Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today we honor a true American patriot, Master Sergeant Robert William Swank as our August Veteran of the Month.

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, and reared in Fort Scott. He answered the call to serve in 1967 and spent over 36 years in uniform, including time in Vietnam with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.

Roger earned the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, and numerous other awards. He continued his service in the Missouri Army National Guard for more than three decades and retired in 2004.

Off the battlefield, he was just as committed, serving as a mail carrier, a community leader, and a devoted family man. He was married to his wife, Linda, for 35 years, and together they have raised seven daughters.

Even in retirement, Roger remains a pillar of his community by volunteering with the Red Cross, serving his church for more than 40 years, and acting as assistant chaplain for the Disabled American Veterans organization.

Madam Speaker, I thank Roger so much for his lifelong service to our country and our communities. He is an inspiration to us all.

Honoring Anne's Acres

Madam Speaker, today we are proud to honor Anne's Acres, a generational family farm in Lincoln, Missouri, in the Fourth District as our July Small Business of the Month.

Since 1999, Robert and Leslie Exendine, along with their three daughters and six grandkids, have cultivated five acres with nearly 7,000 blooming blueberry plants. Say that 10 times fast. This vibrant farm named for the shared middle name of Leslie and their daughter Kadey is a cornerstone of our district.

During its peak 3-week season from Father's Day to the Fourth of July, Anne's Acres welcomes over 200 visitors, including local school kids. The gift shop delights a lot of people with the aroma of freshly baked blueberry muffins and refreshing slushies. I am hungry now.

Robert, a retired Air Force mechanic from Whiteman Air Force Base, and his family are now expanding, adding 8,000 strawberry plants for next spring.

Congratulations to the Exendine family, including Kadey and her sons, for their dedication. I invite you all to go visit them in Lincoln, Missouri.

Honoring Dan & Jerry's Greenhouses

Madam Speaker, today I rise today to honor Dan & Jerry's Greenhouses, a small business gem in Harrisonville, Missouri, in the Fourth District, our August Small Business of the Month.

For years, Dan & Jerry's has been a cornerstone of our community. Their Farm Fresh Selects trial garden tests hundreds of plant varieties each year, making sure only the best make it to our gardens.

Beyond their exceptional products, they foster community spirit through events like the Annual Arts & Crafts Fair, Fall Festival, and Plant a Flower for Mom on Mother's Day.

These gatherings create lasting memories and strengthen our small- town bonds. We are honored to be able to visit this phenomenal spot this August during our district work period.

I thank them for their dedication to excellence and community. Let's get to Harrisonville and visit them, as well. Thank you to Dan & Jerry's Greenhouses for being our August Small Business of the Month.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Chair, our ranking member, and the distinguished ranking member of the full committee. It is good to be here on this late evening to do important business for the American people.

I rise in strong support today of H.R. 4016, the Defense appropriations bill before us, not just as a matter of policy, but as a matter of preparedness.

Together, we can ensure that our men and women in uniform and their families have what they need when they need it.

Right now, our small-caliber ammunition stockpiles are not where they need to be. This is unacceptable. This bill makes critical investments to fix that, Mr. Chair. It ensures we are getting the necessary rounds back into the magazines of our servicemembers, whether they are training at home or deployed in harm's way.

Let's be clear: Asking our troops to be ready to fight tonight without basic tools to complete their mission is a risk that we are not willing to take. This bill prevents that from happening.

However, it is not just about restocking. We are also rebuilding; rebuilding our industrial supply base so that we are not relying on adversaries or unstable foreign markets for the things that make our military work.

This means we must continue building batteries for our most complex weapons systems right here in the good old United States of America. We must push forward with the most important technological edge we have in modern warfare, including the B-21 Raider.

The B-21 is not just another aircraft. It is the future of our long- range strike capabilities, a sixth-generation stealth bomber that will reaffirm American air dominance and serve as a powerful deterrent to rogue regimes and near-peer adversaries alike.

The threats we face today, from the Pacific to the Middle East, are not theoretical. They are real. Our adversaries are evolving, and they are not waiting for us to catch up.

This bill helps us stay ahead. It ensures that the American people and the American military remain the arsenal of democracy. Above all, it supports the men and women who wear our country's uniform and stand ready to defend this Nation each and every day.

Let's take a quick look at this next poster. It will show exactly what the Democrats would be voting against for the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act.

They would be voting against a pay raise for American troops and border security investments to counter drug trafficking.

They would be voting against investments for critical ships and aircraft, against modernization of America's nuclear triad, against missile warning systems and technology, and against next-generation U.S. weapons systems.

They would be voting against increased stability for servicemembers and their families, against training and equipment for an agile, capable force, against supporting the supply chain production, against deterring the Chinese Communist Party and foreign adversaries, and voting to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortion travel.

Mr. Chair, for their sake, for our sake, for the sake of our great Nation, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, to deliver on our America First agenda with President Trump and to stand firm in our commitment to peace through strength.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Foxx) for her work on this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and in strong support of H.R. 1, President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Today, Mr. Speaker, we face a watershed moment for the American people. This Republican majority was given a clear mandate by the American people, which is the America First agenda. This bill is our opportunity to deliver on that agenda.

H.R. 1 stops the largest tax increase in U.S. history, while providing the largest tax cut for working-and middle-class families ever, with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and tax breaks for seniors.

H.R. 1 protects the 87,000 Missouri farms and countless family-owned small businesses from double taxation by expanding the death tax exemption.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reverses 4 long years of Biden's open- border policies with a generational investment in border security, including funding to complete phase 2 of the border wall.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act modernizes our Armed Forces for 21st century threats by properly funding our military and funding the Golden Dome.

H.R. 1 ends the progressive left's war on American energy by unleashing domestic oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy production. H.R. 1 lowers energy costs, ensuring reliable and stable energy sources. H.R. 1 renews not just energy independence but makes us energy dominant once again.

Finally, H.R. 1 restores fiscal sanity by cutting almost $2 trillion in Federal spending. It rescinds billions in green new scam funding. It eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse from numerous Federal programs.

Mr. Speaker, this is a time for choosing. We can choose to side with the illegal aliens, unelected rogue bureaucrats, and fear-mongering from the America left or we can choose to side with the American people and deliver on the mandate that they gave us back in November.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to put America first, support the rule, and pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Mr. Speaker, if you are packing up your car, booking a flight, or planning a trip this summer, you have probably noticed that things feel a little bit better this year, a little bit smoother, and much more affordable.

Mr. Speaker, that is not luck. That is because Congress is working to pass President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and it is already making a difference in our summer travel plans.

Mr. Speaker, hardworking American families deserve the freedom to fuel up without pinching pennies, and Trump's bill gets us one step closer to true energy dominance.

One of the biggest costs to families hitting the road this summer is the price at the pump. That is why we fought hard to include an important provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that cuts red tape on domestic energy production. It reopens Federal lands for drilling and streamlines refinery regulations.

Mr. Speaker, it is simple: When America produces more energy, we pay less at the pump. That means that we don't have to beg foreign dictators for oil.

In fact, experts are already predicting a decline in gas prices as we move through the summer months. Usually, they go up because the summer fuels are more expensive. Because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we have the freedom to make more summer family memories without breaking the bank.

It is not just about driving, either. If you have flown lately, you have probably experienced the delays, cancelations, and chaos plaguing America's airlines and our airports.

President Trump's big, beautiful bill tackles this head-on by investing in modern air traffic control technology, expanding staffing pipelines, and overhauling the bureaucratic logjam that has kept our skies grounded for way too long.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to President Trump, America will begin streamlining hiring for air traffic controllers, improving FAA coordination, and bringing our aviation infrastructure

into the 21st century where it belongs. That means smoother trips for everyone just in time for peak summer travel season.

This bill is exactly the kind of commonsense, America First legislation that I came to Congress to support. It is proof that when we put American small businesses, our families, and our travelers first, we can make real progress.

Whether you are headed out to one of my favorite spots, Lake of the Ozarks, in my district, if you are flying to visit family, or just filling up the tank for the weekend, know this: Your summer will be easier because we are passing the President's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Honoring the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride for the brave airmen of Missouri's own 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in my district, who executed decisive, strategic strikes against the Iranian regime under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump.

I also will take a moment to honor the other heroes who are part of this historic operation. Pilots from the Air National Guard's 131st Bomb Wing, also at Whiteman, made up 50 percent of the flyers alongside the 509. The operation, maintenance, and the support personnel also contributed significantly to the experience in planning, preparation, and execution.

Just this past weekend, the world saw, once again, what American resolve looks like when we are paired with unmatched precision and capability. B-2s launched from Whiteman and executed a long-range strike against Iran in Operation Midnight Hammer.

This is one of the best examples of integration of total force that has come from Whiteman Air Force Base in recent times. Operation Midnight Hammer is a vivid example of what our long-range strike capabilities are all about: strategic reach, rapid response, and incredible deterrence.

Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, these were not just strikes, they were a message to the world. It is a message to every rogue regime that threatens American lives and our global stability that when President Trump draws a red line, he means it. This is what peace through strength looks like.

We are all reminded, once again, that under President Trump, America does not bend to tyrants or terrorists. We confront evil. We prove our dominance on the world stage, and we ensure that regimes like Iran's will never get their hands on a nuclear weapon.

Let me say one thing for the Ayatollah. He now has a choice. This is a time for choosing whether he wants peace or chaos, prosperity or poverty, isolation from the rest of the Arab world or integration to make the Middle East great again.

God bless the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings. God bless our airmen and women at Whiteman Air Force Base, and God bless Donald J. Trump, our President.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3944, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

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

I am honored to present the fiscal year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to the House today. This bill supports our troops, their families, and our Nation's veterans.

The bill includes nearly $18 billion for military construction efforts. It is critical that our servicemembers and their families have the infrastructure and support they need. This bill delivers to construct and improve military housing, childcare centers, and other quality-of-life components that are so important to those who risk so much.

This bill continues to build on investments that strengthen our national security through the construction of modern infrastructure and improvements to critical quality-of-life facilities for our servicemembers and their families.

Additionally, we continue to provide significant funding to build upon prior years' work to enable the Department of Defense to meet the challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

The bill honors our commitment to our Nation's veterans and to our troops. To honor that commitment, the bill provides full funding for healthcare and benefits for veterans. Our veterans have earned these benefits, and we are making good on our promises to them. That includes fully funding our commitment to the PACT Act.

The bill continues robust investments in women's health, rural health, veterans' homelessness issues, and mental health. The legislation maintains all the funding for medical and prosthetic research. It increases funding for VA infrastructure and supports Arlington National Cemetery. It invests in the improvement, operations, and maintenance of burial grounds for those who have sacrificed.

I thank Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz. I am glad we are at this step in the process and hope that we continue to work together to support our troops and our veterans.

Everyone--everyone, Mr. Chair--should understand that this bill cares for our veterans. It supports our troops and their families. This bill keeps the promises that we have made to our heroes.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3944, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Today is the first of 12 essential steps that the House Appropriations Committee will take to restore strong, responsible governance under the golden age of the Trump administration.

Just this past weekend, Missouri's own 509th Bomb Wing and the 131st Guard Wing of Whiteman Air Force Base in my district demonstrated the vital role that our B-2 long-range strike force plays in preserving national and international security.

Drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia has shown just how vulnerable strategic assets can be. This bill emphasizes the importance of modernizing and hardening our infrastructure for the world's most advanced air wings, such as the B-21 Raider.

Our greatest asset, though, is not our aircraft. I think the ranking member would agree, it is our people. This bill makes bold strides to improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. It expands childcare options. It enhances access to tutoring for children of fallen and disabled veterans, and it supports the daily needs of the men and women who wear the uniform.

Access to a VA facility is not a reality for some of our rural veterans. I hear this each and every day out in my district, 24 counties southeast of Kansas City. This bill, though, ensures that they are not forgotten. We increased access opportunities by increasing the funds available for community care.

In a powerful act of bipartisanship, we are strengthening the Veterans Crisis Line. When a veteran calls, someone must answer. Increased staffing and resources will help ensure that support is there each and every time.

Mr. Chair, our veterans fought for us. It is time that we fight for them. This bill does that, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, a vote to support our veterans. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Ms. Sarah Milgrim and to strongly condemn the horrific and heinous anti-Semitic acts of violence like this one around America.

Sarah was just 26 years old. She was a daughter, sister, friend, and peacemaker. She was born in the Kansas City area, close to Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, and attended American University here in

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our June Veteran of the Month, a new veteran, Colonel Keith J. Butler.

Colonel Butler enlisted in the Air Force in 1991 and was selected for an Air Force ROTC scholarship in 1997. He earned his commission through the University of South Carolina and served in operational, staff, and command assignments as an F-16, F-117, and B-2 pilot.

Colonel Butler has held positions at the squadron, group, wing, major command, direct reporting unit, and joint staff levels. He is currently the commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the B-2 Stealth bomber, since June 2023, and he is retiring in just a few weeks.

He has flown combat missions and held several other positions all over the world. He is decorated with many awards and is respected by many. I am proud to call Colonel Butler a friend.

Mr. Speaker, I thank him for his bravery, service, and dedication to America. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement, Colonel Butler.

June Small Business of the Month In Full Bloom

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our June Small Business of the Month, In Full Bloom.

In Full Bloom is a flower shop just off the square in Centralia, Missouri, in my district. This shop is the result of a leap of faith. Owner Gretchen Spires' vision came to life when she started the shop where creative design meets small business.

She has grown this phenomenal floral shop over 16 years. She shared her story of prayer and faith with our team. This journey of becoming a small business owner is the American Dream, and we are proud of her success. We love stopping by to see a full display of prom corsages, flower arrangements, and beautiful gifts for loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, I thank and congratulate her for all she does for the Centralia community.

The One Big, Beautiful Deal

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the big, beautiful bill. We have done our part here in the U.S. House. It is time for the good folks across the hallway there in the U.S. Senate to do theirs.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has a big impact on rural America and the Fourth Congressional District of the great State of Missouri.

Let's talk about the tax provisions. It makes permanent enhanced debt tax relief. It makes permanent small business deductions. It extends 100 percent immediate expensing. It makes permanent double small business expensing. It provides immediate expensing for new manufacturing and production structures in America, and it will renew the opportunity zones to better target rural America.

This is a win for America. In fact, just today, The White House Office of Management and Budget estimates it will reduce our Federal deficit by $1.4 trillion. The one big, beautiful deal is a win for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for this important piece of legislation. I thank the ranking member for her passion and her concern for small businesses in America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2931, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025, championed by my good friend Congressman Finstad.

Mr. Speaker, this is not about a culture war in America. This is about putting American small business owners first, while ensuring lawless sanctuary cities do not reap the benefits of hosting SBA offices.

It is pretty simple. This is all about protecting America's small businesses and making sure that Federal taxpayer dollars are not funneled into lawless sanctuary cities that put illegal aliens ahead of their own citizens.

Why should hardworking American entrepreneurs in law-abiding communities be second in line to support from their own government? They shouldn't be.

This bill will relocate SBA regional offices from sanctuary jurisdictions to communities that actually respect the rule of law, that actually put American citizens first, and that is not controversial. It is just common sense.

President Biden's open-border policies let in millions of illegal aliens, unvetted illegal aliens, including dangerous, violent criminals.

The woke policies of Democrat-run sanctuary cities, fueled by woke politics, have become magnets for chaos, stretching public resources to the brink, and crowding out citizens who actually follow the law.

What happens? Well, it often depletes the public resources meant for U.S. citizens.

Moving SBA offices into nonsanctuary jurisdictions is a step in the right direction.

Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. The Federal Government should not reward sanctuary cities with permanent SBA infrastructure. That is not just wrong, quite frankly, it is insulting to every law-abiding taxpayer and every small business owner struggling to stay afloat. These offices have got to be moved.

This legislation is another example of House Republicans working to codify President Trump's executive orders.

In March, SBA Administrator Loeffler announced a series of actions to put Americans first, including moving SBA regional offices out of sanctuary cities. This bill makes it law and backs that up.

This commonsense legislation, as well as others that Members will be voting on this week, put Americans and American small businesses first. It puts Main Street first.

Mr. Speaker, people can't stop there. There are many cities that share the same lawless, woke policies as sanctuary cities. They are soft on crime, even if they don't wear the sanctuary label outright.

Kansas City is one of those, just as one example. It is not officially designated as a sanctuary city, but it might as well be a first cousin of one.

That is exactly why I have asked Administrator Loeffler to relocate the SBA regional office from Kansas City in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District down to our district, the Fourth District.

At the end of the day, American citizens and small businesses should be the ones being served by SBA offices, not illegal aliens in sanctuary cities.

Let's get serious. Let's put America first, like the mandate directed to be done in November, the America First agenda led by President Donald J. Trump.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and vote ``yes'' for

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for yielding, and I thank our friend from Kentucky for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 789, the Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act.

Small businesses aren't just part of our economy. They are our economy, Mr. Speaker. They are the innovators, the job creators, the backbone of our communities, and the heartbeat of Main Street America.

Far too often, as we have seen, they have been overlooked, underserved, and, frankly, undermined by the very government they pay taxes to support. Federal agencies are simply not doing enough to open the door for small businesses to compete. Mr. Speaker, this must change.

To do that, I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill because supporting our small businesses should never be a Republican or Democratic issue. It is an American issue, Mr. Speaker.

Here is what is happening: When a Federal agency determines they have a need for certain products or services, then that agency's acquisition personnel will post a solicitation on the Federal Government's SAM.gov website for a contract to fill the requirements. That solicitation lays out what the agency wants to buy, how it will evaluate the bids, and when responses are due.

In good faith, small businesses dedicate precious time, money, and resources, sometimes thousands of dollars, to just submit these proposals. Too often, they are met with silence, confusion, or outright cancelation of the solicitation without any explanation. That is not just inefficient. That is unfair.

Agencies right now have broad discretion to cancel or amend solicitations without any transparency whatsoever. A small business can go all in on a contract proposal only to watch it vanish like that with no reason given. That is unacceptable.

H.R. 789 brings much-needed transparency and accountability to this process. It requires agencies to disclose why a solicitation was canceled because our small businesses deserve to know. Additionally, our bill requires a Federal agency's Office of Small Business and Disadvantaged Business Utilization to help small businesses find additional opportunities if a solicitation on which they made an offer is canceled so that they can go after these opportunities.

Small businesses create most of the new jobs in this country. In fact, in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District and in rural communities across America, they are the lifeline and fabric of our communities, but time and time again, they are squeezed out by overregulation and ignored by the bureaucracy. They are pushed aside in favor of corporations with high-paid consultants and armies of lobbyists.

That is wrong, and by passing H.R. 789, we take a concrete step toward restoring fairness in Federal contracting and rebuilding the relationship between our government and the small businesses it is supposed to serve.

I thank Congressmen Latimer and Mfume for their partnership on this legislation. I also applaud the Small Business Committee chairman, Roger Williams, for his leadership in putting Main Street America first.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act.

Mr. Speaker, we now have a chance to deliver real, lasting change for the American people.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is not just a promise that we as House Republicans and President Trump made. This is a generational opportunity to reset the direction of our great Nation.

Let me be clear: My colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't like this bill because it puts hardworking Americans first, not the bureaucrats, not special interests, and not those who break our laws.

Our friends on the left like to shout: ``The sky is falling. The sky is falling.'' Enough with the Chicken Little mentality in this body.

This bill stops the largest tax increase in U.S. history. This bill will increase take-home pay by more than $13,000 and grow wages by more than $11,000. It protects Medicaid for our citizens by removing more than a million illegal aliens from taxpayer-funded benefits. Yes, Mr. Speaker, this draws the clear line: No taxpayer dollars for sex change surgeries for anyone.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this big, beautiful bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the winners of our 2025 Fourth Congressional District speech competition for the great State of Missouri. This is our second year to do this. It is a great competition.

Our next winner is Lucas Tate, who is a junior at Odessa High School. Lucas wrote: ``Freedom is a word that rings loud in the hearts of many Americans. We all know what freedom is. We all know what the absence of freedom feels like, but what does it mean to stand up for your freedom? Standing up for your freedom is not always loud, not always quiet. Standing up for your freedom is swimming against the school, looking for those who may follow. It is a war cry against the face of tyranny and injustice. It is a tough battle, one that we as Americans must be proud to face every day because, simply, it is American.''

Our next winner is Tanner Gill, who is in ninth grade at Raymore- Peculiar High School. Tanner wrote: ``Standing for freedom means protecting the rights and values that make America strong. In our country, this means making sure that people have justice, fairness, and the ability to speak freely. Everyone can help by being active in their community and standing up for what is right. Around the world, the U.S. supports freedom by helping people who live under unfair governments by promoting democracy. As a leader, America has a responsibility to set an example and defend human rights. Standing for freedom isn't just about words. It is about action. By respecting our history and working to protect freedom, we help make the world a better place.''

Our next winner is Riley Olendorff, who is a junior at Glasgow High School. Riley wrote: ``Standing for freedom is having courage, integrity, and speaking out against injustice. Freedom includes protecting the rights of others, even when it may be hard and challenging. We have to be able to defend our rights for ourselves and others when there is risk of being taken away. Freedom is not just about personal choices, advocating for fairness, and presenting different opinions now and for future generations. Past history has presented sacrifices from leaders and soldiers who defend our nations. True freedom grows when people are willing to stand up for themselves and others. As an American, I am fortunate enough to live in a free country, and I stand for what freedom means.''

I thank everyone who participated in this year's congressional speech competition, and I congratulate our winners.

Recognizing Alewel's Country Meats

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Missouri's Fourth Congressional District May Small Business of the Month, Alewel's Country Meats.

What better month to highlight this amazing small business than National Beef Month?

What began as a small downtown grocery store in 1932, Alewel's has grown into a fixture of Warrensburg's local community.

This federally inspected meat processing and retail facility developed old German recipes to create quality fresh meats and homemade specialty products.

Randy Alewel, the third-generation CEO of Alewel's Country Meats, has expanded the facility four times now.

Today, we congratulate Alewel's Meats and thank them for their contributions to Missouri and the Fourth Congressional District.

Recognizing Rick Fullerton

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our May Veteran of the Month, Mr. Rick Fullerton of Independence, Missouri. He is a World War II vet and lives at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg in our district.

Mr. Fullerton attended Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia and graduated in 1945. That September, he began his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served as an accountant in Mobile, Alabama, and he is so proud of the fact that he was instrumental in making sure our servicemen got paid for their sacrifices.

Mr. Fullerton created a wonderful family with his wife, Betty, and 2 children, 4 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

I am proud to honor Mr. Fullerton on the floor today, and I thank him for his service to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce our winners today for our second annual Missouri's Fourth Congressional District speech competition for 2025. This is something we started last year here in this very Chamber, and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to maybe adopt this in their district to try to re-instill patriotism into our great Nation.

Our prompt this year is: What does it mean to stand for freedom here at home and abroad?

Our first winner is Taylor Olendorff who is in the 11th grade at Glasgow High School.

Taylor wrote this:

Standing for freedom means advocating for the inherent

rights of individuals to live without oppression, pursue

their dreams, and express themselves without fear.

In America, freedom is foundational, symbolized by

democratic values like free speech, equality, and the pursuit

of happiness.

At home, this means protecting civil liberties and ensuring

justice for all, regardless of race, gender or background.

Abroad, America plays a critical role in promoting freedom

by supporting democratic movements, opposing tyranny, and

providing humanitarian aid.

The U.S. has historically used its influence to encourage

the spread of human rights and liberty worldwide, embodying

the belief that freedom is a universal right, not just an

American ideal.

Our next winner is Grey Landreth, who is in the 11th grade at Waynesville High School.

Grey wrote:

A tall, stone lighthouse standing firm against turbulent

waters, giving a path for sailors even in the most

treacherous of storms, always steadfast.

This is what it means to stand for freedom, to be resolute

in one's principles in the face of adversity.

America is the lighthouse of freedom and democracy is the

unforgiving sea of the world.

Illuminating the path to the patriotic way of life for

which the previous people of this country fought so hard.

Not only is it important for the lighthouse to point the

way for smaller vessels on the water, but also to maintain

its light, to maintain its freedom.

Before America can radio the path for other countries, it

must first prioritize its own freedoms and make sure its

lightbulb never flickers.

Our next winner is Lauryn Lercher, who is also an 11th grader at Waynesville High School.

Lauryn wrote:

Freedom isn't just a word; it is a responsibility. To stand

for freedom means defending the rights of others, even when

it is difficult.

At home, America strives to protect democracy, ensuring

every voice is heard.

But freedom isn't just for us, it is a global value. The

U.S. promotes human rights and stands against oppression

worldwide through diplomacy, aid, and example.

However, authentic leadership means acknowledging our flaws

and working to improve.

Standing for freedom isn't about power, it is about

justice, equality, and courage.

If we truly believe in freedom, we must defend it

everywhere, for everyone.

Because without freedom, we lose what makes us who we are.

I am extremely proud of these young people. They are talented, smart, and patriotic Americans who want our country to be better. Let us all strive in this body no matter what side of the aisle we are on to make that happen.

Mr. Speaker, I will continue at a later date with our remaining winners.

Again, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to adopt the congressional speech contest to build patriotism among our young people in the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Rhode Island, and I am honored to follow my friend from Kansas City, Reverend Emanuel Cleaver.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with him. This is a bipartisan issue. Today, I rise to introduce the Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act. My bill is complementary to Senator Josh Hawley over in the Senate.

If you travel the Fourth District of the great State of Missouri, just south of Reverend Cleaver's district in Kansas City, and you ask the average person, Mr. Speaker, if Members of Congress should be able to trade individual stocks, they will say no. That is not good for our Nation. It is not good for this body. It is not good for rebuilding trust in the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate.

The reason we introduced this is because there have been widespread reports of suspicious transactions associated with public officials and it raises a lot of concerns about what we are doing here in this great body.

If you want to run for the U.S. House of Representatives or you want to serve the people, Mr. Speaker, that is fine. If you want to trade stocks, then go to Wall Street.

I am the chair of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee for the Small Business Committee, I am concerned about Main Street. I am concerned about the 772,047 individuals that I represent. That is what we should be here about, not trying to get rich on trading stocks.

My bill is bicameral. It is bipartisan. As I said before, it is led in the Senate by Senator Josh Hawley. President Trump has announced that he will support this legislation to make this law. He will sign it into law.

Today, Speaker Johnson indicated his support for the underlying policy and the Members gathered here tonight prove that this is a bipartisan mission, to right the ship, to get us back on the right track.

This legislation has workable compliance deadlines. It allows trading in broad-based index and mutual funds and requires real enforcement. It has teeth with substantial penalties for violations. As public servants, we should hold ourselves to a higher standard, Mr. Speaker, and avoid the mere appearance of corruption and impropriety.

Unfortunately, too many Members of Congress are engaging in suspicious stock trades based on nonpublic information to enrich themselves. These gross violations of the public trust make it clear: We must finally take action and take a stand to ban Members and their spouses from owning or selling individual stocks.

It is simple. Public service should never be a pathway to private wealth, especially when everyday Americans are struggling. This is about rebuilding trust in what we do.

Congress works for the people, not to enrich our bank account. I am proud to join my colleagues tonight on the other side of the aisle. It is kind of refreshing to have something that we

agree on, but we agree that America comes first, our constituents come first, and we, as servant leaders, should come last.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for holding this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness today that I rise to honor the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator Christopher ``Kit'' Bond of Missouri.

Leslie and I join the Bond family, the Show Me State, and a grateful Nation in mourning the loss of one of Missouri's favorite sons.

Kit was a true statesman and a mentor to many, including myself. He represented the highest ideal of public service.

Having served for more than 40 years, including as Missouri's youngest-ever Governor and later as United States Senator, Kit's impact can be felt all over Missouri and across America.

Through various roles, Senator Bond prioritized improving care for our Nation's veterans, providing support for a strong and well-equipped U.S. military, and delivering for the residents of his beloved Missouri. We are proud to continue his legacy of service on the Appropriations Committee today.

It brings me hope to know that Kit now rests with his Heavenly Father, and we are eternally grateful for his lifetime of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John M. Foster of Harrisonville, Missouri, as our April Veteran of the Month.

A proud son of Cass County, John served 9 years in the Active Army Reserve with the 4th Squadron of the 4th Cavalry Division of the 102nd Infantry Division, earning the rank of sergeant first class.

After his honorable service, John dedicated his life to building his community, literally and figuratively, through his work as the owner of John Foster Construction Company and through decades of civic leadership.

He served as president of the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce, chaired numerous community initiatives, and was instrumental in establishing the Lawrence Smith Memorial Airport.

As a charter member of the Harrisonville Rotary Club, he promoted international goodwill and service.

John M. Foster's life of duty and service to country, community, and family stands as a shining example of American patriotism.

We are proud to honor him today, proud to have him in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, and we thank him for his service to our great Nation.

Recognizing Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an iconic Fourth District small business, our Small Business of the Month, Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts of Peculiar, Missouri.

For more than 50 years now, Pete & Jake's has been a cornerstone of the hot rod community, crafting high-quality suspension components that are not only admired but built to actually use.

What began in 1973 as two friends restoring a pair of 1934 Ford three-window coupes quickly turned into a legendary brand. Pete & Jake's built and designed the hot rod California Kid for the 1974 Hollywood movie titled ``The California Kid.''

Pete & Jake later sold their California hot rod shop, along with the California Kid, to Jerry Slover, and he moved the hot rod shop to Cass County, Missouri.

His son Jason; his wife, Tina; and their son, Colton--third generation in this picture here--run the daily operation of the all- USA-made parts for hot rods.

Their family impact goes well beyond just business. They give back to our community.

Each and every year, Pete & Jake's hosts a major car show in May, with all the proceeds going to support junior diabetes research, showcasing their dedication to both the customers and their community.

Last year, Mr. Speaker, they celebrated 50 years in business, and each May they have a hot rod show with hundreds of cars coming from all over the country into our district.

Last year, 500 hot rods from 40 States were represented. All the proceeds go, as we said, to junior diabetes research.

Small businesses like Pete & Jake's represent the American Dream, built on hard work, innovation, and passion for what they do. Today, we congratulate Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts on their 50th anniversary and thank them for their contributions to Missouri and to America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a heroic resident of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, Mr. Danny Wells.

Mr. Wells is a team leader for the public works department in the city of Peculiar. Earlier this year, middle Missouri was in the grips of a historic cold front with temperatures well below freezing and wind chills regularly hovering in the single digits.

On January 24th, with the temperature in the twenties, Danny was driving down State Highway YY. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a young child in a ditch--barely clothed and shivering in the cold. Mr. Wells jumped into action. After searching for any adults nearby, he pulled over and literally gave the boy the coat off his back and the hat off

his head. Danny then put the boy in the truck, cranked up the heat, and began rubbing his feet to warm them.

Danny immediately radioed the proper authorities to get this boy the medical care he desperately needed. With temperatures so low, the risk of catastrophe was imminent. Peculiar Police Chief Don Shepard, who was on the scene, said the boy ``was near hypothermic and might well have died had Danny not found him.''

Danny is an Army Veteran and having served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is no stranger to perilous situations. And this specific situation was personal to him. ``I've got grandkids about the same age, so it just hit pretty close to home. Serving the public is what we're here for; it is what we do. I hope anybody in that situation would have done the same thing,'' Mr. Wells said.

On behalf of the Fourth District, we thank Mr. Wells for his service to our Nation and the community of Peculiar. His actions make clear he has a servant's heart and takes his work seriously. We applaud his heroic actions to prevent a disaster on that January afternoon.