Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team for winning the 2023 Naismith National Player of the Year award, the AP Player of the Year award, the Wooden Award National Player of the Year, and the Honda Sport Award for Basketball.

Caitlin is a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, and attended Dowling Catholic before taking her career to the next level with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Her exceptional play this season captivated audiences far beyond the Hawkeye State.

As a junior, Caitlin averaged 27.3 points and led the Nation with five triple-doubles, including a 41-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound effort in Iowa's NCAA tournament win over Louisville to advance to the Final Four.

The ESPN telecast of the Hawkeyes' win over Louisville averaged more viewers than any NBA telecast on ESPN this season as Clark became the first player in the NCAA tournament history to record a 40-point triple-double.

In a recent interview, she said: ``I want my legacy to be the impact that I can have on young kids and the people in the State of Iowa, and I hope I brought them a lot of joy this season.''

Madam Speaker, Caitlin is most certainly a joy and an inspiration to all Iowans and numerous Americans.

We can't wait to continue watching Caitlin on the court and wish her the best of luck in the future.

Go Hawks.

Madam Speaker, I wish a very happy birthday to my nephews, Matthew and Joseph Martina.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Donald A. Stott of Monticello, Iowa, who lost his life aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

His remains were only recently identified due to the significant advancements in DNA testing. Stott's family has been working to identify his remains for over a decade until the Navy called, offering DNA tests to identify the remains of 35 soldiers who were previously labeled as unrecoverable.

As of last week, Stott's remains have been returned home to Monticello where his life and military service will be celebrated with a special burial service.

Donald Stott enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and spent the early parts of his career training in Great Lakes, Illinois, before being stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma in June of 1940. Stott served as a Seaman First Class, carrying out important duties such as steering, signaling, and standing watch.

We appreciate the Stott family's patience, and we also recognize and honor their family member.

Congratulating the University of Iowa Women's Basketball Team

Madam Speaker, I congratulate the University of Iowa women's basketball team and Coach Bluder on making it to the Final Four. Good luck and go Hawks.

Recognizing Vietnam War Veterans Day

Madam Speaker, today is Vietnam War Veterans Day. As a Vietnam-era veteran and having a brother who served in Vietnam, I wish to recognize and acknowledge this day and the honorable service of those who served in Vietnam.

Wishing My Daughter a Happy Birthday

Madam Speaker, 33 years ago today, I was blessed with the most incredible of gifts, with the birth of our daughter, Taylor.

Happy birthday, Taylor. You are a blessing to both your father and me.

Madam Chair, polluters over people act. They would rather put people stopping traffic to prevent you from getting to work and people throwing mashed potatoes at art than they would the American people.

I could not disagree with my colleagues more. Oil is a global commodity. Prices went up when the President constrained supply.

How do we know that? His own actions.

What did the President do?

He went to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to ask them to produce more oil,

and then released oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve so prices could go down just in time for the elections.

Among the 20 bills that make up this package, I draw attention to a suite of bills focused on refining and processing critical minerals as well as development of new mines for critical minerals on Federal land.

The critical minerals provisions in the E&C and Natural Resources titles are helpful for Iowa wind, which produces 58 percent of the electricity in the State. This allows Iowa to be a net exporter of electricity and supports 230 blade manufacturing jobs in Fort Madison. Ensuring we mine critical minerals in the U.S. and process those minerals domestically is critical to securing our Nation's global competitiveness and supporting many clean energy technologies as well as supporting a cleaner environment from China.

Madam Chair, I also commend the significant strides we have made on NEPA reform with the package combining measures to streamline permitting reviews for energy products and mines. Importantly, H.R. 1 places clear timelines on environmental reviews, clarifies the scope of environmental reviews, and puts sidebars on judicial reviews under

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two World War II veterans who recently celebrated their 100th and 101st birthdays.

Lowell Dibble of Iowa City, Iowa, celebrated his 101st birthday on St. Patrick's Day. Mr. Dibble served as a radio operator for the Merchant Marines during the Second World War, using Morse code and other communications to receive and record time signals, weather reports, and other information important to the smooth operation of their vessels.

Mr. Dibble starts each day with a workout and still talks to his friends in Morse code every night. He attributes his longevity to his positive attitude, his faith, and keeping busy. We can all learn a valuable lesson from Mr. Dibble, who should be an inspiration for people of all ages who struggle to find motivation in their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I also recognize Max Wilson from Maquoketa, Iowa, who celebrated his 100th birthday last month.

Mr. Wilson was drafted in 1941 and served as a bombardier during the Second World War, flying 43 missions in a B-17 in five different countries. As bombardier, he was responsible for landing more than 240,000 tons of bombs on target during critical missions throughout the war.

Mr. Wilson is a humble man who doesn't see himself as a hero, though he certainly is deserving of recognition. On his birthday, he received a special gift from the University of Dubuque's Jet Center--a private flight around Dubuque and down to his hometown of Maquoketa.

Mr. Dibble and Mr. Wilson are two heroes from the Greatest Generation, and I am honored to recognize them both on the House floor. I hope each enjoyed a wonderful and memorable birthday.

China is our Greatest Foreign Threat

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss China's growing role in international relations and its impact on American national security.

In just the last few weeks, China has brokered a peace deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia and re-established diplomatic relations with Honduras following its break with Taiwan. Both negotiations are worrisome as Iran continues to target and kill Americans in Syria and China edges closer to invading Taiwan. Also, the Chinese Communist Party is fully supporting Russia in its unprecedented and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

China's growing influence across Latin America is concerning, particularly as these relationships continue to appear lopsided. Nations are receiving investments from the Chinese, but in return are left dependent on the Chinese Communist Party.

The Middle East is especially concerning, though. For decades, the United States has brokered peace negotiations in the region or, at the very least, been in the room as these deals have been agreed upon.

Between Iran and Saudi Arabia, however, the United States was left out. The implications of this decision are profound, particularly as Iran continues to sponsor terrorist attacks as it is unclear what peace was agreed to and our response was weak.

Our Nation has watched as the Chinese Communist Party has grown in power and influence, and has fallen victim to its espionage efforts whether through TikTok, Confucius Institutes, or even spy balloons.

The Chinese Communist Party's goals are clear: Infiltrate and undermine American economic and national security. As the CCP's influence continues to grow, its threat to our national security does too. We must actively seek ways to decouple our economy, end our dependence on Chinese supply chains, and bolster our national security.

China is our greatest foreign threat and it is time we begin to act accordingly.

I wish a happy birthday to Joseph and Matthew Martino of Connecticut, who are my nephews. Happy 16th birthday, Joseph and Matthew.

Congratulations to Kyle and Jill Jacobs on the birth of their daughter, Sierra Rose, on Saturday. I hope that they are able to get some sleep.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on March 10, 2023. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 143.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major General Benjamin Corell of Strawberry Point, Iowa, for his outstanding service as a 37-year member of the Iowa National Guard.

Major General Corell retired last week after serving as Iowa National Guard's top general since 2019, leading the Guard through the COVID pandemic.

Throughout his decorated career, Major General Corell has deployed overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, Romania, and Kuwait, and has led several of the National Guard's infantry divisions. He retired with a master's degree and a career full of military awards and accomplishments.

Major General Corell plans to spend his retirement with his wife, Beth, and their seven grandchildren, passing along the values that guided him through his career. All three of his sons are noncommissioned officers in the Iowa Army National Guard. I wish them the very best as they follow in the footsteps of an excellent father and role model.

Coming from a financially challenged family in rural Iowa with no college education, Major General Corell's life journey represents the very best of Iowa and the rest of the country and serves as a shining example for generations to come.

I am grateful for Major General Benjamin Corell's service, and I wish him a relaxing and fulfilling retirement.

O'Hara True Value Hardware Closing After 83 Years in Business

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize O'Hara True Value Hardware in Ottumwa, Iowa, which is closing after 83 years in business.

Martin and Florence O'Hara opened the doors of O'Hara Appliance in January of 1940, but before long, the appliance store quickly shifted into a hardware store, too. Martin had offered home repair advice for years, and the shift came naturally.

The O'Haras value being family owned and operated, and their children each grew into employees at the shop, including their son Mike, who ultimately took over the business and who I know well.

For years, Mike O'Hara has continued his family's legacy in Ottumwa, offering the best service and advice for all things plumbing, electrical, automotive, construction, and repairs. You could take in any kind of screw from any kind of product, and they could tell you what it went for and how to replace it.

The store is also famous for having the best Christmas decorations in town, to include live reindeer in a stable outside throughout December.

O'Hara has overcome numerous challenges over the last several decades, including major fires, the flood of 1993, and most recently, the COVID pandemic.

Mike's commitment to serving his community has always remained clear and steadfast. I am proud to know Mike and his family, and I wish him the very best in retirement--they so deserve that--but they are going to be greatly missed. The town will cherish their memories from O'Hara's and we will all miss going there for home repair needs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the growing student loan debt in our Nation. Despite efforts by President Biden and the Democrats to forgive student loans, they are still a major financial commitment and should be treated as such.

Before taking out Federal student loans, proper counseling for students should be required. We must ensure that our students are equipped with the guidance needed to make an informed decision and that they understand the process through which they pay these loans back.

This week I reintroduced the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act with Representatives Feenstra, Hinson, Nunn, and Guest to require institutes of higher education to counsel students before any Federal loans are disbursed. This counseling would also require students to manually enter the exact dollar amount of funding requested and require that students receive regular loan statements throughout their undergraduate career.

If we can help our students understand the process by which they receive Federal students loans and the interest, we will be one step closer to helping to relieve them of their debt through their career choices--unlike President Biden's loan which claims to erase these loans.

Unfortunately, we can't just erase loans taken out. They must be paid back, just like a car loan or a mortgage. Erasing would only transfer the debt to other hardworking taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ben Kueter of Iowa City who took down Hempstead's Joe Lewis in a technical fall to win his fourth State title in wrestling--only the 32nd time in the history of the Iowa State wrestling tournament.

He is also the seventh to complete an undefeated high school career, with an outstanding record of 111-0 with 105 career bonus point wins.

In addition to winning his fourth State title and shattering records in Iowa, Ben also holds a world title in wrestling. Just this summer, he represented Iowa on the world stage and won gold at the Junior Men's Freestyle World Championship.

An all-star athlete and senior at Iowa City High School, Ben excels in more than just wrestling. He has also been a star member of the football, baseball, and track teams.

Ben's proudest accomplishment, though, is being a good role model for future wrestlers. He always makes time to talk to and take pictures with younger wrestlers at tournaments and makes it a priority to keep things fun.

I am proud of Ben's accomplishments, and I join all of Iowa in being proud that he continues to represent our State at the highest levels.

I am also honored that he has chosen to continue his wrestling career in Iowa City at the University of Iowa.

Go Hawkeyes!

Texas Christian University Day

Mr. Speaker, today is also TCU or Texas Christian University Day at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. As an alum of Harris College of Nursing at TCU, I welcome TCU to Washington, D.C.

As long as TCU is not playing an Iowa team, I can say, ``Go Frogs!''

Healthy Healthcare Debate Among Parties

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, February 26, The Wall Street Journal released another article about the origins of COVID-19. This time, the Department of Energy has acknowledged that most likely this was a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

I remember having a hearing here in the Capitol with the Select Committee on the Coronavirus Pandemic at which we discussed the origins of COVID-19. We were derided and we were ridiculed, as were other Members of Congress.

I think it is important that we recognize there is such an importance for free speech, especially in healthcare and in medicine and science, that a debate is what needs to take place and that we should be careful in who we chastise simply because we don't like the political party that they represent.

It was no conspiracy to acknowledge that there was not furin cleavage sites normal, that there were doubling of amino acids, and that there was gain-of-function research that had been funded indirectly by the United States Government despite a prohibition on gain-of-function research.

To this day, there has not yet been an intermediate host for SARS- CoV-2, although there was very rapidly with both SARS and MERS.

My point is that we need to recognize that we can have differences of opinion and those should not be considered to be radical or conspiracy theories, despite what political party that emanates from.

Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding time.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 185 to end the international travel COVID vaccine mandate.

I am a doctor, and unlike my colleague on the other side of the aisle, I am also a former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, so I am speaking for public health.

The vast majority of Americans are either vaccinated or have natural immunity. There is no recognition of natural immunity by continuing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for travelers into the United States.

This is, as previously alluded, not 2020. It is 2023. This timely measure

nullifies the CDC's order that restricts noncitizen entry into the United States unless the traveler can prove they are vaccinated against COVID-19. It doesn't say to prove immunity or prove testing negative.

Mr. Speaker, it is time to move forward. Entry restrictions were necessary during the early stages and the height of the pandemic, but that was when we, as a Nation, were still learning the details of the virus and experiencing soaring death and hospitalization rates.

Now, over 95 percent of Americans have various forms of immunity, whether from vaccination or prior infection, and health professionals have deep knowledge of the coronavirus that has led to multiple vaccines and therapeutics.

People have returned to work, children to school, and Americans have resumed international travel at prepandemic rates.

Some of the countries with the most stringent lockdown and protocols, Canada, Australia, and Germany, all have eliminated their severe entry restrictions. All have suspended their vaccine requirements. It is time that we, as a Nation, do the same.

This does not mean that we do not still have circulating virus. We are aware of that, but it is time for the mandate for travelers entering the United States to end.

Republicans and Democrats should be able to agree that the pandemic is over. President Biden even said so himself.

House Republicans will continue to move our country past the pandemic, which is exactly what this bill does.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues as a public health professional to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Annie Palmer of Indianola who received the Grow Your Future Award from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Each year, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation offers the Grow Your Future Award to young Iowans who work in agriculture to help grow their businesses. Last year, Annie submitted her business, H8R Acres, which raises Berkshire hogs and Navajo-Churro sheep for their meat and wool.

After several rounds of voting, Annie was selected as a finalist which involved a pitch-off to determine which award she would receive. At the end of the conference, Annie went home with $2,500, which she plans to put toward building a new shed for lambing or farrowing.

I also thank the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation for hosting this annual competition to financially support the next generation of Iowa farmers. This competition has been a great way to encourage young farmers to get into the agricultural business and grow the farming community in Iowa.

Congratulations to Annie and the rest of the winners of this year's Grow Your Future Award. I look forward to seeing their businesses produce.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th anniversary of the Isabel Bloom shop in Davenport, Iowa, and what would be the 115th birthday of sculptor Isabel Bloom.

The original Isabel Bloom was a Davenport native who attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the Vogue School of Fashion. She and her husband married in 1938 before settling in Davenport with their three children in the early 1940s.

In 1963, Isabel and her husband opened a small studio in Davenport's East Village. Bloom received multiple awards for her ceramics but perfected garden art to sell in her store. Because it was sturdy and weather resistant, her preferred base was concrete.

Though ownership has since changed, and the Isabel Bloom shop has continued to grow, the current owners, Donna Young, Cathy Nevins, and Bill Barrett, have stayed true to Bloom's original vision: to create art that brings comfort and joy to their community. As an owner of a few Isabel Bloom pieces myself, I can say their vision rings true.

Congratulations to the Isabel Bloom shop. I wish them many more years of creativity, friendship, and success.

Mr. Speaker, as both a physician and the former Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, I agree with what President Biden said in September of last year: The pandemic is over. More specifically, even though SARS-CoV-2 is still circulating, it is endemic. The public health emergency is and should be over.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 382, which would acknowledge the truth of the President's words and finally put an end to the public health emergency.

When COVID-19 first reached our shores, the public health emergency declaration was a tool that helped our country to mobilize, develop testing, develop vaccines, and to distribute PPE and institute our manufacturing sector. However, this emergency declaration is no longer needed, and instead of putting an end to it, the President has continually renewed it with no end in sight.

For example, we have already extended telehealth for 2 years. From mask mandates and vaccine mandates to extending Medicaid expansion to previously ineligible participants and student loan forgiveness, the President and this administration are using the public health emergency to expand government overreach.

What is irresponsible is not putting a transition in place during this past year.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 382 and put an end to this outdated, bloated government overreach.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Bucshon for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, before I acknowledge my support for the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, H.R. 497, I want to respond that as a physician, as a mother, as a working woman my entire life, and as a former director of public health, let me just say unequivocally that the care of ectopic pregnancy is not an abortion. That is a lie. That is a misconstruction. I want to put that to rest right now.

Now, on to H.R. 497. This overdue legislation repeals the Biden administration's invasive vaccine mandate for America's healthcare workers who have borne a significant brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As I have listened to this discourse, I thought we were back in 2020. It was deja vu all over again when we just started to have vaccines. We are not at the beginning of a pandemic. We are 2 years, almost 3 years, into a pandemic.

Even before this pandemic, rural areas in southeastern Iowa, such as in my district, were already struggling with maintaining healthcare staffing levels. Existing challenges were exacerbated by the pandemic, which were then compounded by the vaccine mandates.

Healthcare workers, if you will remember, Mr. Speaker, were lauded for over a year for going to work every single day. I was part of that, administering vaccines in all 24 counties in my district. They were lauded for going to work, putting themselves and their families at risk for a novel coronavirus of which we knew very little.

Yet, even though they put themselves and their families at risk, we are going to insult them by telling them, despite a plethora of research and data that infection-acquired immunity can be even superior to the vaccine, that we are going to demand that they be vaccinated even though they worked over a year with no vaccine available, putting themselves at risk.

We also have further data after the delta variant that the COVID-19 vaccine does not prevent transmission. Yes, there is rebound illness. Yes, it does reduce maybe illness and death, but it doesn't prevent transmission.

As a physician, I understand the importance and the meaning of the doctor-patient relationship.

Healthcare workers have a variety of knowledge and information available about the vaccine, and like any other individual, they should be able to make healthcare decisions for themselves with the guidance of their physicians. This vaccine mandate is almost malpractice.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this repeal through this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Iowa's former Governor and Ambassador to China, Terry Branstad for being appointed as the President of the World Food Prize Foundation.

Founded by Iowa's Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, the World Food Prize Foundation aims to improve food security around the world. Each year, leaders in the agriculture industry travel to Des Moines to discuss the latest global agriculture issues and recognize individuals who have made distinguished accomplishments in the industry.

Governor Branstad played an integral role in creating the Iowa Hunger Summit during his time as Iowa's and the Nation's longest serving Governor. The Iowa Hunger Summit has been instrumental in combating food insecurity in Iowa and around the world in large part because of Governor Branstad's efforts.

I am excited to see how Governor Branstad will help the World Food Prize Foundation evolve, and I am confident that his experience and background will help the foundation further its mission to eliminate world hunger. I can think of no better fit for the job.

Congratulations, Governor Branstad.

I also wish a happy birthday to Caroline Bender. Happy birthday, Caroline.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Iowa Biodiesel Board on their recognition by the Clean Fuels Alliance America for their contributions to clean energy.

Since the Iowa Biodiesel Board was created in 2007, they have been instrumental in making Iowa the number one biodiesel producing State in the country.

Biofuels are critical in the United States' goal of energy independence. They have created jobs throughout Iowa and the country and reduced overall greenhouse gas emissions.

I am proud to represent a State that recognizes the advantages of biofuels and organizations like the Iowa Biodiesel Board for promoting biodiesel throughout the country.

As we continue pursuing clean energy production, I hope my colleagues will look to Iowa and organizations such as the Iowa Biodiesel Board as an example of an ``any-of-the-above'' approach.

In order to leave a cleaner, healthier planet for our children and grandchildren, we must enact policies that promote a variety of energy sources where they work best.

I want to congratulate Iowa Biodiesel Board for their commitment toward clean energy and being a recipient of the Clean Fuels Initiative Award.