Mark Pocan

Mr. Speaker, this is a stupid resolution.

This stupid resolution completely ignores the reality of what Americans are worried about today: the rising cost of living caused by the hapless GOP leadership in Congress and an inept White House.

Forget about this resolution being stupid for a second. What about communism? We are against socialism but okay with communism? That is stupid.

Forget about that under the U.S. with Donald Trump, we have been more socialist than many actual socialist countries by claiming U.S. Government partial ownership in over 30 companies, which is clearly ignored in this resolution.

That is stupid.

Forget that somehow, for some reason, the save America voter suppression act is thrown in here, an act perhaps even more stupid than this resolution itself. This is just stupid, and it is insulting to Americans trying to get by while this Congress lets tariffs increase the cost of groceries and other goods, lets an illegal war in Iran raise gas prices, and the big, beautiful bill raise the cost of healthcare and utilities.

However, here today in the U.S. Congress we are dealing with none of that, not one thing to make Americans' lives easier. Instead, we are dealing with this stupid resolution, and that is just plain stupid.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and service of Mr. Michael Johnson, who passed away unexpectedly this year.

Michael Johnson was a member of the Dane County community for many years and spent his life dedicated to improving equality and higher educational prospects for young people in his city and state at large.

Michael grew up in Chicago, honoring the Boys & Girls Clubs of his youth for providing him with a safe space and opportunities to grow beyond his neighborhood. After his graduation from Cornell University, Michael climbed the ranks of many non-profits in the Midwest before settling in Madison where he spent 17 years working tirelessly to close youth opportunity gaps in education and the skilled trades.

In his role as President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, Michael endeavored to raise over 50 million dollars for projects such as the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center, a hands-on skilled trades training and career center, and was a key leader in the largest public-private partnership in the history of the Madison Metropolitan School District.

Michael played a profound role in the development of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, quadrupling the number of students and families served in the area--his aspirations were never small, nor did they relent at the walls of his organization. Colleagues and friends of Michael recognized how his vision and generosity for the state extended beyond closing the education gaps and providing opportunities for students to pursue higher education. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Michael talked extensively with youth protestors in downtown Madison and campaigned for the construction of a statue of Vel Philips, the first woman and African American elected to a statewide office to be erected on the grounds of the Capitol, where it stands today. He was a passionate advocate of challenging assumptions and the need for equity and representation in the state.

Michael was a Champion for Children, honored in his life with the Boys & Girls Clubs Heart and Soul Award, the highest recognition of local executives in the organization, as well as the Hometown Hero award in the Wisconsin State Assembly for his courage and conviction in pursuit of a more equitable world.

He is survived by his wife, Toya, and three children. Michael will be dearly missed by the Dane County and greater Wisconsin communities for his extraordinary leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to his important work.

As a Member of Congress, I don't own any individual stocks because, as a byproduct of my job, I get inside information on many publicly traded companies.

We don't let people with insider information buy stock because it impacts markets and threatens public trust in a system that so many of our retirement dollars are in.

However, this bill before us puts Members of Congress above the law. It is not a real congressional stock trading ban like other bipartisan measures. This is a weak alternative. It is like Velveeta to real Wisconsin cheese.

It has been said that this bill has loopholes so big a Qatari jet could go through them. It still allows Members to hold stock. It still allows Members to buy stocks with dividends. It still allows family members to buy stocks for others for any reason. It is basically the opposite of a real stock trading ban for Members of Congress, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

This bill continues the corruption of what marks too much of what is done in Washington. Mr. Speaker, please don't support this Velveeta and weak bill.