Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, which will ensure that taxpayer dollars are not funding the evil practice of transgender child mutilation. I thank my colleagues from Texas and from Kentucky for sponsoring this important bill.

As a father of eight myself, I know that we all want our children to grow up healthy, supported, and empowered. Children should not be subjected to a medical system that pushes life-altering medical procedures and hormone treatments that are incredibly harmful.

As a family doctor for over 25 years, I took an oath to do no harm and provide my patients of all ages evidence-supported treatment plans. That is why, as a Utah State senator, I led the way in 2023 by passing Utah's landmark legislation that banned transgender treatments and procedures for minors.

As a result, I faced death threats, and my house was vandalized by woke activists, as demonstrated to my left. I am not deterred. That is why I am staunchly committed to getting this right and finding Federal solutions, as I did in Utah, that will protect America's children.

At the core of the practice of medicine is that we do not subject the patient to unnecessary and dangerous medical treatments. When it comes to gender-transition interventions, puberty blockers, hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and surgical procedures, the evidence shows that this is the wrong approach to getting these kids the help that they need.

The most comprehensive and authoritative review of these practices was conducted in the United Kingdom by Dr. Hilary Cass. Her 2024 ``Cass Review'' concluded that the scientific evidence supporting such interventions is

remarkably weak. There is no strong, long-term evidence showing that puberty blockers and transgender surgeries improve long-term mental or physical health outcomes for minors, nor is there robust data on their safety or impact on development.

In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services released a peer-reviewed report last month titled: ``Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices.'' This study concluded that harms from treatments, including these puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries are significant, long-term, and frequently underrecognized in clinical research. The evidence for these interventions in minors is weak and insufficiently checked, particularly for outcomes like fertility, psychological well- being, and quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to protect the children of Utah and commend the 25 other States that have stood up for their kids, as well. I urge all of my colleagues to follow the scientific evidence and stop funding these horrific procedures on kids.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Utah for yielding and leading this important discussion on how Republicans are focusing on making healthcare more affordable for hardworking American families. We have taken action and are committed to doing more to fix the broken system of ObamaCare that empowered Big Insurance at the expense of our taxpayers.

As a family practice doctor for over 25 years, I hear directly from my patients about the skyrocketing cost of insurance and prescription drugs. Democrats promised Americans lower costs, more choices, and better care. More than a decade later, too many families are asking a simple question: What happened?

Former President Obama, in pushing the ACA, promised that the bill would lower healthcare premiums by up to $2,500 per family per year, but since ObamaCare went into effect, premiums have nearly tripled and deductibles have more than doubled. The cost of coverage for a family of four has increased by more than $10,000.

Back in July of this year, this Republican Congress passed the Working Families Tax Cut Act. This important legislation puts more money back into the pockets of Americans and will help lower the cost of healthcare as well as childcare.

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, all Bronze and Catastrophic ACA Marketplace plans are now considered high-deductible plans, allowing more people to contribute to health savings accounts.

Health savings accounts can now be used to pay for direct primary care arrangements that cut out the middleman and allow patients to coordinate care directly with their chosen provider.

High costs are not the only ObamaCare failure. It also resulted in a major increase in fraud. A 2024 GAO investigation found that fake identities were approved for ObamaCare subsidies at a 100 percent rate, often remaining enrolled despite missing or falsified information.

In 2023, $21 billion in subsidies were paid out with no evidence of tax reconciliation. Taxpayers were left footing the bill, as reused Social Security numbers, subsidies paid on behalf of deceased individuals, and billions in unreconciled payments expose a system unable to protect public funds.

In the Working Families Tax Cut Act, Republicans restored accountability and fairness to the healthcare marketplace through reforms that save taxpayers billions of dollars and drive down costs for everyone. There is full income and eligibility verification before subsidies are issued, ensuring assistance goes only to those who qualify. We have ended ``anytime'' enrollment abuse that fueled fraudulent signups and drove premiums higher for everyone. We closed loopholes that allowed illegal immigrants and other ineligible groups to access taxpayer-funded health benefits.

Many Americans have insurance on paper but still cannot afford to use it. I am committed, along with my Republican colleagues, to addressing the root cause of rising costs to provide real relief for taxpayers and families. I appreciate my congressional colleague from Utah for yielding to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1045, the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025.

Utah is in a wildfire crisis. Our unique environment makes wildfires a constant danger. It is common to drive down I-15, a major thoroughfare in Utah, in the warm months and see fire on the side of our beautiful mountains.

In 2004, Congress created three regional centers in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico dedicated to strengthening forest health and reducing wildfire risk. These centers, now collectively known as the Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes, or SWERI, serve as hubs for research, data sharing, and on-the-ground collaboration. They bring together the expertise of our universities with the experience of State, local, and Federal land managers.

Since 2004, Utah has had over 23,000 wildfires and over 3 million acres burned. These aren't mere statistics but represent impacted livelihoods, damaged watersheds, strained emergency responders, and long-term burdens on our economy, infrastructure, and public safety.

These fires have scarred our lands and endangered our growing population. For us in Utah, the next major wildfire is not a question of if but when and how devastating it will be.

That is why the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act is essential. By passing this bill, Congress has the opportunity to strengthen how we understand, prevent, and respond to wildfire in the Mountain West.

As the only Four Corners State to not have a SWERI facility, it is only right for Utah to have a dedicated hub focused on the wildfire challenges facing Utah and the surrounding States.

It will allow our universities, firefighters, land managers, and Federal partners to work together. It will help us understand fire behavior in high-elevation deserts. It will support innovations in fuel management, post-fire watershed recovery, and community resilience. More importantly, the Utah wildfire institute will ensure that we are not simply reacting to each crisis as it comes but planning ahead.

This bill reflects what Utahns already know, that collaboration, science-based planning, and proactive management are the most effective tools we have to protect our land and our people. It is a vote for safer communities, healthier forests and rangelands, and responsible stewardship of the places that we call home.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act as this investment will protect Utah for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, in 2027, beginning in April and ending in October, the Salt Lake Temple, which is to my left, will be open for public tours.

All are welcome, with 3 million to 5 million visitors expected during this historic event that will be important to Utahns and especially to those who will again worship and serve there. I invite all of my colleagues in the House and their friends to visit Salt Lake City and tour the temple with me.

Though it was not the first, it has become the most recognizable temple of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Many visitors associate the temple with Utah's capital city. The temple is built of native granite and took 40 years to complete, with the goal to construct it so it would last throughout time.

Come experience the spirit of this event with me.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate both the Corner Canyon and the Lone Peak High School football teams who recently faced off in the Utah 6A State Championship. Their matchup showcased exactly what Utah embodies: determination, grit, and exceptional spirit.

Corner Canyon emerged victorious, securing their sixth State title in the past 8 years and their third straight championship. This championship capped a phenomenal season where they finished with a record of 12-1 and boasted one of the highest scoring offenses in the Nation. Their success reflects the leadership of head coach Eric Kjar, who instilled in these men values of dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

I hope you all join me in wishing them good luck as they play in their first ever Overtime National Championship against St. Frances Academy.

I would also like to congratulate Lone Peak High School and their head coach Bart Brockbank. Despite their loss in the championship, they played admirably throughout the entire season, even giving Corner Canyon their only loss of the season back in September.

I congratulate the teams, the coaches, and the schools. They certainly make Utah proud.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to highlight the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pioneers began constructing the temple in 1853. What they created over the course of 40 years is one of the most remarkable feats of engineering for its time. They had no cranes or modern-day machinery. Instead, they relied on grit, community, and a collective vision to make a building that would stand the test of time.

They accomplished this goal. The temple has foundation walls that are 16 feet thick and 16 feet deep and a spire of 210 feet topped by the famous 12-foot famous Angel Moroni statue. When it was dedicated in 1893, journalists were impressed with its infrastructure and facilities, including its impressive design, plumbing, heating, cooling systems, and electricity.

Beyond the temple's state-of-the-art infrastructure, the pioneers who built it showed exemplary sacrifice. For instance, a stonemason, John Moyle, walked 20 miles every morning from his farm in my hometown of Alpine to Salt Lake City to work on the temple. Even after his leg was amputated, he made himself a wooden leg so he could continue his long journey to work on the temple.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of my alma mater, Brigham Young University.

Since its founding in 1875, BYU has stood firm as a fundamental institution of learning and innovation in the State of Utah.

Throughout its history, the university's programs, students, athletes, professors, and alumni have made great contributions to a variety of fields, including the advancement of technology, physical and social sciences, sports, business, law, and many other areas of significance. BYU continues to grow and evolve as they plan to open a medical school soon.

The university, which also includes campuses in Hawaii and Idaho, is renowned globally. Further living up to its motto, ``The world is our campus,'' the BYU Pathways Worldwide program served over 74,000 students in over 180 countries in 2024.

Above all, I appreciate BYU's focus on instilling its motto, ``Enter to learn, go forth to serve.'' I am grateful for the BYU education I received in undergraduate and law school and am proud to represent BYU and the Provo community in Congress.

Congratulations to BYU and President Shane Reese on 150 years of innovation. I am excited to see how BYU will continue to grow and forgive me for that parking ticket when I was a student so many years ago.

Mr. Speaker, 9 days ago in my district, a loving husband and father of two children, a public figure who debated vigorously conservative values and a representative for free speech, was assassinated by a deranged coward who felt that violence was the only way to deal with voices that he opposed.

Mr. Speaker, from Charlie Kirk's example, I have learned that we should live boldly, without fear. We should address and confront the cowards of the world who will oppose with violence those who seek to destroy free speech.

I have also learned from Charlie Kirk that we should debate vigorously, that we have opinions, and in this Hall, this sacred Hall, we can debate those opinions with respect and vigor.

Mr. Speaker, I have also learned that we should love completely. Charlie Kirk never degraded an individual that he debated. He always approached them with respect. With a loving approach, he tried to push forward his views and offer them as an alternative to those who debated him.

Mr. Speaker, I also point out that a widow and two amazing children are now left without a husband and a father.

To Erika and those children, I will just say that God has a special place in his heart for the widows of the world. Since ancient times, such as the widow Zarephath with Elijah, the mite that the widow cast into the temple treasury, as well as Jesus Christ' own mother, Mary, a widow, whom Jesus on the cross, while He suffered and died for all mankind, offered that widow, his mother, to His most beloved apostle to take care of for the rest of her life and make sure that she was cared for.

For Erika and her children, I will say that God has a special place in his heart for the widows and for the orphans. They also have a special place not only in my heart but in the hearts of millions as they suffer through the loss of her husband as well as the father of her children.

Mr. Speaker, I am inspired by Charlie Kirk and his example and the fact that his life now transcends not only his life and his message, but he stands for something more important now, which is freedom of speech, a constitutional privilege that our Nation will fight vigorously to protect.

I join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to shun and eschew violence and to pursue freedom of speech through the rest of my days.

God bless America, Charlie Kirk, and his widow as we move forward.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Indiana for yielding me her time.

Mr. Speaker, just days ago, Charlie Kirk was assassinated by an act of deranged cowardice. His death was not only the loss of a husband, but a father, and a friend to many. It is also a sobering reminder that the very rights he spent his life defending must never be taken for granted, rights endowed to each of us by our creator and effectuated by our Constitution.

This resolution officially honors Charlie Kirk's commitment to the constitutional principles of civil discussion and debate between all people of the United States, regardless of political affiliation.

From the beginning of our Nation, freedom of speech has been a foundational liberty for the American people. The architects of our Republic enshrined the right to speak one's mind without fear as a first principle, knowing that if the people were silenced, then every other freedom would be in peril.

Throughout our history, Americans have disagreed fiercely and vigorously about politics, morality, and the course of our Nation, but history shows that responding to words with hatred or violence only sets us back. Instead, generation after generation, we have chosen the harder path: to keep the conversation going and to answer speech we oppose with more speech and with reason, civility, and conviction, rather than be intimidated by violence or dragged down into vengeance.

The Founders placed their faith in the power of truth and discourse. They knew that in a free republic, the solution to false or harmful ideas is to counter them in the light of public discussion.

As Thomas Jefferson reminded us, ``error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.'' We must hold fast to that principle. We will turn more hearts with calm truth than with angry thunder. We will not let violence intimidate us, and we will not let violence drown out truth.

Every great struggle for justice, every step forward for our Nation, and even its very survival has relied on the ability of courageous voices to speak out and enlighten the people.

Charlie Kirk was more than just a prominent political leader. He was a devoted husband, father, and man of deep convictions. As a father myself, I cannot begin to imagine the pain of such a loss. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Erika, and two amazing young children.

Mr. Speaker, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Erika and those children, and we hope they find comfort and peace in this time of unimaginable grief.

Charlie lived with purpose and a clear understanding of what matters most. He loved his family and pursued truth, and he shared those values boldly with the world. He gave young Americans the courage to believe their voices mattered, that they, too, could take part in shaping the future of this Nation.

Just last week, I sat with students who told me they first found their way into political engagement because of Charlie's example. That is his legacy, not only the words he spoke, but the lives he touched, the movement he built, and the spirit of civic courage he inspired.

Mr. Speaker, let us pray that God bless and receive Charlie Kirk, and may He grant comfort and strength to Erika and their children. May God bless our Nation and unite us against violence, unite us in the fight for free speech and truth. I pray that we lift one another up and resolve to leave our children a brighter future and more free than the one we inherited.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise and recognize a proud U.S. Army veteran, Lisa Duckworth, who was recently named Military Friendly's 2025 Veteran of the Year for the State of Utah. From her role as a chaplaincy resources manager in the Army for close to 6 years to her current role as Utah's veteran employment representative, Lisa has demonstrated her outstanding devotion to education and empowerment.

As Utah's veteran employment representative, Lisa advocates for the veteran and military community by working with organizations that provide them with employment, training, and development opportunities.

This award given to Lisa recognizes the tangible difference she makes every day for those in Utah's military community.

Her unwavering dedication to those who have served our country reminds us that all public service continues beyond uniform, whether it be through advocacy or community. She reminds us that when we support our veterans and military members, we strengthen our communities.

I am proud to have Lisa Duckworth representing our beautiful State and thank her for her continued service. I thank Lisa for all she does to ensure a supportive environment for our veterans in Utah.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Representative Bice's Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, and I applaud my colleague, Mr. Knott, for his role in this important piece of legislation.

For too long, open-border policies have left American families at risk. Under the Biden administration, the vast majority of those charged with illegal reentry already had criminal records. In Utah, we have seen the consequences firsthand.

This July in Salt Lake County, a 43-year-old Mexican national was sentenced for drug trafficking and illegal reentry. He had been deported three times before. When he was arrested, he carried an illegal firearm and more than 9,000 fentanyl pills.

In May, ICE officers in Utah apprehended and removed an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who was facing charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, after previously being caught and removed twice before.

In January, a 24-year-old Mexican national was charged with the murder of his girlfriend in Utah just one week after being deported for the second time.

These are not isolated cases. They are just a few recent examples from my home State, and there are countless more heartbreaking stories from across the country.

It is clear that the current penalties are not enough to deter this dangerous cycle of illegal reentry. The safety and security of our citizens must never be compromised by those who abuse our system and exploit our borders.

H.R. 3486 protects American families, upholds the rule of law, and keeps our Nation secure by setting real penalties for those who seek to enter our great Nation illegally to commit crimes. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate 175 years since the establishment of Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Established on September 13, 1850, by pioneers, Pleasant Grove is located in an idyllic location, nestled at the base of the majestic snowcapped mountains of the Wasatch Front.

Its rich history is highlighted by the iconic Strawberry Days celebration, which began in 1921 and remains the longest-running city celebration in Utah. Each year, families gather to celebrate the city's agricultural heritage with strawberries and cream, parades, concerts, and rodeos.

Pleasant Grove also offers outstanding recreation and cultural treasures, from the scenic trails of Battle Creek Falls and the wooden castles at Discovery Park, to the family traditions of Hee Haw Farms and the Christa McAuliffe Space Center.

Though the city has grown, it continues to be a family-oriented town where residents can learn, explore, and thrive together.

At the heart of Pleasant Grove is its tight-knit community, people dedicated to service, education, and preserving the city's rich history.

I want to recognize the service of Mayor Guy Fugal and the members of the Pleasant Grove City Council, whose leadership reflects the values of this remarkable community.

I am proud to represent Pleasant Grove in Utah's Third District and look forward to celebrating this momentous achievement with them.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 3425, the Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025, or the POST Act.

I thank Mr. Barrett and Mr. Figures for their support of this really important bill.

This is a commonsense bill that fixes a broken system and restores accountability within the Federal Protective Service.

The Federal Protective Service, or FPS, is responsible for protecting nearly 9,000 Federal facilities nationwide. In fiscal year 2024, FPS operated with a $2.2 billion budget and oversaw more than 15,000 contract protective security officers.

With that level of funding and manpower, taxpayers expect reliable results. Unfortunately, that is not what they are getting. A recent GAO investigation showed contract guards failed to detect banned items like batons and pepper spray in half of all covert tests. That is unacceptable, and it should never have been allowed to persist. It is also preventable.

H.R. 3425 makes sure FPS reviews these failures, documents them, identifies the root causes, and then takes corrective action.

This bill also addresses the embarrassing state of FPS's Post Tracking System. Back in 2018, FPS promised to modernize guard sign-in with a digital system. Years later, that system still doesn't work, and the agency is still relying on paper as its official record. That means Washington can't even confirm in real time whether a building is staffed and secure. In some cases, buildings have had to close because of it. That is a waste of money and a failure of leadership.

H.R. 3425 fixes this by giving FPS 6 months to either make the system work or replace it with one that does.

Mr. Speaker, this is not complicated. When Americans walk into a Federal building, they deserve to know it is staffed and secured. The American people expect their government to meet basic duties. The POST Act honors that expectation by restoring accountability and requiring results.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3425, the POST Act, so that we restore proper oversight and accountability in the Federal Protective Service and protect taxpayers from waste and failure.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great pride to congratulate the Price, Utah, Battle 13u youth baseball team. This talented group of 13-year-old baseball players from Carbon and Emery Counties won the Pacific Southwest Regional, advancing to the Babe Ruth World Series. They are only the third Utah team to do so in the 75-year history of the tournament.

The Price Battle team won third place at the championship, making history for our community while competing on the national stage. Price Battle also took home the most awards for the tournament, including one player with the best batting average for the World Series, two players making the All-World Offensive Team, and three players making the All- World Defensive Team.

Not only did the team play well, but they also showed excellent character and conduct, earning the prestigious Heart of the Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award. This combination of skill, hard work, and character is something our entire State of Utah can cheer for.

Congratulations to the team and their coaches on an incredible season and for making Price and Utah proud. We can't wait to see what they do next.

Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight the important benefits the One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivered to Utah's businesses and workers.

Madam Speaker, we had the opportunity to be in our districts for the past month, and I had the privilege of meeting with my constituents in Utah's Third District. At the end of this district work period, I participated in a business-focused event with members of the Salt Lake Chamber to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other industry- related issues.

During this event, I was able to hear directly from local businessowners and stakeholders about how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other Federal policies are impacting businesses in my district. What I heard was clear: Businesses want certainty. They want competitiveness. They want opportunity. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers all three.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes permanent the section 199A passthrough deduction, giving small businesses a 20 percent tax break. For the 69,000 eligible firms in Utah, this means long-term stability and provides them with a foundation to thrive.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also protects about 72,000 full-time jobs in Utah over the next 4 years relative to if the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act had been allowed to expire.

Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, said: ``This vital legislation provides crucial long-term certainty for Utah's businesses and families. Making these progrowth provisions permanent empowers businesses to continue investing, innovating, and creating jobs,

while also ensuring Utah families can keep more of their hard-earned money and better manage their financial responsibilities.''

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is also critical to innovative national security-focused companies in Utah, such as Northrop Grumman and Vector, which I had the opportunity to tour during the August work period.

Northrop manufactures the five-segment solid rocket boosters for NASA's Space Launch System in Utah. They are currently developing next- generation rocket boosters, which will power us to the Moon and Mars. Thanks to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, NASA will receive $4.1 billion for the Space Launch System for the Artemis IV and V missions. That investment will support Utah jobs and power new American advancement in space.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also supports a strong national defense by investing in America's UAS industrial base to boost U.S. drone capabilities. In my district, companies like Vector, a veteran- owned drone manufacturer, are leading that charge, developing technologies to strengthen the warfighter, secure our supply chain, and drive 21st century innovation here at home. I am glad the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will help support these capabilities and ensure America, not China, sets the standard in this critical field.

In voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, House Republicans voted to power economic growth by boosting local production, supporting small businesses, and strengthening America's national security. I enjoyed discussing these issues with the Salt Lake Chamber and other groups while in my beautiful State of Utah last month.