Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Madam Speaker, we have another crisis, yet another crisis, created by the policy choices of this White House.

The national average price for a gallon of gas reached $4.32 on Sunday; and, yes, that is the highest price in U.S. history.

Last Thursday, we also learned that U.S. inflation soared 7.9 percent over the past 12 months. That is the largest spike in consumer prices in 40 years.

Now, the Washington Democrats' blame game is in full swing. Just to get this straight, at first, according to Democrats, they said inflation ``wasn't happening.'' Then inflation was ``merely transitory,'' they tried to convince us. Then inflation somehow only hurt

rich folks; that was the only line of reasoning.

But Washington Democrats' latest fiction might be their greatest yet: That the past year of steady, unrelenting price increases for gas and consumer goods is actually Vladimir Putin's fault.

Yes, that is right, Madam Speaker, Vladimir Putin. He didn't kill the Keystone pipeline. Joe Biden did. Vladimir Putin didn't ban drilling for oil on Federal lands. Joe Biden did that. Vladimir Putin didn't pass trillions upon trillions in unnecessary government spending in a single year. Joe Biden and the Washington Democrats did that.

Madam Speaker, what is so hard about just being honest with the American people? President Biden should accept responsibility for the past year of rising prices and pledge to correct course. He had better, or we are in for more and more pain.

The President should do everything in his power to make it easier, not harder, for America to produce more oil and gas. This would lower prices for the American people. It would make our country and Europe less dependent on foreign energy. But instead, President Biden says he actually ``can't do much right now'' about the skyrocketing gas prices.

The Democratic Caucus leader said the issue of gas prices ``hasn't come up'' during his party's caucus meetings. Really? You haven't made time to discuss any solutions to the number one issue facing Americans right now?

Now that the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats know they are in a tight spot, here is the thing: They are trying to convince the American people that an American President can't control gas prices in the United States but Russians can. Good luck with that.

I thank my colleagues for being here tonight for my Special Order hour this evening.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser).

Madam Speaker, from energy States like ours--Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and the others--we have been saying this for a long, long time: Energy security is national security. Now, everybody recognizes it.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Tiffany), another gentleman who knows quite a bit about this issue.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for his remarks.

Madam Speaker, when we think about energy States, of course, we probably think about Texas first. I am delighted to yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), who represents that State so well.

Madam Speaker, I thank Dr. Babin. That is Texas strong, as we expected.

Madam Speaker, one of the strongest Republican delegations in our Congress comes from another State, Tennessee. I am delighted to yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose), one of the hardest working men in Congress.

Madam Speaker, a lot of comments there from the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose), and we will stay on that theme for the great State of Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield Mr. Burchett, another gentleman from that great State, for more common sense.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate my friend. He has been a faithful participant in the Special Order hours, getting the message to the American people, and it is so important right now.

Madam Speaker, I yield next to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa), another gentleman who has been very faithful to deliver this message to the American people week in and week out.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for his comments. There are so many consequences to these bad policy choices, and I appreciate his illuminating many of those tonight.

Madam Speaker, I yield next to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), another faithful messenger for the truth in America.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. He has a way of putting it so clearly, and I am grateful for his voice. It is so consistent.

Madam Speaker, I yield next to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. C. Scott Franklin), who came to Congress after 26 years of distinguished service as a naval aviator and knows of what he speaks.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Florida for bringing that wisdom to the floor tonight. There has been a theme here this evening with all of my colleagues who have participated in this Special Order hour. We have an energy crisis, the latest crisis that has beset the American people because of terrible policy choices from this White House and the Democrats in Congress. It is just plain and simple, those are the objective facts.

It seems like almost a decade ago now, but just a little over a year ago, if you rewind to the Trump years, you can recall, and everyone will know again more objective truth, objective facts, how well we were doing in all of these areas.

President Biden came in and did exactly the opposite. I mean, when President Trump took office, he came in--I remember very vividly the first time he came and spoke with the House Republicans in our conference, and he told us, among the first commitments he made to us-- I mean, this is January of 2017. He was just taking office. We had just begun that Congress, and he came and spoke to us and said, ``I don't want to talk about energy independence anymore. I want to talk about energy dominance.'' Dominance, he said.

Of course, from an energy State like mine in Louisiana, the Louisiana delegation was delighted to hear that because we know what it means not only for our State's economy but for the stability, the security of our entire country.

I will tell you what, more objective fact, President Trump delivered on that promise. In a very short period of time, we became not only energy independent again, but energy dominant, just as he said. We became a net exporter. All boats were rising. The economy was doing well. In fact, we had the best economic numbers in the history of the world, not just the history of the United States. Prior to COVID, we had the best economy because of the policy choices that were made. We advanced those policies through the Congress; President Trump led on them, and his administration did a fantastic job. Because of that, our energy stability, our energy security, all of that was well in place.

And then President Biden comes in, and he does instinctively, I guess, exactly the opposite. Again, in very short order, he reversed all of those great trends. As has been articulated so many times tonight, among the first executive orders he issued--I mean immediately upon taking office in January 2020--was an executive order that killed the Keystone pipeline. There were more than 42,000 jobs related to that project just killed overnight; as well as all the energy independence and energy dominance that that would have meant for us.

And then he issues the moratorium on Federal production on Federal lands. Well, that killed a State like Louisiana. Not just on the land, but right offshore as well. Of course, that is a big part of our economy and in the other energy States. It was just devastating.

At the same time, while he is killing the Keystone pipeline, he is ending Federal production on Federal lands, he green lights the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. That was Putin's project. So he empowers Russia, he fuels the war machine for Putin because, of course, he can supply oil all over Western Europe, and that filled his coffers.

Listen, it was mentioned tonight these stickers that are on the gas pumps all over the country, these ``I did that'' stickers that have President Biden's picture. It is funny. We don't support vandalism, right? But, I mean, I see them all over Louisiana, and it is devastating.

President Biden is pointing to the sticker shock, the cost that it is taking everyone to fill their tanks, and it is exactly right. That is very telling. A picture is worth 1,000 words. He is responsible. These are the results of policy choices.

And as Mr. Franklin of Florida said a few moments ago, these problems are completely self-inflicted. And because of that, let's always remember, they can be easily reversed. The President could just do the opposite of what he has done since he took office; reverse course and fix this dilemma for the American people.

But you know what? He won't do that. I don't know if it is because he is beholden to the radical left environmentalist agenda, the climate agenda, or if he has some sort of ulterior motive. I am not sure.

But I will tell you what: My constituents are asking that question openly right now, and millions upon millions of the American people who are suffering because of these policies are beginning to ask that as well.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Steel), who has a few more things to say about this issue.

Madam Speaker, I am so grateful the gentlewoman came to participate. We know she is very busy. It has been a long day in the Education and Labor Committee. We are grateful she is doing that great work.

Madam Speaker, I know that the time is winding up for our Special Order hour. There was a lot going on on Capitol Hill today. I am grateful to my Republican colleagues for coming in and participating and helping to share this very, very important message with the American people.

There is a lot of spin going on in the country right now, from TikTok influencers, to media types who are engaging in the spin for the White House at their request, and the American people see through it. They are making and being made to make difficult choices for their families.

Hardworking Americans are suffering right now because of these policy choices. There is crisis after crisis after crisis everywhere we look because of, frankly put, poor leadership in the White House.

I believe that we will have a change in all of this come November in the next election cycle, and with the presidential election that will follow 2 years later. And it can't happen soon enough because the White House has shown no intention, no indication that they will reverse policies, as they should, as we mentioned a moment ago could be easily done to alleviate the pain for all these Americans. But for whatever reason, they will not do it.

Madam Speaker, I will wind down this evening. I want to thank my colleagues for being here, participating in this really important Special Order hour, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Madam Speaker, President Biden's address to the Nation last night was a missed opportunity. Our country is mired in a historic number of crises of the President and his party's own making at home, at our border, and abroad.

The rhetoric in the President's speech simply did not match his failing record. No amount of spin can change what every single American can see plainly and feel so personally.

Madam Speaker, in simple summary, our Union is in a state of crisis. Hardworking American families are being threatened by skyrocketing prices and empty store shelves; by alarming increases in crime; by our wide-open borders and illegal immigration; by record overdose deaths; by delayed tax returns and government services; and, of course, not the least of which is the projection of weakness on America's part on the world stage.

Since the magnitude of these problems obviously has not convinced the President and his Democrat allies in Congress to reverse course, I am not sure anything will.

But the State of the Union address is supposed to be an annual opportunity for the American President to take stock, to level with the American people, to acknowledge what has worked and what has not.

Republicans urged President Biden to take advantage of that opportunity last night to chart a new direction, to speak honestly, to accept responsibility for the declining state of our country and pledge to do better.

President Biden certainly would not have been the first American President to seek a reset--far from it. Presidential resets are common, and they are necessary. But this President didn't do that.

What did we get instead? Another typical Biden speech. We got another series of warmed-over Democrat talking points taped together and presented to the American people as if it weren't those same policies that got us into the messes that we are in.

Madam Speaker, this evening, my Republican colleagues and I will provide a further response to the State of the Union that was delivered here just last night.

But first, Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), my friend and colleague, for her remarks and for a prayer that is being shared tonight around the world.

The words of the psalmist resonate today as much as they did when they were written so many years ago, and our God is faithful. I thank the gentlewoman for putting that in perspective tonight.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield next to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Madam Speaker, energy policy is national security policy. Energy security is national security. We know that acutely now.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield next to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. McClain).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. Very well said.

Madam Speaker, I am happy now to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller), who announced this week that he will not be seeking reelection, and he will be sorely missed because he is a gentleman and a great legislator.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. I appreciate him very much.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), who has been a mentor to me and so many others in Congress.

Thank you, Mr. Wilson, for all you do, and your expertise in foreign affairs is a great blessing to all of us.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Madam Speaker, that was so well said. We are going to stay in the State of Tennessee.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), who is from that same area.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).

Thank you, my friend. Well said. Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield next to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the Republican leader of our House Agriculture Committee.

Thank you, my friend, for your leadership. That was well said. As we say over and over and over, energy security is national security, and it is unconscionable that we are funding Putin's aggression in Ukraine.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield next to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller), my dear friend.

Well said. The hypocrisy was on display last night. It is just absurd.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield next to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Mr. Good said it so well, and that passion is felt all around this country. I hear it from my constituents. I know Mr. Good does as well. All of us do. People couldn't even tune in last night. Our constituents are writing to us saying they couldn't even watch it because it was nauseating how untrue it was. Here we are.

Madam Speaker, I yield next to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann).

Very well said, my friend. Thank you for being here.

Madam Speaker, I yield to another colleague now, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Grothman. That was well said. There is lot. We know you can go all night because there was a lot to complain about.

Madam Speaker, tonight you have heard the response of so many of my Republican colleagues to the lackluster State of the Union address that was held here last evening. Perhaps the most glaring problem with his speech is that the President tried to ignore the fact that it is his lack of leadership that is what has created this dangerous situation that we are all in right now. All the crises you have heard about, the American people know the facts.

I grew up in the seventies and eighties. I was a child of the Reagan era, and we remember in the Cold War he reminded us we maintain the peace through our strength. What he communicated to us so clearly is weakness invites aggression. We have projected weakness on the world stage, and it is inviting Russian aggression. We pray and hope that we do not get a similar aggression from our other adversaries like China, North Korea, Iran, and the rest.

The only thing holding back terrorists and tyrants and dictators and rogue operators around the globe is their perception of a strong America. That is what we stand for. We wish we could have heard that from the President in a more honest tone last night, but we didn't get it.

So we are here. We are going to continue to work on this side of the aisle to fix these problems, and we look forward to the election cycle this fall where we believe the fortunes around here are going to change pretty substantially.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues for being here tonight, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I send to the desk a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good friends and community leaders who have been serving my hometown of Shreveport for a remarkable 75 years.

The CPA firm of Heard, McElroy & Vestal has been an integral part of our community since 1946. In fact, founding partner Charles McElroy served as one of the first chairmen of the Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.

From the very beginning, the firm has established itself as a pillar of trust, integrity, and competence. Their firm is now one of the largest public accounting groups in northwest Louisiana.

This firm and its over 100 employees have worked faithfully for the people of Louisiana every day, and they have continued to be a cornerstone for our region. We are blessed to have their mission of accounting excellence and commitment to integrity as a part of our community.

Thank you to my friends for serving so well for all of these years, and happy 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that

all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, this evening we will have Republican Members from across this country to address the multiple crises that are facing our country, whether it is the economic crisis, the crime crisis, the energy crisis, the border crisis, the foreign policy crisis, or now the related issue of the staggering and ongoing crisis of fentanyl, a scourge upon this country.

Mr. Speaker, I yield first to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith) to address this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I could not have said it better myself. I thank my friend for those comments.

Mr. Speaker, what Mr. Griffith is explaining there is the magnitude of this crisis, and I have a number of colleagues here tonight who will speak to it. Illegal drug overdoses recently became the leading cause of death for Americans age 18-45; the leading cause of death. Today in America illegal drug overdoses are killing more people at this age demographic than car accidents, obviously, than cancer, more than COVID. In my home State of Louisiana alone, opioid deaths increased in 2021 by 40 percent; 40 percent in one year; mostly driven by an increase in illicit fentanyl.

What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is this synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It is created with chemicals shipped from China to Mexico. It is trafficked across our southern border. Its potency means the smallest amount, even to fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a lethal dose, and now it is fueling one of the worst drug epidemics in American history.

Mr. Speaker, the Biden administration's response has been nothing, passivity. They have been passive about securing our border, the entry point for all these drugs coming into our communities. They have been passive about prosecuting drug offenders. Many Democrat-led jurisdictions are lowering felony offenses to misdemeanors. They have been passive about preventing drug abuse. The Democrats' American Rescue Plan, so-called, even includes a provision, as you have already heard tonight, and you will hear it more, to distribute drug paraphernalia at taxpayers' expense. It is unbelievable.

Mr. Speaker, fentanyl deaths are certain to increase unless we act with the same resolve that we have used to attack other less-deadly threats. If the Biden administration were serious about addressing this crisis, they would start by securing our turnstile at the southern border. It is time for the Democrats in charge here to wake up.

To help address this problem, we have to take immediate steps. We have to secure our border. We have to prosecute criminals again. We have to work with localities to prevent drug abuse rather than accommodate it.

Mr. Speaker, I have a number of colleagues, as I mentioned, who will address this issue in further detail. I am delighted that they have taken the time to be here. I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. C. Scott Franklin).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for that compelling message. He is right, every State is a border State now, whether you are on the coast or whether you

are up north or anywhere in the country, and Tennessee is no exception to that.

I yield now to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend. It is a serious issue. Every moment of levity helps us. I tell you what, if we can't work in a bipartisan fashion to prosecute criminals and stop the cartels, there may not be a lot of hope for this institution. I hope we can get back to that soon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko). Arizona is a State that certainly deals with this every moment of every day, and she has seen it up close.

Mr. Speaker, that passion is authentic. And as we said, from Arizona you see it every day.

Mr. Speaker, I just received a text message from our colleague, Mr. Katko, and he is the lead Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, and he said make sure when we are talking about the cartels to point out they are getting magnificently enriched through this alien smuggling surge, and they are, therefore, flush with cash, and they are now developing their own ability to make fentanyl. That is a dangerous game changer for the country. This crisis gets worse and worse by the hour.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

Mr. Speaker, strong words on a very important set of issues.

I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his remarks.

The Border Patrol agents are as frustrated as we are. Demoralized is exactly right. We have met with them and heard their stories. And the reason they are so frustrated, Mr. Speaker, is because all of this crisis is completely avoidable. These are the results of bad policy choices, and that is what is so outrageous.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for that forceful message.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield next to a gentleman who has been on the front lines of all this as a retired police lieutenant. He is also a former professional hockey player, and that is pretty cool, too. He is a tough guy, but he knows the issue.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend. I appreciate his words and his expertise on the issue.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), who I think will address some of the other crises we are facing as well.

Mr. Speaker, that debt is so staggering. And Dr. Babin is right, so many people don't stop to think about the magnitude of it and what we are doing to our children, our grandchildren, every future generation of Americans. We better get control of it. Thank you for that insight tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), another gentleman with a lot of expertise, who will address some of the crime crises that we are facing.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for his insights there.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend. I think about the same thing, our children and what we are doing to them and their future. They will have less security, less financial stability, less opportunity. They won't have the great fortune that we have because we are making bad policy decisions right now. We are adding to the debt. We are compounding the problem day by day, and we just can't get anyone here to pay any attention to it.

The Democrats in charge refuse to address the issue. In fact, they just continue to double down on bad policy, and it is just so frustrating.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde) to talk about this energy crisis more.

Mr. Speaker, as we have illustrated tonight with so many Members coming in from all over the country to express our concerns about all of these crises--and we genuinely could go for hours upon hours. But the hour is getting late tonight, and our Special Order hour is running out.

I just want to reiterate again some of the things we highlighted in this last hour on the floor here in the people's House tonight.

We addressed this economic crisis. It is just staggering. A $30 trillion Federal debt is a number that previous generations of Americans couldn't even have imagined.

We talked about the crime crisis and the utter lack of responsibility that Democrats in charge have shown and that the White House has shown to address this issue.

The border crisis and now the fentanyl crisis that is directly related to that. It has become the number one killer of Americans aged 18 to 45 in this country.

The energy crisis--because I come from an energy state, the State of Louisiana, I just want to conclude with a couple of remarks to put a fine point on that latter issue before we close this evening.

Mr. Speaker, the problem here is that, as with all of these crises, all this is totally avoidable. All of this is the result of policy choices. It is bad decisions, bad policy by the White House and by the Democrats in charge.

Mr. Speaker, on the energy crisis, President Biden's anti-energy agenda has caused the price of a gallon of gas to skyrocket to $3.42 nationally. Last week, oil prices hit $90 a barrel. Mr. Speaker, $90 is a 7-year high. In just the last month, oil prices have surged 37 percent. That is in 1 month, and it has been on a steady and rapid increase.

Given this agenda and the rapid rise in prices, it is not surprising that, according to a recent Gallup poll, American satisfaction with our energy policies is the lowest in two decades. That is because Americans have paid at the pump more now than they paid since the Obama-Biden administration.

U.S. households will also pay between $700 and $1,700 more for heat this winter, depending on where they live and what type of fuel they use. More than one in four Americans report now that they skipped basic expenses to pay their energy bill in the past year. One in five Americans report they could not pay their full energy bill. This is a crisis.

Let me just tell you, and break it down in layman's terms, why this is happening.

From the very beginning of the Biden administration, the first couple of weeks, as soon as he took office, he issued that slew of executive orders, a record number of executive orders. Among those early executive orders were his directions on energy policy.

He reflexively did exactly the opposite of what President Trump had done and accomplished. We were energy dominant, not just energy independent. We were energy dominant because of the Trump-era policies.

What does President Biden do? He does exactly the opposite, reflexively almost. President Trump moved us to domestic oil and gas production to increase that to make us energy dominant, to make us a net exporter. What does President Biden do? The opposite.

He shuts down and puts a moratorium on drilling and exploration on Federal lands, including offshore, off the coast of States like mine, Louisiana. That was a killer for the national economy. It is a direct contributor to driving the costs up.

He also killed the Keystone pipeline, of course. That was a big source, an artery, as it were, for domestic production and supply in our country. Here is the great irony. Ostensibly, the reason

for doing all those things is he wanted to help the environment, I guess. I guess he owed it to some interest groups or something. They claim that that would be better for the environment if we moved away from fossil fuels, as we always hear.

But here is the great irony--and I will close with this. When President Biden shut down domestic production, not only did he drive up the cost of all the fuel that we need to heat our homes and to fill up our gas tanks and all the rest, not only did he increase the pain on American consumers, but here is the irony. When they shut down domestic production, the demand for fossil fuels, oil and gas, in this country didn't go down. The demand didn't change nationally just because the President decided he didn't want to supply it anymore. In fact, the demand is at least stabilized and, in some cases, has gone up.

So, what does that mean? Well, Americans have to get their supply from somewhere else. If we are not going to produce it here, the bountiful resources that God has given us beneath our own feet, if we are not going to do it here, we have to get it from somewhere else.

The Biden administration turns to OPEC. They turn to Russia, Saudi Arabia, begging for more production and begging for our supply to be met from these overseas parties.

Do you know what the greatest irony about all of this is? Ostensibly, they wanted to help the environment, but do you know what they do when we get more of our oil and gas from Russia and Saudi Arabia? We do exponentially more harm to the environment.

If you believe their metrics, this is a terrible policy solution because--guess what?--we produce oil and gas in a much cleaner fashion in the United States than they do in those other countries.

So, the great irony is not only do they drive up costs for American consumers, not only do they increase the pain for everybody; they are actually doing more harm to the world that they claim they want to help.

It is truly unbelievable, not to mention it has destabilized us and put Russia in a better position. Now, we see the results of that on a whole different crisis that we didn't even have time to address tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I am out of time. I would just close by saying that the American people cannot tolerate this for much longer, and they won't tolerate it for much longer. We cannot wait for this election cycle that comes up later this year when we get an opportunity to be returned to the majority to govern this place again and bring some sanity back to Washington.

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

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Madam Speaker, once again, an opportunity for bipartisan work on behalf of the American people has been blocked by the House Democrat leadership.

Madam Speaker, you might have seen last year, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to help counter the rise of China, and we all recognize that this is the existential threat of our generation. The rise of China is something that should keep all of us up at night and we ought to be acting upon it.

And you might have also seen this year that the House was negotiating in good faith a companion bill to that Senate bill that passed in bipartisan fashion last year. But that was all before the rug was pulled out from underneath all of us by the House Democrat leadership just a few days ago. And it is as if the Democrat leadership here has forgotten how a bill becomes a law.

Now, look, these are the facts. There is not a mandate for radical legislation here. In the election cycle of 2020, what we got was a divided House. We got a divided Senate. The Senate is 50/50.

The Democrat majority in the House has the slimmest margin since World War II, but they seem to have forgotten that. So they are trying to act unilaterally. They are trying to bypass regular procedure. They are trying to skip over the regular committee process to have amendment and debate to legislation. And they are defying the opportunity for Republicans to work with our colleagues to address these great crises.

Madam Speaker, so we are here to remind the American people tonight-- my colleagues will be speaking over this hour--that there is a failure going on here and there are huge consequences to that for the American people. And of course, the failures are not limited to what is happening in this Chamber. It is the Biden administration itself. So we will be talking about these crises tonight.

My colleagues will come up one by one representing people from all across the country to talk about these great dilemmas that we are facing, unprecedented crises because of the policy choices and the actions of the White House and the Democrat leadership in Congress.

One of those that we will be talking about tonight is the passivity that we have seen in addressing the border crisis.

Madam Speaker, I was in my office for the last couple of hours, I got multiple calls from constituents back home who are deeply concerned about what they are watching play out on the television in the news every night. They are seeing the border completely overrun. They are seeing the number of illegal crossings at the border, which has risen, at a faster rate under President Biden than at any time in recent history. The result is truly catastrophic for the country.

We have an historic amount of illegal drugs coming across the border. That is just one aspect of this crisis that affects every American. Today, fentanyl overdoses--listen--fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans age 18 to 45--the leading cause of death.

What are the Democrats doing to address this? Nothing. They are not allowing us to do anything about it because we can't move our legislation. So we are here to talk about this issue and to raise the alarm, to let the American people know what it is we are facing.

The Biden administration is asleep at the wheel when it comes to their number one job. The first job is to keep this country safe, to secure our borders, to maintain our sovereignty, to protect the American people. If you are an independent voter, it is becoming very clear that these Democrats cannot be trusted to fulfill even the most basic functions of government at any level.

Many public schools remain closed or they are operating part-time. Defunding and demonizing police is leading to crime in our streets, and many Americans can't even get their own tax returns or Social Security checks or veterans benefits because of the Biden administration's Federal Government staffing policies.

Democrats like to call themselves the party of competent government, but it is obviously clear to everyone who is paying attention that the last 12

months have shown us that unified Democrat control is just incompetent. If you put this simply, the Democrats have failed to do their job. I believe, we believe, we are certain, that there is going to be a reckoning for this in the election cycle before us.

Madam Speaker, I thank all my colleagues for being here tonight to discuss this disastrous House Democrat agenda and the Biden administration's shameful management of our government.

Madam Speaker, for the next hour you will hear about a number of crises.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from Georgia. You are right, the American people are still waiting, and it appears that they will have to wait much longer if we are relying upon this White House.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Madam Speaker, I am grateful for his recognition. The madness of this bill--it is a climate change bill that is masquerading as a China bill. It mentions coral reefs more times in the bill than the word China. Doesn't that say enough? I thank my friend for his comments.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman so much for her expertise, especially in pharmacology. This is something that everyone needs to recognize. This fentanyl problem is a problem that is avoidable.

I said in the opening that it is a leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. We could stop this. This is a policy choice that is perpetuating this crisis, and it is absolutely outrageous that the White House and the Democrat leadership in this House will not address this issue.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).

Madam Speaker, those statistics are shocking indeed, and the fact that we had over 101,000 overdoses in a 12-month period and we hear nothing from the White House about this is just unforgivable.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for keeping me humble.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), who is the Republican leader on the House Agriculture Committee.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for that insight. He has been in Congress a while, and he has seen a lot of leadership come and go. But I will tell you, Madam Speaker, what we are having right now is causing these crises. Once again, these crises are created and perpetuated by bad policy choices, and it is hurting the American people.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley), who is a gentleman with a lot of seniority in Congress.

Madam Speaker, West Virginia is a long way from the southern border, but these drugs make it all the way across the country, and it affects everyone in one way or another. We all know people who have lost their lives because of overdose. I thank the gentleman for his insight.

Madam Speaker, I will go from West Virginia to the other side of the country.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Garcia), who served this country so valiantly.

Madam Speaker, these are harsh words about China. The gentleman is correct. It is the number one threat.

This bill that they are proposing and advancing right now--we call it the America concedes act--mentions climate change more than twice as often as the phrase ``national security'' in the bill. I think that says a lot.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers), who is our Republican lead on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Madam Speaker, that is so well-said and such a tragic story. Our prayers go out to that family. What a loss, and losses like that are all over the country. Fentanyl is weapons- grade, as Mrs. McMorris Rodgers said. It is a weapon of mass destruction.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), who has a deep background in pharmacology.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for his insight.

We were told, and we heard this morning in a briefing, that there are more than 140 derivative drugs that this poisonous fentanyl is being used with, and it is such a crisis.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend so much for highlighting that. As Mr. Rose said, there is $10.3 billion in this bill for climate funding over the next 2 fiscal years. But there is also $2 billion in there for a climate program, and it is authorized every fiscal year with no sunsets--no sunsets.

I know that upsets my good friend, Mr. Grothman.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Madam Speaker, what great points. I thank my friend for highlighting the problem. These energy policies from this White House are not only making fuel more expensive, more expensive for every American to put gasoline in their vehicle; it is also harming the environment, harming American interests, and benefitting China and India. What an incredible thing.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for those comments. He is exactly right. If the Democrats are serious about countering China, they would have worked across the aisle. They would have worked in a bipartisan fashion. They would have sent some of our bipartisan legislation to a committee to work out real solutions.

But instead, they are trying to jam together this massive package full of partisan wish list items that they know the American people don't want, and we don't need, and we are not going to have any part of it.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield next to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for highlighting that critical issue. That is a big part of the border crisis that all these illegals are being brought to cities near you.

My hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, has had dozens of busloads of people dropped off over the last year. They send me a notice from ICE because I demanded it. But this legislation is so important because everyone needs to know what is happening right under our noses.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for highlighting this terrible tragedy. It is just unimaginable the scope and the scale of this, and it goes on every day.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman so much for highlighting that critically important issue.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller).

Madam Speaker, Pennsylvania has so much wisdom. We are going to bring you a one-two punch.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted next to yield to another gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce).

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Joyce for his comments. His insight and expertise are so valued and appreciated here.

This is a crisis just of unspeakable proportions. I mean, over 100,000 people lost their lives to overdoses just in a 12-month period. The White House is doing nothing about it. They seemingly are unconcerned about this, so we have to draw attention to it.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Cawthorn), the youngest Member of Congress maybe ever.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Cawthorn and appreciate his insights.

Madam Speaker, what we have heard here tonight are Members from across the country, across the Republican Conference, who represent Americans all across this great land. They have expressed the people's deep concerns about the multiple crises that we face.

We have pointed out here and made the case and presented the evidence that these crises are the direct result of policy choices by the White House and the Democrat leaders in Congress. It is unconscionable. From the fentanyl crisis to the border crisis to the energy crisis to this mockery of a bill that they are trying to jam through Congress this week, the American people recognize this for what it is.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I would just make a couple of reminders about what we call the America concedes to China act.

This is a 2,900-page bill patched together in a back room somewhere with no regular order, no debate, no amendment process, no committee hearings, no input from the other side of the aisle at all. The Democrats went to the back room, put together a 2,900-page bill.

It has a price tag of $325 billion. It is filled with unvetted policies, partisan poison pills, and provisions totally unrelated to China. It doesn't do anything to address the threat from the Chinese Communist Party as advertised, and it does more harm than good.

Madam Speaker, we could be here all night. We could be here for multiple hours, highlighting all the crises. We don't have to because the American people can see this for themselves. They see China as the greatest threat to our national security and sovereignty and everything else of our lifetime. They see the border. They see the energy. They see the COVID crisis. Everything this White House touches has been a disaster.

Madam Speaker, it is time for a change. I think the American people will let their voices be heard in the next election cycle this fall. I am delighted that will happen. I would say, as I conclude here, it cannot happen soon enough.

Madam Speaker, I yield back.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for his principal leadership on this issue for so many years. He is a great model to us all.

Mr. Speaker, we in the Pro-Life Caucus are happy to join the March for Life tomorrow here in the Nation's capital, but we are here today to acknowledge the tragic anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

As has been said, more than 63 million unborn children have been denied their right to life in the past 49 years since that tragic decision was handed down.

As we fight to protect the liberties of all Americans here in Congress, we have to remember to fight first for the most defenseless, and that is the child in the womb, who from the moment of conception is a unique human being with unique DNA.

In the coming months you are going to hear a lot of vague and euphemistic language from defenders of abortion. Do not be swayed. The truth is very simple, and it has never changed. Abortion takes a baby's life, a person made in God's image.

We hope, we pray, we believe that 2022 is the year the Supreme Court will finally recognize this truth once again.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Madam Speaker, we may be starting a new year, but so far the problems remain the same. This week marks the 1- year anniversary of Joe Biden being sworn in as President of the United States, and, of course, also the 1-year anniversary of one-party, far- left Democrat rule in Washington.

This past year was one of unprecedented crises as a direct result. The American people face an economic crisis, an energy crisis, a border crisis, an education crisis, a crime crisis, a COVID-19 crisis, and a national security crisis as a direct result of Joe Biden and congressional Democrats' failed leadership and their far-left socialist agenda.

In this hour, a cross-section of my Republican colleagues will address and highlight these issues as we stand for the opposite policies, and we are very anxious to be returned to the majority so that we can solve these ongoing dilemmas.

Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Madam Speaker, there are so many crises it is hard for us to keep count.

I yield to my dear friend from the State of Indiana (Mrs. Walorski).

Madam Speaker, the gentlewoman is right, the sanctity of human life is one of the central principles that this country is founded upon, and it does get darkest before the dawn. There is hope on the horizon.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Those are not just Republican talking points. Politico had a story this morning. They asked Americans in a nationwide poll to give the President a letter grade, and 37 percent of Americans gave him an F--85 percent or more of Republicans, but also, they say, an alarming number of Democrats gave a D or an F grade.

So the gentleman is exactly right. It is a failure. An F-minus, says Mr. Van Drew.

Madam Speaker, I yield to my good friend from the State of Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for keeping me humble.

Madam Speaker, we have just come straight to the floor from a Members and media roundtable on the border and crime crises, and he led that so ably. I am delighted to hear what he has to say in his 2 minutes.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the great State of Texas (Mr. Pfluger).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for that keen insight that he gained faithfully serving our country in the military. I thank him for his service.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), another gentleman who has served us so well on the front lines of law enforcement before he got to Congress.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. So well said, as always. I think one of the key words you said was purposeful. These crises are not happenstance. These are direct results of policy choices.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. It is so well said. It is as if they are incentivizing lawlessness. That is exactly what we are seeing, and everybody knows it.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa), my friend.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. It is not partisanship. We are sharing the facts. He is exactly right.

I would encourage my colleagues--there are so many who want to speak, and it is a target-rich environment with so many crises. We are going to try to stick to 2 minutes on these yields.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), home of the new national championship football team.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Fitzgerald), another seasoned, very effective legislator.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gimenez), who we refer to as ``The Chief.''

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte).

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

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), one of the true border states that sees all of these crises firsthand.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for her so well-said remarks.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas, (Mr. Mann).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for that plain talk from Kansas.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), who is one of the brightest and most respected Members of Congress.

Madam Speaker, Americans do deserve so much better.

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

I thank the gentlewoman for her principled leadership. It has been effective, and we are grateful she is here.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the State of Texas (Mr. Weber).

Brand `em. I like it.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller), who is another very effective legislator.

Madam Speaker, the gentlewoman's remarks are well-said.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the great State of Georgia (Mr. Carter). Georgia is the home of the new national championship football team.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Spartz), one of the smartest and hardest working Members of Congress.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments.

Madam Speaker, what my colleagues have illustrated here in this Special Order is the crisis that we have in this country. We are on the anniversary now of 1 year of far-left Democratic rule in Washington. We have a unified government. The far-left Democrats are in charge of the White House and both Houses of Congress. Elections have consequences. The American people can see it for themselves. Every poll across this country shows us. They know that it is crisis upon crisis upon crisis.

You have heard my colleagues illustrate so many of those here this afternoon. If we had hours upon hours we could continue all night.

The economic crisis last year: Inflation cost the average worker nearly two paychecks.

An energy crisis: The national average for a gallon of gas rose 49.6 percent for the year.

A border crisis: Because of the Democrats' open border policies, every State is now a border State.

An education crisis: President Biden promised to reopen schools in his first 100 days but his administration secretly worked with teachers' unions to keep the schools closed and label parents as domestic terrorists.

A crime crisis: Over a dozen U.S. cities had a record-high homicide rate in 2021.

A COVID crisis: Although President Biden promised to shut down the virus, many Americans continue to struggle to find tests, and, of course, many schools remain closed because of this.

A national security crisis: Because of President Biden's weakness on the world stage, our adversaries in Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow are stronger today and they are in power.

We could go on and on and on. I am out of time, Madam Speaker, but I will just point out again, the latest poll that was released just this morning didn't look at just numbers. They asked the American people to give a letter grade to the President. Thirty percent of Americans give the President an F, a failing grade, and more Americans give him an F than give him an A or a B. This is a failed Presidency. These are failed policies. We are living under the crises that they have created. It is time for this to come to an end.

We are grateful to the American people for recognizing this, and we look forward to bringing our solutions to bear at the election cycle this fall.

Madam Speaker, our Special Order hour has concluded, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5746, which contains the text of H.R. 4, the so-called John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

With H.R. 4, Democrats are attempting to orchestrate yet another radical and unprecedented Federal power grab over State-administered elections, this time under the guise of updating the Voting Rights Act.

But the history here is so important. Upon its enactment in 1965, the VRA employed extraordinary measures to address pervasive State resistance to removing radically discriminatory barriers that did at that time prevent minorities from exercising their right to vote.

But here is what is important: After exhaustive review in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court's Shelby County v. Holder decision recognized an obvious fact when examining the Voting Rights Act: Things have changed dramatically since 1965.

Of course, that fact should be celebrated. The Court reasoned that requiring States to preclear election law

changes today based on conduct a half century ago was an unconstitutional invasion of State sovereignty.

Republicans are thrilled the VRA worked. The truth is that more Americans from minority communities are voting now than ever before, and overall voting registration remains sky high.

In fact, voting registration disparities between minority and nonminority voters in States like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana are below the national average--and get this--lower than Democrat-run States like California, New York, and Delaware.

However, Democrats would have you think exactly the opposite. They want to bring preclearance back through H.R. 4 and have all the States seek approval from Merrick Garland's Justice Department before they can make any changes to their election laws or redistricting, regardless of whether that jurisdiction has a history of discrimination or not.

Again, this is a blatant Federal power grab. These bills are contrary to the Founders' intent, the plain text of the Constitution, and if they are fully implemented, they will further erode Americans' faith and confidence in our government institutions.

We remain hopeful that the people of our country will see this. We urge a ``no'' vote today.

Madam Speaker, just this morning, we learned that inflation rose 7 percent over the past year, the highest rate since 1982. We have empty shelves, and we have unfilled jobs due to the labor shortages across the country. Schools are shutting down again, crime is soaring in our cities, and faith in our institutions is in rapid decline.

What are Washington Democrats focused on? They want to blow up the rules of Congress so they can pass their extremist agenda to federalize local elections, legalize ballot harvesting,

ban voter ID requirements, and fund their own campaigns with precious taxpayer dollars. It is truly unbelievable to the people back home.

Chuck Schumer says this is a response to the 2020 election and the State election laws passed in 2021. That is obviously not a true statement, because the bill they are peddling was first introduced in 2019.

Joe Biden says it is to stave off the reemergence of a second Jim Crow era in States like Texas and Georgia which passed election integrity measures this year. But that is a ridiculous charge. Literally, it is the opposite of the facts that any person can verify with a single internet search.

The truth is, Georgia's law has more days of early, in-person voting than Joe Biden's own home State of Delaware.

The 2020 election saw the highest turnout of voters in 120 years, and according to the Pew Research Center, 94 percent of Americans agree it is ``easy to vote.''

There is no widespread voter suppression in this country, and everybody knows it. In fact, voter registration disparities between minority and nonminority voters in States like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana are below the national average and lower than Democrat-run States like New York, California, and Delaware. Those are the facts.

For Democrats, the only problem they are seeking to solve is the problem of how to secure for themselves more votes.

We have heard in New York, Democrats recently voted to allow foreign citizens to vote in American elections. You heard it right. It is a blatantly unconstitutional scheme that defies the most basic rule of our system. Seventh grade civics: American elections should be decided by American citizens. New York's ridiculous new law has been challenged in court. We don't know what the outcome of that is going to be, but we can all take a stand here tonight to reaffirm to the people of this great Nation that their legally cast votes will not be watered down and negated by the ballots of noncitizens.

Madam Speaker, if the previous question is defeated, Republicans will amend the rule to provide for consideration of a resolution that acknowledges this simple truth: Allowing illegal immigrants and noncitizens the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens.

We all have an opportunity to go on record right here tonight to make our positions on that issue clear. I urge my colleagues to reaffirm the rights of U.S. citizens and vote ``no'' on the previous question.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the good work and friendship of the American Judicial Alliance. AJA and its founder, Judge Darrell White, have been working tirelessly to introduce the tradition of the Harlan Bible by donating these Bibles to our nation's courtrooms and institutions, including to this chamber. Justice John Marshall Harlan set this precedent by donating his very own Bible to the Supreme Court back in 1906, and since then, every justice has signed this Bible after taking the oath of office.

Justice Harlan is probably best known for being the ``Great Dissenter'' and specifically for his role as the lone dissenter in Plessy v. Ferguson's unjust `separate but equal' precedent. His personal transformation made him an impassioned supporter for civil rights during his 34 years on the Court.

It was Justice Harlan who stated: ``Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law.''

By donating these Harlan Bibles, AJA is honoring the legacy of Justice Harlan's fight for justice, recognizing that our inalienable rights come directly from our Creator, and restoring faith in our Nation's courtrooms. May God continue to bless the American Judicial Alliance as it endeavors to share the Harlan Bible and its important message of justice, mercy, and faith to the American people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good friends and community leaders who have been serving my hometown of Shreveport for a remarkable 75 years.

The CPA firm--Heard, McElroy and Vestal--has been an integral part of our community since 1946. In fact, founding partner Charles McElroy served as one of the first Chairman of the Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. From the very beginning, the firm has established itself as a ``pillar of trust, integrity and competence.'' Their firm is now one of the largest public accounting firms in Northwest Louisiana.

This firm and its over 100 employees have worked faithfully for the people of Louisiana every day and have continued to be a cornerstone for our region. We are blessed to have their mission of accounting excellence and commitment to integrity as a part of our community.

I thank my friends for serving so well for all these years, and happy 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Republican Conference, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer much- deserved recognition to the group of faithful fathers known as Dads on Duty, who have stepped up to serve as role models for the students at Southwood High School in my hometown of Shreveport. Since the dads came to school, instances of disruptive behavior have plummeted, and spirits have been raised to new heights.

These Dads on Duty walk the halls every day and talk to students about personal responsibility, self-discipline, and strong work ethic. They are there to encourage the kids and set an example in their words and in their actions. It is irrefutable the role that fathers play in the life of a child. And now since these dads have made it a point of engaging directly with the kids at Southwood, school fights haven't been a problem, grades and attitudes have risen, and the whole Nation's attention has been drawn to this inspirational endeavor.

They have made an incredible difference in the lives of everyone involved. So we want to say thank you to the Dads on Duty for their incredible work and extraordinary example. May it be duplicated nationwide.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Madam Speaker, during what should be a period of sustained economic recovery, job growth has stalled, consumer prices are skyrocketing, and many shelves are empty thanks to supply chain chokepoints.

Nevertheless, House Democrats are forging ahead to pass their 2,100- page reckless tax and spending spree before they even know how it impacts the budget and before the American people can understand even what is in it, which is certain to drive up consumer prices even further and make job growth that much harder.

Make no mistake, this bill is a clunker. If you can stomach the price tag and look underneath the hood, you will see tax breaks for the rich; you will see incentives to stay home instead of going back to work; massive taxpayer subsidies for inefficient green energy sources; and fewer cures for rare diseases.

The bill eliminates jobs. It reduces paychecks. It increases government dependency. It crushes small businesses. It repeals longstanding protections against taxpayer funding of abortions. And it taxes American companies at a higher rate than Communist China. Yes, that is all in the bill.

During our time this afternoon, in addition to the House Democrats' disastrous left-wing agenda, my colleagues and I will be discussing the many self-inflicted crises of the Biden administration. Whether it is the most expensive Thanksgiving in history, inflation, skyrocketing gas prices, or our overwhelmed southern border, one thing is for certain, the answer to the countless Democrat-caused crises is not more Democrat-authored policies.

I thank my colleagues for being here today, and I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. C. Scott Franklin).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for that reminder that socialism never worked and never has. It is a fool's errand.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. He is so right about that. The hardworking American families are feeling the pain from Tennessee all the way to California.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Obernolte), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew).

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the comments of the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. Midland over Moscow, we ought to print T-shirts with that one.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett), where they are deeply concerned about this as well.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's adequate comments. And I will tell the gentleman that they are going to have to amend and print new stickers for the gas pumps because if our Democrat colleagues vote for this monstrosity, they are going to have to make a new sticker that says, ``I and the House Democrats did that.'' That is what is going down.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Hice).

Madam Speaker, that voice from Georgia is so

strong. I think we are going to stick with that theme.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Moore).

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

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Carter for that optimistic close. As Ronald Reagan said, we are the ``last best hope of man on Earth.'' We better hold it.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend. It is a shame that China is being assisted by these Democrat policies, even as they openly challenge us. Another thing Ronald Reagan warned us about is that weakness invites aggression. This is a dangerous game.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz).

Madam Speaker, it will damage all of our States.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff).

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for prosecuting the case. That was his background.

Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining in the hour.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).

The gentlewoman has said it very well.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

I thank my friend for his common sense. We will continue with that theme.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird).

Any time a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient speaks, we ought to listen.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cline.)

We are going to feel the pain. My friend is exactly right.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Madam Speaker, that was so well said, and the American people are going to speak again next fall; we know that for certain.

Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde).

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Madam Speaker, how much time is remaining?

Madam Speaker, I thank my friends for participating tonight, and I yield back the balance of my time.