Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to offer my sincerest congratulations to the 2025 Masters champion, Rory McIlroy.

Since 1934, amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines, and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April brings the world's greatest golfers to my hometown of Augusta, Georgia, to experience sport's most unique and rewarding challenge: the Masters golf tournament, the first major of the year.

As golf fans know, the iconic green jacket never comes easily, but for Rory McIlroy, his years-long quest for glory at Augusta was far more than just a victory. In clinching the green jacket, Rory snapped an 11-year major championship drought and completed the long-awaited career grand slam, joining just five other prestigious players in doing so. Augusta made history as one of the greatest moments in golf.

Mr. Speaker, Rory made a comment at the trophy presentation that I think exemplifies this country. He said to his daughter, Poppy, ``Never give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, keep working hard. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything.'' What an example to the next generation of athletes, leaders, and to the American people.

Congratulations, Rory. It is championship week again in the world of golf, and we are pulling for him to achieve the season's grand slam now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart this evening. On Saturday, April 26, Columbia County in my district experienced an unimaginable tragedy as one of our beloved law enforcement officers, Deputy Brandon Sikes, lost his life and Deputy Gavin White was severely injured while serving a temporary protective order.

This heartbreaking event serves as a profound reminder of their commitment to selfless service. As they often do, these officers choose to prioritize the safety of others above themselves, even in a life- threatening situation.

While our community grieves this tragic loss, I am reminded of John 15:13, ``Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.''

Mr. Speaker, please join me in praying for Deputy Sikes' wife, Amber, their daughter, Lyndsey, and all of Brandon's loved ones as they continue to mourn this fallen hero.

Please also join me in praying for a swift recovery for Deputy White, as well as Sheriff Whittle and the entire Columbia County Sheriff's Department.

May God's grace be with our entire community as we continue to heal from this tragedy.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. Miller for her outward expression of faith and for being such a light here in this body to all of us, for her leadership and also putting together this Special Order tonight recognizing Faith Month.

Today, we are not only connected through our positions as public servants but also by the moral fabric of our Nation. This fabric is our Christian faith which ties together the sacrifice of our Founding Fathers with the dedication of today's leaders.

Faith Month holds profound significance across this land, serving as an all-encompassing reminder of the spiritual guidance that shapes our lives and the variety of beliefs that enrich our Nation and our Nation's rich heritage.

I believe that our Constitution is God-breathed, and so I ask the question: Where is our Nation today?

I am a member of a ministry, The LEAD HOUSE, and we are reading through the scriptures for, I think, our fourth year in a row.

We are in Judges right now. When you read Judges, God appointed judges to bring about rule and obedience among Israel because, every time that a judge passed on, Israel turned from God. Every time they turned from God, they were attacked. In fact, it was so bad that the Mennonites actually hid in caves in the hills. Every time, they cried out to God. Of course, we are reading about Gideon this week.

Yet, the one thing that, I think, captures our faith is a story I heard on Easter Sunday from our pastor in our church, and that is the story of the crucifixion. After the crucifixion, there were 11 disciples who went away, and they feared for their lives. In fact, they hid in a room.

Resurrection was 3 days later. Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave.

What that did for those 11 disciples was it gave them the power over death. They became fearless. They started a movement that the Roman Empire feared and were severely persecuted.

I tell you that, on Easter Sunday, over a third of the world celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the Roman Empire no longer exists. That is the power of the resurrection, and that is the power of faith.

As I reflect on these timeless teachings of the Bible, I am reminded of the divine wisdom in Exodus. In those sacred passages, God established laws and governance to uphold justice and righteousness. Just as Moses, the only full face here, looks down on this body today and as we look at the flag, In God We Trust, really?

Do our actions actually align with the purpose that God set before us of restraining evil and promoting good in our society? What this proves is our belief in God must be reflected and represented in our daily lives, not simply spoken.

We are a nation founded in the Judeo-Christian value of family. Joshua 18 is one of the greatest promises in the scriptures. God told Joshua, who, of course, followed Moses:

``Do not let this book of law depart from your lips. Be careful to do what it says, meditate on it night and day, and you will be prosperous and successful.''

This is the first book in the Bible that I memorized, and I say it every day. What I have discovered in my time here in Congress and in business and whatnot is that, unlike when I grew up, we have become a Bible-illiterate culture.

Why do we meditate on God's Word? Like Abraham, whose faith was credited to him as righteousness, we must trust in God's promises. They are abundant throughout his scriptures, and we must live obediently to His Word, or America will end up like Rome.

Let us seek God's blessing and protection as we navigate through the complexities of governance, acknowledging his sovereignty over all things.

It is during this time of such division that I often lean on the words of Mark 3:24, reminding us that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. America is at a tipping point. It is through our collective faith and drawing near to the Word of God that we find the path to unity, truth, and freedom.

During this special month, we are reminded of the profound impact of our faith. It is the beacon of hope, guiding us through life's trials and triumphs, and it unites us in a bond stronger than any earthly tie.

I hope those watching me tonight will join with me and reaffirm our commitment to worship the Lord and to draw strength and inspiration by meditating on His Word morning and night and be careful to do what it says.

May God bless each of us abundantly and guide our Nation as we walk in faith and righteousness, and may we never forget that we are, in fact, one nation under God.

Mr. Speaker, may God's grace be with us all.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis, for yielding.

As vice chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I rise today in support of the bipartisan FUTURE Networks Act, which I proudly introduced with my colleagues, Representative Matsui and Representative Walberg.

This commonsense legislation would direct the FCC to bring together industry leaders, public interest groups, and government experts to establish a 6G Task Force.

As we all know, 6G is the future of telecommunications, and we must ensure that the United States is a global leader in this emerging technology. Failure to do so would put our adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party, in the driver's seat. We cannot allow that to happen.

I come from the world of business and just like in business we want the best, most qualified individuals to have a seat at the table. By establishing a 6G Task Force, we can bring together America's brightest industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators to collaborate on the future deployment of 6G and strengthening our wireless networks.

This is a matter of economic and national security. I was proud to help lead the FUTURE Networks Act this Congress. I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2449.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 75.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will say this resolution is unnecessary. We have heard that. Let's be clear. What is unnecessary is placing so-called energy standards on commercial refrigerators and freezers, which will only lead to higher equipment costs and additional burdens on small businesses.

I come from the small-business community. I have felt that, and, again, that is what we are hearing from our small businesses and why I am standing here today.

Time and time again, the Biden-Harris administration imposed new standards with high price tags. First, it was regulations on cars and trucks. Then, it was gas stoves and washing machines and, now, commercial refrigerators and freezers. The list goes on and on.

In fact, I stood on the House floor in the last Congress and defended my very own wife's gas stove, and we won that battle.

Fortunately for the American people, under the leadership of House Republicans and President Trump, common sense has a seat at the table again.

All we are doing is rolling back the senseless and unending bureaucratic red tape ushered in under the previous administration that harms hardworking Americans and small businesses.

In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that these standards on commercial refrigerators and freezers will cost approximately $8 billion, as stated earlier, which we know will be passed down to consumers.

When did the Department of Energy get into the appliance business?

Mr. Speaker, this is an easy ``yes'' vote. I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 75, and I thank Congressman Goldman for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate legendary Coach Jimmie Lewis, whose name will now be displayed at the Harlem High School baseball field for years and years to come. Coach Lewis has been the dedicated leader of the Harlem High School baseball program for decades, securing eight state titles and over 900 impressive wins--the 3rd highest in Georgia High School Association history. This is no small feat, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor.

However, Jimmie Lewis is far more than a coach in this community and at Harlem High School. He is a family man, a role model, a teacher, and a molder of men who has devoted his life to ensuring young students learn the skills and lessons necessary to be successful not only on the baseball field, but in life.

I am honored to help Coach Lewis celebrate this occasion and the positive, lifelong impact he has had on so many lives. Congratulations to Coach Lewis. Go Bulldogs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 42, which will roll back another burdensome Biden-Harris rule on the Department of Energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment.

Let's be clear: People elected us to make the laws, and these agencies are making rules. I think Congress is entitled to speak on this issue.

Alongside President Trump, House Republicans are on a mission to reclaim American energy dominance, and that means continuing to eliminate President Biden's burdensome energy regulations that have limited consumer choice. Again, we represent the people, and the people are telling us that these things have to stop.

This final rule that we will overturn today imposes unnecessary and duplicative labeling, certifying, and reporting requirements for various appliances and commercial equipment. This is part of a broken system that needs major reforms. The American people are done paying for it with higher costs, created by government bureaucrats, for at- home appliances.

Under the Biden administration alone, the DOE implemented more than 30 appliance and equipment efficiency rules, at a cost of $60 billion, many of which negatively impact consumers and manufacturers in my district.

Amazingly, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle were stuck in their seats last night as President Trump spoke about unleashing American energy and lowering costs. Regardless, House Republicans will deliver.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Clyde for his leadership, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 56 and AYE on Roll Call No. 57.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Griffith for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, it is a new day in America. I remind my friends that, just 6 years ago, we had the greatest economy in our lifetimes, and we achieved energy independence. That is what this day is about.

The days of weakness on the world stage and dependence on foreign adversaries for our energy needs are over.

I am proud to rise in support of H.J. Res. 35 to repeal the Biden administration's harmful rule establishing a natural gas tax and help the United States reclaim energy dominance.

The Biden administration had an all-out war on fossil fuel. On their way out the door, the previous administration finalized this burdensome rule to effectively collect taxes on methane emissions released from oil and gas facilities and funnel that money to their radical climate allies.

What my Democratic colleagues won't tell you is that our clean natural gas is a major reason why the U.S. has become a world leader in reducing carbon emissions.

In partnership with President Trump, House Republicans are reinstating common sense in Washington. To lower costs for American families, we must unleash our energy capabilities and utilize the reliable natural gas right under our feet, not impose these outlandish taxes on domestic producers.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of H.J. Res. 35.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 27, the HALT Fentanyl Act, a commonsense bill to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl from pouring across our southern border.

During the 4 years of the Biden administration, our border was wide open, allowing the cartels and drug traffickers to transport fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances into our country.

Let's be clear: The Democrats failed to address this issue and so did the administration. Why in the world would we allow that to happen? We have all heard the heart-wrenching stories from families who have lost loved ones.

Illicit fentanyl poisonings are now the number one cause of death among adults 18 to 49. This is more than just a statistic. Under the Republican-controlled House, Senate, and White House, this crisis will come to an end.

The HALT Fentanyl Act would make the temporary classwide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances permanent and ensure law enforcement have the tools they need to keep this dangerous drug off our streets.

This legislation, combined with President Trump's latest border security wins and his team at the White House, will make our communities safer and save lives. They mean business.

Mr. Speaker, we are going to get the job done, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on January 21, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 18 and YEA on Roll Call No. 19.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act, a commonsense bill to ensure female athletes only compete with biological females.

Unfortunately, in just 4 years under the Biden administration, Title IX has been under constant attack, jeopardizing women's safety, athletic opportunities, and chances for success.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have followed suit. Last Congress, not one single Democrat voted in support of this bill on the House floor.

I hear about this issue consistently in my district and am often told by parents to put an end to this nonsense.

How many of history's most prolific female athletes would never have reached such heights if they were forced to compete against biological males? When will Democrats learn that the American people fundamentally reject their radical agenda?

A Gallup poll recently said 70 percent of the American people believe we should protect women's sports. I am a proud father to 3 daughters and a grandfather to 10 granddaughters, all of whom have competed or are currently competing in the sport of their choice.

This bill is about protecting every female's pathway to athletic prowess, excellence, and opportunity.

I thank Representative Steube for his leadership on this issue. As a cosponsor of today's bill, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a privilege to serve with Doug, and I thank him for his great service to our country and for emphasizing the importance of the Bible.

It is an honor to stand here, but particularly tonight to commemorate National Bible Week along with my friends and colleagues. I am here to talk about what the Bible has meant to me and its impact on our Nation's history.

There are divisions across our country, including in this Chamber, that highlight the challenges that we are facing.

I was baptized in a small, rural church at 9 years of age and my parents raised me in the church there. I had a few other priorities in college, but after my marriage to my wife, we found a church home in Augusta and that church home has meant the world to our family.

However, it was almost 30 years later that I realized that maybe my priorities were not in order. I decided that I would make Bible study and prayer a priority in my life.

I started Bible study with a friend about 6 months later, and I realized that God was writing His Word on my very heart. I had this urge to know God and study His Word and understand His purpose and will for me. All of my life, as I look back, I had relied on God's Word for truth.

Twenty-three years ago, I joined a Bible study fellowship in my hometown of Augusta. It is an intense Bible study, but I am telling you it was life changing. I am currently reading the Change Your Life Study Bible with the Lead group here in Washington, D.C., and I am constantly reminded of the answers this book provides and to the current issues that we are dealing with today facing our Nation.

Since my time in Congress and meeting with people across the Nation and folks in our own district, unfortunately, we are becoming a Bible ill-literate society.

Just above our flag here in this body, we have ``In God We Trust,'' but how do you know how to trust God if you don't know God and don't know His Word?

I look at the full face of Moses in this House Chamber and I am reminded of the first five books of the Bible, the moral law.

George Washington himself in his farewell address said:

Morality and faith are the pillars of our society. We

confess these pillars are being eroded in an increasingly

materialistic and permissive society.

And that is continuing today.

One of the Scriptures I memorized early on was Joshua 1:8. It says:

Do not let this Book of Law depart from your lips. Meditate

on it night and day. Be careful to do what it says and what

is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous

and you will have success. This is a great promise from God.

This is a special time of year. There are over 11 times in the Old Testament starting 1,500 years ago predicting the birth, the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ whose birthday we celebrate here at this time.

Starting off in Genesis 3:15: ``And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.''

That was written 1,500 years ago.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, we are about to witness another historic and important inauguration.

As I talk to you currently, most Americans believe our Nation is in serious moral, spiritual, and financial decline. Emotional health has become an epidemic because many do not know where to turn for hope.

I love the Bible, I love to pray, and I love to pray with those who believe in the values and the Founding Fathers' values in the truth that we behold in this country.

Especially during this important season, keep the hope and trust in Him and His Word. He will change the direction of this country and He will write His Word on your heart.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand here tonight with my colleagues to recognize Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and her remarkable service to the United States Congress.

When she was elected to Congress, Cathy was a Member of our leadership team, serving as the chair of the House Republic Conference. In the 115th Congress, she led our Conference's messaging machine as we delivered historic results for the American people including the best economy in our lifetime.

Additionally, I have learned a great deal from Cathy's leadership on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce this Congress as she helped each Member fulfill our promises to reclaim American energy dominance, expand clean power generation, and improve transparency in our Nation's healthcare system.

Above all else, I have cherished sharing our faith and fellowship during LEAD House over these past years.

Your love of God and family and devotion to your Christian values is something we will miss in the next Congress. I am proud to call you my sister in the faith.

May God bless you and your family as you embark on your next season in life. Sister, I love you dearly.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 4367, the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act.

Included in today's legislation is language which addresses an issue that means the world to many of my constituents. I have spoken from this podium many times over the past 10 years highlighting the importance of the lock and dam to the residents of the CSRA.

Due to environmental mitigation from the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, the Corps of Engineers was responsible for constructing a mitigation feature that would allow sturgeon and other endangered fish to access new spawning grounds.

Unfortunately, the corps selected a rock weir as an alternative to replace the lock and dam, which I strongly opposed as it would drop the pool level far below the needs of the community, and disregarded the requirements established in the 2016 WIIN Act.

In a disastrous simulation carried out by the corps, we saw firsthand the dreadful impacts of the lower water level that would result from the installation of a rock weir.

Throughout this tenuous process and legal battles, many of my colleagues and I worked closely with community leaders and stakeholders who have all agreed that maintaining the water level above the lock and dam is critical, so our residents are not affected.

I am thrilled to finally stand here today with a message for my community: A legislative solution to maintain the pool level and repair the lock and dam will soon be on its way to the President's desk.

I thank all of those who worked tirelessly on this issue, my colleagues who helped push for these changes for so long, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee led by Chairman Graves and Subcommittee Chair Rouzer insisting the language stay in the final bill.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the Senate to pass this bill and President Biden to sign it into law.