Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Des Plaines Theatre, a cherished landmark in the heart of Illinois' arts community. For a century, the Des Plaines Theatre has brought people together through performance, film, and culture, serving as a vital space for artistic expression and civic engagement.

Since its opening on August 9, 1925, the theatre has hosted hundreds of performances, welcomed countless community events, and stood as a gathering place for generations of Illinoisans. Over the years, it has transformed from a vaudeville stage to a movie house and now a fully restored performing arts center. It has endured a fire, undergone multiple renovations, and has emerged stronger each time, continuing to inspire new audiences.

I am proud to congratulate the Des Plaines Theatre on its 100 years of achievement. Its legacy is a testament to the power of the arts to unite communities, celebrate local history, and enrich lives. I look forward to its continued contributions for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote number 175 on H. Res. 537, Motion to Table, I mistakenly recorded my vote as no when I should have voted yes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart and growing concern for the safety of our democracy.

On June 14, in Minnesota, Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were gunned down in their home. That same night, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded in a separate attack. These were not random acts of violence. The shooter left notes with the names of other public officials, including my own name.

The Minnesota murders were a warning. If we are to respond meaningfully, we must confront three hard truths.

First, political violence is no longer an abstract threat. It is real. It is here. It is escalating. Public servants across this country face rising threats simply for doing their jobs.

Second, these attacks are about more than individuals. They are destabilizing our institutions. The only offense that these Minnesota public officials and Leader Scalise were committing was serving their communities. When acts of violence are aimed at silencing civic participation, our entire democracy is at risk.

Third, we must meet this moment with unity and resolve. We must reject the violent rhetoric and conspiracies that fuel this hatred. We must defend civil dialogue. We must stand together as Republicans and Democrats to condemn political violence and, for that matter, violence of all kinds.

Just as an aside, I hope that the American people have a chance to watch this particular debate because I think that it really illustrates the unity and resolve that I think all of us must exhibit at all times.

Representative Hortman and Senator Hoffman deserve more than our thoughts. They deserve our commitment to ensuring that this never happens again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Didi Krishna Kumari, a revered spiritual leader, humanitarian, and educator whose lifelong commitment to service has uplifted communities across the globe.

Born on May 9, 1961, Didi Krishna began her spiritual journey at the age of three under the guidance of saints Sadhu T.L. Vaswani and Dada J.P. Vaswani. She now serves as the head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, leading with humility, wisdom, and dedication to service.

Founded in the 1930's, the Sadhu Vaswani Mission has flourished under Didi Krishna's leadership into a global force for compassion and healing. With more than 60 centers across five continents, the Mission carries out extensive work in education, health care, spiritual development, and humanitarian relief. For over ninety years, it has served those most in

need--uplifting the poor, the sick, the voiceless, and the forgotten.

To many, Didi Krishna is more than a leader; she is a spiritual guide and a saint-like presence. Her gentle demeanor, deep compassion, and unwavering devotion have earned her the love and respect of people from all walks of life. She leads not with fanfare, but with quiet strength and grace, always placing service before self.

Mr. Speaker, Didi Krishna Kumari's tireless efforts are a testament to the profound impact one individual can have through a life of purpose and humility. It is my honor to recognize her extraordinary contributions to humanity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two young Israeli Embassy employees who were tragically murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., in a heinous act of antisemitic violence.

Shot at close range by an assailant from Chicago, they were targeted simply for who they were. As they lay on the ground, the assailant fired again, continuing to pursue Ms. Milgrim as she tried to crawl away. He then entered the museum, posed as a witness, and

ultimately confessed, stating he carried out the attack ``for Gaza'' and ``for Palestine.''

Sarah was a peace-seeking public servant who dedicated her career to fostering dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. Yaron was a warm, idealistic young man preparing for a life in diplomacy. The two had planned to become engaged on an upcoming trip to Israel. Their futures were full of promise. Their loss is immeasurable.

This attack is not an isolated act; it reflects a broader trend of increasing antisemitism at home and abroad. According to the Anti- Defamation League, antisemitic incidents have risen by 140 percent in the months following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.

Antisemitism has no place in this country.

May the memories of Sarah and Yaron be a blessing. Let us honor them not only with remembrance, but with resolve to confront hatred wherever it appears.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Roofing Contractors Association headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, on the occasion of National Roofing Week between June 1-7, 2025.

National Roofing Week honors the efforts of thousands of roofing- related workers and businesses across the country, as well as the industry's commitment to public service in general. National Roofing Week is a valuable reminder of the significance quality roofing has on every home and business in the U.S.

Established in 1886, NRCA is one of the Nation's oldest trade associations and the voice of professional roofing contractors worldwide. NRCA has nearly 4,000 roofing company members representing the entire roofing supply chain. Using its network of roofing contractors and industry-related members, NRCA is responsible for the installation of new construction and replacement roof systems on commercial and residential structures in America. Most of NRCA's members are small, privately held businesses that provide family- sustaining jobs for thousands of hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our economy.

Professional roofing contractors provide vital services to their communities, on and off the clock. NRCA members will recognize National Roofing Week June 1-7, by supporting numerous charitable projects, employee training programs and other activities across the Nation. I commend NRCA and the vital role the organization and its members play in every community, and I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging their contributions during National Roofing Week.

Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to celebrate Larry Huggins' incredible contributions to Illinois and Chicago.

Larry is a trailblazer. At a time when Black people were discouraged from construction jobs, Larry founded a construction company that is still thriving and has helped build some of Chicago's most famous landmarks.

Huggins is an eminent civic leader, as well. He served as acting chairman of Metra and founded the famous Christmas in the Wards to distribute toys and other gifts to Chicago's needy.

He also cofounded the Chicago Football Classic, which is a yearly football game between two HBCUs at Soldier Field. The game is accompanied by scholarships, workshops, and outreach for students.

From business success to civic leadership, I am pleased to congratulate Larry Huggins on a life of exemplary service and achievement.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 57.

Madam Chair, I rise today as the ranking member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, the CCP, to express serious concerns about the proposed cuts in the Republicans' budget resolution.

First, the resolution includes $880 billion in cuts to programs that risk stalling the advancement of technologies crucial to our competition with the CCP.

Second, these cuts will likely jeopardize our ability to enforce critical export controls with the Chinese as well as gutting programs that help us reshore manufacturing from China.

While we have got to restore our fiscal house, these cuts to critical programs amount to the GOP's perverted version of DEI, devastating, extreme, and irresponsible.

The CCP is cheering for the GOP budget resolution tonight, and I object.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak out against the violence and persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh.

During Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971, an estimated 300,000 to 3 million people were killed, mostly Hindus. Hindus in Bangladesh continue to be targeted today, with their homes and businesses being destroyed and their temples vandalized.

Since the ousting of the former Prime Minister last August, these attacks have increased again, with over 2,000 incidents reported in August alone.

I have engaged with the State Department and called for action in upcoming Senate confirmation hearings, but we must do more.

I urge my colleagues to act now to protect Bangladesh's religious minorities. The world is watching, and we cannot let history repeat itself.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9151.

For years, the Chinese Communist Party, the CCP, has violated U.S. trade laws flagrantly and victimized American workers, companies, and consumers through trade crimes like dumping, transshipment, duty evasion, and fraud.

In fact, there is an entire CCP-sponsored industry that publicly boasts it can help Chinese products illegally flood U.S. markets despite American antidumping protections. These criminal activities have forced far too many American companies to shutter their doors and countless American workers to lose their jobs.

Our bipartisan bill establishes a new unit at the DOJ to criminally prosecute these crimes, whether it is dumping below-market iron and steel, flooding our market with illegal vapes, or violating the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, this new DOJ unit will send a clear message that these illegal and criminal trade practices must end now.

As ranking member of the Select Committee on the CCP, I have been proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle on this legislation. I thank Chairman Moolenaar, Mrs. Hinson, my own staff, including Ben Frohman, who has put in yeoman hours on this bill, as well as Ranking Member Nadler and Ranking Member Johnson for their support on the Judiciary Committee.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate to fully fund this legislation and make sure it is signed into law in this Congress before the new administration takes office. American workers and manufacturers depend on it.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise today to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Metra Commuter Railroad.

Since its establishment, Metra has been an integral part of the transportation network that connects riders with their workplace, community, and loved ones throughout Chicagoland. Metra operates the Nation's largest commuter rail system, as measured by route miles, including 11 rail lines and 243 stations throughout the Chicago metropolitan region, a region that covers more than 3,700 square miles.

Throughout Metra's impressive expansion, Metra's dedication to the communities it serves has been unwavering. As the United States Representative for Illinois 8th Congressional District, I am proud of my strong relationship with Metra and will continue working with them on improving services, as well as securing funding for projects of critical importance to my constituents.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Illinois and elsewhere, ridership across every mode of public transportation decreased significantly. The rise of remote and hybrid work meant fewer people commuting each day, leaving transit systems with ridership approximately 40 percent below pre-COVID levels. This decreased ridership had a direct impact on farebox revenue, a major source of funding for transit operations. In the Chicago region, beginning in late 2025 and early 2026, transit operators like Metra will face a $730 million annual budget gap. I remain committed to addressing the transit fiscal cliff--an issue that will not only impact Illinois transit systems but also the majority of transit systems operating across the Nation.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to Metra's CEO and Executive Director, Jim Derwinski, on being named as Chair of the Surface Transportation Board's Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. Finally, I would like to recognize the tireless work of Metra's employees, from the ticket agents to the train conductors. Their work is essential to fulfilling the critical transportation needs of our communities.

I thank Metra for 40 years of service. I look forward to their continued success, and many more years of growth.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to bring to my colleagues' attention, the outstanding work of Mission Quilters which recently completed their 10,000th quilt that will be donated to global communities in need of basic supplies.

Mission Quilters is a group of about 20 volunteers at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, who gather every Thursday morning to stitch quilts. This tradition dates to 1985, when Carol Langseth, the wife of the church's then-pastor, had the goal of creating handmade quilts to provide comfort to those in need around the world. I am very pleased to report that just last week, the group reached a milestone with their 10,000th quilt. These quilts are distributed both locally and to communities in nine countries, through the Lutheran World Relief organization.

Mission Quilters relies on the donations of materials from individual quilters and other organizations. These materials are then cut and used to create a variety of quilts. Volunteers participate in the process by sewing and layering the quilt squares. Working together, they produce at least four quilts per week. In fact, the quilts produced by Mission Quilters could cover 185 football fields and stretch 22,222 yards. The finished quilts are first used

to adorn the pews of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church and, after being blessed, are sent to various parts of the world.

For nearly 40 years, Mission Quilters have donated their quilts to countries such as Georgia, Tanzania, Ukraine, Angola, Mali, Guatemala, and the Democratic Republic of Congo Mission Quilters' quilts have also comforted Syrian refugees in Lebanon, as well as in other parts of the world that are affected by war. Locally, they have kept our communities warm, by distributing their quilts through organizations such as North Side Housing and Supportive Services in Chicago, WINGS, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois for those in need.

The men and women of Mission Quilters embody public service at its best. As their representative in Congress, I am deeply honored to recognize the significant contributions of Mission Quilters. They have helped to bring families together and provided support to those affected by war and natural disasters through their quilting. It is for this impact that I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the Mission Quilters.

Mr. Chair, today I rise in opposition to the partisan H.R. 1398. Unfortunately, this new ``CCP initiative'' that this bill creates is simply a knockoff version of the China Initiative created by Donald Trump which was notorious for racially profiling researchers of Asian descent.

Of the individuals charged under that initiative, the vast majority of cases did not result in a finding of guilt. The lives of far too many of those charged but not convicted of a crime were ruined simply because they were ``researching while Chinese.''

The China Initiative was not only weak, it was pernicious and wrong.

The current administration shut down the China Initiative and in its place stood up a new task force which has effectively cracked down, among

other things, crimes involving CCP's theft of U.S. AI and missile detection technology.

Another way we can protect our security is to pass the bipartisan, bicameral international trade crimes bill that I introduced alongside my colleagues on the Select Committee on the CCP. This bill creates a new unit at Department of Justice to criminally prosecute trade crimes committed by the CCP and others which seriously harm our innovators, companies, and workers.

It is essential that we confront the CCP's economic threat. There is a legitimate competition that we must win against the CCP, but H.R. 1398 does not take the initiative in doing so.

Mr. Chair, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on 1398.

Mr. Speaker, no, I support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bipartisan H.R. 8333, BIOSECURE Act.

Simply put, this bill prevents American taxpayer dollars from flowing to foreign adversary biotech companies of concern.

The bill creates a process by which the executive branch will develop a list of entities, review and modify this list at least annually, and formulate implementation guidance for all Federal agencies. Further, the bill has an even number of Democratic and Republican cosponsors and received a thumping 40-1 markup in the Oversight and Accountability Committee. Human rights groups strongly support this bill, as well.

Fundamentally, this bill is about protecting Americans' genomic data, their healthcare data, and sensitive IP on America's most innovative and cutting-edge medicines.

The intelligence community has warned that the PRC illegally obtains large healthcare data sets to help carry out human rights abuses against minority groups in China. The IC has also warned of the high threat of the CCP stealing American IP. It is our responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not flow to any companies supporting any of these efforts.

This bill does not stop these companies from doing business in the U.S.; however, it does stop them from receiving Federal dollars funding their operations.

I would like to respectfully make three key points:

First, BGI Group is run by bad actors. For example, BGI, which is on the Defense Department's Chinese military companies list, has harvested data from 8 million pregnant women's DNA without their consent, including Americans. BGI then used that data to publish at least a dozen joint studies with the People's Liberation Army, also known as the PLA, which, in turn, has used this information to suppress Uyghurs. BGI controls MGI and Complete Genomics, which are also named entities.

Second, the WuXi AppTec Group is also run by bad actors. U.S. intelligence has shown that WuXi AppTec has secretly transferred U.S. IP to Chinese authorities in Beijing.

Third, the founding CEO of WuXi AppTec is also the chairman of WuXi Biologics. Not only that, but the CEO of WuXi Biologics, this gentleman over here on the far left, has been a guest lecturer at the PLA's Academy of Military Sciences, an institution on the Commerce Department's red flag list.

In addition, here is the CEO of WuXi Biologics co-teaching a class with Chinese General Chen Wei, director of the Chinese military's biological research institute.

Here is a picture of the CCP Party cell embedded at WuXi AppTec.

As Congress, we need to ask ourselves: Are we comfortable sending taxpayer dollars to companies that are run by bad actors and that work so closely with the Chinese Communist Party, the CCP?

The answer is, of course, no. No.

We need to act now. I understand legitimate concerns have been raised about making further changes. Our preference is to give maximum discretion to the executive branch. It is Congress' decision that these companies must be included in this bill. There is no doubt that this is a valid approach.

I support further changes being made. I am voting ``yes'' to move this process along because, on balance, a ``yes'' vote is the right vote.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation, the BIOSECURE Act, to protect American genetic data and to protect American drug supply chains.

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the process issue, on page 10 of the bill, there is actually a process where the Office of Management and Budget decides on no less than an annual basis to review the list and modify as appropriate.

OMB is given authority to promulgate regulations, and we think there should be additional details provided. I would like to work with the distinguished ranking member of the Rules Committee to further refine that process because I agree that it could use more detail.

Secondly, I point out again on WuXi Biologics, the chair of WuXi AppTec is the chair of WuXi Biologics.

Mr. Speaker, that is why it is so disturbing to so many to see the CEO, the current CEO, of WuXi Biologics co-teaching a class with a Chinese general at the Biological Engineering Research Institute, the current CEO of WuXi Biologics actually being on the faculty of a PLA-affiliated institution. That is why the International Campaign for Tibet and Uyghur human rights groups strongly, strongly support this bill.