Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Patrick Rowan, upon his acceptance to the United States Naval Academy.

As a future midshipman, he will be joining the ranks of the world's most elite naval force, guided by the motto, ``Semper Fortis''

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 servicemembers have demonstrated tremendous courage and strength, beating back tyranny to the ends of the earth.

I was glad to sponsor Patrick's nomination and I am confident that his talents will distinguish him among his peers during his time at the Academy and thereafter.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the successful and impactful career of Augusta University President Brooks Keel, who is retiring after more than 14 memorable years in the university system of Georgia.

Dr. Keel arrived at Augusta University during a defining moment for the future of the institution in July 2015, and his tenure has been defined by his steadfast leadership and commitment to the success of the university and its students.

As President, Dr. Keel ushered in 8 straight years of enrollment growth and a 48 percent increase in the University's economic impact on the State of Georgia.

I consider myself blessed to call Dr. Keel a dear friend, and while it saddens us to see this chapter end, I join the community in congratulating him on an extraordinary career and expressing our deepest gratitude for his unwavering dedication.

As Dr. Keel and Tammie embark on a well-deserved retirement, we will continue to follow his example and build on the foundation he established for a brighter future.

In the words of Dr. Keel, go Jags.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Police Week as we honor and thank our law enforcement officers who courageously serve and protect our communities.

As we have seen over the last several years, antipolice rhetoric and soft-on-crime policies have led to heightened division and a surge in violent crime across the country.

While the rhetoric of many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle is further emboldening these criticisms, House Republicans back the blue and have dedicated this week to considering legislation that highlights our continued support for law enforcement heroes nationwide.

I would also be remiss if I didn't take a moment to honor those that have been tragically lost in the line of duty.

The Scriptures tell us the greatest love is to offer one's life up for others. Our law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and for that, we owe them a significant debt of gratitude. I am proud to stand with the brave men and women in blue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Southern Company, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, Dalton Utilities, and all partners involved in Plant Vogtle's Unit 4 officially coming online.

At the heart of Georgia's 12th District in Burke County, we are home to Plant Vogtle, where the first two new nuclear reactors to be constructed in over three decades in the United States are now fully operational, representing a key investment in Georgia's energy future. Unit 3 entered commercial operation in July 2023, and now Unit 4 has followed suit.

This historic achievement has been years in the making and proves that America can still do big things. Plant Vogtle is now officially the largest nuclear power station in the country, and I am proud that Georgia's 12th District is a leader in America's nuclear energy future.

As I have said many times before, an all-of-the-above energy strategy is critical to reclaiming American energy dominance, and nuclear--our Nation's largest source of clean energy--has a pivotal role to play.

Throughout the Nation, we have 11,000 utility-scale electric power plants currently under operation, less than 60 of which are nuclear power plants. Even with such a relatively small footprint, nuclear energy accounts for approximately 20 percent of our energy production and approximately 50 percent of all emission-free energy generated in the country.

Nuclear power plants can operate 24/7, providing a stable baseload supply of electricity. This reliability is crucial for maintaining grid stability and ensuring uninterrupted power supply, particularly during periods of high demand or adverse weather conditions.

Since being elected to Congress, I have visited Plant Vogtle on numerous occasions to witness various stages of progress throughout the Unit 3 and Unit 4 construction process. In fact, I visited there just before loading of the fuel and was inside the container right before beginning operation of Unit 4.

Seeing this project come to fruition is nothing short of remarkable. Just last week, I was joined by fellow Members of Congress and industry leaders in Augusta for an informative panel discussion on the benefits of nuclear energy expansion in the U.S., followed by a visit to Plant Vogtle to see the new units up and running.

Plant Vogtle is providing safe, reliable, emission-free energy to consumers and businesses across the Peach State and beyond, with each of the new units able to produce enough electricity to power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses. It will continue to generate power for decades to come.

This massive accomplishment certainly came with its challenges along the way, but as we do in Georgia, we persevered. This historic milestone is a major win for all Georgians and America as a whole, and I would like to once again congratulate Southern Company, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, Dalton Utilities, and all partners involved in this tremendous success through their perseverance.

I look forward to continuing my work on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to enact innovative solutions that further bolster America's clean energy future. I am proud that our bipartisan nuclear energy package will soon be on its way to the President's desk for signature, which includes my bill, the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act, to reform and streamline nuclear licensing and the permitting process.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 6192, the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act, of which I am a cosponsor.

President Biden's tenure in office has been largely defined by this administration's self-inflicted crises, including an energy crisis that has crept its way into the homes of American families.

The Biden administration's war on American energy has not only led to higher prices at the pump, but now families' home appliances are on the chopping block--yes, their home appliances.

Under the guise of energy efficiency, the Department of Energy has issued burdensome standards on household appliances that would drive up costs and reduce availability for these in-demand products, and we don't even know if they work.

I cannot fathom why the Federal Government would tilt the scales of what appliances Americans should and should not buy. That should be a free-market decision.

Common sense tells us demand should be consumer and market-driven, not government-manufactured. Nonetheless, in this administration's pursuit of a radical, rush-to-Green New Deal agenda, common sense has taken a back seat.

H.R. 6192 will preserve the affordability, availability, and quality of household appliances and protect Americans from Federal standards that increase costs, fail to result in significant energy savings, and are not practical.

When I came to Congress, never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that I would stand here on the House floor to defend my constituents' appliances and gas stoves, but this is where we are under this administration.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act. Included in this legislation is a bipartisan nuclear energy package, which I was very proud to work on on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

As I have said many times before, an all-of-the-above strategy is critical to reclaim American energy dominance, and nuclear--our Nation's largest source of clean energy--has a pivotal role to play.

In Georgia's 12th District, we are leading our Nation's nuclear future at Plant Vogtle with the first two new nuclear reactors built and in commercial operation in the United States in three decades.

Just last week, I welcomed Members of Congress and industry leaders to my district for a panel discussion on the benefits of nuclear energy expansion, followed by a visit to Plant Vogtle to see units 3 and 4 officially up and running on the grid.

This historic accomplishment is nothing short of remarkable, but make no mistake about it, it was a challenging process.

Nuclear projects in the U.S. are often bogged down by burdensome licensing and permitting that result in unnecessary delays and increased costs.

My bill, the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act, is included in the bipartisan nuclear package and provides efficient, timely, and predictable reviews of applications and proceedings for licenses of nuclear reactors.

It allows information that was used in the licensing process for an existing nuclear reactor site to be used in further licensing and permitting at the site, and it establishes a timeframe of once every 3 years to update performance metrics and milestone schedules to be as efficient as possible.

By modernizing these processes, America can fully embrace the reliability of clean 24/7 nuclear energy as we have in Georgia.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on S. 870.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 142.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Tom Fanning on his retirement after more than four decades of service to Southern Company and its customers in my region.

Tom Fanning was named President of Southern Company in August of 2010, and assumed the additional roles of Chairman and CEO four months later. During his time at Southern Company, Tom held executive roles across various business disciplines, including finance, strategy, international business development, and technology. As President, Chairman, and CEO, he received numerous awards and accolades, including being named one of the most influential leaders in the energy industry in the past 25 years.

Under Tom's visionary leadership, Southern Company led the way in providing clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy to its customers. Tom's tenure was characterized by his boundless energy and his strong commitment to innovation and the development of new energy technologies to meet the challenges of the future. During his tenure, Southern achieved a number of remarkable milestones, most notably completion of the first new nuclear generation unit in the United States in three decades at Plant Vogtle in Georgia's 12th District.

Tom also became one of our country's leading voices in the area of cybersecurity. For nearly a decade, he served as co-chair of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council, which is the principal liaison between the federal government and the electric power sector protecting the electric grid from threats. Fanning's leadership was recognized by the U.S. Senate in 2019 with an appointment to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a group charged with developing a strategy to protect the cyberspace interests of the U.S. He was also appointed by the White House to serve as chairman of the advisory board to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with protecting the Nation's critical infrastructure from both cyber and physical threats.

Although he is stepping down from his role at Southern Company, I know Tom will continue to be active on the many issues about which he is passionate. I salute him for his extraordinary service, and I wish him and his family all the best in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Abilene Baptist Church in Georgia's 12th District.

Established near Augusta, Georgia and founded by the pioneering Baptist minister Daniel Marshall, the centuries-long history of Abilene continues to bring hope and unity of God's word to our communities.

As we reflect on 250 years of faith, fellowship, and service, we also remember the journey that has brought us to this moment--through the many challenges, countless blessings, and cherished milestones.

This anniversary is not just a marker of time, but a testament to the unwavering dedication and commitment of each member of this congregation.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is God's instructions to Joshua in Joshua 1:8: ``Do not let this book of law depart from your lips, be careful to do what it says, meditate on it day and night, and you will be prosperous and successful.''

This anniversary is undoubtedly a celebration, but also a reminder that God has used this congregation in a powerful way and continues to do so.

I express my deepest gratitude to those who have contributed to the years of success of Abilene Baptist Church. May God bless each and every one of them.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Miller for giving me this opportunity and for hosting tonight's Special Order recognizing this week as Faith Week. I am deeply honored to stand here tonight to express my personal faith and all that God's Word has meant to me in my life.

As I reflect on the timeless teachings of the Bible, I am reminded of the divine wisdom of Exodus. In those sacred passages, God established laws and governance to uphold justice and righteousness.

I am looking right now at the full face of Moses, who led with unwavering faith and divine guidance, looking down on this body. So too must we ensure that our actions align with the purpose of restraining evil and promoting good in our society.

Above the flag is ``In God We Trust.'' That means we are without excuse in this body.

During times of such division and uncertainty, the words of Mark 3:24 resonate deeply within me, reminding us that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

It is through our collective faith and drawing near to the Word of God that we find the path to unity, truth, and freedom.

Joshua 1:8 speaks to the power of Scripture in guiding our actions and decisions. In fact, God's instructions to Joshua in Joshua 1:8 is one of the greatest promises in the Bible. He says 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.

As we meditate upon God's Word, we are promised prosperity and success. Like Abraham, whose faith was credited to him as righteousness, we must trust in God's promises and live obediently by His Word.

Our lead House ministry is reading through the ``Change Your Life'' study Bible. Easter was especially meaningful this year, as I was reading on that particular day about the transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9:28-36.

Now, you have to understand there were three witnesses here in this passage, which I would like to share with you. Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto the mountain to pray.

He was praying, and while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which was about to be brought to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him, and they were afraid.

As the men were leaving, Peter said to Jesus: ``Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.''

As he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud saying: ``This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him.''

``Listen to Him.''

Jesus also said in Luke: ``If you love me, you will obey my commands.''

During this special week, let us seek God's blessing and protection as we navigate through the complexities of government and acknowledge his sovereignty over all things. During this special week, we are aware of so many things that profoundly impact our faith. One is hope guiding us through life's trials and triumphs, and it unites us in a bond stronger than earthly ties.

I hope those watching will join me in reaffirming our commitment to worship the Lord and to draw strength and inspiration from His Word.

What was so meaningful at Easter was that here we had three eyewitnesses of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ.

In 2018, Billy Graham was laid in honor in our Capitol. I have read many of his inaugural prayers as a reminder, and every week for the past 16 years, it has resonated with me. This prayer was given in 1969. It is as if Billy Graham was predicting the future.

He said:

Our Father and our God, Thou hast said: ``Blessed is that

nation whose God is the Lord.''

We recognize on this historic occasion that we are ``a

nation under God.'' We thank Thee for this torch of faith

handed to us by our forefathers. May we never let it be

extinguished. Thou alone hast given us our prosperity, our

freedom, and our power. This faith in God is our heritage and

our foundation.

Thou hast warned us in the Scriptures: ``If the foundations

be destroyed, what can the righteous do?''

As George Washington reminded us in his farewell address,

morality and faith are the pillars of our society. We confess

these pillars are being eroded in an increasingly

materialistic and permissive society.

The whole world is watching to see if the faith of our

fathers will stand the trials and tests of this hour. Too

long we have neglected Thy Word and ignored Thy laws.

Mr. Speaker, does that sound familiar today?

Too long we have tried to solve our problems without

reference to Thee. Too often we have tried to live by bread

alone. We have sown to the wind and are now reaping a

whirlwind of crime, division, and rebellion.

And now with the wages of our sins staring us in the face,

we remember Thy Words: ``If my people who are called by my

name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and

turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and

will forgive their sin and heal their land.''

Mr. Speaker, I also served as the chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus. One thing that is important to highlight is that prayer has played a vital role in strengthening the fabric of our society and the bond in this Chamber. The Congressional Prayer Caucus

is a bipartisan congressional Member caucus consisting of Members from across the country who meet at first votes every week and who believe in the power of prayer.

Mr. Speaker, you can go to my website, Allen.House.gov, and submit your prayer requests, and members of the prayer caucus will lift you up in prayer.

May God bless each of us abundantly during this Faith Week as we seek to help others understand the faith that we share and that we hold so dearly.

Mr. Speaker, as we walk in his faith and righteousness, we are grateful. May God's grace be upon you and the peace of Jesus be with you.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina and our chairman of the Committee on

Education and the Workforce for giving me this opportunity to rise in support of H.R. 6655, the bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act.

Having built a small business from the ground up, I have experienced firsthand just how hard it can be to find skilled and qualified workers. As I traveled the 12th District of Georgia, the number one issue I hear about from businessowners and job creators is workforce development.

That is why, with nearly 9 million unfilled jobs across the Nation, it is imperative we move past the status quo and recognize that many good-paying jobs do not require a traditional 4-year college degree.

H.R. 6655 will make much-needed improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to ensure Federal dollars are dedicated to upskilling the workforce and making the shift to skills-based hiring.

Additionally, I am proud that provisions from my Startup Act were included in this critical legislation to incorporate entrepreneurial skills development training into the current workforce development system.

One of the greatest honors of my life has been the ability to provide hardworking Americans with the dignity and respect that comes from gainful employment and the means to provide for their families, their communities, their church, and this Nation.

The traditional working family is the greatest economic engine ever created. By bridging the gap between the education and business communities, we can equip our workforce with the tools needed to spark innovation, spur economic growth, and achieve the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1023, the Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor.

The Biden administration established a Green New Deal slush fund at the EPA to the tune of $27 billion in taxpayer money. Let me be clear: My constituents in Georgia's 12th District are sick and tired of their hard-earned tax dollars contributing to this administration's radical rush-to-green agenda, especially while prices at the pump remain a top concern for American families.

During energy week, House Republicans are passing legislation to stop President Biden's war on American energy, and I emphasize that Democrats want to end fossil fuel as we know it.

H.R. 1023 would rescind the EPA's $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and repeal the administration's disastrous proposed natural gas tax.

In doing so, we can reduce the budget deficit, reduce the size and scope of the Federal Government, and ensure energy costs for Americans do not further escalate.

Let me be clear. Every 100 days, we are borrowing $1 trillion. This is common sense. It should be an easy vote for every Member in this body, and I encourage support of H.R. 1023.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from North Carolina for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, just 2 weeks ago, at the hands of a violent illegal alien, we lost yet another American life, a beloved daughter, student, and Georgian. This has been heartbreaking for the family, our communities, and this Nation. That is why I stand before you today, Mr. Speaker, and rise in strong support of H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act.

Laken was an outstanding student at Augusta University's nursing school in Athens and was well on her way to a successful career in helping others and saving countless lives, all to be cut brutally short by a vicious criminal.

This should have never happened and cannot happen again in this Nation. In fact, this could have been prevented had the Senate passed H.R. 2 and secured our border.

It is the responsibility of Congress and this administration to make sure that every American can live in this country safely and that we are a law-abiding nation.

Not only is the suspect in Laken Riley's tragic death here illegally, but he also has a criminal record that includes shoplifting in Athens- Clarke County. Allowing this criminal to freely roam our communities was absolutely unacceptable.

H.R. 7511 would ensure illegal immigrants who commit theft are detained by ICE rather than released back into our communities. The bill would also allow States to sue the Federal Government for failing to enforce our border laws.

I am sick of President Biden and liberal officials across the country not enforcing current law. It is beyond me how anyone can support the sanctuary and catch and release policies that have attracted illegal aliens to those communities, just like the one responsible for taking Laken Riley's life.

In fact, the President has statutory authority to secure our border.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on this important legislation to protect our Nation.

Robin, our family, and I continue to join all of our fellow Georgians and this Nation in praying for Laken's family and loved ones. She will not be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6544, the bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act, which aims to incentivize and advance nuclear energy production in the United States.

An all-of-the-above strategy is critical to reclaiming American energy dominance. As the Nation's largest source of clean energy, nuclear has a pivotal role to play.

Included in today's legislation is a bill I sponsored, the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act, which would improve the licensing review process for future nuclear projects by establishing updated procedures and timelines for reviewing nuclear licensing applications.

With the first two nuclear reactors built in over three decades in the United States located at Plant Vogtle, in my district, Georgia 12, we are leading our Nation's nuclear future. As we saw through the construction process, nuclear projects in the U.S. are often bogged down by burdensome licensing and permitting processes that result in unnecessary delays and cost overruns.

Madam Speaker, by modernizing the inefficient procedures that hamper our nuclear energy expansion, we can fully embrace the reliability of clean, 24/7 nuclear energy.

I am proud to have my bill as part of this broader, bipartisan Atomic Energy Advancement Act to improve our nuclear energy regulatory process.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 6544.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina, our chairman of the subcommittee, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7176, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act. In fact, it is shocking to me that this bill is even necessary.

Everyone in this Chamber today knows that U.S. liquefied natural gas, or LNG, exports are more than 40 percent cleaner than the Russian natural gas delivered to Europe. Everyone in this Chamber knows that U.S. natural gas has helped us reduce emissions more than any other nation, both domestically and abroad.

As we have heard, everyone in this Chamber also knows that increasing LNG exports could add as much as $73 billion to the U.S. economy and upward of 453,000 jobs by 2024, yet President Biden and this administration are seeking to destroy all of this potential by indefinitely banning LNG exports simply to appease radical environmentalists.

H.R. 7176 would immediately reverse the President's de facto ban on American LNG exports to restore U.S. leadership, reduce emissions, and increase the energy security of our Nation and our allies.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ``yes'' vote.