Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 9615, Battery Recycling for America's Competitive Economy Act, the BRACE Act.

This is a bipartisan bill to strengthen America's domestic battery recycling industry and recover critical minerals already in our country. This is on top of bills I have introduced with the same thing, recovering from hard drives.

I would also like to thank my colleagues across the aisle, Representatives Menendez and Ruiz, for joining me on this legislation.

Demand for lithium-ion batteries has grown exponentially, driven by electric vehicles, energy storage, communication, and consumer products. As these batteries reach the end of their lives, recycling can help recover valuable critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. Yet, much of this material is sent overseas, often to China, for processing. In our landfills, it creates a fire hazard.

Our current RCRA regulations, which predate the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries, create unnecessary costs and uncertainty for recyclers. The BRACE Act would allow destination facilities to store lithium-ion batteries at the same location where they are recycled, eliminating unnecessary costs or the need for complex permits.

This commonsense update will help grow domestic battery recycling and strengthen our critical mineral supply chains.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the BRACE Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sudanese-American Iowa National Soccer Team Club for its outstanding performance at the Sudanese American Soccer Federation's 25th Anniversary Tournament.

Competing at the national level for the third time, the Iowa team earned three awards that reflect the talent, character, and dedication of its players. The club received the Fair Play Award for its sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, and respect throughout the tournament.

Olamilekan Ojo, known as Messi, was recognized with the Five-Star Outstanding Player Award for his exceptional performance, and the club also received a Tournament Participation Award. These accomplishments are a testament to the team's hard work and its commitment to representing Iowa with pride.

Beyond competition, the club uses soccer to develop young athletes, build leadership skills and character, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen community connections.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the coaches and all the young athletes on the Iowa National Soccer Team Club, and I look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in the future.

Celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and recognize the hardworking men and women who keep Iowa and our Nation moving.

Iowa is home to 37,530 truck drivers, many of whom spend long hours on the road delivering the food, fuel, supplies, and products our families, farms, and businesses rely on every day.

From the truck stops along Interstate 80 to the world's largest truck stop, the Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott, trucking is a vital part of Iowa's economy and way of life. These drivers help keep our grocery store shelves stocked, support Iowa's farmers and manufacturers, and ensure goods can reach communities across our State and country. They even deliver lifesaving medical supplies and organs.

In fact, more than 60 percent of the communities in Iowa depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. The trucking industry also provides good-paying jobs for Iowans and supports thousands of locally owned businesses.

I am grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of Iowa's truck drivers and the vital role they play in supporting our families, strengthening our local businesses, and ensuring communities across Iowa have the goods and resources they need.

Recognizing the Seol Family

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share a story about an unpayable debt, a promise kept across generations, and the true meaning of the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, 75 years ago, a young refugee named Myung-Hee Seol, having survived a brutal foreign occupation and the shadow of communism, fought for his life in the Korean war. On a frozen, desolate hill, an American marine pulled him from the brink of death--igniting a spark of gratitude that would shape a family's destiny forever.

Decades later, his son, the international artist Kacey Seol, poured his heart into honoring that nameless marine. He created Alliance 70, a breathtaking 10-foot canvas composed of 300,000 microscopic historic images of both nations harmonizing into one powerful unit that now hangs permanently inside the Pentagon. It is a stunning, living monument to the alliance that bought his family's freedom.

Today, that sacred promise is fulfilled at Rock Island Arsenal in my district. The refugee's grandson, Dr. Jason Seol--serving dually as an U.S. Army Reserve officer and an Army civilian at First Army Headquarters--is living the American Dream his grandfather could only imagine. He also pioneered their innovative Holistic Health and Fitness, H2F, martial arts program, training our Nation's soldiers in physical and mental readiness.

As we continue celebrating 250 years of our Nation, the Seol family reminds us freedom is not free. You earn it daily by what you do for your family, your community, and your country. Their 75-year journey is the ultimate testament that American freedom is a priceless gift that is meant to be paid forward and preserved.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a very happy birthday to my sister-in-law, Susan. Happy birthday, Susan.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a happy birthday to my husband, Curt Meeks. Happy birthday to my husband, and I hope he has many more birthdays to come.

Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, ordinary people kissed their families good-bye and went to work. As I went to work after making my children's lunch, I heard on the radio that a plane had flown into Tower One and thought it was a prank. By the time we turned on the TV in our waiting room, we saw the second plane hit the tower and knew we had a terrorist attack, our generation's Pearl Harbor.

Among them were a father who called his wife just to say ``I love you'' one more time; a mother who tucked a photo of her kids into her bag that morning; an Iowan who was in his second week at Columbia, who goes down to volunteer and then enlists in the military; firefighters who ran upstairs while everyone else was running down because that was simply who they were.

Nearly 3,000 of them never made it home. In the quiet that followed, in the ash, in the silence, something happened that I still carry with me. Strangers became family. We held each other. We cried together. For a moment, we forgot everything that divided us.

I enlisted in the Army to ensure rights for everyone, regardless of whether they disagree with me. Now, 25 years later, I still think about the families who set an extra place at the table that will always be empty, the children who grew up without a parent. Their grief became our grief, and it still is.

We promise to never forget. I will never forget them. I will always defend them. Those who harm us, we will not forget.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Burlison for yielding me time and for his support of this important legislation, H.R. 1722, the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act.

I also offer special thanks to my fellow Iowan, Senator Joni Ernst, who is leading this bill in the Senate. She has been a true champion when it comes to exposing Washington's waste and protecting the hard- earned dollars of the American people.

Madam Speaker, Washington's worst-kept secret is its prolific spending problem. Families in Iowa and all across this country have to balance their checkbooks every single month. They budget. They plan, and when money is tight, they make it work or they do without.

Washington should be held to that very same standard, especially at a time when our national debt is inching toward $400 trillion. However, instead of accountability, we get boondoggles.

Take Governor Newsom's high-speed rail in California. It was supposed to cost $33 billion and connect Los Angeles to San Francisco by 2020. Today, it is more than $95 billion over budget and years behind schedule.

After more than a decade and billions of taxpayer dollars, they are only now beginning to lay track, and the promised line between Los Angeles and San Francisco is nowhere in sight. What the people were promised and what they got are two very different things.

However, it is not just California. In Honolulu, a rail project is $4.8 billion over budget, with its completion slipping from 2020 all the way to 2031. In Columbus, a corridor project is 19 years behind schedule. The Federal Reserve's renovation ballooned to nearly $2.5 billion. Air Force One is billions over budget and years behind. The VA's electronic health records system, meant to serve our veterans, tripled from $16 billion to nearly $50 billion.

Madam Speaker, these are not rounding errors. These are betrayals of the people who have paid for them.

That is why I introduced the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act. It is simple. It requires the Federal Government to publicly disclose any taxpayer-funded project that is more than $1 billion over budget or more than 5 years behind schedule. No more hiding and no more burying the failures where no one can find them. Sunlight, as they say, is the best disinfectant.

Here is the truth: The American people have a right to know where their money goes. Every dollar Washington wastes is a dollar taken from a farmer in Iowa, a nurse working a double shift, or a young family trying to get ahead.

I did not come to Washington to protect its comfortable habit of wasting taxpayer money. I came here to defend the people who pay the bills. This bill puts them front and center where they belong.

I thank Senator Ernst once again for her partnership, and I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense legislation.

The people of Iowa are watching. The people of America are watching. Let's give them the transparency they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Pella High School Marching Dutch on their trip to our Nation's Capital for the 250th National Independence Day celebration.

Led by 21-year band director Dameon Place, the Pella Marching Dutch includes 225 talented high school students. Participation in the band gives students the opportunity to develop leadership, discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence that will serve them well after graduation. I know this firsthand because my children participated in band and orchestra.

While the Independence Day Parade was, unfortunately, canceled because of the extreme heat, the students made the most of their once- in-a-lifetime trip. They adapted and played a special popup performance at the Upper Senate Park, allowing visitors to experience this talented Iowa band. They also attended the National Symphony Orchestra's Fourth of July concert and fireworks, visited our Nation's iconic monuments, and explored the Smithsonian museums.

Our community in Pella is extremely supportive of its band program. These students work hard, represent Iowa with pride, and demonstrate the positive impact school music programs have on our youth.

Recognizing Sheriff Robert Rotter

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my constituent, Sheriff Robert Rotter, who was recently confirmed by the Senate to serve as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa.

Sheriff Rotter joined the Iowa County Sheriff's Office in 1990 and has dedicated more than three decades to public service. Before his nomination, Sheriff Rotter was serving his fifth term as the Iowa County Sheriff, earning a reputation for leadership, service, and commitment to the people of Iowa County and Iowa.

Throughout his career, Sheriff Rotter has remained dedicated to keeping our communities safe. As Iowa County Sheriff, he spearheaded a program to properly dispose of expired and unused prescription and over-the-counter medications, preventing drugs from falling into the wrong hands. He also initiated a countywide active shooter program that helped train over 1,500

students, teachers, and industrial and retail employees.

Sheriff Rotter's hard work, leadership, and commitment to protecting others have earned him this amazing opportunity to continue serving our State and Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Sheriff Rotter and thank him for his dedicated service to Iowa County and Iowa.

Fighting for the American Dream

Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the Iowa families who have been priced out of the American Dream.

Across this country, the average first-time home buyer is now 40 years old, an all-time high. In contrast, I purchased my first home as a young captain in the Army at age 22.

Our Nation is short as many as 5.5 million homes. The share of first- time home buyers has fallen by one-half since 2007.

Iowa families feel this every single day. Young couples work hard, save diligently, and still cannot afford a home in the communities they grew up in. Rental prices have increased, as well.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act changes that. It cuts the red tape strangling home construction, so we build more homes and lower costs for buyers and renters alike. It stops big Wall Street firms from buying up single-family homes because Iowa homes belong to Iowa families, not hedge funds. This is the most significant housing reform in a generation, and it is now law.

To every Iowan chasing their first home, help is on the way. The American Dream is worth fighting for, and I will never stop fighting for my constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend a birthday greeting to the oldest of seven siblings, Richard Miller.

Happy birthday, Richard.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend birthday greetings to the youngest of my seven siblings, MariEleanor Martino.

Happy birthday, MariEleanor.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Guthrie, who has done a fabulous job of shepherding this through the Committee on Energy and Commerce in a bipartisan manner.

Protecting children and teens online is one of the most urgent responsibilities we face as policymakers. As digital platforms become central to how young people learn, communicate, innovate, and navigate the world, we must ensure that these spaces are safe, transparent, and designed with their well-being as the driving priority.

My bill, the SPY Kids Act, included in title II of the KIDS Act, takes an important step toward that goal by prohibiting online platforms from conducting market research or product-focused research on children under 13 and by requiring verifiable parental consent before such research can be conducted on teenagers.

The bill applies to user-generated content platforms that use engagement-driven design features and personal data to tailor ads or recommendations, such as social media

companies and social gaming platforms.

This legislation matters because the online environment our kids encounter today is fundamentally different from anything previous generations experienced.

Platforms are engineered to capture attention, collect sensitive information, shape behavior, force content, and it is in ways that young users may not recognize or be able to navigate safely.

Children and teens should not be profiled, studied, or targeted for commercial advantage, especially without parental oversight.

By limiting how platforms can analyze and monetize minors' data, the SPY Kids Act helps reduce the risk of manipulative marketing practices, strengthens privacy protections, and reinforces the principle that the well-being of America's youth must come before the business models of technology companies.

Our goal is simple: to build an online ecosystem where children can grow, learn, innovate, and connect without being exploited in the process.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Guthrie for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 7266, the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act, a bipartisan bill I am proud to lead with Congresswoman McClellan, to help reauthorize and strengthen a critical program that helps rural and municipal electric utilities defend against growing cybersecurity threats to our Nation's energy grid.

Just this spring, national security experts warned that hostile nation-states are shifting from isolated cyber incidents to sustained campaigns against U.S. critical infrastructure, including the energy sector. Yet, many small and rural utilities lack the capacity and expertise to act on this information.

RMUC is designed to close that gap. In Iowa's First District, rural electric cooperatives serve ratepayers across 20 counties and face the same threats as major urban systems but with fewer resources.

By reauthorizing the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program at DOE and authorizing $250 million over 5 years to deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies and support participation in information-sharing programs, this bill ensures rural electric cooperatives, public power, and other small utilities have access to advanced cybersecurity tools, technical assistance, and grant funding to protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats.

At a time when cyberattacks on our critical infrastructure are escalating, small and rural utilities need the resources to defend against nation-state actors and sophisticated threats. This bill provides that support.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Bost for yielding time to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Fisher House Availability Act. This life-changing bill would ease the burden on the families of veterans staying in Fisher Houses across the country by making lodging more accessible for veterans, servicemembers, and their families during treatment.

Thousands of American families travel long distances every year to accompany their veteran loved one so that they can receive serious medical treatment at VA facilities.

The Fisher House Foundation provides those families with a helping hand through free, safe lodging. The Fisher House Foundation and their many volunteers make a painful time bearable.

Fisher Houses help bridge the gap for veterans and their families when care becomes difficult instead of easy. What better mission than to provide a place to stay while their loved one, servicemember, or veteran receives the medical care they need.

The value of these homes can be understood by their numbers. Over the past 30 years, Fisher Houses have served 500,000 people, kept $650 million in people's wallets, and offered 12.5 million nights of lodging.

More than the numbers, however, the value can be understood through the stories, as founder Zachary Fisher put it, hardships we helped ease and friendships we helped form.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom were tragically attacked last year here in D.C. Fisher House provided shelter to the loved ones of Staff Sergeant Wolfe while he received care at a VA-owned home. This is an example of the mission being met.

However, this story is an exception, not the standard. Staff Sergeant Wolfe's family required a waiver in order to stay in the lodging due to burdensome regulations. We must do better, and my bill, the Fisher House Availability Act, would make it so that we can do better.

Under current law, a VA-owned Fisher House cannot let the family of a servicemember stay, even if there is space available, and veterans and military are used to space available. The family of a veteran cannot stay, either, if the veteran happens to need care from a non-VA medical facility.

Mr. Speaker, this interpretation of the law forces the door shut to vacant rooms when space is available that is meant to serve those who serve or who have served.

My bill would fix this issue head-on by not displacing veterans or veterans' families. It would only open the door for more of them. Further, the bill simply ensures that servicemembers have access to available lodging.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the Fisher House Foundation and to Chairman Bost for supporting this bill, and I am proud to address this issue on behalf of the veteran and military families I know it will help across the country.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 171, I mistakenly voted NAY when I intended to vote YEA.

State against:

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee for allowing me time. I am proud to stand here--I know, I really am standing--in strong support of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

Every single year since 2011, the EPA has issued an emergency waiver to allow E15 to be sold during the Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), a valued member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee for allowing me time. I am proud to stand here--I know, I really am standing--in strong support of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

Every single year since 2011, the EPA has issued an emergency waiver to allow E15 to be sold during the summer months. That means Washington already recognizes that this policy makes sense.

What we are doing today is removing an outdated prohibition and finally providing certainty for farmers, producers, retailers, and consumers year-round.

E15 is an American-made, domestic fuel that is homegrown, lowers gas prices, strengthens our energy independence, and supports rural communities across Iowa and our country.

Nationwide E15 adoption would save drivers nearly $27 billion annually, but this debate is about much more than fuel. Agriculture is hurting right now. Input costs remained high through the Biden administration. Commodity prices are down. Farm bankruptcies are rising.

I have looked farmers in the eye as they have told me that their family farms, their legacies, are at risk, along with their community bank and their community implement dealer. That is not because they are failing, but because Washington keeps moving the goalpost.

Year-round E15 provides the certainty that farmers have been asking for. It would increase corn demand by 2.4 billion bushels, strengthen domestic energy production, support more than 128,000 American jobs, inject billions of dollars into rural economies, and save Americans money.

Let's clear up some misinformation being pushed about this bill. The legislation doesn't mandate E15. It simply gives retailers the option to sell it year-round. Again, it is removing an outdated prohibition.

The fear-mongering and falsehoods being spread about this bill are coming at the expense of America's farmers, rural communities, and the American people. Farmers do not need more uncertainty. They need Congress to finally act and get out of the way. It is time to deliver permanent year-round E15.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to make it back to D.C. for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 138 and YEA on Roll Call No. 139.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize what is shaping up to be one of the most significant tax days in American history and to remind Americans to file on time and take full advantage of the relief available to them this year.

Thanks to the working families tax cuts, millions of Americans are seeking real relief, with average savings of nearly $4,000 for working- and middle-class families. This law delivers where it matters most: no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, tax relief for seniors, support for small businesses, and new investment accounts to help the next generation get ahead.

It is already making a difference. As a matter of fact, last week, when I was traveling in my district and going into a gas station convenience store, a gentleman was coming out. He looked at me and said: ``Thank you very much. I got my refund back. It is bigger than I have ever had. I am a Democrat. I won't vote for you, but I appreciate the refund.''

This isn't just about tax policy, though. It is about giving more Americans freedom to pay their bills, save for their future, pay for prescription drugs, and provide for their families.

Tax day is April 15. If you haven't filed yet, now is the time.

strengthening rural healthcare

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the urgent need to strengthen rural healthcare and expand access to care for communities across Iowa and our Nation.

In too many rural areas, hospitals face workforce shortages, limited resources, and the constant threat of closure, putting patients at risk of losing care close to home. That is why the first-of-its-kind $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program is so important--an investment designed to stabilize rural hospitals, expand services, and bring back care to communities that need it most. I fought to include this program in the working families tax cuts because rural Americans deserve access to high-quality care regardless of their ZIP Code.

Iowa is already leading the way as the first State to tap into this program, receiving over $209 million to support rural hospitals. A supported workforce and modern technology are essential to outcomes and help expand access to care.

As a physician, I know that this is important to essential better health outcomes. That is why I recently convened my third rural healthcare roundtable, bringing together hospitals and our director of Medicaid to ensure this program is implemented in a way that meets the needs of patients and providers, especially in rural areas.

Expanding access to care means stronger communities, better outcomes, and ensuring that no one is left behind simply because of where they live.

celebrating successful return of artemis ii

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the successful return of the Artemis II crew on April 10. Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen completed the historic 10-day mission, traveling around the far side of the Moon and farther from Earth than any humans in history.

During their journey, they tested critical systems aboard the Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future missions that will return Americans to the lunar surface. Their safe splashdown off the coast of California marks a major milestone in American space exploration.

This mission also highlights the contributions of institutions across our country, including the University of Iowa, whose researchers have played an important role in advancing radiation monitoring and astronaut safety, building on decades of leadership in space science. I am grateful for the dedication of the scientists, engineers, and mission teams who made this achievement possible.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Artemis II crew and NASA on this extraordinary accomplishment. May we continue to lead the world in exploration and innovation. God bless the Artemis II and NASA, and God bless America.

birthday wishes

Mr. Speaker, I wish a happy birthday to a good friend of our family, Rodolfo Maciel.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a very happy birthday to my brother-in-law, Bob Branthoover.

Mr. Speaker, I also wish a happy birthday to my son, Jonathan.

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Gill for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 4707, a bill renaming the post office in Fort Madison, Iowa, after Martin L. Graber, a patriot who lived his entire life in the indelible service to his State, his community, and our Nation.

For 32 years, Martin Graber rose through the ranks of the Iowa Army National Guard, rising to the rank of brigadier general. Even beyond that, he and his wife, Coni, were almost the sole organizers of the Tri-State Rodeo, which happens every single year. It is a massive event in southeast Iowa. He and his wife, Coni, made sure that the rodeo was there, the horses were there, and the vendors were there. It is something that is looked forward to every August by everybody in the tristate area.

In addition to that, following his three-decade-long tenure serving our Nation in the Iowa Army National Guard, he served in the Iowa State House, working with his colleagues to better the lives of hardworking Iowans.

Every step of the way, he embodied the values we hold so dear in Iowa. Faith, family, and selfless work to his community, his State, and his Nation, things that we hold so dear, were the foundations for which Martin Graber lived.

Renaming the post office in Fort Madison in his honor is a small but everlasting gesture of appreciation for a man who spent his life serving his State and his Nation in the most decent and noble way possible, his service to our country.

As someone who had the blessing of working with Martin, I am deeply proud to be leading this effort, alongside my colleagues in the Iowa delegation and his family, to honor a man who gave everything to his community and to his country.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to strongly vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, hardworking Americans deserve to keep more of what they earn. For millions of workers across our country, especially in restaurants and the service industry, tips are not extra income. They are a critical part of the paycheck.

That is why I was proud to support the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which reduces Federal taxes on tips and delivers real relief to workers who rely on them to support their families. Nearly 6 million Americans report tipped wages. Under this reform, workers can now deduct up to $25,000 in qualified tips each year.

The impact will be especially meaningful in States like Iowa. In the first year alone, tipped workers across Iowa are expected to save approximately $59 million in Federal income taxes.

That is money that will stay in the pockets of hardworking Americans who earned it. That is money for groceries, rent, childcare, prescription drugs, and everyday expenses. It is real relief for workers who put in long hours serving in our communities. Reducing taxes on tips rewards hard work, strengthens families, and supports the local businesses that power our economy.

I was proud to help pass the Working Families Tax Cut Act, and I will continue fighting to ensure that hardworking Americans can keep more of what they earn.

Congratulating Kevin McKee

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Davenport native Kevin McKee, who represented Team USA at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Paralympic Winter Games in Italy and has now earned his fourth Paralympic Gold Medal. Kevin competed in his fourth Paralympic Games as a member of the United States sled hockey team, continuing a remarkable career of representing our Nation on the world stage.

A proud Davenport native, a player at the Quad City Veterans Outreach adaptive sports center, and member of the Chicago Blackhawks sled hockey team, Kevin has worn the Team USA jersey since 2012.

Born with a rare spinal disorder, Kevin has turned determination into excellence, helping to lead Team USA to a Paralympic Gold Medal in 2014, 2018, 2022, and now again in 2026.

With a 6-2 victory over Canada, Team USA once again captured the gold medal, demonstrating the strength, teamwork, and resilience that define American athletes.

Kevin McKee's perseverance and leadership make Davenport, the Quad City Veterans Outreach Center, the State of Iowa, and our entire Nation proud. I congratulate Kevin and the entire Team USA sled hockey team on this incredible achievement, and I thank them for representing our country with such pride and excellence.

Congratulating Jeff Bladel

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chief Jeff Bladel on his retirement after 31 years of dedicated service with the Davenport Police Department.

Appointed chief in 2022, Chief Bladel followed in his father's footsteps, who served as Davenport's police chief from 2000 to 2008.

A lifelong Davenport resident, Chief Bladel returned home after serving our Nation as an airborne military officer in the United States Army and committed his career to protecting his community.

Under his leadership, the department strengthened data-driven crime reduction efforts and advanced key public safety initiatives, including the Department of Justice's Public Safety Partnership, the Smart Policing Initiative, the National Network for Safe Communities, the Quad City NIBIN initiative, and a co-responding program

pairing officers with mental health professionals.

Chief Bladel also helped to implement group violence intervention strategies that connected at-risk individuals with community resources to break cycles of violence.

Over the past 3 years, the city has seen a reduced number of crimes. Chief Bladel leaves behind a safer Davenport and a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and community partnership.

Mr. Speaker, I wish a very happy birthday today to Lola VanDeWalle, who happens to be the genesis behind the Quad City Veterans Outreach Center.

Happy birthday, Lola.

Mr. Speaker, I wish my daughter, Taylor, a very happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Taylor.

Mr. Speaker, I extend happy birthday greetings to Davenport's Vince Martinez, a soon-to-be 100-year-old on April 5 and World War II veteran. May he continue to live long and continue to help all of our veterans.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share that over $24 million in Community Project Funding is now coming home to southeast Iowa, funding that has been signed into law and will soon begin making a real difference on the ground.

This didn't happen overnight. It came after months of meetings with local leaders, carefully reviewing community priorities, submitting formal requests, and tirelessly advocating for these projects in Washington.

Thanks to that work, we are delivering $6 million to replace the Cascade Bridge in Burlington, improving traffic safety and connectivity in the region, but most importantly, replacing this historic landmark. It is very much a community-desired project. We are paving hazardous schoolbus routes in Jefferson County, upgrading intersections in Coralville, and strengthening key emergency routes in Keokuk County. These are not abstract policies. They are practical, meaningful improvements that directly serve Iowans.

I am deeply grateful to the city and county officials who partnered with me on these efforts. I came to Congress to deliver for Iowa, and I will continue fighting to make sure our communities get the support they have earned.

Washington Community Theater Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Washington Community Theater.

Last week, the Washington Chamber of Commerce marked this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Alive After 5 celebration, recognizing five decades of arts, culture, and community collaboration.

Since opening in 1976, the theater has served as a home for community productions and regional events, thriving because of community initiative and generous local support. Led by President Mike Jewell, the anniversary celebration honored the theater's boards and volunteers for their contributions and welcomed Mark Fischer, an experienced arts leader, as the new manager and technical director.

Showcasing local and regional Iowa talent, the Washington Community Theater has become an important part of the community. It is a place where Iowans come together to enjoy theater and put in the hard work behind every production. The Washington Community Theater's strong reputation and lasting legacy reflect the powerful impact the arts have on our communities.

Tax Win for Seniors

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the historic win for Iowan and American seniors. This tax season, Iowa's seniors are finally seeing meaningful relief that reflects a lifetime of hard work.

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors now qualify for a $6,000 Social Security tax deduction, giving them real financial breathing room and long-overdue peace of mind after 4 years of high prices under the Biden administration.

I recently enjoyed spending time in Pella with Iowa seniors and their families, many of whom are thrilled to be saving this tax season and were not aware of this provision. What mattered most was hearing directly how this new deduction will make everyday life better.

For seniors living on fixed incomes, every dollar counts, and this policy puts more of their own money back

where it belongs. Many seniors will be impacted by ending the double taxation of Social Security. These deductions to their Social Security taxation will benefit 88 percent of seniors.

Under the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors age 65 and older can now claim a $6,000 individual deduction, while married couples filing jointly can claim $12,000, significantly reducing and for most seniors effectively eliminating Federal taxes on Social Security benefits.

After a lifetime of contributing to our communities and our country, seniors deserve real peace of mind, and this deduction helps deliver exactly that.