Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to speak for consideration of H.R. 3679, the Small Business Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act.

America has seen great innovation in its 250 years, from the lightbulb to the internet and now artificial intelligence. The benefits of AI must be made available for more than big corporations. They must reach every facet of our economy.

Small businesses are the backbone of the United States economy, representing nearly 43 percent of the U.S. GDP and employing 46 percent of the workforce. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our families. They are the heart of Main Street USA.

As AI and industries advance, we must ensure that they are not left behind. Too often, small businesses lack the technical know-how or financial resources to adopt AI, which is putting them at a growing disadvantage.

That is why I introduced H.R. 3679. This bipartisan legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop resources to voluntarily educate small businesses on best practices when integrating AI into their businesses.

Through this legislation, we will level the playing field. We will ensure small businesses have the ability to modernize and remain competitive against their larger counterparts. Main Street is what keeps the American spirit alive. With this bill, we will ensure that Main Street is safe for generations to come.

Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his leadership on our committee and for this piece of legislation, as well as all my colleagues who had input into this piece of legislation.

Mr. Chair, it is a great piece of commonsense legislation. I tell folks all the time I have got more years behind me than in front of me. One of the reasons that I came to Washington, D.C., was to make sure that my kids and the next generation had the same opportunities that I did when I was growing up.

This piece of legislation addresses that. It is one of many pieces, but it addresses that with the fact that all we are doing is asking for the Federal Government to become more efficient and more productive. When we do that, we make life more affordable for everyone.

Mr. Chair, it just does not make common sense that it takes over 10 years to build a road out. It does not make sense when we spend over 7 years fighting for permits and fighting frivolous lawsuits with environmentalists on a build-out plan of 2\1/2\ or 3 years.

It doesn't make common sense when an electric generating power company wants to build a natural gas facility but they will miss the economic growth because it takes over 10 years to get a permit to lay the pipeline.

It doesn't make common sense when our rural communities out there are struggling. The water treatment facilities are worn out and they are old, but they can't participate in the economic growth that is coming because it will take them over a decade to get a permit. That is not just to mention the fact this bill addresses clarity for our farmers out there or more affordable homebuilding.

Mr. Chair, I know this is not a big, sexy headline topic, but this is an important piece of legislation. It will help improve efficiency and productivity with our Federal Government and make sure that life is more affordable so that these young people can get out there and chase their version of the American Dream.

Mr. Chair, I urge all my colleagues to support this piece of legislation. Let's get H.R. 3898 passed out of the House and sent over to the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, by mistake, I missed the vote on Roll Call No. 282 on September 19, 2025, which was the resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. I would have voted in favor of this resolution, as Charlie was a valiant warrior for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our great country.

Mr. Speaker, campaign promises made and soon to be campaign promises kept.

I spent my entire career in the private sector. I know what those Trump tax policies did for me and for my business, my community, my State, and my country.

Now, with this bill, we are going to bring inflation under control, have energy dominance, make sure that small businesses have certainty with our tax policies out there. Also, Mr. Speaker, we are going to bring these Federal agencies under control by deregulation.

If we do that, we will unleash the American entrepreneurial spirit out there. This is a big day for Main Street. Wall Street has had their time.

I encourage my colleagues to vote for this bill, and let's get this thing to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, as a small businessman who started his business career under George H.W. Bush and operated that business all the way through all the administrations up to and including the Biden administration, I can unequivocally say that the Trump tax policies in the Trump administration were the best for small businesses, period. That is why I joined the majority of the Americans across this country to vote to make those Trump policies permanent.

You see, Mr. Speaker, it doesn't matter if you have two college degrees, no college degrees, Brown, Black, White, Trump's policies lifted all boats. That is why I encourage my colleagues to join me, pass this bill, and vote for Main Street.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I will take a minute to talk a little bit about the journey of this bill. When this tragedy happened and we took a look at what possibly could be done to make sure that this doesn't happen again, I talked with the family and asked them if we could put Laken Riley's name on it.

Their response was: Congressman, if there is anything that Congress can do to make sure that this doesn't happen to another family, then please put her name on it and get this thing passed.

Mr. Speaker, and that we did. Thirty-seven Democrats with all Republicans in the House passed that bill in the 118th Congress. We sent it over to the Senate and where so many of the other good bills went, it fell into the black hole of the Senate never to be seen again.

I had another discussion with the family later and told them where the bill was sitting and what was going on. I told them that I can never let it go. I just couldn't let this go because Laken fought with every ounce in her body to stay alive that day. I vowed I would fight with every ounce I had to make sure that we protected families across this country, and that we did.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the family for allowing us to do that. I also thank my colleagues for sticking in here and voting with us, not just the Republicans but the Democrats, people on the other side of the aisle and not just in the House, it went through the Senate. We had Senate Democrats that went with this bill, as well.

This is a good bill. It is a commonsense, law enforcement bill. It simply states that for minor-level crime local law enforcement can contact ICE to get these people detained, processed, and deported. These people, these criminals that come across and inflict violence on American families, they just get more and more emboldened.

The Speaker pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.

They commit larger and more heinous crimes, and that is exactly what happened here in the Laken Riley murder.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to get this passed today. Let's get this done. I will leave you with one other thought, too. I have always heard a saying that there is nothing with any meaningful legislation that happens up here in this town until the American people demand it, and by God, they are demanding this get passed and we get these criminals out of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support the Laken Riley Act.

Mr. Speaker, I think it is important that we record into history exactly what happened to this young lady.

This young lady didn't have a care in the world. She was just out for a jog, enjoying the day, when an illegal criminal took her life away. He didn't even have any remorse. He never hesitated.

This legislation could have prevented her death. Her murderer was in our country illegally and was a known criminal. He had abused a child in New York City and was flown to Athens, Georgia, a sanctuary city, all of this on the taxpayers' dime, where he was once again cited for shoplifting. Every part of our system failed Laken that day, and there is nothing we can do to bring her back.

I will tell you what, we can make sure this never happens again. Right now, ICE is unable to detain and deport illegal criminals who commit these minor-level crimes, but the Laken Riley Act will fix this and give ICE and our local law enforcement the tools to get these criminals out of our country and make our communities safer.

We need to get these people off the street. These criminals are getting bolder and bolder while our communities become more and more unsafe. Our lax policies gave her murderer the courage to kill Laken Riley. We have got to make sure that this doesn't ever happen again.

Mr. Speaker, he bashed her head in with a rock. This is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. People need to know what this animal did to her. I am going to tell you what, they also need to know how she fought back. Laken fought back with every ounce in her body. When I spoke to the family about this bill last year, I told them I would never let it go. I will fight with every ounce that I have to make sure that no family has to suffer a loss like they have to these illegal criminals.

Mr. Speaker, it is a sad day in America, it is a sad day when we allow these thug criminals to invade our homes, our country, and impose their violence and their will on the American people. We have the opportunity today, we have the opportunity to fix this, and I encourage all my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes.''

I will leave you with an excerpt from a statement made by Laken Riley's family:

The Laken Riley Act has our full support because it would

help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going

through the kind of heartbreak we have experienced. Laken

would have been 23 on January 10. There is no greater gift

that could be given to her or our country than to continue

her legacy by saving lives through this bill. Every single

Member of Congress should be able to get behind this purely

commonsense bill that will make our country and communities

safer.

Mr. Speaker, God help us. God help us.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the retirement of Morgan County Sheriff Robert Markley.

From the beginning of his career as a beat cop patrolling the streets to keep our community safe to serving as Morgan County's law enforcement officer, Sheriff Markley has dedicated his life to protecting the innocent, delivering swift justice to criminals, and keeping all of us safe.

He has been a pillar in the community, a mentor to everyone in local law enforcement, and the leader Morgan County needed.

I thank him for his dedication and leadership over these last two decades. He truly will be missed. I hope he will continue to advise and guide the next generation of local law enforcement.

Madam Speaker, I thank him for everything he has done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to demand that Texas be sent back to the Big 12 and to congratulate the 2024 SEC champions, the Georgia Bulldogs. After the Dawgs' historic win over the Longhorns the SEC's championship over the weekend, which, by the way, was the second time Georgia has beat Texas this season, the Dawgs have proved, without a doubt, that Texas just ain't ready for SEC ball.

What an incredible win, Mr. Speaker. Not only did the Dawgs absolutely smoke Texas in overtime, but they did it with class, style, and a backup quarterback.

This is the 15th SEC championship in Georgia history, and the Dawgs aren't done yet.

As we move into the playoffs, don't let off the gas.

The Dawgs have got a national championship to bring back to Athens, and don't let anyone stop them.

Mr. Speaker, Go Dawgs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of one of Georgia's finest law enforcement officers. Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum will be leaving the force at the end of this year, marking an end to an incredible and historic 39-year career.

Since 1985, Sheriff Mangum has devoted her life to protecting the innocent, keeping dangerous criminals off our streets, and serving as a leader to the law enforcement officers in Jackson County and throughout Georgia.

From her time as a radio operator to being elected as the second female sheriff in Georgia history, Sheriff Mangum leaves a legacy that saved countless lives and struck fear in the hearts of Georgia's criminals.

She was named 2023 Georgia Sheriff of the Year, and has received so many accolades and awards for her hard work and dedication, that I truthfully do not have time to list them all.

Know this, when there was a call to serve, she answered. On behalf of Georgia's 10th Congressional District, I thank her for her commitment to Jackson County and the sacrifices she has made to keep us safe. She will truly be missed.

Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to recognize and honor the retirement of Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman.

Starting out as a beat cop, spending every day on the front lines keeping our community safe, to serving as Walton County sheriff, Joe Chapman has dedicated the last 40 years of his life to bringing no excuses, commonsense law enforcement to Walton County.

There is a sign above Sheriff Chapman's door that reads, ``I hate excuses,'' and that is exactly how he operates. He is a true servant leader, a pillar to the community, and a mentor to the next generation of Georgia law enforcement.

In addition to being one of the most respected and admired lawmen in Georgia, Sheriff Chapman is a Marine Corps and Georgia Army National Guard veteran and a commissioner for the Sheriff's Retirement Fund of Georgia.

Sheriff Chapman's legacy and impact on Walton County will not be soon forgotten. I want to express my gratitude to Sheriff Chapman for his selfless work over these last 20 years. On behalf of Georgia's 10th Congressional District, I thank him for his service. I wish him a happy, healthy, and safe retirement. He has certainly earned it.

Madam Speaker, in John 15:12-13, Jesus says: ``This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.''

Madam Speaker, Greene County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Chris Eddy laid down his life for his friends on September 4, 2024, while battling a tractor-trailer fire on Highway 15 north of Greensboro.

Chief Eddy grew up in Greene County and graduated from Nathanael Greene Academy in Siloam, Georgia. He spent his life dedicated to this community and lost his life in its service.

He leaves behind his wife, Lindsey, and son, Bryson, who are enduring the pain of loss that the families of all first responders know they could face.

Words can't adequately express our deep sadness at the loss of this incredible man and public servant, who was so dearly loved by his family and community.

We are thankful for who he was and know that it is men like him who keep our communities strong and safe.

May Chief Chris Eddy rest in peace. May he always be remembered for his honorable service to Greene County.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a rough year in the 10th District of Georgia. We started out the year with the brutal and heinous murder of Laken Riley over at the University of Georgia, and then last Wednesday, at the Apalachee High School in Barrow County, we had an active shooter enter the school.

Christian Angulo, a 14-year-old student; Mason Schermerhorn, another 14-year-old student; Richard Aspinwall, a teacher and coach; and Christina Irimie, a teacher, lost their lives. Nine other people went to the hospital, and numerous people were hurt.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that our colleagues join us for a moment of silence to reflect and remember those people who lost their lives and their families and those people who are still healing from this incident.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jayden Daniel, a young man from Eatonton, Georgia, who has earned the esteemed Congressional Award Gold Medal.

Jayden is the son of Shannon and Mark Daniel and a 2024 graduate of Gatewood School. An athlete, Eagle Scout, student pilot, and entrepreneur, Jayden has become quite the accomplished young man.

In fact, he is the founder and operator of Lake Country Driveway Cleaning, a pressure-washing business that he started at the age of 17. Jayden is also a young man dedicated to improving his community through service, having already devoted more than 600 volunteer hours.

Every year, he leads a community-driven Easter basket project aimed at spreading joy to local kids in foster care. This project is known locally as ``Baskets of Hope'' and has distributed more than 2,350 baskets filled with treats, toys, and essentials to foster children in 12 Georgia counties.

According to Jayden, ``whether it's supporting charitable causes or extending a helping hand to the less fortunate,'' his goal is to ``make a positive impact in the lives of others.'' From raising money for children who are battling cancer, to laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery, to working at the local food

bank, Jayden has continued to rise to the occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the service and commitment of Mr. Jayden Daniel, who has earned the highest honor that the U.S. Congress bestows upon American youth. His extraordinary achievements are not only worthy of the Congressional Award Gold Medal but also of our respect and gratitude.

God Bless Jayden in his future endeavors. I thank him for everything he does and for allowing me to represent him in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 which addresses the needs of the water infrastructure nationwide.

This bill is a win for my home State of Georgia. It includes my amendment to protect the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam from the U.S. Corps of Engineers' plan to reduce water levels for Augusta, Georgia, an issue I was proud to work on with my colleague Rick Allen.

It allows the deepening of the Port of Savannah.

It includes report language reinforcing the authority of power marketing administrators to set hydropower rates, which we are currently seeing have a large impact on energy prices in the district.

Thanks to Congressman Dale Strong, it immediately provides a cost estimate to repair the Wilson Lock and Dam on the Tennessee River.

I look forward to the final passage of this vital piece of legislation and securing America's water resources for generations to come, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.