Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 26, this bipartisan Protecting American Energy Production Act, which will pass the House.

Just 20 years ago, we were afraid we were nearing the end of U.S. oil and gas production, then came hydraulic fracturing and the beginning of the shale revolution.

Hydraulic fracturing brought energy security to Americans and made the United States an energy exporter for the first time just a few years ago.

With hydraulic fracturing, we are increasing our economic and our national security while also increasing the economic and national security of our closest allies.

For every barrel of oil that we export, we are displacing a dirtier barrel of oil produced by adversarial nations. Thanks to hydraulic fracturing, our energy supply continues to get cleaner.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will likely argue today that this bill is a solution in search of a problem. They will ask: Why are we doing this if the Trump administration doesn't plan on banning fracking?

Frankly, Madam Speaker, this bill isn't about this administration, it is an insurance policy to protect against future anti-oil, anti-gas, and anti-American energy administrations.

We are coming off the tail end of the most anti-oil and -gas and anti-traditional energy administration in this Nation's history, and I am afraid that this was just a preview of what could happen down the line.

That is why we are acting today. We are voting to protect Americans' access to reliable, affordable, and clean American energy no matter which President is in the White House.

We need to unlock our energy awesomeness. We need to continue our progress on energy.

Madam Speaker, just a few minutes ago, my colleague across the aisle talked about clean, affordable, reliable energy. I want to remind my colleagues that I live in northern Minnesota. Last week it was 40 degrees below, and we just had to turn on the heat, which is natural gas. I didn't have to worry about my six children--the youngest being 3--being frozen to death, or my pipes freezing.

I didn't have to worry about my mother, who is 90 years old, and my father, who is 91, freezing in 40 degrees below zero turning up the heat with clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

I have no idea why my colleagues on the other side of the aisle wouldn't support this bipartisan legislation for American energy, American technology, and American workers.

Madam Speaker, I support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to an extraordinary citizen from Minnesota's 8th Congressional district. After 45 years in the broadcasting business, Jeff Hilborn is retiring.

Jeff spent the first 22 years of his career in Kansas and South Dakota before making the Brainerd Lakes Area his home in 1992. Here in Brainerd, Jeff served in several management roles at KLIZ-FM The Power Loon before becoming the manager of six radio station groups for Hubbard Broadcasting.

Jeff and his wife Michelle raised their three children in Brainerd and have been integral members of their community for the last 32 years.

Jeff has dedicated himself to the people of the Brainerd Lakes Area by serving on the Board of Directors for the Brainerd Sports Boosters and the Sunrise Sertoma Club.

He also served as a committee member for the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce ``Destination Downtown'' initiative and worked on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Broadcasters Association.

Jeff is retiring but his legacy will not soon be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to work alongside him.

On behalf of the 8th Congressional District of Minnesota, I would like to thank Jeff for his commitment to our community and congratulate him on a job well done.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which I am proud to cosponsor. As you can see, it will pass with bipartisan support.

Over recent weeks, Americans have seen the devastating consequences of poor forest management in southern California. Unfortunately, for those of us who hail from rural America, this risk isn't out of the blue for us. It is a risk we face far too often, and that is largely because we are not doing enough to prevent it. Our hands are regularly tied because of the mess of bureaucracy and red tape that is preventing us from acting.

Does the Speaker know what doesn't require a NEPA analysis or doesn't face a threat of years of litigation? It is a wildfire. Until we fix our broken regulatory system that is putting American lives and our pristine national environment at risk, we are going to continue to lose this battle.

The good, bipartisan legislation that will pass before us today will help address this by bringing some sanity back to our forest management practices.

Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this good legislation.

Madam Speaker, to the ranking member from California, it is 37 degrees below zero in Minnesota with the wind chill. Come on over.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 197, the Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act of 2025.

Lake Winnibigoshish, or Lake Winnie, as it is also known, is located within the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest and is home to Bowen Lodge, a premier, family-owned fishing lodge. Bowen Lodge has been in operation and welcoming guests since 1925.

For the past four decades, Bill and Gail Heig and their family have operated Bowen Lodge, serving as great stewards of Lake Winnie and providing incredible fishing and vacation memories for Minnesotans and other out-of-towners over these many years.

Currently, Bowen Lodge has a 20-year agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to lease 17\1/2\ acres of shoreline along the lake, where they operate their marina. Under the Heigs' stewardship, Lake Winnie has remained accessible to citizens of Itasca County and the many people who visit.

Notably, the Heigs purchased extra acreage in 2021 after an out-of- State mega resort developer sought to purchase a parcel of land, which would have changed the face of Lake Winnie forever. Now Bowen Lodge is seeking to convey that extra acreage to the Chippewa National Forest.

It is in the best interest of the public that the Forest Service take stewardship of this land rather than out-of-State developers who may not prioritize public access for our local community. Additionally, this land will make it easier for the Forest Service to access and responsibly maintain their other acreage in the area.

The bill before us today would facilitate the land exchange between Bowen Lodge and the Forest Service: 17 acres of shoreline to Bowen Lodge, so they can continue to operate their marina in exchange for 37 acres of nearby land to the Forest Service, which would then be added to the Chippewa National Forest.

This exchange would better align boundaries, put the right acreage under the right management, and ensure Minnesotans have the ability to boat, fish, and enjoy beautiful Lake Winnie. Thanks to the Heigs' quick thinking and strong advocacy, our way of life will be preserved.

I am proud that this land exchange is supported by the local community in Itasca County, including the local county board of supervisors who testified in support of the bill before the Natural Resources Committee last Congress, as well as the Mississippi Headwaters Board and other local environmental organizations. It is also supported by the U.S. Forest Service and leadership of the Chippewa National Forest Service.

The House of Representatives passed this bill unanimously last September, but the Senate, unfortunately, never took it up. It is my hope that after this House passes the bill today, the Senate will quickly take it up and send this good piece of legislation to President Trump for his signature.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career and contributions of

Brainerd, Minnesota, broadcasting legend Ken Thomas.

Ken's broadcasting journey began in 1978 at the WMIN radio station in Maplewood, Minnesota.

Ken then moved to the Brainerd Lakes area, where he spent the next four decades hosting the morning show on WJJY-FM.

Ken has had a number of different morning show partners, but for the past twenty years, he has shared the microphone with his current co- host, Tess Taylor.

Together, Ken and Tess have been the trusted voices that many in the Brainerd area listen to as they enjoy their morning cup of coffee and drive to work.

Ken's joyful and quick-witted commentary even made him a recipient of the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Small Market Personality of the Year in 2017.

Ken's legacy goes beyond the microphone. He is a longtime supporter of the Brainerd Lakes Area Walk to End Alzheimer's and works as a member of the Sertoma service organization. Additionally, every Thanksgiving, he volunteers to serve meals at the local Legion.

As Ken enters retirement, I hope he finds time to enjoy everything he loves about Brainerd, which includes his loving family, his fellow members of The District cover band and Norman's Bait and Tackle Choir, and the tight-knit community he helped shape.

I congratulate Ken and he will be missed from the airwaves, but he has earned this next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career and contributions of Brainerd, Minnesota, broadcasting legend, Ken Thomas.

Ken's broadcasting journey began in 1978 at the WMIN radio station in Maplewood, Minnesota.

Ken then moved to the Brainerd Lakes area where he spent the next four decades hosting the morning show on WJJY-FM.

Ken has had a number of different morning show partners, but for the past 20 years, he has shared the microphone with his current cohost, Tess Taylor.

Together, Ken and Tess have been the trusted voices that many in the Brainerd area listen to as they enjoy their morning cup of coffee and drive to work.

Ken's joyful and quick-witted commentary even made him a recipient of the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Radio Award for Small Market Personality of the Year in 2017.

Ken's legacy goes beyond the microphone. He is a longtime supporter of the Brainerd Lakes Area Walk to End Alzheimer's and works as a member of the Sertoma service organization. Additionally, every Thanksgiving, he volunteers to serve meals at the local legion.

As Ken enters retirement, I hope he finds time to enjoy everything he loves about Brainerd, which includes his loving family, his fellow members of The District cover band, Norman's Bait & Tackle Choir, and the tight-knit community he helped shape.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Ken. He will be missed from the airwaves, but he has earned this next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, tonight let's put the politics aside. We are here right now discussing a bill that has very good things in it. As my good friend Mr. Cole says, let's not fight about what is not in it at this moment.

We know that Democrats had priorities in it earlier, and Republicans had priorities in this bill earlier. We are going to break the fever here in Washington and stop putting the Christmas

tree gifts in at the last minute that cost American taxpayers millions and millions of dollars.

Let's talk about what is in this bill.

For the small family farmer, for that dairy farmer from Minnesota that was in my office 48 hours ago begging me for assistance, this bill will help that farmer and many other farmers across this great country.

For the victims of the hurricanes, Helene and Milton, the victims tonight who are sleeping in tents, Mr. Speaker, because they don't have a house, there is American rescue. Taxpayers are going to come and help you tonight. Through no fault of your own you suffered through a hurricane, and the U.S. Congress tonight, the House of Representatives, are going to vote to support you.

This is a clean resolution with the debt ceiling. This is what my good friends and colleagues on the other side of the aisle wanted just yesterday.

Let's talk about the good things that are in it. To our farmers, we will support you, both Republicans and Democrats. To our victims of natural disasters, we will support you tonight. This is a clean CR, and I support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of my friend, Lieutenant Colonel Lyle Rock.

Lyle is a childhood friend of mine, and I have known him for over 50 years. We grew up in the same neighborhood and played hockey together.

Service to our Nation is a proud tradition in the Rock family. Lyle's father honorably served at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minnesota, and Lyle followed in his footsteps, joining the Minnesota Air National Guard.

In 2009, Lyle volunteered to deploy to Iraq, where he served as the chief of logistics and Iraqi adviser at the Multi-National Security Transition Command--Iraq. He happened to serve in Iraq at the same time as my wife, Jodi, and even though they served at different locations, it always gave me comfort to know that he was over there with her.

During his career, Lyle has served at both the 148th Fighter Wing and the 133rd Airlift Wing, and he is currently posted at the Joint Force Headquarters, where he works as a director of plans and policy.

At this time, Lyle Rock is the longest serving Air National Guard officer, with 38 years and 11 months under his belt.

I find it especially impressive that throughout his entire service, he has only missed 2 days of drill.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Lieutenant Colonel Lyle Rock my good friend, and the State of Minnesota is proud of his decades of service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Itsca County Commissioner Michael ``Burl'' Ives who recently passed away after years of dedicated service to his community.

Burl was born to Mike and Mary Ives, both influential figures, who built multiple successful businesses in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota, area including the Timberlake Lodge.

In the early 1990s, Burl started a business of his own before joining his family in their many hospitality businesses. Eventually, Burl became a beloved Itsca County commissioner, using his compassion and experience to advocate for the betterment of the community that he loved.

Burl was running for his third term as county commissioner when he passed away at the age of only 57. As a true testament to the incredible job he did in this role, Burl was still elected to the county commissioner seat, despite his death being well-publicized by our local media.

Mr. Speaker, my prayers are with the Ives family as they mourn this huge loss, and my heart especially goes out to Burl's wife, Kristine, and their two children, Samantha and Thomas.

May his legacy of hard work and service live on through all those who knew and loved him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay my respects to Red Lake Police Officer Jesse Branch, who was killed in a car crash last week while responding to a call for service.

At just 18 years old, Jesse committed himself to a career in law enforcement, starting as a corrections officer with the Red Lake Detention Center and eventually becoming a police officer.

During his 17 years in law enforcement, Jesse earned the reputation as a man of integrity who was dedicated to the well-being and safety of his community.

Even though Jesse's life was tragically cut short, the positive impact he had on the Red Lake Nation will be remembered for generations to come.

Minnesota thanks him for his selfless service and sacrifice. My prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who loved him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 7198. I will start by thanking my good friend and colleague from Minnesota, Representative Brad Finstad, for his leadership with this legislation.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They are the innovators, job creators, and backbone of our communities.

In my home State of Minnesota, small businesses account for over 99 percent of all businesses and employ more than half of all of our workforce. When small businesses succeed, America succeeds.

Unfortunately, we have seen time and time again how the Biden-Harris administration has failed to prioritize these small businesses. Instead, it has burdened them with an avalanche of costly and unnecessary regulations, leaving businessowners to navigate a maze of red tape with little regard for their challenges.

These regulations have a real and negative impact on entrepreneurs, making it harder for them to succeed and grow. It is clear: Small businesses need a stronger voice in the regulatory process.

We have the tools to stop overregulation, but those tools need to be accessible, especially for the smallest of businesses. We must provide clear and accessible pathways for small businesses to hold Federal agencies accountable for the regulations they impose.

That is why I am proud to cosponsor my fellow Minnesotan's bill. This bill gives small businesses the ability to challenge agency regulations and forces agencies to be transparent about how their regulations will affect small business owners.

By holding agencies accountable and requiring transparency, we ensure that small businesses aren't left behind when new regulations are created. This is a critical step in ensuring that any regulation created in Washington is shaped with a clear understanding of the real- world impact. By supporting this legislation, we can help small businesses thrive and continue to drive our economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7198. Let's ensure small businesses are heard and their concerns are addressed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 50th birthday of Captain Erik E. Anderson.

Captain Anderson was born on December 1, 1974. Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Captain Anderson graduated from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He first served aboard USS Hopper (DDG 70) from 1998 to 1999, completing the ship's maiden deployment, a dry-docking availability, and surface warfare officer qualification.

After serving on the USS Hopper, he completed the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's nuclear pipeline training and reported to his second division officer tour on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) from 2001 to 2003. He completed the ship's ``Iron Man'' Cruise in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and became a Nuclear Engineer Officer.

Captain Anderson was selected for shore duty at Naval Reactors' Headquarters in Washington, DC, where he worked from 2003 to 2006 on advanced technology Insertion projects for CVN 68 Class ships' propulsion plant, preliminary designs for USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), and test programs for west coast CVNs and ex-Enterprise (CVN 65).

During this time, he attended graduate school at The Catholic University of America, earning a Master of Engineering Degree in Engineering Management.

From late 2006 to 2011, Captain Anderson served as the Assistant Program Manager for ex-Enterprise in the Naval Reactors' Program Office for Surface Ships. During this time, he led the planning and execution of the ship's last major dry-docking availability, allowing the ship to complete two more deployments prior to her removal service. He also led early planning and budgeting efforts for the one-of-a-kind defueling and inactivation of ex-Enterprise.

Captain Anderson then transferred to the Nuclear Technology Division as the Director of Radiological Controls from 2011 to 2014. He was responsible for the radiation protection of all sailors, workers, the public, and the environment from the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's radioactivity on all ships, prototypes, shipyards, bases, DOE laboratories, and the Naval Reactors Facility. He also assisted with the Naval Reactors' support of the U.S. Navy's Operation Tomodachi in response to the nuclear accidents at Fukushima.

From late 2014 to mid-2023, Captain Anderson assumed duties as the Program Manager for the Naval Reactors Facility in Idaho, where he led the Naval Reactors' efforts to publish the draft and final Environmental Impact Statements for the recapitalization of spent fuel handling in Idaho, a three billion dollar major construction project. He has also led the Naval Reactors Facility fleet support mission in Idaho to process, examine, and package naval spent nuclear fuel in accordance with stringent Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program requirements, fleet schedules, and commitments to the State of Idaho.

In July 2023, Captain Anderson transferred to the Acting Deputy Director for Governmental Affairs. In February 2024, he was selected as the Director for Governmental Affairs, where he oversees multiple aspects of the Naval Reactors' Congressional Affairs efforts.

Captain Anderson's decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals and other individual and unit awards. His wife, Ania, and son, Aksel, consider him the head and the heart of their family.

On December 1, 2024, Captain Anderson celebrated his 50th birthday. I thank Captain Anderson for his service and congratulate him for reaching this important milestone. I hope this next chapter is filled with as much adventure as the last.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of my predecessor, Congressman Rick Nolan.

Congressman Nolan has a long and distinguished history in this Chamber.

He first served as the Representative of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District from 1975 through 1981, and then returned to Congress to serve as the Representative of Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District from 2013 to 2019.

Many who served with Rick remember him as a fighter for northern Minnesota and an avid lover of the great outdoors, and an advocate for those diagnosed with cancer.

I will always remember Rick as an exceptionally kind man. My favorite memory of Rick is the time I ran into him on a flight to Minnesota from Washington, D.C. He was a departing Member of Congress, and I was preparing to begin my first term.

Even though we disagreed on many issues, he made sure to come over and give me a hug and wish me well. I appreciated his kindness that day, and I know all of Minnesota appreciates his service.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Mary, and all of his loved ones as they grieve his loss.

Mr. Speaker, hailing from the great State of Minnesota, Minnesota has the most mineral wealth of any State in our Nation with the exception of Alaska.

I have heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about how they support mining. I disagree that they support mining.

Do you know why, Mr. Speaker?

It is because this administration, Mr. Speaker, hasn't opened up one mine and, again, not one mine in the United States of America under the Biden administration. They say they support mining so long as it never happens.

Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, any mining done in the United States of America must follow our environmental standards and our labor standards.

It was mentioned moments ago about the Chinese Communist Party. I want to bring one more mineral. It is antimony. One month ago, the Communist country of China stopped exporting antimony to the United States, antimony that is made for semiconductors, antimony that is used in our explosive devices for our military, antimony that is used for our medical instrument devices manufactured here in the United States.

We have antimony mines in the United States potentially if we are allowed to mine them.

Furthermore, in the Inflation Reduction Act, the $7.4 billion, Mr. Speaker, that was put toward electric charging stations, we have got 11 of them. The government has actually installed 11 charging stations for EV vehicles across this Nation. They were $7.4 billion.

Furthermore, the Democrats and this administration have removed the Buy American requirements for those charging stations.

Do you know why, Mr. Speaker?

It is because they won't let us mine here, and the percentage of minerals needed to meet the IRA demands can't be met unless we mine here in the United States of America.

Mining is our past, our present, and our future. Mr. Speaker, not only has this administration stopped mining in Minnesota, but they have stopped it in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, California, and Pennsylvania. The list goes on and on.

This is the most antimining administration in the history of this country, and we are going to suffer for it. Right now, we need antimony to replenish our ammunition. We are struggling right now. That is why the Biden administration's USGS supports this H.R. 8446, the Critical Mineral Consistency Act introduced by my good friend, Mr. Ciscomani from Arizona. He understands.

We have to have the political will in this country, Mr. Speaker, to be able to mine here safely under our regulations. We need permitting reform, which is going to allow us to mine here, process here, and manufacture here, right here in America using our jobs, our economy, and our workers, which is going to benefit our economy, our communities, and our strategic national security.

Why would anybody not want to mine in this country using the best environmental standards and the best labor standards in the world?

They are caving to the radical left, the antimining stance of their party. On January 20, the Americans are going to see a different attitude toward extracting these minerals that we are blessed with in this great country. We are blessed with these minerals.

No other country is like us, no other country. If we have the political will to meet these needs, then we can do it.

Mr. Speaker, I stand strongly in support of H.R. 8446. I stand strongly in support of domestic mining.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to remind you and others this is the most antimining administration in the history of this country, and it is going to end. We have to hold our strategic national security in the palm of our own hands. I will be doggone if I am going to allow China to control our destiny or other foreign nations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7409, the HEATS Act, introduced by my good friend from California, Mrs. Kim.

This is an important piece of legislation that will increase our energy security and reliability and help lower energy costs for Americans across this great Nation.

As is the case with much of our domestic energy production, geothermal energy is often developed on checkerboard parcels of land. Such a project often has a footprint encompassing Federal, State, and private lands.

When that is the case, it is a headache for our energy producers as it often means more red tape and more regulatory hoops for energy developers to jump through.

These duplicative regulatory requirements increase the time it takes to get projects online, along with price tags for these projects to get moving. Ultimately, that means higher energy costs for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, the bill before us today will help fix this project for geothermal projects by cutting down on the number of duplicative regulatory reviews a project developer needs to go through.

This bill would prevent the BLM from having to permit geothermal wells on State and private lands where the Federal Government holds an ownership interest of less than 50 percent of the geothermal estate. These projects, which have already gone through a rigorous State permitting process, would not be bogged down by the duplicative and burdensome Federal process.

Contrary to what some may argue, this bill doesn't waive the permitting process; it simply reduces the redundancy.

It is a commonsense fix. It will bring much-needed geothermal energy production online, providing much-needed energy to the American people at a much lower cost.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.