Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Ethan Collins of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Ethan's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2026. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Ethan brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2026. While attending Upper Sandusky High School in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Ethan participated in student government, Quiz Bowl, and was a member of the Ohio Attorney General's Teen Ambassador Board. Throughout high school, Ethan was involved with golf, swimming, and tennis, earning varsity letters in all three. I am confident that Ethan will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ethan Collins on his offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Ethan will excel during his career at the Military Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Brendan Degryse of Bryan, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

Brendan's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Military Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2026. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Brendan brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2026. While attending Fairview High School in Sherwood, Ohio, and Four County Career Center in Archbold, Ohio, Brendan has participated in 4-H, Quiz Bowl, and was a member of National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Brendan was involved with golf and archery, earning a varsity letter in both. I am confident that Brendan will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Military Academy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Brendan Degryse on his offer of appointment to the United States Military Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Brendan will excel during his career at the Military Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Payton Hildebrand of Findlay, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Payton's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2026. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Payton brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2026. While attending Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio, Payton participated in Student Leadership Team, Junior Scholars, and was a member of Career and Tech National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Payton was involved with soccer as well as travel team soccer, earning his varsity letter through Findlay High School's team. I am confident that Payton will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Air Force Academy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Payton Hildebrand on his offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Payton will excel during his career at the Air Force Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Lukas Koeniger of Waterville, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Lukas' offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2026. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Lukas brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2026. While attending Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio, Lukas participated in marching band, cross country, and track and field, where he earned a varsity letter. After graduating from Anthony Wayne High School in 2021, Lukas attended the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Lukas Koeniger on his offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Lukas will excel during his career at the Air Force Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Olivia Achenbach of Perrysburg, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Olivia's offer of appointment permits her to attend the United States Naval Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2026. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Olivia brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2026. While attending Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio, Olivia participated in student government, Environmental Club, and was a member of National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Olivia was involved with soccer, powderpuff football, and earned her varsity letter in basketball. I am confident that Olivia will carry the lessons of her student and athletic leadership to the Naval Academy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Olivia Achenbach on her offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Olivia will excel during her career at the Naval Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to her as she begins her service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that Rory Smith of Maumee, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Rory's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Naval Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2026. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

Rory brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2026. While attending Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio, Rory participated in student government, Waterville Historical Society, and was president of the National Honor Society. Throughout high school, Rory was involved with cross country, swimming, and baseball, earning varsity letters in all three. I am confident that Rory will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Naval Academy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Rory Smith on his offer of appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that Rory will excel during his career at the Naval Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay special tribute to an outstanding student from Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. I am pleased to announce that John Rust, III of Monclova, Ohio, has been offered an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

John's offer of appointment permits him to attend the United States Air Force Academy this fall with the incoming Class of 2026. Attending one of our nation's military academies not only offers the opportunity to serve our country, but also guarantees a world-class education while undertaking one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.

John brings a tremendous amount of leadership, service, and dedication to the incoming Class of 2026. While attending St. Francis de Sales School in Toledo, Ohio, John participated in student government, Toledo Repertoire Theatre, and was a member of National Honor Society. Throughout high school, John was involved with swim and dive and water polo, earning a varsity letter in both. I am confident that John will carry the lessons of his student and athletic leadership to the Air Force Academy.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating John Rust, III on his offer of appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Our service academies offer the finest military training and education available. I am positive that John will excel during his career at the Air Force Academy, and I ask my colleagues to join me in extending their best wishes to him as he begins his service to our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1218, the Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act, which was introduced by Representatives Butterfield and Bilirakis.

Maternal mortality continues to affect mothers and children across the United States, particularly in rural areas. The Energy and Commerce Committee has worked to address this preventable issue, but unfortunately, challenges remain.

Congress has previously taken steps to understand which communities are most affected and what we can do to reverse this alarming trend.

Today's legislation will build on existing tools of the Federal Communications Commission by incorporating publicly available data on maternal health outcomes into its Mapping Broadband Health in America tool. The FCC would be required to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine which maternal health outcomes to include.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the cosponsor of this legislation.

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

Madam Speaker, again, I rise in support of H.R. 1218, the Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act, and I urge all Members to support this legislation.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2501, the Spectrum Coordination Act, which was introduced by Representative Bilirakis.

For decades, the United States has led the world in wireless innovation. That leadership was built on effective spectrum management. As we look to beat China and usher in the next wave of wireless technology, we must continue to make more spectrum available, both for commercial and government uses.

As the demand for more wireless technology grows, spectrum management decisions, like balancing commercial and government uses, have become more complex.

For nearly a century, the Federal Communications Commission has effectively managed commercial spectrum use. As the expert technical agency on spectrum matters, the FCC must continue to rely on science and engineering as its guide.

Just as the demand for commercial spectrum continues to grow, so does demand for government spectrum, specifically for use by Federal agencies. Access to spectrum is an important ingredient to the missions of many Federal agencies. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the NTIA, is also responsible for managing Federal spectrum uses.

The NTIA and the FCC must work together to maintain the United States' wireless leadership, and it is essential that the NTIA continues to lead the executive branch's spectrum coordination efforts.

To help formalize these coordination efforts, in 2003 the FCC and the NTIA signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate Federal and non-Federal spectrum matters to ensure our spectrum is put to its highest and best use. This interagency agreement has not been updated in nearly 20 years.

Today's legislation requires the FCC and the NTIA to update their MOU to reflect the new spectrum management landscape so the United States will retain its wireless leadership for years to come.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), the co-lead on this legislation.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to close.

First, I thank the chairman of our Energy and Commerce Committee for helping get this bill to the floor. I greatly appreciate his work and leadership, and also for the members' work on this, and also the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Michael F. Doyle), as the chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

As we have heard today, the United States has to retain its leadership in wireless for the years to come, and it really requires the FCC and the NTIA to work together, especially on this MOU, because of the new spectrum management that we have to have out there and the landscape that we have.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school wrestler in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Hunter Long of Wayne Trace High School has represented his school ably on his way to achieving the Division III State Wrestling Title. Hunter overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in his effort to win the Division III State Wrestling Championship.

In pursuing the State Championship, Hunter Long defeated his opponent in the finals of the 132-pound classification. His hard work and dedication, both on and off the mat, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. He achieved an impressive season record bringing pride to his school and community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Hunter Long of Wayne Trace High School. On behalf of the people of the Fifth District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer a motion to recommit on behalf of members of our communities who have tragically lost their lives to substance use disorder, SUD.

Prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency, our country faced a different kind of enemy that knew no bounds. This Chamber was once united in the battle against addiction. And I was proud of the legislative work we did to address this crisis most recently through the SUPPORT Act. Unfortunately, all the progress we made seemed to evaporate with the onset of the pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, mandates, social isolation, and fear of an invisible enemy.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that 105,752 Americans died from drug overdoses from October 2020 to October 2021.

Let me repeat that: 105,752 Americans died from drug overdoses in one year's time.

Many of these deaths can be directly attributed to fentanyl, which is now the leading cause of death in Americans aged 18 to 45. Down at our southern border, Customs and Border Protection are confiscating record amounts of fentanyl coming across the Mexican border.

The CBP seized over 11,201 pounds of fentanyl from October 2020 to September 2021, which is a 41 percent increase from the year before. That is

enough fentanyl to kill 2.5 billion people, or the entire U.S. population, seven times over.

To address this crisis, I introduced the HALT Fentanyl Act with my friend, the gentleman from the Ninth District of Virginia. This legislation will permanently schedule fentanyl-related substances as schedule I and enable researchers to continue to study schedule I substances for possible medical benefits. We must do everything we can to save lives, and I implore my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, if we adopt the motion to recommit, I will instruct the Committee on the Judiciary to consider my amendment to H.R. 3617, to permanently place fentanyl-related substances in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

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

Madam Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school wrestler in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Cole Evans, a freshman at Perrysburg High School, has represented his school ably on his way to achieving the Division I State Wrestling Title. Cole overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in his effort to win the Division I State Wrestling Championship.

In pursuing the State Championship, Cole Evans defeated his opponent in the finals of the 106-pound classification. His hard work and dedication, both on and off the mat, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. Cole led his team to rank second place overall in the championship. He has achieved an impressive season record bringing pride to his school and community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Cole Evans of Perrysburg High School. On behalf of the people of the Fifth District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.

Madam Speaker, it is with a great deal of pride that I rise to pay a very special tribute to an outstanding high school wrestler in Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. Joey Blaze, a junior at Perrysburg High School, has represented his school ably on his way to achieving his second Division I State Wrestling Title. Joey overcame the challenges posed by intense competition in his effort to win the Division I State Wrestling Championship.

In pursuing the State Championship, Joey Blaze defeated his opponent in the finals of the 144-pound classification. His hard work and dedication, both on and off the mat, in achieving this accomplishment is truly outstanding. Joey led his team to rank second place overall in the championship. He has achieved an impressive season record bringing pride to his school and community.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Joey Blaze of Perrysburg High School. On behalf of the people of the Fifth District of Ohio, I am proud to recognize this great achievement.