Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Roll Call vote No. 386, On Ordering the Previous Question, I would have voted NAY;

Roll Call vote No. 387, On Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res 1254, Providing for consideration of the bills: H.R. 3771 South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act, H.R. 5118 Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, and H.R. 6929 Susan Muffley Act, I would have voted NAY.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Roll Call vote No. 263, On Agreeing to the Amendment (Dingell of Michigan Part D Amendment En Bloc No. 2, I would have voted YEA;

Roll Call vote No. 264, On Agreeing to the Amendment, Kildee of Michigan Part D Amendment No. 4, I would have voted NAY;

Roll Call vote No. 265, On Agreeing to the Amendment, Butterfield of North Carolina Part D Amendment No. 5, I would have voted NAY;

Roll Call vote No. 266, On Motion to Recommit (H.R. 2773) Recovering America's Wildlife Act, I would have voted YEA;

Roll Call vote No. 267, On Passage of the bill (H.R. 2773) Recovering America's Wildlife Act, I would have voted NAY;

Roll Call vote No. 268, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, the bill (S. 516), to plan for and coordinate efforts to integrate advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace system, and for other purposes, I would have voted YEA; and for

Roll Call No. 269, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass the bill (H.R. 721), to

amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, review a final rule of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes, I would have voted NAY.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Mr. Arrington, for hosting this very important hour on this very important topic. I will concede that Texas is bigger geographically than Kansas and several other States as well.

You know, it is important that we talk about this important issue, and I really appreciate the work that he does, and I appreciate serving with him on the Ways and Means Committee on so many of the important issues that we have to address for our country.

Madam Speaker, tonight, as many Americans put their kids to bed, they are checking their schedules for the next day and doing a quick review of the bank accounts. They are deeply concerned about how they are going to be able to live with the crushing price increases in Joe Biden's America.

We are talking a lot about the debt tonight. We are talking about, you know, how do you afford to make your payments on the issues that you have to address today? But also, how do you have to plan for the future, knowing how that debt is going to weigh down on people, weigh down on Americans, weigh down on them as individuals, but also weigh down on their kids and grandkids?

You know, there is a lot of noise that happens in this bubble we call Washington, D.C., but everyday Americans have the same top concerns about the economy and rising prices.

In fact, it has been a top concern for months now. Even last year during a townhall in October, 98 percent of the respondents said that they had seen an increase in the cost of regular necessities.

Last week, I had an opportunity to speak with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about why it is taking the administration so long to recognize inflation as a problem. She complained about other challenges the Biden administration faced in January of 2021.

Let's look at what really has happened over the last 18 months. When President Biden took office, he was met with a growing economy that was already recovering from a global pandemic. We were already seeing the debt being addressed and starting to work in that direction.

The COVID vaccine that had been developed from Operation Warp Speed was being distributed around the world, as well as throughout the United States. We were actually starting to see inflation stabilized at a mere 1.4 percent, and filling up your gas tank only cost $2.39, thanks to American energy independence.

Despite all the pandemic-related challenges that Americans have gone through over the past year; consumer sentiment was relatively high at 79. But after a year of total Democrat control in the city, Americans no longer have a positive outlook on the economy.

Our economy shrank in the first quarter. Americans are paying more for everything they buy on a regular basis. Gas has skyrocketed to an average above $5 per gallon, and consumer sentiment has dropped to a record low of 50.2. It is bad news for our country.

Joe Biden and the Democrat policies are taking away the prosperity and the American Dream from families and small businesses across the country.

You know, on Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a staggering higher-than-expected inflation rate of 8.6 percent, but that is the year-over-year number. It really doesn't show the impact of inflation that has come up during the Biden administration, what a lot of people are calling Bidenflation.

If we go back to January of 2021 when President Biden took office, we can see that month-over-month inflation is actually up a cumulative 11.4 percent. Think about that. If you bought something in January of 2021, it now costs 11.4 percent more than it did.

That is a marketplace average. Some products have been a whole lot higher than that. You see it in gas. You see it in meat, bacon, and milk.

Now, what does that mean for the average American? We are looking at, for the average American household, an additional $635 in monthly costs. As you can see, prices have continued to climb for American families each month, meaning that on average, each household has already paid an additional $5,000 for these failed policies under the Biden administration. Even if inflation stays the same, households will pay an additional $7,620 over the next 12 months.

My Republican colleagues and I understand how devastating this is for Americans. We warned for months that kneecapping American energy production, while flooding the economy with Federal dollars and deficit spending, would create runaway inflation, as it has.

Today, right now, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle could ease the burden on families by encouraging American energy production and stopping their pursuit of Big Government spending sprees. We would have a stronger economy and a stronger America through energy independence, an ability to balance the Federal budget, and a smaller government.

These are the keys that will reverse course on a disastrous economy, and I would encourage my colleagues in the majority to disband this far left, extreme agenda to face the crisis they have created.

As we have talked about tonight, the debt continues to increase, and we need to focus on that. We need to focus on lowering the amount of ``free stuff'' that comes out of the United States Government and focus on what we need to do to help everyday Americans with the things that they go through and things that they have to deal with, their families and their small businesses.

Again, I would like to close in thanking my friend, Jodey Arrington, for hosting this so that we can talk about, you know, the fiscal state of the country and what the problems are that we have to address going forward.

Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people of the 4th District of Kansas to pay tribute to Ralene Bergquist as she retires after ten years of service to our congressional district.

Ralene Bergquist has faithfully served the people of Kansas' Fourth Congressional District for ten years. She began her career as a U.S. House of Representatives district staffer during the tenure of my predecessor, former Kansas' Congressman Mike Pompeo. When Congressman Pompeo accepted the call to become Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Ralene was instrumental in facilitating the smooth and successful transition when I first took office.

Ralene joined my district office shortly after my special election. Despite all the changes that come with a change in a district's Member of Congress, Ralene remained as the familiar, constant voice and compassionate listener for the constituents of the Fourth District of Kansas. She has served as the friendly face in the lobby and office manager of our district office for five years, following her five years of service with former Rep. Pompeo.

Ralene's dedication and work has been very much appreciated and a great service to two members of Congress as well as the constituents of Kansas' Fourth Congressional District. I speak for myself and the entire D.C. and district staff when I say we will miss Ralene after she retires from congressional service.

We are excited to see what the future holds for Ralene and wish her many blessings as she enjoys more time with her husband, Kansas State Representative Emil Bergquist, their children, and their grandchildren.

I congratulate Ralene on a wonderful career and say thank you from a grateful district.

Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the people of the Fourth District of Kansas to pay tribute to Ralene Bergquist as she retires after 10 years of service in our congressional district.

Ralene has been faithfully serving the people of Kansas' Fourth District for 10 years. She began with my predecessor, Congressman Mike Pompeo, before he went to be the CIA Director.

Ralene was very familiar and a constant voice to help make sure that we had a smooth transition when I became a new Member of Congress for the Fourth District.

Ralene's dedication and work have been very much appreciated and a

great service to two Members of Congress, as well as the constituents of Kansas' Fourth Congressional District.

I speak for myself and the entire D.C. and district staff when I say we will miss Ralene as she retires from congressional service.

We are excited to see what the future holds for Ralene and wish her many blessings as she enjoys more time with her husband, Kansas State Representative Emil Bergquist, their children, and their grandchildren.

Congratulations on a wonderful career, and thank you from a grateful district.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for the following Roll Call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Roll Call No. 152, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass bill (S.66) South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act, I would have voted YEA;

Roll Call No. 153, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended bill (H.R. 7077) Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act, I would have voted YES;

Roll Call No. 154, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended bill (H.R. 1437) PRECIP Act, I would have voted YES;

Roll Call No. 155, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass bill (S.1872) United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, I would have voted YEA;

Roll Call No. 156, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended bill (H.R. 5911) Fair Hiring in Banking Act, I would have voted

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, today I rise in support of SECURE 2.0. Since my time as Kansas State Treasurer and a member of the Ways and Means Committee, increased retirement security for Americans of all ages has been a major policy priority for me.

Building on our great success with the SECURE Act in 2019, SECURE 2.0 includes a number of provisions for new employees and near-retirees, like my bill to improve the required minimum distribution rules, and my bill that

would make it easier for employees to save for retirement and pay off their student loans.

Employers who are part of an employee stock ownership plan--like the Kansas workers I have talked to at Inland Truck Parts, Conco, and others--benefit from the bipartisan ESOP provisions in SECURE 2.0.

The bill also ensures public-sector and nonprofit retirement programs have the same access to low-cost retirements, just like for-profit retirement plans.

It allows individuals who have decided to pay down a student loan instead of contributing to a 401(k) to still receive an employee match for their retirement plans.

These commonsense retirement security reforms deserve to be law, and I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on SECURE 2.0.

Madam Speaker, the United States is the greatest market in the world to do business with. Our consumer spending is double that of the European Union, and more than triple that of China. Every country on Earth wants to do business with America.

As we deal with the unjust invasion of Ukraine by Russia and continue to modernize our Nation's trade deals, like we did with the USMCA, we must keep in mind that the American marketplace is not something that is a right. It is a privilege for those that uphold international order.

For far too long, many have overlooked repeated abuses by certain trading partners. For whatever reason, they decided it was okay for the United States to do business with those that lie, cheat, and steal in violation of international law.

This has been a terrible mistake. Trade, when done right, is a critical boost to the economy and our families. When done poorly, it enriches our adversaries at the expense of those who do uphold the international system.

It is clear that the unjust invasion of Ukraine by Russia cannot stand. Congress must make clear to the world that normal trade relations with the United States must be reserved for honest brokers that adhere to international order. This is the moment when irresponsible trade with the United States without consequence comes to an end.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for hosting this Special Order.

Madam Speaker, for the past year, we have seen policies from the Biden administration devastate families and small businesses across the country. Moms in my district, like Meghan, have seen the cost of filling up their tanks and heating their homes continue to climb.

The average American family will spend an extra $1,300 in gas this year. And Biden's Green New Deal energy policies have left us weak abroad and crushed us economically at home. The national average for a gallon of gasoline is now $4.17--the highest ever on record. There is nothing to stop that number from going even higher as we head into the summer.

But the prices at the pump today are not the result of just the recent events in Eastern Europe. If we look at gas prices on January 21, 2021, just one day after President Biden took office, the national average was $2.40.

One year later, on January 20, 2022--before Putin ruthlessly invaded Ukraine--the national average was already $3.33. President Biden and the Congressional Democrats are solely responsible for the year-over- year increase. And the anti-American energy agenda prevented the United States from maintaining our energy independence at a critical moment in history.

That is why it is so important that we have good, permanent policies in place that encourage production here at home, keeping our prices low for American families and small businesses, and ensure that we maintain stability when bad actors disrupt the world.

We should buy American first. We should buy American oil first. When the United States isn't reliant on foreign oil, we can better address the global threats of tyrants and dictators.

Madam Speaker, it is time we prioritize American energy production again that will put American families first and keep our country safe.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for Rollcall vote Nos. 18 through 27.

Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Rollcall No. 18; NAY on Rollcall No. 19; YEA on Roll Call No. 20; NAY on Roll Call No. 21; NAY on Roll Call No. 22; YEA on Roll Call No. 23; NAY on Roll Call No. 24; NAY on Roll Call No. 25; YEA on Roll Call No. 26; and YEA on Roll Call No. 27.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call No. 16, Providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 3485, Global Respect Act; providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 4445, Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act; and providing for consideration of the bill H.R. 4521, Bioeconomy Research and Development Act.

Had I been present, I would have voted nay.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for Roll Call vote No. 15 on H.R. 5557, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3900 Crown Road Southwest in Atlanta, Georgia, as the ``John R. Lewis Post Office Building.'' Had I been present, I would have voted Yes.

Madam Speaker, this week we look back over a year of failures; from the economy and crime to foreign policy and national security. There is not one area where a year of total Democrat control shouldn't receive an F.

It is hard to believe it was only a year ago this Thursday that President Biden swore to uphold the Constitution just outside the building from where we stand today.

Despite assuring the American people that he sought to unify the country, Biden's first hours in office were marked by divisive and controversial executive orders.

Biden's incompetent economic policies destroyed our chance at a strong economic recovery and harmed hardworking families and small businesses.

A year later, Americans are paying about 50 percent more each time they fill up their tank. That is after President Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, halted new oil and gas leasing on Federal land, and proposed burdensome taxes and regulations on small energy producers. These policies all matter. They impact real people.

That is why tonight I wanted to share some insight and experiences from folks in Kansas after a year of President Biden holding office.

Nick, a new father in Derby, has certainly noticed the increase in fuel. He just had a baby last year and started a new job. Paying more at the pump means that he has less for his newborn's needs, and as every new parent knows, diapers aren't cheap.

But that is not the only thing Kansans are paying more for.

The Biden administration has directly caused rising prices by flooding the economy with their Big Government spending. The prices of many other everyday goods like beef, bacon, eggs, chicken, and coffee.

That is a lot for any American, but it is especially noticeable for Nancy, a grandmother on a fixed income. She shared that each time she goes to the grocery store she notices her grocery bill keeps going up.

That is not to mention bare shelves and out-of-stock items that many Kansans have experienced when they go shopping.

Beyond the economy, we have witnessed the failure to keep our country safe from illicit drugs flowing into our country at the southern border.

Executive orders have halted the production of a barrier at our southern border, and open border policies have allowed drugs and trafficking to become commonplace. Every State is now a border State, as fentanyl makes its way to communities in Kansas and across the country.

CBP reports that more pounds of fentanyl were seized at the southern border than in the previous 2 years combined.

In a recent survey, a majority of Kansans from my district told me the issues of most importance to them are the economy, rising prices, immigration, and our Federal deficit.

It is time for Congress and the President to start addressing these core concerns. Americans cannot afford another year of radical socialist policies with this administration.

I thank my good friend from Indiana for hosting this Special Order.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of the passing of Vice Admiral Paul Frederick Foster, USN. Over his distinguished 23-year career in the United States Navy, Vice Admiral Foster became the first naval officer to be awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, and our Nation's highest military distinction, the Medal of Honor.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, the son of a Congregationalist minister, he spent his early years traveling the west with his father, living in Kansas, Utah, Oklahoma, and Idaho before his appointment to the United States Naval Academy. At the academy, he reached the rank of cadet commander and served as commander of the Midshipmen Battalion. Upon graduation in 1911, he was assigned to various postings in the Caribbean Sea. In 1914, then-Ensign Foster took part in the Battle of Veracruz during the United States' intervention against Mexican dictator Victoriano Huerta. At the head of his company, he led his sailors ashore during the fighting on April 21 and 22, 1914. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership, heroism, and courage under enemy fire. His commendation cites that ``Ens. Foster was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage''.

Upon his return to the United States in 1915, Vice Admiral Foster became one of the first American naval officers to undergo submarine instruction. He served as executive officer on the experimental submarine G-4 and participated in maneuvers along the Eastern Seaboard. When the United States joined the Allies in World War I, Vice Admiral Foster was sent to England and served on U.S. Submarine L-2. In 1918, he was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his part in sinking one of the three enemy submarines sunk during the war.

After World War I, he returned to peacetime duty back in the United States. In 1924, during a training accident on the USS Trenton, with total disregard for his safety, Vice Admiral Foster entered a burning gun turret and extinguished the fire both inside the turret and on the clothing of the crew members, saving their lives. For this act of valor, he was decorated with the Navy Cross. He retired from active duty in 1929 but remained a member of the Navy Reserve.

Vice Admiral Foster was recalled to active duty in 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt directly tasked him to conduct special naval inspections worldwide during the Second World War. As Assistant Inspector General of the Navy, Vice Admiral Foster examined bases across the globe, overseeing operations and ensuring the security, effectiveness, and safety of U.S. naval operations in North America, Europe, and the Pacific. He received the Legion of Merit and Navy Commendation Medal for his essential service. He retired from the Navy fully in October 1946 with the rank of vice admiral.

The end of his military service did not mark the end of his career in public service. In 1954, Vice Admiral Foster was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to be the assistant general manager for international activities at the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and later general manager of the commission, advancing the United States' peaceful pursuit of atomic power. Finally, in 1959, President Eisenhower appointed him permanent U.S. representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, furthering U.S. leadership in managing the peacetime development of atomic science and technology through the ``Atoms for Peace'' initiative. During his service in Vienna, he had the opportunity to meet with several world leaders, including Pope John XXIII. After retiring in 1961, Vice Admiral Foster settled in Virginia Beach. He passed away on Jan. 30, 1972, at the age of 82. In a tribute to his years of service, the Spruance-class destroyer USS Paul F. Foster was named in his honor in 1976. A true American hero, Vice Admiral Foster's legacy lives on through his family, friends, and commitment to service to his country. I hope the rest of my colleagues will join me in honoring his memory on the 50th anniversary of his passing on Jan. 30, 2022.