Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the $2\1/4\ trillion boondoggle my colleagues across the aisle are trying to pass off as an infrastructure bill.

Sadly, this bill is a socialist wish list. Less than 8 percent of President Biden's infrastructure plan goes to roads, bridges, waterways, ports, and airports.

What it does include is $400 billion for home-based caregivers. While that may be a good issue for review, it is not infrastructure.

This comes as no surprise, considering D.C. Democrats are trying to lump a radical, progressive agenda into a so-called infrastructure bill. Still, the leftist fringe that has highjacked what used to be the Democratic Party doesn't think it goes far enough.

Madam Speaker, we spent trillions of dollars on COVID recovery and unrelated measures. Now is not the time for a socialist wish list. Americans need a strong economy and real infrastructure, and they need it now.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sandee Sytsma for being named the 2020 Plant City, Florida Citizen of the Year.

In its 62nd year, this award was created to highlight civic-minded Plant City-area residents who have dedicated their lives toward giving back to their community. They must be persons of noble character, a humble spirit and steeped in the virtues of Plant City.

Sandee has supported a myriad of causes through the committees she serves on, including Relay for Life, Diamonds & Denim, Veterans Memorial Park and the Plant City Mural. Sandee was recognized as the Good Egg by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. She serves with her congregation at GracePoint Church, was the first woman to serve as chair of the Florida Strawberry Festival and has represented the festival and the community in countless talk shows and publications over the years.

Our communities are only as strong as the people who serve them. Plant City is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family, thanks, in part, to outstanding citizens like Sandee Sytsma.

On behalf of the 15th District of Florida, congratulations to Sandee Sytsma for earning this distinguished honor. Plant City thanks Sandee for her tireless dedication and service to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Zachary Hamilton for earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 79 of Valrico, FL. Eagle Scout is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank. This honor requires years of effort to develop the necessary leadership, service, and outdoor skills. To earn it, Zachary's project consisted of raising funds, collecting clothes, and repairing bikes for a local homeless project. Zachary and many of his fellow Scouts then handed out these items and provided food for the homeless. The leadership skills he has learned through the Boy Scouts already benefit our community and will continue to help in countless ways.

Zachary began his Scouting Career as a Tiger Cub in Second Grade. He has been active in Scouting as well as National Honor Society and Junior ROTC organizations. On behalf of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again to Zachary Hamilton for becoming an Eagle Scout. We are proud of his continued success and thank him for his dedication to making our community a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a longtime friend and the biggest advocate for veterans in central Florida, retired Air Force Colonel Gary Clark.

I have known Colonel Clark for 20 years as a fellow veteran and veteran's advocate. I am honored to recognize him as one of the distinguished 2020 inductees into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. This is an honor truly befitting Gary, thanks to his countless contributions to Florida's veterans.

Florida is known as the most veteran-friendly State in America, with over a million vets calling the Sunshine State home. Anywhere you go in central Florida, if there is a veteran in need, you can bet that Gary is on it.

Retiring from the Air Force in 1993, Gary continued his service and quickly became a distinguished advocate for veterans. Gary established the Polk County Veterans Council, developed a partnership for the Polk County School Board to support 13 Junior ROTC units, and chairs the Flight to Honor Polk, which brings senior veterans to the memorials near Washington.

Gary coordinates an annual Veterans Day breakfast with the Rotary Clubs of Lakeland and has chaired the 15th Congressional District of Florida's Service Academy Nominating Committee for at least a decade, and he remains the chair for my current board.

Mr. Speaker, it is simply impossible to think of veterans in central Florida without thinking of Gary Clark. On behalf of Polk County and the 15th District of Florida, we congratulate him on this honor and his induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame, and we thank him for his selfless service to our veteran community.

Supporting Public Access to Capitol

Mr. Speaker, on a more somber note, I rise in support of public access to this House, the people's House.

While I have only been a Member since January 3, as a former Naval aviator who had the privilege to travel to over 40 countries, I know the importance of our free and open democracy in both the figurative and the literal sense.

I was on the House floor on January 6 when violence erupted. As we continue to investigate the tragedy that resulted, the military fortress erected in response is a gross overcorrection.

Capitol Police have indicated there is no credible threat justifying maintaining this security posture. On March 4, facing nonspecific rumors of a potential threat, the House rushed to conclude its work the night before and did not meet. Not only was the threat unfounded, but the Senate, operating under the same security protocols as the House, was open and conducting the people's business, the same Senate that is only a few yards down the hall behind us.

Speaking of the differences between the two Chambers, doesn't it seem odd that the same House impeachment managers who testified before the Senate without masks would insist that I be fined if I take my mask off right now, even though I have been vaccinated and there is no one around me?

In addition to dismantling this fortress, we should begin relaxing the protocols put in place a year ago to limit the spread of COVID. Today, all House Members have been offered the vaccine, and roughly 75 percent have been vaccinated. Many of the remaining 25 percent have antibodies from being infected previously.

There is no justification for this House to continue operating in a quasi-virtual state. The CDC has issued new guidelines easing masks and social distancing for the nearly 32 million people who are fully vaccinated.

It is time to end the proxy voting, begin in-person committee meetings, and return to regular order. Our strength as an institution relies on personal relationships and the ability to build alliances where we find common interests. As a freshman, I have yet to meet most of my colleagues. We should be working to find common ground, and that is simply not possible in a virtual meeting.

Mr. Speaker, as the new administration acts to tear down the wall at our southern border, we have a new one right here, paralyzing the seat of democracy. The hypocrisy is obvious, and it is shameful.

This is no longer about safety. It is about making every effort to create disruption and hide what is really going on from the American people.

It is time to take down the razor wire fencing, send the troops home, and open the people's House to the public.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kinciade Green of Dover, FL for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle Scout is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn. Only a small percentage of Boy Scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout. This honor requires years of effort to develop the necessary leadership, service and outdoor skills. To earn it, Kinciade's project included a flag retirement and a fire pit for use by the veterans of AMVETS post No. 26. He built five Adirondack chairs, four benches and cleared an area around the fire pit. The leadership skills he has learned through the Boy Scouts already benefit our community and will continue to help in countless ways.

Kinciade began his Scouting career as a Tiger Cub in Second Grade. He has been active in Scouting as well as his High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club and Junior Air Force ROTC organizations. He will represent his District for the second time this year at State FBLA competition.

On behalf of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again to Kinciade Green for becoming an Eagle Scout. We are proud of his continued success and thank him for his dedication to making our community a better place.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classroom.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule and to H.R. 1319.

We do need targeted relief for those hurt by this pandemic, but this is bad legislation. Republicans introduced over 250 amendments to this nearly $2 trillion bill, and Democrats only ultimately accepted one. That is not unity. This is merely socialism in sheep's clothing, redistribution of wealth through cash payouts to many who have had no financial impact whatsoever from COVID. It is also redistribution of wealth from future generations who will be stuck with the tab.

The CBO predicts our economy will grow by 3.7 percent this year without any further congressional action. With over $1 trillion in unspent funds from previous packages, we can't afford to jeopardize our children's future with this socialist spending spree. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lakeland Fire Chief Doug Riley for being named the 2020 Florida Fire Chief of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association.

Riley was appointed as fire chief in December 2017. He has served more than 30 years with the Lakeland Fire Department, holding just about every position there during his tenure.

I was privileged to serve alongside Chief Riley as a Lakeland city commissioner and as a fellow rotarian. I have seen firsthand his effort to build better relationships with employees, staff, and the community. Doug Riley continues to go above and beyond to strengthen the fire department and its employees.

On behalf of the 15th District of Florida, congratulations to Chief Doug Riley for earning this distinguished honor. The Lakeland community thanks the chief for his efforts to protect and serve us every day.

Well done, Chief.