Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 39, a bipartisan joint resolution of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor.

We are a Nation of laws. It is not up to the President to determine which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore if they don't conform to that President's particular agenda.

If we allow Communist China to blatantly violate our trade laws with impunity, as the Commerce Department has concluded is occurring, how can we expect other nations to follow those laws and conduct business with us in a fair manner?

Those who oppose this joint resolution will say the imposition of these tariffs will handicap renewable projects across this country that rely on a continuous supply of solar panels and materials. I understand this concern, and I am not opposed to the deployment of more renewable energy projects.

However, I am opposed to the United States maintaining a supply chain reliant on Communist China and their forced slave labor. We should instead be working to build up our own solar manufacturing industry and send signals to the industry that the time to shorten supply chains is long past due. Unfortunately, these domestic companies operate at a disadvantage when Communist China gets to break the rules and undermine the markets with their cheap prices.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up for American workers and for American energy independence. Vote ``yes'' on H.J. Res. 39.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1353) to direct the Federal Communications Commission to issue rules for the provision of emergency connectivity service, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1353, the ALERT Parity Act, led by the gentleman from Ohio's Sixth District and the gentlewoman of Washington's Eighth District.

When hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters strike, connectivity and access to emergency communications is often one of the many critical services that are temporarily knocked out. Access to 911 services and important updates from local authorities sent by text message may be unavailable in dire moments.

While network operators do great work in preparing for, responding to, and improving future preparations for these natural disasters, they are unavoidable. Even the best response may leave Americans trapped without access to emergency services in the aftermath of the event.

However, recent innovations in satellite communications technologies have opened new opportunities to leverage our communications systems to provide emergency communications in times of natural disaster from satellites. Many of these services are designed to be available on Americans' phones seamlessly with no action needed by Americans.

Recent innovative partnership between terrestrial network operators and satellite operators have highlighted the type of possibilities Americans may someday take for granted. Yet, these innovations and partnerships have also demonstrated that novel use of our airwaves, while potentially lifesaving, also need regulatory certainty so that they are reliably available and do not result in harmful interference.

The ALERT Parity Act would establish a process for the FCC to ensure that satellite technology can be used to ensure access to wireless emergency alerts and 911 service remain uninterrupted during times of an emergency in areas that do not have connectivity.

This legislation will be key to ensuring that emergency connectivity services are not authorized using temporary authorities and adequately protect all of the wireless services Americans rely on.

This legislation will also pave the way for U.S. leadership as other countries look to take advantage of the innovation pioneered here in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1353, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. Speaker, I also urge support of H.R. 1353, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1343) to codify the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to establish an initiative to support the development of emergency communication and tracking technologies, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may

have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1343, the ITS Codification Act, led by the gentleman from Georgia's First District and the gentlewoman from Colorado's Seventh District.

The effective and efficient management of our airwaves plays an important role in fueling our economy, which increasingly relies on communication between digital technologies.

As demand for wireless technology continues to grow, we must continue to focus on identifying potential opportunities to make more spectrum available for commercial use, including reallocating and sharing spectrum from Federal users.

Complex, technical engineering testing and analysis underpins these important decisions on how best to maximize our airwaves for commercial use while preserving our Federal missions.

Indeed, having a sound technical basis supporting these decisions will help restore trust in the process among Federal agencies.

The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, or ITS, within NTIA plays an essential role in conducting the tests that guide these spectrum reallocation or sharing decisions. ITS will also help ensure that NTIA, as the Federal spectrum manager, can continue to find opportunities to unleash commercial wireless innovation while also ensuring military readiness, securing our southern border, and advancing scientific discovery and other successful Federal missions.

The work ITS performs has led to innovative advancements in the way we manage our airwaves. These airwaves power faster mobile connectivity for Americans, and making more spectrum available in the future is critical to beating China and ensuring our continued economic and national security.

The ITS Codification Act will strengthen the statutory authority for ITS and ensure the work they do to advance United States technological leadership remains a key part of our approach.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), who is the bill's sponsor and the vice chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I also urge support of H.R. 1343 and passage by the House, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1339) to require the Federal Communications Commission to review certain rules of the Commission and develop recommendations for rule changes to promote precision agriculture, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill, including an exchange of letters with the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, H.R. 1339, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, that I was pleased to introduce with the gentlewoman from Illinois' Second District.

For years, large parts of my district and rural areas across America have lacked access to fast broadband connections. Reliable internet access is more than just being able to stream your favorite TV shows and movies, Mr. Speaker. It is the crucial link connecting us all. Whether it is helping seniors access telehealth services or allowing students to complete homework assignments or enabling small businesses to reach global markets, our people, country, and economy run on a reliable internet connection.

Farmers in rural Ohio also know that reliable broadband connections are essential to their operations. After all, it helps deploy technologies that increase their productivity, produce higher yields, and minimize operating costs.

Today's smart agriculture technology, from autonomous tractors to distributed soil sensors, rely on internet connections to share data. In fact, farmers use information in real time to make smarter decisions on how to optimize inputs and whether and when to plant or harvest. When terrestrial or cellular networks are not available, satellite broadband steps in to make these technologies work.

However, it is not just advanced satellite broadband capabilities that improve precision agriculture. Earth imaging satellites also provide important information that can help farmers and ranchers identify visual trends that may require immediate attention. As we heard in hearings before the Energy and Commerce Committee, satellite communications technologies can offer an array of services that may promote precision agriculture.

In order to ensure our regulations maximize these opportunities, our legislation directs the FCC to evaluate its rules and identify potential changes that could further promote precision agriculture.

I am committed to ensuring our farmers have the tools needed at their disposal to help increase productivity while minimizing costs. This legislation is a good step forward in that mission.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,

and Technology,

Washington, DC, April 24, 2023.

Hon. Cathy McMorris Rodgers,

Chair, Committee on Energy and Commerce,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Ms. Chair: I am writing concerning H.R. 1339, the

``Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act'', which

your committee reported on April 24, 2023.

H.R. 1339 contains provisions within the Committee on

Science, Space, and Technology's Rule Xjurisdiction. As a

result of your having consulted with the Committee and in

order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego

action on the bill. This is being done on the basis of our

mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or

alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space,

and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees,

or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject

matters contained in the bill or similar legislation.

I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming

this understanding, and would request that you include a copy

of this letter and your response in in the Congressional

Record during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you

in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Frank D. Lucas,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I also urge the passage of H.R. 1339, the Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, legislation offered by our majority leader that will fulfill House Republicans' commitment to America and focuses on one of the most pressing issues facing communities in Ohio and across the country.

Over the past 2 years, I have heard from countless people in Ohio's Fifth District that the soaring cost of energy has negatively impacted family budgeting, business operations, and agricultural output.

One retired individual told me that his gas budget plan went from $100 a month to $160.

Farmers in my district were hit hard because of the need to fuel their farm equipment and purchase fertilizer and other materials made from petroleum products. In 2022, operating costs for ag producers went up a whopping 30 percent. This resulted in higher food and grocery costs for consumers, eating up a larger share of the family budget.

There is no way around it: Energy plays a huge role in America's economy. Plants in northern Ohio, such as glass, steel, and food processing, depend on reliable and affordable energy.

When I asked stakeholders at a recent Energy and Commerce roundtable whether we need more or less power in the future to meet demand, it was unanimous. Our economic future depends on the generation of more power, not less.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration's policy of restricting access to and production of energy resulted in higher costs.

After promising throughout 2020 that he was going to shut down American energy production, President Biden came into office and immediately canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have carried 830,000 barrels per day from Canada. This ill-conceived order also eliminated good-paying American jobs.

He then halted new oil and gas leases on Federal lands, slowed or halted the permitting process for new oil and gas projects, and authorized financial regulators to issue new rules to make it harder to invest in the oil and gas industry.

Instead of recognizing that his failed policies were causing prices to increase, the administration called on countries like Russia, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and other OPEC nations for relief and authorized historic releases from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to manipulate the markets.

To the surprise of no one, all of these gimmicks failed, and the American people have paid the price. That ends today.

H.R. 1 represents the culmination of our early efforts to solve the problem of lowering energy costs. It will increase domestic energy production, reform restrictive and costly permitting processes, reverse the Biden administration's anti-American energy policies, and boost the processing and production of critical minerals.

This legislation also includes my bill, the REFINER Act, to boost refining capacity in the United States. In order to meet the energy demands of the American people, we need more refining infrastructure to transform products into fuel and other petroleum products.

We also need increased capacity to keep the prices of everyday goods down, like medicine, hygiene products, clothing, home improvement products, and more.

The REFINERY Act will provide us with the much-needed blueprint to do just that, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 175th anniversary of The Daily Standard, a newspaper located in Celina, Ohio, and the Fifth Congressional District.

The Daily Standard was founded in 1848, and its readership includes residents of communities throughout Mercer County and beyond. The Daily Standard works diligently to keep our communities informed on a wide and varied range of issues. For 175 years, The Daily Standard has been a consistent and reliable source of news, delivering local, state, and national updates to the residents of Northwest Ohio.

Again, it is a privilege to celebrate and pay special tribute to The Daily Standard, and its diligent staff, for 175 years in the newspaper business. Here is to 175 more.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1123) to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit to Congress a report examining the cybersecurity of mobile service networks, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 1123, the Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act.

In recent years, we have seen a rise in large-scale cybersecurity attacks that put Americans at risk. While mobile service providers take numerous steps to address vulnerabilities in their networks, threats to our mobile networks continue to exist.

To sufficiently address threats across networks, Congress needs a sophisticated and comprehensive assessment of what vulnerabilities persist, what issues have been resolved, and where mobile cybersecurity policymaking should be focused.

The Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, NTIA, to submit to Congress a comprehensive report examining the cybersecurity of existing wireless networks and vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and surveillance by adversaries.

This bipartisan bill will ensure that communication networks are safe and protect the privacy and security of the American people.

I thank the gentlewoman from California's 16th District (Ms. Eshoo) and the gentlewoman from Florida's Third District (Mrs. Cammack) for leading this bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack).

Mr. Speaker, cyberattacks are increasing in this country, not decreasing. Again, that is why this bipartisan bill will ensure that communications networks are safe and that they will protect the privacy and security of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this very important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1108) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to extend the authority of the Federal Communications Commission to grant a license or construction permit through a system of competitive bidding.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, it is important today that we consider H.R. 1108. This bill would extend the Federal Communications Commission's general authority to auction spectrum and provide licenses and construction permits for the use of radio spectrum.

This piece of legislation is sponsored by the gentlewoman from Washington who is the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and also by the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the gentleman from New Jersey.

Without congressional action, the FCC's authority to issue spectrum licenses expires on March 9. Auction authority is a key tool for making frequencies available for commercial uses that enable U.S. technological leadership.

This bill will also ensure that FCC has the authority it needs to continue issuing licenses for a spectrum band that will be used to provide better coverage and wireless speeds across the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington State (Mrs. Rodgers), the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn).

Mr. Speaker, I also urge support of H.R. 1108. In the report that just came out from the Congressional Budget Office this past week for the budget outlook for 2023 to 2033, it is important to note that, on page 13, it cites that the FCC conducted several auctions in 2021 and 2022, which boosted net receipts in 2022 to $104 billion.

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely essential that this piece of legislation is passed, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1108.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, legislation offered by my good friend, the gentlewoman from Washington State and the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Over the first 2 years of the Biden administration we have seen an unprecedented level of hostility toward America's energy producers. The administration has made every effort to undermine, avoid, and restrict oil and gas production in North America, while at the same time moving to drain our strategic reserves in an attempt to offset the price increases caused by the President's own policies.

Playing politics with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has resulted in the lowest level it has been in decades.

If this wasn't alarming enough, just wait until you hear who has benefited from our reserves being drained: the Chinese Communist Party. As part of this administration's Strategic Petroleum Reserve sales, a little under 1 million barrels were bought by UNIPEC, the Chinese Petrochemical Corporation.

The shortsightedness shows the Biden administration is willing to put our national security at risk by selling vital reserves to our adversaries to manipulate market prices in hopes of getting political advantage. This is not right, and every single Member of this body should be opposed to such actions.

While we investigate these actions, we must ensure they never happen again. That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor to the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act.

This bill would prevent the Secretary of Energy from selling any products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any entity owned or under the control or influence of the Chinese Communist Party, or to any other entity that intends to export products to China.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of 4-H Camp Palmer. Camp Palmer has a remarkable history within Northwest Ohio. Over the last 75 years, Camp Palmer has been committed to its mission of engaging with youth and adults to build life skills in a community living environment. Camp Palmer has been an extension of Ohio 4-H and has provided an opportunity for tens of thousands of Ohio's youth to develop the skills to help them succeed.

Located in Fayette, Ohio, 4-H Camp Palmer was founded in 1946, by 4-H leadership in seven Northwest Ohio counties, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Van Wert, and Williams. Each 4-H program shared in the purchase of the land and development of the camp. On July 20, 1947, the camp was officially dedicated and named after W.H. Palmer, the state 4- H leader from 1916 to 1951. The first building was the dining hall which was built out of split-logs due to the lumber shortage after World War II.

The next three decades saw significant expansion for Camp Palmer. In the 1950s, new buildings, cabins, and a swimming pool were added to improve the time campers spent while attending camp. Allen, Putnam, and Auglaize counties joined the corporation and began sending their 4-H members to camp there. The camp added more land in the 1960s, totaling 149 acres. Toilets and warm showers were installed for the campers who originally had to use a bucket and wash basin. In 1973, Wood County became the eleventh member and final member to join the corporation.

In the 1990s, Camp Palmer received accreditation by the American Camp Association and began to develop a close relationship with The Ohio State University. The board hired an extension agent/executive director to manage the overall responsibilities and maintenance of the camp. Camp Palmer has continued to grow, adding new buildings, cabins, and activity areas to better serve campers. Although the COVID-19 pandemic kept campers away in 2020, Camp Palmer campers were still able to stay connected through their innovated camp-in-a-box and Facebook Live videos. Loyal and public support allowed campers to flood back to Camp Palmer in 2021, while still maintaining health safety.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to 4-H Camp Palmer and its staff, past and present, on this remarkable occasion. By celebrating the 75th anniversary, Ohio residents recognize the contribution of Camp Palmer to our region and the Northwest Ohio 4-H community. Congratulations to Camp Palmer on this significant milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the University of Toledo (UT). The University of Toledo has a remarkable history within the City of Toledo and the surrounding region. Over the last one hundred and fifty years, UT has been committed to its mission of providing a world-class education to their students and preparing them to become part of a diverse community of leaders in the world.

The University of Toledo was made possible in 1872, when Jesup Wakeman Scott donated 160 acres of land as an endowment for a university to train Toledo's young people. Scott was a newspaper editor in Toledo who felt that the center of world commerce was moving west. He believed that the focus of that move would center on Toledo by 1900. On October 12, 1872, the Toledo University of Arts and Trades was incorporated. The original 160 acres donated by Scott became known as the Scott Park Campus.

Since UT's inception, the University has grown into an exceptional university providing a multitude of degree and major options as well as research opportunities in wide range of studies. UT offers its 12,000 undergraduate students and 3,000 graduate students academic options in over 250 degree programs ranging from law and business to engineering and natural sciences. To provide a cutting-edge education for nursing and medical students, the University merged with the Medical University of Ohio in 2006. This merger made the University of Toledo one of the few universities nationwide to offer degrees in medicine, law, engineering, business, nursing, pharmacy, and education.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the University of Toledo on this remarkable occasion. By celebrating the 150th anniversary, community members, staff, students, and alumni recognize the contribution of the University to higher education and the development of their students. Congratulations to the University of Toledo on this significant milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of The Andersons, Inc. The Andersons has a remarkable history within the City of Maumee and the surrounding region. Over the last 75 years, The Andersons has been committed to its mission of providing extraordinary service to both customers and local communities.

Located in Maumee, Ohio, The Andersons was founded in 1947 by Harold and Margaret Anderson under the name of Andersons Truck Terminal. Their first facility was built to speed up deliveries and cut down the lines of grain trucks. The 9 truck bays provided efficient service and a rapid turnaround for local farmers. The company established a rail-to- ship loading area on the Maumee River which gave The Andersons access to Lake Erie to ship their grain.

During their first two decades, The Andersons started a retail store, added additional grain storage, ear corn and cob milling facilities, and began fertilizer blending. With the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, The Andersons were able to ship products out of the Great Lakes. To accommodate this expansion, the company opened the first deep-water grain loading facility on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes. The company continued to open new elevators, including the first elevator in the U.S. that could load 100 car unit trains. In the 1970s, as grain receipts tripled, and the company's river elevator was expanded.

The 1980s and 90s brought significant expansion for The Andersons. The company opened additional retail stores in Toledo and Columbus that served the community with a variety of products including produce, baked goods, farm tools, and feed for livestock. They opened liquid fertilizer facilities along the Maumee River, and elevators were opened in Indiana and Michigan. The company entered the rail leasing business and acquired a number of grain and liquid storage facilities across Indiana. On February 20, 1996, The Andersons was incorporated and was listed on the NASDAQ.

Over the past two decades, the company entered the ethanol business and initially oversaw the operations of three ethanol plants. It expanded its operations under The Andersons Denison Ethanol, LLC and acquired an ethanol plant in Denison, Iowa. The company has continued to pivot towards more sustainable and organic products. In 2021, The Andersons purchased Capstone Commodities which has allowed the company to serve the feed market industries in New Mexico and Texas.

The key element of The Andersons business philosophy is to build strong communities. The company has dedicated time, talent, and financial resources to support their employees and the communities they are part of. Through their charitable contributions, The Andersons has been able to support communities across the country.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to The Andersons, Inc. and its staff, past and present, on this remarkable occasion. By celebrating the 75th anniversary, Ohio residents recognize the contribution of The Andersons to our region and community. Congratulations to The Andersons on this significant milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Marsh Foundation. The Marsh Foundation has a remarkable history within Van Wert and the surrounding community. Over the last 100 years, the Foundation has been committed to its mission of inspiring hope, teaching others, and caring for children and families.

The Marsh Foundation was made possible by the family of George and Hilinda Marsh. George, Hilinda, and their daughter Katie donated their substantial estate for the purpose of helping children and families in need. The concept for the Foundation originated when George and Hilinda were traveling through Van Wert on their way home from Fort Wayne, Indiana when they noticed two small boys huddled together in a dark doorway. Their mother was working that evening, so the boys had to wait during the winter night for her to finish. The sight of the cold, young boys drove the compassionate Marshs to use their resources to help those in need.

Through his will, George Marsh created a foundation to benefit youth in the area. His will provided $5,000,000 for the establishment of the Foundation. During the last 100 years, the Marsh Foundation has provided many services including: on-campus group homes for boys ages ten to seventeen, a specialized residential program for male juvenile sex offenders, a strong network of foster homes, clinical services, an on-campus school for youth in care, and a full-time activities program for youth.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to the Marsh Foundation and its staff, past and present, on this remarkable occasion. By celebrating the one hundredth anniversary, community members and Ohio residents recognize the contribution of the Foundation to our region and community. Congratulations to the Marsh Foundation on this significant milestone.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5367, a bill the Democrats claim will reduce inflation when, in reality, it will do the exact opposite.

American families are struggling to keep the lights on at home. Far too many people in this country are worrying about the costs associated with putting food on their table and gas in their tanks. And yet, the majority has decided now is the time to double down on their tax-and- spend policies with American taxpayers footing the bill.

It is also concerning that this bill promotes anti-American energy policies. It will put aside $250 billion at the Department of Energy to subsidize the rush to green energy. This is picking winners and losers in the energy market and will scare away investments in baseload power sources.

American small businesses need access to more reliable energy, not less. If the grid becomes too reliant on intermittent green energy sources, we will begin to see manufacturers shutter their operations.

Although it is hard to see how this bill could be salvaged, I did offer an amendment to try to prevent this outcome. My amendment would have required the Secretary of Energy to certify that the bill would not negatively impact electric grid reliability before funding could be used.

Considering the devastating consequences that would result for American families and businesses, it makes perfect sense that the government should do its due diligence in examining all possible outcomes.

Unfortunately, the majority chose not to consider my amendment on the House floor today.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation because it will increase taxes on American families, institute price controls that will block innovation and medical cures, promote irresponsible spending on Green New Deal carve-outs and provide significant risks to the electric grid.

Madam Speaker, I along with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur rise today to recognize and remember the life of a dedicated educator and public servant. Thomas M. Brown, former mayor of Port Clinton, Ohio, who passed away at his residence surrounded by his loved ones on July 10, 2022. At the age of eighty-two, Tom lived a long, fulfilling life as a career educator and committed community leader.

Tom was born on June 25, 1940 in Pomeroy, Ohio to Virgil and Nellie Brown. After graduating in 1958 from Pomeroy High School, he attended the University of Rio Grande, studying education. While attending Rio Grande, Tom met his wife, Helen Hurst, and they were married on June 16, 1962. Tom and Helen were married for sixty years and had a daughter and son: Kimberly Brown and Colonel Michael Brown.

Tom began his educational career at Plain Local Schools in Canton, Ohio as an elementary school teacher and transferred to Port

Clinton City Schools in 1966. During his twenty-five-year career in education, Tom served as a teacher, administrator, and coach. He would go on to earn a Master of Education from the University of Toledo and a Doctorate in Public Service from his alma mater, the University of Rio Grande.

In 1992, Tom retired from Port Clinton City Schools and began a new career in public service. He was a senior district representative for Congressman Paul Gillmor, and during that same time, also served as the President of the Port Clinton City Council. Tom left Congressman Gillmor's office after being elected Mayor of Port Clinton in 1995, a position he would hold for twelve years.

Tom always believed in service before self. During his life, he served as a Member of the Mayors Association of Ohio, Trustee to the Ottawa County Community Improvement Corporation, Chairman of the Economic Restructuring Committee of the Port Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and on the advisory boards for The Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, and University of Toledo.

In his community, Tom served as president for the Port Clinton Lions Club, Rotary Club, Education Association, and Friends of Camp Perry. He also served his community through involvement in a number of local nonprofits. He was an active member of the Elks Club; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, 32 Degree; Oliver Hazard Perry Masonic Lodge 341; Shriner Zenobia; and Dads Club of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2480.

Madam Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in paying special tribute to the life of Thomas Brown. On behalf of the people of Northwest Ohio, we recognize the devotion and compassion that Tom had for his family, students, and community.