Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William ``Bill'' Livesay of East China, Michigan, on being named the 2021 St. Clair County Michigan Veterans Council Veteran of the Year. Bill was nominated for this award by the St. Clair County Voiture Locale 120, 40et8.

When you look at Bill's resume, you won't be surprised why he has been awarded this high honor. Bill embodies selfless patriotism towards his country and thoughtful service to his community. Soon after graduating high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1965 and trained in Aerospace Ground Equipment. He left active duty in 1969 and enlisted in the Michigan Air National Guard, 127th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Soon after in 1971, the Wing relocated to Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Bill supported and deployed numerous times during operations in Southwest Asia, Kosovo, the Iraq campaign, and also served as a military advisor to the Latvian Ministry of Defense. In January of 1998, he was appointed 127th Wing Senior Enlisted Advisor and was then appointed Command Chief Master Sergeant. In 2000, he was selected as the Michigan Air National Guard Command Chief. He retired in September 2003 with 38 years, 2 months, and 23 days of service. During this time, he received awards such as the Meritorious Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaves, Air Force Commendation Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf, and the Air Force Achievement Medal with a Bronze Oak Leaf.

After his retirement, Bill was employed by the United States Army and assigned to the Heavy Tactical Vehicle Division Tank & Automotive Command, in Warren, Michigan. As an equipment specialist, he was involved in direct support of all Heavy Tactical Vehicles during the initial stages of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. He finally retired in January 2013 with more than 47 years of government service.

In retirement, Bill has kept active. He has been a member of the American Legion Post 382 for 17 years, serving as their Post Adjutant since 2016. He is also a member of the Post Honor Guard and Post Color Guard, and since 2014, he has been a member of the St. Clair County Veterans Council Honor Guard team. There have been over 1,500 veterans' funerals and community ceremonial events in which he has performed. Any veteran who has

an issue, should seek out Bill; he has been a constant promoter of veterans' programs that highlight available benefits. If he does not know an answer, you can be sure he will do all he can to find the answer.

It is an honor to recognize such a great American. Bill has dedicated his life to this country and its veterans. It is my hope that Bill recognizes the enormous impact he has had. The example he has set will be followed for years to come. I congratulate Bill on this honor and I thank him for his service. I wish him many more years of dedicated and selfless service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.

War is an incredible teacher, a brutal instructor. We have learned lessons about triumph, sorrow, loss, and pain.

War teaches us to appreciate the simple things we take for granted, like the ability to speak your mind, freely practice your religion, even seeing your loved ones once a day.

It also teaches us that in war there are no unwounded soldiers.

There are those who came back with both visible scars and invisible battle wounds, and there are those who did not come home at all.

Today, we pause to honor the 13 American servicemembers who lost their lives during the evacuation efforts at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.

These 13 fallen warriors, along with many others, made the ultimate sacrifice. Each of them knew their duty, and they accepted the risks. Not many answer the call, but they volunteered anyway.

Sent to evacuate Americans and Afghans that struggled to get past the Taliban checkpoints in Kabul and through the airport gates, fearing they would be left behind and left for dead. They knew the mission and valiantly forged ahead; helping hundreds to safety, overcoming their own fears, when a suicide bomb attack took their lives.

The terrorist act took the lives of at least 170 Afghans, 11 marines, one Navy corpsman, and one Army special operations soldier, including Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza of Laredo, Texas; Sergeant Nicole Gee of Roseville, California; Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover of Salt Lake City, Utah; Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss of Knoxville, Tennessee; Corporal Hunter Lopez of Indio, California; Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum of Bondurant, Wyoming; Corporal Dylan Merola of Rancho Cucamonga, California; Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui of Norco, California; Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page of Omaha, Nebraska; Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Corporal Humberto Sanchez of Logansport, Indiana; Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz of Wentzville, Missouri; Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak of Berlin Heights, Ohio.

I could not be more grateful for their service to our Nation. While we as a Nation grieve for the servicemembers we have lost, we often forget about the families who have lost even more.

To be a Gold Star Family is an honor no one wishes for. We owe our sincerest gratitude to the families who eagerly awaited these 13 servicemembers' return. These families bear the greatest burden of their loved one's sacrifice, and we can never thank them in a way that will make up for their loss.

Awarding Congress' highest honor is a small token of our appreciation.

Thank you to all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who joined me in this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for having this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I come before this Chamber to ask when will this administration address the ever-growing crisis at our southern border.

Every day that passes, from sunup to sundown, our Nation's immigration laws are being violated by thousands of illegal border crossers. For the life of

me, I don't understand why--and let me say this again--I don't understand why our Commander in Chief refuses to go and see the mess that he and his open border politics have created.

But I have seen this crisis myself so let me paint him a picture. And I am going to use a paint brush with some facts.

In fiscal year 2020, 458,000 illegal aliens were apprehended at our southern border; that was in 2020. Fast forward to fiscal year 2021, under President Biden's ``leadership,'' the number skyrocketed to 1.7 million.

And that is not a crisis? That doesn't even warrant a ``pick your head up and open your eyes and go down to the border.'' From 458,000 to 1.7 million, I would hate to see what a crisis would look like under his watch.

Last month, more than 12,000 illegal aliens from Haiti squatted under a bridge until President Biden's Department of Homeland Security began moving those illegal aliens into the interior of our country.

The problem doesn't stop with people coming in illegally. Illegal drugs from the border are coming to a town near you. And we are already seeing it. Again, let me use some facts:

In fiscal year 2021, Border Patrol agents at the southwest border seized 900 pounds of fentanyl. That is what they seized. Doing the math, that is enough to kill nearly 200 million people. That is nearly two-thirds of the country.

To all of my colleagues, I beg of you, I implore you, we must fix this crisis at the border, but you can't fix a problem you don't think exists.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent a district that has a large number of Italian Americans, and it is a great honor for me to recognize one of their finest, Sam Previti, on being named the ``Man of the Year'' by the Michigan Columbus Day Celebration Committee.

Sam has been a pillar of both the Washington Township and Italian American community. In Washington Township, Sam currently serves as the Township Supervisor. Some of his other public service commitments include being a Washington Township Trustee and serving as secretary of Washington Township's Zoning Board of Appeals.

Sam also has great pride in his Italian heritage and works diligently on behalf of this community. He helps run the largest Italian American Club, Lodge Figli Della Sicilia, and is actively involved in many charity-based organizations such as the History Holy Family in Detroit. He has also served as the National President of the Columbian Federation of Italian American Societies. Regional leaders in the Italian American community know Sam is the person to call on when they need assistance in organizing, promoting, and supporting their many events.

Madam Speaker, I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Sam Previti. It is my hope that he finds pride upon reflection of his tireless commitment to both his communities. Sam's hard work is noticed and appreciated. I wish him many more years of dedicated and selfless service.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and highlight the work of some extraordinary female leaders in our country who are being honored by She Leads America as ``Christian Women of Distinction.''

For my constituents back in Michigan, I try and lead by example through my faith and commitment to public service. But many times, people don't look to Washington for their role models. Fortunately, it does not take long to find others guided by their strong moral compass, faith, and commitment to selfless public service. Today, I honor some of these women, who through their tireless dedication, have shattered glass ceilings and touched the lives of countless individuals around the world. For my part, I remain committed to defending religious freedom here in Congress to ensure each of these women, and all of my constituents, never have to compromise their religious beliefs in order to conform to whatever the trending culture is at the moment.

Kathy Branzell serves as the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Dating back to 1775, the National Day of Prayer encourages Americans to pray for the people and today includes millions who attend 30,000 observances organized by 40,000 volunteers all over the United States. Kathy is also the founder and president of Fellowship and Christian Encouragement (FACE) for Educators, and the author/coauthor of five books on prayer.

Marilyn Hickey is a TV ministry pioneer for women, with her TV and media ministry broadcast around the world. Marilyn is a peacemaker, teacher, and someone who has personally shared her message of God's love and forgiveness in 138 countries, and her lectures on healing and the Bible have broken records for the largest public meetings ever held in Egypt and Pakistan. In addition, her organization has actively been involved in meeting humanitarian needs around the world. Marilyn Hickey Ministry partners have helped millions of individuals overcome setbacks and practice Biblical principles.

Commissioner Jolene K. Hodder is the highest-ranking female officer in the Salvation Army in the USA. She has a passion for leading women to Christ and then equipping, motivating, and preparing them for effective ministry. Jolene is the author of two published books and has worked across America and overseas, serving all people without discrimination, wherever, whenever, and however she can.

Dr. Alveda C. King, is a civil rights activist, speaking out on issues that face society today. She founded ``Speak for Life'', a ministry mobilizing generations of pro-life advocates that will boldly speak for life. She is the daughter of the late civil rights activist Rev. A. D. King and his wife, Naomi Barber King. Currently, Dr. King is a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, serving as Pastoral Associate for Civil Rights for The Unborn and Priests for Life. During the years of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King's family home was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama, in the heat of the struggle. ``Daddy's house was bombed, then in Louisville, Kentucky his church office was bombed. I was also jailed during the open housing movement,'' she recalls.

Dr. Jane Hansen-Hoyt serves as the President/CEO of Aglow International, a Christian women's organization of more than 200,000 women. The organization includes global leaders who annually impact 17 million people. As an international speaker and author, she challenges us to view each circumstance of life from a Heavenly perspective. She also serves on The Steering Committee of The American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI).

Penny Young Nance is CEO and President of Concerned Women for America (CWA), the nation's largest public policy women's organization. Prior to CWA, Penny served as a Special Advisor for the Federal Communications Commission, where she advised the Chairman and Commissioners on media and social issues. She is a graduate of Liberty University, where she currently serves on their Board of Trustees.

Bodie Thoene, is a world-renowned author of 75 historical novels as well as an award-winning screen writer and movie producer. Her books have sold 35 million copies in 30 languages. She has won 8 ECPA Gold Medallion awards for Fiction, more than any other author in history. Bodie is, above all, a follower of Jesus Christ. She is an American Patriot and fervent supporter of the Nation of Israel, a wife, mother and grandmother. Her movie, I'm Not Ashamed, the true story of Rachel Joy Scott, first martyr of Columbine, was a finalist for GMA Dove Awards Most Inspirational film of 2017.

Reverend Eve Nunez is a nationally recognized faith-based leader most known for her work as a child advocate and Hispanic community organizer. Her decades-long commitment to these communities has earned her a National Service Award from President George W. Bush, the Martin Luther King Jr. Award from President Barack Obama, the Street Saint Award from Governor Janet Napolitano, and many more.

Peggy Nienaber serves as the Vice President for Faith & Liberty overseeing the ministry programs that build strong alliances on Capitol Hill. Peggy also serves as President of the Capitol Forum Club, a meeting held inside the U.S. Capitol. Peggy was also a NGO Liaison for the United Nations and participated in the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Shirley Dobson, is the honorary ``Mom of America.'' Through her partnership with her husband, Dr. James Dobson, in ``Focus on the Family'' and ``Family Talk'' broadcasts, millions of families have received the support and encouragement they need to navigate their daily lives. Under her leadership and strong faith, the U.S. National Day of Prayer enjoyed massive growth. Millions of Americans now take their responsibility seriously to pray for government leaders.

Madam Speaker, I hope these women know full well the impact they have had on countless lives. These women are trailblazers, and the example they have set will be followed by people of my district, and many other Americans, for years to come. I thank each of them for their passion and commitment. This honor is well-deserved.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her diligent effort to save the lives of unborn children. And that is really what this bill is about, saving the lives of unborn children.

For all of us that have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, this is about them and their rights. I hear us talking about our rights, but what about their rights? Don't they have a right? Because they have no choice. So thank you for being their voice.

But I rise today to speak the truth. I want to talk about the truth, which doesn't happen much. This act is titled the Women's Health Protection Act, more properly titled the abortion on demand act.

Stop hiding behind Texas. Stop hiding behind women's rights.

The majority has chosen once again to lie to the American people about what this legislation is about. This bill has nothing to do with women's health. This bill is about infanticide. To my Democratic colleagues, if you are in support of infanticide, just say it. You don't need to sugar coat it. Just say it. To my democratic colleagues, if you are in support of killing a child for any reason, you wanted a boy but it is a girl, oh, we will just get rid of it and try again, just have the courage and the guts to say it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the radical, partisan, and polarizing appropriations bill the Democrats are ramming through this Chamber.

It wasn't enough for the Democrats to disregard the opinion of an overwhelming majority of Americans who do not want their tax dollars being used to bankroll abortions here in the U.S. In this appropriations bill, they want to take it a step further and export abortion around the world. You heard it right.

The Helms amendment, which predates the Hyde amendment, ensures that U.S. tax dollars do not fund abortion through foreign assistance programs. Foreign assistance programs should help defend our country. Democrats felt the need to strip it from this bill.

My constituents do not want their hard-earned tax dollars shipped overseas to kill unborn children. And you know what? Neither do 77 percent of Americans, according to a January 2021 Marist poll. Yet, Democrats are saying they are giving people what they want. Well, that is a flat-out lie.

Who exactly are they catering to with this radical move? Far left- wing activists?

I am disgusted by some in this Chamber and the President for their shameful disregard of taxpayer wishes; their hypocritical double standards; and, most importantly, their shameful disregard for human life.

As a reminder to this administration and my colleagues, I am wearing flip-flops today so they can be reminded of this administration's ability to flip-flop on issues. This administration could not be consistent if their life depended on it, or worse, ours.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Chief Master Sergeant Brian Marquardt of Harrison Township on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force after 33 years of honorable service.

After growing up in Saint Clair Shores, CMSgt Marquardt entered the Air Force in July 1988. After completing basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he was assigned to the 88th Medical Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio for on-the-job training as an Aerospace Medical Technician. His subsequent career includes various aspects of the medical technician field and included Aeromedical Evacuation, Aeromedical Staging and Transportation, and most recently, a ground medical unit with a physical exam package and a shared Air Force Theater Hospital.

His last position was as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 910th Medical Squadron at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio. In this role he advised the commander on matters concerning the health, morale, welfare, and the effective utilization of the Reserve members within the squadron. He also served as the commander's representative to numerous committees, councils, boards, and military and civilian functions. Prior to assuming this most recent position, he served as the Functional Manager for the Aerospace Medical Technician career field at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, as well as Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

CMSgt Marquardt has received numerous awards and decorations including Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Award with 2 oak leaf cluster, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and 2 oak leaf clusters, Iraqi Campaign Medal with one service star and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

CMSgt Marquardt has given over three decades of his life in service to our country. I commend him for this selfless display of love and patriotism. He has certainly made his home state of Michigan proud, and I know the example of service he has set will be followed for years to come. I wish CMSgt Marquardt the best as he takes on life's next great adventure. We are so thankful for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Richmond High School softball team, the Division 3 State champions.

As you know, softball, especially girls softball, has been very near and dear to my heart.

The Richmond girls persevered through a hard-fought championship game against Buchanan, including being down 1 to 0 going into the sixth inning.

After losing two of their first three games, the Richmond girls showed that they would not give up on their team and ended their season on a 22-game win streak.

With everything that these students have had to fight through this year, softball has been their rock. They continued to fight to prove that no matter what adversity was in front of them, they would overcome it.

We are all so proud of you. Congratulations Richmond girls softball team.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Unionville-Sebewaing High School's softball team, the back-to-back Division 4 State champs.

The girls of Unionville-Sebewaing, also known as U-S-A, proved to the entire State of Michigan that they remain at the top of Division 4 with their 14-1 victory over Rudyard.

Congratulations.

Mr. Speaker, for more than 40 years, Joe Biden has been a staunch supporter of the Hyde amendment. So have the American people. Just this past January, polling found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans oppose using tax dollars to terminate innocent lives. That number includes a majority of Independents and nearly one-third of Democrats.

For decades, congressional Democrats joined Republicans in a truly bipartisan effort to ensure tax dollars of hardworking Americans do not pay for abortions. Unfortunately, President Biden is trying to shatter years of congressional bipartisanship with a radical budget that has no Hyde amendment protections.

The President ran on unity, yet his first budget proposal immediately divides. This Congress must take back its congressional responsibility and craft spending bills which protect the lives of the unborn, just as past Congresses have done since 1976.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Marine Corporal Jeffrey Robert Standfest, a St. Clair County native who was killed while serving his country 11 years ago today.

Corporal Standfest was only 23 years old when an IED struck and killed him and his K-9 partner, Sergeant Rupert, in Afghanistan.

Like all of our fallen heroes, Jeff was not just a soldier in war. He was a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, and a friend. A star runner at St. Clair High School, Jeff was an all-American kid who loved his country and followed in the footsteps of his grandfather by serving in the Marine Corps. This is who he was, and this is how he will be remembered.

I recently introduced bipartisan legislation to rename the St. Clair County Post Office after Corporal Standfest. Renaming this post office would serve as a permanent reminder of his selfless service to our country. To his friends, family, and loved ones, it will demonstrate that the United States will never forget his bravery and ultimate sacrifice.

It is the courage of Corporal Standfest and all of those who have worn the uniform that protects the freedoms we hold so dear.

Today, on the anniversary of his tragic death, I hope all of those who knew and loved him find comfort knowing that Corporal Jeffrey Robert Standfest will forever be remembered in history as a patriotic American hero. I am hopeful my colleagues in Congress will join me in honoring this courageous American.

Mr. Speaker, I am that woman, and I am back to talk about the Democratic double standards once again.

Democrats love to jump on the Republican outrage train. But when we see the blatant anti-Semitism from one of their own, all you see are timid, fake, pandering, and watered-down responses.

For those of you who struggle to keep up with the latest anti-Semitic rhetoric from a Democrat, I am referring to the Congresswoman from this Chamber comparing the United States and Israel to real terrorist organizations.

The Speaker and her leadership team issued a weak and embarrassing press release thanking her for her clarification and walking back her remarks. But, of course, Democrats are not serious in disciplining anti-Semitism, or even anti-American remarks, within their ranks.

This photo of the Speaker smiling next to the Congresswoman from Minnesota was on the cover of the March 2019 edition of Rolling Stone. This came after the Congresswoman from Minnesota had tweeted, and then defended, that ``Israel has hypnotized the world'' and implied that the Jewish people were buying political support by tweeting: ``It's all about the Benjamins baby.''

The cover of the magazine says: ``Women Shaping the Future: Nancy Pelosi and the New Voices of the House.''

Is this really the voice of the Democratic Party, Madam Speaker?

Can you imagine, for one moment, the Democratic outrage if this were the Republican leader and the Congresswoman from Georgia? There would be demands for resignations, and Republican office phones would be ringing off the hook from leftwing, liberal activists.

I ask the Speaker, are you truly proud of this photo?

I can't wait to hear her answer. I just hope she won't be as demeaning as the last time she spoke about ``that woman.''

Mr. Speaker, on roll call No. 160, I mistakenly voted ``yes'' when I intended to vote ``No.''

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Barragan (Gallego)

Cardenas (Gomez)

DeSaulnier (Thompson (CA))

Fleischmann (Bilirakis)

Gaetz (Greene (GA))

Grijalva (Garcia (IL))

Hoyer (Brown)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Kirkpatrick (Stanton)

Langevin (Courtney)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lieu (Raskin)

Lowenthal (Beyer)

Meng (Clark (MA))

Mfume (Evans)

Mullin (Lucas)

Napolitano (Correa)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Wexton)

Roybal-Allard (Escobar)

Ruiz (Aguilar)

Rush (Underwood)

Sewell (DelBene)

Sherrill (Pallone)

Van Drew (Norman)

Velazquez (Clarke (NY))

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in objection to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

This bill was so close to being a bipartisan bill. In fact, I was ready to vote ``yes'' on it because, as the majority of people, I do not believe in discrimination. But at the very last minute, the majority had to throw in a provision to actually allow discrimination in a bill that is supposed to be about nondiscrimination--the very last minute.

Ranking Member Foxx offered an amendment to protect and not to discriminate against religious organizations.

Guess what the majority did?

They voted it down.

Remember, this is supposed to be a bill about not discriminating, yet we vote this down.

Although the bill sounds good, and as a woman--and I will say I am a woman--as a mother--and I am proud to be a mother--I was also pregnant and a worker. So I believe in fairness. I believe in nondiscrimination. I believe in protecting the rights of those individuals.

But let's stop playing games in Congress. Let's actually start protecting the people who need protection, and let's get to work.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to be the voice for business owners in my district, who, again, have been kicked while they are down.

This majority and President Biden insist people need more unemployment benefits. They don't. There is a record number of open jobs, more than 8 million, of which only 266,000 of those jobs have been filled. That means that this administration is incentivizing people not to work.

For President Biden to suggest that we need to spend another $4 trillion on the backs of our children and grandchildren to get back to work is insane.

The jobs are there. The incentives to take the jobs are not.

This nationwide problem is impacting Michiganders. In fact, the biggest issue that I hear from business owners in my district is not about COVID or mask mandates or vaccines. They need workers.

I am calling on the Speaker to actually go out into her district and learn what businesses actually need. They don't need more money. They don't need more stimulus. They need more employees.