Michael A. Rulli

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 217; YEA on Roll Call No. 218; NAY on Roll Call No. 219; and YEA on Roll Call No. 220.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Walberg for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in support of H.R. 7726, the Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026. I am honored to see my bill added into this package today.

We are here talking about commonsense legislation to just stop fraud. The Government Accountability Office estimates that the Federal Government loses between $200 billion and $500 billion every year to fraud.

This bill makes sure fraudsters are stopped by adding commonsense requirements like agency coordination and data sharing to monitor fraud, explaining the processes used to investigate and recover improper payments, and highlighting the procedures used to impose sanctions when fraud is actually found.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to support this bill, strengthen integrity, and safeguard taxpayer dollars in the childcare block grant program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Senator James E. Carnes, 84, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, who passed away on April 25, 2026. Born February 19, 1942, in Wheeling, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Edward A. and Avis E. Carnes.

A lifelong Belmont County resident, Carnes graduated from Flushing High School in 1960 and dedicated his career to the Ohio coal industry, rising to President and later President-Emeritus of Cravat Coal Company after 57 years of service. He also owned and operated the Plaza Motel and Carnes Mobile Home and Appliances.

He was a prominent figure in Ohio Republican politics for over five decades, serving as Belmont County GOP Chairman, on state and national party committees, and as a delegate to multiple conventions. He later served in the Ohio Senate from 1995 to 2004, representing southeastern Ohio and chairing key committees, including Energy and Finance.

Following his Senate service, he was appointed Deputy Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and later served on the Ohio Liquor Control Commission until 2025. Known for his pragmatic leadership and ability to work across party lines, he was widely respected for his service to Ohio.

I invite my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring Senator James E. Carnes. He will be remembered as a devoted family man, a man of faith, and a lifelong public servant.