Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 137) designating the House Press Gallery, Rooms H- 315, H-316, H-317, H-318, and H-319 in the United States Capitol, as the ``Frederick Douglass Press Gallery'', 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 include extraneous material in the Record on H. Res. 137.

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

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 137 designates the House Press Gallery as the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery.

Frederick Douglass came to Washington, D.C., in 1870 to become editor of the New National Era paper, which chronicled the progress of African Americans in the United States. He became the first African-American member of the press gallery from 1871 to 1875.

In 2007, he was honored with a plaque and painting in the House Press Gallery. This resolution today will officially name the House Press Gallery after him. I thank the gentleman from Florida, Representative Donalds, for his leadership on this bipartisan resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will take a moment to recognize someone who has made a particular impact on myself and this body, and that is Transportation and Infrastructure Republican Staff Director Jack Ruddy, who is leaving the Hill after 15 years.

Jack started out in my office as an intern. He liked it so much he decided to come back as an intern four more times. No matter what we did or how hard we tried, we just could not get rid of him. I am incredibly thankful that he stuck it out because this entire body has benefited from his public service and his expertise.

Jack has come a long way from his days as an intern. He went on to serve as my legislative director in my congressional office. For the last 6\1/2\ years, he has been with me at the T&I Committee, first as deputy staff director and, most notably, as staff director, which he led my entire team since 2022.

It is uncommon in this Chamber that a staff member makes such a lasting impact, but Jack is a very uncommon staffer. He is a trusted adviser, not only to me but to many members on the Transportation Committee on both sides of the aisle.

Over the years, he has played an integral role in shepherding through Congress numerous major legislative priorities to improve America's transportation network and build our infrastructure. This includes: the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and other important aviation safety legislation; multiple water resources development acts; Coast Guard authorizations; public buildings and Federal office space reforms; and pipeline safety reauthorizations, just to name a few of the things that are out there.

It takes hard work, skill, extensive knowledge, and a deep understanding of the legislative process to get these things across the finish line, and Jack has all of those qualities.

It also takes sacrifice, and Jack, his wife, Paige, and their two boys, Joel and Barrett, know that all too well. I thank Jack and his entire family for the sacrifices that they have contributed in more ways than I can describe. Their sacrifices over the last 6\1/2\ years have contributed to the success of the T&I Committee and the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I close by saying that anybody who has ever worked with Jack knows that these things are very true: He is fair, he is pragmatic, and he knows how to get the job done. The most important thing that we know is that Jack is a true friend, and I can say that from personal experience. We are all going to miss him, and I wish him the best of luck as he begins his new chapter in life.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, naming the House Press Gallery after Frederick Douglass is going to honor his commitment to the free press, his legacy, and his work reporting on the official business of Congress.

I urge support of House Resolution 137, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which fulfills President Trump's agenda by securing our border, keeping taxes low for families and job creators, and restoring the Nation's energy dominance in cutting waste, fraud, and abuse.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's portion of today's legislation combines critical investments in border security, national defense, and modernization of America's air traffic control system, while eliminating wasteful spending and other deficit reduction measures.

Specifically, this bill addresses long-overdue needs of the United States Coast Guard, which for over two decades has received less than half of the capital investment necessary to effectively carry out its critical missions. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee included more than $21 billion to recapitalize Coast Guard assets, including the acquisition of cutters, aircraft, polar icebreakers, along with the facilities needed to support them.

In light of serious operational and financial challenges facing the FAA, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee provided a $12.5 billion downpayment for finally modernizing our outdated air traffic control infrastructure.

Finally, the bill addresses the chronic shortfall in the highway trust fund by instituting a $250 annual fee on electric vehicles and $100 on hybrid vehicles, ensuring that all drivers contribute their fair share to maintaining our roads and bridges.

In this measure, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee prioritized core Federal responsibilities, which included national defense, transportation safety, and infrastructure modernization, while also responsibly offsetting these investments with cuts to wasteful spending.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize a dedicated constituent of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District: Mr. Tony Reinhart. Tony is celebrating his thirtieth year with Ford Motor Company, a remarkable professional milestone. Tony's three decades of devoted service is an exceptional achievement that reflects his deep commitment, expertise, and enduring leadership within one of America's most iconic corporations.

Throughout his tenure, Tony has held various critical roles. He currently serves as Ford

Motor Company's Head of State, Local and Stakeholder Government Affairs. In this vital capacity, he leads a team to navigate the complex systems of state and local governments in order to strengthen the American auto industry.

However, Tony's influence extends well beyond his role with Ford Motor Company. He serves as Vice Chair of the Ford Civic Action Fund, a member of the Executive Committee of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, and former Chairman of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. These underscore his significant contributions to shaping the automotive landscape and public policy for the industry.

Tony's service extends deep into the community. He has served in many roles in the Sixth Congressional District of Missouri and the Northland of Kansas City, Missouri, as he has worked to make it a better place to live and work. He serves on the Board of Directors for both the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Liberty Economic Development Corporation. He is the President of the Northland CAPS Board of Directors. He is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Kansas City Zoo and sits on the Advisory Council of the North Kansas City Hospital. He is the Past Chair Advisor for the Clay County Economic Development Council. His service and commitment to our community is deep and the impact is tremendous.

As a native of Lexington, Missouri, and a proud graduate of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, Tony's roots are firmly planted in our state, and we are incredibly proud to count him a Missourian. I am proud to call him a friend.

A strong American auto industry means a strong American economy. We live and breathe that in Missouri. Ford's Kansas City Assembly plant makes the best-selling vehicle in America, creating jobs not only at the plant, but at dealerships, suppliers, and other parts of the community. Tony's work at Ford helps the company invest in local communities and make an impact both in Missouri and across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me and the people of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District in congratulating Tony Reinhart on his incredible professional milestone. I am proud to represent Tony in the United States House of Representatives and wish him continued success in his career.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to honor the life of a special constituent.

Dick Elmer King, of Saint Catherine, Missouri, passed away on March 25, 2025. He was born on March 9, 1938, the son of Gird Lester and Josephine Marie (Groetecke) King in Copemish, Michigan. He married Dorothy Joann Gaston on May 19, 1969, in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on October 28, 2021.

Dick dedicated his life to service. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1956 to 1964, and served in Morocco, Tripoli, North Africa, Zaragoza, Spain, and Oklahoma. From 1993 to 1997, he was the Eastern District Commissioner in Linn County, Missouri. Then, he served as the Presiding Commissioner of Linn County from 2008 to the present.

He was a member of the Brookfield VFW Post No. 4557, Brookfield American Legion Post No. 182, and Marceline Masonic Lodge Post No. 481. Dick was active in the Ararat Shriners Hospital and the Macon Flywheel Association.

Dick is survived by his seven children, sixteen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing a life well- lived, and in thanking Mr. Dick King for his service to his country and community. I am proud to represent Mr. King in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 84 and YEA on Roll Call No. 85.

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Mary Miller, who is retiring after more than four decades of distinguished service as a well-respected and remarkable advocate for the general aviation industry.

Mary's forty-four-year career in general aviation has been spent mostly on the ground supporting those who do fly. Those contributions to her industry have been recognized by the high honors of the industry's ``Distinguished Service'' award and its ``Distinguished Stateswoman in Aviation'' award.

Mary's contributions are aptly described as ``the wise, trusted relational bridge to many and varied aspects of the aviation community.'' The bridges Mary has built have been used for decades by industry leaders, government officials, and organizations to refine policy aims, regulatory enforcement, and market conditions in which the general aviation industry and her specific company operate. On any given day, her functional activities could be as diverse as FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions, novel electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) certifications, promoting new sustainable fuels, right down to real-time advice to a pilot at a distant Signature Aviation base on how to unsnag a challenge clearing customs.

For so many years, we have seen Mary on the bustling ramps at Super Bowls, Oshkosh, Tarkio, presidential inaugurations, and other major general aviation events. However, from my conversations with Mary, her effort to restore activity to the barren general aviation ramp at Reagan Washington National after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 gave her the most satisfaction. Politely but stubbornly, she refused to accept the notion that 9/11 would permanently close the Nation's capital airport to general aviation landings. Eventually, that seven-year effort of Mary and her many colleagues led to the airport's successful reopening through the DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP).

Mary has been an unfailingly genuine, wise, and shrewd contributor to the interests of the general aviation community and a friend to all.

As Mary prepares to retire from Signature Aviation, I wish her well in all her endeavors and thank her for her service to the aviation community and the Nation. I am confident she will continue to be an influential advocate for General Aviation (GA).

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the House's fiscal year 2025 budget resolution, which is a critical step needed to unlock a reconciliation bill that is going to help secure our border and revitalize our military. It is going to unleash American energy independence and extend tax cuts for American families and small businesses.

Simply put, this budget delivers on all of President Trump's America First

agenda by prioritizing the economic and national security of hardworking Americans. Failure to act on this budget resolution, our House Republican budget, risks trillions in tax increases on Missouri farmers, small businesses, and families.

Mr. Chairman, as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am pleased to see that the budget directs an investment of $100 billion for our national defense after years of underinvestment.

As chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we are ready to do our part to produce a bill that fulfills President Trump's border security agenda by providing funding for the United States Coast Guard for drug and migrant interdiction.

The Coast Guard has been underfunded for years. However, this administration recognizes that the Coast Guard is the workhorse when it comes to securing our maritime border. I am grateful for the President's focus on providing robust resources to the service to do even more, and I know that the men and women in the Coast Guard are very much up to the task.

Despite delivering these robust investments, this budget still requires the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to generate at least $10 billion in savings overall. Committee Republicans have been hard at work to make sure that we are prepared to support the Coast Guard while also being good stewards of taxpayer dollars by responsibly offsetting our investments.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this budget resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a series of votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 28 and YEA on Roll Call No. 29.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 152) to amend the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to develop a study regarding streamlining and consolidating information collection and preliminary damage assessments, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 152.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 152, the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, is a commonsense bill that is going to streamline and consolidate the collection of information following a disaster.

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the lead Federal agency on disasters, there are often many Federal agencies involved in disaster response and recovery.

I have experienced firsthand just how frustrating it can be when these Federal agencies fail to work together following a natural disaster.

That is why I am proud to support H.R. 152, which would address this concern by amending the FEMA-led working group created in the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018.

Specifically, the working group is going to develop a plan to make the collection of information from disaster survivors less burdensome, duplicative, and time consuming. This working group is also going to coordinate with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to identify ways to reduce duplication and streamline the Federal damage assessment process.

I thank the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell) for his leadership on this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell), the bill's sponsor.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, H.R. 152 is a good government bill that will help improve disaster recovery efforts. It has previously passed the House in the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, 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. 153) to provide for an online repository for certain reporting requirements for recipients of Federal disaster assistance, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 153.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 153, the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act, will increase transparency for post-disaster Federal assistance. H.R. 153 will do this by requiring agencies that provide Federal disaster assistance to update a central website quarterly with information on their disaster assistance programs. That way, the American taxpayer can see exactly where their hard-earned dollars are going.

H.R. 153 passed the House in the 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses, and I urge continued support for this commonsense legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell) for his leadership on this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell), who is the sponsor of the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I hope we can continue to show support for this commonsense accountability measure. It is going to help improve transparency for Federal disaster spending.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the bill, 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. 164) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize Federal agencies to provide certain essential assistance for hazard mitigation for electric utilities, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 164.

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

Mr. Speaker, following a natural disaster, electric utilities work tirelessly to restore power to their customers. However, because of FEMA's problematic interpretation of section 403 of the Stafford Act, once power is restored, even with temporary measures, electric utilities are deemed ineligible for reimbursement for permanent work and mitigation efforts.

As a result, electric utilities are treated differently from all other critical infrastructure, even though building mitigation into our power systems reduces the costs of future disasters.

H.R. 164 is going to address this by clarifying that electric utilities may build in mitigation measures that provide essential assistance and that it does not disqualify electric utilities from permanent work eligibility later in the disaster recovery process.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to publicly thank Representative Hoyle for her work on the bill. It is a great bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Ezell).

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this legislation is going to provide a whole lot of needed clarity to ensure that electric utilities are not penalized

for acting quickly to restore power to those impacted by natural disasters.

This legislation passed the Chamber under suspension of the rules by voice vote last December, and I look forward to the House approving it again.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the bill, 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. 189) to amend title 40, United States Code, to eliminate the leasing authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 189.

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

Mr. Speaker, in 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission violated Federal law by signing a lease for 1.4 million square feet that cost taxpayers over $566 million.

Investigations conducted by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as SEC's inspector general, found that the SEC had exceeded its authority with this lease. Investigations also found that the SEC had a history of mismanaging its leasing authority.

Recent actions taken by the SEC seem to indicate that the agency has not learned from the past. This is why I urge support of H.R. 189, which would revoke the SEC's leasing authority for general office space and bring them in line with current leasing practices through the General Services Administration.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, by ensuring that the SEC continues to use GSA for its space needs, H.R. 189 is going to help reduce costs and protect taxpayers against wasteful spending.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for her work on this bill. The legislation was agreed to in the House last Congress under suspension of the rules, so I look forward to seeing that happen again.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 144) to provide that the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 does not apply to certain reports required to be submitted by the Tennessee Valley Authority, 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 include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 144.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 144, the Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act.

This legislation simply reinstates an annual reporting requirement for the Tennessee Valley Authority to disclose to Congress the salaries for upper-level management.

I thank Representatives Cohen and Burchett for their bipartisan work on this legislation, which passed this Chamber in March of last year under suspension of the rules by a voice vote.

This bill continues years of work to make the TVA more transparent for its customers and the communities that it serves.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 144, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 144 is a commonsense bill. It is going to increase transparency at the TVA, and it is going to ensure that the Transportation Committee conducts appropriate oversight over the agency's actions.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the bill, 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. 192) to amend title 49, United States Code, to require Amtrak to include information on base pay and bonus compensation of certain Amtrak executives, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 192.

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

H.R. 192 was introduced by Representative Rouzer, and I am very proud to be a cosponsor on this bill. The bill is intended to ensure that annual bonuses awarded to Amtrak's top executives are made public at the beginning of every calendar year.

Amtrak relies heavily on government subsidies, and during more than 50 years of existence, it has never made a profit. Nonetheless, Amtrak executives have been awarded generous six-figure bonuses despite financial losses and service issues.

The disclosure of such huge payouts rightfully outrages the public and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This bill is a

strong step toward transparency and accountability for Amtrak executives and Amtrak's board of directors, which awards the bonuses.

I very much appreciate the gentleman from North Carolina Representative Rouzer's work on this legislation, and I would urge adoption by the House.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer), the bill's sponsor.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 192 provides the necessary transparency for Amtrak. This legislation passed the House last Congress under suspension of the rules by voice vote, and I look forward to it passing again today.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Mark R. Baker, who is retiring after more than a decade of distinguished service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Mark's leadership in support of the general aviation community has been invaluable to hundreds of thousands of pilots and aircraft owners and the endeavors they support through flight. His unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the freedom to fly--a freedom truly unique to the United States--has helped facilitate the wide range of general aviation flight missions, including business, disaster relief, philanthropy, and personal transportation.

Mark has been the most impactful leader in AOPA's 85-year history, serving as a tireless and effective advocate for general aviation. He has consistently provided legislators and regulators with valuable insights on important issues such as medical certification reform, strengthening our national network of airports, aviation and education career opportunities for youth, advancing flight deck technology, ensuring fair and transparent pricing for pilots, and improving aviation safety. Among the important legislation he has helped shape is the very first general aviation title in an FAA reauthorization bill, setting an important precedent for the future.

Mark's passion for aviation began as a child growing up in Minnesota, when he and his younger brothers, Scott and Jim, rode their bicycles to the local airport to watch airplanes and take penny-a-pound airplane rides. He took a ground school class in high school and earned his private pilot certificate soon after. Flight instructor Waldo Anderson, who is now 90 years old and still flying, mentored and inspired Mark as he worked to earn additional pilot certificates and ratings.

As a teenager just starting college, Mark found additional mentors in his employers, Knox Lumber founders Don DeCoster, Larry Platt, and Mel Maurer. The World War II veterans quickly recognized Mark's strong work ethic, which he learned from parents Ralph and Bev. Taking him under their wing, the trio soon taught Mark the ins and outs of retail lumber, laying the groundwork for his future business success in the home improvement industry.

After leaving Knox, Mark held leadership roles with Payless Cashways, Scotty's, and Home Base before joining Home Depot in that company's formative years. While at Home Depot, Mark held numerous executive positions, including Chief Operating Officer, and continued to build deep and lasting relationships throughout the home improvement vendor and real estate communities, helping to drive large-scale growth for his company and the industry. He even used his flying skills, and both personal and business aircraft, to help identify locations for hundreds of new stores nationwide.

Mark has held numerous other influential positions, including Chief Operating Officer at Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, President and Chief Executive Officer at outdoor outfitter Gander Mountain, and Chief Executive Officer at Orchard Supply Hardware.

Recognizing the important role of mentors in his own life, Mark has generously mentored hundreds of pilots, providing access to aircraft, instructors, and opportunities to fly, as well as sharing the wisdom he has gained in more than 10,000 hours at the controls. In that same spirit, he launched the You Can Fly program at AOPA, which has so far provided free aviation STEM curriculum to more than 100,000 high school students nationwide.

Mark's commitment to creating opportunities for young people is matched only by his commitment to his family, including his wife JoAnn; his four children, Lindsay, Kristine, Shannon, and Andrew; his sons-in- law Pete and Alex; and his eight grandchildren.

As Mark prepares to retire from AOPA, I wish him well in all his endeavors and thank him for his service to the aviation community and the Nation. I am confident he will continue to mentor the next generation of aviators as a passionate and influential advocate for GA.