Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of Ivy Child International, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization devoted to promoting wellness, mindfulness, and culturally-sensitive education to children and communities. Ivy Child International has a mission to cultivate resilience and leadership through mindfulness, with a priority towards children who have the fewest resources. Their values of implementing evidence-based research, developing deep-rooted relationships, and authentic commitment to their community partners are to be admired. In the last fifteen years, Ivy Child International has developed over three hundred fifty programs, serving nearly four hundred thousand program participants.

At the heart of Ivy Child International's work is the belief that every child deserves the opportunity and support to thrive. Its programs

provide children with practical tools to manage stress, strengthen emotional well-being, and develop the confidence and resilience needed to succeed. Just as importantly, Ivy Child recognizes that effective programs must reflect the cultures, languages, and experiences of the communities they serve. By bringing together educators, families, and community partners, Ivy Child has helped create supportive environments where young people can learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

Children are the future of our communities; through their many programs and partnerships, Ivy Child has demonstrated how empowering youths can positively impact families and entire communities. They have received recognition from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as an ``Essential Agent of Change'' and have received various honors and accolades across the Commonwealth, including being recognized as a top Mindful Nonprofit. They employ a wide range of talent to promote a multilingual and multicultural education for our children--preparing them for a world that is increasingly connected. I am grateful for the work they do and look forward to their continued growth and contributions within our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I was not able to be present for votes on July 20, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 251, H.R. 8823, and YEA on Roll Call No. 250, H.R. 4541.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life and legacy of Roger P. Frechette, Sr., a decorated boxer, veteran, entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader whose dedication to the City of Lowell has left a lasting impact across generations.

Roger was born on October 4, 1941, in Lowell, Massachusetts, the second oldest of seven children born to Jean-Paul ``The Blond Tiger'' Frechette and Rita Fournier Frechette. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in athletics and community service, Roger learned early the values of discipline, perseverance, and giving back. His father, Jean- Paul, was one of Lowell's most beloved sports figures, a New England Featherweight Champion, founder of the Greater Lowell Softball League, President of the Passe Temps Club, and a tireless advocate for youth athletics. In recognition of his contributions to the community, a bridge in Lowell was dedicated in his honor and proudly bears the Tiger Frechette name today. Inspired by his father's example, Roger embarked on a path that would mirror that same commitment to excellence and service.

Roger began boxing at an early age and built an accomplished sixteen- year career in the sport. His achievements included winning the Silver Mittens Championship in 1955, the Golden Gloves Novice Championship in 1958, the Greater Lowell Open Championship in 1959, and the New England AAU Championship in 1961. He represented New England in national AAU competition, competed as a professional boxer, and earned distinction as the Fort Dix U.S. Army Boxing Champion in the 118-pound division while serving his country. Roger also proudly served in the Massachusetts National Guard. His dedication to boxing and his contributions to the sport were recognized in 2007 when he was inducted into the New England Boxing Hall of Fame.

While Roger achieved success in the ring, his greatest contributions may have come through his commitment to mentoring young people. Believing that boxing could provide structure, confidence, and opportunity, he founded the West End Boxing Gym and worked closely with the Lowell Boys Club to guide and inspire countless young athletes. Through his mentorship, Roger taught lessons that extended far beyond sports, instilling discipline, respect, perseverance, and self- confidence in generations of Lowell youth. For many, he served not only as a coach but as a role model and trusted mentor whose guidance helped shape their futures.

Roger's business acumen was equally impressive. He owned and operated the Moosehead Cafe, founded Beverly Roofing and several successful roofing businesses, and invested in residential and commercial properties throughout Lowell. Through these ventures, he contributed to the economic vitality of the city while creating jobs and opportunities for others.

Following in his father's footsteps, Roger also devoted himself to civic leadership. From 1960 through 1964, he served as President of the Passe Temps Club, becoming the youngest president in the organization's history. Throughout his life, he remained an active and respected figure in the community, using his influence to support local organizations, youth programs, and neighborhood initiatives. His leadership reflected a deep belief that strong communities are built through service, hard work, and a willingness to invest in others.

Roger's greatest pride is his family. He shared a lifelong bond with his wife, Sandra Graham Frechette, and together they raised four sons: Roger, Jr., Ronnie, Robert, and

Randy. Following the tragic loss of their son Robert in 1968, Roger and Sandra persevered through hardship and spent nearly three decades together. Today, their legacy continues through their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those inspired by their example. Roger currently resides in Winter Park, Florida, where he is cared for by his son Ronnie and daughter-in-law Stephanie, though he has never lost his deep connection to Lowell, the city he proudly calls home and where his family's legacy was built.

Roger's legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments as an athlete, businessman, or community leader. He is remembered for his generosity, his unwavering support of young people, his pride in the City of Lowell, and his commitment to helping others succeed. Through every stage of his life, he embodied the values of determination, humility, and service, leaving an enduring impact on the countless individuals whose lives he touched.

Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, Roger is known for his deep love of family and friends, the kindness he shows to those around him, and his extraordinary leadership, mentorship, and commitment to community service. His contributions to athletics, business, and the people of Lowell have strengthened the fabric of the city and created a legacy that will endure for generations, one defined by service, generosity, and impact. His legacy is truly unforgettable and everlasting.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding and for his strong leadership on this vitally important issue.

When I joined the Energy and Commerce Committee 6 years ago, I committed to doing everything in my power to make the internet a safer place for my children, my two young daughters, specifically.

In the years since, I have sat in hearing after hearing where we have talked about doing something to deliver on that promise.

I met with parents who have lived every family's worst nightmare, parents whose children harmed themselves and even ended their lives because executives in Silicon Valley cared more about their stock price than the safety of our children.

I looked those parents in the eye. I cried with them as they told their story. Then I went home to have hard conversations with my two girls about how the apps they use, Instagram, TikTok, and others, are engineered to make them doubt their image and question their worth.

For years, this crisis has gone unanswered, decades at this point. Our children have been left to navigate one of the most powerful and manipulative technologies ever built, and they have been left to do it alone.

This bill ends that.

To be clear, Mr. Speaker, the KIDS Act doesn't solve every problem, but it makes one heck of a dent. It finally gives kids and teens overdue privacy protections. It forces platforms to turn on safeguards by default instead of burying them where no parent can find them. It puts tools in the hands of moms and dads, and it makes companies answer for the worst harms that they allow on their platforms.

Is it everything I want? No. I have heard from parents and advocates who believe we should go further, and they are right that this fight isn't over. We can and we must continue to build upon this progress, but I refuse to tell families to wait for a better political moment or for a perfect bill that may never come when meaningful protections are in front of us right now.

Critically, these are protections built to last, not ones written to be struck down in court on the day they take effect.

I thank Ranking Member Pallone for his commitment to these negotiations, and I acknowledge the work of leaders on the committee on this issue, including Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

Today, we pass the KIDS Act. Tomorrow, we keep fighting for safer digital spaces for every child, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Alexandra Karabatsos for her exceptional service to my office and to the constituents of Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District.

Alex has been an indispensable member of my team since my first campaign for Congress in 2018, and she has served with distinction since day one of my tenure in office. Over the years, she has taken on increasing responsibility across a number of roles, including Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Assistant, Senior Legislative Assistant, and ultimately, Legislative Director.

A proud native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Alex brought a deep understanding of and commitment to our district in every aspect of her work. Her connection to the community ensured that the voices of 3rd District residents are always at the forefront of our legislative priorities.

As Legislative Director, Alex has led our legislative team with integrity, vision, and an unwavering dedication to delivering results. She has overseen a broad policy portfolio, with particular expertise in health care, where she has played a central role in advancing meaningful, bipartisan solutions.

Among her many accomplishments, Alex was instrumental in passage of landmark legislation. Notably, she helped lead the effort to pass the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, bipartisan legislation to standardize substance use disorder training for providers, and the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act, a significant bipartisan achievement that will improve access to timely, lifesaving care for children across the country.

In addition to this work, Alex has been a driving force behind our response to the Steward Health Care crisis, the addiction epidemic, and the mental health crisis facing our children and young adults. Her ability to navigate complex policy challenges and build consensus has made her an invaluable leader both within my office and among colleagues across Capitol Hill.

Beyond her policy expertise, Alex has been a mentor to junior staff, a thoughtful advisor, and a cornerstone of our office culture. Her leadership has strengthened our team and elevated our ability to serve the people of Massachusetts' 3rd District.

It has been a joy to watch Alex grow as a leader. Her intelligence, work ethic, humor, and deep commitment to public service have left a lasting mark on my office and on the communities we serve.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Alexandra Karabatsos for her outstanding service and wishing her all the best in her next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend the first vote series today due to a delayed flight into Washington, D.C. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 71, YEA on Roll Call No. 72, NAY on Roll Call No. 73, and NAY on Roll Call No. 74.

Mr. Speaker, this vote is a waste of time. Nothing in this Republican healthcare plan will stop Americans' healthcare premiums from skyrocketing.

When this bill fails to become law--and it will fail--20 million Americans will see their premiums surge on January 1. Many will not even be able to afford hundreds or even thousands more each month, they will lose their healthcare coverage completely.

This is a partisan exercise that does nothing to address the crisis before us. That is why, moments ago, four Republicans signed onto the bipartisan legislation to end this crisis and protect Americans' healthcare, giving it the signatures necessary to be considered on the House floor. The American people expect us to act with urgency, decisiveness, and transparency.

Mr. Speaker, cancel this vote. Call up the bipartisan bill to save Americans' healthcare before you take another vacation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tremendous contributions and legacy of James Good, a devoted community leader and advocate whose life's work has transformed and strengthened the Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley region. He will retire as Chair of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, an organization he founded over 30 years ago, on December 10, 2025.

James was born and raised in the Highlands section of Lowell, Massachusetts, where his parents, John and Pearl Good, taught their children the importance of generosity, kindness, and service. On Saturdays, James and his father collected newspapers to support families in need, and his mother served as a crossing guard on Stevens Street for over 30 years, greeting every child by name. This devotion to service extended throughout the Good family. His late brother, Jack, was active in his church and community in Essex County and is remembered for his lasting generosity, while his sister, Maryanne, continues the family tradition, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. James's dedication to serving others began when he proudly enlisted in the United States Army, the ultimate commitment that set the course for a lifetime of service to his community and those around him.

After completing his service in the Army, James turned his focus to giving back to the community where he was raised, channeling his compassion to founding Good Friends, Inc. to ensure that children across the region could experience the joy and magic of Christmas. His dedication to helping others soon expanded as he supported the Middlesex Shelter, an effort that laid the groundwork for what would become the Merrimack Valley Food Bank in 1991. Determined to address local hunger and meet the urgent needs of families facing food insecurity, James began by distributing food from the back of a rented truck to a handful of local agencies. This modest start quickly evolved: by 1993, the organization had incorporated as an independent nonprofit with its own board of directors, and in 1995 it moved into a larger warehouse on Broadway Street, adding refrigeration and expanding its distribution capacity. Under the leadership of its first Executive Director, Irene Reagan, and with the support of dedicated staff, volunteers, and board members, the Food Bank grew from serving two small agencies to partnering with more than 100 organizations and feeding approximately 70,000 individuals each month. Throughout this growth, James's vision, advocacy, and unwavering commitment remained central, enabling the Food Bank to extend its reach beyond Lowell and into communities across the Merrimack Valley. Today, with a renovated facility on Middlesex Street and ongoing efforts like the Feed & Nourish capital campaign, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank continues to honor James's legacy by providing essential support and fighting food insecurity throughout the region.

As the founder of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank and an active leader on numerous boards, James's impact extends far beyond immediate relief. He has fostered lasting change, strengthened nonprofit infrastructure, and uplifted generations of families through leadership, dedication, and compassion. His service includes roles as President and Chairman of the Food Bank, Founder and President of Good Friends, Inc., member of the Chelmsford Planning Board, Chairman of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board, Treasurer of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and board service with the Chelmsford Business Association, Southwell Park, and Lowell Five, among many others. James has continuously used each role to advance opportunity, dignity, and care for those in need. James's kindness and wisdom make him a trusted figure for individuals to lean on when experiencing hardship. Through James's leadership and efforts, he has made the City of Lowell a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Throughout his life, James has been widely recognized for his contributions and leadership, receiving numerous honors including the Chelmsford Lodge of Elks Citizen of the Year Award, the Local Hero Award from Community Teamwork, the DeMolay International Legion of Honor, the Lions Club of Lowell Good Guy of the Year and serving as Grand Marshal of the Chelmsford Fourth of July Parade. These accolades speak to the breadth of his service, but those who know him will agree that he has never sought recognition, only results for the people and communities he cares so deeply about.

In a time when many turn inward, James Good stands as a beacon of service and hope. His legacy reminds us that generosity builds stronger communities, that compassion can change lives, and that one individual, guided by values of empathy, humility, and action, can leave an impact that endures for generations. Most importantly, James is known for his love for his wife Paula, his family and friends, his kindness to those around him, and his immense pride in the City of Lowell.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and to highlight two bipartisan bills, the Give Kids a Chance Act and the BRAIN Act, that will help save lives. Cancer is a disease which affects nearly every household and community around the country, and nowhere is it more heartbreaking than when it affects our children.

This month marks an opportunity to raise awareness for childhood cancer and support research for new treatment and therapy avenues. Just this year alone, nearly 10,000 children will be diagnosed with pediatric cancer. This is an issue that could not be more important and pressing.

The Give Kids a Chance Act removes many of the hurdles and barriers to researching treatments for rare pediatric diseases. It restores FDA incentives through the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program, encouraging companies to develop drugs for rare childhood diseases. The PRV program has already helped develop new treatments for 200,000 patients spanning nearly 50 rare diseases. Muscular dystrophy, sickle cell, and tropical diseases have all seen medical breakthroughs during this program.

Give Kids a Chance will also reauthorize the FDA to take action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements. Thus, ensuring that patients get the latest and best treatments that they require. As Dr. Benjamin Ebert, President of Dana- Faber, said, ``sustained federal investment is needed to ensure that every child has the opportunity for a life free from disease.'' This bill would cement that investment and sustain our leadership in biotechnology, while costing the taxpayer nothing.

Similarly, the BRAIN Act is another common-sense, bipartisan piece of legislation that

will advance pediatric care. Recently, brain cancer has passed leukemia as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths of pediatric patients. While the number of cases is growing, survival rates have remained stagnant for 45 years. This needs to change.

The BRAIN Act will increase awareness for clinical trials, invest funding into glioblastoma therapeutics and cellular immunotherapy research, and authorize the FDA to ensure brain tumor patient access to clinical trials. Many aggressive pediatric cases have a survival rate of less than the average school year. We have the responsibility and opportunity to try and change that. Echoing what David Arons, of the National Brain Tumor Society, stated, ``now is the time to build on government support for research and access to care for cancer patients.''

During this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I urge my colleagues to support these two bipartisan bills and give pediatric patients, across the country, a better chance to fight and survive.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 277, H.R. 3062; NAY on Roll Call No. 278, H.R. 3015; and NAY on Roll Call No. 279, H.R. 1047.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for votes on June 10, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 162 and NAY on Roll Call No. 163.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for votes on June 9, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 157; NAY on Roll Call No. 158; and YEA on Roll Call No. 159.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 160 and NAY on Roll Call No. 161.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend the June 3, 2025 vote series due to an personal family matter. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 146, and YEA on Roll Call No. 147.

Mr. Speaker, I oppose this bill because it is a targeted attack on Planned Parenthood, one of the most trusted providers of reproductive healthcare in our country.

The bill bans Federal Medicaid and CHIP dollars from going to Planned Parenthood for 10 years, without even naming the organization, by using vague criteria clearly designed to single them out.

This provision threatens access to cancer screenings, birth control, and other essential care for millions of Americans, particularly low- income women.

For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to the committee. If the House would have permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill.

My amendment would strike the provision that blocks Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood. No one should lose access to basic care just because of where they go to get it. I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for this motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

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

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