Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM) on their 35th anniversary. Located within Texas' 8th Congressional District in Cypress, CAM has spent more than three decades serving as a pillar of compassion and hope for families in need. What began in 1990 as a community effort to distribute food to those in need from the back seat of a sedan has grown into a comprehensive non-profit organization that uplifts thousands of Texans each year. CAM currently operates a year-round food pantry, two donation centers, educational programs, and workforce readiness classes for those who would otherwise not have the opportunity.

In 2024 alone, CAM distributed 1.2 million pounds of food, helped hundreds of households remain in their homes, and guided countless individuals to a path of self-sufficiency through job training. Behind these numbers are real people, parents, seniors, veterans, and children, whose lives are brighter because of Cypress Assistance Ministries. They have demonstrated the very best of what a community can achieve when it works together.

The tireless work of over 500 volunteers as well as over 40 local churches and businesses proves the resiliency and generosity of the people of Texas' 8th Congressional District and serves as an example to the nation. On behalf of a grateful community and the United States House of Representatives, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Cypress Assistance Ministries on their 35th anniversary and thank them for their enduring service to our district.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 20th anniversary of Operation Red Wings, a mission carried out by United States Navy SEALs and the Army 160th SOAR in June 2005 in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Operation Red Wings was intended to disrupt anticoalition militia activity in the Pech District of the Kunar Province. The primary target was a high-ranking Taliban leader named Ahmad Shah.

To carry out the operations, a four-man reconnaissance team was inserted into the rugged terrain under the cover of darkness. The team consisted of Lieutenant Michael Murphy, Petty Officer Matthew Axelson, Petty Officer Danny Dietz, and Petty Officer Marcus Luttrell. Their mission was to observe and confirm the presence of Ahmad Shah.

Unfortunately, the team's position was compromised by local goat herders. Faced with a difficult ethical decision, the SEALs let the herders go. Within hours, they were surrounded and ambushed by a large force of Taliban fighters.

Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, the SEALs fought valiantly. Michael Murphy, despite being shot, moved into the open to get clear to make a call for backup. That call would cost him his life. Matthew Axelson and Danny Dietz perished shortly after.

A Quick Reaction Force from the 160th SOAR dispatched a Chinook helicopter to rescue the SEALs, but tragically the helicopter was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing all 16 men on board. In total, 19 Americans died in Operation Red Wings. It was one of the deadliest days in special warfare history.

The mission is not just a story of loss; it is a powerful testament to courage, brotherhood, and sacrifice.

The names of the men who lost their lives during Operation Red Wings are: Petty Officer Matthew G. Axelson, Petty Officer Danny Dietz, Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan, Staff Sergeant Shamus O. Goare, Chief Warrant Officer Corey Goodnature, Senior Chief Petty Officer Dan Healy, Sergeant Kip Jacoby, Lieutenant Commander Erik Kristensen, Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Lucas, Lieutenant Michael McGreevy, Sergeant First Class Marcus Muralles; Lieutenant Michael Murphy; Petty Officer Shane Patton, Master Sergeant James Ponder; Major Stephen Reich, Sergeant First Class Michael Russell, Chief Warrant Officer Chris Scherkenbach, Petty Officer James Suh, and Petty Officer Jeffrey Taylor.

Mr. Speaker, may blessings go out to the Gold Star families and friends on this day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize President Alisa White of Sam Houston State University for her dedication, devotion and leadership in service to Sam Houston State University, its students and all Texans. Like Sam Houston himself, Dr. White saw Texas as a land of promise, offering opportunities for bold enterprise and she is delivering on that promise every day.

Assuming the role as President of SHSU in August of 2020, Dr. White brought her leadership to the University in a time of disruption, change and uncertainty in education. The COVID pandemic had rendered the college experience unrecognizable. Finding a way through the pandemic, protecting her students and maintaining excellence, President White showed true leadership.

Dr. White is truly committed to Sam Houston's first-generation college students and those coming to the school from low-income households. In every conversation with Dr. White, she speaks of her commitment to these students and to giving them the tools they need to be successful. This led to the establishment of the First-Generation Center to offer tailored resources and support to this cohort of students.

Sam Houston has recently launched the Polytechnic College, known as SamPoly. This initiative aims to provide students with practical, industry-aligned education to meet the evolving demands of the workforce. True to Dr. White's mission to provide opportunities for students across multiple interests, SamPoly is breaking barriers to education and leading to success for an ever-growing range of student interests.

In tune with the needs of the country and the interests of the students, President White has thrown her full support behind a new commitment to Cyber Studies. Both degreed and certificate level programs are growing at Sam Houston and the school is working with the CIA, FBI, DHS and other agencies to create a pathway to jobs in this fast-growing field.

Under her leadership, the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine is making a name for itself in the medical field. Training predominantly Primary Care Physicians, they will serve throughout Texas and the U.S. in underserved communities. Since Dr. White coming to the helm, the medical school secured an investment from the State of Texas for $32 million and an additional $23 million in pledges and gifts in 2023 alone.

It's not just in the classroom that Dr. White is making a difference. On the fields and courts, and even on the beaches, with the introduction of Beach Volleyball this year, Sam Houston students are reaching new heights. Dr. White has brought her brand of energy to Sam Houston State University and the feeling on campus is electric.

As a Sam Houston State University graduate, I Could not be prouder to offer this commendation to my fellow Bearkat--Dr, Alisa White. Her leadership and service to the University and to Texas are unrivaled.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Monster Energy American Motocross professional supercross racer Aaron Plessinger on his remarkable victory and his second career win under what many are calling the worst conditions in track history this year.

This wasn't just a race. It was a test of endurance, resilience, and unwavering determination. In the face of deep ruts, relentless mud, and brutal terrain, Mr. Plessinger, ``The Cowboy,'' displayed not only exceptional athleticism but also the kind of mental toughness that defines true champions.

His performance serves as an inspiration not only to inspiring athletes but to Americans who know the success that often comes when the odds are stacked against them.

We salute Aaron's grit, his perseverance, and his example, and we congratulate him on a well-earned victory.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize March 10 through March 16 as Brain Awareness Week.

During Brain Awareness Week, neuroscientists around the world educate young students and the public on the wonders of the human brain. These activities will contribute to a public understanding of brain function, scientific research, and bring awareness to the brain disorders and diseases that directly affect the lives of nearly 100 million Americans.

Groups such as the Society for Neuroscience meet with legislators across Capitol Hill to educate us on the biggest issues facing scientists today, including the importance of robust funding for research agencies and programs such as the NIH and the BRAIN Initiative.

Researchers across the country rely on this funding to be able to conduct their groundbreaking work into a variety of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, traumatic brain injuries, and mental health disorders.

It is our responsibility to ensure funding continues because the potential to find a cure isn't a matter of if, but absolutely when.

One of the leading programs in advancing our understanding of the brain has been the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies, the BRAIN Initiative.

The BRAIN Initiative has been instrumental in developing tools and technologies revolutionizing the field of neuroscience. For more than a decade, research supported by the BRAIN Initiative has led to major breakthroughs. For example, researchers have gained new knowledge on how the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information. Basic research such as this is critically important to find cures and treatments for disease and brain disorders.

The BRAIN Initiative has resulted in numerous key accomplishments that have fundamentally changed our understanding of the brain's neural circuits. The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network revealed the genetic, cellular, and structural makeup of the human brain and nonhuman primate brain, paving the way for a new generation of precision treatments for people with brain disorders.

Researchers have been able to develop the first complete cell atlas of a whole mouse brain through the BRAIN Initiative which characterizes more than 32 million cells across the mouse's brain and provides critical information that extends to the study of neural circuits and how they underpin behavior in health and disease.

The impact of BRAIN Initiative is far-reaching. Through separate research projects, BRAIN-funding cells census tools are being used to actively investigate disorders of the brain such as Alzheimer's disease and opioid use disorder.

The BRAIN Initiative has also transformed the way we do science, fostering collaborations among large teams of researchers. This collaborative approach has enabled researchers to tackle large problems and deliver knowledge and resources on a scale not previously possible in neurosciences. These accomplishments are expanding our fundamental knowledge of brain function and paving the way

for novel approaches to diagnose, treat, and ultimately prevent neurological disorders.

BRAIN is lifting all boats, ranging from basic science to disease- focused research in a complex neuroscience research ecosystem involving government, industry, philanthropy, and healthcare systems.

Building on a remarkable decade of innovation and discovery, the BRAIN Initiative is now setting its sights high with large-scale projects aiming to break current barriers in knowledge and technology related to human brain science, and it is critical we continue to support and invest in this initiative moving forward.

In addition to all the amazing work being done in brain disease and disorders, we should also, as a forward-thinking, innovative country, become citizen scientists curious about how to sustain brain health, even in the absence of disease or disorder.

Viewing the brain from more than a medical perspective to include thinking proactively about optimizing its daily performance is what Brain Awareness Week can inspire.

Imagine a world where information and tools that can benefit the brain of every American, regardless of age or stage, were accessible to all. The impact on education, industry, and military would be profound. It is vital that we inspire the next generation of scientists to continue brain research. The discoveries made by these future scientists will shape the next frontier of medicine, unlocking new treatments, therapies, and ultimately cures for conditions that affect millions of families across our Nation.

Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Brain Awareness Week and the contributions that thousands of dedicated scientists are making to unlock these mysteries behind the human brain.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the Biden administration's open-border policies turned our border into a gateway for cartels, human traffickers, and criminals, putting American lives at risk and endangering innocent children.

That is why I introduced legislation to hold DHS and HHS accountable for properly vetting and tracking unaccompanied migrant children.

Under the Biden administration, HHS lost contact with over 300,000 children. Under the Biden administration, 300,000 children were lost. Let that sink in. That is not just incompetence. It is an absolute tragedy.

We must hold traffickers accountable and ensure that illegal immigrants who break our laws face real consequences. Our border must be secured, and those who exploit our system, whether criminals or failed bureaucrats, must answer for their failures. The American people deserve law and order.

Thankfully, Republicans and the Trump administration are quickly cleaning up the mess that Joe Biden left us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dave Alexander, the founding director of Serve the Border, a man and organization that has made it their mission to care for those who protect us along the southern border.

Serve the Border has provided meals, entertainment, and better living conditions for thousands of Border Patrol agents, Texas State troopers, and National Guardsmen stationed in some of the most challenging environments in our Nation.

This work is not glorious. It requires countless hours of preparation, logistical planning, and often personal financial sacrifice. Yet, Mr. Alexander has done it all with joy motivated by a belief in the importance of honoring those who serve.

For example, 2 weeks ago while many Texans faced an unusually cold winter, Mr. Alexander and his team on Serve the Border drove over 6 hours to Eagle Pass, Texas, from the Texas Eighth Congressional District to support the agents, the troopers, the soldiers, and the marines stationed in the Del Rio and Laredo sectors to make sure they had hot meals and a place to refocus for their next mission.

On behalf of the district, I thank Mr. Alexander and all those who serve in Serve the Border for their extraordinary contributions. Fair winds and following seas.

Mr. Speaker, sadly, wildfires are devastating our neighbors in California. In the face of this tragedy, first responders from across the country have answered the call to help.

I will take a moment to recognize the brave firefighters from District Eight of Texas who have traveled from far east Texas all the way to California. This includes the firefighters from the Houston Fire Department as well as the Needham, Porter, Conroe, and North Montgomery Fire Departments.

The City of Conroe Fire Department proudly deployed its newly commissioned Type 3 brush truck to assist in battling the California wildfires. This wildland fire truck is specifically engineered to fight fires in rough and challenging terrain.

Our firemen expect to deploy for the remaining weeks. Their selflessness and commitment to protecting fellow Americans is inspiring. I thank these firefighters and every first responder stepping into harm's way.

Guardians of their communities, firefighters are always willing to run into danger and share their brave hearts and strong hands. We pray for their safety, their quick return, and for all those who have been devastated by this tragedy in California.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov for his 23 years of service to our country.

While Dimitri's name might not be in the headlines, the impact of his life will be felt across our Nation forever. As Undersecretary for Science and

Technology at the Department of Homeland Security, Dimitri has been at the helm of cutting-edge innovation, pushing the boundaries of technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity, tools that protect American lives and keep us ahead of adversaries.

At the Department of Energy, Dimitri was the chief scientist for the NNSA and also stood up and led the Office of Artificial Intelligence Technologies. As he retires, I truly wish him the greatest journey in the next chapter of his life. Fair winds and following seas.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today to speak on S. 141, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. S. 141 includes provisions of my bill, H.R. 4461, the Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act.

Current practice does not require VA contractors who perform disability exams to submit disability benefit questionnaires, or DBQs, in a format that can easily be processed by VA claims automation software.

This leads to backlogs and delays that could be avoided by submitting the DBQs based on a standard that computers can read. Computerizing the data is the key to helping VA process and adjudicate veterans' claims faster.

The Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act would improve the DBQs, which are a critical part of the disability compensation process. As the VA moves forward with automation, standardizing the DBQ data will be crucial to timely and accurate claims processing.

Our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country deserve a system that works for them and processes their disability compensation claims in an efficient manner.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 141.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today to speak on S. 2513, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2024. I am proud to lead the House companion to this bill, H.R. 1530.

Right now, the VA disability compensation claims process has too many barriers that prevent veterans from quickly receiving accurate decisions on their claims for VA benefits.

This bill would cut down on all the red tape. The bill would improve the quality of disability compensation exams by requiring VA to publish those exam forms online and ensure that veterans' representatives are notified of scheduled contracted disability compensation exams so that the veterans do not miss their appointments.

These are commonsense solutions to make the process for applying for disability benefits easier on veterans and their families.

As a veteran myself and chairman of the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, I know the difference these changes will make.

I also thank Representative Ciscomani and Representative Self for working with me on including their legislative proposals in my bill. Their provisions would help ensure that VA and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims can hire and retain personnel required to process disability compensation claims and provide veterans with timely decisions on their claims.

These provisions are vitally important in light of the growing inventory of disability compensation claims after the implementation of the PACT Act. I am proud of this bill because it addresses many problems that the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs have tried to fix during this Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pappas, Ranking Member Takano, and Chairman Bost for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support S. 2513.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize and congratulate an outstanding District Eight constituent, Mrs. Mary McCoy, on her two most recent extraordinary honors. The first being her introduction into the Radio Hall of Fame, and also for her statue unveiling in the Conroe, Texas Founders' Plaza.

These achievements not only celebrate her unparalleled career, but also reflect the profound impact she has had on the Conroe community and beyond. Mrs. McCoy's voice has been a constant companion to generations of listeners. Through the airwaves, she has not only entertained but also uplifted people from all walks of life.

The recognition of her career is well deserved, a testament to her talent, hard work, and influence in the world of radio. Mrs. McCoy has set a standard of excellence that will inspire the future generations of broadcasting.

The bronze bust presented in the Founders' Plaza will stand as a symbol of her legacy not just in Radio, but to our community and culture. It reminds us all of the power of perseverance, passion, and the ability to blaze our own trails.

These are well-earned accolades for the great work Mrs. McCoy has done through the years that will leave a mark in our history. I am honored to have the privilege of witnessing Mrs. McCoy's legacy and I am proud to have her as an incredible constituent of Texas-08.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to be here today to speak on S. 3126, the Mark Our Place Act. I was proud to lead the House companion bill, H.R. 6507.

Under current law, VA is authorized to furnish or replace a headstone, grave marker, or medallion for only those Medal of Honor recipients who served on or after April 6, 1917.

The Mark Our Place Act would remove unnecessary red tape that prohibits VA from providing headstones with Medal of Honor markers to veterans buried in private cemeteries.

These veterans have risked everything to protect our freedoms, and honoring their service and sacrifice should be timeless. We must ensure that every recipient of our Nation's highest military decoration is recognized for their heroism.

Madam Speaker, I thank Senator Braun, Chairman Bost, and Ranking Member Takano for their leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support

Madam Speaker, I am honored to speak on H.R. 8371, the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

H.R. 8371 includes provisions from H.R. 4461, the Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaire Act. Current practice does not require VA contractors who perform disability exams to submit disability benefits questionnaires, or DBQs, in a format that can be easily processed by VA claims automation software. This currently leads to backlogs and delays that can be avoided by submitting the DBQs based on a standard that computers can read.

Computerizing the data is the key to helping VA process and adjudicate veterans' claims faster. The Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act would improve these DBQs which are a critical part of the disability compensation process. As the VA moves forward with automation, standardizing the DBQ data will be critical to timely and accurate claims processing.

Our veterans, who have sacrificed so much for our country, deserve a system that works for them. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8371.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.