Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Goodlander) as a cosponsor of H.R. 10076.

Mr. Chair, I thank our chairman for his great work on this National Defense Authorization Act. As always, he has delivered.

Mr. Chair, every day our Nation loses 17 veterans to suicide. These are men and women who survived combat but then lost to a quiet and longer war against the invisible wounds that they carried with them.

Since the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, many of them are asking: Was it worth it? Well, we are providing a solution to that problem here today.

I thank my colleague, Mr. Luttrell, for his service as a Navy SEAL and also for introducing this amendment to increase veterans' access to ibogaine. I know personally how much this means to our Nation's heroes because I have talked to them, the Special Operations Association, to people, veterans across this Nation who are clamoring for a solution to their problem, and we have one.

They should not have to travel to Mexico to receive this treatment. Countless vets have told me that they were going to give this one shot before they committed suicide. They went down. They experienced ibogaine, and they came back cured.

Stanford University did a study on 30 veterans with TBI and PTSD, verified through MRI brain scans, where it was demonstrated that ibogaine actually regenerated brain tissue and helped them get over their addiction to opioids and resolve their PTSD and TBI.

This needs to be available in the United States of America now in clinical trials to our veterans. My home State of Texas passed legislation to provide clinical trials to veterans for ibogaine.

I thank my former Governor, Rick Perry, and Mr. Bryan Hubbard, Americans for Ibogaine, for leading this effort. I thank Morgan Luttrell and Marcus, his brother, who we all know from the ``Lone Survivor'' story. Ibogaine saved their lives, and we have heard the testimony from them about the effectiveness of this medicine.

It is time, Mr. Chair, to make this medicine available to our veterans here in the United States at our VA clinics across the Nation.

This amendment--and I thank the chairman for supporting it--will take us to that point where we can now save their lives, where they don't have to worry about suicide and they don't have to be on 30 medications, for God sakes, to treat their addiction, to treat their PTSD when we know we have a medicine that works.

The evidence, the data, and the Stanford study are all there to save their lives. I urge my colleagues to vote for this measure.

Again, I thank all my colleagues, including the chairman and Morgan Luttrell for their support. I thank the Energy and Commerce Committee for their work to bring all of this to the floor, not only today but in future legislation. I also thank the heroes, those who have served this country in harm's way, those who have put their lives at risk who are suffering from these diseases today for their service. We owe it to them to pass this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to state that my vote for Roll Call No. 243 is a nay. The Roll Call did not register my vote in time and marked me as not voting. Had I been present, I would gave voted NAY on Roll Call No. 243.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jennifer Margaret Yezak for more than 40 years of extraordinary contributions to agriculture, the State of Texas, and our Nation. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Jennifer's career reflects deep expertise in federal policy and public administration.

From serving as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senators to her leadership as Deputy Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Jennifer has consistently championed the needs of rural America. Her distinguished federal service includes senior roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Director of External and Intergovernmental Affairs, strengthening vital ties between the White House, Congress, and state officials.

Earlier in her career, she advocated for all 50 state agriculture departments at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and held key roles within the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.

Throughout her distinguished tenure, Jennifer has been an indispensable asset to my office, serving as a vital bridge between complex federal policy and the practical needs of our agricultural community. Her profound expertise is matched only by her graciousness; she is an accomplished professional who consistently exceeded the call of duty to support my staff, the university, and the countless Texans who depend on her guidance. Jennifer's dedication has left an unforgettable mark on all who have had the privilege of working alongside her.

Beyond her professional accolades--including the 2017 Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Distinguished Alumna Award--Jennifer remains deeply rooted in her community and her Polish heritage. Growing up in a family that founded the Bremond Press, she carries forward a legacy of civic engagement through her active support of local leadership and the annual Polish Pickle Run. Jennifer has ``planted trees'' through her career that will provide

shade for generations of Texas Aggies, farmers, and ranchers.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jennifer's exceptional service and wishing her continued success in all her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, in 1979, the Islamic Revolution began, and a dark veil of terror descended upon the Middle East. Since then, Iran has operated as the nucleus to the world's most dangerous terror network.

When the withdrawal from Afghanistan set the world on fire, the regime grew even more emboldened, fanning the flames of chaos and violence beyond its borders. From that moment onward, China, Russia, and Iran have been locked together in an unholy alliance which seeks to destroy Western values and upend the global balance of power.

Iran has played a key role in these malign efforts, arming Russia with lethal drones to massacre Ukrainians and fueling China's military machine through illicit sales of oil. Its terror proxies, Hamas, Houthis, and Hezbollah, have sown terror and instability across the world.

This is a regime that values martyrdom over prosperity and chaos over peace. From their legacy of American bloodshed in Beirut and the USS Cole to harboring terrorists after 9/11, to backing Hamas' unprovoked October 7 attacks that killed 46 Americans, a regime this murderous can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

Thanks to President Trump and Operation Epic Fury, the dark shroud that covered the Middle East for nearly five decades has now been lifted. The people of Iran, who have suffered so greatly at the hands of the ayatollah, finally have a chance for freedom.

This is a historic moment, one that could finally put the Middle East on the path to peace. In my judgment, Iran's decision to hit our partners was a severe miscalculation, turning the Gulf nations against Iran. Meanwhile, the regime's so-called allies, Russia and China, have abandoned Iran. Iran is isolated and now an island. Normalization between Israel and the Arab nations, as envisioned in the Abraham Accords, is now at hand.

Despite these truths, Congressional Democrats are seeking to force President Trump to halt Epic Fury mid-operation, risking the objectives of this critical mission, solely for political purposes.

Now is not the time to tie the hands of our Commander in Chief, and it is also not the time to hold up DHS funding.

Even before Operation Epic Fury, the threat landscape was at an all- time

high. President Biden's open border allowed more than 700 Iranian nationals to enter our country and more than 18,000 known or suspected terrorists.

As former chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I know all too well how sleeper cells can execute foreign-inspired or foreign- directed acts of terrorism within our borders.

I have already seen that happen in my hometown of Austin, where three people were tragically killed over the weekend at the hands of a terrorist.

Operation Epic Fury confronts this threat head-on, severing the tentacles Iran has wrapped around the globe to strangle peace and spread terror.

The ayatollah's reign of terror began with weak leadership from President Carter. It will end with strong leadership from President Trump.

This War Powers Resolution is ill-timed and ill-advised. Congress must stand with the President and our military to finally close once and for all this dark chapter of history and pave the way for lasting peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend from Georgia (Mr. Carter) for those kind words. I thank Chairman Guthrie, Gus Bilirakis, Mr. Pallone, and, especially, Chairwoman Dingell for their steadfast advocacy for these kids. I can't think of anything more important in my 22 years.

As chairman of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I host a yearly childhood cancer summit. Mrs. Dingell is a co-chair. It is a time for pediatric cancer patients, survivors, and advocates to rally together around these precious children, the most precious thing we have, and to spread hope to them.

Each year, I meet a child who impacts me in a very strong way. This year, I was blessed to get to know this beautiful, beautiful young woman by the name of Mikaela Naylon. I could see in her eyes that she was at the height of her struggle with cancer. It took so much strength for her to come to the summit, but she believed that she was meant to be there. She wanted her presence and her voice to help shape our policies and change our world for the better.

We got her into a joint clinical trial at MD Anderson and Texas Children's Hospital, but, unfortunately, it was too late. She had to be put on a ventilator 3 weeks after our summit, and she passed away.

As Congresswoman Dingell mentioned, we sent videos to her to remind her of how important she is. In her final moments on this Earth, I reached out to her and told her that her story would not be forgotten and that her legacy would continue to help thousands of other children. I wanted her to know that her impact would outlive all of us.

Mr. Speaker, today, in her honor, the United States Congress will vote on the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act.

Mr. Speaker, 16 years ago, I founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus because I saw that children with cancer did not have a voice here in Washington. We cared about adult treatments, but no one was paying attention to the precious children who are battling this heartbreaking disease. In fact, they called it rare orphan diseases.

Since then, we have made a change for the better, and today is proof of that. Put simply, this bill gives kids the same chance to beat cancer that adults already have.

Right now, thousands of successful drug combination therapies are being studied and developed for adults, but not for children. The Give Kids a Chance Act will change that. It authorizes the FDA to direct companies to study those same drugs and therapies in children, as well.

It will also reauthorize my Creating Hope Reauthorization Act, which created a pediatric review voucher program within the FDA. It was the first-ever market incentive for pharmaceutical companies to develop childhood cancer treatments. Prior to that, there were none.

Since its inception in 2012, 63 vouchers have been awarded for treatments of at least 39 different rare pediatric diseases, 36 of which previously had no FDA-approved treatments. These diseases typically lead to death before a child can reach adulthood, but not anymore.

A dear friend of mine, Dr. Allison from MD Anderson in my home State of Texas, was able to use this voucher program to obtain FDA approval for a treatment called CAR-T immunotherapy. He received the Nobel Prize in medicine for it, and this voucher program had everything to do with the FDA approval of it. This breakthrough treatment could change everything, and it has changed everything, not just for kids with cancer, but also for many adults.

This bill will keep this successful voucher program going for another 5 years, fueling more innovation and more hope for children and families who desperately need it.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my friends on the Committee on Energy and Commerce--I am not on the committee--who helped me get this bill done. I also want to recognize the childhood cancer survivors who are in the gallery today.

With 313 cosponsors, this bill has the most bipartisan support in Congress, and that is because there is nothing political about a child with cancer. There is nothing more important than saving the lives of the next generation.

My prayers remain with Mikaela's family, and we are honored to have them here with us today: her mother, Kassandra; her father, Doug; and her brother, Ayden. I thank them for sharing Mikaela's beautiful story with us.

Mikaela represents all the children who have suffered with this heartbreaking disease. After meeting with many of them over all of these years, I can tell you these kids are tougher and more resilient than any adult I have ever seen, and they are truly my biggest inspiration. Many survive, but many don't, and that needs to change. Losing these kids has been the hardest part of my career over 22 years.

Today, I am encouraged because Mikaela's legacy and all of their legacies, all those who have died and survived this horrible disease, will live on in this bill forever.

Mr. Speaker, it is rare in this place that you can pass a bill that will end up saving children's lives. I can think of nothing more important.

I urge my colleagues to do right by our children and pass the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act without delay.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to honor the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce for achieving one of the highest distinctions a chamber can receive--Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

This recognition is more than just an award; it reflects years of commitment, professionalism, and a deep dedication to strengthening our local economy in Texas. A Five-Star Accreditation is awarded to chambers that demonstrate exceptional leadership, hard work, and a clear vision for the communities they serve.

Today, the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce stands as a testament to what can be achieved when businesses foster collaboration, champion economic growth, and come together to ensure Bastrop is a place where both businesses and families can thrive.

I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce for this astounding achievement. I thank them for their exemplary service, their dedication to excellence, and their ongoing commitment to the people of Bastrop.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor one of my dear friends, Denice Harlan, as she retires from her role as President/CEO of the Giddings Chamber of Commerce.

Denice moved to Giddings, Texas, in 1983 with her beloved husband, Wade. She opened Harlan's Restaurant in 1987 to provide delicious homestyle cooking. Her passion for service led her to join the Giddings Chamber of Commerce and serve as Chamber Director. In addition, Denice has also served on the New Horizons Lions' Club, Lee County Fair Association, and Rotary Club. She was most recently recognized with the Giddings Lifetime Achievement Award.

I want to thank Denice for the devotion she has demonstrated and her commitment to serving the constituents of Lee County. I am grateful for her leadership, and I send my best wishes to Denice as she begins this new chapter in life.

As a member of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored to join her family and friends in congratulating Denice Harlan on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I welcome to Washington His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians and the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew.

Patriarch Bartholomew has long been a voice for faith, unity, and reconciliation, serving as the head of the second largest single Christian church globally. Along with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's admirable leadership and work within the Orthodox Christian church, his deep commitment to religious freedom, interfaith dialogue, and environmental stewardship was recognized this year with the Templeton Prize. The award is administered by the John Templeton Foundation in collaboration with the Templeton World Charity Foundation and the Templeton Religion Trust. By receiving this internationally recognized honor, he joins a distinguished group of past laureates that includes Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Beginning with the founding of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston in 1917, this visit is incredibly meaningful to the historic Orthodox Christian community within Texas, as well as Orthodox Christians all across America.

We are grateful for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's visit to Washington and for his lifelong dedication to bringing together people of different faiths to heed the call for stewardship of creation. I join my Greek Orthodox constituents and people of faith everywhere in offering him a warm welcome.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of my dearest friends, John Sharp, as he retires from his role as Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.

Texas A&M holds a special place in my heart. While I did not have the opportunity to attend A&M, I consider myself an honorary Aggie, having married into a committed, Aggie-loving family. My father-in-law, Lowry Mays, dedicated much of his life to Texas A&M. I will never forget looking into his eyes as he beamed with pride when I told him I would be representing College Station. Lowry was on the Texas A&M Board of Regents when Chancellor Sharp came on as University Chancellor. Though he passed away a couple of years ago, I know he would be overwhelmed with joy and pride to see all the ways A&M has grown and changed in recent years--and that is because of Chancellor John Sharp's leadership.

When A&M was drawn into my district, Chancellor Sharp and I immediately hit it off. We not only created an incredible partnership between the University System and the United States Congress, but we also forged a powerful friendship. He and I made a great team, and it has been an honor to work with him and Texas A&M to bolster our national defense. Together, we helped establish the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute, expand both the RELLIS Campus and the Bush Combat Development Complex, and most recently, secure congressional funding to build the Ballistic, Aero-optics, and Materials Range facility, which will dramatically strengthen our military's understanding of war strategy and defense tactics. Within the last year alone, I've had the privilege of helping A&M execute Chancellor Sharp's vision, providing nearly $40 million in Congressional funding for dozens of essential services and research opportunities throughout the system.

Everyone who knows Chancellor Sharp knows he is a man of extraordinary vision--and he is just as much ``action'' as he is ``talk.'' He knows how to execute visionary ideas with excellence and purpose. He also has a great sense of humor and a very unique vocabulary.

No one has done more to transform, expand, and elevate the Texas A&M University System than Chancellor John Sharp. His visionary leadership has ensured Texas A&M will lead the Nation in academics and national security for decades to come. He leaves behind a strong legacy, with a profound and lasting impact on the A&M system, the hundreds of thousands of students who studied during his tenure, our Nation's military and defense sectors, and so much more.

On behalf of myself, my wife Linda, and the entire Aggie community, let me say, ``thank you.'' While his leadership will be greatly missed, his impact on Texas A&M will live on for generations. Gig 'Em Aggies.

Madam Speaker, it's a privilege to recognize my colleague and dear friend, Congressman Michael Burgess. For over 20 years, Dr. Burgess has served with dedication, determination and an unbreakable commitment to his constituents, Texas, and to our great nation.

When Michael came to Congress, he brought with him a physician's expertise, a sharp intellect, and a deep sense of duty. But beyond those skills, he brought something rare in this chamber: humility and grace. Whether working on complex healthcare policies, immigration issues or standing up for his district, Michael has always been a steady hand and a thoughtful voice.

I've seen Michael's leadership firsthand, especially when he stepped up to chair the powerful Rules Committee. In his fist act as the Rules Committee chairman, he achieved something remarkable--passing the most bipartisan rule in congressional history. That's pretty rare. In fact, I think it may be the first and only time.

But Michael's impact goes beyond the Rules Committee and legislative wins. His work with families, especially those facing life's hardest battles, speaks volumes about his character.

Michael worked with me and joined the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus that I chair, to help pursue legislation that would bring new and innovative care to help eradicate childhood cancer. He introduced me to Sadie Keller, a Childhood Cancer survivor and my star lobbyist. Together, we wrote a book called Better Angels, detailing our journey together. Michael helped me give a voice to fighters like Sadie, who never had a voice in Congress. As a physician, he knew the importance of fighting for these children. His work with the Childhood Cancer Caucus has brought hope to so many, and that's a legacy we will never forget.

Michael's intellect, judgment, and his demeanor will be missed. He has shown us what it means to serve with integrity and dedication.

I thank him for his service, his friendship, and his unwavering commitment to the House of Representatives, Texas, and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, today, I honor someone who has been more than a colleague. Kay Granger has been a trailblazer, a mentor, and a dear friend. As a leader within the Texas delegation, she embodied the best of Texas, and the best of America.

Kay was the first Republican woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee--arguably the most influential committee in the House. The ``power of the purse'' is no small responsibility, and Kay's leadership exemplified strength, fairness, and resolve--qualities that defined her career. She has an innate ability to navigate the complexities of governance, always keeping the needs of Texas and the nation at heart.

When Kay talks, people listen. Her voice commands respect because it is grounded in wisdom and a deep understanding of the challenges facing our country. She is warm, endearing, and can guide with kindness, but you never want to cross her--not because she is harsh, but because her strength and pragmatism are unmatched.

As we hand the torch to a new generation, we're reminded of Kay's legacy. Her kindness and determination have left an indelible mark on all of us. We will miss her dearly--not just for the work she accomplished, but for the person she is. Kay Granger's legacy is one of strength, grace, and unwavering service to her constituents and her country.

I thank Kay for her unparalleled contributions. Her example inspires us, and her absence will be deeply felt in the halls of Congress.

May we honor her legacy by continuing to lead with the same courage and conviction she exemplified.

Mr. Speaker, I had an emergency medical procedure and was absent from votes on December 10, 2024. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll call No. 493; YEA on Roll call No. 494; YEA on Roll call No. 495; YEA on Roll call No. 496; YEA on Roll call No. 497; and YEA on Roll call No. 498.

Mr. Speaker, you and I just returned from Luxembourg to honor the veterans of World War II who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I was there on behalf of the House of Representatives at the Speaker's request to honor the Greatest Generation and their sacrifices to defeat evil and ensure that freedom would persevere.

Those soldiers that braved the Nazi onslaught and the frozen forest of the Ardennes to liberate Europe are known as the Greatest Generation.

Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was part of that great generation. The service website military.com, using the colloquial name for Special Forces made famous during the Vietnam war, called Mr. Waugh, ``the unparalleled godfather of the Green Berets,'' for his long years of service and numerous missions with them.

He led a lifelong commitment to his country from a young age. He understood, as Reagan did, that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for and protected.

Sergeant Major Waugh was born in 1929 and raised in Bastrop, Texas, in my district, and in 1945, after meeting two local United States Marines who returned from fighting World War II, the then 15-year-old Mr. Waugh was inspired to enlist in the Marine Corps.

Knowing that it was unlikely that he would be allowed to enlist in Texas due to his young age, Waugh decided to hitchhike to Los Angeles where he believed he only had to be 16 years of age.

He got as far as Las Cruces, New Mexico, before being turned around and sent back to Bastrop by a local police officer. That shows you the amount of patriotism this young 15-year-old had. Later, in 1948, he did enlist and serve his country as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces soldier until 1972.

Sergeant Major Waugh was no stranger to the front and served 7 years in combat during the Korean and Vietnam wars where he was shot multiple times. While in combat, he was part of a high-altitude, low-opening, or HALO, parachute assault, the first of its kind in military history.

For his service, Sergeant Major Waugh received dozens of military awards and medals, including the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and eight Purple Hearts for his combat wounds, placing him third on the list of most Purple Hearts ever received in the history of the United States military.

After retirement, he joined the United States Postal Service before again serving his country as a paramilitary operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency where he pursued terrorists, including Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden.

Mr. Waugh never lost his sense of duty, patriotism, and his enduring love of freedom. At the age of 71 Mr. Waugh participated in Operation Enduring Freedom from October to December 2001 as a member of the CIA's Northern Alliance Liaison Team, which went into Afghanistan to work to topple the Taliban regime and al-Qaida at the Battle of Tora Bora.

Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh passed away last year at the age of 93. He epitomized the American values of courage, patriotism, and self- sacrifice. Through his unparalleled life of service, he undoubtedly saved countless American lives and pushed back terrorism and evil around the world.

After a life of service to his country, it is only fitting that the post office located 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, be named after him.

Naming this post office after him is a testament to a life well lived and an opportunity for all Texans to pay homage to this great American hero.

I am inspired by him, as I know are all Americans. We are inspired that he is from Texas. I support this measure, and may God hold Sergeant Major Waugh in the palm of his hand.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 456, I mistakenly voted YEA when I intended to vote NAY.