Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Robert W. Rust, whose actions helped prevent an assassination attempt on President John F. Kennedy before he took the oath of office.

Colonel Rust passed away on September 1, 2024, in Florida at the age of 96. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in March of 2025.

Colonel Rust had a long career in public service and law enforcement, serving as a Marine Patrol Officer for the City of Miami; Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice for the Southern District of Florida; Chief Assistant County Prosecutor; State Representative for the Palm Beach and Martin Counties in the Florida House of Representatives; and U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice for the Southern District of Florida from 1969 to 1977 before returning to privately practice law until his retirement in 1989. These are only a few of his many accomplishments and positions over his long life.

In December 1960, during his time as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice, he used his authority to protect the then President-Elect John Fitzgerald Kennedy by intercepting the attempted assassin Richard Paul Pavlick.

After his Presidential win, Kennedy vacationed at his family's estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Richard Pavlick followed Kennedy from New England to Florida, planning to carry out a suicide car bombing targeting the 35th President. Pavlick waited for an opportunity when Kennedy would not be with his wife, Jacqueline, and their two young children.

Acting on a tip from Postmaster Thomas Murphy of Belmont, New Hampshire, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rust and John Marshall, Agent in Charge of the Secret Service for South Florida, intercepted Pavlick after he was detained by Palm Beach motorcycle police officer Lester Free for a traffic infraction. Agent Marshall persuaded Pavlick to sign a consent-to-search form, which led to the discovery that his car was filled with dynamite. Rust had traced Pavlick's purchase of the dynamite to New Hampshire, uncovering that Pavlick had followed President-elect Kennedy to Florida with the intent to assassinate him.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rust subsequently charged Pavlick federally with attempting to bomb a church, which had recently become a federal crime. At that time, it was not yet a federal crime to murder or threaten a President or President-elect; previous assassinations had been prosecuted only under state law. Rust and Marshall also persuaded Pavlick to sign a consent form to search his motel room. After obtaining his signed consent, they discovered a manifesto detailing his intent to assassinate Kennedy.

Around this time, the Secret Service detail assigned to Kennedy's Florida visit checked into a hotel across the street. Kennedy was scheduled to arrive in Palm Beach the following day. Rust and Marshall then walked the handcuffed Pavlick over to the Secret Service. Pavlick was ultimately committed to an institution after it was determined that he had a history of mental illness.

This attempt on President Kennedy's life is often overlooked due to an airline accident that occurred the same day and, of course, because of his tragic death nearly three years later.

Rust received the Secret Service Treasury Department Award of Merit in 1964, as well as a letter of commendation from U.S. Secret Service Chief U.E. Baughman.

In 1961, at the beginning of the 87th Congress, Public Law 87-829 was introduced and passed the following year, extending Secret Service protection to include Presidents-elect, Vice Presidents-elect, former presidents, and their families--considering the threat the previous December.

Without Colonel Rust's efforts, Pavlick could have inflicted great harm on the future President and innocent Americans around him, I am proud to honor his legacy with these remarks today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional Air Force leader for his outstanding service and upcoming retirement following more than 20 years of service to the United States. Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Olde is the F-15 Legacy and Advanced Eagle Acceptance Test Pilot and Director of Operations at Defense Contract Management Agency Fixed Wing St. Louis.

Lt. Col. Olde is an elite aviator whose role bridges the gap between manufacturer production and military combat readiness. He is responsible for rigorously testing and evaluating all newly built or upgraded F-15 aircraft before the United States Department of War officially accepts delivery and they enter active military service within the US or various international allies and foreign partners.

During his time of service, Lt. Col. Olde has accumulated over 2,300 hours in the jet to include 574 combat hours and has delivered all 46 of 46 of Boeing's F-15QA Aircraft. Additionally, he served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve with an additional year of deployment to King Khaled Air Base within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On the lighter side of his service, Lt. Col. Olde served as the director of the Wings Over Wayne Air Show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in 2017 as well as coordinated and flew five F-15 flyovers during Military Appreciation Night at St. Louis Cardinals Stadium from 2022 through 2026.

Lt. Col. Olde reflects the highest standards of leadership and conduct and is a credit to the U.S. military. I wish Lt. Col. Olde, his wife, Sarah, and their children, Reagan, Patch, and Sybil only the best in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to be here in support of this bipartisan, commonsense bill to reauthorize the First Responder Network Authority.

I thank Chairman Guthrie and Chairman Hudson for their work throughout this process, along with my colleague on the other side of the aisle, my friend Representative Jennifer McClellan of Virginia, for co-leading this legislation with me.

The First Responder Network Authority, known as FirstNet, was established by Congress with a clear objective in mind: to build a preemptive network for the first responders that they can rely on in any emergency.

The brave men and women who risk their lives day in and out for our communities deserve nothing less than a resilient and dependable communication system.

FirstNet has delivered on this promise, and today, it is the backbone of public safety communication in the United States.

The authority governing FirstNet is set to expire in February 2027. Without proper action, we are putting the safety of our first responders and our communities at risk.

This crucial legislation would extend that authority through September 2037, giving FirstNet the long-term certainty it needs to continue investing in our Nation's safety.

In the wake of some of the most destructive natural disasters in recent memory, the importance of this network could not be more clear.

My home State of Florida understands all too well how devastating these natural disasters can be. My district has endured literally dozens of hurricanes and tropical storms in the last 10 years, most notably Hurricane Michael in 2018.

In those moments when every second counts, when innocent lives are on the line, the question of whether or not first responders can communicate with one another should never be in doubt.

At this time, I would like to take a moment to recognize the brave men and women who step forward when others step back.

I give a special thank-you to Walton County's very own Sheriff Michael Adkinson for his leadership in underscoring the imperative nature of FirstNet.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome his All- Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States this week. My colleagues and I are honored to host him here in the House of Representatives and I know my Greek-Orthodox constituents are excited to have him visit our Nation's Capital. His All-Holiness is a champion of religious liberty, engaging in dialogues with leaders of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Moreover, he leads a congregation of 300 million church members worldwide and is the longest-serving Patriarch in the two-millennia history of the Church. We are blessed to have him here in Washington, D.C. this week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a truly outstanding man, a man who served all of the people in Florida honorably, with wisdom, and admirable class.

My dear friend, John Thrasher, passed away on May 30 at the age of 81.

John Thrasher was a highly decorated soldier, Speaker of the Florida House, a Florida senator, president of Florida State University, father of the Florida State University Medical School, and one of the most gifted men I ever worked with.

Most importantly, he was an honorable man who made it his life's mission to serve others.

It was he who introduced me to the importance of advocacy in Washington and in Tallahassee.

He exemplified great leadership and great service to all around him. He was loved and respected throughout Florida, and everyone will miss his wisdom and his company.

It was an honor to know John. As people mourn his loss, please keep his wife, Jean, and their family in your prayers.

May John rest in peace.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act.

This bill is a critical piece of legislation that will help bolster prevention, treatment, and recovery for millions of Americans suffering from substance abuse disorders.

Thanks to the investments from the original SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act in 2018 and the efforts of the Trump administration, we are finally starting to see a decrease in the overdose death rate.

Florida is a shining example of this progress. In Florida, pilot programs have taken innovative steps, such as using long-acting injectables to help fight opioid addiction. I am encouraged by the number, and I also thoroughly believe that Congress needs to continue the program to make this response possible.

One SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 program I am especially excited for is the first responder training program, which helps ensure that first responders are prepared and trained to administer Narcan.

I also strongly believe in the residential treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women. This program is vital to help new moms obtain treatment for substance abuse disorders.

Programs in this bill can change the lives of those who are suffering from substance abuse disorders when they have nowhere else to turn.

For these reasons, I stand in strong support of H.R. 2483. I look forward to voting in favor of this bill, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, due to a back injury that happened while I was home in my district, I was unable to be in D.C. from Monday, May 5, 2025, through Thursday, May 8, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted:

YEA on Roll Call No. 115, H.R. 530, to provide for a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as active duty aircrew in the Armed Forces;

YEA on Roll Call No. 116, H.R. 36, to counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian Regime, and the Russian Federation in the nation of Georgia;

YEA on Roll Call No. 117, ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 377;

YEA on Roll Call No. 118, H. Res. 377, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 276) to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ``Gulf of America'', and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 881) to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucius Institutes;

YEA on Roll Call No. 119, H.R. 1503, to combat forced organ harvesting and trafficking in persons for purposes of the removal of organs;

YEA on Roll Call No. 120, Final Passage of H.R. 881, to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions of higher education that have a relationship with Confucius Institutes;

NAY on Roll Call No. 121, Motion to Recommit H.R. 276; and

YEA on Roll Call No. 122, Final Passage of H.R. 276, to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ``Gulf of America''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor Deputy William ``Will'' Paul Thomas May, who made the ultimate sacrifice defending his community in the line of duty. Deputy May was a dedicated officer, family man, and lifelong Floridian who demonstrates the best that our state has to offer. Deputy May's courageous actions underscore the dangers that law enforcement faces every day while protecting our communities. I believe I can speak on behalf of the constituents of Florida's second congressional district in saying that we are deeply moved by Deputy May's sacrifice in the name of our safety. We collectively mourn the passing of this outstanding public servant.

Deputy May was born on January 28, 1987, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to William Alex May and Sandra Dee Hargrave Asher. Deputy May went above and beyond during his 11-year career in law enforcement. He served in both Walton County's field training program as an instructor and in the breathalyzer program, eventually earning the Life Saving Award Certificate. On top of his impressive law enforcement career, he was a dedicated husband to his wife, Crystal, and an exemplary father to his four children: Zane, Clarice, Layla, and Tracker. Outside of work, Deputy May was known for being a pillar of the community, who enjoyed playing cornhole and cheering on Alabama football with his neighbors.

Deputy May was a model officer who never stopped defending his family and the community he loved. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Deputy William ``Will'' Paul Thomas May and offering prayers and condolences to his family and friends. May his sacrifice serve as a reminder that this body must always support our law enforcement and ensure that they have all the support necessary to safely protect our communities.

Mr. Speaker, due to a previously scheduled medical procedure, I was unable to be in D.C. on Monday, January 13, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 8, H.R. 192, the Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act, and YEA on Roll Call No. 9, H.R. 152, the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act.

Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 361.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2672, the FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act.

This bill would incentivize FEMA to provide timely reimbursement to State and local governments and electrical cooperatives for interest incurred on Stafford Act disaster-related loans.

Last year, we successfully passed this bill in the House by a large margin, but the Senate did not take it up.

Currently, State and local municipal officials take out loans to restore essential services following a natural disaster. However, while they are waiting for the loans to be reimbursed by FEMA, these loans incur interest.

Hurricane Michael devastated my district in 2018, and now, 6 years later, my district is still waiting for FEMA to reimburse these loans. That is costing my 16 counties millions of dollars in interest alone that could have been avoided if FEMA had reimbursed them in a timely fashion.

These are taxpayer dollars that are needlessly tied up by inefficient agency processing and would be better spent within the communities themselves.

In light of back-to-back major hurricanes, Helene and Milton, this year, which brought catastrophic damage and loss of lives to multiple States, I think time is a valuable commodity.

If FEMA has to reimburse the interest that accrues, as well as the principal, they will become more sensitive to the timeliness of reimbursement. I remind my colleagues that the ``E'' in FEMA stands for ``emergency.''

Mr. Speaker, this bill will not only help my constituents but those in every single State.

State and local leaders constantly complain about the issue of delayed FEMA loan reimbursements. H.R. 2672 will incentivize them to obligate these funds much more expeditiously moving forward.

This, in turn, will ease the burden of accruing interest payments which cost States and local municipalities tens of millions of dollars every year.

Most importantly, H.R. 2672 helps support our communities. Interest paid on these emergency loans is paid by the taxpayers, and the bill ensures that our State and local partners are not stuck footing the bill for FEMA's delay.

Mr. Speaker, in September, H.R. 2672 passed the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with unanimous consent. I thank Chairman Graves and the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and General Scott Perry, chairman of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, for their consideration and support of this timely and critical legislation. I urge support for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, due to a previously scheduled medical procedure, I was unable to be in D.C. on Thursday, September 19, 2024, and on Friday, September 20, 2024. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 432, H.R. 3724, On motion to recommit; YEA on Roll Call No. 433, H.R. 3724, the Accreditation for College Excellence Act; NAY on Roll Call No. 434, H.R. 4790, On motion to recommit; YEA on Roll Call No. 435, H.R. 4790, the GUARDRAIL Act; NAY on Roll Call No. 436, H.R. 5717, On motion to recommit; YEA on Roll Call No. 437, H.R. 5717, the Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 438, H.J. Res. 136, Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``Multi- Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles,'' and YEA on Roll Call No. 439, H.R. 9106, the Enhanced Presidential Security Act.

Mr. Speaker, due to a previously scheduled medical procedure, I was unable to be in D.C. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, and on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: YEA on Roll Call No. 418, H.R. 8314, the No Foreign Election Interference Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 420, H. Res. 1455, On ordering the previous question; YEA on Roll Call No. 421, H. Res. 1455, Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 3724; H.R. 4790, H.R. 5179, H.R. 5339, H.R. 5717, and H.R. 7909, and the Joint resolution H.J. Res. 136; YEA on Roll Call No. 422, S. 1146, the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 423, H.R. 9076, the Supporting America's Children and Families Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 424, H.R. 7213, the Autism CARES Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 425, H.R. 1513, the FUTURE Networks Act; NAY on Roll Call No. 426, H.R. 5339, on Motion to Recommit; YEA on Roll Call No. 427, H.R. 5339, the RETIRE Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 428, H.R. 5179, the Anti-BDS Labeling Act; YEA on Roll Call No. 429, H.R. 7909, the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act; NAY on Roll Call No. 430, H.R. 9494, on Motion to Recommit; and YEA on Roll Call No. 431, H.R. 9494, the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025.