democrats don't do it during this Congress, I promise you we will in the next Congress, because there is definitely going to be a change.

Mr. Speaker, this is the third time I come to the floor to protect our Supreme Court Justices and their families. Speaker Pelosi said this bill would come to the floor this week, but it is not listed on our schedule.

The Speaker also said last week in her press conference that ``no one is in danger. . . .''

Think about that, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, last week, in a press conference, said no one is in danger. This is just after a day or 2 when a man came clear across the country from California to kill Justice Kavanaugh. He was on the street, had a weapon. He had zip ties. He had a plan.

At the same time, the Speaker says no one is in danger. But at the same time, the Senate already unanimously passed a bill with agreement from all 100 Senators. That wasn't passed last week; that was last month.

For 1 month, the majority of this House, Mr. Speaker, has held that bill,

a bill that every single Senator, Republican and Democrat and Independent, passed in the Senate. It simply states that we will protect the Supreme Court.

Mr. Speaker, you have probably noticed, as you came on to this Capitol, the intensity of force you see out in front of the Capitol. Is that because something is happening here today? No. It is in anticipation of a decision by the Supreme Court.

Everybody in the country knows that there could be a decision--not knowing which way it would go--but the anticipation is that people need protection in the Capitol.

At the same time that is happening, that you are protecting the Capitol, you are holding a bill to deny protection to those Justices.

It makes me wonder why. Why? Why, if 100 Senators approve it, would it hold here for an entire month?

Why, even after holding it for a month, somebody travels all the way across the country with one thing in mind, to kill a Supreme Court Justice, gets arrested, and still the Speaker of the House will not move that bill that the majority actually holds?

Just so the country can understand, no one on this side of the aisle, the Republican side of the aisle, objects to this bill. We agreed that we would agree to a unanimous consent.

All somebody had to do was make the motion and that could be on the President's desk; it could be signed; and they could be protected.

But for some reason, Mr. Speaker, the Democrats on the other side of the aisle, even though 100 Senators had agreed with us, everyone in your party on the Senate side said ``yes,'' you still say ``no.''

I do not understand that. I do not understand why we would risk that. I do not understand why you will make sure the Capitol is protected right now, knowing that something could happen in the Supreme Court this week, but you won't protect those Justices.

Now, the Speaker came to the floor at a press conference last week and said nobody, no one, is in danger. How can you make that statement in the same week someone is arrested in your neighborhood trying to kill you? It makes no sense.

Mr. Speaker, if for some reason that we continue to come to the floor, that you feel some pressure on that bill, but you change it, the country will know why because if you change the bill and move it back to the Senate, you are trying to kill it. You are trying to delay it. That is exactly what you are doing.

You can take a bill that every single Senator voted for and send it to the President to be signed. If you think something else needs to be added, run it by itself.

But if you want to ping-pong it and delay the process, I think that is wrong. I think you are jeopardizing people's lives. I think you are jeopardizing the safety of the Supreme Court. I think you are playing more games than anybody in this country can understand, and we do not understand why because there has been no clear answer.

Why would you hold the bill for more than a month?

Why would you hold the bill after somebody is arrested who traveled across the country to kill a Justice? Why would you continue to hold the bill now?

If you change it, you are showing the country what you really believe. You don't want the bill to pass. You want to delay it longer.

There is no excuse. There is no reason to delay this bill. This should be law, and the Justices should be protected.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table S. 4160, the Supreme Court Police Parity Act, and ask for immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, later in this day, it could. There is no excuse why this bill continues to be held, and there will be no excuse if you try to change it to delay it. That is just a tactic, Mr. Speaker, and I believe you thought it would be wrong as well.

Madam Speaker, I once again come to the floor to try to protect our Supreme Court.

Just yesterday, a man who wanted to kill Justice Kavanaugh was arrested outside the Justice's home. He was arrested with weapons on his person. Justice Kavanaugh has a wife and children. Yes, he does.

The Senate already passed a bill with agreement from 100 Senators to enhance the security protection for members of the Court and their families. Madam Speaker, it has sat here for a month--a month.

Yet, yesterday, House Democrats are leaving. Today, they want to leave for a long weekend. They gave tomorrow back.

I spoke to the majority leader this morning. I told him nobody on this side would object, a unanimous consent. He could run that bill on the floor right now and send it to the President so we could protect the Supreme Court.

How many times do they have to be threatened? How many people have to be arrested with a gun outside their homes? What would have happened had he not called 911? He didn't just have a gun. He had zip ties.

But somehow, you want to leave. This bill could be on the President's desk right now.

Now, think about this. This is coming from the same party whose White House press secretary said this, encouraged protests ``outside of judges' homes.'' She even said that that was President Biden's position.

Let's not forget Majority Leader Schumer screaming on the steps of the Supreme Court. What did he say? Madam Speaker, I want you to listen to these words, and I want you to think about these words. What do you think the American public would think Schumer was telling them to do? He said: ``You will pay the price. You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.''

Now, I don't know if that young man yesterday with that gun and zip ties that was at the home of Justice Kavanaugh listened to this and that is why he went. I don't know, but I do know that is wrong. I do know we can change that. I do know we can protect them.

That bill has been sitting here for 1 month. I talked to the majority leader today. The only idea people have: Well, let's change it.

What does it mean if it is changed? It means it goes back to the Senate and waits longer.

Why? Why would we do that?

Every single Senator voted for it. And I promise you this: Every single Republican on this side would give unanimous consent to pass that, send it to the President, and protect the Supreme Court.

Enough is enough.

I know the Democrats want to defund the police. I know what they want to do across this country, but this is wrong. This is pure politics. And it has got to stop.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table S. 4160, the Supreme Court Police Parity Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I want it very clear, it is cleared on the House Republican side. There is not one Republican objecting, so the only place it is not being cleared is on the Democrats' side, and it is not moving. It has been sitting on the desk for a month, and that is wrong.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Antelope Valley Community

College District (AVCCD) President and Superintendent, Edward Knudson, on his retirement from AVCCD after serving in higher education for over three decades.

Like many Americans in the Vietnam era, Ed answered the call to serve our nation in the United States Armed Forces. He continued this proud legacy of service by transitioning to the field of higher education. Working at his alma mater in the College of Business at Oregon State University, Ed moved on to teach at a number of institutions, including the University of Georgia, Western Oregon University, and the Linn- Benton Community College.

In 2002, Ed made his way to Bakersfield, California, where I would get to know him, his passion for teaching, and his love for the college community. Initially the Dean of Economic and Workforce Development at Bakersfield College, Ed was swiftly promoted to Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2006. In 2009, Ed moved to Moorpark College and in 2013, began his career with Antelope Valley College.

Serving as the President and Superintendent of AVCCD, Ed transformed the school. Under his leadership, Antelope Valley College awarded a record-setting number of degrees and certificates to students and a significant construction bond was passed, providing $350 million towards renovations of the school's facilities. Moreover, Ed positioned Antelope Valley College to better serve our community's local workforce needs by developing a bachelor's degree program in Airframe Manufacturing for students.

Throughout his life, Ed has devoted himself to instilling a sense of duty and love of learning to every student he met. Though he will be greatly missed at AVCCD, I am confident he will continue to shape the lives of countless individuals. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California, I would like to thank Ed for his service in higher education to our community in Bakersfield and Lancaster, and I wish him and his wife, Susan, the very best as they enter this new chapter in their lives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding leadership and proud legacy of community service of Pastor Robin Robinson of Bakersfield, California.

Born in Bakersfield and raised in Oklahoma, Pastor Robinson returned to her roots in Kern County when she was 15 years old, moving back to the Golden State to attend Arvin High School. After graduation, she went straight into the workforce, earning a California State contractor's license to start out and becoming a small business owner within the oil industry. By age 26, Pastor Robinson joined Canyon Hills Church as Bus Director--a move that would alter the trajectory of both the church and Pastor Robinson's life forever.

Transformed by the word of God while at Canyon Hills Church, Pastor Robinson decided to enroll in seminary and embark on a life of service. Upon graduation, she served as the church's Children's Pastor for ten years, sharing the Gospel with our community's youth. Because of her dedication and devotion to the congregation, she later became the Outreach Pastor, the Junior High Pastor which she served as for 19 years, and then the Adult Ministries Pastor, helping to lead the congregation with strength and compassion.

In 2019, Pastor Robinson accepted an offer to lead CityServe Kern County, a nonprofit that helps connect and empower local churches to better support the needs of our community. As the Community Development and Church Engagement Director, Pastor Robinson coordinated with businesses, local partners, and 120 churches in Kern County to help the most vulnerable receive much-needed food, secure housing, and obtain critical job

training. CityServe's work grew tenfold during the coronavirus pandemic and in 2020, the organization provided over 150,000 meals and supplies to residents, due in large part to Pastor Robinson's work, which led to CityServe being recognized as the 2021 Nonprofit of the Year for California's 16th Senate District.

Throughout her life, Pastor Robinson has led with grace, humility, and a steadfast devotion to God and community. Though she will be greatly missed in Bakersfield, I am confident she will continue to uplift and transform the people around her. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California, I would like to thank Pastor Robinson for her decades of service to our community and I wish her and Corby the very best as they enter this next chapter of life spending more time with their children, Casey and Haley, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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

Mr. Speaker, earlier today, a man was arrested for plotting to kill Justice Kavanaugh.

Over a month ago, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to provide more security for Supreme Court Justices and their families, but House Democrats have let that bill gather dust. This is the same party whose heated rhetoric has encouraged political pressure on conservative Justices.

Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said:

I know that there is an outrage right now, I guess, about

protests that have been peaceful to date, and we certainly do

continue to encourage that, outside judges' homes, and that

is the President's position.

And Majority Leader Schumer said:

I want to tell you, Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Gorsuch,

you have unleashed a whirlwind, and you will pay the price.

You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these

awful decisions.

Mr. Speaker, with words like that and threats like these, Congress cannot afford to wait. We have a duty to protect the Court, the Justices, and their families from political violence and intimidation. And we can meet that duty tonight before the House adjourns by sending this bill to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table S. 4160, Supreme Court Police Parity Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, it is cleared on the Republican side.

No. I am just stating there is no objection on the Republican side, so that would only be the Democrats holding the bill up.

Mr. Speaker, it is an open secret that Americans are facing serious challenges today. Many of these challenges are Washington-inflicted caused by Democrats' incompetence and radicalism. Absolute chaos on the southern border, unsafe streets, record-high gas prices, rising inflation, a broken supply chain, an ongoing labor shortage, a failing education system, and, of course, a baby formula shortage they knew about for more than a year.

Will this Congress be remembered as the Congress that addressed these issues? Probably not. Instead, this Congress will go down in history as the out-of-touch Congress.

This week, as families scramble to find baby formula, Speaker Pelosi's House decided to add special new perks for Washington lawmakers and staff. One of those perks was a VIP membership to Peloton gyms; paid for by hardworking American taxpayers. What is next, free Jeni's ice cream?

You may be asking: What is Peloton? It is a bike that costs about $2,000. Not only that, each month you pay a monthly subscription fee to ride your $2,000 bike. Best of all, it is stationary. They charge you about $300 to set it up. It is a $2,000 bike that you pay to use and pay to set up that doesn't go anywhere. What a business.

Speaker Pelosi decided to give everyone in Congress a Peloton gym membership; more specifically, the premier employee benefits package. You know what, she did it without any debate or discussion with any Republicans.

First, they appoint a political committee and don't allow the Republicans to name anybody. Now they decide to use your taxpayer money and never talked to the other side. We were left in the dark. Congress, meaning taxpayers, will pay Peloton $10,000 up front and $10 per month per person. In all, this contract could cost taxpayers

an extra $100,000 or more per month. I guess New York City isn't the only place Speaker Pelosi went on a spending spree last week.

As the sixth richest Member of Congress, the Speaker might not be worried about this costly new program, but American families should sweat it. It comes as families are getting crushed by the worst inflation in 40 years. It is insane.

It is also redundant. Members and staff already have access to a congressional gym for a membership fee. The Peloton perk did not replace it. Instead, it duplicates it.

I would like to see any Democrat go to their district, my district, anyone else's district and defend this; look people straight in the face. I will tell you what is happening in our district, there are parents who are going to eight or nine stores looking for baby formula, paying for gas that you can barely afford.

Instead of trying to help these struggling families, Democrats are plundering their pocketbooks to pay for Pelosi's Peloton membership.

You can't image a more out-of-touch party. This isn't just an exception; it is the rule in the Democratic conference. Let me tell you something, Mr. Speaker. I actually heard your conference chair, Hakeem Jeffries, say--talking about the Democrat agenda and saying about gas prices: ``That issue hasn't come up in our conference.'' It has come up in every single American's kitchen table, but not in the Democratic conference.

Mr. Speaker, we also heard a Democrat Member, Congresswoman Porter, who said: ``We aren't seeing inflation in the polls.'' I am not sure what polls they are taking that they think that Peloton for Members and staff is going to solve this problem.

In the Democratic conference nobody talks about gas prices because they haven't heard about it. The polling says inflation doesn't come up. Yet, as we speak, Democrats are pushing for more reckless spending and higher taxes that will only make this problem worse.

Mr. Speaker, I remember sitting on this floor, talking in this mike, warning the majority party, the Democrats, if they went through with the reckless spending of almost $2 trillion that inflation would come. The sad part, Mr. Speaker, is that it wasn't just the Republicans warning you, it was Democrats; those that had worked in the Obama administration and the Biden administration.

Lo and behold, what have we found, Mr. Speaker? Inflation. They first want to tell America, no, it is just temporary. No, it is not. We now have the former ex-Fed chair saying you are going to get stagflation, just like in the 1970s. Do you remember in the late 1970s when you couldn't get gas on an even day if your license plate ended in an odd number? Now you don't know if you can afford it when you pull up.

You don't know if your credit card goes high enough. You don't know if you have enough money to go. You are filling it up because you are trying to drive to find baby formula that the administration knew about for a year and did nothing about.

We have watched a Congress be so partisan. We have watched a Washington with one-party rule and only care about one person-- themselves. Their first bill was about changing election law so they could dictate who wins. Then when the polls were bad and they were going to lose, they appointed a political committee to go after their political opponents.

That is all going to change in 174 days from now. That focus is going to be on you, the American people. It is not going to be more Pelotons for those in Congress. It is not going to be wasting your taxpayer money. It is not going to be appointing committees and not allowing the other side just to go after your political opponents. It is going to be focusing on America.

Do you know what the rise in gas prices with this one-party rule has done to America? It is costing every family more than $2,000. The rising prices are costing them an extra $5,000. An open border is now costing the lives of Americans.

Fentanyl is the number one cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. I don't know how that doesn't show up on their polls. Now what do they want to do? They want to lift title 42. It is not just Republicans warning them, it is Democrats, who sat as Secretaries of Homeland Security, warned them not to do it.

I don't know if they think it will take the attention away from no baby formula, can't afford gas, inflation continuing to rise; but they think they are doing all right.

We should reward staff and get them a Peloton membership. Don't just get them any membership, get them the VIP. They think it doesn't cost you anything because they take it to the American taxpayer, the hardworking taxpayer, to spend more of your money. Just like they did with $2 trillion. Just like they wanted to do more with their Build Back Better.

Have they not learned enough? If you go to their conferences, I am not sure what they talk about. They say they don't bring up the gas price. They say inflation doesn't show up in the polls. They are probably looking at more perks and spending more tax dollars. That day is ending soon and a new Congress with a focus on the American people and the future of America is soon to come.

Mr. Speaker, I come from the part of the country where people are used to working hard and making things. For some, it is producing oil and natural gas. For others, it is farming. For me, it was owning a small business.

What we do may be different, but why we do it is not. We want to provide a better life for our family and our children. That is the American Dream. That is what we strive for. That is what we sacrifice for. That is what Democrats' radical policies are destroying.

Today, the ex-Chairman of the Federal Reserve said the U.S. economy is heading toward stagflation for the first time since the 1970s. Remember, in the late 1970s, Democrats had control of the White House, the Senate, and the House, just like they do now.

The CEO of Goldman Sachs also said that the risk of falling into a recession is very high.

Did you ever think that would happen in just 1 year of one-party rule?

The last time we went through stagflation was in the 1970s after an oil supply shock. Today, Democrats' radical policies are leading to a similar shock in terms of energy.

Since April 2021, prices have risen at least 5 percent every month. This year, under one-party control, prices have risen at least 7 percent for 5 consecutive months.

Now, what does that mean to the average American? Well, it means to every single American, in gas costs alone, families will pay an extra $2,000 this year to fill up at the pump.

That is $2,000, Mr. Speaker. That is money that could have been used for their children's education, summer vacation, or just paying the house payment or rent.

Democrats are presiding over one of the costliest years in recent history, and the next year could be even worse. Americans need stable, competent leadership that understands the problems our country is facing.

Want to lower the gas prices? The Republicans' answer is to unleash American energy. The Democrats' answer is to hire another six-figure, out-of-touch Washington bureaucrat who has never run a business to tell people who work for a living what to do, or what the President did just a week ago: shut down more leases and opportunity for America to produce oil, but try to buy it somewhere else, maybe Russia.

They are attacking energy producers to shift blame from their own failures. They have no better answers to the problems they created except to demand more control.

Mr. Speaker, that is what got us here in the first place. Last March, do we all remember when the Democrats dumped $2 trillion into a recovering economy and paid people not to work?

I remember very well, Mr. Speaker. Over on this side of the aisle, we warned you if you go through with this, you will create inflation.

Every single Democrat said no. They voted for it. Every single Republican knew what would happen, and they said no. They believed in the American people: Don't punish them. Don't cost them more.

Then, we heard the likes of it was transitory inflation; it wouldn't last; it was only short term. Every month, 5 percent growth, and then it went to 7 percent, and now we have the ex-Fed Chair saying stagflation, something we haven't seen since the 1970s.

One-party rule, in only a year and a half, not only has created inflation like we haven't seen in 40 years; it is putting the punishment onto the American people.

This $2 trillion that you claimed was going to go for COVID--when it is less than 9 percent--the scheme worked well for the well-connected when you are in one-party control. Blue States got bailouts. Washington Democrats got more power. Working families got crushed by the worst inflation in 40 years. This is why Americans don't trust Democrats.

Mr. Speaker, for all of those watching, for all of those struggling to put gas in the tank and food on the table, we know Democrats think they can afford to stay in power for 2 more years. The question is: Can you?

Mr. Speaker, crime and the fear of crime impacts the lives of every American.

We know its rising pace: carjackings at record highs; smash-and-grab robberies surging; and at least 12 major cities breaking homicide records in 2021.

We know its price in dollar terms: $200 billion annually in a regressive crime tax.

We know its widespread costs to families who are afraid to walk the streets at night.

We know the tragic costs it inflicts in death and suffering.

And we know its root cause: soft-on-crime policies, far-left prosecutors, and radical Democrats. From Seattle and Portland to New York City and Washington, D.C., Democrats have failed the first duty of government. They have failed to keep citizens safe.

Now, some House Democrats want to erase their own soft-on-crime record, but the American people will not be fooled. This Congress, 219 House Democrats voted for a bill that would cost local police departments hundreds of millions of dollars.

The American people can't afford Democrats' radical agenda of fewer police officers on the streets, fewer criminals behind bars, more victims of violent crime.

Our police officers can't afford it either. Last year, more officers were murdered in the line of duty during President Biden's first year in office than at any point since 1995.

Mr. Speaker, let me say that again. Last year, more officers were murdered in the line of duty during President Biden's first year in office than at any point since 1995.

One of those officers was Kern County Sheriff's Office Deputy Phillip Campas. He was a rising star who was killed in the line of duty last year after his SWAT team responded to a domestic violence call. He leaves behind a wife and a young family.

He grew up in my hometown, and he went to the exact same elementary school and junior high that I did. Campas was a bright example of what it means to serve others. Fittingly, this year, his name was added to the Roll Call of Heroes on the National Peace Officers' Memorial in Washington, D.C.

To Deputy Campas' children, we cannot begin to imagine your sadness and pain, but I want you to know this: Your father was a hero. We will never forget him.

Mr. Speaker, the solution to safer communities is the exact opposite of Democrats' radical agenda. This crime crisis deserves serious leadership, and it starts with stepping up and supporting law enforcement.

Our brave officers face enormous challenges, yet they choose to wear the uniform every day. It is not enough to fully fund them. They must know we have their backs.

So, as National Police Week begins, I want to say something our law enforcement officers don't hear enough: Thank you. Thank you for protecting our communities. Thank you for protecting our children. Thank you for protecting our country.

While radical Democrats want to defund, demonize, and abolish the police, Republicans salute you, and we will always support you.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a dear friend, Beverly ``Bev'' Camp, of Bakersfield, California. After battling cancer for nearly two years, Bev passed away on February 19, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Queens, New York, Bev entered the world on July 29, 1962 to two loving parents. As the youngest of three children, she was curious and patient, always putting others before herself. In 1979, when Bev was 17, her family packed their bags and moved out to Bakersfield, California--the city where Bev would meet her husband and partner in life, raise three beautiful children, and make countless contributions to our community.

A woman of faith and compassion, Bev devoted her time to charitable causes. As a member of Catholic Charities, Bev advanced the launch of Harvest of Hope, an annual fundraiser that provides financial support to low-income families facing hardship, and helped found the organization's Career and Education Center, which helps students develop career skills for future employment. Along with her husband Jim, Bev's philanthropic efforts were impactful to many other community initiatives. In 2019, the pair helped establish the county's first burn unit at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital and more recently, were leading the expansion project for Mercy Hospital Southwest to address the growing needs of Bakersfield residents.

In recognition of her efforts, Bev was regularly recognized with awards by local organizations, including Community Action Partnership of Kern County's Humanitarian of the Year, the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Community Service Award, and Garden Pathways' Woman with a Heart for Bakersfield.

Above all, Bev loved her family. She enjoyed watching her kids grow and took pride in the Sunday family dinners she cooked after church. Bev is survived by her husband Jim; her parents Bruce and Margaret Murray; and her three sons, Bruce and wife, Kayla; Kurt and wife, Montse; and Scott.

On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California, it is my privilege to honor Bev's life and the remarkable service and impact she had on our community. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones as they mourn the loss of an incredible woman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Roy Sekine on his retirement from the County of Kern in California after 31 years of service to our community.

A friend and public servant, Roy attended college at California State University, Bakersfield, graduating in 1991 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. While still a college senior, Roy began working at the Kern County Library--which currently serves over 850,000 county residents--as a systems coordinator. Maintaining his employment with the organization upon graduation, Roy spent the next six years transforming the library system. Roy's tireless efforts led to the installation of the first public internet terminal at Beale Library, the

implementation of Netscape browsers throughout the 30 County Library Branches, and a swift transition to the electronic book checkout system for Kern County residents.

One year after transferring to the Bakersfield Municipal Court in 1997, Roy was recruited to the Kern County Department of Child Support Services (KCDCSS). Named the Local Area Network Systems Administrator for KCDCSS, Roy led critical improvements to the Department's technology systems for over 20 years, enabling the organization to better assist parents and youth in our community. With a savviness in computer networking and operations management, Roy helped start the KIDZ Child Support Program and implement the State of California's CASES Child Support Program locally. Additionally, when the coronavirus pandemic forced KCDCSS operations online, Roy helped County staff work through technological issues so they could continue to serve Kern County residents in a seamless fashion.

Roy's service to Kern County is undeniable. In 2020, he was recognized with the KCDCSS Values Award for Teamwork for his patience, work ethic, and respect for all. On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California, l want to thank my good friend Roy for his unwavering commitment to bettering our community and Kern County government that serves many of my constituents. Judy and I wish him the best as he enters this new chapter in his life.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

Madam Speaker, two wrongs don't make a right.

Let me be clear: the riot on January 6 was wrong. Any violence on that day should be punished, as I have said before.

But make no mistake: the Democrats' response is also wrong.

For 15 months, Democrats have used January 6 as a blank check to trample on civil rights and congressional norms.

They broke every rule, violated every norm, bullied every skeptic simply to hold on to power.

Let's be honest: this is a political show trial.

The committee has sent hundreds of subpoenas to private citizens for phone records, bank records, and private communications.

To those who invoked their right to due process, Chairman Thompson replied, `` . . . you are part and parcel guilty to what occurred.''

What a disgusting betrayal of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

But think for a second about what Chairman Thompson is saying. If you question his authority, if you disobey his demands, then you are a criminal and you should be punished.

Congresswoman Luria, who is also on the select committee agrees. Last week, she criticized Attorney General Garland for not putting her political opponents in jail fast enough. She told Garland, `` . . . do your job so we can do ours.''

I am sure some Members got real excited by that.

Democrats are using the power of the Federal Government to jail their political opponents and threatening the Attorney General for not doing it fast enough.

In their twisted view, this agreement is immoral. Dissent is a crime. And they are to be obeyed without question.

Today's resolution is also about criminalizing dissent.

I can pause, Mr. Speaker, if he needs to listen more.

I was going to tell Mr. Speaker if the House is not in order, and you need to listen to staff, I can pause.

No. I said to Mr. Speaker, the House is not in order.

There was no yielding. Your staff is continuing to communicate.

I think if I am speaking, the House should be in order. I don't know if that is a criminal offense, too.

Mr. Speaker, I have the time. You have the gavel.

Mr. Speaker, the House is not in order. He has not been recognized.

Mr. Speaker, for the House to be in order, should people be in their seats, or should people be talking?

Mr. Speaker, the House is not in order. People are standing and talking.

Mr. Speaker, today's resolution is about criminalizing dissent.

Democrats are threatening to throw in jail a good man who has done nothing but attempt to follow the law simply because he is President Trump's closest aid.

Mr. Scavino does not deserve that.

He tried to cooperate with the select committee's requests. He sent timely letters to the committee to clarify the vague scope of the requested testimony.

He even offered to answer the committee's questions in writing, which the committee's rules allow for, so he could balance cooperation with fair concerns about executive privilege.

But the committee rejected every compromise. It is their way or no way.

It took them 2 months to reply to Mr. Scavino's letter, then another 6 weeks. Then they rushed to hold him in contempt.

They also demanded the right to ask any question they wanted, including on topics that have nothing to do with protecting the Capitol, like the 25th Amendment.

Even if you agree that the select committee has a legislative purpose, the fact is that purpose is not unlimited.

The committee must identify a specific nexus between its legislative purpose and the information it wants. But it never identified the nexus for the information it was seeking from Mr. Scavino.

And I bet it won't identify that nexus today either. Why? Because the nexus does not exist.

Without it, their subpoena is invalid.

Congressional oversight is supposed to inform the legislative process and must have a valid legislative purpose. It is not there so the swamp can bully its political enemies.

Let's be honest. Mr. Scavino never acted like he was above the law, and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. If anyone has acted like they are above the law, it is the Select Committee.

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, two wrongs don't make a right.

The riot on January 6 was wrong, but Democrats' reaction to trample American civil liberties is also wrong.

Do we really want to live in a country where politicians can seize your phone records, compel your testimony, and ignore your rights because they disagree with your politics?

Most Americans don't want to live in a country like that.

That happens in Russia, in Communist China, in North Korea. It should never happen in America.

But, Mr. Speaker, under one-party rule, it is. But to all Americans, when we take back the House, it will stop.

Madam Speaker, tonight, Congress opens back up for the first time in 49 years without Congressman Don Young, and this Chamber is going to feel a big hole, especially, off to my left in the back side in that chair. No one in here has assigned seating, except our dean did.

For the first time in 49 years, we will not hear Don's booming voice yelling ``regular order.''

For the first time in 49 years, we won't see that big smile or friendly laugh.

For the first time in 49 years, we won't hear that strong voice when it comes to an issue about Alaska. But we will never forget him or the legacy he leaves behind.

Don taught all of us, and especially me, three big lessons.

First, he taught us how to fight for what you believe in, regardless of party.

Second, he taught us how deep a love can be for your own family, and savor every moment together.

Third, he reminded us of what an honor it is to serve our constituents.

We will miss Don deeply. But more importantly, we will not forget him.

Madam Speaker, I ask that the House rise to observe a moment of silence for our dean, Congressman Don Young.