Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, first off, I thank the leadership of our party and our Conference here today for H.R. 1 and for including some baseline text protecting the coastline of South Carolina.

South Carolina's beaches are paved with gold. We have clean air, clean water, a beautiful environment, beautiful trees, a beautiful landscape, beautiful beaches, and we were able to get baseline text in H.R. 1 this week that would protect our shoreline from offshore drilling.

There is no oil out there. We don't need to study it; we don't need to drill; we don't need to look for it. It does not exist, and the coast of South Carolina does not want it. I thank folks for including that in this legislation and protecting our coastline. My State of South Carolina is deeply appreciative of that in the baseline text.

This amendment really looks at the necessity to have an all-of-the- above strategy and approach to energy. Our policy should reflect our need to study and find uses for alternative energy sources, and that is what this amendment will do today.

This amendment requires the Secretary of Energy to report annually on ongoing assessments of alternative and renewable energy sources. It is needed to protect American energy security. As the world becomes more unstable, we need to rely on clean American energy right here at home and what other sources, alternative sources, of energy are available to us right here in the United States.

We need to ensure that we take steps to preserve the environment, as well as why we need an offshore drilling ban but also looking at alternative sources of energy.

Our overall goal here is to strengthen our supply chains and to advance American energy security with this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Armstrong).

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a very important issue in South Carolina's First Congressional District, the State of South Carolina, and the United States of America.

Last week, a member of the State legislature in South Carolina filed a piece of legislation that would execute women who have abortions. To see this debate go to the dark places, the dark edges where it has gone on both sides of the aisle, has been deeply disturbing to me as a woman, as a female legislator, as a mom, and as a victim of rape. I was raped as a teenager at the age of 16.

This debate ought to be a bipartisan debate where we balance the rights of women and we balance the right to life.

But we aren't having that conversation here in D.C., we aren't having that conversation at home, and we aren't having that conversation with fellow State lawmakers.

This week, I filed a bill that would give women greater access to contraceptives by cutting the red tape, reducing the application fees with the FDA, and reducing that application process by half.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get on board with these issues today.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer my amendment No. 133, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this amendment.

I thank Chairwoman Rodgers for introducing this legislation today and working with me, and our staff working together as well to support this amendment.

It will not only benefit our environment and the Lowcountry of South Carolina, but our world-class tourism economy as well. This is the first time in 7 years that Congress has had this modified open rule to allow legislators to provide and put forth amendments on a piece of legislation like this.

Before I ever came to Congress, I was a State lawmaker, and on my fourth day in I filed my first piece of legislation which was a resolution to ban offshore drilling off of South Carolina's coast, a completely bipartisan issue in the State legislature of South Carolina. It was something our Governor also supported.

Our beaches are clean, our water is clean, our air is clean. Our beaches are lined with gold, and South Carolina as a State does not want to see any opportunity for drilling off of its coast.

It is a passion of mine, a policy that I have worked on for a number of years as a State lawmaker, and now in Congress I have the opportunity to continue this body of work. The tourism industry really relies on a great, clean and healthy environment in South Carolina. In fact, it contributes over $20 billion a year to our economy. It provides thousands of jobs. The Lowcountry in South Carolina is really such an enormous part of our economy.

In 2020, the Department of the Interior issued a 10-year moratorium on offshore drilling in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and

Florida. In fact, I was there that day in Jupiter, Florida, when the former President announced this 10-year moratorium. It is so important. Lindsey Graham and I and many, many others were there in attendance supporting that moratorium.

This amendment is simple. It ensures that the moratorium is not affected by the underlying language in the legislation. It protects South Carolina's coastline, which every South Carolinian and visitor to our State knows is vital to our livelihoods and our economy.

Mr. Chair, I yield to Chairwoman Rodgers.

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

Offered By: Ms. Mace

Amendment No. 47: Add at the end the following:

Offered By: Ms. Mace

Amendment No. 128: Add at the end the following:

Offered By: Ms. Mace

Amendment No. 133: Add at the end the following:

Offered By: Ms. Mace

Amendment No. 134: Add at the end the following:

Offered By: Ms. Mace

Amendment No. 30: At the end, add the following:

Offered By: Ms. Mace

Amendment No. 31: Add at the end the following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of Charleston in South Carolina's First Congressional District.

For the 10th consecutive year, the Holy City has been recognized as the best city to visit in the United States by Travel and Leisure magazine.

It is easy to see why. Charleston's tremendous natural beauty, rich history, and friendly faces make it a magnet to visitors from across the country.

To quote Travel & Leisure's article: ``The city expresses the perfect balance of Southern charm, knockout food and drinks, and walkability.''

When they say drinks, they mean some of the best cocktails in the South.

I want to commend our tourism and hospitality industry, our mayor, and every resident of the city of Charleston for this decades-long recognition.

Saving Sea Turtles

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Patrol and their sister group, the Turtle Trackers.

From the beginning of May until the end of October every single year, hundreds of sea turtles return to Hilton Head Island to lay their eggs on 14 miles of sandy beaches.

These turtles are a crucial part of our ocean environment, and each nest is critically important for protecting their future as they are still endangered.

For over 15 years, Amber Kuehn, has led the effort to protect the island's sea turtle nests. When she began the Turtle Trackers program, it was just Amber and about six other women. Today there are over 500 volunteers across Hilton Head Island who work hard to remove obstacles from the beach. They fill holes, and they make it easier for the mother turtles to return safely and return to the water every year.

Her elite corps of 18 expert volunteers forms the Hilton Head Island's Sea Turtle Patrol. They travel the whole length of the beach every morning in search of sea turtle nests. Since they began their work, the number of sea turtle nests on Hilton Head Island has increased by over 300 percent. In 2021 they tracked and maintained approximately 423 nests.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in commending Amber and her team for their incredible conservation efforts.

Beaufort, South Carolina, and Ostroh, Ukraine

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Beaufort on raising three-quarters of a million dollars for their sister city, Ostroh, in western Ukraine.

After the invasion of Ukraine began, Mayor Stephen Murray was looking for ways to help so he began looking for a sister city. There are many very strong similarities between Beaufort and Ostroh. They are very similar in size, both have centuries of rich history, and both have some of the oldest universities in their respective regions.

After connecting with Mayor Yurii Yahodka in Ostroh, which currently houses thousands of refugees from the eastern part of the country, Mayor Murray and the residents of Beaufort spent the next 4 months raising money and raising awareness across the Lowcountry.

Beaufort's famous Thibault Gallery sold Ukrainian flag pins, and they raised over $40,000. Community groups, businesses, and citizens from all walks of life raised almost $150,000 through raffles, fundraising drives, and several large anonymous donations to represent and assist their sister city.

Mayor Murray did not stop there. He worked tirelessly with members of the city council to secure MREs, grits, and cornmeal from local South Carolina businesses to bring approximately $600,000 worth of food and supplies to the people of Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Mayor Murray and all of the residents of Beaufort for this incredibly generous effort.

Honoring Sara Cathey

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sara Cathey, a paramedic who lost over 125 pounds to donate her kidney to her niece Natalyn. Natalyn had both of her kidneys removed at only 1\1/2\ years of age due to a devastating genetic condition.

As a healthcare professional, Sarah understood the difficulty of securing a donor kidney and had herself tested. She was a perfect match. But one thing stood in the way. When Sara learned her weight could prevent her from saving Natalyn's life, she was more determined than ever to get in shape. She got to work changing her habits and her lifestyle so that little Natalyn could have a chance at life.

Through grit and determination, she reached her goal and was cleared for surgery. The hard work and effort she put forth shows the love and compassion she has for her family and everyone in the Lowcountry whom she selflessly serves each and every day.

Congratulating the Charleston RiverDogs

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Charleston RiverDogs, our Lowcountry minor league baseball team, on clinching their second consecutive league championship finishing the post season with a 4-0 record.

I have twice had the privilege of throwing out the first pitch. The RiverDogs is an integral part of the Charleston community and has created lasting memories for our community and in the Lowcountry for the better part of the last 40 years.

This year's team also tied the franchise record for the number of wins in a season, and I want to congratulate the RiverDogs on a terrific season and wish them all the best of luck in the next season.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act.

I first thank Congressman Ro Khanna and Ranking Member Comer for their assistance in helping craft this important legislation. There is no doubt Congressman Khanna has been a leader in this Congress on cybersecurity measures, coming from a cyber and technology background to Congress. Being able to serve with him and put this bill together, which is heading to, it looks like, the desk of the President to be signed into law, is no small feat.

Cybersecurity is national security, and today, we are going to vote on this bill and send it to the President of the United States to be signed into law.

H.R. 7535 will help future-proof the security of sensitive data and information which Federal agencies use in support of their missions.

Quantum computing might sound like something far and away and very far off in the future, but we face the threat of real adversaries stealing very sensitive, encrypted information from the Federal Government with the hope of unlocking it in the future. That threat is here, and that threat is real today.

In 2020, there were 11 Federal agencies that were hacked by agents of Russia and China, so there is no time like the present to put legislation like this through.

We need to strengthen and protect our Nation's systems and keep our data secure. Now, we will have the opportunity to see the progress that we are making in the Federal Government through this annual report through OMB.

Transitioning to post-quantum cryptography is a necessary step to ensure Federal agencies' sensitive information remains secure from prying eyes.

The future of quantum computing brings with it both significant opportunities and significant risks, but I am very optimistic about the power of quantum computing and the technology advances that we are making on this frontier.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to vote for this measure today, and I look forward to its passage and being signed into law.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6042.

Born on Hilton Head Island in 1935, Caesar Wright grew up on a very different Hilton Head than most visitors and residents experience today. In his youth, the island was sparsely populated by Gullah farmers and fishermen, descendants of slaves, and individuals who lived on the island since the end of the Civil War, many with close ties to Mitchelville, America's first Freedmen's Village.

Wright left Claflin College to serve our country in the U.S. Air Force.

He and his wife, Annette, then moved to their hometown of Hilton Head Island, where she served as a teacher and he served as one of Hilton Head's only postmen at the time.

Wright joined the U.S. Postal Service in 1968, serving one of the two existing routes on the island back in those days.

Wright was the island's first African-American postal carrier and opened many doors previously closed to Black men at the U.S. Postal Service.

Wright delivered the mail for 29 years, starting out on mostly sandy roads and ending up as one of the many carriers working within a single development, the Hilton Head Plantation.

He retired 22 years ago, but he was always seen and was always a huge part of the Hilton Head Island community.

Wright goes back to a day when mail carriers knew everyone on the island, their comings and goings, their heartaches and their habits. His customers adored him and would frequently call on him at home.

When Caesar Wright passed away in 2019 at the age of 84, all of the island's postal carriers united and gave him a funeral escort. Dozens of mail trucks escorted the flag-draped coffin of Caesar Wright to his final resting place on the banks of Skull Creek. His colleagues told reporters at the time that he exemplified customer service.

Today, in part because of Caesar Wright's work, Hilton Head Island has over 34 postal routes and three post offices, one of which will soon bear his name.

Today, the naming of this post office represents the Gullah roots of the community, the history in the community, and Caesar Wright's lifelong service to his Nation and to his community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 66th Annual Beaufort Water Festival. Since 1956, the Beaufort community has celebrated the community's waterways alongside family and friends, making memories at this time-honored tradition.

Each year, local and national businesses, civic organizations, the military, and hundreds of volunteers give their time and money to support the Festival. Each year, the leader of these volunteers is announced as the following Festival's Commodore.

This year's commodore, Shawna Doran, has given over two decades of service to the Festival and to the community at large. When she isn't leading the Water Festival's army of volunteers, Shawna serves the Beaufort community as a registered nurse and Vice President at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

I commend Shawna, and all of the Festival's hundreds of volunteers, for their dedication to the festival's motto of ''Fun, Sun, and Vitamin Sea.''

Lastly, I want to wish one of my dedicated district interns, Mason Dalen, good luck as he participates in the Badminton Tournament, one of the Beaufort Water Festival's many great traditions.

Madam Speaker, in South Carolina, unfortunately, we are no stranger to mass shootings.

Seven years ago in June, we had nine Black church members at Mother Emanuel who were murdered in cold blood by a single killer.

On April 26 of this year, right adjacent to a little league baseball game in the evening, in a parking lot, over 30 shots were fired. The harrowing video of seeing young kids literally crawling off the baseball field in tears, parents frightened, scared to death about their children and this shooting had taken place just next door.

On Memorial Day of this year in Charleston, there were 13 people shot that evening, including three law enforcement officers, to say nothing of the hundreds of mass shootings that we have seen so far this year, including over two dozen in our schools and Uvalde.

More recently Highland Park--and I will mention that my father's last duty station in the military as a U.S. Army General was at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. I spent a year of my life in Highland Park going to Highland Park Middle School. I am very familiar with that community and have been heartbroken by what they have been through over the last few weeks.

And in Chicago, there are mass shootings every single weekend.

The beauty of H.R. 6538 is that I agree with both sides of the aisle and what they are saying today. As someone who owns seven firearms, a rifle, two shotguns, and four pistols, I support law-abiding citizens' right to own firearms included in the Second Amendment. The beauty of this bill is it is not requiring or demanding or mandating anything. It is not taking away anyone's Second Amendment rights.

When I have spoken to law enforcement across not just the First Congressional District, but across the entire State of South Carolina, when I speak to sheriffs, when I speak to police chiefs, I realize and understand that there is a patchwork of technology out there that some are aware of, some are not.

So, for example, in one county in my State, we have something called code red where residents can opt in. Another county has nothing, another municipality or locality can do a reverse 911, but there is nothing consistent. The beauty of this bill is it doesn't infringe on anyone's Second Amendment rights.

It does do a study by the Comptroller General under section 5 to understand what States are and aren't doing and what some of the best practices are.

In section 4, we have an advisory panel that is created, their job-- and these are law enforcement officers, these are everyday first responders, people who are in the thick of it every single day facing these mass shootings--is putting together best practices so that the coordinator, as defined in section 3, can provide this information. This encourages States and localities and municipalities what the best practices are, and helps provide that information to them and the tools that they need so the next time--it is not a matter of ``if'' but a matter of ``when''--the next mass shooting is, they can, if they want, if they choose to voluntarily alert those in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7535, the Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, a truly bipartisan piece of legislation.

I thank Congressman Ro Khanna from California for his leadership in this and Congressman Connolly and Congresswoman Maloney for working together across the aisle on an issue like this.

I could never imagine 20 years ago--or further than that, 40 years ago, 35 years ago--playing with an Apple IIe in the 1980s, and fast- forward to college as a cadet at the Citadel, learning and teaching myself how to code. We have seen leaps and bounds in technology and the advances over the last decades in technology.

We see the risks to our national security here and abroad, and we are working together in this environment today where many of us are attacked for working together but looking forward and looking to the future and protecting our country and protecting our allies.

Quantum computing is without a doubt the next frontier in technology. It will take our civilization forward by leaps and bounds. In many ways, it will turn conventional understanding of computing on its head. I am here to tell you that the quantum computing era is upon us.

Just 3 years ago, an entry level quantum computer the size of a refrigerator was proven capable of outperforming a supercomputer the size of a football field. Imagine the advances in technology in that short a period of time and how quickly we are moving forward to the future.

We are looking at a world not unlike the last few days of the Manhattan Project, knowing what is to come will alter the security of the world forever. Fortunately, as with the development of the atomic bomb, America is at the forefront of pioneering this kind of technology--no doubt by leadership from Congressman Khanna and others.

We must inevitably face the reality that one day soon this technology may, in fact, be used against us by China and others that are against us today. The most significant threat of quantum computing is its ability to break through encryption with unprecedented speed.

Currently, our sensitive data is usually encrypted and protected with a password. It might take a conventional computer years or even decades to try to break that password and eventually steal your data.

In the next few years or decades, a computer will be created which will crack the last 20 years of encryption--not in years or months, but in minutes or seconds. To prevent any illicit use of this technology, we want to ensure that we are transitioning to a post-quantum cryptography future, to ensure Federal agencies that their sensitive information remains secure from any prying eyes. And we know that in 2020 we had 11 Federal agencies that were hacked by those that aligned with China and with Russia--11 Federal agencies.

Our bill prompts the Federal Government to begin taking the necessary steps to future proof current sensitive information and its databases. It will ensure the Federal Government will study the specific risks, draft a report on strategies to address these risks, and estimate the costs associated with securing our agencies and their IT systems.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues across the aisle for their work and their leadership on this issue.