Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Publix Super Markets as they donate their one-hundred-millionth pound of produce to food banks across their eight-State footprint.

When leaders at Publix learned that farmers were plowing under produce crops in 2000 because markets dried up, they decided to purchase produce from farmers and give it away to their partners at Feeding America.

As of today, Publix has donated 100 million pounds of produce to 35 food banks.

I am proud to have Publix headquartered in my congressional district and appreciate all they are doing in partnership with food banks throughout the Southeast.

We congratulate all Publix associates on this important milestone and for doing good, together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding performance of Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida's 15th Congressional District.

U.S. News and World Report recently released the 2024 Best High Schools list, which ranked 25,000 high schools throughout the United States based on college preparedness, performance, proficiency, and graduation rates. I am proud to say that some of Hillsborough County's high schools were ranked among the best educational institutions not just in Florida but in the Nation, which is a remarkable achievement.

This honor is a testament to the dedicated students, teachers, and administrators in Hillsborough County. It is clear that our schools are full of individuals who are committed to providing high-quality education initiatives and ensuring that our students are well prepared for the next chapter of life.

I am excited to see what the future holds for our students, the faculty, and our community in Florida's 15th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 474) to amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen reporting to the CyberTipline related to online sexual exploitation of children, to modernize liabilities for such reports, to preserve the contents of such reports for 1 year, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 474, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, the bill we are here to discuss today is the Revising Existing Procedures on Reporting via Technology Act, or REPORT Act.

This is a strong bipartisan bill that provides additional tools to investigate and catch criminal purveyors of child sex abuse material, or CSAM.

The exploitation of children through CSAM remains a serious problem both within the United States and abroad. We have heard extensive testimony about these issues in our two victims' focused hearings in the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance of the Judiciary Committee, one in September and one earlier this month.

Reports of CSAM continue to grow exponentially, with 3,000 reports in 1998 growing to more than 1 million in 2014 and 36.2 million in 2023.

We have gaps in Federal law that prevent the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children, or NCMEC, from preserving reports of CSAM, which hinders law enforcement from holding these predators accountable.

With the growing proliferation of CSAM on the internet, NCMEC, Homeland Security investigations, and other entities that protect children need additional support and investigative tools to bring these predators to justice.

The REPORT Act will extend the duration for which evidence submitted to the CyberTipline is preserved from 90 days to 1 year.

This will allow law enforcement agencies the much-needed time to conduct comprehensive investigations and strengthen the legal framework against online predators.

This bill will strengthen existing law that requires providers to report to law enforcement as soon as reasonably possible after obtaining information about CSAM.

Currently, many providers maintain an adequate reporting system. However, the REPORT Act will increase fines for companies that fail to meet these standards and will further penalize companies that repeatedly fail to report exploitative contact.

I thank all of the advocates who helped us get where we are today with this bill, including the American Conservative Union, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, International Justice Mission, Rights4Girls, PACT- USA, Raven, the Tim Tebow Foundation, and so many more.

I cannot thank them enough for all that each of them does to protect and advocate on behalf of child victims in both the United States and abroad.

I also thank my colleagues across the aisle for their support of this bill, including Representative Madeleine Dean, Representative Lucy McBath, and Representative Glenn Ivey.

Lastly, I thank law enforcement for their tireless efforts to protect children, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces across the country.

This legislation will make a significant impact on our ability to investigate and prosecute child predators. I am thrilled this bill passed out of the Judiciary Committee 23-0, and I am thrilled to see it brought before this Chamber for a vote today.

Simply put, the legislation is crucial. It is supported by law enforcement, advocacy groups, and tech companies alike. It is bipartisan, it is common sense, and it will save lives.

I urge all my colleagues to pass the REPORT Act and take this important step to protect children.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Dean. It was a privilege to cosponsor this important legislation with her.

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

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution to impeach Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

We are here today to address one of the most serious responsibilities that we can undertake as Congress, the impeachment of Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The Committee on Homeland Security has worked diligently to investigate and consider the causes and the consequences of the catastrophe at our southern border, and it has concluded that it is necessary and appropriate to pursue this impeachment.

Since President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas took office, there have been over 8.3 million illegal crossings nationwide. We have seen the devastating effects of human trafficking, of fentanyl trafficking, and what happens when we cede operational control of our southern border to the Mexican drug cartels.

Secretary Mayorkas has refused to enforce the duly enacted laws passed by this Congress. By doing so, he has endangered our homeland, a direct violation of his oath of office. Even in the face of irrefutable evidence to the contrary, he has given false testimony to Congress, claiming that the border is secure. He has defied court orders ordering the Secretary to abandon the illegal programs and policies that he has implemented, which incentivize illegal immigration.

House Republicans know that border security is national security, and the crisis at our border is a critical threat to our national security and the safety of the American people.

Secretary Mayorkas has willfully and deliberately refused to uphold the laws of the United States, he has violated his oath of office, and he has breached the public trust.

Congress has a constitutional duty to secure our border and to ensure our communities are safe. We cannot allow an executive branch agency head to defy the lawful authority of Congress and the courts in pursuit of policies that are contrary to law and endangering Americans. That is why Secretary Mayorkas must be impeached.

Mr. Speaker, last week, I joined Speaker Johnson and a group of my House Republican colleagues in Eagle Pass, Texas, where we witnessed firsthand the catastrophe that is ensuing at our southern border. Illegal immigrant encounters have reached an all-time high, and human trafficking and fentanyl smuggling are destroying our communities.

We heard from local law enforcement, ranchers, and community members about the catastrophic effects of this lawlessness happening in their backyard, and we spoke with Customs and Border Patrol personnel, who shared the profound physical and emotional burden of working every day on the front lines of this crisis.

These agents are ready, willing, and able to secure our border, but are being prevented from doing so by the reckless immigration policies of this administration.

It is past time for us to secure our border, restore accountability, and bring back law and order in America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in expressing support of S. 2747, a bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the Administrative Fine Program for certain reporting violations.

As the expiration deadline of December 31, 2023, approaches rather quickly, we, the Members of the House of Representatives, have an opportunity to continue a trend of bipartisan oversight of the Federal Election Commission.

If passed, S. 2747 will mark the seventh time lawmakers have recognized the administrative importance and financially beneficial structure of the Administrative Fine Program.

As the former Florida Secretary of State, I know firsthand that voters will always seek transparency from political candidates and campaigns.

Elections officials have a saying: Elections are partisan. Elections administration is not.

This bill is an example of the transparency and confidence that Americans want to see in their elections. These same themes can be found in the American Confidence in Elections Act, which passed out of the Committee on House Administration in mid-July.

Today, however, we have the opportunity to showcase the diligent work completed by members of the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules Committee.

I urge my colleagues to support S. 2747, so the Federal Election Commission can continue to ensure confidence in our political process.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in expressing support of S. 2747, a bill to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the Administrative Fine Program for certain reporting violations.

As the expiration deadline of December 31, 2023, approaches rather quickly, we, the Members of the House of Representatives, have an opportunity to continue the trend of bipartisan oversight of the Federal Election Commission.

If passed, S. 2747 will mark the seventh time that lawmakers have recognized the administrative importance and financially beneficial structure of the Administrative Fine Program.

As the former Florida Secretary of State, I know firsthand that voters will always seek transparency from political candidates and political campaigns.

Elections officials have a saying: Elections are partisan. Elections administration is not.

This bill is an example of that very principle. It is an example of the transparency and the confidence that Americans want to see in their elections. These same themes can be found in the American Confidence in Elections Act, which passed out of the Committee on House Administration in mid-July and is an example of the types of procedures and principles and laws that can be guidance for every State in America.

Today, we have the opportunity to showcase the cooperation, the diligence, and the work completed by members and staff on the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules Committee. This bill reflects our shared values, bipartisanship, transparency, and good governance.

I urge my colleagues to support S. 2747 so the Federal Election Commission can continue to ensure confidence and transparency in our elections process.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Plant City Fire Rescue's Firefighter of the Year, Devin Johnson.

Mr. Johnson has the true heart of a public servant and has selflessly served our Plant City community for the past 5 years as a paramedic and firefighter.

In 2021, Mr. Johnson completed the necessary certification to become a standalone paramedic and provide the highest level of lifesaving care to our community.

This year alone, Mr. Johnson has provided over 1,000 hours as a field training officer in the paramedic internship program, leading and guiding students to better their community. He has also worked more than 500 hours of overtime to keep the fire rescue running operationally.

Mr. Johnson's Plant City Fire Rescue colleagues recognized him for his hard work, reliability, expertise, and continued dedication to the department and to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Firefighter Johnson, and I thank him for his service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the American Confidence in Elections Act, the most transformative election integrity bill to be considered in the House in decades.

Over the summer, the American Confidence in Elections Act, or ACE Act, passed out of the Committee on House Administration.

The ACE Act equips States with election integrity tools, implements key reforms in D.C., and protects political speech.

In examining history, precedent, the Framers' words, debates concerning ratification, the Supreme Court, and our Constitution, we know the division of power between States and the Federal Government provides Congress with a limited oversight of Federal elections.

With this responsibility, we created the American Confidence in Elections Act to help ensure that States are best equipped with the tools they need to perform successful election administration.

As Florida's former secretary of state, I oversaw elections as our State's chief election official.

I know firsthand just how important efficient and effective election administration measures are in ensuring that Americans continue to cast their ballots and participate in our democracy.

As chair of the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections, one of my top priorities is to share insight into the policies that lead to stronger elections across our Nation.

This is exactly what the ACE Act will do.

My colleagues and I have worked in collaboration with secretaries of state, local election officials, legislators, and voters across the Nation to craft this legislation--in true ``by the people, for the people'' fashion.

Our ACE Act leaves the primary responsibility for administering elections to the States while recognizing the important role that Congress plays as a resource and a partner.

Election officials have a saying: Elections are partisan. Election administration is not.

The American Confidence in Elections Act is a strictly commonsense measure that protects our voting processes and makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat.

Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of Americans agree that only Americans should vote in American elections. A majority of Americans support photo voter ID provisions.

The ACE Act encourages States to adopt strong voter ID laws and provides best practices and technology standards to ensure that every State in our Nation has the tools needed to conduct secure and efficient elections.

I look forward to bringing this commonsense election integrity measure forward to both strengthen and safeguard our elections.

I thank Chairman Steil for his leadership on this bill, and I look forward to seeing it brought to the House floor for final passage.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to lead on H.R. 4470, Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2023.

The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, or CFATS, program identifies and regulates high-risk chemical facilities to ensure they are protected from terrorist attacks. This program must be reauthorized by July 27 to ensure these standards of protection against cyber and physical risks remain in place.

On July 20, the Committee on Homeland Security voted unanimously on a bipartisan basis to reauthorize CFATS. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

CFATS is a regulatory program that is broadly supported by industry. This 2-year extension will ensure continuity and security while enabling the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee to work with regulated entities to identify any needed enhancements and changes.

I thank Chairman Green for moving this bill expeditiously through committee, and I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Hillsborough County Veterans Treatment Court and the volunteers who are the heart of this program.

Hillsborough County is proud to be home to Florida's largest population of veterans--nearly 94,000 veterans. Hillsborough is also home to the number one Veterans Treatment Court in the country.

One in five veterans has a diagnosed mental illness or cognitive impairment, and one in six veterans has a substance abuse problem. In some cases, upon returning home, these men and women commit a criminal offense that is directly attributed to a service or combat-related injury.

The Hillsborough County Veterans Treatment Court, in addition to its Mentor Program run entirely by volunteers, integrates alcohol and drug treatment programs, mental health services, and justice system case processing, while focusing on the successful reintegration of veterans back into their communities.

I'd like to not only recognize but extend a sincere thank you to the wonderful volunteers who have had a hand in getting our veterans the care they require and deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Police Week to recognize and honor the brave men and women in blue across the country. This week is a time to reflect on the sacrifices they make to keep us all safe.

My years serving as a prosecutor and judge allowed me to see and appreciate firsthand the sacrifices our law enforcement officers make to ensure our community's safety, and I cannot thank them enough. They work around the clock to keep our friends and families safe, regardless of the circumstances.

Now as the Representative for Florida's 15th District, I am proud to represent thousands of brave law enforcement officers who display great courage, bravery, patience, and diligence when called to run into danger, all to protect those who are often strangers.

To the law enforcement officers that never returned home, we will never forget their sacrifice.

And to the law enforcement officers of Florida's 15th District--thank you. I thank them for all that they do and their dedication to serving and protecting our community day in and day out. I will always stand with them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which is the most comprehensive border bill to reach the House floor in modern history.

The Biden administration's border policies have led to a national security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border, turning every community into a border community.

This administration's failure to secure the border has led to a record amount of illegal drugs, both around the border and in our communities, and has enabled human trafficking and the exploitation of children.

Recently, law enforcement in my community announced that they have seized enough fentanyl to kill every Floridian.

In addition to the drugs flowing into our communities, we have seen a tragic flow of unaccompanied minors across our border, which has led many of them to fall victim to human trafficking, abuse, and mistreatment.

A grand jury in Florida recently uncovered alarming details about Federal agencies losing track of more than 20,000 children, and failing to perform background checks on minors' sponsors, again, leading to incidents of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse. An open border is not humanitarian. When we fail to control our borders, the drug cartels will.

House Republicans know that border security is national security, and that is why we must pass the Secure the Border Act. This legislation will increase the number of Border Patrol agents, strengthen current law to protect unaccompanied children, and bolster our border's infrastructure.

We have a constitutional duty to secure our border and to ensure our communities back home are kept safe. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Florida Blue Key.

As the state of Florida's oldest honors society, Florida Blue Key's history is a story of service and honor.

Originally organized to put together a parent's weekend for a university football game, Florida Blue Key now sponsors the entire university's homecoming including Gator Growl, the largest student run pep rally in the country.

I draw on the lessons I learned in Florida Blue Key every day, as have so many others before me in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate.

One hundred years later, Florida Blue Key remains the most prestigious leadership honorary in the Sunshine State. I am grateful for my time in Florida Blue Key and wish them continued success in the century ahead.