Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Representative from New York for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule. I rise in support of the underlying bills, in particular, H.R. 9494 to provide continuing funding for the Government of the United States for the next 6 months.

House Republicans have done the work of funding our Federal agencies. Our Appropriations Committee has passed all 12 bills out of committee. Five of those have passed on the floor. Over 70 percent of the funding for the Federal Government has already been passed by the House.

Unfortunately, the Senate continues to stall. To be clear, the Senate has not passed a single appropriations bill. Funding does expire at the end of this month. September 30 occurs the same time every year just like Christmas and Halloween. It should not be a surprise to the majority leader of the United States Senate.

With funding expiring at the end of this month, it is unfortunate but necessary to pass a continuing resolution so that the government continues to operate while the other body continues to stall.

Here is another thing: I, frankly, do not understand why the President of the United States would even consider vetoing this legislative measure while Members of his own party refuse to come to the table to negotiate with Republicans.

House Republicans will not be responsible if there is an appropriations lapse. If there is an appropriations lapse, that falls squarely on the shoulders of the other body and the Democrats in charge.

This is why I will be supporting the passage of the continuing resolution. We have to put personal politics aside and do what is right for everyday Americans.

We also have the opportunity in this legislation to pass the SAVE Act, which will ensure that only American citizens have a voice in our elections. It is against the law for teenagers to buy alcohol, but sometimes they do, or try to. That is stopped because they have to show an ID at the counter.

We understand that it is illegal for people who are not citizens to vote in Federal elections, and yet sometimes people try. Sometimes they are not even aware that they are not supposed to do that, but this will ensure that only American citizens vote in American elections.

Unfortunately, in the Rules Committee yesterday, they said the quiet part out loud. Why would the border czar allow 12 million undocumented individuals into this country over the last 3\1/2\ years? The answer is, they want them to become voters. The SAVE Act prevents that from happening.

Eighty-six percent of Americans support the concept that American citizens only should be voting in American elections.

Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, illegal immigrants not only have a free pass across our border, but soon to our ballot boxes. Election security is national security. The choice is simple: Vote for election integrity or vote for foreign influence and rising crime.

For my part, I believe we need to pass this commonsense legislation today. We need to pass it this week.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this rule today and the underlying legislation that only American citizens vote in American elections.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exemplary public service of Detective Omar Montemayor of The Colony, Texas Police Department as he retires after more than twenty years in law enforcement.

Previously, Mr. Montemayor served for three years in the U.S. Navy, followed by three years with the McAllen Police Department. In

2008, he began serving as a patrol officer with The Colony Police Department. Building upon that foundational experience, he became a Field Training Officer (FTO), where he mentored new recruits to the department, serving as an example and instructing them with the knowledge necessary to perform capably in a challenging and rewarding profession. In addition, Montemayor was assigned the sensitive and crucial position as a Hostage Crisis Negotiator, where he proficiently displayed his abilities to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively and diffuse dangerous situations.

During his two-decade tenure with TCPD, Mr. Montemayor also served as a Marine Safety Officer, enforcing regulations and ensuring the safety of the public on local lakes and rivers. Additionally, he paid tribute to fallen officers and their families as a member of TCPD's Honor Guard.

After twelve years protecting the citizens of The Colony on its streets and waterways, Mr. Montemayor was assigned as a School Resource Officer at The Colony High School. As an SRO, he had the opportunity to interact with students, staff and parents, to build critical relationships toward a safer and more supportive educational environment. After only a year on the job, he was recognized for his dedication and effectiveness as he received the Texas Association of Resource (TASRO) School Resource Officer of the Year Award in 2019. He was nominated for this statewide award by Lewisville ISD's Safety and Security Director.

Detective Omar Montemayor will truly be missed by his fellow officers and colleagues in The Colony Police Department. He was a consummate law enforcement professional, fostering key relationships with the citizens, schools and businesses within the community he served so well. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize PointBank as it celebrates the 140th anniversary of its founding. I'm honored to congratulate PointBank on reaching such a significant milestone.

As an independent bank located in Denton County, PointBank has served North Texas since its founding in 1884. Over the last 140 years, PointBank has expanded across Denton County, providing locally owned, full-service, community banking. It is an honor to recognize the dedicated and steadfast service that they have provided to Denton County citizens and businesses over the past 140 years.

After James Pierson fulfilled his vision in 1853 of establishing the town of Pilot Point, he and other residents realized they needed a bank to serve their hometown's needs. Less than 40 years after the organization of Denton County, the Pilot Point Bank opened its doors in 1884, serving as the forerunner of PointBank. Just eight years later, on July 13, 1892, the bank received its charter as Pilot Point National Bank. On November 15, 1995, more than 100 years after its founding, Pilot Point Bank shortened its name to PointBank, as it is currently known today. Since its inception, PointBank has had seven presidents and the bank's ownership has been passed down through multiple families. In 1981, Mr. J. Raymond David, Sr. became President of the bank and served in that role until 2004 when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. Ray David, Jr.

Today, PointBank serves their Denton County customers from their nine bank locations in Argyle, Denton, Lewisville, Little Elm, Flower Mound, the Lake Cities, and its first location in Aubrey. PointBank has exciting plans for future growth and expansion to additional North Texas communities.

Since its founding, PointBank has remained a locally owned, independent Denton County based bank that knows the area and the people that they serve, taking pride in being a ``people bank.'' I stand here today to celebrate with the David family and their employees, looking back at an exemplary 140 years of service to our community and looking ahead to many more years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the resolution (H. Res. 1367) establishing the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, 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 include extraneous material on H. Res. 1367, the measure under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, on the afternoon of July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, a 20-year-old man walked across a barren field just outside a rally for Donald Trump with a rifle, a transponder, and a cell phone. He previously flew a drone over the site.

The man was able to traverse the field, climb up to the roof of a building, position his rifle at the President, and take at least five shots, killing one, injuring two others, and grazing the head of the former President.

Thankfully, the man was neutralized shortly thereafter by the efforts of a nearby Secret Service countersniper team, but not before killing former fire Chief Corey Comperatore, who was struck as he protected his family from the oncoming gunfire, and critically wounding David Dutch and James Copenhaver.

We are here today not just because this domestic terrorist was able to carry out this violent act, but also because he did not go undetected. Several eyewitnesses and firsthand accounts confirm that they had not just spotted the individual, but had also alerted authorities.

A recent BBC article noted sources identified the individual as a person of interest 52 minutes before the first shot rang out and was again located 20 minutes prior, climbing a warehouse roof.

Yet the individual was able to get to an unacceptably close distance and fire at our former President undeterred and came within a millimeter of tragically altering the history of this election and our Nation. The toll taken on civilians and attendees will forever remain an indelible stain.

The Secret Service not only failed to protect the President, but they failed to protect everyday Americans who were placed in harm's way, and that led to tragic consequences, taking a loving father away from his wife and children in the process.

The apparent failures at protecting a former President and now Presidential nominee are deeply troubling for their own sake, but also for the ramifications of the security of those trusted at the highest levels of our government currently and in the future.

H. Res. 1367 establishes the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump. The task force will be empowered with all of the investigative authority of the House of Representatives, including subpoena authority to investigate the events that led to this heinous attempt at political violence and intimidation.

Mr. Speaker, this is election interference in the extreme. Political violence is unspeakably evil, and it is un-American regardless of political creed. That is why this task force will be bipartisan with the chairman and ranking member working together, drawing conclusions, and recommendations based on input from witnesses and from each other.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my fellow member and friend, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, for sponsoring this critical legislation. It was his district where this occurred.

Through the work of this task force, we will understand what went wrong on the day of the attempted assassination, what led to these failings, hold those responsible accountable, and make the necessary reforms to prevent this from ever happening again.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), a member of the Pennsylvania delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach), a valuable member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), the sponsor of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, political violence--this was election interference in the extreme.

Just an hour, an hour and a half ago, in this very Chamber, the Prime Minister of Israel spoke with us. One of his comments was that there is no room for political violence in a democracy. I agree with him. I am so relieved that the Secret Service Director did resign.

How do you comport the idea that it was reported that there was evidence of an Iranian plot against the life of Donald Trump, and then you let a teenager wander over that field for an hour and fly a drone overhead? It makes no sense that that could have happened. Of course, the only answer for the Director of the Secret Service was resignation.

More than that, we as a body, we as a Congress, need to put together this task force to understand and get to the bottom of what occurred on July 13. It is our duty.

It is our duty. It is our duty for the sake of future leaders of this Nation. It is our duty for our children and grandchildren. We have to understand the circumstances that allowed the assassination attempt to occur and, of course, to ensure that it never happens again.

I once again urge all my colleagues to support this critical legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, honestly, I keep hearing the term ``MAGA'' used by the other side. I am referred to as MAGA. You keep saying that word. I don't think you know what it means. It is an acronym that stands for Make America Great Again. I don't know why anyone would take offense to that. If anything, it is something that should bring us all pride.

The nickname ``czar'' is shorthand that has been used by the media. It is not new. This goes back to the administration of Franklin Roosevelt.

I think the point that many of us would like to make is that it is no secret that the mainstream media is basically a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. It has been for years.

It is ironic that today suddenly the mainstream media has decided the use of the term ``czar,'' which they threw around freely during the Obama administration, threw around freely earlier in this administration, now that term is one that, well, they used it inappropriately.

I will help the ranking member. I brought the Axios quote that he referenced because now, this morning, magically they say they were wrong 3 years ago when we referred to Vice President Harris as a czar.

Again, the term has been used under Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush, President Obama, and twice under President Trump.

Who can forget the famous car czar, Steven Rattner? Who can forget the healthcare czar in the Obama administration, Nancy DeParle?

These terms were used as an effort to elevate someone's status. They were working in the White House on a particular issue. They had never gone through Senate confirmation.

Vice President Harris was appointed by President Biden to fix the crisis at the border, and my constituents in Texas have witnessed firsthand that the situation on the border is not fixed. Communities are constantly being flooded by illegal immigrants. This leads to the flow of drugs and the rise of crime.

Now, because she is the presumptive nominee for President, to protect her campaign, the leftist media is trying to change the story and mislead the American people. Republicans are being accused of fabricating the title, yet those same media outlets that were proclaiming her the border czar are now claiming that this was falsely reported by their news outlets, that this was falsely reported 3 years ago.

Regardless of how the minority wants to describe her, she was tasked

with managing the border. On her watch, well over 9 million illegal immigrant encounters occurred. Illegal immigrants who evaded capture are well over 2 million. American lives have been lost as a result of the Vice President's failure of her principal task of defending the border.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize North Central Texas College (NCTC) as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding. I'm pleased to congratulate NCTC on reaching such a significant milestone in the school's history. NCTC has served the communities and citizens of Denton, Cooke, Young, and Montague counties throughout its history. It is an honor to applaud the excellent educational opportunities they have afforded the thousands of North Texas students they have taught throughout their 100 years of existence.

NCTC was founded in 1924 by Randolph Lee Clark and over the last century has undergone an eventful transformation. Established as Gainesville Junior College, the school began as an extension of the local public school system operating in 3 rooms of the Newsome Dougherty Memorial High School building in Gainesville. The school continued as Gainesville Junior College until 1954, then operated as Gainesville College from 1954 to 1961, as Cooke County Junior College from 1961 to 1974, and Cooke County College from 1974 to 1994. Beginning in 1994, the school became North Central Texas College and proudly carries that name into the present day and forward as a bastion of higher education in North Texas.

NCTC currently serves North Texas students across six campuses in Corinth, Denton, Flower Mound, Bowie, and Graham as well as the original campus in Gainesville. Its most recent location at Champions Circle in south Denton County opened in 2022, offering specialized industry training. NCTC is the oldest, continuously operating two-year college in Texas. I stand here today to celebrate the first 100 years of excellent service in education provided by North Central Texas College and look ahead to the school's continued positive impact in its next 100 years.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1341 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

General Leave

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Last night, the Rules Committee met and reported out a rule, House Resolution 1341, providing for the consideration of five measures: H.R. 8281, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act; H.J. Res. 165, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to ``Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance''; H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act; H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and H.R. 8772, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2025.

House Resolution 1341 provides a closed rule for consideration of H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act; H.J. Res. 165, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to ``Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance''; H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act; and H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act.

House Resolution 1341 also provides for a structured rule for consideration of H.R. 8772, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2025.

The rule provides one motion to recommit for each measure.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to bring forward this rule and look forward to supporting the underlying measures on the House floor later this week. H.R. 8772 supports the House of Representatives and its operations, recommending approximately $5.5 billion for activities under the legislative branch's jurisdiction. This includes the support of certain agencies, such as the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability Office.

Each agency listed in this appropriations package provides research and analysis to Congress. The Government Accountability Office, in particular, provides fact-based information and investigates Federal spending and performance. The reports and recommendations of this office are often used by Members of Congress and their staff as the basis for legislative recommendations and the basis for amendments.

My Democratic colleagues admit themselves in the Committee Report that there is no contention with the funding in this package. I hope then, Madam Speaker, that we may be able to pass this bill on a bipartisan basis to support Congress and a continuation of its ability to work on behalf of the American people.

H.R. 7637 and H.R. 7700 prohibit the Department of Energy from issuing, updating, or enforcing energy conservation standards for refrigerators and dishwashers unless the standards are determined by the Department to be technologically feasible, economically justified, unlikely to increase net costs for consumers, and result in a net savings of energy.

Madam Speaker, inflation has taken a toll on every American. Appliance bills may not seem to be ostentatious, but they prioritize the taxpayer's right to choose how to furnish their homes based on their lifestyle and not this administration's Green New Deal laundry list.

H.J. Res. 165, introduced by Congresswoman Mary Miller, prevents a Department of Education rule proposed and finalized under President Biden from taking effect. This rule, if not reversed, would place unfair burdens on schools, colleges, and universities, as well as potentially undermining protections in Federal law for biological women.

We must uphold Title IX for females to have equal access in academic and

athletic settings. For nearly half a century, it has been successful in ensuring that female athletes and scholars have opportunities historically only afforded to their male counterparts. This final rule from the Biden administration counters these efforts and seeks to fundamentally change what might be protected under Title IX. I urge my colleagues to support Congresswoman Miller's resolution and oppose the Department of Education's rule on this matter.

H.R. 8281 introduced by my fellow Rules Committee member Representative Chip Roy requires proof of citizenship to vote in Federal elections. This is a commonsense bill, and I hope Members across the aisle can agree to it. The right to vote in our Nation is a privilege, and it is a responsibility given only to American citizens.

Since taking office, the Biden administration has released well over 8 million illegal aliens into the country and over 1.5 million of these have been what are called got-aways. In some places in our country, the District of Columbia included, they allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections. This legislation corrects this trend for elections on the Federal level, requiring States to obtain proof of United States citizenship and identity before votes are cast.

Additionally, this legislation both allows a State to remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls and permits citizens to sue election officials who fail to do so.

Americans' faith in our national elections has declined precipitously over the last two election cycles. To restore that faith, we must work to protect American voters and the integrity of those very elections. Strengthening existing voter ID laws is a certain way to achieve both of these efforts. We owe it to our constituents to restore confidence in their electoral process.

I appreciate the bills brought before us today by my colleagues and all of the effort that has gone into crafting them. We did have a robust debate with witness testimony last night in the Rules Committee. Madam Speaker, I look forward to continuing those discussions here today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I am going to yield to Mr. Alford here in just a moment, but let me yield myself 2 minutes for the purpose of a response.

It is difficult for me to sit here and be lectured about the cost of living by the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Madam Speaker, 2 years ago in the Rules Committee, when Republicans were in the minority and Democrats were in the majority, we pleaded with the then-majority to not do the American Rescue Plan, to not do the Inflation Reduction Act, and to not engage in all of this vast Federal spending that they had teed up.

The problem was, after the coronavirus infection in December 2020, the economy was basically getting back on its feet. All we had to do was stay out of the way. Instead, $2 trillion went to the American Rescue Plan and $4 trillion to the Inflation Reduction Act, with an extremely bloated infrastructure bill.

What happened? The cost of living blew through the roof for the poor and middle class because inflation became so severe.

The people who are supposed to be watching this, like the Chairman of the Fed and the Treasury Secretary, said that inflation is transitory, that we will get a handle on that. We are sitting here now, 18 months later, and they don't have a handle on it.

My colleague talked about the cost of living and talking to his constituents about that. They are still suffering from what Democrats did at the beginning of this administration.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford).

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy), who is a fellow member of the Rules Committee.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to point out, and to bring us back to the discussion at hand, that we are talking about only having American citizens voting in American elections.

We are talking about checking a Department of Energy that has just run roughshod over the rights of working Americans. Let's remember what we are doing here today.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes for the purposes of a response.

First off, on Project 2025, this is the work of a think tank. Here is a news flash for everyone: There are think tanks in Washington, D.C. There are a lot of them. There are right-leaning think tanks. There are left-leaning think tanks.

In fact, one of the more frightening left-leaning think tanks is Center for American Progress. The head of the Center for American Progress is now ensconced in the White House as the Domestic Policy Advisor to the Biden administration. Members shouldn't pretend that there aren't think tanks on the left just as think tanks exist on the right. Their purpose is to provide information to legislators, House Members and Senators, and sometimes to inform legislation.

The issue keeps coming up about freedom. Let's talk about freedom for just a moment.

What about the freedom for the parents who were targeted by the Biden Department of Justice for voicing their concern about their children at a school board meeting?

What about the freedom of the Jewish students who are being violently targeted on college campuses and whose mere existence is so offensive to the radical, pro-Hamas left?

What about the freedom for homeowners in my State on the southern border who cannot safely leave their homes because, in May alone, there were over 170,000 illegal immigrant encounters, including 350 members on the terrorist watch list, at least 350 that were apprehended. There is no telling how many more came across undetected and undeterred.

Let's talk about freedom of the American families who are working to put food on their tables, create opportunities for their families, but the economy of the Biden administration is crushing them.

Let's talk about freedom of citizens of our country who want to have a vote in secure elections and want to have confidence in our systems. This bill today will provide that confidence.

My colleagues support freedom, but it seems that their idea of freedom is reserved for those whose expression of it aligns with their values and their agenda. Nevertheless, the question that is before us today is not do we all share the same views on what constitutes good policy; but, rather, did we provide for consideration of these measures in a manner that is consistent with the rules and precedents of the House?

I believe we did our duty and responsibility at the Rules Committee to advance these measures to the House floor, where our colleagues can decide whether or not to support them on their merits.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Yes, I am. Are you prepared to take notes?

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Madam Speaker, I agree with the ranking member. We don't have to agree on everything to agree on something. In fact, 81 percent of the Rules Committee measures passed in this Congress have garnered bipartisan votes on the underlying measures for final passage.

We do keep hearing the points made on the other side that the legislation on the SAVE Act is not necessary and that noncitizen voting is already illegal. It is also illegal to simply walk across the border into this country without the proper authorization, and yet it happens every single day.

Noncitizens registering to vote is not a hypothetical. In 2019, Pennsylvania admitted that it had inadvertently allowed over 10,000 noncitizens to register to vote. Texas found nearly 100,000 noncitizen registrations. I think 100,000 would cause a significant impact on a Federal election.

In 2020, when Illinois implemented automatic voter registration, more than 500 noncitizens were accidentally registered to vote.

As of May 2023, the Virginia Department of Election Officials have removed over 1,400 registrants from its official voter registration rolls with a reported reason for removal due to noncitizen status. Of those noncitizens who were removed, 335 individuals had cast a ballot in Virginia elections over the previous 4 years. In total, these noncitizens cast over 800 ballots.

To the question as to whether or not these offenses were prosecuted, in response to inquiries, the Virginia Attorney General's Office said that it had no prosecution records related to this illegal voting even though voting illegally is a class C felony in Virginia. The SAVE Act is really essential to close those loopholes.

I do find it sometimes perplexing when I hear the arguments on the other side that purportedly Democrats are here in defense of democracy and somehow Republicans are opposed to democracy. I will remind my friends on the other side of the House that it is not us who are attempting to undo the

votes of millions of Democrats nationwide to remove the nominee of their party from their ballot.

Madam Speaker, America is in a state of crisis. The southern border is wide open. Americans are paying for it with their lives. The Biden administration has turned its efforts to change protections under Title IX. I reiterate that, with the number of illegal aliens who have entered our country since President Biden took office, we should almost wish for a border czar in a situation like this.

There have been over 7 million encounters with illegal aliens at our southern border, and the number of got-aways has increased by 390 percent. Americans are losing their lives. This is not just theoretical. Americans are losing their lives due to this administration's failure to protect our sovereignty.

I have said it here on the House floor before. Let me repeat it now: Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, Laken Riley, Alex Wise, Lizbeth Medina, Melissa Powell, Riordan Powell, and Travis Wolfe are just a few of those names who were taken from their families by this crisis at the southern border. How many more Americans will have to be named before the Biden administration acts?

House Republicans do have a solution. We passed it last May. H.R. 2 would be instrumental in securing the southern border and dissuading the abuse of our immigration system, providing funding to hire and train more Border Patrol agents, and hold Secretary Mayorkas and President Biden accountable for their inability to protect the American people.

Certainly, my colleagues would not oppose Mr. Roy's good-faith measure to ensure that those who come to this country illegally are not able to vote illegally. The right to vote in America is fundamental to what it means to be American. By ensuring that only American citizens are taking part in this tradition, we can safeguard the integrity of our electoral system and guarantee that the right to vote does not lose its importance.

Your vote matters. My vote matters. It is an extension of our voice. It is our participation in this country, our right to speak for what policies we want to see enacted and what leaders we want to see in office. It is important to protect this right as it is important to secure our southern border.

Madam Speaker, I urge my fellow Members to support this rule and support the underlying measures. I yield back the balance of my time and move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding.

I rise today to speak in support of the rule and the underlying bills: H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act; H.R. 8752, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act; and H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act. Each of these bills, Mr. Speaker, serves an important role in ensuring our Nation's defense while also holding the Federal agencies and the Biden administration accountable to the American public.

These bills eliminate funding for unnecessary and unjustified Federal programs, saving taxpayers' money in the process. At the same time, these bills will work to secure the southern border, counter threatening activity by the People's Republic of China, and enhance the ability of the Federal Government to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs crossing our borders, while providing a 4.5 percent pay increase to all military personnel, including, very importantly, a 15 percent increase in pay for junior enlisted servicemembers.

Importantly, these bills narrow their scope to what appropriations bills are intended to do, fund the core missions of Federal agencies and not some fanciful wish list.

To this end, the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act allocates over $12 billion below the President's budget request while the Defense Appropriations Act receives a modest 1 percent discretional allocation increase in accordance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act signed into law last year.

For much the same reason as noted above, I expect that Members across the aisle may find fault with these bills. Certainly, we welcome their remarks and welcome the debate. However, I will offer a few points on the matter.

Over 10,000 Member submissions were considered in the appropriations process this year. Of this, many were incorporated into the base bills. These measures serve all of our districts and, equally, our Nation as we look to ensure our security and prosperity over the coming years.

The world has become increasingly dangerous. Many days, we are living literally on a knife's edge. One simple miscalculation could plunge us into some unimaginable scenario. More than 4 years ago, when President Biden took office, it wasn't necessarily this way, but during the years of the Biden administration, he has failed to reverse the Nation's reckless spending and to prioritize those who pay for the bills, everyday American taxpayers, and those who selflessly serve our Nation. These bills serve to make that very necessary adjustment.

Regarding the second point, Mr. Speaker, President Biden has signed over 60 executive orders that have eroded border security since taking office. Republicans have repeatedly sounded the alarm on how dangerous these actions are for Americans and national security. Beyond the serious threat of terrorism, American lives have been cut short by criminal illegal immigrants.

Mr. Speaker, lives have been cut short by illegal immigrants on this administration's watch.

We hear consistently about someone presenting to the border saying they have got credible fear if they return to their home country. They are granted asylum. They are essentially given a free card into this country.

What about Jocelyn Nungaray, Rachel Morin, Laken Riley, Alex Wise, Jr., Lizbeth Medina, Melissa Powell, Riordan Powell, and Travis Wolfe? These are just a few of the individuals whose lives have been stolen by this crisis. Where was their protection from credible fear? These are United States citizens who have been lost because of the actions the President has taken at the southern border.

I thank the Appropriations Committee for working so hard on getting these bills ready for us. It has been an

enormous amount of work. I thank the underlying committees who provided the work for us to review in the Rules Committee yesterday.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the rule and the bills on the floor.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding, and I certainly want to congratulate the gentleman from Georgia on leading his first rule as a member of the Rules Committee.

While he is the newest member of the Rules Committee, he is a seasoned veteran when it comes to the work of the Armed Services Committee. There is no one better to lead on our side for the NDAA reauthorization rule than the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the rule and the underlying measures. This was a major piece of work that came through the House Armed Services Committee, and it came through with input from Members on both sides of the dais. It was truly a significant product that passed nearly unanimously in the House Armed Services Committee.

Every day, thousands of men and women don the uniform, sacrificing time, risking their lives, and inconveniencing their families to defend us and our Nation. The debt of gratitude we owe them and their families can never be repaid. Advancing this legislation is the least we can do to support them and give back to them.

Simultaneously, this legislation continues to counteract threats from the Chinese Communist Party and our other adversaries by ensuring our weapons, our equipment, and our cyber capabilities are, indeed, unmatched. Through the development of indispensable weapons technology and through increasing the lethality of our warfighters, the NDAA intercepts the Biden administration's soft international strategy and puts international security at greater risk.

It is imperative for the House of Representatives to support this bill as it maintains our commitment to our servicemembers and their families.

Acknowledging that the contempt resolutions are, indeed, included in this rule, I sat through the lengthy debate in the Rules Committee yesterday hearing from the ranking members of the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The arguments sometimes became almost Shakespearean in their efforts.

The old line, I think the lady doth protest too much, when that degree of protestation occurs, you have to ask yourself what in the heck are they hiding. It is almost as if the American public needs to see this information and make their own decision.

The American public, unfortunately, has lost a lot of confidence in the Federal Government and its agencies because of that very lack of transparency. It is not just on this issue, but it is on a number of issues.

I think it is incumbent upon us to make the information available to the American people, trust them to use their good judgment and make the right call on that.

Republican Members will always support our national defense personnel with the tools they need to do their jobs, to do them well, and to come home and come home to a secure Nation.

Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support the rule and support the men and women in uniform.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Oscar Trevino as he retires as Mayor of the City of North Richland Hills. In doing so, he concludes a total of 25 years of dedicated public service as a member of the NRH Council, 22 years of which he led the City as Mayor. He steps down as the longest-serving Mayor in the history of North Richland Hills.

Privately, Mr. Trevino was the owner of O. Trevino Construction, having graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1979. Mr. Trevino was first elected to the NRH City Council in May, 1999, and resigned during his second term after being elected Mayor in June 2002. During this time he not only served as a City official and business owner, but also engaged actively with a number of Local, State and National organizations. These included active board leadership positions with the National League of Cities; the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO); the Tarrant Regional Transportation Council (TRTC); Tarrant County Mayors Council; the Regional Transportation Council (RTC); Partners in Mobility; North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG); the Coalition for Better Transportation; Regional Transit Initiative Committee; Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Advisory Council; North Texas Commission; TEX-21 Committee; North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee Council of Mayors; Birdville ISD Foundation of Education; Medical City North Hills Board; Northeast Leadership Forum; and the Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce, to name but only a few.

Utilizing his considerable organizational and public skills as Mayor, residents of not only North Richland Hills, but from across the North Texas region as well, benefitted greatly from his educational background and the experience and connections he earned as a successful heavy-highway contractor. Awards including the NCTCOG William J. Pitstick Regional Excellence Award, the FWHCC Businessman of the Year and John V. McMillan Hall of Fame Award, and the Excalibur Award from the NE Tarrant Chamber are a sampling of the acknowledgement he received from his peers for his well-regarded impact.

As the 3rd largest municipality in Tarrant County, North Richland Hills grew from 55,000 to over 70,000 during Mayor Trevino's terms in office. Supporting this growth, Mayor Trevino worked to ensure adequate infrastructure, including over $100 million on the city's streets. He also sought to build strong regional partnerships to increase mobility through highway improvements and the addition of TEXRail as legacies to benefit the community for generations.

Leading the Council and staff as stewards of public funds, Mayor Trevino sought to invest in high-quality services, with a sensitivity of the tax burden for senior citizens and homeowners. Investments in parks, equipment and staff were made to ensure the needs of the City's expanding population were met. Significant updates to aging facilities accomplished during his tenure included a new City Hall as well as new fire and police stations, expanding and equipping the City's professional responders with the best training and tools available to ensure safety and security remained a hallmark in support of NRH's quality of life. Additionally, a modern library, recreation center, animal shelter and senior center were also completed, along with improvements to Iron Horse Golf Course and NRH20 Family Water Park. These facilities provided citizens with community amenities that have allowed the City to provide unique recreation programs and host numerous annual special events. As investments, they also supported NRH with an identity as a desired destination location to support the Nation's second Peppa Pig Theme Park.

These improvements also supported economic efforts within the City to reduce the retail vacancy rate to 6.3 percent, the lowest since his early days on council. This was a significant accomplishment in spite of significant challenges including the pandemic and recessions. The achievement was accomplished by focusing not only on the newly developed neighborhoods, but also including the City's historic areas to redevelop park areas and infrastructure to keep the areas vibrant. The economic vitality is evidenced with the additions of Babe's, Sweetie Pie's, Patriotic Pig, Floor & Decor, Winco, Platinum Music Complex, Painted Tree, Gritr Sports, Seconds & Surplus, Warespace, Truby Hilton Hotel and the development of Volli Entertainment. These private investments only foreshadow the potential of the former mall property redevelopment as new businesses and a Homewood Suites by Hilton are developed around the City's new City Hall.

As the Mayor steps down from his duties, I am proud of all he has accomplished for his beloved City and for the region that has been blessed with his public leadership and service. I have appreciated his wisdom and insight on many occasions and I will personally miss his counsel and friendship. However, I also understand the sacrifice public service requires of family. I wish Mayor Trevino a long retirement with his wife Carol, his children and his granddaughter Reis, to make-up for the time lost as he served. The City, our region and our State are all better as a result of his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the members of the Denton County leadership delegation who are visiting Washington, D.C. this week. The Denton County Chambers come to visit every two years, and I am once again honored to host them this year.

I value these trips as they give our local leaders an insight and first-hand experience of what's happening here on the Hill. Legislation that we work on highly affects our communities back home. I am pleased to offer this opportunity and welcome the members of the Denton County Chambers to our Nation's Capitol.

I would like to thank them for their continued collaboration with my office in ensuring the economic prosperity of Denton County, making Texas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

I would like to include in the Record the following names of the Denton County delegation:

Lisa Carignan, Doug Carignan, Erin Carter, Lori Fickling, Nina Hernandez, Kelly Heslep, Cindi Howard, Jon Kixmiller, William Meredith, Jim Moll, Kelly Murray, Scott Murray, Claire Powell, Sally Quezada, Ingrid Rex, Ryan Schroer, Kristi Tucker, Elliott Tucker, Ben Utley, Lori Walker, Neal Walker, and Charlotte Wilcox.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor University of North Texas (UNT) President Neal J. Smatresk, PhD who has dedicated his career to advancing education and transforming institutions. President Smatresk's tenure at UNT has been marked by innovation, growth, and a relentless commitment to excellence.

President Smatresk's journey in academia has been distinguished by his unwavering dedication to fostering academic success and research excellence. Before assuming his role at UNT, President Smatresk held pivotal leadership positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of Texas at Arlington.

Prior to his roles in Administration, Dr. Smatresk was a distinguished biologist and researcher. His scholarly pursuits focused on advancing our understanding of respiratory neurobiology, garnering substantial grant support, and resulting in numerous publications. His dedication to STEM education and outreach left an indelible mark on countless aspiring scientists and scholars.

President Smatresk's leadership at UNT has been nothing short of transformative and has propelled UNT to unprecedented heights, fostering a culture of achievement and inclusivity. Under his guidance, UNT has achieved a remarkable five-year record of continued enrollment growth, now serving almost 47,000 students; reflecting President Smatresk's dedication to expanding access to higher education and empowering students to pursue their academic aspirations. Additionally, President Smatresk led UNT to becoming a Carnegie-ranked Tier One institution that has emerged as a top 10 U.S. public university on the rise. While his strategic vision and commitment to student success has propelled UNT to new heights, earning recognition as both a Minority- Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution and securing its place as one of only 22 Carnegie-ranked Tier One research universities designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

President Smatresk's impact extends far beyond the realm of academia. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders and innovative program offerings, such as UNT's groundbreaking M.B.A. program in sport entertainment management in collaboration with the Dallas Cowboys, President Smatresk has positioned UNT as a pioneer in higher education. His innovative approach to fostering partnerships between academia and industry has positioned UNT as a leader in addressing the evolving needs of the workforce. Through strategic collaborations with companies such as American Airlines, Liberty Mutual, Google, and JP Morgan Chase, President Smatresk has created new avenues for experiential learning and professional development, ensuring that UNT graduates are well- equipped to thrive in today's competitive job market.

Moreover, his commitment to expanding UNT's presence in Collin County through the establishment of the UNT at Frisco branch campus underscores his dedication to expanding UNT's reach across the growing DFW region and fostering economic development through education. President Smatresk has also overseen a commitment to athletic investments and facility expansions that has transformed UNT's athletic program into a powerhouse of excellence and helped to secure UNT's membership into Conference USA. The Mean Green student-athletes and teams, under his leadership, have flourished, exemplifying the university's spirit of determination and achievement.

President Neal J. Smatresk's visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and profound impact on higher education will leave an enduring legacy at the University of North Texas and beyond. On behalf of the constituents of the 26th Congressional District of Texas, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Smatresk for his exemplary service and wish him a fulfilling and rewarding retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of former Denton Mayor, Mark Alan Burroughs, Sr. His recent, sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of many, but the imprint of his life has left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Mayor Burroughs was not only a public servant; he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, esteemed attorney, and cherished friend. Born November 3, 1957, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mayor Burrough's journey led him to become a pillar of the Denton community. As the second of seven children, Mayor Burroughs attended Klein High School in Klein, TX. He then attended Stephen F. Austin State University, in Nacogdoches, TX, honing the political and leadership skills the Mayor would later rely on by serving as SFA's Student Body President.

After earning his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1982, Mayor Burroughs briefly practiced ad valorem property tax in the Houston area, then joined a Fort Worth firm, working as defense counsel for federal contractors across the United States and as managing partner of Huke & Burroughs, P.C. In 1994, he partnered with Greg J. Sawko and established Sawko & Burroughs P.C. It was at this point that Mayor Burrough's influence and leadership began shaping Denton's future that I honor today.

Beyond his legal practice, Mayor Burroughs devoted himself to a variety of civic endeavors, serving on numerous local boards and volunteering with several charitable organizations. Known for his active engagement and diligence on the boards he served, at the time of his passing, he was the sitting Board Chair of the Medical City Denton Hospital Board, Solutions of North Texas, Denton State Assisted Living Center Volunteer Services Council and the Denton Public School Foundation. His broad legacy of community leadership extended much further, heading the Greater Denton Arts Council and serving on the boards of the Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home, Denton Humanitarian Association, CASA of Denton County, DISD Adopt-A-School, State Bar of Texas' Pro Bono College, Denton Business and Education Coalition, the Denton Teen Court and as Past President and active member of the Denton Rotary Club and the Denton Chamber of Commerce. The Denton Chamber recognized his numerous impacts in 2016 with its highest honor, the Otis L. Fowler Award.

As engaged as he was with community organizations, it was in his role as a public servant that Mayor Burroughs truly excelled. He was elected and served three 2-year terms on the Denton City Council as a Member at Large, during which his colleagues appointed him Mayor Pro Tem. In 2008 he was elected Mayor of the City of Denton, serving from 2008 to 2014. In this capacity he effectively led a divided council to invest in not only City assets such as the Denton Regional Airport and Denton Municipal Electric, but also in the infrastructure and other needs of a community that added over 30,000 residents during his tenure on the Denton City Council.

The reach of his public service extended beyond the city limits through his national and regional affiliations. He held memberships in the U S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities and Metroplex Mayors Association and served as Secretary for the Western Metroplex Mobility Coalition. Arguably, it was through his influence outside Denton that his impact benefited the city to the greatest degree. As Chair of the North Central Texas Council of Government Regional Transportation Council and service on the boards of TEX-21 Transportation Excellence, the North Texas Commission and DFW Partners in Mobility, he developed significant connections and influence as an advocate for the Phase I expansion of I-35E, which began in 2013.

Through all of his affiliations and accomplishments, Mayor Burroughs never took his privilege serve for granted, recognizing that the opportunity was provided by the people he was elected to represent. Above all though, Mayor Burroughs cherished his family. His love for his wife, Diana ``Annie'' McKee Burroughs, their children, Madeline and Mark Jr., and grandson, Greyson knew no bounds. His devotion to his family was evident in every aspect of his life.

As we mourn the loss of Mayor Burroughs, let us also celebrate the remarkable life and profound impact he had on our lives. Through his humor, diplomacy, and the legacy of love, integrity, and service, his inspiring spirit remains as a guide to a brighter future for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from New York for yielding, and I thank him for leading this discussion on behalf of the Rules Committee today.

I wanted to come down and speak in support of the rule, and I want to speak in support of the underlying bills.

We do honor National Police Week. Republicans are advancing seven pieces of legislation to reaffirm their commitment to our Nation's law enforcement. Yet, again, we are seeing our colleagues misrepresenting the legislation that really should be bipartisan.

Every single day, Madam Speaker, thousands of men and women in blue put their lives on the line to protect their communities and keep We the People safe.

Last year, in fact, more than 370 law enforcement officers were shot in the line of duty, the highest year on record.

Law enforcement officers and their departments are under increased scrutiny from the public, all the while trying to navigate a crisis at our southern border, a historic upsurge in crime, and an unfortunate rise in drug-related deaths throughout the country.

It is no surprise then, Madam Speaker, that the police departments across the country have had trouble recruiting and retaining officers and keeping new officer candidates.

This week, started by President Kennedy in 1962, is set aside to commemorate and honor all of the officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. I am grateful to north Texas law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice this year and for those who are currently serving.

In honor of this week, I encourage everyone to reach out and thank their local law enforcement officers and their families for their service and for their sacrifice.

Madam Speaker, I also wanted to express my support for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. Amid the Biden administration's pause on munitions shipments to Israel, it is imperative for the United States, for this House, and for Republicans and Democrats, to stand behind Israel.

Last week, President Biden and his administration paused vital defense articles from shipment to Israel. This action will have the effect of not only prolonging the conflict, but it is an unfortunate disregard of the legislative process of our powers granted under Article I of the Constitution. The idea that the President can ignore bipartisan, bicameral legislation that he signed into law is a new predicament entirely.

H.R. 8369 provides for the assured timely delivery of defense services and articles to Israel and condemns the Biden administration for their efforts to condition aid to an ally.

After the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Madam Speaker, maintaining our commitment to a formal ally is extremely necessary and important. Israel is defending itself against a regional threat. It is defending itself against a known terrorist organization, one that hides behind its own people.

Israel must have the resources it needs to combat Hamas and any other entity that seeks to destroy civil rights and civil liberties.

It is for this reason that the United States will continue to stand by our allies in their time of need.

Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support the underlying bill, and I urge support for the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the First Christian Church of Gainesville, Texas as it celebrates the 150th Anniversary of its founding. I'm pleased to congratulate the congregation on this significant milestone. With its long and storied history in Cooke County, it is truly an honor to join the congregation in recognition of the longevity of First Christian Church.

The church had a presence in Gainesville for several years before its members officially organized as a congregation, meeting first in a local schoolhouse then at the Cooke County Courthouse. The congregation officially organized as the Dixon Street Christian Church on Sunday May 10, 1874, with thirteen original members. Those charter members were Mr. and Mrs. John Darnell, Mollie Lee, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Barrett, Brother Hill and Aunt Nancy Hill, Mrs. Jennie Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews and Mrs. B.F. Carpenter. Church records are unclear as to who served as the church's first minister. One account lists Dr. Thomas C. Barrett as the first minister, serving from 1874 to 1878. A different source identifies Rev. A.J. Farthing as the first minister, followed by Dr. Barrett.

Mr. Rufus F. Scott, a pioneer Gainesville businessman, donated a lot on North Dixon Street to the congregation. Mr. J.Z. Keel, a schoolteacher, came to Gainesville and donated $7,000 for the church to build a building. During the week, the building was utilized by Mr. Keel as a schoolhouse and by the church for worship on Sundays. First Christian Church has continuously existed at this location ever since.

Rev. A.J. Bush, serving as minister, brought an organ for use during services, which caused a split in the congregation between 1884 through 1886. This schism reflected the wider disagreement over the use of musical instruments in the church going on nationally in the Stone- Campbell movement.

The church has had several buildings over the years and was known as the Christian Church, the M.E. Church and the First Christian Church. The ``First Christian Church'' name was officially adopted in 1950. A clapboard church building was erected in 1878 and used by the congregation until it was donated to the Bethel AME Church in 1892 and moved to Cummins Street. A bigger building was constructed in 1892 and used until 1926. A brick edifice was erected in 1927 and used as a sanctuary until 1956 before being converted for use as a classroom wing and a Fellowship Hall until 1993. The current sanctuary building was erected in 1956 and continues to serve the congregation. The new Pauline Roberts Fellowship Hall and classroom wing was added to the property in 1993 along with a Christian Life Center in 2004. Both facilities are still in use by the congregation.

The current congregation of 125 members continues to serve Gainesville and Cooke County with multiple outreach ministries including Coats for Kids, Backpack Buddies, SoulFood, Stanford House Activity Center for Active Seniors, VISTO and Care Corp. I join the members and all those who have had the privilege of being involved with First Christian Church in wishing them a happy anniversary and many more years of ministry and service to the community.