Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on an important facet of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. While I am pleased that the NDAA bill delivers good top-line and procurement financial support for our Nation's defense capabilities, the bill is not perfect.

Specifically, I want to share my frustration with the bill's failure to properly increase our Nation's military pay, specifically for our enlisted personnel. The 2.7 percent pay increase for our military servicemembers is simply not enough. Throughout today, during the debate over the NDAA, we will hear Members from both sides of the aisle talk about the 2.7 percent, almost touting this.

I want to put this in perspective. For the average junior enlisted personnel member, this translates to roughly $1.80 a day more for their service. This

is unsatisfactory, especially given the gap between military pay and their civilian counterparts is currently at an all-time high.

The reality is that many of our U.S. servicemembers and their families must serve 3 years and gain the rank of E4 before they can be at or above most States' minimum wage. This is also based on the assumption that they are working only 40 hours a week, which we all know is not true. Most servicemembers are actually working 50 to 60 hours per week, given the current operational tempo worldwide.

We should never have to discuss food insecurities for those protecting our security, but the reality is that we have a significant percentage of servicemembers and their families who actually qualify for food stamps. This is unacceptable. We should start by paying them an adequate amount of base pay and avoid the burden of food stamps for our military.

Earlier this year, during committee markup of the FY22 Defense appropriations bill, I offered an amendment that would ensure that all servicemembers make the equivalent of $15 an hour, or $31,200 a year, in base pay. These are not seismic numbers. These are not numbers we, as a Nation, cannot afford.

When considering the 2.7 percent pay increase included in the FY22 NDAA, we must realize that this would still leave many servicemembers below that $15 minimum that I advocated for in July. Not to mention, the 2.7 percent pay increase actually falls below the current inflation rate, so they are actually losing ground relative to current prices. It also fails to keep pace with servicemembers' pay relative to their civilian counterparts.

If we want to attract and retain the requisite skill sets and warriors needed in a complex battle space against a threat like China, we need to be willing to pay our troops a living wage. In the grand scheme of things, this pay raise for our enlisted ranks is extremely affordable. It not only pays for our servicemembers and their families, but also deepens and solidifies our Nation's security. This is a priceless return on a relatively small investment.

While the amendment I offered to the FY22 NDAA bill was not included in the final bill, I secured a commitment from Defense Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum that she would create a working group to find a way to address the necessary military pay raise in conference negotiations with the Senate, and I appreciate the Chairwoman's willingness to work with me on this issue.

Let me be clear: While the FY22 NDAA is not perfect and it does not properly raise our military's pay, I plan to support the overall bill as it does make important strides to provide a large majority of the necessary funding and, frankly, the initiatives that our Nation's military needs. I also promise to continue to work on ensuring our servicemembers receive the pay raises that they actually deserve.

After 20 years of unprecedented deployment cycles during the global war on terror, now is the time to invest in our precious servicemembers and their families who provide our beautiful nation its security blanket on a daily basis. $15 an hour or $31,000 a year is a reasonable minimum base salary for our troops.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 270.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my critical, bipartisan, bicameral bill, the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, which was included as an amendment in this en bloc package.

My amendment would support military families by allowing military spouses with valid professional licenses in one State reciprocity in another State where their spouse is stationed on military orders. This effectively allows the spouse to cross-deck their professional license to another State while their spouse is on Active Duty.

More than 30 percent of our military spouses work in a field requiring professional licensing, and when these families receive move orders to a new State, military spouses often must spend time and money to reapply for a professional license that they already have. On average, military families lose thousands of dollars per move in lost wages and fees caused by relicensing barriers, and in many cases the spouse ends up not even applying for the license because it takes too long or is too costly to do so.

The struggle often threatens the economic security and quality of life for these families, as their loved ones serve our Nation. No military spouse should have to decide between job security and being with their family. Military families already sacrifice so much in service to our great country, and we must work to protect these families.

At a time in which our communities are also facing critical shortages of skilled professionals, like nurses and teachers, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment that will drastically improve the quality of life for our military families as well as our communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, joined by my colleagues, Rep. McCarthy, Rep. Calvert, Rep. Issa, Rep. Nunes, Rep. McClintock, Rep. LaMalfa, Rep. Valadao, and Rep. Obernolte to commemorate the birthday of one of our Nation's greatest First Ladies and a true American patriot. 100 years ago, on July 6th, Nancy Reagan was born. Throughout her lifetime she served in many roles--from movie star to loving mother, from First Lady of both California and the United States to distinguished philanthropist. No matter her position, she fulfilled her duties with grace, elegance, and above all: class.

As First Lady of California, Nancy became involved with important charitable work, including visiting Vietnam war veterans, homes for the elderly, and schools for physically and emotionally handicapped children. She participated in events raising awareness about prisoners of war and service members missing in action. She also promoted the Foster Grandparent Program, a volunteer opportunity for older Americans to mentor, guide, and care for children with exceptional needs. This program continues to make important contributions to this day.

As First Lady during President Reagan's two terms, she spearheaded the re-beautification of the White House, restoring it to its rightful former glory. She also led the charge on educating our Nation's youth on the dangers of drug use and addiction, teaching a generation of children and young adults to ``Just Say No.'' In 1985, she hosted First Ladies from across the world for a briefing in Washington and Atlanta on the topic of drug abuse and what can be done to help those who are suffering from it. Her drive to educate young people about the dangers of illicit drugs demonstrates her commitment to the future of our Nation.

After her time in the White House, Nancy had a profound impact in our own communities through her support of the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. It was through her guidance and influence that the Reagan Library became one of the most esteemed centers for learning and presidential scholarships in the country. She also continued the push to educate people on the perils of substance abuse and established the Nancy Reagan Foundation and the Nancy Reagan Afterschool Program to support this mission.

After President Reagan passed away, she became a leading advocate for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers. Nancy worked with the National Alzheimer's Association and its affiliate, the Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to find a cure or treatment for this terrible disease that plagues so many in our country. She courageously continued President Reagan's legacy in serving our country until her death in 2016. She is buried on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library grounds next to her husband.

On the centennial of her birth, we commend Mrs. Reagan for her service to our communities, the State of California, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on Congress and the Biden administration to hold China accountable for its role in the COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence suggests that this virus, like too many other things in the world, was made in China.

Despite the growing evidence surrounding China's lack of transparency and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, House Democrats continue to stonewall Republican efforts to investigate the origins of COVID-19. Republicans have made numerous calls for the need to investigate the origins of COVID and hold China accountable, but the majority has yet to hold a single hearing on it.

This is shameful. Americans deserve transparency, and they deserve answers. We must hold China accountable for its coverup of this deadly virus that has taken the lives of 3.8 million humans worldwide, including 600,000 American lives.

Under the Trump administration, we had an investigation in place to investigate the origins of COVID-19, but that necessary investigation was ended by this Biden administration. Instead of holding our adversaries accountable, the current administration is bowing down to them. They have chosen a strategy of appeasement rather than accountability.

If America wants to remain a leader on the global stage and if we want to remain a safe and secure nation, then we must hold China and other adversaries absolutely accountable.

My Republican colleagues and I stand ready to work across the aisle to deliver the transparency and answers that Americans deserve. I hope that our colleagues across the aisle will join us in our efforts.

Madam Speaker, mankind has existed on this beautiful blue marble that we call Earth for nearly 200,000 years. Yet, just 118 years ago, we learned to fly in our own planet's atmosphere.

As a nation, we are thirsty for something to rally behind, something that unifies us, something that we can all be invested in, be intrigued by, be impassioned about, and something to be positive about.

There isn't a better movement to get behind than our Nation's modern space program. Some question the value of spending precious taxpayer dollars to overcome our planet's gravity to go to space, but those people aren't seeing the big picture.

In the early 1900s, many questioned the value of spending so much capital and risking so many lives in hopes of conquering flight, and now we can't imagine a world in which we don't have the luxury of modern aviation.

We had no idea that a little canvas glider flown on a beach in North Carolina would evolve into the modern fighter jet.

We have no choice but to think outside the box, think outside of our own solar system even, to make sure that we not only understand the answers to our most profound questions but also discover new questions for tomorrow that we can't even fathom asking today.

We have no choice but to better understand the extensions of God's creations, to know if we are alone in the universe, to know if there is a second home somewhere out there beyond our sights and imaginations.

Failing to press on is a disservice to previous generations who have sacrificed so much and worked so hard to get us here today. Failing to press on is a disservice to current and future generations who benefit from our progress today.

You see, space is a domain where we, as a nation, can thrive, but it is also a domain where we can be vulnerable and susceptible to the malicious intent of foes such as China, Russia, and Iran. There are existential threats right now in space.

Any decision on our part to divest from this adventure will not dissuade our foes from advancing their own space programs. It would only serve to highlight a massive strategic vulnerability and potentially create capability gaps that will be impossible to fill in the future.

A path of divestment is an unforgiving one and the damages irreparable. While we as a nation currently hold an advantage in space, our lead, like the nearly 118 years that separates today from the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903, can vanish in the blink of an eye.

In this new frontier, time is as precious as money. Now is not the time to slow down.

As big as space is, we must, as a nation, be bigger, be bigger as a united team. As a nation, we must recognize that this investment in our future is more than science and curiosity; it is more than resolve and perseverance; and it is more than just discovery and challenges. It is about survival, excellence, and inspiration; it is about national security; and it is about planetary security against threats that are not slowing down. It is about a new golden era for the American space program.

As a result of the construction of the International Space Station, we have not had all humans together on this planet for over 20 years. That is remarkable to think about.

In 2020, SpaceX, a critical commercial partner in our quest for low- cost and frequent space travel, averaged one rocket launch every 2 weeks. That is 26 launches in a year or almost three times the number of flights that the space shuttle did in its best year.

Earlier this year, NASA successfully landed a JPL Mars rover on the Martian surface for the fifth time. We were the first and only nation to have done this until recently when the UAE and China just landed on Mars.

In April, we flew a helicopter in the Martian atmosphere. No other nation has done that, but the United States now has.

In 2024, we plan to once again land Americans on the Moon and further make history with the first woman on the Moon. Still, to this day, no other nation has done that.

During our lifetimes, we will land Americans on Mars. No other nation has done that. The U.S. will be the first.

As Americans, we are, in fact, exceptional. Our successes in space are testimonies to this. We should take pride in those successes, take pride in our exceptionalism, especially in the space domain.

In 1962, JFK had to inspire us with his moonshot speech. Today, we have no excuses not to be inspired. We in Congress have no excuses to not support these exceptional programs in earnest and with pride. We have no choice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in direct support of our most critical ally, Israel.

Rarely in history has the strategic alliance between two nations been more meaningful and necessary to the pursuit of worldwide stability than the modern partnership between the United States and Israel.

I believe the recipe for a lasting relationship between our two nations and achieving stability in the region in pursuit of peace, is comprised of the following key tenets.

Number one, maximum foreign military funds from the U.S. to Israel with a focus on providing Israel a qualitative military edge.

Number two, an undivided Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Number three, the Golan Heights must remain under the control of Israel.

Number four, the worldwide elimination of boycott divestment and sanctions against Israel and Jewish communities here in the U.S. Such practices are blatantly anti-Semitic.

Number five, prosecution of and defense against mutual threats to Israel in the United States. Any threats to Israel should be treated as a threat to the United States.

Number six, we cannot allow a nuclear-capable Iran, and we should not reenter the JCPOA nuclear deal.

Mr. Speaker, I have seen war firsthand. War is an ugly thing, but failing to unequivocally support an ally as critical as Israel in pursuit of worldwide stability is the ugliest of things, especially at a time like this when stability worldwide is eroding in front of us.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress and this administration to fully support Israel.

I thank Mr. Johnson for hosting this very important Special Order hour.

I rise today to share my concerns about our crisis at the southern border. As a first-generation American, I understand the opportunities that this Nation provides and why every human being on this planet should want to come to the United States. I am a product of the American Dream, but I also value the law. I value law and order.

The first step in fixing our broken immigration system must be securing our border. In March we saw over 172,000 migrants attempt to illegally cross our border. That is a 71 percent increase in just one month.

The Biden administration continues to fail to address this crisis. This is no doubt a product of the Biden administration's policy, but make no mistake, this is now our collective problem. It is affecting our local neighborhoods, it is affecting our governments, it is affecting those who have come here legally, who are now being cut in front of by folks who are breaking the law to come here.

Communities in border towns are stretched thin and running low on local resources as more migrants flood their communities. This isn't just about the border. The crisis impacts all of us across America, including my district, the beautiful 25th District, where we see a rise in crime tied to illegal immigration and human trafficking. This is being aggravated by the defund the police movement.

The crisis at our border is about security. It is about safety, and it is about humanity. No human being should be experiencing in their entire lifetime what hundreds of thousands of humans are experiencing right now at our own southern border.

Let me be clear. We can be a welcoming nation, but we can also be a nation that abides by its own laws and enforces them simultaneously. We need to secure the border, provide the resources to our Border Patrol agents, and stop incentivizing people to come here illegally. When we do those things, we can address the rest of our problems.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 6.

As a first-generation American, I know firsthand the opportunities that America provides. I understand why every person on this planet should want to come to this beautiful country. We are a land of immigrants, built on hard work, and blessed by freedoms that are protected by law and order and secured by our Constitution.

I sympathize with the Dreamers, I really do, but this bill should not be considered before addressing our broken immigration system that led to this very problem. Providing amnesty to Dreamers while ignoring the crisis at the border is like cleaning up spilled water before fixing the broken pipe.

If Congress fails to reform our immigration system and fails to secure our borders, future migrants will be subjected to the same situation in which Dreamers today find themselves.

We need to fix our broken immigration system and secure our borders.

If my colleagues are sincere about their care and passion for the Dreamers, they should work with us to secure the border today so that the Dreamers have a chance tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, Peggy Sadler, who is now with the Lord.

Peggy and her husband, David, met while attending the University of California-Santa Barbara. In the mid-1960s, they moved to the beautiful Simi Valley. David passed away last year as well, so they are now reunited in Heaven.

Peggy was the mother of two children, Robert and Leslie. She was a tireless public servant for over 40 years, supporting local public leaders and volunteering throughout the community. Peggy spent her retirement helping raise her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, serving as a docent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, and serving her community as a volunteer at her local church.

I am grateful for the friendship that Peggy and I shared. The city of Simi Valley is a better place because of Peggy Sadler. May we all pray for her family, and may God bless Ms. Peggy Sadler.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fallen hero who graced our glorious Nation for 47 years. Mr. Bill Reynolds, one of my best friends and a loyal wingman, crossed into heaven to be alongside the Lord on January 11.

As a young man, Bill also crossed oceans to fight for this Nation in the jungles of Vietnam in 1967. In fact, he was one of the few surviving members of the well-known ``The Boys of `67,'' the Army's Charlie Company, 9th Division, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment.

He was wounded in combat on the Mekong Delta on June 19, 1967, in one of the fiercest days of the Vietnam war during the Battle of My Lai. Despite being wounded, Bill continued to fight alongside his fellow Americans as they took on heavy fire. His brave service earned him the Bronze Star as well as the Purple Heart.

From an early age, Bill was a scrapper. He was a real patriot. He loved his friends, he loved his family, but his deepest love was for the United States of America and those who served to protect her. The blood he shed and the sacrifices that he made overseas during

combat operations were matched only by his commitment and his passion to take care of veterans back home.

In fact, in my hometown of Santa Clarita, there is a veterans' memorial that stands today because of Bill's hard work and his advocacy. In the halls of a local veterans' support center, there are several dozen biographies of our city's local heroes, our veterans; and all of these biographies were written by Bill after he personally sat down, interviewed, and discussed their experiences with them each, individually.

Bill loved our veterans because he understood what it meant to truly serve, and he understood what it meant to truly sacrifice. In his own words he said: ``America was founded on the courage to fight for freedom, and that is what the veteran community does. They take pride in that. There is no better family than the veteran community,'' he said.

Bill was a steward of those who protected our Nation. A warrior with a big heart and a sheepdog with a big bark and an even bigger fight, and he knew what that flag, Mr. Speaker, stood for, and he would do anything to protect it.

And underneath all the passion and fight was a kind and gentle man, one of the most soft-spoken and caring men I have ever known, a husband to Meg, a role model to his sons, and a friend to thousands.

Bill knew better than anyone that our Nation is a precious one and that its survival is not pre-ordained.

He knew that our Nation is sometimes vulnerable. It is an experiment of government still in its infancy, a developing Nation that is underpinned by goodwill and dependent on the labors of good Americans willing to serve her and to fight for her for the right reasons.

We are indeed a Nation that sometimes wobbles and, in doing so, we require the steady hands of patriots and leaders. We are a Nation that is kept stable by the exertions of great Americans. People like Bill Reynolds.

Bill was an American who cared until the very end and will continue to look over us and our precious Nation like the loyal wingman that he has always been.

May God bless Bill Reynolds and his family. And may God bless this great Nation that he gave so much and fought so hard for.