Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peace Lutheran School in Shelby Township, Michigan, for their dedication to honoring the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

The Peace Lutheran School Memorial Day program consists of songs, recitations, and tributes to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Freedom is never free, and it is only secured through the courage of those who serve. We must never forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives fighting to secure the freedoms we in our country hold dear. I applaud the work of Peace Lutheran School for never forgetting and always honoring these brave men and women.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Karen Straffon of Clay Township for her commitment and service to Michigan's veterans and their families.

Karen's commitment to honoring our bravest citizens is extensive. Last year, Karen completed a longtime project to erect a Gold Star Family Monument in Clinton Township, which honored the families of servicemen and women who gave their lives to protect our great nation. Karen selflessly dedicated hours of her time to forming a committee, fundraising, researching, traveling and gaining the support of the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation to establish this commemorative monument.

Karen has also served the families of veterans in her community by overseeing the Wreaths Across America program every year at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. She is also skilled in quilt making, and many of her quilts are donated for fundraising events aimed at veterans' programs.

The former Veteran of the Year for St. Clair County, Don Callaway, commended Karen's charitable efforts by saying, she truly exemplifies ``leave no one behind.'' It is an honor to recognize and sincerely thank Karen Straffon for her years of humble service to veterans and their families, I hope Karen knows the impact her efforts have had on the veterans, their families and the overall community.

Madam Speaker, I would agree with my colleague across the aisle, this bill should be about lifting families out of poverty and providing hope to underserved communities. Let's do that, and let's actually for once in agreement, let's put our money where our mouth is and let's actually make sure that the dollars are actually used for what the bill intends them to be used for.

We should not be blurring lines between workforce issues and political campaigns. This isn't a political campaign, correct? Facilities used for community service block grants should not be open to political activities during operation hours. Sadly, this is exactly what my colleagues on the other side want, and they are notorious for talking about a bill and then packing it full of something that has nothing to do with the bill. So let's do what we say we are going to do and actually help the communities.

Where does this end? This is the foot in the door to allow real partisan action to be commingled with Federal programs. We have a clear example of this that is happening today.

Need I remind everyone about ACORN? That should be example enough to illustrate why this is a terrible idea but, apparently, not for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

My amendment is simple. It would remove the troubling language in this bill that allows taxpayer-funded community action centers to be used to increase voting registration.

Let's keep the bill to what you say it is going to be. It would also prohibit community service block grant funds from any lobbying activities. Again, let's actually use the funds for the people in the community, not the politics.

We all want eligible Americans to register to vote and actually get to the polls on election day. But that is not the purpose of the community block grants. This bill should not blur the lines between educational and political activities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eileen Rhodes for forty plus years of outstanding service to the Bruce Township Fire Department, and the great state of Michigan.

Eileen has spent more than four decades admirably serving the Romeo/ Bruce community. She is a proud graduate of Romeo High School. Eileen started her career as a Bruce Township Firefighter/EMT in the early 80s at a time when few women shared her vision. She

went back to school to earn a degree in fire science and climbed the ranks to Captain. In 2016, after years of service, Eileen returned to school to earn an additional associates degree, maximizing her ability to serve the community.

I sincerely thank Bruce Township Firefighter/EMT, Eileen Rhodes, for outstanding service to her community. I am so inspired by the strong woman she is, and how she represents the very best of American values and community leadership. I want to congratulate Eileen for reaching this career milestone. Bruce Township is a stronger, safer place to call home because of her work. Her community thanks her for her dedicated service.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a distinguished public servant of the Almont Township community, Wes Wagester.

For over 30 years, Wes has served his community with honor and selflessness. He has served as a member of the Almont Township Parks and Recreation board, and since October 1991, has been a dedicated member of the Almont Michigan Lions Club. Recently he assisted in the installation of new playground equipment at Almont Community Park, which will be enjoyed by families of the community for years to come.

It is really no surprise that Wes dedicated decades of his life to his community. In the first part of his life, he served his country as a member of the United States Navy.

Our country and state have been honored to have him as our own. I applaud Wes for the service he has given to his beloved community. He has been a pillar, and the example he set will be hard to follow. I know Wes will continue to give his time to Almont whenever he can, and I wish him the best in whatever endeavors he next takes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mary Ann Hirn on being named the 2022 Citizen of the Year by the Cass City Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Ann began her career as a nurse, and later owned a business with her late husband Bob, who was named Citizen of the Year in 2003. She has also been involved with many groups in the Cass City community, including the local Catholic church, the Cass City Historical Society, the Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn, the Friends of Rawson Memorial Library, and the Hills and Dales Hospital Auxiliary.

One recommendation letter rightly proclaimed, ``Look about and you will see her footprints throughout the community.'' I thank Mary Ann for her years of humble service to the Cass City community and congratulate her on earning 2022's Citizen of the Year award. As someone who does not do this for the attention or acclamation, I am confident she will continue to make an imprint on the community she loves for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Alex Hopper on being named the 2022 Junior Citizen of the Year by the Cass City Chamber of Commerce.

Alex has spent 254 hours of his time volunteering for relief efforts, school and community service projects, and highway clean ups. Alex is also the Cass City High School's Student Council President, Rotary Interact Club President, and National Honors Society President. Along with his academic honors, Alex has also received the Greater Thumb Conference Scholar Athlete Award for basketball, cross country, and track.

Alex is currently preparing to join a prestigious pre-med and medical school program to become a practicing physician, and plans to pursue his undergraduate studies at Northern Michigan University. I am confident he will continue to excel academically and continue to volunteer in his community.

I thank Alex for his tireless dedication and selfless service to the Cass City community, and I wish him well in his future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Frances Mauro Masters for her service to this country as a Rosie the Riveter, and to celebrate her 100th birthday.

The daughter of Italian immigrants, Frances was born on March 7, 1922. Determined to serve her country, provide for her family and support her two brothers in the service, Frances rode the bus with her two sisters to and from the east side of Detroit to Ypsilanti, Michigan every day where she worked as a Riveter at the town's Bomber Plant. A shy, quiet and hard-working young woman, Frances continued her work as a Riveter throughout the duration of World War II. The war sadly had enormous personal cost to Frances, as her brother lost his life.

Madam Speaker, Frances Mauro Masters is a true American hero, the embodiment of the `greatest generation' and a role model for all Americans today, especially young women. As the years go by, it becomes even more important to recognize humble and outstanding members of our greatest generation like Frances. I thank Frances for her service to this country and the selfless example she has set for all of us, and congratulate her on 100 years of life well-lived.

Madam Speaker, the state of our Union is atrocious. There are crises everywhere we look: record-high inflation; record-high illegal border crossings; a supply chain crisis that has stalled our economy; soaring energy prices; a devastating and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan; an emboldened Russia trying to overthrow a sovereign country and a democratic ally, Ukraine. This is what a full year of complete Democratic control and failure has brought the American people.

The President is completely backward. The policies he and his congressional Democrat allies have pushed us into haven't gotten us out of these crises. They have actually pushed us into these crises under his first, short 1-year term in office.

The speech we saw last night was completely detached from reality.

What the American people are hearing from the Democrats is not what they are seeing, and it is not what they are experiencing. They can no longer afford to suffer these crises brought on by incompetent, arrogant, and out-of-touch leaders.

Sadly, the speech last night indicates that this administration plans to double down on their nonsense and spread lies and misinformation to the American people. All the American people want is truth, transparency, and consistency instead of manufacturing accomplishments to talk about at the State of the Union, like the convenient overnight change in the science, or shall I say, political science as a wind must have blown in from the Senate and, miraculously, COVID doesn't exist anymore.

President Biden needs to own up to all of the problems he has created and actually come up with some real solutions to get our country back on track. There is still time to do that.

If he is unable to do that, I implore him, please. Pick up the phone. Call me. I am happy to help.

Mr. Speaker, the House will vote on my bill to rename the Saint Clair Post Office after Marine Corporal Jeffrey Robert Standfest. Before we do, I want to tell you a little bit about the life of this brave young man.

Mr. Speaker, Corporal Standfest was described by those who knew him as respectful, family-oriented, dedicated, hardworking, and the all- American kid.

He was a runner at Saint Clair High School where he graduated in 2005. His success as a runner, along with his reputation as a leader, continued during his time at Oakland University. In 2008, wanting to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather who served our Nation during World War II, Jeff enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was deployed to Afghanistan as a combat engineer and a K9 handler. Tragically on June 16, Corporal Standfest and his canine, Sergeant Ruppert, were killed by an IED. He was only 23 years old.

Mr. Speaker, we must always remember that the rights and freedoms we as Americans hold dear are only secured through the courage and sacrifice of those who serve. Eleven years later, his memory, his courage, and his sacrifice are kept alive by his parents, Timothy and Karen, and his sister, Jaclyn, all of whom knew him and loved him.

Mr. Speaker, this bill could never heal the wounds of losing him, but passage of this bill will demonstrate to his loved ones that Congress and this country will never forget his bravery and ultimate sacrifice. Passage of this bill will ensure that the residents of Saint Clair will always be reminded about their high school star runner, the all- American kid who answered the call to serve and gave his life in defense of this great country.

Mr. Speaker, this week marks 49 years since the landmark Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, 49 years since the choice won over life in the eyes of the American people.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle applaud Roe v. Wade and have no problem with the more than 62 million innocent babies who have been aborted since 1973.

I, however, find these numbers to be sickening.

These children are just as worthy of life as a fully grown adult is. They are created in the image of God just as you and I are, and their lives should not be carelessly and despicably destroyed.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle preach and parade human rights.

But where is the outrage for equal human rights for the unborn?

It is frighteningly nonexistent, and their lack of consistency makes it very clear what their priorities are.

How can you claim to care for one life when you don't care for all lives, no matter how small?

Madam Speaker, I rise today because I need this Congress to understand the failures of President Biden as our Nation's Commander in Chief.

This administration was handed the reins to a country that had an economy that was ready to bounce back after pandemic restrictions, a southern border that was more secure than any other point in our Nation's history, and a foreign policy that had us respected around the globe. Instead of simply being a caretaker, who ran on being a unifying force--and I want to say that again; he ran on being a unifying force-- this President chose to play politics of division from day one and began dismantling all the positive policies of President Trump.

In January 2021, the President halted construction of the border wall and overturned countless immigration policies that clearly worked. These policies stopped dangerous caravans from bringing thousands of illegal aliens to our southern border. These policies protected thousands of illegals from the horrors of human trafficking, and these policies kept not only our country's borders safe but the community of the entire world safe as well.

In this President's first year, he chose to spend trillions of American tax dollars on COVID relief. He spent those dollars on the backs of our children and grandchildren when there was nearly a trillion dollars from previous relief packages still unspent.

This wasteful spending that has included payments to keep people from working has led to our Nation's supply chain disaster and the highest inflation in nearly 40 years, not to mention the labor shortage that we are facing now.

Last week, President Biden gave a speech in Georgia that was not only divisive and hateful but downright despicable--from the man who ran on: I am going to unify this country.

He demanded that Congress give him what he wants, and anyone who opposes him is a racist and a bigot. Seriously? That is the best you have? When you can't debate the issues, you resort to calling half of the American people and anyone who doesn't agree with you a racist and a bigot? I think the American people deserve a little bit better.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle railed against President Trump for anything they deemed divisive. So I ask them this: Will they condemn this? Will they condemn their President for calling half of all Americans racist? I doubt it.

Madam Speaker, I grew up through the disastrous Presidency of Jimmy Carter. President Carter is often considered the worst President in modern history. It appears President Biden wants to take that crown.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following op-ed.

Many Public Policy Concerns

While many public policy issues are greatly concerning--

from COVID-19 to the crisis at our southern border to

education gaps relative to our ability to compete

economically--in our opinion, the following three are

paramount for the U.S. Congress and Biden Administration.

The shrinking influence of the United States and North America

In 1960, North American total global GDP was $597.42

billion or 43.7%, with the U.S. contributing $543 billion or

just under 40 percent of the total global GDP of $l.367

trillion (China's 1960 global GDP by comparison was $59.72

billion or $4.39%).

China's 2021 global GDP grew to about $16.86 trillion or

17.86% of total global GDP. Comparatively, 2021 North

American GDP declined to 27.9% of total global GDP, while

Asia--led by China, Japan, lndia, and South Korea--produced

33.7% of global GDP and extended its faster growth pace lead

to more than two decades.

An objective and realistic view of China is needed more than ever in

Washington D.C.

On December 29, 2021 the Chinese Communist Party ordered

Hong Kong police to raid the headquarters of Stand News, a

pro-democracy Hong Kong-based news service critical of

government policy coming out of Beijing. Seven Stand

employees were arrested, and all remaining employees were

dismissed. China's action is another violation of the Sino-

British agreement signed in 1997 giving Hong Kong economic

and political freedom until 2047. The West, and especially

the United States, must not continue to turn a blind eye

toward China's treatment of Hong Kong.

We also must reverse the current trend which has allowed

China to gain superior numbers of military assets to ours in

the South China Sea and off the coasts of our numerous Asian

allies. As tensions grow with China over Taiwan, we must

acknowledge Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's comment: ``the

U.S. will pay an unbearable price'' if we continue to support

Taiwan. Our response must speak with conviction and

specificity of the consequences China will suffer

economically and potentially militarily if it moves against

Taiwan, an important U.S. economic partner and champion of

freedom and free enterprise.

With shortages of face masks to battle COVID-19 and

computer chip delays that have challenged American automobile

manufacturers, it should be apparent to both U.S. producers

and consumers that U.S. businesses must rethink their

previous supply chain strategy and be encouraged to produce

more necessities at home.

Further, we must rally the world and hold China responsible

for the COVID-19 outbreak and its consequences. It's the

right thing to do and the only way to prevent a future

outbreak.

We applaud Congress for passing a bill targeting China over

Uyghur-forced labor practices. The measure prohibits imports

from the Xinjiang region of China unless companies can prove

the products were made without forced labor. We hope

President Biden signs it immediately and more is done by the

U.S. government and U.S. corporations to protect the rights

and freedoms of Muslim Uyghurs living in China.

Broadening our view of China further, The Hill recently

posited: Should a weakening and unstable Chinese economic

model be as great a concern as a rising China? The answer is

yes. China's concern over energy shortages, slowing economic

growth and productivity, and debt now at 290% of GDP,

demonstrates that confidence in the Chinese economic and

political structure is teetering from within. In addition,

recent crackdowns on the property and technology sectors will

result in less flexibility and greater economic

authoritarianism control over two sectors that account for 29

percent of Chinese GDP.

Our concerns regarding Chinese economic stability and their

ability to execute their 5-year planning model hopefully will

be a cause for concern within the greater Communist Party of

China. Exposing the growing fragility and incompetence of the

Chinese economic model could provide a boost for pro-market

reform party members as they vote at the 2022 Communist Party

Congress this fall. Open, honest and regular communication of

China's current economic structural weaknesses could help

market-friendly party members use data to thwart Xi Jinping's

ambition to be only the third leader in the party's 100-year

history elected to a third term. Perhaps a modern Chinese

version of 'Radio-free Europe' would be useful in the months

ahead?

U.S. energy policy continues to make no sense to us

Oil prices continue to fluctuate, declining to the mid-

$60's range weeks ago only to rebound to more than $77 a

barrel currently. Many energy experts believe oil could trade

at more than $100 a barrel in 2022 if the Biden

Administration continues its illogical energy policy.

Remember that U.S. oil and natural gas are among the cleanest

carbon-based fuels by category available in the world today.

In fact, U.S. production of clean fossil fuels has

dramatically reduced the U.S. carbon footprint, making it the

global leader in carbon reduction in the industrialized world

over the last 30 years. However, if cleaner U.S. oil and

natural gas continue to be removed from the U.S. and world

markets due to the Biden Administration's policies, five

nonsensical results will occur: 1) The policy will enhance

the political and public policy initiatives of countries

unfriendly to democracy like Russia and Iran; 2) European

allies will become more dependent on unfriendly nations for

their oil and natural gas needs, thereby weakening the

security and economic prowess of Europe and the United

States; 3) More ``dirtier'' Russian and Iranian oil and

natural gas on global markets coupled with less from the U.S.

means a sustained increase of lower quality and higher

polluting fossil fuel products on global energy markets (in

effect, the Biden Administration's policy will increase the

global carbon footprint rather than reduce it, making the

policy anti-green rather than the pro-green policy it's

currently being promoted to represent); 4) The policy will

employ thousands of Russians and Iranians in high-paying oil

industry-related jobs when those good jobs could be here in

the United States with workers paying taxes to the United

States; and, 5) Billions of dollars of local, state and

federal tax revenue from U.S. oil companies will be lost to

the U.S. government at all levels in the months and years

ahead.

Conclusion

The U.S. National Debt currently stands at $29.62 trillion

(over $89,000 per U.S. man, woman, and child and just under

$237,000 per U.S. taxpayer). Much of the current state of our

national debt is due to excessive government spending on

programs that are not needed while taking capital from

private sector investments and U.S. national defense. It is

crucial that U.S. fiscal, monetary and foreign policy focus

on strategies that will grow U.S. capital investment, private

sector job and economic growth, while defending the United

States and our key allies. This is the only way to ensure

that the United States will remain the world's only economic

and military superpower.

Mr. Speaker, we have all been forced to suffer through 4 years of hearing the Democrats spreading falsehoods regarding President Trump's middle-class tax cuts.

Over and over again, they claimed, with little fact-checking from their allies in the mainstream media, that this bill was a tax giveaway to the rich. The Speaker, not trying to be outdone by her colleagues' exaggeration, claimed that the bill was Armageddon.

But, of course, as with many claims from my Democratic colleagues, this runs in contradiction to the actual facts. I will say it again: What government needs is truth, transparency, and consistency from its leaders.

The IRS' own data shows the Democrats have been shamelessly lying about a bill that led to middle-class families keeping more of their hard-earned money and creating more family-sustaining jobs. The data also shows that millions of middle-class Americans received tax cuts ranging anywhere from 16 percent to 26 percent in 2018. We saw employers nationwide provide bonuses to their employees up and down the pay scale.

Median household incomes were on the rise, and the IRS collected more revenue--I am going to say it again--the IRS collected more revenue in 2019 than ever before. Our economy was thriving.

Now that Democrats are in charge, they want to reverse the most successful middle-class tax reform in our Nation's history. They don't just want to return our country to high, uncompetitive tax rates; they actually want to provide a massive tax cut to their elite, coastal friends. They are trying to provide tax breaks to the same wealthy people whom the likes of Senator Sanders and Speaker Pelosi rail against.

President Biden promised all Americans last year that his plan would go after the evil wealthy. So I ask this: Does this tax break for only the limousine liberals and those living in McMansions sound like President Biden is fulfilling his promise? Or does it, once again, sound like President Biden is deceiving the American people?

But let's not let the facts get in the way of a really good story. I am confident the American people are able to see behind the Democrats' deceit and will be outraged by their giveaways to their rich, elite friends.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Antonio ``Tony'' D'Agostini of Sterling Heights, Michigan, for his decades long service to our country and his community.

Born in Italy, Tony soon moved with his family to Canada and then Michigan. In September of 1965, Tony was drafted into the United States Army and served in the 9th Infantry Division, 15th Engineer Battalion. After spending time at Fort Riley in Kansas, Tony was sent to Vietnam, spending a year there before returning home and leaving the service in August 1967. More than 50 years later, Tony still pays tribute and keeps the memory of his fallen comrades alive. Just this past week, Tony and his wife came to Washington for Veterans Day in order to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

After his service, Tony spent some time in college before joining his dad and brother in the family construction company. Tony retired a few years ago, after roughly a half century of work. Outside of work, Tony has given back to his community. For example, he has an annual car show that raises money for soup kitchens, and he has given money to organizations such as Forgotten Harvest, who help ensure food that would otherwise go to waste is delivered to the hungry. His philosophy is simple, as he said, ``we just help people that really need help.'' For his philanthropic efforts, Tony was the recent recipient of a humanitarian award.

Madam Speaker, Tony D'Agostini is a selfless American patriot. He has served his country with honor and his community with compassion. The legacy he has built is one of altruism and of thoughtfulness for others. I hope he is proud of the contributions he has made to this country and its citizens. I thank Tony for his service, for keeping the memory of America's heroes alive, and for his devotion to others. He has set an example I hope all will follow. I wish him nothing but the best as he continues to lead a life of selfless dedication to others.