Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairwoman Rodgers for yielding me time.

I rise in support of H.R. 21, an important and timely bill, and I am proud that the new Republican majority made this one of our first priorities.

In less than 2 years, President Biden has drained our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, putting American energy security at risk.

Thankfully, House Republicans have a plan to address the issue, replenish our reserve, and unleash American energy.

The President's energy policies have hurt Americans, and I thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle. He is correct. In releasing oil from the SPR, it may have helped to lower gasoline prices; however, it uncloaked the lie that it was price gouging from oil companies that caused prices to rise to begin with.

More supply was needed, that was obvious, and this administration's policies had constrained domestic production and supply.

Approximately 40 percent of the SPR has been drawn down since President Biden took office, with no plan to replenish it.

Instead of working together to address the issue, the President has, indeed, chosen to peddle a false narrative about our efforts. The President claims our bill, the Strategic Production Response Act, would limit the administration's access to the SPR. This is blatantly false. Our bill specifically reinforces a President's ability to tap the SPR if an energy emergency is declared.

Our bill would, however, require the Department of Energy to prepare a plan to encourage domestic production if the SPR is tapped without a declared energy emergency.

While we may accept the seriousness of climate change, we do not accept that U.S. energy transmission and restructuring of the entire industrial base is the solution.

Energy security is national security, and failing to increase energy production and replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve puts our country at risk. We need to unleash American innovation and energy production and set our country on a path to energy independence.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 21.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National School Choice Week and the importance of school choice.

I was proud to join my colleague, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, in introducing the CHOICE Act last Congress, which would expand the school choice options and programs for elementary and secondary school children. I look forward to working together again on similar legislation.

I was also proud to join Representative John Moolenaar last week on his resolution to designate this week as National School Choice Week.

In Iowa, we recognize that every child learns and processes information differently, and we have empowered parents and students to choose the school best suited to their needs.

We are fortunate to have Governor Kim Reynolds, who is leading the Nation in school choice policy, and who has been a strong advocate for school choice throughout her tenure.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children were forced to transition to virtual learning while some private schools stayed open. Unfortunately, this resulted in a significant drop in testing averages across core subjects like reading comprehension and math.

This proved, in some instances, that public schools weren't able to adapt to the needs of each individual student. However, some students in private or charter schools were able to excel because of smaller class sizes or specialized education tailored to their strengths.

I am honored to represent a State where we put parents first, where parents matter, and where parents have a right to a say in their children's education instead of Washington bureaucrats. As a mother of two, I understand how important it is to ensure that your children receive the best education possible.

I will continue to fight for school choice to ensure every child in America has a chance to succeed in the best possible learning environment. Our children deserve nothing less.

I would also like to wish a happy birthday to my nephew. Happy birthday, Andrew.

I would like to extend birthday wishes to Nicholas Pottebaum, one of my very first campaign volunteers and now a health policy adviser to Senator Grassley. Happy birthday, Nick.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the ongoing crisis at our border.

When President Biden took office in January 2021, he inherited commonsense immigration policies, such as remain in Mexico and title 42, that worked to keep our Nation safe, reducing the flow of illegal drugs and gang members.

Unfortunately, President Biden immediately ceased construction of the border wall and enacted policies favoring illegal immigrants over Americans. Thankfully, the Supreme Court has challenged the legality of President Biden's policies and overturned the removal of title 42.

Now it is Congress' time to act. Both Republicans and Democrats acknowledge that our immigration system is broken, but only Speaker McCarthy's Commitment to America has a plan to repair our broken immigration system.

This Congress, Republicans will pass legislation that secures our border, stops the influx of illegal drugs and criminals, and ends catch-and-release loopholes and human trafficking.

Americans deserve a government that works in their best interest, and these policies will create a safe and secure Nation.

I would also like to wish a very happy birthday to my L.D., Kyle Jacobs.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 26. I thank my colleague, the chair of the Judiciary Committee from Ohio, for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, as a mother, a doctor, a former nurse, and a former director of Iowa's Department of Public Health, I know firsthand the preciousness of life and the importance of prenatal care and the tragedies that ensue when proper care isn't provided. In fact, the first healthy baby I delivered as a doctor was to a young teenager who put the baby up for adoption.

Our Nation promises three things: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. There is no clause in the Constitution to exempt newborns who survive an abortion procedure from these rights. It is not only unreasonable, but it is inhuman to deny care to babies who were born alive.

Regardless of maternal intent, what could be more extreme than denying care to an infant born alive?

My colleague on the other side of the aisle from New York is correct. It is infanticide.

H.R. 26 is legislation that should receive wide support from both sides of the aisle. It is unconscionable to think that some Members will choose to vote against this bill which will ensure infants receive lifesaving care simply because of partisan politics. This legislation isn't about abortions but saving the lives of living and breathing innocent newborns.

Many States, including Iowa, have put safe haven laws in place to allow parents to leave their infants at hospitals or care facilities without fear of being prosecuted. We already have laws in place to protect these infants.

Why should infants who survive an abortion be treated any differently?

Like all other medical professionals, I took the Hippocratic oath which promises that I will do no harm. This legislation reaffirms the Hippocratic oath and ensures that doctors across the United States are providing the same standard of medical care to all infants regardless of the circumstance of their birth.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand in support of life by voting for H.R. 26.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pella Marching Dutch of Pella High School, who recently participated in the Rose Bowl Parade.

Each year, only 21 bands across the world receive an invitation to play in the parade. The Pella Marching Dutch have joined the ranks as one of the greatest marching bands of our time.

This is not the first time the Pella Marching Dutch have received this high honor, having appeared in the parade in 1988 and 2002. I was fortunate enough to watch the Marching Dutch on Monday, and I was amazed by the talent that was demonstrated by the students at Pella High School.

I congratulate the Pella Marching Dutch again on representing Iowa in the Rose Parade, and I look forward to watching their future performances.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins).

Go Dawgs

Mr. Speaker, it was difficult to yield--I had to pause a little bit, as a TCU Horned Frog--to my colleague, but in the spirit of camaraderie, I did so.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate University of Iowa's Jack Campbell for being named to the All-American Football Team and being recognized as this year's Butkus Award winner, the first in the university's history.

This is not Jack's first accolade. He was also named the Butkus- Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year award recipient as well as the Nagurski-Wooden Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and he received the William V. Campbell Trophy throughout his 4 years with the Hawkeyes.

This season, Jack had 118 tackles, two interceptions, one recovered fumble, and one forced fumble. Jack was pivotal in leading the defensive lineup to be named one of the best in the country, making him very deserving of these awards.

Jack is another example of the University of Iowa students excelling inside and outside of the classroom.

Congratulations to Jack on an outstanding 4 years, and I wish you the very best in your future endeavors.

Go Hawkeyes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud Brennik Sapp of Liberty Elementary School for his commitment to helping his community.

When Brennik was an infant, he spent 12 days at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City when he was diagnosed at birth with Hirschsprung's disease. This is an intestinal disease that is present at birth and that can lead to death.

Thanks to the excellent doctors at the hospital, Brennik's life was saved, but he will always have to manage life with the disease.

Brennik did not let this disease deter him. Rather, he made it his mission to help other children who have chronic illnesses.

Last year alone, Brennik raised over $2,000 for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City. This money was used to buy books for children who are undergoing hospitalization and treatment.

Brennik's selflessness did not go unnoticed by his community. The American Legion recently awarded Brennik with the Good Deed Award, which is gifted to youth who serve as an inspiration for their community.

I thank Brennik for everything that he is doing for children across Iowa. I am proud to represent youth who are making a difference in their community.

Mr. Speaker, I don't know if I am going to make it through this without a tear either, Dr. Foxx.

Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of spending the last 2 years across the hallway in the Longworth Building from our colleague, Fred Keller. Throughout that time, I have been lucky enough to get to know Fred and his staff, and each was eager to lend a hand as my own staff and I adjusted to our new office, which was a little bit of a challenge because we had a contest and so we were a little late adding staff.

I think one of the easiest ways to judge a Member of Congress is by their staff and the team they assemble. Team Keller has always been helpful, insightful, talented, intelligent, kind, and thoughtful.

I also got to know Fred and his wife when we met for a longer period of time last summer at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania, his home State. He and his wife and my chief of staff enjoyed getting to know one another. I got to know Fred as a family man, who was elected in a special election, as a surprise to his wife when he let her know that he was going to run for Congress.

I got to know he and his family, and especially his family members that he would bring up to the Capitol, his granddaughters who can be found running up on the seventh floor or here in the Chamber.

When I asked his staff about Fred, one of the things they said struck me because it is also the reason that I ran for Congress. Fred wanted to make the American Dream accessible to everyone regardless of their background, their social status, their upbringing, their class, their race, or where they come from.

To do so, he spent his days bringing Pennsylvania to Washington and taking Washington back home. He believed, rightfully so, that D.C. could benefit from more hard work and fewer frills.

Now, I don't want you to think that Fred is only a serious person because that would underestimate another part of his personality. I also enjoyed spending time with Fred at the Education and Labor Committee, and being in the minority is no fun.

Once I caught Fred--more than once--thinking out loud and speaking under his breath. And because I sat next to him, when we were permitted to do so after the COVID requirements were lifted, I thought he raised some very salient, erudite points.

As the next Republican to speak, I added them to my own 5-minute speech. After I finished speaking, Fred turned to me, and said: You raised some really good points. I laughed, and said: I certainly hope so, they were the points that you made, and I stole them. He had no idea that he speaks out loud and under his breath, and that I would listen to him and hear him, but that was Fred.

He was and is full of great ideas. We were so very fortunate to have him as a colleague, and I was tremendously saddened the day he announced he would not run for reelection, and that I would miss him as a colleague and as a friend.

I really look forward to what is next for Fred because he will always be in service, he will always succeed, and he will always be a leader because what makes a leader isn't their title, it is not their position, it is not the pin they wear on their lapel.

What makes a leader is an individual, who, by their example, inspires and motivates others, who challenges others to go beyond what they think is their capacity, and reach heights that they did not know they could even reach. Fred does that for his children, for his grandchildren, and for all of us.

I have a feeling this isn't the last that we will see of Fred, and I look forward to future encounters with he and his family. I thank Fred so much for gracing me with all of his intellect, his ideas, his quiet comments under his breath, his salient points, and getting to know his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Eighty-one years ago today, our Nation endured a tragic loss when Pearl Harbor was targeted in a surprise attack, resulting in over 2,000 military and civilian casualties, more than 1,000 injuries, and the loss of a naval fleet.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was intended to cripple the United States, but it did just the opposite. Men and women across the country rallied together to support our country as it entered World War II, from enlisting in the military to volunteering for the

war effort. This tragedy united our country against a common enemy.

As a 24-year Army veteran, we must always remember this day as a reminder to be vigilant and always prepared.

Today, we honor those who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor. May we never forget their sacrifice and service to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Oleh, or ``Odee,'' Shtefanchuk from Chernivtsi, Ukraine.

Odee is currently a foreign exchange student who is studying at WACO Community High School in Wayland, Iowa.

Growing up, Odee heard of American football, and when he enrolled at WACO Community High School, his friends convinced him to try out for the football team.

Even though Odee is still learning the rules and procedures, he has been instrumental in leading the Warriors in an undefeated season and an appearance in the State title game.

I thank the coaches, the faculty, and the students of WACO Community High School for showing Odee why Iowa is the best place to work, live, play, and raise a family.

I would also acknowledge December 7 as Pearl Harbor Day, a day that we should long remember as it cements to us the importance of our rights under our Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the Biden administration's self-made energy crisis.

Since taking office, I have been vocal about my commitment to alternative forms of energy that bring revenue and flexibility to Iowa and allow Iowa to be a major energy exporter.

However, the Biden administration's policies have relied on foreign nations instead of prioritizing American energy independence.

Iowans have felt the effect of President Biden's policies. Grocery and energy prices continue to soar with inflation rates at historic highs. So while the temperatures drop into the teens, some are forced to choose between turning on their heat and buying groceries.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, diesel prices could top $6 per gallon this winter, but Iowa could fill the gap with biodiesel. Struggling families simply cannot afford President Biden's energy policies.

I want to reiterate my calls to President Biden to unleash domestic energy and look towards Iowa as a framework for an any-of-the-above approach to lower energy costs for Americans.

I also want to wish a very happy birthday to Andy Swanson.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary life of Chuck Larson, or Charles Larson, Sr.

Chuck passed away earlier this month, surrounded by his family at the age of 87. Chuck's life was dedicated to public service, serving both in the military and in government. He was active in the United States Army Reserves for 33 years, where he was a recipient of the Legion of Merit award and retired as colonel.

Following his military service, Chuck worked with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as a member of his cabinet, served on Iowa's Board of Parole, and served as the director of the Alliance on Substance Abuse.

Additionally, Chuck served under President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa.

I am grateful for Chuck's career in public service, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Congratulating Todd Hafner on His Retirement

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Todd Hafner for his retirement from William Penn University.

Todd has been the head coach of the football team at William Penn University in Oskaloosa for the past 19 years. During his career, the Statesmen had a winning record of 112-93-1, giving him the most wins of any coach in the school's history. Under Todd's coaching, he won league titles in 2010, 2012, and 2016.

Todd's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by his colleagues. He was named a three-time conference coach of the year, the Victory Sports Network National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics coach of the year, and the AFCA Region 2 coach of the year in 2010.

I thank Todd for his role in furthering William Penn's football program, mentoring of young athletes, and his 19 years of success.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize October as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month and next week as Mental Illness Awareness Week.

National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month is aimed to raise awareness of the need for accessible mental health screenings and to provide support to people facing mental health conditions, ensuring that they don't feel alone.

The National Alliance of Mental Illness study found that one in five people in Iowa navigates the reality of living with a mental health condition. Mental health affects everyone, and it is important that Congress implements legislation to support Americans who are struggling.

I am proud of the work that Congress and the FCC have done to implement the 988 crisis hotline, which has changed the 10-digit hotline to a 3-digit number that everyone can remember.

The hotline provides immediate support around the clock, but Congress can and should do more. I hope my colleagues will take this month to reflect on our current system and think of ways we can expand mental health resources, perhaps changing it to brain health.

In working together to address brain health, we can save countless lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Clean Energy Week and the benefits of alternative energy sources.

National Clean Energy Week is a time to recognize and celebrate innovative policies that allow the United States to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Iowa leads the Nation in clean energy production, and Iowans are constantly seeking ways to make clean energy more affordable, accessible, and abundant. Just last year, the American Clean Power Association reported that over 50 percent of Iowa's electricity is generated by renewable sources, ranking it highest in the United States.

Clean energy sources, including renewable fuels, organic materials, wind, and solar, create affordable electricity and power our transportation sector. Additionally, alternative energy sources bring jobs and revenue while allowing the United States to remain a global leader in energy production.

Since taking office, I have advocated for conservative, climate- friendly legislation that promotes alternative forms of energy. Consumers should always be provided with choices as it promotes competition for businesses and lowers the cost of goods and services, which is crucial now with record-high inflation.

I have also introduced bipartisan legislation, such as the Biochar Research Network Act of 2022, to expand clean energy in the United States. This bill would create a national biochar research network, where the benefits of biochar can further be tested and explored. Research would include how well biochar works to sequester carbon, how biochar increases crop production, improves marginal soil health, improves water quality, and reduces the amount of fertilizers and pesticides regularly used. I was proud that Senator Grassley introduced the same bill in the U.S. Senate last week.

Additionally, I have supported numerous bills, such as the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, which expands year-round E15, and the Home Front Energy Independence bill, which would prohibit the imports of petroleum from Russia while expanding production and availability of biofuels.

Increasing domestic energy production and the use of biofuels would also help our allies around the world wean off from Russia's dirty oil and cut off the funding for the Russian war machine.

Iowa's vast farmland is why alternative forms of energy like biofuels and wind and solar are successful. However, when determining our Nation's energy strategy, we must analyze geographic composure and natural resources in the area. Different geographical features allow for clean energy to succeed, such as solar in the Southwest, natural gas in Texas, hydropower in the Pacific Northwest, or nuclear energy in the South.

As we continue pursuing clean energy production, I hope my colleagues will look to Iowa as an example of an any- and all-of-the-above approach. In order to leave a healthier planet for our children and grandchildren, we must enact policies that benefit a wide variety of energy sources where they work best and flexibility within the States to do so.

I also wish a happy birthday to Kendyl Willox, who is an amazing health policy portfolio manager in our office. Happy birthday to Kendyl.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the crisis at our southern border.

The Biden administration's inaction and removal of vital policies such as title 42 has caused a massive influx of illegal immigrants into our country.

This past weekend, 1,433 migrants attempted to cross the border and claim asylum. In this group, there were four gang members, one sex offender, and one migrant with an active warrant out for their arrest.

We need to approach immigration with commonsense legislation that prevents bad actors like this from entering our country.

It is disturbing to hear stories from people in the district who have lost loved ones or close friends from fentanyl overdoses and other illegal drugs coming across the southern border.

Today, I would like to reiterate my calls for President Biden to visit the border. Since taking office, I have visited the southern border three times to listen to the stories of our fearless border agents about the Biden administration's ineffective policies. President Biden has proven that he is not interested in or capable of securing or keeping America safe.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish an amazing person, my husband, Curt Meeks, a happy birthday. Happy birthday, Curt.

Mr. Speaker, I am also extending my deepest heartfelt sympathies to my sister-in-law, Diana Cogliano, Mari-Eleanor Miller Martino and her husband, Ralph Martino, on the sudden passing of their mother, Josephine Martino, this morning when she passed. May God's grace go with you as you cross this journey.