Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak for thousands of music venues, movie theaters, and museums that are struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past year, Congress has come together in a bipartisan manner to pass over $3.5 trillion in pandemic assistance. While much of this aid was necessary, government bureaucracy has routinely delayed getting this money into the hands of the American people. As of today, there are still $1.3 trillion in unspent COVID-19 relief.

In December, the House passed my bipartisan Save our Stages Act, which established the $15 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, providing direct relief for music venues, movie theaters, and museums devastated by the pandemic. These businesses were the first to close and will be some of the last to reopen.

Nine weeks have passed since President Trump signed this into law, and the SBA still has not even produced the application for venue owners to apply. At this rate, some grants won't be delivered until summer.

This is unacceptable, and the SBA needs to get to work immediately. Every day we wait, there is another door that permanently closes. The bottom line is: The shows must go on.

In God we trust.

Madam Speaker, I rise in favor of the objection.

Madam Speaker, I would first like to say to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who said we should be ashamed over here, I am not ashamed, and neither are my colleagues over here. We are actually proud of what we are doing and what we are standing for. So I hope the Record will show that.

Yesterday's cowardly attack on our American democracy was a horrible act. While Congress attempted to execute their constitutional duty to debate and vote on this certification of the electoral college, violence interrupted the proceedings in an attempt to stop the democratic process.

Those who committed these acts are domestic terrorists and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And I thank the Capitol Police and all of the law enforcement organizations that pushed back against this mob.

I can't help but be reminded of the bravery during the baseball shooting on myself and my Republican colleagues in June of 2017. I thank God every day for their presence.

The American people deserve full transparency in the electoral process, with confidence that any irregularities and inconsistencies in that process will be fully investigated.

As a former Texas secretary of state, I know the electoral process well. And

above all, I know what the courts, the executive branch, and the elections officials can and cannot do without approval of the State legislature. During my tenure, I knew that my authority was confined to the powers the legislature provided me. If States fail to abide by the Constitution and follow their owns laws, it calls into question whether the votes in Texas, or any other State, are fairly represented.

And now, as a duly elected Member of Congress, the Constitution outlines my rights to speak and voice my constituents' concerns with my vote. It is pivotal that we have free and fair elections in our representative democracy and, more importantly, that we trust in the results of those elections.

In no way is voicing an objection an attempt to overturn an election. And when this process is complete and all objections have been heard, I acknowledge that we will have a peaceful transfer of power on January 20.

Faith in our system must be restored and Americans must be confident that their vote matters, and only lawful votes will be counted. This is a sad day in our Nation's history, but a solemn reminder that our country will not falter and will not fail. In God we trust.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Cawthorn).

Madam Speaker, this week, Texas lost a son and America lost one of our finest patriots. Ross Perot was a leader, risk-taker, and a businessman who embodied the meaning of the American Dream.

Growing up in east Texas in what could be described as extreme poverty, Perot sought to make a difference in the lives of many, and he did just that. He was a leading example of the great things that can happen in this great country.

He left his home to serve our country in the U.S. Navy and later returned to grow his family and build his business empire. He was a self-made man who always remembered his humble beginnings, graciously giving time and resources to causes in both our Texas community and around the world.

He especially loved our men and women in uniform and was one of the first to speak out and do something about the treatment of our POWs.

Perot also long warned us about the dangers of our growing national debt and sought to make politics and the economy less complicated.

Remember that he would say, ``It's just that simple.''

Throughout his life, he prioritized love of his family and his country. We will all remember his service to our Nation and his fun and feisty spirit.

May we all say a prayer for his wife, children, and grandchildren and celebrate the life of this amazing man.

God bless Ross Perot. God bless his family. And God bless our country.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 962, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, if this unanimous consent request cannot be entertained, I urge the Speaker and the majority leader to immediately schedule the Born-Alive bill.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this time to honor a great man and even better friend, Mr. Dan Jenkins, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 90.

Many of us know Mr. Jenkins as a sports and literary icon. He wrote for ``The Washington Post'', ``Sports Illustrated'', ``Golf Digest'', and the list goes on.

He won countless awards and authored more than 20 books, all the while representing our shared alma mater, Texas Christian University.

He was a true sports phenomenon, and he greatly impacted my life. In fact, he played a role in my decision to attend and play baseball at TCU. He was a vital member of the Horned Frogs golf team and has always been a regular at TCU sporting events.

Just recently, the school named the press box at Amon G. Carter Stadium after him. At 90, you may wonder what kept Mr. Jenkins going all these years.

The answer is that he never stopped writing. He was quoted as saying: ``I want to keep my mind active. I don't believe in retirement. Everybody who retires too early dies too early.''

Sadly, no matter what age Mr. Jenkins left this Earth, it would have been too soon.

I join the Fort Worth community in mourning an absolute legend in sports and in the media, but I take comfort in knowing his legacy will carry on for generations to come.

I hope you join me in praying for Mr. Jenkins' wife, June; his sons, Danny and Marty; and his daughter, Sally, during this difficult time.

May God bless their family, and most importantly: Go Frogs.

In God we trust.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize a member of the United States Marine Corps from the 25th District of Texas, Lance Corporal Alyssa Joy Plunk.

On December 20, 2018, a little over a year into her enlistment, the U.S. Marine Corps took notice of her impressive level of leadership and awarded her the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

During a training operation, she was tasked with transporting a number of people and cargo over 700 miles. Her review stated that her superior proficiency enabled her to negotiate challenging conditions without any incidents.

She was awarded for the professional achievement she demonstrated during this operation and for a job well done.

I think it goes without saying that the men and women who make up our Armed Forces are a unique bunch that embodies everything that is good about America.

They serve our country selflessly, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

I appreciate Lance Corporal Plunk's dedication to her country and am proud of all that she has already achieved in a short amount of time.

I am praying for her safety while she is deployed and look forward to her return.

God bless the United States Marine Corps.

In God We Trust.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this time to honor the life and legacy of my good friend, Jack Barcroft's wife, Faith Christine Barcroft.

Mrs. Barcroft resided in Gatesville, in the 25th District of Texas that I represent. At the young age of 39, she passed away on February 20, 2019, from glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is a very aggressive cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. It is the most common type of brain cancer, and almost 200,000 people die of it each year. Madam Speaker, this number is far too high, and it breaks my heart that my dear friend fell victim to it.

Before and after her diagnosis, Faith was a loving wife, mother, and daughter. She was often described as adventurous, welcoming, and she always put her family's well-being above her own. This family has experienced an immeasurable loss, and the entire Gatesville community and I are praying for them.

While we cannot bring Faith back, we can continue to raise awareness for glioblastoma and the pain it causes families like the Barcrofts. Unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent this type of cancer, but we must not give up. We must bring attention to this unforgiving diagnosis and pray that one day, research will uncover a cure.

Please keep this loving family in your prayers.

May God bless the Barcrofts.

In God we trust.

Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Biggs for leading this tonight.

Madam Speaker, the national debt is the single greatest threat to our national security. Since 1997, Congress has failed to do its job and balance the budget. Earlier this month, the national debt reached $22 trillion.

For this reason, I am proud to cosponsor Congressman Andy Biggs' resolution to recognize the national debt as a threat to national security. I commend him for introducing this important resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives, and I also commend Senator David Perdue for bringing it to the U.S. Senate.

We must no longer rely on routine debt ceiling increases, nor can we risk the devastating effects that a growing deficit will inevitably have on our military and our national security agencies.

In an effort to reduce the deficit and regain responsible spending practices, President Trump has laid out his National Security Strategy that highlights this critical need to reduce the debt through smart, fiscally responsible decisions.

While it is clear we cannot undo the past, it is also clear that Federal spending cannot continue to go unchecked and immediate action must be taken. We can no longer defer to future generations to solve our problem and to bear this burden.

I will continue to support legislation that cuts unnecessary spending and oppose legislation that recklessly adds to the debt. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get serious and support this important resolution.

It is time we stopped writing blank checks, and it is time to stop risking the national security of the United States of America. It is simple: Balance your books.

In God we trust.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize a great man and honorable Texan, Mayor Frank Seffrood of Copperas Cove, who passed away December 28, 2018.

Mayor Seffrood lived his life as a selfless servant for others. He served in the U.S. Army for 23 years and later as city councilman of 6\1/2\ years before being elected mayor of Copperas Cove in 2005. He was just recently elected to serve a second term on December 11 before he unexpectedly passed away.

Mr. Speaker, I want to bring attention to this because last Friday at the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, Mayor Seffrood was awarded the Good Friend Award. This is awarded to those who inspire others to serve and volunteer and those who show leadership and selflessly give their time and their resources.

As a citizen of Copperas Cove for 55 years and as a compassionate leader, I cannot think of someone better suited to be this year's recipient. His wife, Rita, accepted the award on his behalf.

The Copperas Cove community has already felt the immense loss of Mayor Seffrood, but his kind and noble spirit lives on through the people's lives he has touched. I am praying for the Seffrood family and all those who loved him during this difficult time.

In God We Trust.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to recognize and thank a friend and confidant who has been by my side for the last 15 years.

I first met my chief of staff, Robert Colby Hale, when he was 22 years old. I was the commencement speaker at his graduation ceremony at Hardin-Simmons University, and he introduced me on stage.

In that moment, I never imagined so many years later our paths would take us to the Texas secretary of state's office in Austin and now to the U.S. House of Representatives.

I gave Colby his first job and watched him grow from a recent college graduate into the husband, father, and professional that he is today.

He has been my right-hand man since before I decided to run for Congress in 2012. He believed in me, and he encouraged me every single day.

There is no one's counsel that I have trusted more. Colby will be missed around our office, but he is leaving his legacy in the capable hands of those he trained and those he mentored.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 25th Congressional District of Texas and the United States Congress, I thank Mr. Colby Hale. I thank him for his years

of service to this district and to the American people.

I am excited to see where life takes him next, and he should know that he will always be on the home team.

In God we trust.

Section 8:

``The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

``To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

``To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

``To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

``To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

``To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

``To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

``To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

``To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the crisis on the southern border. I stand with the President and my colleagues in the House and Senate in their calls for securing our southern border.

As the former secretary of state of Texas, I was the chief liaison for the Texas Border and Mexican Affairs. My experience in that role taught me that our border was vulnerable, and, sadly, that remains true today.

While I was Texas' secretary of state and now as the representative for Texas' 25th District, I am encouraged by all that our Border Patrol and Federal law enforcement agents do to protect this great Nation. However, I am disappointed that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have abandoned reason and asked these patriots to do more with less.

The Federal Government should provide all resources necessary to secure our border, not make it more vulnerable. Our agents need more boots on the ground, more advanced technology, and, ultimately, a barrier to keep those who may not want to do the right thing out.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to come back to the table, negotiate in good faith, reopen our government, and protect the sovereignty of the United States of America.

In God We Trust.

Mr. Speaker, I am reminded of a time in Texas when we were at a breakfast, and we had two groups. We had a group that was very close to Jeb Bush, the Governor of Florida, and one that was close to George W. Bush.

Mrs. Bush was our guest speaker, and she spoke. When she opened up for questions, one of the questions was: Mrs. Bush, a lot of us in here know Jeb better than George; we know George better than Jeb. How are they alike? How do they differ?

Mrs. Bush said she had been blessed to have a great family, but she said these words: You could put all my boys together, and they would not equal their father.

I thought that was powerful.

On November 30, 2018, America lost a great servant, and I lost a great friend.

President Bush epitomized everything wonderful about America, and like his country, he was tough, strong, and kind.

Over the years, I was able to get to know the President and his family very well. My family and I had the opportunity to visit them in Kennebunkport many summers. Our days were spent playing basketball and sailing on the water, sharing and listening to President Bush's stories until the sun went down.

I remember one basketball game. My daughters were playing, and they didn't have any tennis shoes. Mrs. Bush went and got her tennis shoes and gave them to my daughters. When they began to shoot, there were vines that had grown up on the basketball goal, and she made the President get hedge clippers and clip the vines down before the girls could shoot baskets.

What a man he was. I am grateful for these priceless moments with President Bush that exist now only as memories, and great memories.

In addition to traveling together as friends, we also shared a love for baseball. I was proud to be awarded with his award, the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award, by the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. To this day, I wear a ring that has his name on it.

It was during our baseball days that something very interesting happened. We were having lunch one day in his office at College Station, and it was myself; President Bush; Jean Becker, his chief of staff; and Drake McLane, who owned the Astros. President Bush, just out of nowhere, said: I need to bring something up that I have gotten no credit for.

Ms. Becker said: No, don't go there, Mr. President.

He said: No, I am going to go there.

And Ms. Becker said: No, don't go there, Mr. President.

And he said: No, I am going to go there. There is plenty of time between that.

He said: I said a statement that I get no credit for, and that statement is, ``You da man.''

He explained that he was at an Astros game--it was actually the Colt .45s in 1961--and they had a player named Rusty Staub. Rusty Staub wanted to meet President Bush. After the game, Staub came toward President Bush, who then was not President, and President Bush said: I don't know why I said it and don't know what it meant, but when he came closer to me, I said, ``You da man.''

Drayton McLane said: Well, if you haven't got any credit for it, we are playing the Dodgers tomorrow night, we will put on the diamond vision your picture, and we will put, ``You da man.''

The next night, they did, and he got that credit for ``You da man.''

So I would just say to the President, and I think we would all agree: Mr. President, you da man.

We had a relationship that was very unique and very dear to my heart. This great man served as a mentor to me and had a huge impact on my life. In fact, he was the reason I am standing here before all of you today.

When I was contemplating running to represent Texas' 25th Congressional District, I called President Bush for advice. He encouraged me to run and gave me the push that I needed. I will never forget it. Years ago, I announced my congressional campaign in his office with him by my side sitting next to me, and the rest in my world is history.

I am forever grateful to President Bush. He has been an inspiration throughout my life. He has been like a father. Whether it be in my faith or in my path to public service, he was very kind to me.

He was the first person to call me while I was in the hospital after the baseball shooting back in June of 2016. He said he was praying for me and praying for our team. Two days later, he called to check on me again.

He has always answered the phone to offer his sage wisdom when I called and given me his advice, and I truly miss him terribly.

Over a week has gone by now that our country has been without one of the greatest Americans to ever live. This is an immeasurable loss for America, but I am comforted knowing that he has been reunited with his beloved Barbara and their daughter Robin.

It has been a true honor to experience life with President Bush in it. Our country is better because of him, I am better because of him, and my family is better because of him.

He once said, and we have all heard it: Public service is the most noble calling of all. And he answered that call. Each and every day, I am praying for the entire Bush family, as we all are, and I hope they find peace during this difficult time.

One more story.

We were in Fort Worth one day and he spoke. He found out that one of our civic leaders was not doing well, from a health standpoint. We got in the car. He had his cell phone, and he dialed the number. A lady that worked in his house answered the phone, and he asked to speak to this gentleman. She held a minute, and the wife of this gentleman got on the phone.

He said: This is President Bush. I would like to speak to your husband.

She said: He cannot speak.

He said: Well, take this phone into his bedroom right now, and I want to tell him I love him.

That is the kind of man President Bush was.

So God bless President Bush, God bless this family, and God bless America.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas, (Mr. Culberson), who I think represents where President Bush lives.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the dean of our Texas delegation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from San Antonio, Texas (Mr. Smith).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Fort Worth, Texas, Congresswoman Kay Granger.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas, Congressman Michael Burgess, from Denton County.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas, Congressman Pete Olson, a great veteran.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas, Dr. Brian Babin.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas, Congressman Will Hurd, who represents a very large district in Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Lubbock, Texas (Mr. Arrington).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill).

Mr. Speaker, for the remaining speakers, we have 12 minutes remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the State of Georgia (Mr. Allen).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. Speaker, faith, family, and friends. We may never see the likes of George H.W. Bush again, although we hope we do. Praise the Lord for the President. Praise the Lord for his family. In God we trust.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to speak about a courageous Texan who is a part of the Cleburne Fire Department in the district that I represent, Lieutenant Kris Watson.

We all have been closely watching the recent fires in California that have been catastrophic to families and businesses. Thousands of buildings, including homes, were scorched in the blaze, and at least 85 people lost their lives. I cannot imagine what the California community is going through, and my heart breaks for them.

While these fires were treacherous and unpredictable, our very own Cleburne firefighter, Lieutenant Watson, was one of 200 Texan firefighters who answered the call for help. He selflessly went into harm's way and put his life on the line to save others. This man is a true hero, and I am humbled to speak about him today on the House floor in front of my colleagues and the Nation.

Even though the fires have finally calmed down, the effects will be felt for years to come, and it is important to let our friends in California know that we are with them and that we will continue to keep them in our thoughts and our prayers.

I am happy to report that Kris made it back to Cleburne safely last week. Everyone in Texas' 25th District is proud of our fellow Texan, and I thank him for his valor.

May God bless the Cleburne Fire Department and God bless the people of California.

In God we Trust.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Mr. Speaker, for 20 years, Congress has been putting off making meaningful reforms to this problematic program. Taxpayers continue to pay the price for our failure to act. With every year that passes, the NFIP goes further and further into debt.

The unsustainability of this program has even caused Congress to cancel $16 billion in NFIP debt last year.

Without meaningful reform like what this body approved when we passed the 21st Century Flood Reform Act, what protections do taxpayers have?

Mr. Speaker, the reauthorization before us today is not reform. By simply changing the date of the NFIP expiration, this body is tacitly stating that reform can't be done.

Enough is enough. We can't continue to pass our problems along to those in the future. The time to fix this problem is now. I will oppose extensions of the NFIP as long as this body continues to ignore meaningful reforms.

Mr. Speaker, I invite all my colleagues to join me in voting ``no'' on this legislation.