Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 136 and thank Congressman James for his leadership on this very important issue.

Mr. Speaker, consumer choice is a vital component of our free market economy, which has grown wealth in this country substantially over the years.

However, an endless obsession with their rush to a green agenda, the Biden-Harris administration is seeking to strip away consumer choice in the form of a tailpipe emissions rule that would effectively mandate that at least two-thirds of all new cars in the United States be electric by 2032. This is a mandate straight from the top. Let me be clear. I am not anti-EV. I am pro-American consumer.

As I represent rural Georgia, for many of my constituents, EVs are impractical, considering the high cost, lack of charging infrastructure in rural communities, and overall time commitment to get that full charge.

The American people do not need or want this administration mandating what car best suits their family's needs.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.J. Res. 136 and to restore consumer choice and end this unreasonable rule. The American people are sick and tired of this.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Biggs, for hosting tonight's Special Order hour, along with my good friend Brian Babin, as well, talking about the devastating impact the crisis at our southern border is causing our country.

Every State is a border State. Obviously, we have lost a loved one in Georgia.

I got a text, interestingly enough, today from a small rural town in my district that basically they said it is a Third World country here. This is in rural America. She said that she doesn't mean to complain, but they can't even go to the grocery store.

I am sure it has been said here many times tonight: Over the past 4 years, the Biden-Harris administration has had an open-border policy. When those candidates, when they were running for President, raised their hands and said that we would give away free healthcare--every single one of them raised their hand. We should have known then what was going to happen.

I don't understand why the American people weren't alerted by that because I have been on mission trips to these countries. I have tried to help these people in their home country with medical, buildings, and other things. They have no healthcare.

Since the Biden-Harris administration took office, and with Kamala Harris as border czar, there have been over 10 million illegal immigrant encounters and roughly 2 million known got-aways. Got-aways are here for a different reason. It is not good.

I can't tell you, for the Committee on Energy and Commerce, how many hearings we have had dealing with fentanyl, like a mom losing a child to fentanyl. It is the leading cause of death of men between ages 14 and 40 in our country. How can we continue to allow this?

Worsening the already dire situation, this administration has failed to remove 99.7 percent of illegal immigrants released into the United States, making every community and every State a border State.

I have been to the border multiple times, and what I have witnessed is this: It is the most inhumane process I have ever witnessed. It is disgusting that children are pinned up like animals. I asked the Border Patrol where these people get the money to pay the cartels, and I understand the cartels, Mr. Speaker, are making $32 million a week down there. I asked how they would pay for this. They said that they don't have the money. I asked what guarantees payment when they get here.

This is what we are allowing. This administration is allowing this. It is the most horrible thing I have ever heard. They are indentured servants in the beacon of freedom, indentured slaves to the cartels. Guess what? If those cartels don't get paid, they start killing off their family members. How disgusting.

How can this administration be allowed to continue this barbaric policy? They could put an end to it. I don't know why the Vice President on the campaign trail hasn't said she is going to stop this tomorrow. They can do it.

I saw and witnessed them coming across in a boat, and I said: Why don't you all stop the boat?

They said: You see those children? If we stop that boat, they will start throwing their children in the river.

How can we allow this, America? Like I said, it is barbaric. These are war criminals.

We lost a National Guard soldier trying to save someone from drowning. He drowned trying to save them in that river.

Folks, I could be here a long time, but enough is enough. The House has taken action by passing the most comprehensive border security bill in the history of the United States Congress, H.R. 2. The Senate has not taken up that bill.

We must secure this border. Call your Senators. Demand that they stop these horrible crimes we are seeing committed at this border.

Let me tell you something else that nobody's talking about. We have the most generous legal immigration system in the world. Why don't we talk about improving that system bipartisanly? We should be recruiting the best and the brightest into this country, the most skilled. One million people per year are legally allowed to apply for citizenship in this country and go through the process. We also have a million student visas.

We need to fix this problem and stop this inhumane and really just barbaric activity that this administration is carrying on with right now. It is disastrous.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for yielding the time.

I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 5339, the Protecting Americans' Investments from Woke Policies Act. The Committee on Education and the Workforce worked diligently this Congress to hold the Biden administration accountable for their destructive policies that only serve to harm American families, workers, and retirees.

That is why I proudly partnered with many of my committee colleagues to put together this package of bills before us today that stops this administration's assault on the retirement security of millions of Americans.

Saving for retirement has become increasingly difficult as prices continue to skyrocket. Over the last 3\1/2\ years, we have witnessed a sharp rise in the cost of basic necessities, putting a significant strain on household budgets.

The average household in Georgia is paying over $1,000 per month to purchase the same goods and services as in January of 2021. Cumulatively, the average Georgia household has spent over $27,000 more due to inflation in that same timeframe.

As a result of the Biden-Harris administration's out-of-control spending policies, inflation is soaring. Many seniors are living paycheck to paycheck, retirement savings are in jeopardy, and hardworking Americans are struggling to secure their financial future.

One example of how the Biden administration is jeopardizing retirement savings is through a Department of Labor rule that allows financial advisors to ignore their responsibility to prioritize financial returns in favor of investing America's retirement savings into risky, climate-related environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, funds. Now, let's be clear. This mandate came from the Department of Labor. It did not come from the financial investment community.

ESG funds are proven to carry higher risk and charge steeper fees, and financial institutions have become more brazen in professing partisan and ideological preferences while investing Americans' hard- earned retirement savings.

As families continue to struggle to afford basic necessities like gas and groceries due to record inflation, the last thing hardworking taxpayers need is for their retirement savings to be depleted due to politically motivated mismanagement.

That is why I was proud to introduce the Roll back ESG To Increase Retirement Earnings, the RETIRE Act. This bill rolls back this overreaching rule and ensures ERISA retirement plan sponsors prioritize financial returns over ESG factors when making investment decisions on behalf of their clients, as mandated by the Department of Labor.

My RETIRE Act makes clear what ERISA intended. Retirement plan sponsors should invest their clients' hard-earned money in a manner that maximizes financial returns and minimizes risk, period.

We must get back to a point where financial institutions make investment decisions based on standards of return, credit, collateral, raw data, and balance sheet numbers. We can do so by passing today's legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 5339.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate F. Scott Orr on his well-deserved retirement from Georgia Power after nearly 42 years of invaluable service,

Joining the company in 1982, Scott has worn many hats over the years, including roles in marketing, engineering, district sales, region sales, and customer service. Scott then found his niche as manager of Federal Legislative Affairs--representing Georgia Power on a wide range of issues for 22 memorable years. During his time in this role, Scott worked with nearly 40 different Members of Congress and Senators from Georgia, as well as countless staffers who benefited not just from Scott's engineering background, energy policy expertise. and understanding of constituent issues, but also his enduring kindness, unending generosity, and genuine friendship.

Since being elected to Congress in 2014, I have been blessed to work closely with Scott and welcome him to my DC office on numerous occasions. Scott was integral in the successful completion of bringing online Nuclear Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle--a monumental accomplishment for the 12th District, the state of Georgia as a whole, and the entire Nation--and for that, I am eternally grateful.

I consider myself lucky to call Scott a friend, and as he embarks on this next chapter of life, Robin and I wish him and Benita all the best and congratulate him on a remarkable career at Georgia Power.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor John F. Welsh--a World War II combat veteran and American patriot who celebrates his 98th birthday on September 4th, 2024. John Welsh, better known as ``Jack,'' was born in Macon, Georgia and grew up along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Pensacola, Florida.

Jack never had a doubt that he was called to serve. Upon graduating high school on June 6, 1944--the same day allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy--Jack immediately spoke to his parents about enlisting in the United States Army.

Having watched World War II progress through his high school years and on the front pages of the newspapers he himself delivered, Jack was elated that his parents agreed, and he entered basic training in the fall of 1944.

By October, Jack had crossed the country and the Pacific Ocean to land in the Philippines, and upon completion of his mission there, served in the occupation of Japan.

After his years of service, Jack was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon with one Bronze Star, the Army of Occupation Ribbon, the Victory Ribbon, and three Overseas Service Bars.

After discharge, Jack enrolled in Duke University's Forestry school where he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Forestry. He also met the love of his life, Mary Ann Casimes, with whom he later married and raised a family.

We thank Jack for his years of service and wish him a happy 98th birthday. God bless.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Shannon W. Swing on his retirement from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Shannon faithfully served this institution for 32 years, first in Anchorage, Alaska, then in Salt Lake City, Utah and finally in Boise, Idaho. With his calm demeanor, Shannon quickly became a leader in the organization, training new employees and being a steadfast presence in the tower.

His contributions to ensuring a safe airspace were invaluable to providing efficient and secure travel for passengers across the country and world. We thank Shannon for his dedication and congratulate him on his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the House's passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which includes language to address an issue that is critical to the residents of my district.

I have worked for many years in Congress to find a permanent solution regarding the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam, one that works for job creators, municipalities, and our community alike.

Unfortunately, the Corps of Engineers selected a rock weir option as an alternative to replace the lock and dam, which would drop the pool level far below the needs of the community, and in the Corps' simulation of that project had disastrous impacts up and down the riverbank.

I was proud to partner with Representative Mike Collins to get language included in the Water Resources Development Act to stop the Corps' disastrous rock weir plan and clarify congressional intent to maintain our pool level at 114.5 feet. This is a big win for the residents of my district.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 358.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for yielding.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to amendment No. 11 offered by Mr. Garamendi, which would prohibit funding for plutonium pit production at the Savannah River Site.

Because of the policies of the current administration, this world is more dangerous today than probably any time in recent history.

The Savannah River Site, also known as SRS, is a Department of Energy site conducting important work to defend our national security. It employs thousands of constituents in Georgia's 12th District.

Currently under construction at the Savannah River Site is the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility. When construction is completed, this facility will produce at least 50 of the 80 new pits per year required by the Department of Defense to sustain the United States' nuclear weapons stockpile. It is called strength through peace or peace through strength.

Mr. Chair, this shortsighted amendment would critically threaten this urgent national security mission by prohibiting funding for the Savannah River Plutonium Modernization Program, which funds facility construction, workforce development, process design, and other critical functions to ensure SRS can begin producing pits as quickly as possible once the construction is complete.

The Savannah River Site is committed to nuclear modernization to ensure America's nuclear deterrent is safe and reliable. To say otherwise is simply false. This program is critical to our national defense, and I urge a ``no'' vote on amendment No. 11.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7700, the Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act or the SUDS Act.

Time and again, we have seen the Biden administration's radical rush- to-green agenda negatively impact the lives of hardworking Americans, including their freedom to choose what household appliances meet their needs--first, gas stoves, and now, dishwashers and refrigerators. It is hard to believe that under this administration, the most regulated space in America is the kitchen and laundry room.

Under the guise of energy efficiency, this administration is issuing new standards that will significantly drive up costs, reduce reliability, and jeopardize the availability of numerous home appliances.

House Republicans will continue to lead on legislative solutions that protect American families from out-of-touch, top-down rules. The American people want choice.

When I talk to my constituents in Georgia's 12th District, they want relief from record inflation and rising prices. Yet, the Biden administration is moving forward with issuing standards that could increase the upfront cost of dishwashers by 28 percent and the upfront cost of refrigerators by 25 percent, according to the DOE's own analysis.

President Biden's war on American energy is crushing families' budgets nationwide, which is why I am proud to support the SUDS Act, as well as legislation being debated later today that will protect affordability, quality, and choice for residential dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on these bills.

Madam Chair, had I been present, I would have voted Aye on Roll Call No. 285.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Griffin Garvin, upon his acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

As a future cadet, he will be joining the ranks of the world's most fearsome fighting force--the United States Army--guided by duty, honor, and country.

The service and sacrifice of America's military personnel have safeguarded our Nation since its inception, defending our way of life from Lexington to Normandy.

And throughout our history, American soldiers have demonstrated tremendous courage and strength, beating back tyranny to the ends of the earth.

I was glad to sponsor Griffin's nomination and I am confident that his talents will distinguish him among his peers both during his time at West Point and thereafter.

Congratulations to Griffin, I know that he will make this Nation proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Savannah Koback, upon her acceptance to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

As a future midshipman, she will be joining the ranks of the world's most elite naval force, guided by the motto: ``Acta Non Verba''.

The service and sacrifice of America's military personnel have safeguarded our Nation since its inception, defending our way of life from Lexington to Normandy.

A vital part of our Nation's maritime operations, the Merchant Marines' duties are dynamic, transporting cargo and passengers during peacetime and serving as an auxiliary to the United States Navy during times of war.

I was glad to sponsor Savannah's nomination, as her dynamism reflects the mission of the branch which she will soon serve. I am confident that her talents will distinguish her among her peers during her time at the Academy and thereafter.

Congratulations to Savannah, I know that she will make this Nation proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Kellen Daly, upon his acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

As a future cadet, he will be joining the ranks of the world's most fearsome fighting force--the United States Army--guided by duty, honor, and country.

The service and sacrifice of America's military personnel have safeguarded our Nation since its inception, defending our way of life from Lexington to Normandy.

And throughout our history, American soldiers have demonstrated tremendous courage and strength, beating back tyranny to the ends of the earth.

I was glad to sponsor Kellen's nomination and I am confident that his talents will distinguish him among his peers both during his time at West Point and thereafter.

Congratulations to Kellen, I know that he will make this Nation proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Caleb Toth, upon his acceptance to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

As a future cadet, he will be joining the ranks of the world's most fearsome fighting force--the United States Army--guided by duty, honor, and country.

The service and sacrifice of America's military personnel have safeguarded our Nation since its inception, defending our way of life from Lexington to Normandy.

And throughout our history, American soldiers have demonstrated tremendous courage and strength, beating back tyranny to the ends of the earth.

I was glad to sponsor Caleb's nomination and I am confident that his talents will distinguish him among his peers both during his time at West Point and thereafter.

Congratulations to Caleb, I know that he will make this Nation proud.