Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as background, I have served on the House Committee on Armed Services for 11 years and on the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

There is an old saying: Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The lesson from Vietnam is that war is hell. If America is unwilling to do horrible things required to win a war, then America should not fight it. Be all in or all out.

A World War II lesson is that Europe's pre-war appeasement strategy does not work against aggressor nations. In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist German Workers' Party time and again seized more and more of Europe. Beginning in 1935, Adolf Hitler and dictatorial socialist Germany annexed the Saarland; invaded and seized Austria in the Anschluss; seized the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia; seized the Slovak state Bohemia and Moravia; and forced Lithuania into ceding the Memel Territory.

In response each time, Europe and the free world tried appeasement and did little to nothing, thereby emboldening Adolf Hitler and dictatorial socialist Germany.

The result? Hitler and Germany invaded Poland, triggering the Holocaust and the deaths of tens of millions of people in World War II.

The question is: Has the world learned from history?

In 2014, Vladimir Putin and Russia invaded Crimea. The free world did little to nothing.

Also in 2014, Vladimir Putin and Russia inspired a rebellion in Donetsk and Lugansk in Ukraine, costing thousands of lives and creating hundreds of thousands of desperate refugees. The free world did little to nothing.

Last month, Russia invaded Ukraine again, apparently seeking the total destruction and conquest of Ukraine. I admire the bravery and kindred spirit of citizens who fight and die for liberty and freedom against overwhelming odds.

They remind me of American Revolutionary War heroes like George Washington and Patrick Henry and places like Valley Forge, Cowpens, Kings Mountain, and Saratoga.

Fortunately, something is different about this Russian attack on Ukraine. This time, the world does not do nothing. This time, the free world is helping Ukraine during their time of peril. This time, time will tell whether the world's help is enough and effective.

First, Europe and America impose economic sanctions on Russia. In that vein, we must learn from Vietnam. Economic sanctions must be all in or all out. There can be no half measures. America must be in this to win or not be in it at all.

Second, Europe and America must be, and are, supplying Ukraine with much-needed tank-killing Javelins, aircraft-destroying Stingers, advanced fighter jets to replace those lost in combat, and other military equipment Ukraine desperately needs.

Third, Europe must decide whether to deploy combat troops. For emphasis, it is my view that America should not even consider providing combat troops in Ukraine unless Europe first does so in significant numbers. Even then, whatever America decides about troop assistance should never go beyond assistance to our European allies.

I, like many Americans, am tired of America spending our Treasury and our lives in so many parts of the globe. It is time for the rest of the free world to step up.

Ukrainians bravely shed themselves of the dictatorial boot in 1991. Russians can, and should, do the same.

My message to the Russian people is this: Your Russian comrades fought side by side with you in World War II against Adolf Hitler and dictatorial socialist Germany. Now, Vladimir Putin forces you to kill each other and die by the thousands in Ukraine. It does not have to be this way. The true way to peace is to do what America regularly does: replace our political leaders.

I urge freedom-loving Russians to bravely stand up and do the same. Do what is necessary to get the leadership Russians want and deserve, and do it before it is too late. That is the lesson of World War II.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary Alabamian, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, Mr. Ross Malone, Jr.

Ross Malone Jr. was born February 10th, 1922, to Ross Malone Sr. and Corine Bibb Malone in Decatur, Alabama. When he was in Junior High, his parents relocated to Louisville, Kentucky for his fathers' job at L&N Railway. In 1941, Mr. Malone graduated from Central High School in Louisville, KY.

From 1943 to 1946, Mr. Malone honorably guarded depots and Prisoners of War (POW) during World War II, where his battalion was sent to Normandy one week after D-Day. On July 2, 2019, he was presented with a Quilt of Valor, a handmade quilt awarded to a service member or veteran who fought for our nation. After returning from war, he married his high school sweetheart, Ethelda Mason, on June 5th, 1946, and together they raised five children. Mr. Malone worked at the Decatur Southern Railway Depot. He and Ethelda were married for 64 years before the Lord called her home in May of 2011.

After working for the Decatur Southern Railway Depot for 35-years, Mr. Malone was given the distinguished honor of having the ticket office at the train depot named after him in 2016. He is currently the oldest living employee of the Depot today.

Since 1975, Mr. Malone has been a devoted member of Alpha Seventh Day Adventist Church where he remains active today. In 2012, he was featured on the cover of Radar, a premier business and entertainment magazine, spotlighting Mr. Malone as making a difference in his community and his country. Also in 2012, the Decatur Minority Development Association partnered with local businesses and corporations to host the first annual Ross Malone Charity Golf Tournament in his honor.

Madam Speaker, Ross Malone, Jr.'s military service, work ethic, and passion for serving others represents the best of America.

I wish Mr. Malone and his family the best as they celebrate his 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 originated in the Communist Chinese Party's Wuhan bio-weapons lab, and forces Americans into a damned if you do, damned if you don't choice.

You can refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccine and face the risk of death and debilitating injury when you catch COVID-19. Or you can take the COVID-19 vaccine and face the risk of death or debilitating injury from the vaccine's side effects, as described in a letter by Mary Constance Seibert, who honorably served America in the United States Navy.

Ms. Seibert states: ``Dear Congressman Mo Brooks: This is my explanation and statement regarding the impact of the vaccine that was being given as a result of extreme pressure but now is mandated by the Armed Forces. This has resulted in my partial paralysis that has confined me to a wheelchair.

``On March 22, 2021, I received my second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine supplied by Pfizer. Shortly after, I became sick for a few days, as expected. A few weeks later, I got sick again, and was so ill I was out for 2 weeks. Medical staff were unable to determine what I had caught. I developed ringing in my ears, which I still have.

``After, I started to develop medical problems where muscles would inflame along with severe restless leg syndrome, which sent me screaming from pain in the dead of sleep. I went to physical therapists and Navy doctors alike to no avail to stop it. Shortly proceeding, my knees started to give out, and I'd need--and still need--to pop them to terminate the pain. I also experienced the development of digestive problems like IBS and joints that would become so painful that I would cry from the pain in my hips and feet just from standing for 30 minutes.

``All these symptoms developed in 2 months with no explanation. Eventually, they would level out as I was put into a command to focus on medical problems.

``By May, I started losing vision in my right eye and slight vision in my left. This was accompanied by pain and my vision going from 20/20 in my right eye to 20/25 and from 20/17 in my left eye to 20/20. They assumed I had optic neuritis in my right eye but were wrong and still do not know why the pressure was off in my eye.

``On July 2, I experienced my first painful set of convulsions. They started small but grew as the days went on.

``On July 5, I was sent to the ER as I was no longer functional and the feeling of electricity going through my body would not stop. I went into the ER walking and on July 8, I came out in a wheelchair as I slowly lost my ability to walk as the days went by and the spasms kept happening. They never did figure out what was wrong with me. I only knew my copper was high, my white blood cells were high, and my inflammation levels were very high, with no explanation. My current symptoms have been trouble breathing, joint pain, migraines, unknown convulsions, vision loss, unsteady gait, vomiting, nausea, mouth ulcers, frequent heavy nose bleeds, tremors, slurred speech, heat aversion, and lack of motor coordination.

``I am now reliant on a wheelchair and now await separation from the military. I have been told there is no other explanation other than a reaction from within my body due to the vaccine.''

Let me repeat that.

``I have been told there is no other explanation other than a reaction from within my body due to the vaccine.

``Respectfully submitted, Mary Constance Seibert.''

Mr. Speaker, I stand for freedom and liberty and against vaccine mandates because in America, Americans should have the freedom to choose which of two bad COVID-19 options is best for them, vaccination or no vaccination. I stand against dictatorial government vaccine mandates because mandates are the antithesis of the liberty and freedom on which America is based.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Betterton on their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Erby Wayne Betterton was born on February 28, 1948 in Decatur, Alabama. Four years later, Valeri Lynn Dunaway was born on May 21, 1952, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

While on leave from his duties in the U.S. Army, Wayne met Valeri through his brother. After Wayne finished his three-year commitment to the Army, he returned home and proposed to Valeri on her 18th birthday, which also happened to be the day she graduated from Butler High School. On August 01, 1971, Wayne and Valeri were married at West Huntsville Church of Christ.

Looking back over their life together, Wayne and Valeri recognize the many blessings they have experienced together.

For instance, Wayne served in the U.S. Army on the front lines of the Vietnam War and returned home safely. Upon returning home and completing his service, Wayne went to work as a tire builder with Dunlop Tire Company. Meanwhile, Valeri worked in the food stamp office until 1975, when she and Wayne welcomed their first daughter into their home. Later, in 1979, Valeri had another little girl. By this time, Valeri chose to change her career to become a stay-at-home mother.

Later, Valeri returned to work as a state employee and retired after twenty-five years of service. Wayne retired after thirty-three and a half years at Dunlop, which is when the plant was closed.

Today, Wayne and Valeri are enjoying retirement by being heavily involved in their grandchildren's lives and their local church and community. One of their favorite past times is watching the Atlanta Braves.

Madam Speaker, Wayne and Valeri Betterton's marriage serves as a reminder to us all, that with unwavering commitment and perseverance, marriage is truly a wonderful blessing.

I wish Mr. and Mrs. Betterton the very best as they enjoy their fiftieth wedding anniversary and celebrate with their family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor George Mills, an extraordinary Alabamian I recently met in Decatur at a Kiwanis pancake breakfast. George is a former World War II prisoner of war and will celebrate his 100th birthday on May 23.

The youngest of eight children, George graduated from Decatur High School in 1939. While in high school, George worked for Western Union, delivering telegrams on his bicycle from 5 to 11 every night. After high school graduation, George sold pianos for Forbes Piano Company.

In 1942, at age 21, George Mills enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Company E, 109th Division under General Omar Bradley, making him a member of one of World War II's best-trained divisions.

Sergeant Mills arrived on Omaha Beach 25 days after D-day. For 7 months, he was in combat and engaged in four major battles, including the Battle of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the battle at the Hurtgen Forest.

After the Hurtgen Forest battle, George and his company were sent to the Germany-Luxembourg border, where, one morning, they were awakened by exploding rockets and artillery. His company was surrounded by 15,000 Axis forces. Despite overwhelming odds, they held their ground for several days.

Eventually, Axis forces blew a hole in the house Mills was sheltered in. Bazookas and flamethrowers followed, setting the entire house on fire. George was injured by shrapnel.

On December 18, 1944, after more than 2 years of service, George was captured by the Germans. After the fight, the Germans flattened the surrounding town, shooting civilians and the mayor.

The Germans interrogated the soldiers before taking them to a German POW camp, where they were fingerprinted, photographed, given dog tags, and registered as prisoners of war. They remained there for 2 days before the Germans segregated the soldiers, sending officers to concentration camps, forcing privates to work, and sending noncommissioned officers, including George, on a 5-month walk across Europe that broke their souls and their bodies.

George tells many vivid stories of the cold winter, lack of food and sleep, abhorrent treatment by their captors, and the good friends made along the way.

Thankfully, George was liberated on April 14, 1945.

In October 1945, George was discharged and returned to America. After a very long bus ride home, he arrived at his Alabama hometown, where his sister was so excited to see him that she forgot to unlatch the screen door and his faithful bulldog nearly broke down the door to get to him.

Four years later, George and his wife, Charlie, were married. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage before Charlie passed away in December 2015.

In 1983, George retired but stayed busy, traveling with his wife across America, Canada, and Europe, while looking up George's Army buddies along the way.

One of George's proudest moments came on November 16, 2006, when France's President named George Mills a Chevalier for his gallantry during the liberation of France.

Vigorous as ever, George is involved in the Military Order of the Purple Heart, The American Legion, the VFW, the Masonic Lodge, the Kiwanis Club, and several other community organizations.

He is a frequent speaker at several local high schools, community organizations, and church groups. A true southern gentleman, he is a beloved representative of America's Greatest Generation.

Mr. Speaker, George Mills' exemplary service to America and his local community is emblematic of what makes America a great nation.

I wish George Mills the very best as he and his family celebrate his 100th birthday.

Madam Speaker, earlier this month, employees at Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama, fulfillment facility rejected unionization by a 1,798-738 vote. That is a monumental 70 percent against unions to a meager 30 percent for unions.

Bam. That kind of vote sends a powerful anti-union, pro-liberty message to America and the world.

I applaud Amazon's Bessemer employees for rejecting unionization attempts by out-of-state agitators, from the President to Hollywood actors and on down. A primary reason why Amazon chose to locate nearly 6,000 good-paying jobs in Alabama is Alabama's nonunion reputation.

Alabama maintains that reputation after Bessemer's overwhelming anti- union vote, thus ensuring even more companies will relocate even more good-paying jobs from union States up north into Alabama.

Alabama is a right-to-work State.

What does ``right to work'' mean?

Right-to-work laws protect citizens from being forced against their will to join a union, pay union dues, and subject themselves to union bosses.

Alabama's right-to-work status gives Alabama a strong economic advantage over forced union States. For example, 69 percent of jobs reshored from overseas back into America between 2010 and 2019 have gone to right-to-work States. U.S. Commerce Department data, adjusted for cost-of-living differences, revealed that 2019's manufacturing job pay in right-to-work States averaged $83,000 per employee, $4,000 more than in forced union States. That is a big difference in pay.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, right-to-work States' overall job growth was a robust 11 percent over the past decade versus a meager 2.4 percent in forced union States. When that data is limited to manufacturing jobs only, right-to-work States, over the past decade, enjoyed a very good 9.1 percent increase in manufacturing jobs while forced union States had a horrible two-tenths of 1 percent cut in manufacturing jobs.

Better yet, 2018 Census data reveals that after-tax mean income per household, after cost-of-living adjustment, was $64,572 in right-to- work States versus $60,244 in forced union States. That is, on average, $4,328 more real, adjusted for cost of living, income per capita in right-to-work versus union States. That is a huge difference.

So, Madam Speaker, the economic data clearly proves that right-to- work laws benefit workers. Consistent with that economic prosperity and desire for

freedom and liberty--after all, no one likes being told what they can and cannot do--74 percent of Americas say they support right-to-work laws, according to a recent Gallup Poll.

Despite overwhelming American support for right-to-work laws, dictatorial Socialists in March rammed through the House a bill that repeals all right-to-work laws in America. Worse yet, dictatorial Socialists seek to use President Biden's infrastructure bill to slip in a provision that repeals all right-to-work laws in America.

I hope neither of these terrible dictatorial bills ever reaches President Biden's desk. Certainly, I will vote against them and I will vote for freedom, liberty, and protection of America's right-to-work laws.

Madam Speaker, America would be stronger if more States would enact right-to-work laws. I encourage citizens and elected officials to promote right-to-work laws, freedom of choice, and the freedom and liberty right-to-work laws represent.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the objection.

Madam Speaker, for years, Democrats and their media allies deceived America about Trump-Russian collusion and the extent of foreign interference in the 2016 elections. Yet, in 2020, Democrats promoted massive foreign interference in American elections by helping illegal aliens and other noncitizens vote in American elections, thereby canceling the votes of and stealing elections from American citizens.

Want evidence? Exhibit A. In 1993, Democrats rammed through Congress the National Voter Registration Act, making it illegal--illegal--to require proof of citizenship that prevents illegal aliens and noncitizens from registering to vote.

Why did Democrats do that? Simple. To steal elections, of course.

Exhibit B. How bad is the noncitizen voting problem? In 2005, Democrat President Jimmy Carter's Commission on Federal Election Reform warned that ``noncitizens have registered to vote in several recent elections'' and recommended that ``all States should use their best efforts to obtain proof of citizenship before registering voters.''

Exhibit C. A June 2005 General Accountability Office report discovered that up to 3 percent of people on voter registration lists are not U.S. citizens.

Exhibit D. In 2008, Electoral Studies surveyed 339 noncitizens. Eight percent admitted voting in American elections.

As an aside, I have seen higher percentages in other studies.

Exhibit E. The 2010 Census counted 11 million illegal aliens in America.

Exhibit F. A 2018 Yale study estimated as many as 22 million illegal aliens in America.

Exhibit G. The math means between 880,000 and 1.72 million illegal aliens illegally voted in the 2020 elections.

Exhibit H. In 2014, Old Dominion University and George Mason University professors surveyed noncitizens and illegal aliens and found they vote Democrat roughly 80 percent of the time.

Exhibit I. The math is again straightforward. The 60 percent Biden advantage times the illegal alien voting number means Joe Biden gained roughly 1,032,000 votes from illegal alien voting. That is the high number.

Exhibit J. While no one knows for sure how massive the illegal alien voting bloc is, we do know Joe Biden and his campaign believed it large enough and critical enough to winning the Presidential race that, at the October 22 Presidential debate, Joe Biden publicly solicited the illegal alien bloc vote by promising: ``Within 100 days, I am going to send to the United States Congress a pathway to citizenship for over 11 million undocumented people.''

Ladies and gentlemen, Madam Speaker, that is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for illegal aliens. Joe Biden knew exactly what he was doing by seeking the illegal alien bloc vote. After all, on May 11, 1993, then-Senator Joe Biden voted for the National Voter Registration Act, which makes it illegal to require proof of citizenship from illegal aliens and other noncitizens when they seek to register to vote.

Madam Speaker, the evidence is compelling and irrefutable. Noncitizens overwhelmingly voted for Joe Biden in exchange for the promised amnesty and citizenship and in so doing helped steal the election from Donald Trump, Republican candidates, and American citizens across America.

Madam Speaker, in my judgment, if only lawful votes cast by eligible American citizens are counted, Joe Biden lost and President Trump won the electoral college.

As such, it is my constitutional duty to promote honest and accurate elections by rejecting electoral college vote submissions from States whose electoral systems are so badly flawed as to render their vote submissions unreliable, untrustworthy, and unworthy of acceptance.

Mr. President, I and 55 other Members of the United States House of Representatives object to the electoral vote for the State of Nevada in order to protect the lawful votes of Nevada and all other American citizens.

Mr. President, it is in writing, but, unfortunately, no United States Senator has joined in this effort.

Mr. Speaker, the President is Commander in Chief. His highest constitutional duty is protecting American lives.

As of 2016, so-called refugee admissions from the Middle East, Near East, South Asia, and Africa accounted for 80 percent of so-called refugee admissions into America.

I say ``so-called refugees'' because the United Nations states no country is obligated by international law to take refugees from a country in which they are already protected.

The result of America's flawed policy? America is the world's top refugee resettlement country on the planet.

In a 2015 Breitbart interview, I opposed these dangerous refugee policies and stated: ``Barack Obama wants to endanger Americans by importing people, some of whom undoubtedly will resort to terrorism and killing Americans at some point in the future.''

Consistent with my view that importing unvetted people from terrorist-laden countries threatens American lives, the House, in 2015, passed a law requiring a full FBI background investigation for alleged Iraq or Syria refugees. The bill died in the Senate while under an Obama veto threat.

In 2017, a newly elected President Trump stated: ``In order to protect Americans, the United States must ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles. The United States cannot, and should not, admit those who do not support the Constitution or those who would place violent ideologies over American law.''

``In addition, the United States should not admit those who engage in acts of bigotry or hatred, including `honor' killings, other forms of violence against women, or the persecution of those who practice religions different from their own.''

As expected, socialist Democrats and their fake news media allies reacted by calling President Trump names rather than supporting policies that save American lives.

For example, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: ``This week, I joined my colleagues on the steps of the Supreme Court to fight the President's reprehensible order. . . . The values illustrated were in stark contrast with the President's unconstitutional, immoral, and dangerous ban on refugees and citizens of Muslim countries coming into the United States.''

Predictably, a radical, leftist judge restrained President Trump from protecting American lives. Fortunately, a later President Trump refugee and travel policy was approved by the Supreme Court as ``squarely within the scope of Presidential authority.''

As would be expected, this decision was ridiculed with hysterical headlines from the left. NBC News stated, ``The Supreme Court's travel ban decision adds to its legacy of legitimizing racism.''

Protecting Americans from terrorism is ``reprehensible,'' ``immoral,'' ``racism''? This is all ignorant and baseless socialist Democrat and fake news media slander intended to stifle rational debate.

But truth eventually wins out. Recently, an unvetted so-called Syrian

refugee who entered America 3 years ago was charged with terrorism. According to an affidavit filed in Pittsburgh Federal court, the FBI investigation of Mustafa Mousab Alowemer ``revealed that Alowemer plotted to bomb a church located on the north side of Pittsburgh . . . using a weapon of mass destruction, i.e., an explosive device.''

According to Alowemer, his motivation to detonate a device at the church was to ``support the cause of ISIS and to inspire other ISIS supporters in the United States to join together and commit similar acts in the name of ISIS.''

Fortunately, the FBI stopped Alowemer from blowing up a church and slaughtering innocent American Christians. Unfortunately, American lives are still at risk from terrorists masquerading as refugees.

Mr. Speaker, I ask: How many dead Americans does it take to cause open-border advocates to secure our borders and protect American lives?

Unfortunately, no one knows because socialist Democrats have shown there is no amount of American blood on their hands that will cause them to protect American lives by securing America's borders.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hartselle Police Officers Robert Baker and Roger Speake, Hartselle Police Lieutenant Robert Finn, and Hartselle Utilities employee Stephen Johnson for their brave, life-saving actions on February 22, 2019.

In the early morning hours of February 22nd, Officers Baker and Speake, and Lieutenant Finn responded to a house fire. Upon their arrival at the home, they found the fire was spreading quickly and a woman with limited-mobility was trapped. Thankfully, Hartselle Utilities employee Stephen Johnson, who had been working nearby, was already on the scene. As a team, Baker, Speake, Finn, and Johnson, risking their safety, broke down a fence at the side of the house and successfully evacuated the woman from her bedroom window with only minutes to spare before the house was completely engulfed in flames.

Madam Speaker, in the face of imminent danger to their own lives, Officers Baker and Speake, Lieutenant Finn, and Mr. Johnson, acted decisively and selflessly, saving the life of our fellow community member.

I commend Officers Baker and Speake, Lieutenant Finn, and Mr. Johnson for their courageous actions in service to others.

Madam Speaker, recent Persian Gulf tanker attacks do not--I repeat, do not--justify unilateral American military action against Iran.

On May 12, 2019, two Saudi Arabian tankers, a United Arab Emirates tanker, and a Norwegian tanker were attacked. According to a Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Norway joint report, explosions caused all four vessels to suffer hull breaches.

The report states that limpet mines were ``highly likely placed by divers below or at the waterline,'' and the placement of the mines was ``consistent with intention to disable the mobility, but not physically destroy, each vessel.''

The report concludes that ``these sophisticated attacks were most likely carried out by a state actor.'' For emphasis, the report does not accuse anyone of conducting the attacks.

On June 13, 2019, a Japanese tanker and Norwegian tanker were attacked with explosive devices that caused considerable fire and hull damage to both tankers.

Who is responsible for these two tanker attacks? There is international disagreement.

America and the United Kingdom blame Iran. Iran denies responsibility. Other nations offer no opinion and caution against a rush to judgment. Perhaps more evidence will persuade the international community that Iran orchestrated these tanker attacks, perhaps not.

Regardless of blame, there are other factors to consider. For example, what is America's national security interest in these six tanker attacks? Not a single attacked tanker is owned by Americans. Rather, they are owned by Saudi Arabia, Norway, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan.

Not a single attacked tanker involved oil produced in America. Rather, all six tankers were shipping Saudi Arabian or United Arab Emirates oil. Neither of the two tankers loaded with cargo was bound for the United States.

Hence, the United States has no national security interest in the six attacked tankers sufficient to trigger an American retaliatory military action against Iran.

There are, however, other nations that do have a national security interest in these tanker attacks. Japan and South Korea import roughly 80 percent of their oil from the Persian Gulf. India imports roughly 60 percent of its oil from the Persian Gulf. China imports roughly 50 percent of its oil from the Persian Gulf. Western Europe imports almost 20 percent of its oil from the Persian Gulf.

Hence, Japan, South Korea, China, India, Western Europe, and many other

nations all have a national security interest in keeping Persian Gulf oil shipping lanes open and are justified in using military force to defend those shipping lanes at their own risk and at their own cost.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates all have a national security interest in keeping Persian Gulf shipping lanes open to transport the oil they produce and sell. Hence, each of these countries is justified in using military force to defend their shipping lanes at their own risk and at their own cost.

Clearly, then, other nations have a far greater national security interest in Persian Gulf oil and shipping lanes than does the United States. As such, these nations should be primarily responsible for using military force as is necessary to protect their national security interests.

Madam Speaker, America must stop being the world's policeman on every corner of the planet. America must stop burning through our treasury and risking our American lives when we have no compelling security interest in a dispute. This is particularly true when those nations that do have a national security interest don't care enough about their own national security interest to protect them.

While America can and should help our allies, it is equally important that America's allies put up their own defense capabilities, protect their own national security interests, and shoulder their own share of military burdens.

If countries with a national security interest in Persian Gulf shipping lanes act as a unified force to protect them, and if they ask for America's assistance, America should then, and only then, consider military assistance. Unless that happens, this is not America's fight.

Of course, should Iran attack Americans or their property, or should Iran attack and kill any of our allies' citizens, an entirely different set of considerations come into play, and Iran will not like America's response to those kinds of attacks.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, as I speak, unprecedented tsunamis of illegal aliens swamp Customs and Border Patrol resources on America's porous southern border with Mexico.

What is the socialist Democrat response to this dangerous, life- threatening invasion? Today, they help make our border security crisis worse by pushing legislation that gives illegal aliens amnesty that, in turn, entices even more illegal aliens to cross our border.

What is the result of past socialist Democrat amnesty efforts? In the first half of fiscal year 2019, the number of illegal alien family units captured by Border Patrol roughly tripled over the previous year. Worst yet, the number of captured illegal aliens topped 100,000 in each of March and April. Further, the number of illegal alien caravans has skyrocketed from two in fiscal year 2017, to 13 in fiscal year 2018, to 104 large illegal alien caravans of 100 or more individuals, totaling 17,242 illegal alien captures in just the first 6 months of fiscal year 2019.

Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost recently testified to the Senate that, ``Our apprehension numbers are off the charts. . . . We cannot address this crisis by simply shifting more resources or building more facilities. It is like holding a bucket under a faucet. It doesn't matter how many buckets you give me if we can't turn off the flow.''

Thanks to socialist Democrats' betrayals of the American people, the crisis is not just centered on illegal aliens from Mexico and Central America. For the first time ever, on May 31, Border Patrol agents captured a large caravan of illegal aliens from Africa, including places like Angola, Cameroon, and Congo. Also, on May 31, Border Patrol agents captured the largest group of illegal aliens ever captured at one place: 1,036 illegal aliens at the El Paso, Texas, border.

Let me be very clear: Illegal alien amnesty only begets and encourages more lawless illegal alien conduct.

Socialist Democrats' callous disregard for American citizens plagued by illegal aliens demonstrates just how radical socialist Democrats have become. However, if you understand the underlying reason for the socialist Democrats' dangerous open borders policies, the inaction and callousness make sense.

About 70 percent of households with an illegal alien in them live off welfare and on the backs of American taxpayers. Since illegal aliens are heavily dependent on welfare, once they get the amnesty and the American citizenship socialist Democrats desperately seek to bestow, that makes them reliable socialist Democrat voters. After all, socialist Democrats are the party for taking much-needed money from hardworking American taxpayers to pay for welfare for those who prefer to vote for a living rather than work for one.

Quite frankly, socialist Democrats don't give one twit about the thousands of dead Americans who die each year because of illegal alien homicides. Socialist Democrats care not one twit about American blood on their hands. Socialist Democrats covet political power, and they see open borders, amnesty, and illegal aliens voting as the way to get it.

That is why so many socialist Democrat cities, like San Francisco, are passing laws that allow illegal aliens to register to vote, and vote, in American elections, regardless of how badly this denies American citizens control over their own governments.

This insult to American voters is so astonishing, it deserves repeating. Socialist Democrat cities, like San Francisco, are passing laws that allow illegal aliens to register to vote, and vote, in American elections, regardless of how badly this denies American citizens control over their own governments.

Mr. Speaker, I yearn for the day that socialist Democrats put the interests of American citizens above the interests of illegal aliens, above the socialist Democrats' craving for political power. Unfortunately, that day is not today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Robert A. Altenkirch of Huntsville, Alabama upon his retirement as President of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). I join Dr. Altenkirch's family, friends, and the UAH community in congratulating him on his exemplary career in academia.

As so many of his students and colleagues can attest, Dr. Altenkirch has had an extraordinary career full of accomplishments. Dr. Altenkirch earned a B.S. from Purdue University, an M.S. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from Purdue, all in mechanical engineering.

Dr. Altenkirch served as a faculty member and department chair for the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Kentucky from 1975 to 1988. He was then appointed Dean of the College of Engineering at Mississippi State University and served in that position from 1988 to 1995. From 1995 to 1998, Dr. Altenkirch served as Dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture at Washington State University. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Altenkirch served as Vice President for research at Mississippi State University. After that, he served as President of New Jersey Institute of Technology for nine years. In 2009, he was recognized as one of the hundred and one most influential people in the state of New Jersey.

Dr. Altenkirch was named UAH President on September 2011. Dr. Altenkirch was chosen

for his world-class experience in aerospace research and his reputation as a student-focused president. During his tenure, Dr. Altenkirch initiated the formation of UAH's Department of Space Science in 2013, the Honors College in 2014, and the College of Education in 2014. He also expanded the campus, built new dorms, and brought new sports programs to the school such as Lacrosse in 2016. Dr. Altenkirch's passion for learning, his love for his students, and his desire for excellence have left a lasting impact on UAH.

In closing, I would like to thank Dr. Altenkirch for his many years of service at UAH. And, I sincerely wish Dr. Altenkirch continued good health and contentment in his retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Redstone-Huntsville Chapter on their 60th anniversary. I join the entire Redstone Arsenal defense community in congratulating the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter on reaching this momentous milestone.

Established in 1959, the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter is the Tennessee Valley's premier private, nonprofit, educational association of individual, business and organization members dedicated to supporting and maintaining a strong national defense with emphasis on the role of the United States Army.

The AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter has been recognized year after year as one of America's best chapters. Twelve times in the past fifteen years, the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter has been named the ``Best Chapter Overall of the Year'' by AUSA National for chapters in the largest category, those over 1,350 members.

The AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter plays a vital role in major armed forces events such as the Army Birthday/Flag Day/Installation of Chapter Officers Dinner, Army National Guard Birthday Breakfast, Army Reserve Birthday Breakfast, Missiles Symposium, Blast-Off Bash during AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville.

In closing, I would like to again congratulate the AUSA Redstone- Huntsville Chapter on their 60th anniversary and thank this outstanding chapter for their contributions to the Army and the Tennessee Valley. I look forward to what the AUSA Redstone-Huntsville Chapter will accomplish in the future.