Mark Harris

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Arizona (Mr. Biggs), for his leadership in this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 1, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution that would require the Supreme Court of the United States to be composed of nine Justices.

This action will uphold the Court's legitimacy, protect the checks and balances that defend our fundamental freedoms, and ensure that every American's rights will remain protected, regardless of who holds political power.

For decades, we have heard calls from those unhappy with the ideological balance of the Supreme Court to pack the Court. The alarming rise of such calls should worry all of us because their objective is not to uphold ethical principles or even to protect individual rights but rather to consolidate power and intimidate the Court.

Our Founders understood that liberty cannot survive when power goes unchecked. They therefore built a system of checks and balances, with an independent Supreme Court serving as a critical safeguard for the rights and freedoms of every American. The Court's role is not to advance a political party's agenda but to uphold the Constitution and protect liberty even when doing so means standing apart from the passions of the moment.

At a time when our Supreme Court is facing ongoing and escalating attacks, Congress must and can act to defend it.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this proposed amendment, and I urge all my colleagues to support maintaining the integrity of the United States Supreme Court.

Nothing is more noble and patriotic than serving our great company, and Darren Solomon exemplifies this spirit. After 33 years of public service, including 26 years as a Federal agent, he is officially retired.

As a certified fire investigator, Darren spent years uncovering the truth behind how fires occurred and helping provide answers to families during some of their most difficult moments. Beyond his own investigations, he dedicated himself to training fellow investigators and passing along his knowledge and expertise to the next generation.

Throughout his remarkable career, Darren has demonstrated unwavering patriotism, a deep love for his family, and a strong commitment to his community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Darren for his service. It will never go unnoticed, and I am proud to have him as part of the great Eighth District of North Carolina and wish him a well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4499) to make technical amendments to update statutory references to provisions reclassified to title 34, United States Code, and to correct related technical errors, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 4499.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4499, a bill that makes important technical corrections to our Federal statutes and ensures that references in the United States Code remain accurate.

The Office of the Law Revision Counsel, or OLRC, is responsible for preparing and publishing the United States Code, which organizes the Federal laws enacted by Congress. In 2017, the OLRC moved various laws to title 34 of the United States Code, which pertains to crime control and law enforcement. This was done to ensure that our Nation's laws are properly organized.

H.R. 4499 updates references to these laws throughout the titles of the code affected by their move to title 34. While these may be technical changes, they are important for maintaining an accurate and accessible United States Code. I am grateful that Congress is taking action through my bill, as well as the other legislation being considered by the House today, to ensure that our laws accurately reflect the current code.

I thank the Office of the Law Revision Counsel for all the work it does, as well as those on the Judiciary Committee who helped address these much-needed changes. I urge all my colleagues to support this important legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill. I am very grateful for the bipartisan support, and I urge everyone to support H.R. 4499. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.