Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Erika Serrato, who was killed in the line of duty this year on June 28.

With 6 years of service protecting our community, she began her career at

just 18 years old as a detention officer and ascended the ranks to deputy sheriff earlier this year.

Erika lived a life of service and embodied the values of courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others.

On behalf of the Texas Eighth Congressional District, I am grateful for all that Erika did to protect the citizens of Montgomery County.

As our community grapples with the immeasurable loss, my prayers are with the family, friends, and the entire Montgomery County Sheriff's Office during this difficult time.

May Erika rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary educator, mentor, and leader who has made a lasting impact at Magnolia Junior High School as assistant principal: Mr. Jason Hawkins.

A proud alumnus of Cy-Creek High School, Texas A&M, and Lamar University, Jason began his teaching career with Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, rising to assistant principal in 2011.

After years of faithfully serving students and staff there, he stepped into the role as assistant principal at Magnolia Junior High in 2018, where his impact has continued to grow.

In a world where strong role models matter more than ever, Jason represents the very best of public education. His leadership reminds us that the true measure of an educator is not only found in policy and test scores, but in the lives they influence, the confidence they build, and the example they set for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask everyone to join me in recognizing an exceptional assistant principal, educator, mentor; husband to Krystina; father to Kayla and Cody; and a friend to everyone: Mr. Jason Hawkins.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Congressional App Challenge winner of Texas' Eighth Congressional District, Srikar Karri.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting Srikar and learning about the app that he created. I can assure you, it is nothing short of absolutely amazing.

Srikar's app, OncoGAT, is an AI system that can identify types of breast cancer and generate a treatment plan in a matter of seconds. He also built a companion tool that analyzes patient reports and provides Molecular Tumor Board-level recommendations to neurologists.

What is really inspiring is the reason behind the app. He noticed a problem. Harris County reports more new breast cancer cases than any other county in the State of Texas, with over 2,200 each year. It is not often you see someone at Srikar's age who has the unique ability to combine his God-given talent and his desire to help others.

Mr. Speaker, I thank and encourage Srikar Karri to go forward and do great things. On behalf of the Texas Eighth Congressional District, I congratulate Srikar and his family on the outstanding work. I look forward to hearing about his future accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Steely Lumber Company, a local Texas sawmill, which is celebrating their 130th anniversary next month.

Across 6,000 acres in Walker County, Kelvin Steely and his family didn't just build a business. They built a legacy. Every inch of it is rooted in hard work, producing 100 percent southern yellow pine used for decking, housing, and construction.

With the help of their 125 amazing employees, Steely Lumber now makes six times more lumber than they did in the 1990s.

Steely Lumber also prides itself on creating long-term benefit from the land for profitability, wildlife, and conservation.

These efforts have allowed them to grow not only in lumber production but also in related businesses that reduce waste.

Mr. Speaker, for 130 years, Steely Lumber Company has made our community proud. Through generations of grit, integrity, and hard work, they have set the standard for what it means to build something that lasts.

On behalf of the Eighth Congressional District, I congratulate them on their legacy and success, and I thank them for all they have done for our fellow Texans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary American. I am proud to recognize Ms. Marcey Phillips, a fourth- generation U.S. Army veteran, for her courageous service to our Nation and her continued dedication to the men and women who have worn the uniform.

Marcey comes from a family with a strong tradition of military service. In

2002, she answered the call by enlisting in the Texas Army National Guard, where she served until 2010 in Missouri, Georgia, and Fort Hood, Texas. In 2005, she deployed to Iraq and was stationed near Tikrit, one of the most dangerous areas of operation during that conflict.

Like many who have served in combat, Marcey returned carrying invisible wounds. The experiences of war took their toll. In 2019, Marcey found a trusted companion and a source of healing in Beignet, a beautiful black Labrador retriever who has been with her ever since.

That hasn't stopped Marcey. She stepped forward time after time. She continues to serve. She continues to be a steadfast advocate for fellow veterans through the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Today, she proudly serves as the post commander for VFW Post 4709 in Conroe, Texas, and as the District 17 commander at the State level.

She leads with integrity, purpose, and commitment to every veteran post, district, and community she serves. Marcey Phillips exemplifies what it means to serve in uniform and in life.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful nation, we thank Marcey. We thank her for her service. We thank her for her sacrifice. We thank her for continuing to lead. We are honored to call her an American hero.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a group of young Americans whose achievement reflects the very best of our communities, our schools, and our future.

For the first time in history, the Magnolia Junior High seventh grade boys' basketball team completed a season as undefeated district champions, finishing with a perfect 10-0 record.

Ten games, ten victories, zero losses. That accomplishment alone is remarkable. However, what makes this team truly special is not just that they won, it is how they won. Game after game, these young men represented Magnolia Junior High with discipline, respect, teamwork, and integrity. They showed us what it means to compete with character.

This team averaged 61 points per game while holding opponents just to 40. That is excellence on both ends of the court--offense and defense. Perhaps, though, even more impressive, not one player fouled out all season. Not a single technical foul was issued.

That tells us something important. It tells us these students played with maturity beyond their years. They respected the officials. They respected their opponents. They respected the game. That is leadership. That is discipline. That is sportsmanship.

Those are the values we want to see in every classroom, every community, and every generation. Every championship team has leaders. This season, Mason Houston helped set the tone, averaging an outstanding 36.5 points per game. His dedication, effort, and competitive spirit lifted the entire team.

However, championships are never won by one player. They are built by teammates who trust one another, who sacrifice for one another, who hold each other accountable, and who work together toward a shared goal. That is exactly what this team did.

Today, we recognize the young men who made history: Beckett Albe, Daniel Alonso, Jayse Baker, Caleb Gooch, Donnell Hartley, Mason Houston, Brodie Kehoe, Tucker Kowalski, Carter Shephard, Evan Shepherd, and Griffin Spires. These students remind us that excellence is built on one practice, one game, and one decision at a time.

This success would not have been possible without outstanding leadership. I recognize seventh grade coaches Taylor Sowders, Tim Stewart, and Joseph Waddle, along with Head Coach Christopher May, Assistant Coach Jim Barber, Campus Athletic Coordinator Brian Venghaus, Principal David Slater, and District Athletic Director J.D. Berna.

These educators and mentors do far more than coach basketball. They teach responsibility. They teach perseverance. They teach young people how to lead. They are helping shape citizens, leaders, and future public servants.

Years from now, people may remember the undefeated record of these players. They may remember the scoring averages. They may remember the championship, but what matters most is what these players learned along the way. They learned discipline. They learned teamwork. They learned accountability. They learned how to believe in themselves and each other. Those lessons will serve these players long after the final buzzer sounds. They

will serve them in their academics. They will serve them in college. They will serve them in their careers, and they will serve them in life.

Mr. Speaker, at a time when our Nation is focused on preparing the next generation for leadership, service, and success, this team stands as a powerful example of what happens when students are supported, challenged, and inspired.

They didn't just win games. They represented their school, their families, and their community with honor. They made history, and they made Magnolia proud.

Congratulations to the Magnolia Junior High seventh grade boys' basketball team, the 2025-2026 undefeated district champions. May their example continue to inspire us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor an extraordinary public servant, a trusted leader, and dear friend, my chief of staff, Ms. Christine Lee, who is actually retiring after a distinguished career in public service.

In this Chamber, we often speak about policy, votes, and headlines, but behind every office, behind every Member, there are people whose work rarely show up in the Congressional Record, people who make the institution function, who keep the mission on course, and who serve quietly with excellence every single day.

For years, she has been a steady hand guiding our office. She brought clarity when things were complicated, calm when things were chaotic, and purpose when the days were long. She understood that public service isn't about credit. It is about responsibility. She carried that responsibility with integrity, discipline, and grace.

As chief of staff, she did far more than manage schedules and operations. She shaped culture. She built a team that worked hard, treated people with respect, and never lost sight of why we are here: to serve the American people, especially the veterans and families who depend on us.

She has an uncommon ability to see both the big picture and the smallest details. She could navigate complex legislative strategy while never forgetting the constituent on the other end

of the phone who just needed help. That balance--the human side of governance, paired with professional excellence--is rare. That is what made her indispensable.

In moments of pressure, she was unflappable. In moments of disagreement, she brought thoughtfulness. In moments of decision, she was always guided by principle.

I have relied on her judgment more times than I can count. When I needed honest counsel, she gave it, even when it wasn't easy. When the office needed leadership, she stepped forward without hesitation. When the mission demanded long hours and personal sacrifice, she never asked for recognition. She simply got the job done.

That kind of leadership doesn't happen by accident. It comes with character, from experience, and from a deep belief in service before self.

Her impact extends well beyond my office. She has mentored young staffers who will go on to serve in Congress, the executive branch, and communities across the country. Her legacy lives on in the people she has trained, the standards she has set, and the example she modeled every day.

Public service is often described as thankless. Too often the people who give the most receive the least public recognition, and today we correct that.

Ms. Lee has helped shape legislation, supported veterans, solved real problems for real people, and strengthened this institution. She has done so with professionalism, humility, and unwavering commitment.

On behalf of the constituents of the Eighth Congressional District of Texas, on behalf of my staff, and on behalf of a Member of Congress, I want to thank her.

Her service has mattered, her leadership has made a difference, and her example will continue to guide us long after she steps away from this role. As she begins the next chapter of her life, she leaves with our deepest respect, our sincere gratitude, and our very best wishes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff Clint McRae and the outstanding men and women of the Walker County Sheriff's Office.

For over 20 years, Sheriff McRae has led with distinction and unwavering commitment to the people of Walker County. His hands-on leadership and devotion to community policing set the standard for excellence.

The Walker County Sheriff's Office fulfills its mission each day. From volunteer programs engaging citizens in public safety to responsive patrol operations, these deputies exemplify what it means to serve with honor.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for their tireless dedication and proud to represent them in Congress.

Recognizing Sheriff Byron Lyons and Polk County Sheriff's Office

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sheriff Byron Lyons and the brave men and women of the Polk County Sheriff's Office for their exceptional service to our community.

Under Sheriff Lyons' leadership, the patrol division of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, and 15 deputies keeps 1,100 square miles and 1,500 miles of roads safe day in and day out.

Beyond their patrol duties, these law enforcement officials engage our community through innovative programs that build trust and strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the families they protect.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent these outstanding officers who serve with integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to Polk County.

Recognizing Sheriff Sam Houston and San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sheriff Sam Houston and the dedicated deputies of the San Jacinto Sheriff's Office.

Serving over 27,000 residents across 628 square miles, these law enforcement officers protect our county and keep our families safe every single day.

Sheriff Houston leads with commitment to community and engagement in public safety training programs that make our communities stronger and safer. Beyond enforcement, they build trust with our families and serve with honor.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for their dedication to the people of San Jacinto County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the law enforcement officers in my district, specifically in Montgomery County. I thank Constable Chris Jones and his deputies and actually to honor the Montgomery County Sheriff, Wesley Doolittle, whose extraordinary service exemplifies the best of law enforcement in Texas' Eighth Congressional District.

Just last year, shortly after his election, Sheriff Doolittle personally disarmed an individual during a road rage incident. His acts are absolutely what defines service, character, and fearlessness in law enforcement.

Sheriff Doolittle has led by example to protect our communities for decades. His hands-on approach and unwavering commitment to public safety has made Texas' Eighth Congressional District a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.

Our community, State, and Congress continue to be thankful for Sheriff Doolittle's service.

Mr. Speaker, let's make today a great day.

I rise in recognition of excellence, discipline, and American competitiveness.

The 2026 Monster Energy Supercross Series is absolutely underway, and in America we like it. If it goes fast, has got a big motor, and there is a high probability of somebody getting hurt, even better.

If you have never seen Monster Energy Supercross, I am about to change your life, and you are welcome. You have got 22 riders in a confined space going from a starting gate to go-to-the-bathroom-on- your-pants, fast hitting 20-foot jumps with no seatbelts, airbags, or bumpers; just man on machine.

Last weekend on Saturday, Anaheim I, the first race of the series went off. In the 250 class, Max Anstie got first; Chance Hymas got second; Ryder DiFrancesco got third; and last year's champion, Haiden ``Danger Boy'' Deegan, got fourth place.

In the premier class, Eli Tomac absolutely showed up on his new ride. Ken Roczen got second; Jorge Prado third; and seventh place, last year's champion, was Cooper Webb.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Justin Barcia and Malcolm Stewart after that horrific crash they were involved in. I hope they are healing up well and every household has their favorite rider. My oldest boy loves Cooper Webb. My baby boy, Lincoln, loves Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen. My wife and I absolutely are the biggest fan of number 7, Aaron Plessinger, the cowboy. Go forward and do great things, Aaron. Dig in your spurs. This is your year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Human Trafficking Awareness Month and to speak about the serious threat human trafficking represents here and globally.

Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, second to only that of drug trafficking. Human trafficking generates an estimated $150 billion a year and enslaves nearly 50 million people. The most vulnerable are our children and young adults. They are being targeted and exploited through their phones, through their computer systems, through gaming systems, and through social media. Every 30 seconds a child is sold into slavery. Every 30 seconds another child is sold into slavery.

Human trafficking is not just a distant overseas problem. The issue is here. It is in our communities. It is in our small towns. It is in our big cities.

I am from Texas and Texas being a border State, we are a hot spot for human trafficking. We lead the country in that issue. I asked our elected officials and I asked our law enforcement officials: How do we combat this? How do we defeat this mechanism? These cartels and these gangs move these people every day.

It starts with community awareness. You have to be willing to recognize the problem. You have to be willing to watch. We have the FIFA World Cup and we have the Super Bowl coming up. This will swarm our country even more so than now with this issue.

I have talked to school board members. I have talked to parents. I have spoken to young men and women who have been trafficked, and it is hard to speak about. A lot of the young ladies like to keep that to themselves, but we have to look past that.

We in Congress have to legislate forcefully. We have to go after these bastards who are taking advantage of our babies every single day. If we don't, this problem will continue to exist. I asked law enforcement: What do you need? They need technology. They need us to listen. They need funding. They need our help.

This is an American problem. It will not go away. With the advancements of technology that we are seeing today, they will reach out and touch every single person they possibly can because it makes them money.

This is like cancer, unfortunately. If cancer does not touch you or your family, you don't want to recognize it. You will not address it until it lands on the house. Mr. Speaker, this issue is here. These babies cannot protect themselves. It is our responsibility to watch over them. We have to do that. Enough is enough.

In 2021, the estimated report again was 50 million people are sold into slavery, 50 million people. This is a problem the United States and the globe should not have. This is not a red or blue issue. This is a red, white, and blue issue.

I talk to my colleagues in Texas on a daily basis. They are just as engaged as we are, but I talk to the American people and I say to you: We need your help. We have to Facebook this thing. It has to spread like a wave. Do not be shy about this issue, Mr. Speaker. Our babies depend on us to watch over them.

I have two beautiful sons, and I give them the latitude they need, but I watch over them every single day because I am one county away from the worst county in the country when it comes to human trafficking. Honestly, Mr. Speaker, I am embarrassed to have to say that, but we have to fix that here. We have to fix that in every single State in the country, and we can do that if we just activate and show the bad actors that we will tolerate this no more.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my friend Congressman Doug LaMalfa, whose impact touched our Nation, his community in northern California, and this very Chamber.

Doug filled every room he entered with life, passion, and personality. Above all else, he was authentic and unapologetically himself. That is exactly what made him such an effective leader and beloved colleague. He gave me guidance when I first arrived in Congress and reminded me to never forget where I came from and who sent me here to lead.

Whether he was conversing with constituents, passionately defending farmers from this very podium, or getting to work on complex legislation, Doug brought a genuineness to Congress. Everyone felt heard and valued by him.

Doug's big heart matched his personality. Not only did he lift up farmers across America, but he treated everyone with the same respect and dignity, regardless of politics. My colleague, Zoe Lofgren, said yesterday he was someone you could disagree with but he was not disagreeable. That is certainly the mark of a true leader and a good man.

To his wife, Jill, and their four children, I am terribly sorry for your loss. We all mourn his death. May you find peace in his memory and strength in our words. We are here for you just as Doug was here for all of us. May God bless Doug and his family.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Guest for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advocate for the passage of H.R. 1327, the Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act.

When the Assad regime was toppled in Syria late last year, the threat of terrorism did not disappear. It just actually shifted, adapted, and found new ways to survive.

For decades, the Assad regime gave terrorist groups a place to train, organize, and plan attacks. You don't just swipe away the leadership and make the terrorism go away. Those threats don't disappear overnight, and we would be foolish to think otherwise.

Although Syria's Government is in transition and terrorist designations against its new leadership have been lifted, we must not be naive to other terrorist threats that may still originate in the region.

This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a threat assessment posed to the U.S. by individuals in Syria associated with foreign terrorist organizations.

As this body and this administration determine how best to engage with Syria in a post-Assad era, this threat assessment ensures that we have the information we need to make these decisions with eyes wide open. By doing so, we can better examine and mitigate emerging threats from the region.

Our mission is clear. We must protect American lives and prevent future attacks on the homeland by strengthening our counterterrorism efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Correa for his support, and I urge my colleagues to support this sensible legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2392.

First, I thank Senator Moran and Senator Blumenthal for leading this bill in the Senate. I also thank the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, Mr. Morgan McGarvey, and Mr. Takano for joining me in co-leading the House companion of S. 2392.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, I am dedicated to serving my fellow veterans. This legislation is necessary to ensure that benefits paid to veterans, who are disabled as a result of their military service, do not lose value because of economic change outside of their control.

Without their disability compensation benefits, veterans may not be able to afford the cost-of-living increase. Many disabled veterans and their families rely on their benefits to help pay for necessities like mortgage payments and groceries.

I know there are veterans in my district currently struggling to stay healthy and make ends meet. Personal finances and being able to pay your bills are a major source of stress and anxiety for so many veterans, survivors, and their families.

Mr. Speaker, passing this cost-of-living adjustment provides them with the peace of mind they deserve and access to benefits they are owed. I know many of my House colleagues are committed to serving their veteran constituents, which is why I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, July 14, 2025, I was unable to vote on Roll Call Nos. 191, 192, and 193. Had I been present, I would have voted as followed: YEA on Roll Call No. 191; YEA on Roll Call No. 192; and YEA on Roll Call No. 193.