Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of SGT. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805 in O'Fallon, Illinois. On July 25, 1921, 25 members of the United States of America VFW established the Erwin L. Dann VFW Post 805 in Waterloo, which moved to East St. Louis and consolidated with two other posts in 1927. Sergeant Dann, a Waterloo native, was 22 years old when he was killed during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on September 26, 1918. A generation later, a separate group of East St. Louis veterans returned home from World War II and established SGT. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 8475 on October 15, 1946. Sergeant Charles A. ``Chub'' Fricke was one of 18 employees of the city's Alcoa Aluminum Ore Factory who perished during the war. He was mortally injured by a mortar shell during the Battle of Anizo, passing away four days later at the age of 20. On April 29, 1987, the two posts were consolidated into one, based in O'Fallon. In order to preserve the legacy of both posts, they maintained the number from the longer-tenured post, 805, and carried the name from the other, SGT. Charles A. Fricke. Today, SGT. Charles A Fricke VFW Post 805 has about 600 members and is the largest VFW Post in the 14th District of the Department of Illinois. Several times over the last 100 years, VFW Post 805 has been designated as an All-State and All-American VFW Post, including in 2021. In 2018-2019, Post 805 was selected as one of 61 posts out of 6200 worldwide to be recognized as a National Outstanding Community Service Post. One of the most active and successful VFW Posts in Illinois, members work together to serve and support fellow veterans, their families, and the community. They have organized blood drives and maintain one of the most active and prestigious Honor Guard and Color Guard teams in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the SGT. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805 on their milestone Centennial Anniversary. On behalf of Southern Illinois, I thank them for their service, and happy anniversary.

Madam Speaker, as a father of three and a grandfather of 11, I know what the love of family feels like and how we love our children and when that child takes its first breath.

For over 40 years, the Hyde Amendment has prohibited taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortion. Both Republicans and Democrats have supported it. However, President Biden's budget plan will remove this vitally important protection. That is why I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act.

This bill will make the Hyde Amendment permanent. Today, tomorrow, and every day, I am proud to stand for life.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the men and women who have proudly safeguarded the American way of life since 1776.

Generations of veterans have protected our homeland and its principles against all enemies.

These everyday American heroes are willing to give their lives to ensure a better tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.

We are forever indebted to them.

To the over 19 million veterans and 1.5 million Active Duty service personnel who hail from every corner of our Nation, we say thank you.

To the military families whose loved ones took their last breath in defense of tyranny, we will never forget the sacrifices.

This Independence Day, I will be thanking them, and I hope you will be as well.

May God continue to bless this great United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

With this bill, House Democrats are saying that when it comes to our Nation's infrastructure, it is either their way or the highway.

Instead of accurately investing in our roads and bridges, the House Democrats have chosen to double down on a liberal wish list.

In fact, $1 of every $2 in this bill is spent on parts of Green New Deal mandates.

It allows jurisdictions that have defunded the police to backfill their budgets with Federal dollars for traffic enforcement activities.

It allows funds to be spent on art instead of roads, bridges, and waterways. I will just repeat that again. It allows the funds to be spent on art instead of roads, bridges, and waterways.

It punishes our Nation's truckers by raising their minimum insurance costs by 167 percent and regulating when and how far they can drive their own vehicles on their own personal time.

And it does not include any way to pay for this massive $547.9 billion price tag.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 239, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act. This bill is sponsored by Congresswoman Julia Brownley. I thank her for introducing it.

The Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act passed the House last year with the support of the Trump administration.

It would eliminate copays for birth control at the VA healthcare system. In doing so, it would remove a barrier to care for women veterans. It would bring VA in line with the Department of Defense and the private sector. It would correct a fundamental unfairness that means women pay more for birth control at the VA than elsewhere. And it would not in any way contradict or undermine the prohibition against abortion and abortion counseling at the VA that already exists in law and regulation.

Women are the fastest-growing group of servicemembers and veterans. They are raising their right hands to serve this country in record numbers. Ensuring they are cared for as veterans is one of my top priorities as the lead Republican on the VA Committee.

We have made progress in making the VA safer and more welcome to women, but we still have a long way to go. Women veterans die by suicide at two times the rate as nonveteran women. Most of the veterans who die by suicide are not engaged in VA care at the time of their death. That is why connecting more veterans with the VA is key to stopping veteran suicide.

One of the primary ways we can connect more veterans with VA is by removing barriers that prevent them from seeking the care and benefits they have earned. This bill will help to do that.

Women seeking birth control in the private sector do not pay copays.

Women seeking birth control on Active Duty do not pay copays.

This bill will make it so women seeking birth control at VA do not pay copays either. That is all this bill does. Once again, that is all this bill does.

Why would we want a woman to pay more for birth control as a veteran than she did while on Active Duty?

Why would we want a woman to pay more for birth control at the VA than she would in the private sector?

Is that any way to thank her for serving her country and defending our freedoms? I don't think so.

Neither does Leader McCarthy, neither did the Trump administration. Neither do many of my conservative pro-life lawmakers both in this Congress and last Congress.

To be clear, this bill does not require allowing VA to provide any additional form of birth control other than those already available at the VA.

And once again, it does not in any way contradict or undermine the prohibition against VA providing abortions and/or abortion counseling to veterans. That is vitally important to me. I know it is for many of my colleagues, as well.

I have really weighed this out and prayed this out and sought the language and read the language. My life has been a pro-life life. I am not changing those positions, and this bill doesn't change that position either. I have taken the counsel of doctors who are familiar with the mechanics of birth control that are being afforded here. They are not abortion.

I am confident that supporting this bill is the right thing to do for our Nation's veterans. I am confident that it is consistent with pro- life principles.

Madam Speaker, I hope all of my colleagues join me in voting this afternoon, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rosendale).

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. Greene).

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

Madam Speaker, I thank both Congressman Rosendale and Congresswoman Greene, and I appreciate their comments on the sanctity of life, and as freshman Members, their commitment to our Nation's veterans.

Now, I agree with both of their comments on life. I disagree on this bill. This is a bill that we have discussed many times, and the fact is, the emergency contraception is available to veterans at VA today and has been for many, many years.

You mentioned some of the groups who are opposed to this legislation, and I respect their viewpoints, and most often agree with them. But I do think it is appropriate to note right now, however, that just a couple hours ago, the Heritage Action for America clarified their position on this bill.

Importantly, Heritage Action noted that the emergency contraception is not--I repeat--is not a chemical abortion drug and cannot be used to induce abortion. I think it is important for our Members to keep that in mind today.

And I also think it is important that you understand that many of our colleagues who are pro-life should not be questioned on this bill because it has been people who are pro-life that have not only worked on this bill this session, but last. And it is vitally important that not only the Members know this, but the American people know it as well.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, if I may, I just want to reiterate to my friends and colleagues that I am pro-life. Many of the people that have supported this and will support this are pro-life, even groups now that are saying and mentioning this is contraception. It is contraception. It is not abortion.

Let me also say that this includes no other drugs or expansion of drugs that are available. We want to be very, very clear on that. It does not change the position of VA on abortion in any way, shape, or form. This is only doing what is right for our veterans and allowing them the opportunity to receive exactly what someone in the private sector receives and/or someone on Active Duty receives.

I am hoping that my colleagues will understand this and understand those of us who support this and why.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2093, the Veterans and Family Information Act. This bill would require VA to make fact sheets available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Tagalog.

I appreciate Congressman Jeffries' introduction of this legislation, and I am glad to support it today. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).

Madam Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 239, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act.

The bill would prohibit the VA from charging copayments to veterans for contraception.

Women are volunteering to serve our country in uniform in record numbers. When they separate from the service, they are seeking care from the VA in record numbers as well. Ensuring that those women receive the recognition, respect, and welcome they are owed is one of our highest priorities.

This bill would further that goal. I am glad to support it here today.

Copayments have been prohibited for contraception in the private sector for many years. This bill would bring the VA healthcare system in line with that precedent.

This bill passed the committee last year with unanimous, bipartisan support. One of those supporters was the former Republican leader of this committee, Dr. Roe. Dr. Roe, who is an OB/GYN, has decades of experience with women's health and reproductive care. Like me, he is also a steadfast defender of pro-life principles.

This bill also passed the House last Congress by voice vote. I hope that it can do so again this Congress.

The Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act was introduced by Congresswoman Brownley. I thank her for her continued efforts on behalf of women veterans and for introducing the bill.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in voting for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1257, as amended, the Homeless Veterans Credit Repair, Enhancement, and Debt Improvement for Tomorrow--or CREDIT--Act.

This bill would direct the VA to study the effects of financial and credit counseling for homeless veterans.

COVID-19 has impacted our economy and our lives in many ways.

The most recent Department of Housing and Urban Development Point-in- Time--or the PIT--count found that, on a single night in January of 2020, an estimated 37,252 veterans were homeless.

We must do everything we can to help eliminate veteran homelessness and prevent those who have worn the uniform of our country from having to worry about where they will lay their head at night.

This bill, which I am proud to support, would direct the VA to conduct a comprehensive study on the financial and credit counseling services for homeless veterans.

This study would use data from the Supportive Services for Veterans Families--or the SSVF--program to look at barriers that homeless veterans are facing in relation to financial counseling services.

I thank Congressman Pallone for his hard work on crafting this bill and for his continued support of our Nation's veterans.

This bill, as amended, also includes some technical changes to the omnibus bill that was signed into law earlier this year that were requested by the Committee on Appropriations.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2429, the VA Police Improvement and Accountability Act.

This bill represents months of bipartisan work by the committee. I thank my colleagues for their efforts.

This bill would increase transparency and accountability in the VA police force by requiring each officer to wear a body-worn camera. It would also require VA to make police statistics public and available and report on police actions, including arrests and use of force.

Madam Speaker, 2 years ago, the VA began modernizing its police force. This legislation would support the VA's ongoing efforts.

Veterans deserve safe environments in which to seek the care and benefits they have earned. I believe this legislation and the VA work will help provide those safe environments.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2726, the VA FOIA Reform Act of 2021.

Madam Speaker, over the last few years, VA has worked hard to reduce the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, requests backlog. These efforts have achieved some success, but the VA still has a long way to go.

At the end of fiscal year 2020, VA reported 4,206 pending requests. This bill would require VA to carry out a plan to reduce the backlog and comply with existing FOIA requirements.

It would also require VA to report to Congress on a plan and the Department's work. This will help Congress oversee VA's efforts to reduce the FOIA backlog and provide additional resources that may be necessary.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the bipartisan work on this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2545, a bill that would clarify the role of podiatrists in the VA health system. Podiatrists are increasingly called upon to care for veterans in the VA medical facilities.

This bill would make a technical correction to current law to ensure that they are properly compensated for their important work.

This bill is sponsored by Dr. Wenstrup. Dr. Wenstrup is a veteran, a podiatrist, and a former member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. I am grateful for his continued commitment to those who he serves.

Madam Speaker, I urge every Member of the Chamber to join me and Dr. Wenstrup and the chairman in supporting this bill today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I encourage everyone to support this piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 293, VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance Act. I believe that a high- performing organization needs to have clear qualifications and metrics by which they can measure success. Without them, organizations lose their way.

That is why I am proud to have, once again, introduced the VA Hospital Establishing Leadership Performance Act. My bill would require VA to establish standardized qualifications and performance metrics for each human resource position within the Veterans Health Administration.

A few years ago, the committee found that certain HR professionals working in the VA healthcare system did not have the proper education or experience for the jobs that they held.

For example, one HR director at a medical center lacked both a college degree and relevant work experience when hired for the job. This bill would make sure that that does not happen again by requiring HR staff to be qualified and equipped to handle VA's complex human resources needs.

During the 115th Congress, this bill passed the House by a vote of 417-0. I hope that it, again, gains that type of support with this entire Chamber.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support my bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 290, as amended, to create a sole liability for GI Bill payments during transfer in certain cases. This bill would hold a servicemember liable should they transfer the GI Bill entitlement but fail to complete their service obligation.

The GI Bill is a fantastic benefit. The GI Bill has helped tens of thousands of veterans and their families obtain a higher education. Some servicemembers are eligible to transfer their GI Bill entitlement to a dependent. They can do this once they have completed 6 years of active service and agree to serve an additional 4 years.

Under my bill, if the servicemember begins to transfer the entitlement at the 6-year mark but fails to complete the additional 4 years of the required service, their dependent would not be held liable for overpayments. This would help dependents avoid unexpected VA debt for actions outside of their control. Some overpayments can total hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is only right that we ensure that they are assigned to the right person.

Madam Speaker, I thank our VSO partners, especially those at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors for bringing this issue to my attention.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I just want to encourage all of my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Evertt Atkinson of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, who turns 99 tomorrow.

Evertt was born on June 5, 1922, in Jefferson County to Emery Pearl and Hallie Winnifred Morre Atkinson. Upon the death of his mother, Evertt dropped out of school at the age of 13 to help his father tend to the family dairy farm and help raise his three younger brothers. Upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Evertt hitchhiked from Mt. Vernon to Scott Air Force Base to enlist in the military. However, he was only 19 at the time, and he was forced to return home to get his father's written permission to enlist.

By November of 1942, he became an Aviation Cadet. He went on to take additional training as an electronic specialist, became a commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and then a Flight Instructor in the Army Air Force. He was also elected to the Honor Committee and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. While on a 10-day leave, he met and fell in love with Doris Louise McCauley, whom he married on December 3, 1943. Three years later, Evertt was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant.

Upon returning home to Mt. Vernon with Doris, they raised their three children: Ruth Ann Clark-Wheeler, Rebecca Louise Hill, and Dennis Dale Atkinson. In 1948, Evertt acquired his high school diploma and worked on his wife's family's dairy farm until 1965. He then worked for Sturdi-Built as a salesman for the next 28 years.

Those who know Evertt are familiar with his outgoing, positive approach to life and loss. He continues to volunteer for numerous charitable causes in his community. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Evertt Atkinson on his 99th birthday. On behalf of Southern Illinois, happy birthday.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2704, the Improving VA Accountability to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Act of 2021.

It is a terrible reality that, according to a recent study, roughly 26 percent of female employees and 14 percent of male employees at VA have reported experiencing sexual harassment over a 2-year period.

Sadly, an even higher percentage of employees reported some type of discrimination, such as reprisal or racial discrimination.

Though these problems are large, I applaud the work of the VA Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion and what they do. They are taking these issues on headfirst, but there is still a long way to go.

That is why I am proud to support H.R. 2704, which would eliminate the potential conflict of interest in VA's chain of command; require stricter reporting of allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination; and require VA to finalize and deploy the Harassment Prevention Program, along with increasing training and reviews.

I am grateful to Chairman Chris Pappas and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson for introducing this bill and leading it. The bill has my full support.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Hinson), the cosponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.