Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the proposed Florida State Constitution amendment No. 4.

Amendment 4 is a dangerous and ill-advised amendment that will make women and newborns less safe. Amendment 4 will overturn multiple State laws and regulations meant to protect the health and safety of women and children.

As a medical doctor, I know how dangerous abortion procedures can be. The Florida State legislature has wisely placed safeguards that protect the health and safety of women and babies in our State.

These include a requirement for a physician to perform the procedure, sanitation standards, and follow-up care requirements. None of these safeguards are included in amendment 4.

Additionally, the vague viability standard outlined in amendment 4 invites litigation and controversy, and I am personally opposed to it.

I have witnessed firsthand as medicine has evolved to allow babies born earlier and earlier in pregnancy to survive. If amendment 4 passes, babies who can survive outside the womb will be left unprotected.

In fact, I, myself, have performed a number of in utero surgeries on unborn babies as young as 18 weeks. These fragile lives are worth saving and modern medicine has made it possible.

I am unapologetically pro-life, and amendment 4 is a step in the wrong direction. This dangerous amendment will jeopardize the health and safety of women and babies across the State and lead to unsafe and even full-term abortions.

I will be voting ``no'' on amendment 4, and I urge all Floridians to oppose it. I also urge all Americans across the country to oppose similar ballot measures in their State.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 56 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 8333, the BIOSECURE Act.

Mr. Speaker, this bill ensures that biotech companies linked to foreign adversaries do not gain access to precious

U.S. taxpayer dollars via biotechnology contracts. We cannot allow the CCP-affiliated firms to gain access to U.S. genetic data. We cannot allow ourselves to be dependent on and vulnerable to the CCP for healthcare technologies, products, and services. Otherwise, we risk China using our own health data as leverage against us.

We recognize that our biotechnology companies did not arrive at this juncture on their own. Decades of failed policy, unreasonable, burdensome red tape, and a lack of oversight led to this precarious situation of overinvestment in and industrial partnerships with China.

We must act in coordination with the biotech sector to correct this imbalance. The BIOSECURE Act accomplishes this. I urge support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded for Roll Call No. 336, on Monday, July 8, 2024. Since my first day in office, I have been squarely focused on what I was sent here to do: Represent Floridians of the 2nd Congressional District of Florida. The Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act is long overdue and must be passed into law. This bill will support our coastal waters by designating the ancient cypress forest in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Alabama as the ``Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary,'' and, prohibits the following activities within the sanctuary: cutting, removing, or any kind of subsurface salvage of the cypress trees; lowering certain devices (e.g. dredging) below the surface of the water; detonating explosives below the surface of the water; drilling or coring the seabed; and lowering, laying, positioning, or raising any type of seabed cable or cable-laying device.

I am wholeheartedly supportive of H.R. 897, the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act--as a Representative of a coastal district myself, protecting the forest (between 50,000 to 70,000 years old) is important to preserving the remains of this ancient riverbed. I appreciate the bipartisan effort to protect the forest under the 1972 Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act which would not only federally protect the forest, but also provide more resources for research and ways to sustainably increase eco-tourism opportunities. I also support that the bill provides specific exemptions to allow certain activities, including for: fishing, diving, mooring, or similar recreational or commercial activities; necessary operations of public vessels; construction or placement of artificial reef structures for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources, fishing opportunities, or recreational diving opportunities; and exploration, development, or production of oil or gas projects authorized before this bill's enactment.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 897 (Roll Call No. 336).

Mr. Speaker, I am not recorded for Roll Call No. 337, on Monday. July 8, 2024. Since my first day in office, I have been squarely focused on what I was sent here to do: Represent Floridians of the 2nd Congressional District of Florida. The Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act must be passed into law. The Long Island Sound is a unique ecological resource for eastern Connecticut, Long Island and the surrounding regions. More than 20 million people live within 50 miles of the Sound's beaches.

I am supportive of H.R. 5441, the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act--as a Representative of a coastal district myself, protecting this vast area on the East Coast will improve decades of high levels of pollution, dumping of dredged materials, and releases of untreated sewage that have put the Sound's wildlife population, fisheries, water quality, and surrounding communities at risk. The economic viability of the Sound, which annually contributes around $9.4 billion to the regional economy, is dependent on activities like sport and commercial fishing, boating, recreation and tourism.

Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 5441 (Roll Call No. 337).

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 275, I mistakenly voted NO when I intended to vote AYE.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 79, and YEA on Roll Call No. 80.

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, I asked TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew point blank if ByteDance, its parent company, has spied on Americans on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

He told me: ``I don't think spying is the right way to describe it.''

Congress has overwhelming evidence that TikTok collects search and browsing histories, keystroke patterns, biometric identifiers, draft messages, metadata, geolocation data, and more.

We're talking an overwhelming amount of sensitive user-data.

This is not just data on adults, but the personal information of our children.

That is the very definition of spying.

TikTok and ByteDance present a serious national security threat.

TikTok functions as a sophisticated surveillance tool--an organization that is bound to the Chinese Communist Party and required by their National Intelligence Law to support Chinese intelligence services.

My esteemed colleagues and I are trying to protect Americans from this dangerous, destructive spyware masked as a simple social media app.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act will incentivize the divestment of TikTok so that it is no longer controlled by a China-based entity.

This bill does not punish individual social media users, censor speech, or impact apps or websites that sever ties with companies controlled by foreign adversaries.

The First Amendment does not protect espionage.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Florida State University legend Mike Martin, Sr.

On February 1, 2024, the Seminole community said ``goodbye'' to a man who encapsulated greatness. Coach Mike Martin spent over 40 years with the Seminole baseball program. He finished his coaching career with his 40th winning season and 17th College World Series appearance. Coach Martin's career record was 2,029 wins, 736 losses, and four

ties earning him the title of the all-time winningest coach in any National Collegiate Athletics Association sport.

But Mike Martin was so much more than a coach to his former players and many others. Throughout his incredible career, Coach Martin produced 20 first-round draft picks and 60 Major League players. As news of his passing spread, players flooded social media with heartfelt messages honoring Martin. The legendary Deion Sanders remembered Coach Martin as ``a legend, a winner but most of all a good man.'' Former San Francisco Giants catcher and first baseman Buster Posey said: ``I will always feel lucky to have played for Mike Martin . . .''

May we all remember the trailblazer that is Mike Martin, Sr., and the impact he had on not only Florida State University, but all of college baseball.

To quote the movie The Sandlot: '' Heroes get remembered but legends never die .

Coach Mike Martin will always be one of those legends.

Rest easy, ``11.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional leader in the Bay County, Florida community. Mrs. Carol Roberts is the President and CEO of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce. On January 31, 2024, Carol will retire from her 46-year career with the Bay County Chamber of Commerce.

In 1977, when she was just 20 years old, Carol began her career with the Chamber as a receptionist. Between 1977 and 2001, Carol held every job at the Chamber until the time she was ultimately named President and CEO. For the past 22 years, Carol has led the Chamber with grit, determination, and grace. Throughout her career, Carol has never shied away from being a guiding force for Bay County through difficulty and hardship, as well as through the wonderful days of exciting change and growth.

I congratulate Carol on an exceptional career. I thank her for serving with her whole heart and working each day to make Bay County a great place to live, work, and play. I wish her only the best in her retirement.

Mr. Speaker, Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 692; YEA on Roll Call No. 693; YEA on Roll Call No. 694; YEA on Roll Call No. 695; YEA on Roll Call No. 696; and YEA on Roll Call No. 697.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the undefeated Florida State University Seminole football team, who recently secured the 2023 ACC Championship title.

Under Head Coach Mike Norvell's leadership, the Seminoles are 13-0 despite a devastating injury that prematurely ended the collegiate career of Quarterback Jordan Travis. This team plays with their hearts, and it shows. Throughout this season, they've displayed incredible grit, determination, and perseverance even when the odds were against them.

Sadly, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee failed to recognize this team's incredible talent by excluding them from the 2023-24 College Football Playoffs. This was a devastating blow to the team and the city of Tallahassee, who proudly displayed the Seminole spirit all season.

It's a shame that an undefeated team, who earned every bit of their perfect season, won't get a shot in the College Football Playoffs. Make no mistake, Florida's Second Congressional District knows our Seminoles are champions even if the selection committee denies them a chance to prove it.

I congratulate Florida State University on a perfect season. I thank them for playing with their hearts and making our district proud. Go Noles.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) on its 40th anniversary.

I am pleased to serve as an Honorary Trustee for this fine organization. Since its founding in 1983, CEE has done tremendous work in preparing students to meet the growing needs of a STEM-ready workforce. The talented alumni of CEE's programs have made outstanding contributions to help ensure that the United States remains a leader in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

I am pleased to recognize CEE's many accomplishments over the past four decades. Joann DiGennaro has done excellent work stewarding this organization since she cofounded it with the late Admiral H.G. Rickover.

Congratulations to the Center for Excellence in Education on its 40th anniversary and I extend my best wishes for much success in coming years.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 386 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 387.

Mr. Speaker, in the ever-expanding realm of space-based architecture, we have witnessed an unprecedented growth in commercial, academic, and military applications over the past two decades.

As we enter into a new era of space exploration and innovation, it has become imperative for the United States to move at the speed of business, embracing agility and efficiency in our regulatory approach.

The Satellite And Telecommunications Streamlining Act, or SAT Act, represents a transformative step toward ensuring that our regulations keep pace with the dynamic and rapidly evolving satellite communications ecosystem.

This bill directs the FCC to establish new rules for licensing satellite communications systems that describe crucial performance objectives within a defined timeframe of 18 months.

These performance objectives will provide certainty to satellite operators seeking a spectrum license so they understand the requirements they must meet in order to avoid interfering with other space systems.

This bill would also direct the agency to decide on new license applications within 1 year.

The SAT Act provides a streamlined application process for satellite communications providers, and with the goal of promoting U.S. leadership in the satellite communications industry.

During these contentious geopolitical times, the importance of space- based assets for our national security cannot be overstated. Many of these assets are critical to safeguarding our Nation's interests and are extensively utilized for national security applications.

By providing an updated and efficient licensing process, the SAT Act ensures that these vital space assets remain protected from harmful interference and operation.

With the satellite ecosystem constantly evolving as technologies and innovations come online, it is paramount that regulations governing them are able to keep pace to ensure we remain ahead of our adversaries, especially as the Department of Defense continues to rely on innovations in commercial satellite technology.

We must update Federal regulations so that industry can deliver requirements to the warfighters at the pace that they demand.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my esteemed colleagues to pass the SAT Act, recognizing its potential to drive our Nation's competitiveness in the space domain.

By streamlining regulatory processes, we set the stage for a future where American businesses can contribute to our continued leadership in space.

Let us unite in embracing this transformative legislation, ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of communications technology and innovation in space.