Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, girls' sports should be reserved for biological girls. For decades, Title IX has provided young women the opportunity to compete in college athletics. However, the Biden administration's recent actions threaten these very principles.

As the father of three girls and a husband to a former Division I athlete who is currently a PE teacher, I am appalled by this administration's assault on Title IX.

Allowing biological men to compete in women's sports denies young women the chance to develop physically and mentally as athletes and teammates. This undermines decades of progress and gender equity in sports.

Fair competition is crucial to maintaining athletic integrity and the rights of female athletes. Without proper protections, girls may face unfair disadvantages, discouraging their participation and hindering their dreams.

Upholding Title IX safeguards the future of girls' sports, ensuring every young athlete can thrive and succeed.

What the heck, Mr. Chairman?

When he was President, President Truman had a placard on his desk: ``The buck stops here.'' It was a sign of responsibility that the Commander in Chief, the Chief Executive of our great country, wouldn't pass off as an excuse any responsibility that he was responsible for. Yet, what my colleague proposes to do is to disassociate the border crisis from the chief proponent of it and to pass the buck to somebody else.

Not 1, not 2, not 10, not 20. Rather, the President has taken 64 different actions to undermine border security through executive orders and other administrative actions, which have opened the border wide, canceled mass parole, repositioned border agents away from the border, paroled millions into the interior, causing crises in cities like New York.

It is the President's border crisis. There should be no renaming of this. There is one individual in our great country who can today, with the stroke of a pen, start to solve this crisis, undoing the same executive orders that he issued to get us into this crisis. That is President Biden.

Mr. Chair, I am in strong opposition to this amendment. Bipartisanship does not mean blind. It doesn't mean that we need to be ignorant to the facts that the Commander in Chief, President Biden, is the sole person responsible for this border crisis.

Announcement by the Acting Chair

Mr. Chairman, I rise as the designee of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Gimenez), and I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, the cartels have more control over the U.S.- Mexico border in Cochise County than either the governments of Mexico or the United States.

That is what law enforcement officers from the Tucson sector of America's southern border told me on my fourth trip to the southern border recently: The cartels have more control over our border than we do.

What are the cartels doing with that control? To America's detriment, they are smuggling people and drugs across it every day.

I suppose we could blame the cartels because they are vicious and ruthless, but we should look closer to home for the blame.

We should look to the person most responsible for creating the disaster at the southern border. We should look to the very person who, when he took office, repealed 64 very effective policies, which were keeping our border safe: canceling border wall construction, instituting a mass parole system, and taking border agents away from the border to place them in migrant processing centers to process more and more migrants into the interior of the country.

Who is responsible for the disaster at the southern border? It is not climate change or migratory patterns. Rather, it is illegal immigration's best friends: President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas.

President Biden's open-border policies have allowed nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl to enter the United States so far this fiscal year.

This scourge has led to over 200,000 fentanyl deaths in the United States since President Biden started repealing those very effective border policies. In fact, fentanyl is the leading cause of death of Americans ages 18 to 45.

In response to President Biden's open-border policies, my good friend and fellow Long Islander, Congressman D'Esposito, has proposed an effective bill that would modify the requirements for reporting by the Attorney General on the impacts of the border crisis.

Included in Congressman D'Esposito's bill is language to better understand when law enforcement is exposed to fentanyl.

This legislation is critical to understanding the challenges law enforcement officers face every day while giving further insights into the crises at our southern border, those crises caused by President Biden.

I, alongside my good friend from Florida, Congressman Carlos Gimenez, am proposing an amendment to Congressman D'Esposito's bill that would further get to the root of the fentanyl crisis.

Our amendment requires the nationality of the migrant be included in the underlying reports when said migrant exposes a law enforcement officer to fentanyl during an encounter at the border.

It is imperative that we, as a Nation, collect more information on who and where these drugs are coming from so we can put an end to the fentanyl scourge.

We know from the DEA that most of the fentanyl consumed in the United States is produced in Mexico using precursors that come from China. Also, China is producing it on their own and sending it across the southern border, as well.

Fentanyl is not only deadly in miniscule doses, but it is also frequently unknowingly contained in other substances, which multiplies the risk and the range of its impact.

Mr. Chair, 75,000 Americans died in 2022 due to the scourge of fentanyl. Enough is enough. I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment that will help better identify where the fentanyl is coming from.

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

Mr. Chairman, the gentleman, my colleague to the west of me in New York, says how most of the fentanyl is being seized at the ports of entry.

I would hope the gentleman would also simultaneously criticize the President for repositioning border agents away from those places where vehicles and people are coming to traffic the drugs across, and, instead, repositioning those same agents at migrant processing centers just to parole more and more people into the country.

If the gentleman is sincere about his concern for fentanyl coming in at ports of entry, he must call on the President to stop repositioning those agents away.

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

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

Mr. Chairman, President Biden's open border policies, notably the mass parole of unvetted migrants, have essentially turned every State into a border State and have made every community less safe.

In good faith, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Van Drew), my good friend, has proposed an effective bill that mandates the swift identification, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants who commit violent acts against law enforcement. This legislation serves as a necessary corrective to the current administration's perilously lax border security.

Mr. Chairman, I am proposing an amendment to Congressman Van Drew's bill that would further strengthen our national security framework. This amendment will compel the Secretary of Homeland Security to systematically collect and report to Congress data on illegal migrants detained for charges or convictions of assaulting law enforcement officers.

This measure will prevent the avoidance of accountability by ensuring that Secretary Mayorkas and other officials can no longer disregard this critical data. Furthermore, it eliminates the need to depend solely on media reports to understand the full scope of violent crime linked to current border policies.

Consider, Mr. Chairman, a recent incident in Times Square, widely seen on social media, where illegal migrants violently attacked NYPD officers. Despite their arrest, these individuals were quickly released, and one was soon re-arrested for another crime. Yet, they were not deported. Instead, they received plea deals from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

This pattern, where the safety of our law enforcement officers is sidelined, is becoming distressingly common. In this fiscal year alone, Mr. Chairman, Customs and Border Protection apprehended over 18,000 illegal migrants with criminal backgrounds, including 248 known gang members, 35 of whom were affiliated with MS-13.

Mr. Chair, supporting this amendment is the least we can do to bolster the safety of those who risk their lives for us every day. It is about ensuring that our approach to public safety is proactive and grounded in reality, not just wishful thinking.

As we mark National Police Week, I call on my colleagues to stand with our law enforcement officers by backing this amendment and the crucial bill introduced by Mr. Van Drew. Let us commit to a policy that upholds the rule of law and ensures the safety of every American community. We should not put our heads in the sand and think that ``see no evil, hear no evil'' is an effective policy to keep our heroes safe.

During National Police Week especially, I urge all of my colleagues to support law enforcement by supporting my amendment to Congressman Van Drew's vital underlying bill.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would welcome another amendment that would be more specific to Congress' endeavor to ensure that we have the clarity of the size and scope of this issue. My amendment is something along that path, and if the gentlewoman wants more, the gentlewoman understands that she can submit her own amendment on that issue.

Nevertheless, on this amendment, Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Hypocrisy, Mr. Speaker. Hypocrisy.

For years, House Democrats said they were in favor of raising or eliminating the State and local tax deduction cap. Yet, exactly 3 months ago today on the floor of the House of Representatives, every single House Democrat voted to block a bill that would eliminate the marriage penalty on the SALT deduction cap.

It is shameful, Mr. Speaker, that House Democrats claim to support SALT relief but vote otherwise. Their party line ``no'' vote denied many Long Island families, including many of my constituents, about $2,000 in much-needed tax relief.

As a lifelong Long Islander, I understand how costly Albany Democrats have made life for New York suburbs. We have the highest property, sales, and income taxes in the entire Nation. Yet, when we needed Washington Democrats to help relieve us of some of that burden by raising the SALT cap, they ran for the hills, Mr. Speaker.

I am disappointed in my colleagues from the other side of the aisle, but, Mr. Speaker, I am not deterred. I will continue to call on all of my colleagues to help raise or eliminate the cap on the SALT deduction. My constituents deserve nothing less.

Mr. Speaker, I first thank my colleague, a true public servant, and good friend, Anthony D'Esposito, for giving me time to speak tonight.

As the son and grandson of dedicated police officers, I am honored to be here tonight to recognize National Police Week. This week, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.

Back home on Long Island, we have a proud legacy of supporting our law enforcement officers. From Nassau to Suffolk, our communities stand united in gratitude for their service and sacrifice. We recognize the unwavering commitment they demonstrate, often at great personal risk, to uphold the values of justice, integrity, and service.

I'd like to specifically recognize the many Suffolk County Police Officers who are here in Washington, D.C. this week. We thank them for their service, and I look forward to engaging with them this week and in the future.

This week is a poignant reminder of the dedication and the risks officers face daily. The recent killing of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty, underscores this reality. The widespread support following his death from across Long Island exemplifies our collective appreciation for those who protect us.

As we reflect on the challenges faced by law enforcement, let us also reaffirm our support for their vital work. Let us stand together in appreciation for their dedication to protecting and serving us all.

To our police officers, I say thank you. Their courage, professionalism, and selflessness inspire us all. During National Police Week, let's unite in support of law enforcement officers nationwide, recognizing their courage, dedication, and sacrifices. We must reaffirm our commitment to providing them with the necessary resources, support, and respect, enabling them to continue their vital work with integrity and honor.

Madam Speaker, ``give-up groups'' is the new term coined by our brave Border Patrol for an assembly of about 10 to 30 migrants who cross north across America's southern border, where there is no wall or barrier, and who don't even attempt to evade Border Patrol.

Rather, the give-up groups know that if they falsely claim asylum, President Biden will facilitate their parole into our country. Not only that, the Biden administration will give them a pair of Crocs, a sandwich, a sweat suit, and a plane ride to a city, like New York.

I learned about give-up groups this past weekend on my fourth trip to the southern border. This new tactic is another way the migrants are taking advantage of President Biden's terrible border policy.

Madam Speaker, to secure the border and to stop these give-up groups, President Biden should reinstate the 64 successful Trump-era border policies.

Mr. Speaker, America's southern border is not a social construct.

On a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border this past weekend, an academic from a prestigious institution shocked our bipartisan group by stating that he teaches students the border is a social construct to facilitate the free flow of people and ideas.

What the heck, Mr. Speaker?

It is appalling, but it sheds light on the ideology guiding President Biden's border policy decisions. These decisions include: halting border wall construction, implementing a mass parole system, and failing to promptly expel noncitizens who illegally cross in between ports of entry.

This mindset ignores the fundamental importance of border security and the rule of law. By dismissing the border as a mere social construct, it undermines the legitimate efforts to protect our Nation's sovereignty and ensure the safety of our citizens.

We must reject such dangerous rhetoric and work toward policies that prioritize border security.

accessible federal contracting for small businesses

Mr. Speaker, the hurdles facing America's small businesses in obtaining Federal contracts are unjustifiably high.

These businesses, the lifeblood of our economy, shouldn't require a legal team or extensive compliance infrastructure just to compete for Federal contracts. That is why I have introduced H.R. 7987, the Plain Language in Contracting Act, aimed at simplifying the process for small businesses to secure government contracts.

I extend my gratitude to my colleague, Representative Thanedar of Michigan, for co-leading this crucial legislation across party lines.

With over 33 million small businesses in America, only a small fraction secure Federal prime contracts. Many entrepreneurs cite the complexity of government procurement processes as a major deterrent. The language used in contract solicitations is often ambiguous and unnecessarily complex, deterring small businesses from even attempting to bid.

A study by the Naval Postgraduate School revealed that less than 3 percent of DOD contract solicitations are written in plain English. This complexity drives small businesses away from Federal contracting, eroding competition, and harming our economy.

My bill mandates Federal agencies to use clear language in contract solicitations, fostering greater accessibility to contracts for small businesses.

I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, recognizing the pivotal role small businesses play in our Nation's economy.

Let's pave the way for a more accessible Federal contracting process for all businesses. Doing so benefits small businesses, the Federal Government, and its taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, America's small businesses from Long Island and throughout our great country should not need an attorney on staff or a compliance department to apply for and win a Federal contract.

That is why I have introduced the Plain Language in Contracting Act, which is aimed at simplifying the process for small businesses to secure government contracts.

I extend my gratitude to my colleague, Representative Thanedar of Michigan, for co-leading this crucial legislation across party lines, and to the skipper, Chairman Williams, and his diligent staff for seeing to it that this bill got to the floor today.

With over 33 million small businesses in America, only a very small fraction win Federal contracts. Many entrepreneurs cite the complexity of government procurement processes as a major deterrent.

The language used in contract solicitations is often ambiguous and unnecessarily complex, deterring small businesses from even attempting to bid on a contract.

A study by the Naval Postgraduate School revealed that less than 3 percent of Department of Defense contract solicitations are written in plain English. This complexity drives small businesses away from Federal contracting, eroding competition and harming our economy.

My bill mandates Federal agencies to use clear language in contract solicitations, fostering greater accessibility to contract bids for small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation recognizing the pivotal role small businesses play in our Nation's economy. Together, let's pave the way for a more accessible Federal contracting process for all small businesses. Doing so benefits small businesses, the Federal Government, and all of our taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a true hero, Nate Bruckenthal, who gave his life in service to our great country on April 24, 2004.

Born in Stony Brook, Nate's unwavering dedication to service was evident from a young age. In 1999, he answered the call of duty and joined the United States Coast Guard and served on the Point Wells based out of Montauk.

In 2004, he deployed to the Arabian Gulf where he and two Navy sailors were killed while intercepting a waterborne suicide attack off the coast of Iraq. Nate's actions saved the lives of countless fellow sailors, and we can never thank him enough for his bravery and heroism.

Nate's ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty serves as a poignant reminder of the selflessness and courage exhibited by our servicemembers every day. May we never forget his sacrifice and may his memory inspire future generations to serve with the same bravery and devotion.

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

Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Indeed, Mr. Chair, the Fourth Amendment should not be for sale. We agree on that. That is to say our government should not be able to buy from a third-party information about American citizens that it could otherwise not obtain without a warrant.

The title of the bill, the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale, is compelling. We should all agree to that, yet the language of the bill does not coincide with the title of the bill. The bill, without amendment, is somewhere between innocently misleading and a full-on Fourth Amendment bait and switch.

My amendment would narrowly tailor the bill to include searches and seizures normally covered by the Fourth Amendment.

Mr. Chair, the Fourth Amendment states: ``The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.''

So let's agree that Congress should restrict the government from, via a third party, searching or seizing persons that it could not otherwise search or seize without a warrant. We should all agree on that. Everyone in the House, from the Freedom Caucus to the squad and everybody else, should agree on that.

If that is what the bill actually said, then the bill would likely sail through the House without any real, legitimate opposition because government should not be able to contract out its violation of our Fourth Amendment protections.

Yet, without my amendment, the bill would prevent our law enforcement officers from utilizing information that is currently publicly available, information that is accessible without a need for a warrant in fighting crime.

This Republican Conference backs the blue. It is part of our Commitment to America to keep America safe. Unfortunately, the bill, without my amendment, breaks our commitment and would prevent law enforcement from using everyday tools which do not violate any American's Fourth Amendment rights.

My amendment would clarify that any restriction made on this bill and information that could be obtained by law enforcement or the intelligence community would not include information that is lawfully obtainable without a warrant.

If my amendment is adopted, then the name of the bill would actually fit, and the bill would actually give more weight and confidence to our Nation's Fourth Amendment.

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

Mr. Chair, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chair, we cannot say that we support law enforcement officers and then take away the tools they need to do their job.

My amendment would strike a proper balance between ensuring our government does not use a third party to violate the Fourth Amendment while at the same time preserving the ability for law enforcement to do its job.

Without adopting my amendment, this bill will make it almost impossible for State, local, and Federal law enforcement to investigate crime. We should be making it easier for law enforcement to do their job rather than tying one hand behind their back. At the same time, we should protect against government's warrantless searches and seizures of American citizens.

Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of the late Scott Nicholas, a remarkable individual from Smithtown, New York. Scott Nicholas was not only a Captain in the United States Naval Reserve but also a dedicated professor at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY.

Mr. Nicholas graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College and served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1999 to 2010. His contributions during Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the USNS Algol earned him well-deserved recognition. Furthermore, he served with distinction on the USNS Mendonca and Pililaau from 2006 to 2008 and as Captain on the USNS Brittin from 2008 to 2010.

Beyond his service in the Naval Reserve, Mr. Nicholas continued to serve his country as a professor of Nautical Sciences and Simulation at the United States Merchant Marine Academy until his untimely passing on November 19, 2023. His dedication and commitment to his Nation exemplify true heroism.

My heartfelt condolences and profound appreciation for his service extend to his beloved wife, Heather, and his entire family. May the United States and the State of New York forever cherish patriots like Scott Nicholas. May his legacy endure, and may he find eternal peace.

Mr. Speaker, the seven young men who lost their lives in the 2018 crash of Jolly 51 in western Iraq deserve Purple Hearts.

Four of the seven were based out of the 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach in my district on Long Island. Two of those four were raised in my district: Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso of Huntington and Staff Sergeant Dashan Briggs of Riverhead.

For years now, the men of Jolly 51 have been denied Purple Hearts by the Air Force, despite efforts by my predecessor and me.

After having the privilege of speaking at a memorial service last week to honor the sixth anniversary of the crash, I am here today to recommit to the families of the men of Jolly 51 that I will do everything in my power to ensure they are posthumously awarded Purple Hearts.

They gave their lives in action against an enemy of the United States. Posthumously awarding each of these seven brave men a Purple Heart is the very least we can do.

Madam Speaker, we, the United States Government, must do everything in our power to bring my constituent, Kai Li, home from his unlawful imprisonment by the Chinese Communist Party.

Since 2016, Kai Li, of Huntington, New York, has been unjustly imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party.

In 2016, Kai Li visited Shanghai to mark the first anniversary of his mother's death. When he arrived at the airport in Shanghai, Chinese Communist Party authorities immediately arrested him on what they called espionage charges.

For months, Kai was held in secret detention without access to legal counsel. Almost 2 years later, in July of 2018, in a one-hour secret trial, Kai was convicted of espionage.

This is yet another example of the Chinese Communist Party's long history of aggressively targeting and detaining individuals on trumped- up charges of spying.

Since coming into office 14 months ago, I have called on the administration to do everything in its power to bring Kai Li home to his family, including his son, Harrison.

Soon, I will be introducing legislation to urge this administration to prioritize bringing Kai Li home and end his unlawful detainment. We must right this wrong and fix a broken situation.

police explorers program

Madam Speaker, the Suffolk County Police Department has an exciting program to increase interest among teenagers in pursuing a career in law enforcement. It is called the Police Explorers.

Participants in the program must show an interest in a law enforcement career, meet minimum academic standards, and have no criminal convictions or history.

The Police Explorers program is a learning-for-life program, which provides participants with police training and community service experience.

I had the chance to meet with Sergeant Linda Piotrowski of the Suffolk County Police Department in my Hauppauge office, and she briefed me on this program.

We had a great discussion about public safety and how to increase awareness among young people interested in a career in law enforcement.

As the son and grandson of police officers, I am thrilled to see efforts to increase law enforcement recruitment numbers and to help those interested in a career in law enforcement. Together, we must continue to support and back the blue at every opportunity.

combating the rise in anti-semitism

Madam Speaker, I rise today to condemn the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism in this country and around the world, especially in the months following the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against the people of Israel.

Since October 7, America has seen a demonstrable rise in anti- Semitism on college campuses where students have been harassed and even insulted simply for being Jewish.

Despite their years of elitist rhetoric, talk of safe spaces, and feigning how they welcome all cultures, duplicitous liberal college presidents have refused to take action to protect these students.

In America, every student should be free to live and learn without fear of harassment or physical violence. America's colleges must do better.

Here in Washington, I am proud to cosponsor several pieces of legislation to support Israel, hold Hamas and Iran accountable, and condemn anti-Semitism, including H.R. 6090, the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, which would require the Department of Education to clearly define anti-Semitism and ensure anti-Semitic hate crimes on college campuses are properly investigated and prosecuted.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams for yielding, for his leadership in the Committee on Small Business, and most importantly for recognizing the importance of this legislation and its importance to the veterans community.

Mr. Speaker, America owes a great debt of gratitude to our service- disabled veterans. Those who have served our Nation in uniform deserve our utmost thanks, support, and respect. They put our great country before themselves.

As service-disabled veterans transition into civilian life and some look to enter the government contracting space, Congress must identify and implement ways to make that transition easier. My bipartisan bill does just that. The Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act will provide greater opportunities to our Nation's disabled veterans by increasing government contracting opportunities for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Currently, Federal agencies are required to contract with service- disabled veteran-owned small businesses for at least 5 percent of contracts awarded, yet the prior lower standard, 3 percent for all, wasn't even being met by many agencies.

My legislation will help solve that problem by requiring the Office of Veterans Business Development and the Small Business Administrator to provide training to Federal agency officials who fall below their procurement goals and issue guidance on best practices to increase the number of contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support the Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams for yielding and for his leadership on the Small Business Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of my bill, the bipartisan DOE and SBA Research Act.

The DOE and SBA Research Act would simply require the Small Business Administration and America's 17 national labs to collaborate to ensure that small businesses are better utilized within the Department of Energy procurement process.

The Department of Energy is one of the largest procurers of small business goods and services in the government. Through the DOE's national laboratories, small businesses can play a critical role in executing the DOE's mission.

My district, which is home to one of these laboratories, Brookhaven National Lab, which is leading the way by prioritizing working with small businesses, specifically BNL and Suffolk County small businesses have created a mutually beneficial relationship based upon cooperative research and technical assistance.

Despite good intentions throughout the Federal system, far too often small businesses have been made to endure tremendous frustrations related to Federal contracting because the Federal contracting process is incredibly complex and bureaucratic and plagued with many inconsistencies and nuances.

Some programs, such as the Small Business Innovation Research program, operate differently in each agency. This means a small business utilizing the same program may have to meet significantly different requirements from one agency to the next.

My bill, the DOE and SBA Research Act, seeks to remedy this problem.

A small business' work with the Federal Government can be a frustrating maze, and this bipartisan bill will help bring existing resources and opportunities to innovative and successful small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support the DOE and SBA Research Act.