Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is truly a high honor to have Rabbi Levi Slonim as our guest chaplain today.

Rabbi Slonim codirects Chabad Downtown in Binghamton, New York, alongside his wife, Hadasa, and is also the director of development at the Rohr Chabad Center for Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University.

His faith journey began as a child in Binghamton when his parents, guided by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, established a Chabad presence there in 1985. What started in a modest one-bedroom apartment has grown into a thriving hub that welcomes over 1,500 students each semester.

Rabbi Slonim's work has also taken him across the globe, providing programming in the United States and communities across Europe.

Since returning to Binghamton in 2008, he has initiated impactful programs like the Binghamton JGC, the Listen Up mental health fellowship, and has led over 800 students on birthright trips to Israel.

We welcome Rabbi Levi Slonim and thank him for being here today. We thank him for his leadership. We thank him for his strong faith, and we thank him for being a light in a sometimes dark world. His dedication to faith, education, and community service is an inspiration to us all. We thank him for joining us this morning.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent because of flight issues. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 356; YEA on Roll Call No. 357; YEA on Roll Call No. 358; YEA on Roll Call No. 359; YEA on Roll Call No. 360; YEA on Roll Call No. 361; and YEA on Roll Call No. 362.

Mr. Chair, I was absent because a meeting with my constituents ran late. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 297, NAY on Roll Call No. 298, and NAY on Roll Call No. 299.

Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Burchett

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is very simple. It is a modest increase to funding for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency which will assist in ensuring our southern border is secure.

There is little question that this administration has created a crisis at our border. Every State across America is facing the significant challenge of millions of undocumented individuals crossing into the country, in some cases even being transported to cities and States across America by this very administration.

With that comes significant increases in human trafficking and the drug trade increases of fentanyl and synthetic opioids crossing the border, taking American lives, and devastating communities all across the country.

My own State of New York, admittedly, through bad policy decisions of the mayor of New York City and the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, has become a border State. Hundreds of thousands of individuals are being relocated to the State of New York all at the same time making an enormous crisis even worse.

In our own State we have seen individuals transported from downstate to upstate all with the sanction and the incentivizing from this President and the administration.

Every tool, every resource, and every additional dollar we can provide Customs and Border Patrol is critically necessary to not only securing our border but saving lives, as well.

Congress needs to put forth greater focus and greater dollars, but at the same time this crisis was created by the President, and it is time that this crisis comes to an end.

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

Mr. Chairman, I certainly wasn't going to take the dollars from Border Patrol to rededicate to Border Patrol, so it seemed quite clear to me that we ought to take it from the Office of the Secretary.

If it were up to me, having served as an executive for 12 years, not only would I not have hired Secretary Mayorkas, I would have called for his resignation immediately. If it were up to me, I would eliminate him from the office as it is, but that is not a message.

It is critically important we give the tools necessary to CBP to do its job. It is critically important that, in fact, we hold the administration accountable. It is critically important that Americans understand there is one side of the aisle that is actually fighting to secure the border, and we will continue to do so.

Mr. Chair, I ask support for the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of Joey Chiang, the current president of the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America (TCCNA). Mr. Chiang works tirelessly to lead the TCCNA in their mission to support and connect Taiwanese business members in North America.

TCCNA was established in 1986 as a non-profit organization. TCCNA encompasses thirty-five regional chambers primarily composed of Taiwanese immigrants. These regional chambers span the U.S. and Canada, including major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, New York, and here in the nation's capital. Under the careful stewardship of past presidents, TCCNA has grown into the largest transnational civilian organization in North America. Serving as a vital platform for communication between Taiwanese businesses in North America and the Taiwanese government, TCCNA regularly advocates for the importance of bilateral U.S.-Taiwan trade relations. As of June 22, 2024, the TCCNA is celebrating its 36th annual meeting of the board of directors. This impressive milestone is a testament to the dedication and passion that TCCNA members bring to their organization.

TCCNA would not be what it is today without the guidance of President Joey Chiang. Mr. Chiang, a talented developer in his own right, has led TCCNA to gather forty new directors under his term. His expert hand brought TCCNA great success in their annual Washington DC Door Knocking Event, where the organization visited over fifty members of Congress. Furthermore, Mr. Chiang is not only a talented and successful leader but a generous benefactor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he personally arranged and donated millions of masks from Taiwan to the United States for frontline workers. Mr. Chiang's zeal, generosity, and expert governance has significantly enhanced economic and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in commemorating the dedication of Joey Chiang, a man responsible for advancing Taiwanese-American commercial relations.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Rogers for his leadership and steadfast support for the men and women of our armed services.

Yesterday, I was proud to see three of my amendments pass the House and now appreciate the opportunity to speak about three more.

My first amendment requires critical oversight of the DOD's Education Activity Disability Emphasis program to ensure it operates to support the employment, retention, and career advancements of those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities.

Employment opportunities offer those with disabilities the experience to strengthen their soft skills and lead more independent lives.

Nearly 70 percent of working-aged people with disabilities are unemployed. Another amendment I have offered, included in the en bloc, will require a study on the effectiveness of the Exceptional Family Member program and outline how it currently supports individuals with disabilities.

Special needs families cannot be left in the dark and too often are left on the sidelines, so we must ensure that they have the necessary resources and programs to support their family members' special needs.

The third amendment I offer requires the DOD to provide consistent reporting on the implementation and effectiveness of naloxone distribution for our servicemembers. Opioid overdose and addiction remain a real risk for our transitioning servicemen and -women. We must together ensure they have access to effective reversal treatments in the event of an overdose to help save lives.

Ensuring our servicemembers have the resources to support their mental health, tackle substance use disorder, and support their families, especially those with children with disabilities, is essential to our mission of strengthening and enhancing their quality of life.

Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for the support of my previous amendments as well as their consideration of these three, and I urge their adoption.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent because a meeting with constituents ran long. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 250.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Binghamton Black Bears on winning this year's Commissioner's Cup Championship. Not only is this the team's first title in franchise history, but it is also the first time a professional team has brought back a championship to Binghamton since 2011.

Binghamton, New York, is a hockey town, and we are grateful to the Black Bears for choosing our city to plant their roots in 2021. We are even more proud to call ourselves champions.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend a game ending in a thrilling overtime victory, and I have to say that my wife, Corinne, and my kids, Abigail, Elias, and Theo, still haven't stopped talking about that game.

Like the city of Binghamton, this team is gritty and resilient, and it is reflective of our city. That was clear to me then and even more apparent upon watching their incredible playoff run.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in congratulating the Black Bears and its ownership group led by Andreas Johansson, Head Coach Brant Sherwood, and the entire staff on the ice and in the back office. Of course, we extend our appreciation and congratulations to the Binghamton Black Bears players led by captain Tyson Kirkby.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate our Binghamton Black Bears and the city of Binghamton.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams for supporting this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act.

This is yet one more piece of legislation the House is taking up to build off the work that we began when I served as county executive, our ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative. I thank Representative Chris Pappas for not only his support and cosponsorship of the legislation but his partnership on issues of significance to those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities.

The ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative is a call to action. It is now a national model seeking to break down barriers and create opportunities for those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities. The ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act does just that.

The bill requires cooperation between the SBA and the National Council on Disability to expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for our disability community. Reports have shown and we know that nearly 70 percent of those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities are unemployed. They are relegated to the sidelines.

Too many overlook the immense potential our disability community has, especially when it comes to supporting Main Street. Some believe that certain people can't achieve certain things because they presume that they can't. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Employment and entrepreneurship opportunities allow individuals with disabilities not only to sharpen their soft skills and lead more independent lives, but they add value and benefit to employers.

The ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act paves the way for lawmakers to assess the challenges our employees and entrepreneurs with disabilities face while proactively seeking to ensure those with disabilities have the support they need to pursue careers and opportunities of their own.

Again, I thank my colleague Representative Pappas for his partnership on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Too many living with disabilities are left on the sideline when a simple act of preparing them to enter the workforce or entering the workforce not only transforms and enhances their lives but will advance the work and opportunities with employers and small businesses and certainly work to strengthen the national economy.

Mr. Chair, I was absent because of a family emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call No. 243.

Amendment No. 44 Offered by Mr. Schweikert

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, without question, this Nation owes enormous gratitude to the men and women who served and returned home. So many of them carry with them both physical and mental health injuries as they return home. We are compelled to do more to provide for mental health treatment.

My amendment, amendment No. 29, highlights the importance of the Veterans Health Administration Office of Mental Health's role in assisting veterans across America, those living with intellectual and developmental disability and those living with mental health and substance use disorder challenges.

In August 2023 alone, 5.3 million veterans had a service-related disability, and that number, as we know, continues to grow. They are susceptible to debilitating illnesses, including PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injuries. They also remain at high risk of opioid use disorder.

Veterans, without question, need our support. Their quality of life depends on access to effective and high-quality medical treatment services, and we must all come together to bolster the VHA's ability to care for our veterans' physical and mental health needs. Whether in rural centers or urban communities, it is necessary to broaden the capacity and response to those veterans living with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities and those addressing mental health and substance use disorders.

Mr. Chairman, I certainly thank my colleagues for bringing forth the amendment today. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleagues for their support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I stand before you to recognize May 2024 as National Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month. We honor individuals who have been affected by ALS and pledge unwavering support to patients and their families.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known by many as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease in which the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord stop working and die. Over time, a person's mind loses connection with the muscles, slowly taking away the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. After symptoms develop, most patients only live for another 2-5 years, and despite its destructive nature, currently no one knows what causes most cases of ALS and there are no cures. Today, an estimated 31,000 people in the United States are living with ALS.

In order to combat this devastating illness, we must increase education and support research. ALS Awareness Month deepens the public's awareness of people with ALS' dire circumstances, and acknowledges the terrible impact this disease has, not only on the person, but on his or her family and the community. It further recognizes the research being done to eradicate this disease and is why I sign an annual appropriations letter each year requesting increased funding for ALS research. Our commitment to accelerating the pace of discovery must remain unwavering, fueled by the hope that one day, ALS will be a livable disease for everyone, everywhere, until we can cure it.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in celebrating the month of May to advocate for patients fighting ALS and for the tireless work of the families, caretakers, and researchers supporting those affected by this relentless disease.

Mr. Chairman, for far too long, the U.S. digital asset ecosystem has been plagued by regulatory uncertainty. Consumers, yes, have fallen victim to scams, hacks, market manipulation, and bankruptcies after intermediaries misused customer funds and were unable to meet their obligations.

Thanks to the leadership of Chairmen McHenry and Thompson, Representatives Dusty Johnson and French Hill, we finally have a framework, thanks to the work of many before us today that will set a regulatory foundation to protect consumers and innovators alike all the while ensuring future American leadership in this space.

This bipartisan bill does, in fact, provide consumer protections in a functional, regulatory framework that will ensure the digital asset ecosystem is safe for investors.

This bill accomplishes this by delivering the transparency consumers expect and need to make informed decisions and prevent brokers from engaging in manipulative practices that harm American investors.

This regulatory certainty will also drive financial inclusion by promoting technology that can foster economic growth in underserved communities and expand opportunities for economic participation.

Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3317) to amend title 49, United States Code, to remove the lifetime exemption from the prohibition on procurement of rolling stock from certain vehicle manufacturers for parties to executed contracts.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 3317.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3317, the Rolling Stock Protection Act.

This bipartisan bill, introduced by the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Chairman Rick Crawford, was reported favorably out of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in May 2023.

I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting this legislation. The bill will prevent Federal tax dollars from being sent to foreign State- owned enterprises and State-connected businesses for the purchase of rolling stock such as railcars and buses.

Moreover, this bill will block Federal dollars flowing from the Federal Transit Administration to rolling stock manufacturers connected to the Chinese Communist Party.

In 2019, Congress enacted the Transportation Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act as a provision of the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. TIVSA prohibited public transportation agencies that receive Federal assistance from using funds to procure vehicles from State-owned enterprises.

Passage of TIVSA was a direct response to alarming national and economic security concerns related to China's state-owned enterprise rolling stock manufacturers, primarily the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation and Build Your Dreams, whose presence in the bus and railcar market had grown significantly.

That legislation included a loophole that allowed the FTA to grant lifetime exemptions to four of the Nation's largest transit agencies, allowing them to continue buying rolling stock manufactured by companies connected to and dependent on the CCP. This bill we are considering today will close that loophole.

In doing so, H.R. 3317 will enhance American manufacturing opportunity in the rolling stock industry. It will help American workers and strengthen our domestic supply chain. H.R. 3317 will take us another step forward in safeguarding America's national security and economic interests.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford), the sponsor of H.R. 3317.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3317, the Rolling Stock Protection Act, is a bipartisan bill that protects American workers, our domestic economic interests, and our national security. H.R. 3317 will stop Federal dollars from going to rolling stock manufacturers backed and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

The bill is a responsive and responsible step that will prohibit further erosion of our domestic manufacturing sector by the CCP.

H.R. 3317 will enhance domestic manufacturing opportunities and ensure that United States tax dollars can no longer be paid to companies linked to foreign adversarial nations for procurement of rolling stock.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5754) to designate the United States courthouse located at 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, California, as the ``Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse'', as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 5754.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5754, a bill to designate the United States courthouse located at 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, California, as the Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse.

Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez are remembered for their leadership in the 1946 Federal court case Mendez v. Westminster which desegregated public schools in California, which established the legal precedent for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case. It is fitting that we acknowledge the late couple by naming this courthouse in Los Angeles after them.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 5754, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I join in supporting this bill recognizing the legacy of Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez by naming a United States courthouse in Los Angeles after them. This is an historic and appropriate recognition, and I yield back the balance of my time.