Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I am honored to join Representative Roy and so many from the Texas delegation today to recognize 200 years of history--the 200th anniversary of our most prolific investigative law enforcement agency in Texas, and one of the most prolific law enforcement agencies in this Nation and worldwide, the Texas Rangers.

In 1823, Stephen F. Austin assembled a small collection of brave men in a call to arms. Over the past two centuries, this small group numbering less than 200 today, has undertaken almost every aspect of law enforcement in Texas.

Let me pause there and reinforce that, less than 200 Rangers on the job today. By the amount of work that they do, you would think there were hundreds, even thousands across Texas, but indeed it is a small elite force.

From investigating murder to conspiracy and every crime in between, they have protected our borders, both in the 19th century and here again in the 21st century. They have protected our Governor and our historical Alamo.

The Texas Rangers are an esteemed symbol of the Lone Star State. They are guardians of the highest order. They are the cream of the crop. Because of that, they have been praised and storied again and again in poem, in song, in movies, and in television--from the Lone Ranger to Walker Texas Ranger. You see replications of these Texas Rangers over and over again because of their unique toughness, but also because of their compassion. They make sure that there is swift and sure justice in Texas, but also fair and impartial justice.

Like so many other law enforcement agencies, it is not just the possibility of ultimate sacrifice that sets them apart from so many others, it frankly is their daily sacrifice. Each day when they get up, they kiss their kids and their wives and their spouses goodbye, and they head off to work. They set themselves apart by sacrificial service to their communities, putting their life on the line day in and day out for each of us in Texas.

As I did when I was a county judge in Texas, I am proud to back the blue. I am honored to stand here today in recognition of the Texas Rangers' 200 years of dedication and service to our communities.

To all of our officers: We honor you, we thank you, and we are indebted to you. This Congress should look at the example of the Texas Rangers and the examples set by so many law enforcement officers across this country, and remind ourselves of what is truly important and who we should indeed support when it comes down to it. We should always back the blue.

Congratulations, Texas Rangers. Keep leading the way, keep setting the standard, and keep making us proud.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Weber, for gathering us all here today in commemoration of one of my favorite holidays, Texas Independence Day. It is a great day to celebrate.

On March 2, 1836, a group of brave Texans adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence to create the Republic of Texas.

This occurred in the midst of one of the greatest sacrificial stands for liberty in American history, the battle of the Alamo, that famously lasted 13 days and cost the lives of all combatants who were inside those walls.

``Remember the Alamo'' was the cry that day that went out that inspired our Texans to victory and propelled us to liberty in this great State.

The story of freedom for Texas mirrors the story of freedom for the United States. It was borne out of selfless sacrifice by so many looking for a better life, looking to carve out a better life for their families, a life that they could make with their own hands, with their decisions, with government out of the way.

Freedom will always find a way, and there are always those who will rise to the occasion when the time comes. I am certain of that. We see many of those here today that are rising to the occasion to speak for liberty and to speak for freedom, just as those Texans did a long time ago.

With gratitude to so many from outside Texas who made that dream a reality, especially those who volunteered from Kentucky and from Tennessee, we celebrate the day Texas declared its independence. We share it with those who gratefully gave and graciously gave to Texas during that time. We honor their sacrifices and those of so many more who made it possible in the generations afterward.

Texans are tough-minded, kindhearted, and hardworking. They have a deep love for our Lord, service to one another, and working to better their community.

These are the values of Texas. They are the values I was raised with and the values I am proud to pass down to my four children.

I am extremely proud to represent the First District of Texas, the only State in the Union to have been its own republic.

So happy Independence Day, Texas, and God bless you in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of James Robert ``Bobby'' Evans, known as the father of the Adopt-A-Highway program, who passed away last week

Bobby served Texans as an engineer with the Texas Department of Transportation for 42 years. Throughout his career, he moved across Texas--from the valley to West Texas, to East Texas.

In 1984, while serving as the District Engineer in Tyler, Bobby developed the ``Adopt-A-Highway'' program, which encouraged volunteers to ``adopt'' segments of highway, keeping roadways across the State free of litter.

This program saw tremendous success and has been adopted across the country and around the world.

Bobby embodied the American spirit--working throughout his life in service to his community--working within his church, leading community groups, and encouraging men and women around the world to be good stewards of their local communities.

Bobby will be dearly missed, but his impact will never be forgotten. My prayers are with his family, loved ones, and his community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McCaul and the ranking member for H. Res. 104. Mr. Speaker, I stand to support this resolution.

The sovereignty of any nation should, at the very least, be defined by its physical barriers. Certainly, sovereignty extends far beyond geographic borders, but at its base, a sovereign nation not only has the right to defend itself against intrusion, but it has the responsibility to do so.

Daily, our executive branch chooses policy pathways in the areas of national defense, foreign affairs, and homeland security that weaken the sovereignty of these United States. We see this on the southern border on a minute-by-minute basis.

This past week, we saw this weak-minded leadership when we failed to

take timely and decisive action to shoot down what we knew was an intelligence-gathering balloon on a mission from the Chinese Communist Party.

This Nation is capable of strong and decisive action to protect its national interests, but we must be willing to act on this capability.

Let the foreign affairs and national defense policies in this Nation be strong, strategic, and steady. If we are not, our sovereignty will certainly erode to nothing.

Mr. Speaker, I stand again to support H. Res. 104 and appreciate the bipartisan support on this issue. In doing so, I stand to support the sovereignty of the United States and the security of its people.

Section 7:

``All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

``Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of

both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

``Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.''

Section 8:

``The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

``To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

``To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

``To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

``To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

``To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

``To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

``To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

``To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

``To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

``To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

``To provide and maintain a Navy;

``To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

``To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

``To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

``To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

``To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States or in any Department or Officer thereof.''

Amendment XI:

``The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.''

Amendment XII:

``The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;--the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;--The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.

``The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.''

Amendment XIII, Section 1:

``Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.''

Section 2:

``Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.''

Amendment XIV, Section 1:

``All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.''

Section 2:

``Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.''

Section 3:

``No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.''

Section 4:

``The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of

any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.''

Section 5:

``The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.''

Amendment XV, Section 1:

``The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.''

Section 2:

``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.''

Amendment XVI:

``The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.''

Mr. Speaker, as Biden's border crisis continues to cost American taxpayers billions per year, I rise today to introduce my first bill, the Border Security Investment Act.

This legislation will target the millions of immigrants who entered our country illegally, use American resources, don't pay taxes, and then proceed to send money back to foreign countries.

More specifically, it would place a 37 percent user-based transaction fee on remittance transfers made through money service businesses where the remittance originates in the U.S. and is sent back to one of the top five nations of origin for illegal immigration.

Revenue collected is placed under two trusts; both for border security. In the first trust the funds will be used by the Federal Government specifically for salaries and wages for Customs and Border Protection, physical barriers, and detection technology only. The second trust is allocated to reimburse States for their expenditures for border security enforcement measures.

Any unspent money under this legislation from these two funds exceeding $50 billion is allocated to the Treasury solely for the purpose of reducing national debt.

While there is still plenty of work to be done, this bill is a first step in securing our border, keeping our communities safe, and working toward a balanced budget.

Mr. Speaker, I was inadvertently detained. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 74.

Mr. Speaker, February 1, 2003, was intended to be a day of celebration to welcome back home seven brave men and women from their mission to space.

Instead, that day of intended celebration turned quickly to tragedy when Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over east Texas upon reentry, an event captured on camera by local medical doctor, Scott Lieberman.

I rise today to honor those seven individuals who lost their lives in pursuit of space exploration and to commend my fellow east Texans who participated in the recovery efforts that followed.

I am proud to represent east Texans, who in the face of tragedy do not hesitate to spring into action, whatever the cause and whatever the need.

Please join me in honoring those astronauts who lost their lives 20 years ago: Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon.

We pray for their loved ones and remember with sympathy all impacted by this disaster.

Mr. Speaker, as we recognize National School Choice Week, I rise to support educational freedom and efforts to empower our Nation's parents to make the educational decisions best for their families.

Over the last 2 years, we have seen our school systems and classrooms weaponized, pushing political agendas on our Nation's children.

These agendas have undermined the core purpose of our school systems: educating our children and preparing them for a successful future. These biased agendas are nothing more than liberal propaganda forced on our children, and they simply do not belong in the classroom.

As the proud parent of four school-age children, I understand how critical it is for parents to direct the education of their children, whether through the public school system, private schools, charter schools, homeschools, or otherwise. Each is a vital part of our educational system.

As one of the newest members of the Committee on Education and Workforce, I look forward to restoring the rights of parents to direct their child's education, not the Federal Government acting in loco parentis.

I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson) for this opportunity to speak.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce myself and to re-introduce the First District of Texas to this distinguished body, the people's House.

For those of you that do not know, the First District of Texas is made up of 17 counties in east and northeast Texas. The people there are faith-based, they are family-loving, they are hardworking, they are tough-minded, and they are service-oriented individuals.

They use their independent spirits, their patriotic hearts, and their rugged hands to build a future centered around faith, family, and freedom.

There are simply no better people in this world than those who reside in Congressional District 1 in Texas, and there are none more dedicated to seeing this world be a better place for our children and our grandchildren than my constituents.

The First District of Texas boasts a landscape of pine trees, dogwoods, roses, azaleas, pecan and peach orchards, lakes, and beauty beyond imagination.

Its economy is as diverse and strong as its people. It is not just home to some of the best oil and gas operations in the world, but it is home to innovative manufacturing, world-class healthcare, top-notch educational institutions, farming and ranching operations, food processing plants, steel and pipe companies, and so much more. You name it, our folks do it, and they do it with a spirit of excellence, innovation, and service toward one another.

The people in east Texas know that liberty gives rise to prosperity, but prosperity should always give rise to generosity.

In east Texas, the people love their God, their families, and their Nation, and they are willing to sacrifice all for those things. That is why we have so many veterans in our community.

East Texas is filled with individuals who, out of reverence and respect for the most important things in life, still stand for the national anthem and bow at their church altar. They know how to stand firm for their principles and to ask for forgiveness when they make mistakes.

To be sure, they know that strength and humility are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are values that support and build on one another.

I am so proud and humbled to represent Texas' First Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

When I was just shy of 2 years old, my parents moved me and my three older brothers from Arizona to east Texas in Southern Smith County, and they worked with other families in that area to start a Bible college. For almost a decade, I lived on that Bible college campus and spent most of my time either going to church or exploring the woods and the county roads that surrounded our little single-wide trailer.

From climbing trees, to shooting snakes, drinking the nectar of honeysuckles along the roadside, playing football with the neighborhood kids, or recovering from multiple broken bones from all the adventures we had living in the country, several things became clear to me from my upbringing.

Among them, I learned, first: that Almighty God has a call for each of us in this life; that we were created for a divine purpose.

I learned that each of us have equal and eternal value.

I learned also that the great commandment in Matthew 22, of loving God and loving others, should guide our every decision and action in life.

I learned simply that we are all sinners in need of a savior; and I learned that these United States form the greatest Nation that has ever existed; and our Republic is great because of the breadth of the freedoms offered here, which come only from heaven above.

I am proud to be the first graduate of Whitehouse High School to serve as a Member of Congress, and I am deeply thankful that my calling in life has led me to this place, to this floor, where I hope to fan the flames of liberty, and to create more opportunities for my children, my four children, and for the children of every family in east Texas and beyond.

As a city councilmember in Tyler, I learned quickly that sound policy is so much more important than soundbites. Those 4 years on the city council solidified my desire to serve my community in whatever way possible.

Whether as a Sunday school teacher, a church deacon, a trombone player in the worship band, Cub Scout den leader, assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy

Scouts, or coach for my daughters' basketball teams, or simply just a volunteer for nonprofits across the community, I discovered that giving is so much better than receiving.

I am blessed with a loving wife and four children, two boys and two girls, from high school down to kindergarten, and they are a primary motivator for me to fix what is so wrong with this country.

I want my kids to grow and to know a country where freedom reigns supreme; where government is limited; and where their good decisions can lead to good consequences but, equally as important, where their bad decisions can lead to bad consequences so they can learn from their mistakes.

The road ahead for America will not be easy. As a country, we must make tough decisions to reverse our current trajectory. If we make these good decisions, we will see good consequences. But if we fail in that task, in that mission, the consequences will get more dire and the future will become more bleak.

In fulfilling our mission, we should never compromise our principles, but we can be both principled conservatives and pragmatic policymakers.

As a county judge in one of the most conservative counties in the State of Texas, I was proud to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in the State while still addressing critical areas of county government like improving roads and bridges, supporting law enforcement, working to improve election integrity, and addressing longstanding facility needs.

It is possible to do both, to keep the burden of taxes low while still addressing the critical needs of this country, but it takes the wisdom to see the right path forward and the courage to take it. In short, it means channeling the greatness of the character of this country, the type of bold and strong character evident in the people of the First Congressional District in east Texas and in so many other places in this great country.

I thank my constituents for this opportunity to serve; to be strong and courageous for them and for this country; and to work with all my might to preserve, protect, and defend this Constitution and the United States of America. I pledge to do just that and to do all that I can to make that happen.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to stand here today on the floor of the House of Representatives to serve as the voice of east Texans in Congress.

As a man of faith and father of four children, I rise today for the very first time as a Member of Congress to stand for the sanctity of life and in full support of children nationwide. I can think of no better cause than the cause of life.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Ann Wagner, for bringing this valuable bill to the floor. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which will ensure that all children who are born are protected and treated the same as any other newborn.

Every life is a gift. Every life has a calling divinely given by God. I stand firmly committed to protecting those lives and to opposing any action that threatens them. This legislation is the next step in our effort to protect our future generations and return to our Nation's values.