Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution.

Congress has the power to invalidate this bureaucratic rule that, simply put, would, once again, sell out the greatest strength of the American economy--our American workers.

The Build America, Buy America Act was bipartisan legislation that was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

We must ensure that any infrastructure projects across America uses American-made and sourced products when they are available.

When the government spends American taxpayer money on an infrastructure project, it is common sense that the materials used in the project should be made in America.

We have the world's best workers making the best materials we need right here at home. This administration's radical push to end consumer choice and force electric vehicles upon us is completely wrong.

When Chinese- or Russian-made products and materials are used instead of those from America, it steals jobs from U.S. workers. This administration cannot be allowed to enable brutal dictators and thugs on the backs of American workers.

I urge all of my colleagues to support opposition of this radical rule from the Biden administration and support the American worker by voting for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Bill Overton, a Vietnam veteran from Ohio who served his country and continues to serve his fellow veterans.

Bill has been the loudest spokesperson for veterans and veterans programs in northeast Ohio. He has assisted over 300 veterans with their compensation and benefits.

Bill has been able to ensure hospice veterans receive care, injured veterans receive compensation, and disabled veterans obtain vehicles and adaptive housing. His work has brought approximately $5 million to veterans in our community alone.

When the Battlefield Cross was removed from the Ohio Western Reserve in 2017, Bill was instrumental in applying public pressure on the National Cemetery Administration to return it.

Ohio's Seventh District is thankful to have Bill Overton and is grateful for his years of service, and for his service that will still continue.

Mr. Speaker, Bill is loved. We thank him for everything he does.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Vietnam war veteran Jim Hoessle. Since 2016, Jim has served on the board of the Medina County Veterans Service Commission.

Jim has spent 10 years as a member of the Honor Guard team for both VFW Post 5137 and American Legion Post 202.

He also serves as a mentor in the Medina County Valor Court where he assists veterans who have run into difficulties with the law.

Jim even serves the youth in Medina County where he works closely with the juvenile detention center, selecting opportunities for teens to provide community service.

For the last 8 years, Jim has spent each summer at Buckeye Boys State, mentoring high school juniors in local, county, and State government.

Jim's love and service to country has never wavered. His life and work for the people of my district, our district, the State of Ohio, and our country make a better America.

Madam Speaker, let us thank Jim Hoessle for his service.

Mr. Speaker, I will keep this very brief.

I, myself, have been a victim of George Santos, as well as other Members of Congress, in terms of defrauding through public donations.

I received an ethics complaint from the FEC for which I had to spend tens of thousands to defend myself.

You, sir, are a crook.

I know I should direct my comments to the Chair.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today at what I think is a very serious moment for our country and for the world.

Hate and anti-Semitism are on the rise. Our strongest ally and great friend, Israel, is under siege at the hands of brutal terrorists. As a member of the United States Marines, I know when a Member of the House of Representatives is echoing a line that is a clear call to murder Jews and push Israel off the map--``from the river to the sea.''

To be clear, ``from the river to the sea,'' as someone who is Jewish, means to exterminate my people. Never again.

Mr. Speaker, the ADL recently reported that anti-Semitic incidents rose by roughly 400 percent in the 2 weeks following Hamas' evil attack on Israel, which began 1 month ago today.

There is no question that these incidents are a direct result of the hate-filled lies and anti-Semitic rhetoric perpetuated by Members of this body--``from the river to the sea.''

What exactly does that mean, ``from the river to the sea Palestine will be free.'' I am happy to educate all of you. It means the extermination of the Jewish people.

I understand that my colleague, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib), thinks that this is some kind of aspirational message. It is a joke.

Mr. Speaker, I do think that this is an aspirational message. But it is not an aspiration of peaceful coexistence. It is an aspiration to the erasure of the State of Israel and its people, the Jewish people who call it home and who have been refugees since the very beginning of time.

It is an aspiration to the genocide of Jews.

Mr. Speaker, I believe strongly that Members of this body should be able to speak their minds freely, but I also think there should be consequences for those who would use their platforms to perpetuate garbage that puts any American at risk especially because of their religion.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that actions have consequences, and I believe that after a long string of anti-Semitic remarks and hate-filled rhetoric, censure is an appropriate consequence for the gentlewoman from Michigan.

Never again, damn it, means never again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because, on October 7, Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on innocents in Israel.

I rise today to draw attention to what really happened: Babies were murdered. Hospitals were bombed. Families were ripped apart. Many were kidnapped.

I rise today to share the names of the U.S. citizens who were kidnapped by these barbarians and remain in their evil ditches: Aviva Siegel, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Samuel Siegel, Edan Alexander, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and Omer Neutra.

Mr. Speaker, I now ask for a brief moment of silence as we pray for their safe return.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in a time of great need and urgency to support an emergency supplemental aid package to our great ally and the only democracy in the Middle East, Israel.

For nearly a month now, the world has watched the bombardment of brutal terrorist attacks against Israel. The sheer evil and terror that have been brought upon the Israeli people by these barbaric savages cannot be met by silence or inaction. As Hamas continues its heinous attacks against Israel, we must continue to send a message to the world and leaders of Hamas that the United States stands with Israel and supports its absolute right to exist.

In our first action under Speaker Johnson, the House overwhelmingly passed a resolution reaffirming support for Israel. Following that up, this supplemental aid to Israel is a necessary step. Such aid will provide Israel with the critical resources it needs to defend itself and mount a response that will allow for the elimination of the threat of Hamas.

As our strong ally in the Middle East, the United States must continue to stand firmly with Israel and provide support for it to defend its right to exist against those who wish it would cease to be.

As one of two Jewish House Republicans, I urge all of my colleagues to support this aid package and to stand firmly behind Israel and the Israeli people.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support a vital amendment included within the bipartisan en bloc amendment to foster rural skills training and workforce development.

The amendment that I offered with several of my colleagues would restore funding for one of USDA's primary rural skills and workforce programs, the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy, also known as the RISE Grant Program.

As authorized in the 2018 farm bill, this workforce training initiative provides assistance to rural areas to establish job accelerators to cultivate the growth of high-wage jobs and support rural economies.

Rural America and regions throughout the country face economic challenges that are compounded by a lack of access to training and workplace skills.

This is an urgent issue that requires our attention; therefore, I urge all of my colleagues to support the amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise to speak about the ongoing brutal and unjust war that is still wreaking havoc in Eastern Europe to this day and about America's role.

Make no mistake, Vladimir Putin is an evil tyrant whose brutal army is devastating the people of Ukraine. Like many others, I look forward to seeing him in The Hague.

My position on providing aid to Ukraine has been clear. Ukraine should have the tools it needs to win this war, its war, with the help of other countries, not just the United States.

The United States, especially with the American President, who holds many of these powers, absolutely cannot provide a blank check without robust oversight and something else that has been lacking: a clear strategy to end America's involvement.

Before I became a Member of this House, the previous Congress gave the Biden administration the resources it needed to help the Ukrainians end their war. However, the piecemeal approach taken by this administration has prolonged, rather than ended, the fight.

Frankly, just like former President Trump has said, the United States of America has the tools to end this war in 24 hours, bring that thug Putin to the table, stop the killing of innocent civilians, and allow Ukraine to maintain its independence.

I believe the American people, as well as the Ukrainians fighting on the front lines, have little use, if any, for weak and ill-equipped weaponry that simply prolongs the war rather than bringing it to an end once and for all.

A piecemeal approach to helping Ukraine is wasting taxpayer dollars, and I do not know anyone who is in favor of wasting American tax dollars.

What we need is a strategy, oversight, and accountability:

A strategy that explicitly defines what victory looks like so we know when America's involvement is at an end; oversight so that the American people know how their tax dollars are being spent; and accountability for this administration's failures to implement these elementary pillars of decisionmaking.

Another far-reaching, multi-billion-dollar supplement without these three key tenets is not what the American people want or deserve. Frankly, it is not what the Ukrainians want either.

The Ukrainians have taken significant steps to restore accountability to their government and weed out corruption, so I believe they understand just how important a transparency is.

Madam Speaker, Ukraine can end this war, Ukrainians can have peace, the innocent killings of civilians at the evil hands of an evil dictator can stop. We can share the tools Ukrainians need without depleting our own capabilities. However, the United States cannot be drawn into another forever war without a meaningful strategy that defines how we know when it is over. We cannot put American servicemembers in harm's way, and we certainly cannot waste taxpayer dollars.

We were supposed to learn this lesson after Vietnam, and, instead, we ended up with a 20-year war in Afghanistan. We cannot make the same mistake again.

Madam Speaker, I represent one of the largest Ukrainian-American populations in the House of Representatives. My constituents are Americans who are the family members of Ukrainian soldiers. They are Americans who are faith leaders, and some are even first-generation Ukrainian Americans. All of them are grateful for the American assistance and that of our allies, and every single one is ready for this war to come to an end, just as I know so many others are, as well.

It is time for this administration to be up front with the American people and articulate a coherent strategy to define our end goal.

Let us all work together to commit to saving taxpayer dollars, increasing crucial oversight of our operations, logistical and tactical support, and finally commit ourselves to developing the strategy needed to save innocent lives, help the Ukrainians end their armed conflict, keep America out of this war, and ensure this does not go on another day longer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Katja Bullock. If I could summarize Katja's life into two words, they would be compassion and service.

I met Katja while working for the Trump administration. From the moment I met her, she took me under her wing. As she did for so many and for those who knew her, they knew that is what she would do.

She always made sure that I had a seat at the table every Sunday dinner and had a place to go for every single holiday.

When visiting her home, you would be mesmerized by the countless number of photos and artifacts she had from 50-plus years of service working for a Senator, two Maryland Governors, and most notably, the last four Republican Presidents.

Katja's remarkable journey began in war-torn Germany and culminated in her undisputed status as a legend in Republican politics.

Her life was the definition of living the American Dream. I am blessed to have been just a small part of it.

God bless you, Katja. We love you. We miss you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the annual Blue Tip Festival in Wadsworth, Ohio.

The Blue Tip Festival is a longstanding community celebration. The festival's name pays tribute to the city's former largest employer, the Ohio Match Company and their famous blue tip matches.

Each year, the Blue Tip Festival begins the Tuesday after Father's Day with a 2\1/2\-mile parade. The parade leads to the ceremonial lighting of a 17-foot blue tip match sculpture that holds the record for the world's largest matchstick sculpture. The next 5 days are filled with family fun like amusement rides, carnival games, festival food, and more.

I commend the city of Wadsworth and the Blue Tip Festival Committee for their commitment to make the Blue Tip Festival one of the best celebrations in Ohio's Seventh District. Year after year, their dedication has created a space for our community to recognize and enjoy Ohio's rich history. Here is to another safe and fun 50 years of the Blue Tip Festival.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to once again reaffirm my steadfast commitment to a free and prosperous State of Israel.

Mr. Speaker, today every single Member of this honorable body will have the opportunity to stand against anti-Semitism, to stand against bigotry, to stand against hatred, and to stand for the forever home of the Jewish people, our great friend and democratic ally in the Middle East, the key pillar to freedom and democracy for the entire region, and the home of so much of our shared history: the State of Israel.

Today we bring forward yet another opportunity. It is yet another opportunity for individuals in this body to set their words and their records straight and to walk back their words, which they so often choose to do.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, or ONIC. I had the pleasure of meeting their team to learn about how their research and advocacy is creating a safer Ohio.

ONIC's team of criminal intelligence analysts and computer forensic specialists assist law enforcement agencies and drug task forces. They provide educational outreach on dangerous counterfeit prescriptions, fentanyl, and cryptocurrency scams. Additionally, ONIC works with community organizations like RecoveryOhio on programs for law enforcement to comprehensibly combat the narcotic crisis.

Recently, ONIC hosted a Law Enforcement Drug Summit where criminal justice professionals learned about drug trends and reduction strategies. Furthermore, this month they will host their inaugural BRIDGE Day to make connections from law enforcement to prevention, treatment, and recovery centers in all 88 Ohio counties.

ONIC's programs provide invaluable support and education to the brave men and women in law enforcement who lay down their lives to keep our communities safe. I am thankful for their work addressing the narcotics epidemic and look forward to continued partnership as we work toward a safer northeast Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Brunswick, Ohio, resident Isabella Heinbaugh-McCroskey.

In 2016, Isabella began placing wreaths at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

In 2019, having noticed that local veterans were not being recognized properly, Isabella walked the West View Cemetery grounds, at which point she located 185 unmarked veteran graves. Isabella then solicited donations and gathered volunteers to place the wreaths on the graves of each veteran.

To educate the public, Isabella coordinated a Wreaths Across America mobile trailer visit where the public learned more about the program. She welcomed home and honored more than 25 Vietnam veterans at this event.

Now, as just a freshman in high school, Isabella continues to work with Brunswick VFW to coordinate flag retirements and Veterans Day ceremonies, and she is a clear example of how women lead us.

We thank Isabella for her incredible devotion to our veterans and congratulate her on being recognized as the 2023 Medina County Veteran Advocate of the Year.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment made in order by the rule.

Mr. Chair, the HALT Fentanyl Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation this body could possibly address.

We all understand something must be done to stop this deadly drug from killing more of our loved ones. I do not believe our communities that are being ravaged by fentanyl can wait long while this important legislation is implemented.

That is why I am offering this simple amendment to speed up the process of rulemaking by the Attorney General.

My amendment will cut the timeline for interim final rulemaking by the Attorney General in half. I repeat, in half.

Law enforcement needs these tools to keep our community safe, and my amendment seeks to save lives across our country by requiring the Attorney General to expedite the rulemaking process while allowing enough time for sound policymaking.

Fentanyl is killing far too many people year after year in Ohio. In March alone, 130 people died from fentanyl overdoses just in Cuyahoga County.

We must come together here in Congress to address this with the urgency that it needs. Focusing on substance use disorder treatments and harm reduction techniques alone will not address the unique threat posed by fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances that can kill a person instantly when laced with other substances or pills. We must keep Americans safe.

I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my amendment.

Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for his support.

Last month, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, law enforcement confiscated rainbow fentanyl, which is designed to resemble candy and this deadly drug is marketed to children. Simply put, this is death disguised as candy.

Just last month, local law enforcement, the DEA, and the United States District Attorney's Office busted an organized drug trafficking ring involving 18 individuals who were involved in the distribution of fentanyl across the communities I represent in Ohio's Seventh Congressional District.

Mr. Chair, once again, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.