Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Womack for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today frustrated and dismayed because Congress continues to act as the Speaker's House rather than the people's House. Debate has been silenced and bipartisan amendments have been rejected for political reasons.

I, myself, submitted 80 amendments to this bill, and not a single one was made in order. This includes three amendments redirecting Federal funds from bureaucrats to fight wildfires that are burning down the West. Forget voting on these commonsense amendments, Democrats won't even allow debate on them.

I also filed three amendments to reallocate resources to help combat drought in the West--all ignored and all debate was refused. How about the amendments redirecting resources to improve veterans' mental health? Ignored.

Do you know why the American people like Congress less than cockroaches, root canals, and Nickelback? Because of political garbage like this.

Speaker Pelosi has silenced my constituents and the American people once again.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), for putting this together.

Madam Speaker, I want to begin this evening by thanking my Democrat colleagues for their outstanding work in encouraging millions of Americans to celebrate their Second Amendment rights by purchasing their first, second, or even 100th firearm.

From the last riots in cities across America, to Biden's threat to strip away our basic constitutional rights, Democrats are singlehandedly responsible for the sale of tens of millions of firearms.

Bravo. Well done. I hear that the interest has begun to peak when it comes to the sale of F-15s.

Now, I have some questions for these freedom-haters. When are you going to call on the Chief Executive, the basement dweller, to hold his own son accountable for his gun crimes? Hunter Biden lied on a Federal firearms application, which is punishable by up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine, of which 10 percent will not be going to the big guy.

Rules for thee but not for my crackhead, parmesan-smoking, gun criminal son?

What about the disposal of Hunter Biden's gun in a back-ally dumpster? Why was the Secret Service involved in locating this firearm? Can you just imagine, for half a second, if Donald Trump, Jr., was involved in firearms crimes, and his dad ordered the Secret Service to cover it up?

That is just the start of the hypocrisy. Biden will call widely purchased firearms ``weapons of war,'' but then he will tell you that you need an F-15 or a nuke to keep the Federal Government in check. He will target so-called ``merchants of death'' but celebrate the 600 abortion clinics across America. This regime will encourage riots, defund the police, and try to take away Americans' rights to self- defense.

Madam Speaker, the American people are not on board with the Biden regime's hypocritical gun-grabbing. Instead, they are buying guns at a record rate. So my colleagues from the other side, they can keep running their mouths, and we will keep adding to our arsenals.

Mr. Speaker, I am so excited for Congressman Cawthorn's leadership on this issue tonight. I thank him for making time to address the American people.

Mr. Speaker, there are three people who come to mind when I think of people who cannot even give their money away:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, do you remember when her donations were returned to her by Members of Congress

because they didn't want to be associated with her?

Harvey Weinstein. And Joe Biden.

Those three cannot even give money away. In fact, by July 3, 25 States across America will have rejected President Biden's Federal unemployment benefit bonuses.

I meet with organizations every day that request funds for worthwhile endeavors. Sadly, America is $28 trillion in debt and can't afford to spend the money on many of these worthy causes. But leave it to Joe Biden to try to spend money in a way that actually hurts our economy and is rejected by Republican and Democrat governors across our entire country. That is a special level of basement incompetency.

We have got 9.3 million unfilled jobs. And I hear it back home, businesses can't get people back to work because they are making more to sit at home on the couch. They would rather watch Dave Portnoy eat a slice of pizza. But then, again, maybe that is not his viewers. Maybe it is more of the folks sitting back, watching Joy Behar and ``The View'' cackle and demonize our country and all of our worthwhile efforts to restore dignity in this Nation.

The Biden regime is literally incentivizing laziness. But then again, they set that example on a regular basis, calling it quits in the middle of the day. When is the last time the President hasn't called a ``lid'' before his afternoon snack?

In my home State of Colorado, many corporations are offering bonuses that small businesses can't afford. We are seeing massive signing bonuses, from $10,000 to $30,000 for utility and HVAC workers, and that is simply unsustainable.

According to the Colorado Restaurant Association, more than 90 percent of restaurants are having issues finding workers. I am one of them. I have had employees say, ``I cannot work more than 2 days a week. I cannot exceed 12 hours of work because it will cut into my benefits.'' That is un-American.

Joe Biden is quickly becoming the greatest threat to small businesses since Fauci's fraud. While small businesses across my district and across America are struggling to find workers, struggling to stay open, Joe Biden is struggling to stay awake.

I am calling on this administration to end these excessive Federal COVID payouts and stop disincentivizing work.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Madison Cawthorn for his leadership on this issue.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I was en route and got stuck in traffic. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 104.

Madam Speaker, I was participating in a Natural Resources Committee Forum and asking my invited witness questions and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 118, H.R. 1195.

Madam Speaker, there was a glitch with my voting card. I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 101

Madam Speaker, there are consequences to Biden's energy bans. They are job-killing impacts that affect my district, my State, and our Nation.

There are two drilling rigs operating in western Colorado right now. That number was once as high as 112 and in the last 13 years there were as many as 80 rigs. An economic analysis from Colorado Mesa University found that each drilling rig in the region supports the creation of 208 jobs. And now there are just two in the Piceance Valley.

Madam Speaker, 9,000 jobs in the oil and gas industry have been lost in the last year. Keep in mind that that does not include the jobs that we have lost from industries serving the rigs and their workers. These 9,000 jobs produce substantial paychecks for folks back home to feed their families and to put a roof over their head, and now they are gone.

Madam Speaker, this hits our schools, where superintendents from back home have spoken out on the need for these funds. Colorado's oil and natural gas industry provided $839 million for K-12 schools in 2015 and 2016.

And that is why I have introduced the Protecting American Energy Jobs Act. My legislation will nullify Biden's executive orders.

Madam Speaker, last month Colorado said farewell to Ute Tribal Elder, Thomas House, Senior. Mr. House was the remaining son of Chief Jack House, the last traditional chief of the Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Southwestern Colorado.

Mr. House served as a tribal elder in the Ute Mountain Ute tribe who lived his life with honor and dedicated his life to representing his community and preserving traditional Ute values.

A man of many roles and responsibilities, Mr. House served as a natural resources director, rancher, respected spiritual leader, and even organized horse races at the Ute Mountain rodeo grounds. His exceptional, lifelong dedication to his community and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe will live on through those he served and the remarkable family he left behind.

People don't have to look farther than his home to see Mr. House's love for his community. Mr. House and his wife were known for taking in foster children who had no place to go.

Thomas House never hesitated when called upon to serve, and many of his children and grandchildren have taken on leadership positions themselves, continuing his legacy and replicating his commitment to traditional Ute values.

He will surely be missed as a valued and respected tribal member, father, grandfather, and leader.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, March 1, 2021, the city of Pueblo lost a community leader and business champion with the passing of Rod Slyhoff. Mr. Slyhoff started at the Chamber in 1988 and served as an account representative, membership director, Vice President of Membership and Small Business Development, and later became President/ CEO in 1994.

As one of the city's best advocates and greatest boosters, he oversaw a period of growth for the Chamber with membership expanding from 800 to more than 1,300 members.

Mr. Slyhoff's accomplishments were remarkable, and he led the Pueblo Chamber to become a model for others across the West. He helped strengthen Pueblo's relationship with one of its sister cities-- Chihuahua, Mexico--by developing trade exchanges of business and tourism. He also advanced Pueblo's business agenda at the State Capitol and offered solutions for improving the workforce to the National Education Trust Conferences.

Always an advocate for others, Rod increased the Chamber's involvement with the El Pomar Foundation and the Black, Latino and Asian Emerging Leadership programs. He also served as President of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Executives, a member of the United Way of Pueblo board, and chairman of the Southern Colorado Business Partnership.

Mr. Slyhoff was recognized for his heartfelt service to the community, and he was awarded the United Way Ambassador Award for Excellence, the Southern Colorado Press Club Mel Harmon Community Award, and the Colorado State University-Pueblo President's Medallion for Distinguished Service.

Rod Slyhoff encouraged local engagement, facilitated cultural development, and spread joy throughout the community by founding the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival in 1994 which has brought as many as 150,000 people to Pueblo annually. Because of Rod, the ``Pueblo Chile'' is known throughout the world, and his legacy will endure through the Festival every year.

Mr. Slyhoff had a quick wit, was kind to everyone, and was beloved by his community. He was quick to give a listening ear and offer gentle advice. I want to take this opportunity to celebrate his life and legacy and to offer my deepest sympathies to his wife Alice, daughters Katrina and Marcy, and the rest of Rod's family and friends. May they find comfort in the words of Scripture, ``the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.'' God bless the memory of Rod Slyhoff.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a western Colorado legend and my dear friend, Harry Talbott of Palisade.

At his 2018 induction into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame, Harry remarked:

The world may little remember nor long note what we have done here tonight, but our contributions to Colorado agriculture will live long after we are gone and make it easier for those who come after us.

I am honored and blessed to have known Harry, as is western Colorado.

As the founder of one of Colorado's largest and oldest orchards, Talbott Farms, his contributions to agriculture in Colorado cannot be overstated.

Grown with snowmelt from the Grand Mesa, the Talbott name is synonymous with the best peaches many will ever have the pleasure of experiencing.

Along the way, he employed and mentored countless Coloradans, many of whom remain in agriculture today with farms of their own.

Without Harry and his grandiose vision for Palisade, the Western Slope wouldn't be the place that it is today. He is the giant whose shoulders the community now stands upon.

However, I would be remiss to confine any tribute merely to Harry's business endeavors because they are but a small piece of the man he was.

Harry was the quintessential renaissance man. Harry was a veteran, having served honorably in the United States Army. Harry was a science teacher who invested in the hearts and minds of the children in our communities.

Harry was a pioneer and an icon of Colorado's Third District, a man whose character has been integral to that of the Western Slope.

Harry leaves behind his wife, Bonnie; his children, Bruce, Nathan, Charlie, Dave, and Kathy; as well as numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

I extend to them my heartfelt condolences and pray that God's holy spirit will comfort them and mend their broken hearts. Today, we honor a life of service.

Harry, we love you.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas, my good friend, Congressman Michael Cloud, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the Biden regime has focused all its time and energy on benefiting those who have done it all wrong. Fascist governors imposed draconian lockdowns and sent their States into economic disaster. So Biden passed the blue State bailout.

Did you commit a felony? This administration wants you to vote.

And now this administration wants to give special privileges to those breaking Federal law and crossing the southern border.

Mr. Speaker, it is past time that we fix the broken immigration system and secure the border. That is my hard line. That means building the wall, properly funding Border Patrol, and enforcing the laws we have on the books--exactly what President Trump did, which led to record low illegal crossings. This is the right and humane thing to do.

Getting children out of the hands of cartels and coyotes, and making it clear that the American government will put those coming the right way, the legal way, they will be rewarded. But, no, this administration has become a marketing wing for the cartels, urging folks from all around the world to flood our southern border.

These cartels are making billions of dollars on human smuggling alone, and billions more on drug trafficking. The result of Biden's collaboration with cartels is the highest number of unaccompanied minors we have ever seen. Thousands of criminals, and even individuals on the FBI's terrorist watch list, crossing our border.

Mr. Speaker, this administration is incentivizing unaccompanied minors to make the hazardous and potentially fatal journey across our southern border. That is child abuse. This administration has signaled that we will not fortify our southern border, and we have seen those on the terrorist watch list try to enter. That is a dereliction of duty. And we have seen this administration fail to uphold and enforce the laws of our Nation. That is a betrayal of the American people.

The most moral thing we can do is build a wall and secure our southern border. It is shameful and immoral to signal to poor and desperate people that if you break our laws, if you cross our borders, if you somehow make it, if you somehow don't get caught and survive, then we will take care of you with our hard-earned tax dollars. Let's ask California how that is working for them.

Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Liberty Day, which falls on the 270th Birthday of the Father of the Constitution, James Madison. Our Founders understood the importance of citizen-led government and the power of ``We the People.'' The spirit of liberty is forever enshrined in the documents that gave birth to our Nation. I am honored to recognize the rights and liberties of the American people protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights this Liberty Day.

For the past 21 years, our Nation has celebrated Liberty Day to honor the American liberty recognized by our founding documents. In 2000, Congress passed a resolution designating March 16th, Madison's birthday, as Liberty Day. James Madison's ideas in the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights were vital in the founding of our Nation. He served as the Fourth President of the United States and committed his life to affirm Americans' rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

President Madison's legacy and his vision for our Nation persists through the lives of Americans throughout this great country. I took an oath to my constituents to uphold these values by supporting and defending the Constitution. Today is a great reminder to remember the Constitution as elected officials throughout this great Nation fulfill our duty.

In honor of Liberty Day, I encourage all Americans to learn and celebrate our Nation's history. Our Founders' vision lives on through the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Bill of Rights. These documents continue to empower Americans to reap the benefits of our flourishing society rooted in freedom and liberty. I urge all Americans to take the time today to read and study these documents that empower the continuation of American ideas and values. Madam Speaker, I ask that you rise with me to celebrate Liberty Day.