Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the President's complete and utter failure to lead our country effectively over the last 9 months.

Despite the optimistic vision he portrayed in his inaugural address, President Biden has created crisis after crisis--from our economy and energy independence to national and border security.

Back in February my Republican colleagues and I warned Democrats' reckless spending would have a devastating inflationary effect. In fact, many experts at the time, including former President Obama's top economist, warned spending trillions more would devalue our dollar and cause prices of goods and services to increase.

Sure enough, just one month later, we learned that the Consumer Price Index had its highest monthly jump in nearly 10 years. The Producer Price Index has also skyrocketed by 8.3 percent, which is also a record.

While the Biden administration continues turning a blind eye to inflation, top economists are warning inflation is here to stay for years to come, and it will only get worse if the Democrats pass over $5 trillion in additional spending.

This is a hidden tax hike on every American family, on top of their historic tax increases that are part of the $4.2 trillion tax-and- spending spree that we will be discussing over the next several days. This is completely reckless for our businesses, our farmers, and our families.

Instead of reining in spending, President Biden and his Democrat colleagues are leaning into the economic crisis they have created. In fact, the President has attempted to gaslight the American people by making the false claim that their $5.5 trillion so-called infrastructure package will cost zero dollars. Even the leftists at The Washington Post aren't buying it, calling the claim truly misleading.

The crisis at our southern border, which the Biden administration has gone to great lengths to ignore, has continued raging on.

In May I went to Texas with Congressman Gonzales to see the border firsthand. I received an aerial tour of the Big Bend sector, a remote part of the border where apprehensions of drugs, weapons, and other contraband are at record levels.

Law enforcement on the ground told us directly that they needed more support from the administration. Sadly,

several months later, it is still clear that no help has been on the way.

In August, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that they have made over 200,000 apprehensions of drugs, up 317 percent from just a year ago.

Biden's failure to lead and take control of this situation has created a devolving humanitarian crisis, a national security crisis, and a public health crisis at our southern border.

Biden has also failed to lead on our world stage. Our tragic and disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan is the sole responsibility of President Biden and his colossal failure to lead as Commander in Chief.

The administration still owes the American people answers. Why were billions of dollars of military equipment left behind for the Taliban? Why did we cave to the Taliban's timeline? Why did we fail to evacuate every single American before leaving?

Just this week we learned Biden lied to the American people regarding the advice he received from his top military generals. The commander of the U.S. Central Command testified under oath that he recommended keeping a small force of 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, yet Biden previously told the American people that no one recommended keeping this limited troop presence.

Biden has been silent as the far left wing of his party has attacked Israel and their right to defend themselves. Abandoning our allies, abandoning and lying to the American people, this seems to be the Biden leadership doctrine.

Under the President's leadership, we are no longer energy independent. On his first day of office, Biden killed the XL pipeline, eliminating 11,000 great jobs. He put Paris over Paullina, Iowa, and other communities in my district by rejoining the climate accords, which will cause electricity to skyrocket.

Yet this same woke progressive administration that pretends to care so much about the climate is about to give a huge win to the oil industry. They are undermining clean-burning biofuels by attacking the renewable fuel standard, leaving crop growers and my biofuels producers behind in the dust.

It seems the Biden leadership doctrine in a nutshell has been to ruin this economy and is undermining our independence.

Madam Speaker, last week I officially completed my 39 county tour for 2021, visiting all 39 counties at least twice so far this year. Whether it was speaking to farmers, manufacturers, Main Street business owners, families, educators, or students, I have enjoyed listening to folks all through the Fourth District.

I heard from folks across the district concerned with reckless spending, especially the Democrats' $3.5 trillion tax and spending spree.

In Palo Alto County I met a sixth-generation farmer who was concerned President Biden's plan to eliminate stepped-up basis would threaten his family farm. I heard this concern everywhere I went, which is why I have fought so hard to put a stop to this supercharged death tax.

I will continue to be a passionate advocate for the Fourth District, especially when it comes to defending the men and women who feed and fuel the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colton Griffin, a third grader from Moville, Iowa. After his classmate and friend, Hope, passed away in a tragic accident, Colton wanted to make sure her bucket calf still made it to the fair.

That is when he came up with this great idea to have his whole class help show her calf, Taffy. I had the pleasure of meeting Colton, and his dad, Cody, at the Iowa State Fair last week, and they truly embody ``Iowa Nice.''

Supporting our friends and neighbors in tough times is one of the things that makes Iowa so special. With a heart that big, I know Colton is going to do great things.

Madam Speaker, may God bless Colton and his friend, Hope, and her family. May God bless.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 18 which would make the Hyde amendment permanent.

This week we will consider the partisan Health and Human Services budget. It is unfortunate that Democrats are continuing their assault on the fundamental right to life in this bill. It kills the Hyde amendment which ensures taxpayer dollars cannot be spent on abortions.

Hyde has saved 2.5 million babies since it was enacted. My faith teaches me that every person is created for a purpose and a reason, and that is why I will always be a defender of the unborn. Americans should not be forced to fork over their taxpayer dollars so defenseless babies can be murdered on the taxpayer dime.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge President Biden and his administration to back off on the attacks on rural America and rural Iowa.

The administration has proposed changes to the stepped-up basis tax policy, which is, effectively, the death tax with a new coat of paint.

I have heard from farmers all across the Fourth District who are concerned about these changes, and they would be financially devastating, especially when it comes to passing on that family farm to the next generation.

This was confirmed in a recent study by Texas A&M and the Agriculture and Food Policy Center. It noted that the stepped-up basis changes would impact 98 percent of family farms and impose an additional $1 million tax on farms in the Midwest.

It is simple. The hardworking men and women of the Fourth District and those who feed the world should not have to foot the bill for the Democrats' reckless spending agenda.

The Biden administration isn't just looking at penalizing rural Americans with higher taxes. They are also looking at implementing burdensome regulations that will crush rural Main Streets and our agricultural community in the Midwest.

Administrator Regan of the EPA recently announced that the EPA would look into undoing the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which replaced waters of the U.S. as a smarter, more efficient, and more straightforward approach to defining what waters warrant Federal regulation.

A return to WOTUS, which allowed the Federal Government to regulate water on 97 percent of the land in Iowa, would force unnecessary and costly government regulations on the backs of Iowa farmers. There are many places the Federal Government bureaucrats just don't belong, and specifically, they don't belong on our family farms.

When the executive branch's power exploded under the Obama administration, we saw ridiculous rules implemented and enforced, leading to rising costs in the ag industry and snuffing out economic growth on our rural Main Streets and in our rural communities.

This attempted power grab ultimately proved why water regulation is best left to States and localities.

Put simply, the Biden administration's Big Government agenda for rural America includes higher taxes and more regulation, but this administration isn't stopping at this one-two gut punch. President Biden is also looking to undermine the RFS and lowering biofuel blending requirements. This will hurt both crop growers and biofuel producers, two industries that are so critical to our economic activity in rural Iowa.

At the same time, the administration is laughing as they propose spending $174 billion on electric vehicles and charging stations. A study by Biden's own Department of Energy found that four out of every five vehicles will still require liquid fuels by 2050. Think about that. Four out of every five cars in 2050 will still need liquid fuels.

Why is President Biden taking aim at this critical industry? It seems the Democrats are shrugging their shoulders, comfortable with turning their backs on the rural Midwest, farmers, our rural Main Streets. I say enough is enough.

Rural Iowans are already suffering from high gas taxes and grocery prices due to this incredible inflation, which is a direct result of Democrats' massive and reckless spending. Gas prices are over 50 percent higher than they were a year ago. Our food and energy prices continue to rise because of inflation.

In May 2021, the Consumer Price Index increased at a rate that has not been seen since the 2008 recession. On top of the Biden inflation tax, our farmers can't afford additional taxes, more regulations, and other policies that will hinder the most important industries and will stifle growth in the rural Midwest, creating a disaster for rural Main Streets, our producers, and our family farmers.

Iowa is the breadbasket to the world. That is why President Biden must back off rural America. Please back off agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for all the work they have done on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the National Science Foundation for the Future Act. This legislation contains several provisions that would help ensure the United States continues to be a global leader in science and technology. It invests in critical STEM programs and research that will pave the way for new and exciting technological developments.

I am pleased that this legislation also includes a proposal that I introduced to protect American intellectual property from falling into the wrong hands. My proposal, which passed the Science Committee with unanimous support, prevents government-funded researchers from participating in projects that are run by so-called foreign countries of concern, including China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, and others defined by the State Department.

Taxpayer dollars should not be spent on research that could end up in the hands of our competitors or our adversaries. This is especially true when it comes to China. My bipartisan proposal stands up to the Chinese Communist Party and ensures that our taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

The NSF for the Future Act also contains language that I have worked on with Congressman McNerney to advance precision agriculture technology. These provisions aim to bolster research and development in precision farming practices, which will help our producers improve their efficiency and increase their bottom line.

In sum, the National Science Foundation for the Future Act includes important provisions that will protect American interests and help empower our agricultural community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss Sarah's Law, a bicameral bill I introduced along with Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa.

Our proposal was named in honor of Sarah Root, a 21-year-old girl who, after her graduation, that night, was killed by an illegal immigrant. The illegal immigrant was drunk and drag racing. He posted bond. ICE did not detain him, and he left the country, never to be seen from ever again.

The bill would require authorities to keep illegal immigrants in custody if they have been charged with a crime that resulted in death or serious bodily injury.

I am pleased that my proposal was included in the Republican Study Committee budget. After all, budgets reflect priorities, and given the crisis at our border, it is crucial that we implement tougher immigration policies that protect Iowans and protect Americans.

Border encounters have hit an all-time high in the last two decades, with over 180,000 encounters in the month of May. Last year, we had over 23,000. Yet, President Biden's bloated $6 trillion budget proposal does not include a single cent more for homeland security.

Unlike Vice President Harris, the administration's self-appointed border czar, I went to the border. I heard directly from law enforcement officers. We need to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs, and we need to start enacting stricter immigration and border security policies that address this crisis.

At the very least, we can all agree that neither American citizens nor illegal immigrants should ever be able to evade the law. Sarah's Law would ensure illegal immigrants cannot escape justice simply due to immigration policy loopholes.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Republican Study Committee's budget. It is a fantastic budget.

Madam Speaker, our veterans deserve the best care and attention, including when it comes to treating unseen wounds. That is why I am honored to be part of this effort to expand mental health services to our veterans in rural areas.

The Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans' Mental Health Act is named in honor of Sergeant Brandon Ketchum, an Iowan and a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After serving overseas, he suffered from a number of physical and mental conditions. Tragically, Sergeant Ketchum took his own life after failing to receive the mental healthcare he needed from the VA.

It is clear, mental healthcare shortcomings for our veterans need to be addressed, and that is what this bill does.

I thank my colleague from Iowa, Congresswoman Axne, for her work on this important bill. I also thank my colleagues, Congresswoman Miller- Meeks and Congresswoman Hinson, for their work as well.

God bless all those who have fought to protect our country. We owe them our help.

Mr. Speaker, in this era of scientific and technological innovation, it has never been more important to ensure our students have access to quality STEM education programs, especially in rural communities.

Implementing high-speed, reliable broadband goes hand in hand with this goal.

This is why I urge my colleagues to support the Rural STEM Education Research Act. Both STEM education and quality broadband access are critical to the future success and revitalization of rural America.

I am hopeful that this legislation will break down barriers rural Iowans face in receiving STEM education that is both forward-thinking and long-lasting for our rural communities. This bill will also help us identify the technological and logistical challenges we still must overcome to provide broadband to every last acre of land.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma, Ranking Member Lucas, for this outstanding bill and important piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dave Raak from Hospers, Iowa.

Dave recently passed away from a long and courageous battle with a rare organ condition.

Dave dedicated his life to serving his community. His great- grandfather started Hospers Telephone Company in the early 1900s. Dave eventually took over the company from his dad and worked tirelessly to ensure that rural communities served by HTC Communications had quality telecommunication services.

Dave was instrumental in building a fiber network in the 1990s across Iowa which now serves as the backbone of our economy by connecting rural Iowa to the world.

Dave also leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Arlene; and their children; Ruth, Rachel, and Paul; along with their many grandchildren.

Dave was truly a family man.

Please join me in praying for his loved ones as they say goodbye.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the birthday of Ralph Johnson from Cherokee, Iowa, who turned 100 years old on Monday.

Ralph is a member of the Greatest Generation, serving in the Navy during World War II. He truly embodies the bravery, courage, and selfless sacrifice of an American patriot, working as a head mechanic in the Pacific theater.

If you talk with Ralph, he will tell you harrowing stories about his service, like the time the Japanese flew so low over his ship, he could see the pilot's face.

On behalf of a grateful nation, we thank Ralph for his service and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take a moment to recognize Linda Sommerfeld and David Scott, who made Ralph's special day great.

Happy birthday, Ralph. We wish you many blessings.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate something that hasn't happened in Iowa for over 110 years.

Last Friday night, two schools from the same community met in the Boys Class 2A State Basketball Championship. It just so happened that the two schools are from my hometown, Hull, Iowa, a community of 2,500 people. The game was an incredible game where Western Christian ended up winning by 6 points at the end.

With this win, Wolfpack, from Western Christian, set another record, being the first school to have 10 State championships in the State.

Congratulations to Boyden-Hull on an incredible season, and congratulations to Western Christian on being the 2A State Champions of Iowa. Both teams make me proud. Both teams make Iowa proud. Both teams make Hull proud.

Madam Speaker, I can truly say this: Hull, Iowa, is the capital of basketball in Iowa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this reckless spending bill.

On Monday, the Congressional Budget Office announced the Federal deficit has already exceeded $1 trillion in the first 5 months of fiscal year 2021.

Spending this year is already up 25 percent, and this massive spending bill adds another $1.9 trillion to our deficit.

We are currently enjoying low interest rates, but out-of-control spending

will lead to inflation. In this current year, inflation has already increased by 3 percent. Inflation leads to interest rate hikes. For example, in the 1980s, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 20 percent.

The debt is already at $28 trillion. So higher interest rates will cause a catastrophic death spiral.

This bill does not rescue our country. It literally puts us in peril.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the H. Con. Res. 11, which paves the way for our national deficit to increase by $2.1 trillion.

Our current debt is $28 trillion. Let's put that in perspective. This budget that we are looking at here will never balance. It will push our national debt to $41 trillion by the end of its forecast. Let me say that again: $41 trillion by the end of its forecast.

This out-of-control spending is jeopardizing the very future of Social Security and Medicare. Every senior should be deeply concerned about the possibility of losing Social Security based on this out-of- control spending by the Democrats.

Currently, our country pays about 2 percent on the debt that we have. It will not stay at 2 percent because 2 percent is currently low. If our interest rate increases, we are going to struggle to try to fund our discretionary programs like defense and infrastructure because the money will go toward interest. This is dangerous, fiscally irresponsible, and reprehensible.

Just like a business or a family, when the credit card bill comes due and there is not enough money, you have to cut. The Democrats have put our Nation in a perilous situation with this out-of-control spending.

We must take our growing national debt crisis seriously and not look at this laundry list of progressive ideas put forth by the Democrats.

We are saddling our children and their grandchildren with this debt, focusing on the politics of today, and not worrying about our Nation's future. This budget must be stopped.