Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exemplary leadership and public service of Chief David Coulon as he retires as Police Chief for The Colony Police Department (TCPD). Chief Coulon has served in this role at TCPD since September of 2014. After three decades of public service in law enforcement, with 22 of those years in command positions, Chief Coulon is concluding his time with TCPD.

Chief Coulon attended Baylor University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1993 and later graduated from the University of North Texas with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration in 2007. Chief Coulon also holds a Master Peace Officer Proficiency Certification and is a Texas Certified Public Manager. Additionally, he is an active member of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, North Texas Police Chief Association, and International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Chief Coulon joined TCPD from the Irving Police Department, where he had risen to Assistant Chief after beginning his law enforcement career as a patrol officer there in 1993. During his time at the helm of TCPD, Chief Coulon has worked to lead the agency in engagement, through both direct action and social engagement with the local community. He has cultivated collaboration with other local, county, state, and federal resources to ensure that the necessary close working relationships exist as the need arises to mitigate a threat or respond during a crisis. He has also endeavored to strengthen both the physical and mental capacity of his officers and staff by initiating a new Officer Fitness program and investing in policies, training, and program access to support mental health and wellness for personnel. He seeks to support his staff as they face increasing stressors resulting from the unprecedented growth experienced by The Colony, and the additional pressures arising from evolving social, political, and health events within the national law enforcement environment. Chief Coulon has continued to maintain the agency's standard of professionalism, seeing TCPD's recertification both in 2018 and again in 2022 as a ``Recognized'' police agency from the Texas Police Chiefs Association.

Through all the recent challenges faced by law enforcement, Chief Coulon has enriched the professionalism of The Colony Police Department and honorably carried the mantle of law enforcement leadership during one of the most difficult periods our country has witnessed. On behalf of The Colony and the residents of the 26th District of Texas, I join the City of The Colony in appreciation of the professionalism and steady leadership he has exhibited, caring both for his employees and the community served by The Colony Police Department. We are all indebted to him for his ongoing commitment to public safety and service, and I wish Chief Coulon and his family my sincerest best wishes as he departs to face the next career challenge.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Daniel H. Jaworski as his term-limited years of service as Mayor and Member of the Highland Village City Council concludes. Mr. Jaworski was elected Mayor of Highland Village in May of 2022 after having served on the City Council for five years, becoming the first person raised in Highland Village to be elected to the Council and as Mayor. He won his seat on the Highland Village Council after having served on the Planning and Zoning Commission from 2014 to 2017, as well as serving on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and serving as Vice Chairman of the Highland Village Fire Department Service Level Task Force from 2015 to 2016.

Mayor Jaworski was raised in Highland Village and attended Marcus High School from 1985 to 1989 and was a member of the second graduating class at Marcus High School. In 2022, Mayor Jaworski was inducted into the Marcus High School Ball of Fame. After graduation, Mayor Jaworski enlisted in the United States Navy as a linguist and intelligence collection analyst and served from 1993 to 2000. By the end of his Naval career, he was responsible for all signals intelligence reporting in the Western Hemisphere. Since retiring from the Navy, Mayor Jaworski has enjoyed a 23-year career in corporate cyber security, currently managing the threat and vulnerability management team for Caterpillar.

Mayor Jaworski and his wife, Gretchen, have been residents of Highland Village since 2013 and are the proud parents of three children. Their oldest son followed in his father's footsteps and currently serves in the United States Navy and is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Their youngest son is a graduating senior at Marcus High School and their daughter is a seventh grader at Briarhill Middle School in Highland Village and plays softball in the Highland Village Baseball and Softball Association.

Beyond his work and involvement with the City of Highland Village, Mayor Jaworski and his wife are deeply engaged in their community, running Marauder 17, a non-profit organization the Jaworski's established to provide annual scholarships to student athletes and student trainers.

As Mayor Jaworski concludes his term, his public service has made an indelible mask on the community. Through his efforts as Mayor, as well as his service on Council and various municipal committees, Highland Village residents enjoy a better quality of life, benefiting from safer City roads and a more reliable and updated City water and sewer system; and during his tenure, the city upgraded the park system showcasing rebuilt playground areas, and a city trail system that has been improved with benches, chairs, and trash receptacles. As Highland Village turns 60, Mayor Jaworski is also leaving the successive Mayor and Council leaders with a completed and approved Comprehensive Plan, so that they are prepared to guide Highland Village and its residents for the next decade and beyond.

On behalf of the City of Highland Village and the residents of the 26th District of Texas, I appreciate his outstanding contributions to the quality of life we enjoy here in North Texas, and I wish Dan and the entire Jaworski family my best. I look forward to their continued engagement and the future contributions I am certain will follow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and their effort to commemorate the men and women who achieved American independence, realizing that those Patriots believed in the noble cause of liberty and served valiantly to found a new nation.

More directly, I would like to acknowledge cooperative spirit of the Flower Mound, Benjamin Lyon, Cross Timbers, Captain Molly Corbin, Peters Colony, and Shawnee Trail Chapters of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution who have united to promote America's upcoming 250th birthday and endeavor to convey its relevance to our society. This cooperative spirit honors the tradition begun by the pioneers who settled the southern community of Denton County, now known as Copper Canyon.

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Flower Mound Chapter met to hold an official grave marking and dedication honoring Martha ``Patsey'' Brockett Wakefield (1797-1873), one of Denton County's early matriarchs, with an official grave marking and dedication at Chinn's Chapel Cemetery in Copper Canyon, Denton County, Texas.

As the youngest daughter of Revolutionary War Patriot William Ebenezer Brockett, born in 1797, Martha Brockett married Henry Wakefield, Jr. in January of 1817. Henry Wakefield, Jr. was the son of Revolutionary War Patriot Henry Wakefield, himself the offspring of Revolutionary War Patriot Charles Wakefield.

In 1853 Henry Wakefield, Jr. and his wife, Martha ``Patsey'' Brockett Wakefield, moved with their large family to 320 acres of land Henry purchased for $320 in Denton County, Texas. In 1859, Silas Wakefield and his brother Simpson Burke Wakefield, two of Henry and Martha ``Patsey's'' 11 children, and among 9 who survived into adulthood, each purchased adjoining land grants of 160 acres nearby. Located on land purchased by Simpson, the Denton County Town of Waketon was named after the family.

Simpson's wife, Jane, with two other women, and Mary Stowe Chinn, founded Chinn's Chapel Methodist Church, believed to be the oldest church and school in Denton County.

Originally named Antioch, the chapel was built from donated logs provided by settlers visiting the nearby Lockhart Spring. In 1858 the community came together and assembled the logs into the cabin structure that served as a church, school and as a temporary shelter for new settlers as they built their own homes. As settlers died from various causes, the settlers were frequently buried near the log cabin chapel. When Simpson and Jane Wakefield died a month a part in 1861, they were among the early burials in the Chinn's Chapel Cemetery.

The Christians worshipping in the log cabin were offered the service of a Methodist circuit rider preacher who would arrive regularly about once every three months. They sought membership in the Texas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were admitted in 1872. They renamed the log cabin ``Chinn's Chapel Methodist Church'' in honor of the Chinn Family. Early day camp meetings were held each August in the valley below, an area that served as a campground for meetings at the Chinn Chapel Campground. The road beside it was part of the main road from Southern Denton County to the County seat and was called Chinn's Chapel Road. The area became well known in Denton County as the Chinn's Chapel Community, still recognized today with The Chinn's Chapel Log Cabin still standing in the Chinn's Chapel Cemetery on what is now known as Chinn Chapel Road.

The legacy of Martha ``Patsey'' is still evident today in the familiar Southern Denton landmarks that bear the names of her son and the efforts of her daughter-in-law and the Chinn family with whom they shared the values of the pioneer farming families: a love of family, God, and country; a spirit of community cooperation; practical problem solving with a know-how that comes from living on the land; and a respect for the richness and beauty of the rural Texas landscape.

On behalf of the 26th Congressional District of Texas, I honor Martha ``Patsey'' Brockett Wakefield and her spirit, exemplifying the fortitude and gratitude that are the foundations of Southern Denton County. Her descendants have left their imprint on this community for the over one million residents of this County they established, and I recognize their important role in establishing their rich history and the North Texas quality of life we are grateful to share.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1160 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. 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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, late last night, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1160, providing for consideration of four measures: H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, under a closed rule; H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, under a structured rule; H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, under a structured rule; and H.R. 8038, the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, under a structured rule.

The rule further provides that after the House's consideration of these measures, the Senate will be quickly able to move to consideration of the legislation that we pass.

Mr. Speaker, today, it is important that we support the underlying rule and the underlying legislation. Specifically, I rise in support of our allies after the attack on Israel by Iran 10 days ago. That unprecedented attack has reaffirmed the need for strong American leadership and support for our allies abroad, especially Israel and now our allies in the Indo-Pacific.

I am well aware there have been concerns in our Conference and really on both sides of the House about the southern border and national debt.

As a Member from Texas, as a member of the Budget Committee, I fully understand these concerns and share all of them, but the requirement for America to insert itself as the leader of the free world is not optional. It is not a requirement we can put on pause.

Israel has been attacked. China talks menacingly about reunification with Taiwan. Ukraine is in crisis and is in need of our help to survive Russian aggression.

Now, I would say to the President that this legislation on the floor today perhaps could have been facilitated by some leadership from the executive branch, but despite the circumstances that brought us here, we stand before the House to support our allies and reaffirm America's leadership on the world stage.

H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, will provide much-needed material support to the Jewish state as it faces twin threats from Hamas and the Islamic Republic of Iran. This includes $4 billion to replenish Israel's Iron Dome and over a billion dollars for the Iron Beam defense system.

H.R. 8036, the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, will work to counter the Chinese Communist Party and create a strong deterrence in the region.

H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, will assist Ukraine as they counter Russian aggression.

Of the latter, all financial assistance to the Ukrainian Government is converted into a loan, ensuring that the Ukrainian Government is held accountable to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that our failure in Afghanistan was the spark in the tinderbox that led to the subsequent invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

That conflict had been smoldering for a long time, certainly at least since 2014 and two previous administrations. Had the administration in 2014, as well as the current administration, had more foresight to provide aid and arms to Ukraine before February 2022, there might have been a different set of circumstances that we were contemplating today, and there might have been a more swift resolution to this conflict, with the saving of untold lives.

Mr. Speaker, I stand with my colleagues requesting more information from the administration. The American people deserve answers about how previous funding has been used. They deserve answers about what the long-term goals by the administration are to resolve this conflict.

I welcome more oversight. I welcome additional information from the administration and will continue to push its accountability. Today, we are at an inflection point, and the longer we wait, the more expensive any solution to this conflict will become, both in terms of dollars and lives.

Lack of aid now could cost us much more dearly later, and I don't want that to become a reality. I would hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the rule. I urge passage of the underlying legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Massie), a valuable member of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), another valuable member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr) from the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Kentucky.

Mr. Speaker, I would just ask if the gentleman from Massachusetts has additional speakers. If not, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, our adversaries, notably Russia, China, and Iran, are watching to see how we will respond. Our reaction to these crises will determine how they will choose to proceed. An important difference between this package of bills today and the previously passed Senate supplemental is the addition of the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act. The legislation is important as it includes sanctions and policies that counter our adversaries through the inclusion of the REPO Act, the removal of our payment for foreign pensions, and requiring the administration to provide a game plan in Ukraine, something that many of us have been asking for, for some time.

Ronald Reagan told us peace comes through strength. By failing to act now, it will signal the opposite of strength. It will invite future aggression, as failure to act has done so often in the past.

Mr. Speaker, I also feel obligated to point out that this Congress has had two votes on providing aid to Israel. One occurred in October, right after Speaker Johnson was elected. Indeed, it was one of his highest priorities. I thought that aid package was responsibly offset through cuts to other Federal agencies here. Senator Schumer didn't see it that way and said we have never conditioned aid to Israel with anything, so there can be no offset, that it can't be paid for.

In the House, in February of this year, I think it was Mr. Calvert of California who introduced a bill to provide the same aid to Israel without the offset. It was blocked, this time by people on my side.

The Speaker said, okay, let's bring it up under suspension, and maybe we can get agreement between Members on both sides. In fact, under suspension, the two-thirds majority required was not achieved, so that bill failed in February, as well.

Had any one of those bills passed, we might not be here today because we all know 1 week--10 days ago--Iran attacked Israel, the missiles and drones originating from Iranian soil, the first time that has ever happened, and the crisis advanced.

Yes, we did have an opportunity to provide that aid to Israel. It might not have been what my friend from Massachusetts would have wanted, but at the same time, we had the opportunity to provide that.

Unfortunately, now, even members of my committee are upset with where we are today, but we had the opportunity to sort of head off all of this by simply passing that aid package last February, and we wouldn't do it.

What happens if we don't do this today? Does it get better or worse for us down the road? Nobody knows the answer to that, but history tells us it is very likely to get worse.

We have two votes now, Mr. Speaker, on Israeli aid. On both counts, I think most of us in this body want to see that pass.

I will stress again that weakness invites aggression, and we cannot allow our allies in the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine to be abandoned. By doing so, we will not prevent future aggression but will invite it.

Today, we have an opportunity to deliver critical aid to our allies, and I believe it is appropriate to do so.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.

I rise today in support of this very important rule. Specifically, I rise in support of Israel following the attack on Israel by Iran this past weekend.

This direct attack on Israel is unprecedented. It does mark the first time that Iran has directly attacked Israel from Iranian soil. In total, more than 300 drones were launched toward Israel, severely injuring a 7-year-old girl and damaging a military base.

While the United States worked with longstanding allies to help assist in the interception of these missiles and drones, it is clear that the stability of the region is only as strong as the Israeli- United States partnership.

Understanding this and the gravity of Iran's attack, Republicans have put forth legislation this week to condemn the attack and reaffirm our support for Israel. Be assured, Mr. Speaker, Israel does have a right to self-defense.

This rule and the underlying legislation in the rule reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, it designates the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, and it holds Iran accountable for their support of proxy wars and terrorism in the region.

Mr. Speaker, it is important that the United States take up these measures and ensure the safety of Israel and the safety of the United States. Undeniably, Iran should be held accountable for this attack. This legislation seeks to do just that.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the rule from my colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Massie), my friend, for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of the rule and the underlying legislation. It is a new day in the House of Representatives, and I intend to make certain that this process works and it works for all of us; that all Members get to be heard and at the end of the day, as Mr. Massie points out; and that after a fulsome debate, we are able to move forward for the American people.

I will specifically talk today on H.R. 7888, the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act, and H. Res. 1117, Opposing Efforts to Place One-Sided Pressure on Israel with Respect to Gaza.

Republicans remain concerned about the abuses that occurred under 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in previous administrations. The rule before us provides consideration for reforms to FISA, including greater transparency and greater oversight for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, in total, 56 reforms were made in response to concerns raised by our constituents. These reforms include prohibiting searches by the FBI unrelated to national security and prohibits political appointees from being involved in the FBI's query process.

The Rules Committee met last night to report this rule out of committee. It was a bit of a process. There are two significant changes to highlight from earlier in the week. The Rules Committee print changes the reauthorization from 5 years to 2 years, which is important.

The reforms that are now incorporated in the new FISA reauthorization will be reevaluated by the next Congress as to whether or not they are actually working. Therefore, rather than a 5-year reauthorization, we can look again in 2 years to make certain, for our constituents, for the American people, that these reforms are actually working.

I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), my friend, for bringing that forward.

There are also changes in the reauthorization that strike section 19(c) from the text altogether. The latter action was taken amid some confusion about whether 19(c) would have unintentionally permanently reauthorized section 702. To help clear up any ambiguity, that section has now been removed. Ultimately, this legislation will ensure that the appropriate guardrails are in place to safeguard Americans' constitutional rights and help keep Americans safe.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I express my support for H. Res. 1117, offered by Ms. Salazar from Florida.

Israel has a right to defend itself, especially after the notorious attack by Hamas on October 7.

On April 4, after a call between President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House released a press release stating that an immediate cease-fire is necessary.

I would remind the White House that a cease-fire was in existence prior to the attack by Hamas. It is not right for the United States to pressure an ally to end a conflict that that ally did not begin. Mr. Speaker, Israel has a right to exist and a right to self-defense. The United States does not get to decide that for Israel.

I would underscore the pathways for ensuring humanitarian aid, being able to enter Gaza and actually reach the Palestinian people and not be hijacked by their Hamas overlords. On April 5, Israel opened up three new corridors for humanitarian aid. I appreciate the efforts to take responsibility for something Hamas has proven unwilling to do and hope that the conflict can soon come to an end.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding additional time.

However, one-sided pressure by the White House is not the way to ensure that end.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this rule from our committee, and I urge passage of the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 102nd Birthday of Bartonville, Texas resident and World War II Navy veteran, Roberta Maxwell Richardson DuTeil. Mrs. DuTeil was born on January 10, 1922, in Waycross, GA.

In 1943, after graduating from the University of Alabama, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy. She trained first at the Midshipman's School then the Communications School, graduating with the rank of Ensign. Stationed at the U.S. Naval Base Headquarters, Terminal Island, CA, she worked rotating shifts around the clock, covering communications for Navy and Army installation in the area. Roberta was honorably discharged from active duty on May 11, 1946, at the rank of Lt (jg) and continued to serve in the Navy Reserves until March 1953.

Roberta married Army Captain Claude DuTeil in 1946 and supported his call to the ministry as he attended and graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary before being ordained as an Episcopal Priest. Over the next four decades, the DuTeils ministered to congregations in Hawaii and established a full-scale homeless shelter. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Bartonville to be close to their family.

Roberta has been very active in her church and local communities, supporting many charities. She is always proud to participate in patriotic celebrations and has served as a highlighted participant in the annual Double Oak Fourth of July parade. I was pleased to present her with the 26th District Congressional Veteran Commendation in 2016.

It was a privilege to join the Town of Bartonville for the special celebration of Roberta ``Tutu'' DuTeil's 102nd birthday on March 13, 2024. I request that my colleagues join me in commending Mrs. DuTeil's service on the mission field and military service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 766) to amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 respecting the scoring of preventive health savings, 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 into the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 766, the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act.

This pivotal piece of legislation seeks to establish a mechanism for the Congressional Budget Office to more accurately reflect the long- term, cost-saving potential of preventive healthcare initiatives.

This bipartisan, bicameral effort underscores our commitment to promoting the health and well-being of all

Americans. We encourage the use of data-informed preventive health measures, and we are taking proactive steps toward not only saving lives, but also saving taxpayer dollars in the long run.

Chronic illnesses account for over 70 percent of all our healthcare spending, and they continue to pose a significant burden on our system and our economy.

However, by enacting measures like H.R. 766, we can begin to bend the cost curve and provide a more accurate understanding of the long-term cost savings from preventive healthcare policies.

H.R. 766 specifically allows the Congressional Budget Office, upon the instruction of Congress, to extend its analysis beyond the existing 10-year budget window to two additional 10-year periods. This provision will enable us to conduct a fuller analysis of the potential budgetary savings and the impact of preventive health legislation, ensuring that we make informed decisions based on sound evidence and data.

Moreover, the Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act narrowly defines preventive health to encompass actions that focus on the health of the public, individuals, and defined populations.

By relying on credible and publicly available evidence from various sources, such as epidemiological projection models, clinical trials, and meta-analysis, we can ensure that our policies are both meaningful and impactful.

Lastly, H.R. 766 protects against estimates being used to justify partisan policies that might be used as budget gimmicks by requiring the request for a long-term estimate to be bipartisan and by stipulating such estimates cannot be used to comply with budget rules.

The successes of past legislation, such as the passage of Medicare part D in 2003, under a Republican majority in Congress, serves as a reminder of the profound impact preventive care can have on our healthcare. Despite initial concerns about its costs, Medicare part D has proven to be a wise investment, yielding savings and benefits that far outweigh its initial expenses.

In conclusion, I believe that an ounce of prevention is, indeed, worth a pound of cure, and preventive care in 2003 has yielded more than a pound of cure today. This undeniable truth underscores the case for preventive, personalized medicine and should only serve to encourage us to redouble our efforts and pass this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter of support signed by 53 organizations as part of H.R. 766.

March 4, 2024.

Hon. Mike Johnson,

Speaker, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Hon. Hakeem Jeffries,

Minority Leader, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries: We, the

53 undersigned organizations, would like to express our

support for H.R. 766, the ``Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive

Health Savings Act,'' which removes outdated statutory

constraints which currently prevent Congressional Budget

Office (CBO) estimates from correctly assessing preventive

health initiatives that might achieve long-term health

savings in federal programs.

As leaders in health care representing patients, providers,

associations, and employers, we all agree on the need for a

continued focus on wellness and disease prevention if

healthcare costs are to be contained. We share a bipartisan,

bicameral view with many in Congress that to move forward

with policy solutions to address the growing burden of long-

term chronic disease, Congress needs new tools to rise above

traditional legislative approaches to health care.

Simply put, we know we can't ``cut'' our way to a healthier

America by shaving dollars from federal programs that provide

care to people in need every time Congress finds a new

approach. As such, we all agree that the statutory

constraints that CBO must currently follow to ``score''

legislation severely constrains the ability of policymakers

to accurately assess legislation that would prevent chronic

disease. We believe this legislation represents a significant

step toward the goal of including new ideas and tactics to

improve care that have proven successful in the private

sector, or in health systems abroad that don't have the same

regulatory or budgetary constraints.

Chronic disease places a significant burden on our health

and economy, but it can be reversed:

We know that chronic diseases are responsible for 7 of 10

deaths among Americans each year, and they account for 90

percent of the $4.1 trillion our nation spends annually on

medical care. These figures will worsen as the population

ages.

Much of the illness, suffering, and early death related to

chronic diseases is caused by modifiable health risk

behaviors such as lack of physical activity, poor nutrition,

tobacco use, and alcohol and substance misuse.

Preventing or delaying the onset of new cases and

mitigating the progression of chronic disease will improve

the health of people in America while lowering healthcare

costs and overall spending.

The current scoring process does not give Congress a

complete picture of efforts to combat chronic disease:

Research has demonstrated that certain expenditures for

preventive health interventions generate savings when

considered in the long term, but those cost savings may not

be apparent when assessing only the first ten years--those in

the ``scoring'' window.

Long-term benefits from current preventive health

expenditures may not be fully reflected, if at all, in cost

estimates from CBO.

Lawmakers need sound information, and today's methods and

procedures may not work as well as needed in analyzing

certain efforts to prevent costly complications of chronic

diseases.

CBO has already begun to examine prevention in new ways:

In 2012, CBO published long-term estimates of the effect of

a hypothetical tobacco tax on the federal budget.

Also, in 2012, CBO published a study which found greater

prescription drug access and adherence can reduce healthcare

costs in other areas.

In the 118th Congress, the House of Representatives

continues to require CBO to score certain large bills by

considering projected impacts on revenue and spending from

assumed economic effects the bills.

The Preventive Health Savings Act will permit leaders in

Congress to request that CBO estimate the long-term health

savings that are possible from preventive health initiatives:

This legislation provides that the Chairman or Ranking

member of either budget or health-related committees can

request an analysis of the two 10-year periods beyond the

existing 10-year window.

The bill requires CBO to conduct an initial analysis to

determine whether the provision would result in substantial

savings outside the normal scoring window.

CBO must include a description of those future-year savings

in its budget projections but would retain the option of

creating a formal projection that includes some or all the

budgetary out years.

This bill is necessary to bring greater attention to the

longer-term value of wellness and prevention policies

specifically.

The bill defines preventive health as an action designed to

avoid future healthcare costs that are demonstrated by

credible and publicly available epidemiological projection

models, incorporating clinical trials or observational

studies in humans.

This narrow, responsible approach discourages abuse while

encouraging a sensible review of health policies and programs

Congress believes will further the public's health.

As the chronic disease epidemic continues to worsen, so

does the need for legislation that will properly allow

Congress to see the full savings of enacting prevention-

focused policy measures.

We applaud your efforts in sponsoring this important

legislation and look forward to joining with you in

transforming our nation to one that prioritizes efforts to

achieve wellness and wellbeing for all.

Sincerely,

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alliance for Aging

Research, American Academy of Family Physicians, American

Association of Clinical Endocrinology, American Association

of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Gastroenterology,

American College of Lifestyle Medicine, American College of

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, American College of

Preventive Medicine, American Society for Nutrition,

Ascension, Association of Diabetes Care & Education

Specialists, Avery's Hope.

Biocom California, Blooming Health, Inc., California

Chronic Care Coalition, Caregiver Action Network, Chronic

Care Policy Alliance, Connected Health Initiative, COPD

Foundation, Council For Affordable Health Coverage,

Determined Health, Fight Colorectal Cancer, FundPlay

Foundation, Geneoscopy, Gerontological Society of America,

Global Liver Institute.

Healthcare Leadership Council, HealthyWomen, HIV +

Hepatitis Policy Institute, Johnson & Johnson, Marshfield

Clinic Health System, MemorialCare Health System, Merck,

National Minority Quality Forum, Nevada Chronic Care

Collaborative, NourishedRx, NTM Info & Research, Obesity

Action Coalition, Obesity Medicine Association.

Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Partnership to Fight

Infectious Disease, PLAY Sports Coalition, Premier Inc.,

Sports & Fitness Industry Association, Team Titin, Texas

Health Resources, The Obesity Society, Tivity Health,

UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Vizient, Wellvana, YMCA of the USA.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my fellow colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 766 and ensuring that we continue to prioritize preventive healthcare initiatives for the betterment of all Americans, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach).

Mr. Speaker, it is now my great privilege and high honor to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington), the chairman of the Budget Committee, as we debate the first bipartisan budget bill to pass the floor of the House I think in the history of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup), the co-chair of the Doctors Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a member of the Doctors Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), a fellow member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Yakym).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time to close.

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

Mr. Speaker, I express my sincere gratitude to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Arrington), my friend and the chairman of the Budget Committee, for his leadership. Also, I extend my appreciation to my fellow members of the Budget Committee for their unwavering support of this critical legislation.

I thank my former and current staff: James Paluskiewicz, Alexa Roberts, and Jacquelyn Incerto. Additionally, I express my appreciation for the Budget Committee staff--namely, Gary Andres, Paige Decker, Braden Murphy, and Charles Chapman--for their work in advancing this incredibly important bill.

I introduced the Preventive Health Savings Act back in 2012, driven by the belief that, too often, potentially transformative legislation is sidelined due to short-sighted budget constraints. We cannot afford to overlook the long-term benefits of preventive health measures for the well-being of our patients and the well-being of our Nation.

Preventive healthcare is not just about addressing immediate health concerns. It is about laying a foundation for a healthier future by proactively managing risks, reducing the incidence of chronic illnesses, and, ultimately, cutting down on healthcare costs.

With over 70 percent of healthcare spending attributed to chronic diseases, it is clear that investing in prevention is not just prudent but essential.

H.R. 766 is a crucial step forward. By establishing a mechanism for the Congressional Budget Office to accurately assess the long-term cost-savings potential of preventive health initiatives, this legislation enables us to make a more informed and forward-thinking policy decision.

Once again, I am grateful to everyone who played a part in moving this bill. I express my gratitude to Congresswoman DeGette for her invaluable partnership. I thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Omar), for her kind words today. Donna Christian-Christensen, our former colleague from the Virgin Islands, also assisted in this effort.

Words cannot express how grateful and honored I am. Let me just say, as a general rule, Mr. Speaker, I don't think it is a good idea that things be named after people while they are still alive. However, in this case, I actually made an exception. I am happy that my name is attached to this critical piece of legislation.

Let's continue to work together toward a future where preventive health is not just an afterthought but a cornerstone of our national healthcare policy and our public strategy.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the professional achievements and service of Mr. Mark Hindman, City Manager for the City of North Richland Hills, Texas. Mr. Hindman is retiring following forty years of exemplary service to the public.

Upon graduation from Geneva College in Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Sociology, Hindman began his public service in 1983, working for U S. Senate Finance Committee in Washington, D.C. Following two years on Capitol Hill, he completed management internships at the City of Olathe, Kansas and the City of University Park, Texas. Along the way, he earned his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kansas. In 1987, he was hired by the City of Lubbock, TX as a Budget Analyst, and over the next eight years, he advanced through the ranks to be named Director of Finance/Support Services. The City of Mesquite, Texas hired him as Assistant City Manager in 1995, and for the next fourteen years, he provided oversight for multiple municipal departments. Mr. Hindman was named City Manager of North Richland Hills, Texas in 2009.

Under Mr. Hindman's capable direction, the quality of life for North Richland Hills has been enhanced through implementation of numerous community improvements, including expansion of the city's park and trail system, construction of the NRH Centre, Grand Hall, Senior Center, Animal Shelter, and a new City Hall. He's made a priority of excellent public service and fiscal responsibility, and under his sound financial leadership, the City has seen a reduction in its tax rate to the lowest since 2016.

In the fourteen years that Hindman has helmed the City of North Richland Hills, he has spearheaded efforts to revitalize older, owner- occupied residential properties and the reuse of vacant commercial properties. He guided new development and redevelopment in North Richland Hills to ensure a vibrant economy and an attractive place for its citizens to call home.

Mark Hindman has been an outstanding public servant to the residents and businesses of North Richland His professional leadership will be missed throughout his community and all of North Texas. On behalf of the 26th District, I wish him all the best in his next stage of life.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3838) to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize Federal support of States in their work to save and sustain the health of mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, to eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes for pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths, to identify solutions to improve healthcare quality and health outcomes for mothers, and for other purposes, 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 in the Record on the bill.

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

I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023.

During March, we celebrate National Women's History Month and honor the strong women in our lives, especially our mothers who make great sacrifices to bring life into this world.

According to the latest United States data, the maternal mortality rate rose yet again in 2021 to almost 33 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to a rate of 23 per 100,000 in 2020. While we know that over 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, we also understand that even one is too many.

The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act works to understand and reduce maternal mortalities by reauthorizing Federal support for State-led Maternal Mortality Review Committees.

Maternal Mortality Review Committees are multidisciplinary committees that review the causes of maternal deaths in their State and make recommendations based on their findings to prevent future deaths and improve maternal health outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year afterward.

H.R. 3838 also requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work in consultation with the Health Resources and Services Administration to disseminate best practices for the prevention of maternal mortality and morbidity to hospitals and other healthcare providers.

Maternal Mortality Review Committees are vital to understanding the drivers of maternal deaths and informing effective interventions. This way we will help to ensure that resources are directed where they will have the most positive impact.

Since its initial authorization in 2018, we have already seen the work of the Maternal Mortality Review Committees make a significant difference and increasing the number of Maternal Mortality Review Committees from 32 States to 49 States, the District of Columbia, New York City, Philadelphia, and Puerto Rico.

Through their work, this body was able to discover that over 50 percent of pregnancy-related deaths happen between 1 week and 1 year after delivery, leading to the critical extension of the State plan amendment for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program to 12 months for postpartum coverage.

The critical importance of this bill is furthered by the news from my home State of Texas just last week. Effective March 1 of 2024, Texas extended postpartum coverage for the full 12 months for eligible Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program recipients through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. I thank Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas legislature for their continued efforts to protect and defend life, especially the lives of new mothers and newborn babies.

Today, I am joined by 740 of my fellow OB/GYNs who are on the Hill with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists urging a ``yes'' vote on this critically important bill.

I thank my fellow Representatives, Diana DeGette, Buddy Carter, Robin Kelly, Kat Cammack, and Kathy Castor for working with me on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of H.R. 3838. I urge my fellow Members to vote for its passage today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

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

I do want to point out in this bill, probably one of the most important aspects is the collection and dissemination of data by the CDC and HRSA, the best practices that occur across the country. There is no reason why one hospital should have excellent statistics and another hospital have questionable statistics. We should be able to be good enough that every hospital has excellent statistics.

I know this to be true, because where I did my residency at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, they have consistently had some of the best maternal mortality statistics in the country, and they take care of a population that is low income, women of color, underinsured, uninsured, the very populations you think would be at greatest risk.

I know we can do it. I have seen it done, and it is so important to me that we collect and disseminate this data.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill is personally important to me. My grandfather, who I never knew, my father's father, was an academic obstetrician at McGill Hospital in Montreal from the end of the World War I until his death in 1939.

During that time, maternal mortality was substantially reduced. The caregivers of that time, prior to the introduction of antibiotics, made great strides in reducing maternal mortality. Some of that was through the imposition of preventive medicine. Some of that was because of improved anesthesia and blood bank techniques. Of course, with the introduction of antibiotics in 1940, the rates came down even substantially more. We know it can be done.

At that time the major drivers of maternal mortality were hypertension, hemorrhage, and infection. Now, the major drivers are well after delivery, and they fall into the realm of cardiovascular disease, suicide, and drug overdose. This expansion of postpartum coverage to the first year after delivery was really work that was established in our committee. We did the research on that, and we provided the guidance that now has been taken up by a great many States.

I look forward to a day when we see these numbers are significantly reduced even over where they are now because of the changes that we have made as a result of this legislation. It is important work.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 996 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. 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

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

Mr. Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 996, providing for the consideration of two measures: H.R. 485 and H. Res. 863.

The rule provides for the consideration of H.R. 485 under a structured rule with 1 hour of debate and H. Res. 863 under a closed rule with 2 hours of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking minority member of the committee of jurisdiction, or their designees. The rule provides for one motion to recommit for

Mr. Speaker, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), a fellow member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, what is needed is border security. What is needed is border protection. Immigration reform can come later after border security is established.

So a discussion about what is happening over in the Senate, to me, until you get the border secured, you have no opportunity to discuss any type of immigration reform.

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

Mr Speaker, I would recommend to the gentleman to enforce existing law as a starting point.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mr. Speaker, may I further inquire as to engaging in personalities or destruction of personalities? Is that something we are now doing on the floor of the House?

It wasn't a hypothetical; it was what was said on the other side.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, we can talk about existing authority that the President has today that he could use to solve the problem at our southern border. He could end catch and release, reinstate the remain in Mexico policy, enter into asylum cooperative agreements with other countries, end parole abuses, detain inadmissible aliens, use expedited removal, rein in taxpayer-funded benefits for people who are in the country illegally, and issue a proclamation to suspend or restrict entry.

All those are available to the President right now, today, to solve this problem.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, the difficulty that we have is that President Biden will not use any of the tools he has in his toolbox, and now he is asking for additional tools.

The other problem is codifying 5,000 illegal immigrants a day, 2 million a year, is not, in anyone's estimation, a solution to a problem.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a memo prepared by the Secretary of Homeland Security, released on September 30, 2021, discussing the Secretary being there to enforce the laws.

In this memo, he basically says he is going to make the laws that he then purports to enforce.

He bemoans the fact that there is no path for citizenship that has been established, but then goes on to say: ``The fact an individual is a removable noncitizen therefore should not alone be the basis of an enforcement action against them.''

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert in the Record an article detailing the number of children that the Department of Homeland Security has lost.

Mr. Speaker, that number has increased year over year. It was 100,000 kids last year. What are we doing if we are losing track of 100,000 children that have come into this country illegally?

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

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think we have seen one of the worst cases of Trump derangement syndrome ever recorded.

I would just remind people that I am not running for reelection, so I am not beholden to anyone. As I told the gentleman last week, I am bulletproof. I am only beholden to the constituents I represent. And the constituents I represent do not understand why Texas has had to endure basically an invasion during the tenure of this Secretary of Homeland Security, why he has not enforced the laws that he swore an oath to uphold and enforce. He won't do it.

What are we left to do when we have someone who is charged with protecting our country, charged with enforcing our laws, and he says it is too much trouble, I can't do it?

We know it is possible, because I was on a codel with Speaker Johnson down to the border down at Eagle Pass not but a couple weeks ago. The week before, we had seen on Bill Melugin's report on FOX News thousands of people on the riverbanks on the United States side who were there awaiting processing to be released into our country to parts unknown, for lengths of time unknown. When the Speaker of the House goes down there, there is not a soul on that riverbank.

This problem can be stopped literally overnight, if the Secretary and the President would make it a priority and would do it, but they won't. What are we left to do?

I agree with the gentleman that there is an election coming up. I hope people do remember that. I hope they do remember they have a President who, under 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, has it in his power right now to suspend activities on the southern border, but he won't do it.

We are being invaded, Mr. Speaker. My Governor, Governor Abbott, has officially declared an invasion. I don't think there is any debate about that. The administration and this Secretary have done nothing to help Texas. Instead, they have turned around and sued the State at every turn. Mr. Speaker, $12 billion dollars is what Texas has had to spend over the last year to do the job that Secretary Mayorkas should have been doing.

Just by the numbers, over 2 million illegal aliens apprehended last fiscal year, 15,000 pounds of fentanyl seized from drug smugglers crossing our border. How many families need to lose a child? How many American lives have to be cut short before Secretary Mayorkas, President Biden, and his border czar, Vice President Kamala Harris, change course and actually enforce existing law?

The consequences of this administration and Secretary Mayorkas' actions have been staggering: A southern border open to drug cartels, criminals, human traffickers, and potential terrorists; a record number of migrant deaths; rising human trafficking; exploitation of minors; a growing public health disaster; and an annual net burden to the American taxpayer exceeding $150 billion.

Mr. Speaker, each of these consequences would have been avoidable if Secretary Mayorkas had just enforced existing law. This willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law and the continued breach of public trust by Secretary Mayorkas will not be tolerated. For this, he must be impeached.

I also thank Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers for her leadership in bringing H.R. 485 to the floor and Chairman Mark Green of the Homeland Security Committee for his work on a proper and thorough investigation leading to consideration of H. Res. 863.

Madam Speaker, I stand in strong support of the rule and the underlying legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exemplary leadership and public service of Chief Kevin Deaver as he retires as Police Chief for the Lewisville Police Department (LPD). Chief Deaver has served in this role for LPD since August 22, 2018, completing a 35- year career in law enforcement, 25 of which have been with the City of Lewisville.

Chief Deaver began his law enforcement career with the San Angelo Police Department in February 1989, before joining the LPD in August 1998. During his career, Deaver has worked as a Patrol Officer, Motorcycle Traffic Officer, Canine Officer, Narcotics Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Narcotics Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Community Services Captain, Patrol Captain, Administrative Services Assistant Chief, and the Patrol Operations Assistant Chief. In addition, he served as a field supervisor for the North Central Texas Narcotics Task Force.

Chief Deaver is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts and Applied Sciences with a concentration in Criminal Justice, Public Affairs/Community Service, and Sociology. Chief Deaver is a also a graduate of the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration's School of Police Supervision and Management College as well as the FBI-Law Enforcement Trilogy Series which consists of the Supervisor Leadership Institute, Command Leadership Institute, and the Executive Leadership Institutes. Additionally, Chief Deaver holds a Master Peace Officer Certification from TCOLE.

In leading the LPD, Chief Deaver has worked to build on the culture established by his predecessors, Chief McFadden and Chief Kerbow, of always ensuring the Department stood for professionalism. During his tenure, Chief Deaver advocated for the construction of the new Tittle McFadden Public Safety Center and played a major role in the design of the building. He secured STEP pay for police communication and detention personnel and worked with Lewisville Fire Chief Mark McNeal to create the City's first Mental Health Crisis Team (CoCare), implemented FLOCK technology throughout the City and commissioned a staffing study for the department that led to staffing increases over the last five years. Finally, he led the department through successful re-accreditation of LPD in 2022 as one of 50 recognized Texas Law Enforcement Program agencies while also guiding the Department through the annexation of Castle Hills, COVID-19, and the protests following the brutal killing of George Floyd. Chief Deaver has honorably carried the mantle of law enforcement leadership during one of the most challenging periods our country has witnessed.

On behalf of the constituents of the 26th Congressional District of Texas, I join the City of Lewisville in appreciation of the professionalism and steady leadership he has shown, caring both for his employees and the community the Lewisville Police Department serves each day.

We are all indebted to him for the character, innovation and servant heart he brought to his duties, and I wish him and his family a long and satisfying retirement.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 980 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. 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

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

Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 980, providing for consideration of four measures: H.R. 5585, H.R. 6678, H.R. 6679, and H.R. 6976.

The rule provides for consideration of all four measures under structured rules with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committee of jurisdiction, or their designee. The rule provides one motion to recommit for each measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and support of the underlying bills.

Today, we are here to address an ongoing crisis, not a new concept to this body. The word ``crisis'' has been a hard one for my friends on the other side of the aisle to absorb when it comes to our current situation on the southern border.

Let's just put a few things into perspective:

In 2023, Customs and Border Protection encountered over 2\1/2\ million illegal migrants attempting to cross the southern U.S. border.

In December alone, Customs and Border Protection encountered 302,000 illegal migrants--that is just in the month of December--attempting to cross the U.S. southern border, the highest number of unlawful migrant crossings in a single month in recorded history.

In 2023, Customs and Border Protection confiscated almost 230,000 pounds of drugs, including 22,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl, being smuggled across the southern border.

If this doesn't sound like a crisis to you, I don't know what would.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, I was at the southern border to witness firsthand the challenges faced by Texans and to hear directly from Border Patrol agents and law enforcement officers who are on the front lines of this crisis.

Magically, either by order of President Biden or by order of the cartels, the Eagle Pass area was completely cleared out that day. If that is possible when Members of Congress are visiting on a certain day, it is possible every single day.

Mr. Speaker, the President has every tool that he needs right now to stop the overwhelming flow of migrants to the border. The proof of this is that immediately upon taking office, President Biden dismantled the immigration policies that were put in place by the Trump administration. He did that by executive order. He can undo them by executive order.

President Biden halted the construction of the border wall, ended Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the remain in Mexico program, and restarted the dangerous catch and release program with the simple stroke of a pen.

Now the consequences have been stark: record numbers of migrants crossing the border and increasing each month; record numbers of illegal migrants being released into the United States; an open season for drug smugglers, human traffickers, and Mexican cartels; and social support systems stretched to the breaking point, not only in my home State of Texas, but places across the country like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Denver.

Mr. Speaker, this is not an immigration problem; it is a national security problem. We have a responsibility to make certain that the laws of this land protect Americans and ensure their safety.

Earlier this Congress, we passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, to combat illegal migration and ensure operational control over the southern border, but the Senate has refused to even debate or have a vote on the bill.

Today, we take up four additional bills that will help undo the chaos caused by this administration to ensure that law enforcement, particularly the agents of Customs and Border Protection, Federal agents are supported in their mission to keep our communities safe. This means closing loopholes that allow illicit behavior to go without punishment, which is exactly what the following four measures will do.

Last year, Customs and Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez was tragically killed in pursuit of illegal migrants fleeing law enforcement in a motor vehicle. High-speed chases started by those breaking our laws are not uncommon.

In fact, any of us who have been down and visited the border, whether it was several years ago or recently, have been shown the films, the dash cam videos collected by Customs and Border Protection of these very high-risk, high-velocity chases which frequently end up with a crash, with people hurt, or people simply bailing out on the highway and running away.

Currently, fleeing law enforcement in a motor vehicle does not carry immigration consequences for the perpetrators, even in situations that result in the death of an officer, like the one involving Agent Gonzalez.

H.R. 5585, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act will change that by adding specific criminal and immigration consequences for individuals who operate motor vehicles while fleeing Border Patrol and law enforcement agents.

The penalties instituted by this bill include prison time and ensure that perpetrators can be deemed inadmissible to this country and deported from the United States.

Preventing deadly accidents that endanger lives is also the focus of H.R. 6976, the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act.

With a simple turn of a key, an intoxicated driver commits a crime and illegal migrants are no different. Tragically, many of these incidents involve individuals who should not be in the country at all. Illegal migrants who have committed this offense are evaluated under the crimes involving moral turpitude standard, a difficult and complex legal analysis that results in long delays and lengthy legal proceedings.

H.R. 6976 will change this and provide immigration consequences for driving under the influence, rendering illegal migrants who have committed this offense inadmissible to this country and deportable without a lengthy process.

In a similar vein, with identification and fraud on the rise, H.R. 6678, the Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act will ensure that criminal or illegal migrants who commit Social Security and ID fraud can be removed and barred from this country.

Finally, we will take up H.R. 6679, the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act. In October, the world watched in horror as Hamas, a designated terror organization, committed a vicious and evil attack on Israel. Twelve hundred Israelis, including American citizens, were murdered. Another 240 were taken back to Gaza as hostages where many remain today.

Terrorists who participated in, planned, or otherwise supported the October 7 attacks should not be admissible to the United States, full stop. There is no reason for a member of Hamas to ever be admitted into the United States. H.R. 6679 will make that a reality and ensure that we can prevent these deadly and evil people from

ever entering our country, thereby protecting our citizens.

Taken together, eradicating these gaps in our legal recourse will deter criminal activity and ensure that bad actors face appropriate punishment for their crimes.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans have demonstrated that we are committed to governing for the American people and that the American people have spoken. Their message to their elected Representatives is: ``Enough.''

Enough with sending their tax dollars to process migrants that should not be in this country in the first place instead of enforcing the law; enough with putting law enforcement both at the border and across America in harm's way; enough with the fearmongering and lies.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of the rule and the underlying bills. I urge my fellow Members to support the rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 45 seconds just to answer some of the charges flung against me.

The gentleman said he wants solutions. There are solutions. The solutions are to undo the executive order the President put in place in his first 5 minutes in office, end catch and release, cease the exploitation of parole authority, reinstate remain in Mexico, expand expedited removal authority, and renew the building of a wall.

Mr. Speaker, it is sheer fantasy that $106 billion will fix this problem. Of course, it won't. The gentleman knows it won't.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford) for his comments.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am ready to close.

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

Mr. Speaker, the bill being considered over in the Senate is a bill that sets a floor, not a ceiling, a bill that guarantees 2 million people illegally come into this country every year. Mr. Speaker, that is on top of the 1.2 million people that are admitted legally every year--and not to mention the people who come in under the radar. Yes, I am going to be against that bill, and I will be happy to join my friend from Massachusetts in a bipartisan fashion and vote against that legislation because it is bad legislation; not because someone else told me it is bad, but because I know it is bad, and my constituents know it is bad.

When we were down in Eagle Pass, Texas, a few weeks ago with the Speaker of the House, the deputy chief of the Border Patrol spoke to us the first evening down there, and he said, we are faced with a raging flood. And when you are faced with that, it is not that I need bigger buckets, I need someone to turn the water off. So is there a way to turn the water off? And he told us there was.

Simply reinstituting the remain in Mexico policy, the Migrant Protection Protocols that President Biden undid with an executive order on his first day in office, would reduce the flow by 70 percent and would allow our very beleaguered Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement the ability to actually maneuver and do what their job calls for; that is, to protect American citizens.

As it stands right now with the massive ingress of people, all they can do is process people. It becomes a question of throughput. So that is not an answer, and don't pretend that it is because the American people see through that.

I will just address one other thing. I am not running for reelection. I am bulletproof. You can't hurt me. But I support the former President and his approach to border control because I saw it work for the 4 years he was in office. He was the best President of the 21st century, and, yes, I would like to see him back in office; not because someone told me, but my constituents support the type of leadership that he provided for those 4 years.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this country is being invaded at the southern border--invaded to the extent that Governor Greg Abbott in my home State of Texas has officially declared an invasion. This administration has done nothing to help, nothing to help Texas, and has, instead, decided to take Texas to court to sue Texas just for trying to get the smallest bit of relief for its citizens and for its law enforcement officers.

The Republican majority has, once again, demonstrated that our agenda will be devoted to improving the lives of American citizens. Our governing majority will continue to focus on the issues that matter most to the American people: rising energy costs, sky-high inflation, rampant crime, and, yes, fixing our porous southern border.

These are issues that the American voters rightfully demand their elected Representatives to address. The Republican majority is committed to solving the many crises that this President and the minority have inflicted on our Nation.

Today, we begin the most basic duties of stopping and punishing criminals who come across our southern border illegally.

I would like to thank Representative Juan Ciscomani from Arizona; Representative Tom McClintock from California, with whom I serve on the Budget Committee; and Representative Barry Moore from Alabama, for their leadership on these important pieces of legislation.

I, again, stand in strong support of the rule and the underlying bills, and I urge my fellow Members to support the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Murphy for bringing us together tonight. I am here tonight not just because I am a Member of Congress from the 26th Congressional District, but I am also a doc. I practiced for 25 years back home. I am a Medicare patient. I know firsthand how hard it can be to find a doctor that still accepts Medicare.

I will tell you, there is nothing more injurious to our medical system here in this country than the repetitive cuts that this administration has delivered to the doctors of this country.

In November, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a 3.5 percent cut in physician payments for this year, 2024, a decision that took place on January 1 of this year, a blow to the very backbone of our healthcare.

As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, we had an actual historic event last month. We marked up a doc fix and a budget neutrality bill.

The GOP Doctors Caucus and the Energy and Commerce Committee took action to address the challenges by passing H.R. 6545, which was the Physician Fee Schedule Update and Improvements Act. That bill includes a conversion factor update as well as provisions

from H.R. 6371, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act, also led by the GOP Doctors Caucus.

These provisions make needed changes to the budget neutrality requirement, allowing for long-term sustainability within the physician fee schedule. These are significant steps, and the urgency cannot be overstated.

On January 1, those lower rates went into effect. CMS has said they are going to hold payments until Congress acts, but if we don't act pretty darn quick, they will have to remit at the lower level. The doctors can never go back and recoup the money that they should have been paid.

This is a crisis that is not necessary. We can fix this. We can fix this in the CR. Unfortunately, congressional Democrats, the minority leader on the House side, and the Finance Committee chairman on the Senate side are blocking this very simple fix from occurring. It is wrong. It needs to change.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for holding this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.