Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Master Sergeant (MSgt) David ``Lucky'' Luciano on the auspicious occasion of his retirement upon nearly 30 years of service to our Nation in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

MSgt Luciano first enlisted in the Air National Guard with the 201st RED HORSE Squadron in October 1997. He attended Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, and became an Engineering Assistant after completing Technical Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Over the course of his nearly 30 years in service, MSgt Luciano ultimately earned promotion to the rank of Master Sergeant and became the Non- Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Engineering Section.

During his decades of service, MSgt Luciano has received numerous awards and commendation for his service and performance, as well as completing myriad deployments around the globe, to include: Qatar and Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (2002); Camp Taji and Camp Victory, Iraq (2004); Ali Air Base, Iraq (2010); Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait (2014); U.S. Virgin Islands for Hurricanes Irma and Maria recovery efforts (2017); and Tinian Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (2025).

Mr. Speaker, I am honored and privileged to recognize Master Sergeant David ``Lucky'' Luciano on his retirement upon nearly 30 years of uniformed service to our Nation. His tireless service and dedication to his fellow Airmen, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America set the standard by which all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Good Shepherd Parish on the blessed occasion of its 75th Anniversary.

Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was founded on May 28, 1951, to help serve the rapidly growing Catholic population on the West Shore of Harrisburg. Sunday Masses began on June 10, 1951, at the Camp Hill Theatre, and were supplemented in the auditorium of Trinity High School as the first pastor, Father Simpson, was called to find a home for his flock. The pioneer spirit was not lacking.

Given the challenges of humble beginnings, land was purchased on Market Street between 34th and 35th Streets by the Diocese of Harrisburg, and the growing parish worked vigorously to raise funds to build a church and school at the site. In July 1952, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at 34th and Market for the Good Shepherd Church and school. The attached school of four classrooms was opened September 1, 1953, with 121 students. The first Mass was celebrated by Bishop George Leech on the day of the Church's dedication, September 13, 1953.

As the Catholic community expanded through the 1950s and 1960s, additions and modifications to the school part of the Market Street campus were made to accommodate. Sunday Masses were held in the standing room only, even with an overflow to the school hall and additional Masses at Trinity High School auditorium. The need for a larger church was evident, and a 7.6-acre site was purchased 25 years after Good Shepherd's doors first opened.

On September 11, 1977, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Trindle Road for the construction of the new church--with a seating capacity of 1,100, an all-purpose room to function as a gathering and meeting space, an administrative wing, and a new rectory. Construction was completed in the summer of 1978, and the church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Daley on November 5, 1978.

Beyond physical changes over time, the strength of the faith, determination, and dedication to the one Good Shepherd remains steadfast as the House of God, built with care and love. It continues its legacy with grace and gratitude for what was accomplished, and what yet remains to be done.

The legacy of the Good Shepherd Parish, 75 years later, provides its faith family deep, strong roots that continue to flourish--with a membership of more than 1750 families who serve God and our community with charity and fidelity.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, I am humbled and honored to congratulate the Good Shepherd Parish on this auspicious and blessed occasion of its 75th Anniversary. The church family's contributions to our communities-- spiritual, charitable, educational, and social--are immeasurable, and I pray for God's continued blessings on their continued call to serve and honor Him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Good Shepherd Catholic Church on the blessed occasion of its 75th Anniversary.

Good Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, was founded on May 28, 1951, to help serve the rapidly growing Catholic population on the West Shore of Harrisburg. Sunday Masses began on June 10, 1951, at the Camp Hill Theatre, and were supplemented in the auditorium of Trinity High School as the first pastor, Father Simpson, was called to find a home for his flock. The pioneer spirit was not lacking.

Given the challenges of humble beginnings, land was purchased on Market Street between 34th and 35th Streets by the Diocese of Harrisburg, and the growing parish worked vigorously to raise funds to build a church and school at the site. In July 1952, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at 34th and Market for the Good Shepherd Church and school. The attached school of four classrooms was opened September 1, 1953, with 121 students. The first Mass was celebrated by Bishop George Leech on the day of the church's dedication, September 13, 1953.

As the Catholic community expanded through the 1950s and 1960s, additions and modifications to the school part of the Market Street campus were made to accommodate. Sunday Masses were held in the standing room only, even with an overflow to the school hall and additional Masses at Trinity High School auditorium. The need for a larger church was evident, and a 7.6-acre site was purchased 25 years after Good Shepherd's doors first opened.

On September 11, 1977, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Trindle Road for the construction of the new church--with a seating capacity of 1,100, an all-purpose room to function as a gathering and meeting space, an adrninistrative wing, and a new rectory. Construction was completed in the summer of 1978, and the church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph Daley on November 5, 1978.

Beyond physical changes over time, the strength of the faith, determination, and dedication to the one Good Shepherd remains steadfast as the House of God, built with care and love. It continues its legacy with grace and gratitude for what was accomplished, and what yet remains to be done.

The legacy of Good Shepherd Church, 75 years later, provides its faith family deep, strong roots that continue to flourish--with a membership of more than 1,750 families who serve God and our community with charity and fidelity.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, I am humbled and honored to congratulate the Good Shepherd Parish on this auspicious and blessed occasion of its 75th Anniversary. The church family's contributions to our communities-- spiritual, charitable, educational, and social--are immeasurable, and I pray for God's continued blessings on their continued call to serve and honor Him.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for bringing this to light, and I am happy to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman. I am going to talk about a few things. I am going to talk about the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

We use a lot of acronyms around here, so I am going to try to stick to these words so people understand: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. We will talk about facial recognition software, the kill switch in your car, automatic license plate reader cameras, central bank digital currency, and data centers. All are part of what we are here to discuss tonight, which is your privacy enshrined, guaranteed, in this document that everybody here swears an oath to uphold and defend.

I am sure that my friend from Texas, Mr. Self, can see that this thing is made of paper. Try as it may, it can't defend itself. It depends on men and women of good character and integrity to do that job for it. That is how this system was designed. That is how our Founders saw it. It can't defend itself. It depends on us.

In this document, the Fourth Amendment says: You will not be spied on; you will not be searched; your property will not be seized; and your privacy will not be violated without probable cause and due process. Yet, we know it has been violated, Mr. Speaker, Representative Self.

We all took this oath, and the people who violated it took an oath. The people who violated it, whether they were on the court, whether they were in law enforcement, somehow, someway, the piece of paper couldn't stop the violations to the American people and their personal effect.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act--let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. What Americans do, what American law enforcement does, what the American intelligence services do to keep us safe regarding foreigners, God bless them, go do it. Do whatever is necessary within the bounds of legality and morality to keep us safe.

It is called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for a reason, because we are supposed to be surveilling foreigners, foreign countries, foreign entities, foreign individuals, not millions of Americans who were spied on without their knowledge and then found out after the fact. Of course, as the gentleman from Texas knows--well, maybe he doesn't know; I think he does. Well, let me ask you in this colloquy: Who has been held accountable?

Right? No one of note, for sure.

No one of note. We spy on millions of Americans and violate their constitutional rights. That seems like a civil rights violation to me, and no one is held accountable.

You couple FISA with facial recognition software, think about the limits of power there. It is ubiquitous now. You can buy this stuff on the open market for yourself, let alone government doing it. It is one thing if a store wants to do it. Maybe you want to do it personally. Maybe your neighbor gives you trouble, and you want to make sure that you see him or her coming before they get there. God bless you. That is your business to protect your property.

But when law enforcement, when the awesome, irresistible power of the government has these things, what are you going to do about it?

Well, I tell you what you are going to do about it--not much, not much. You are going to be bankrupted. Your reputation is going to be destroyed. Maybe you will be falsely accused. When it is all over, when the whole thing is done, you haven't done anything and the government finds nothing, well, they just quietly slink off into the darkness. And you will be left with your shattered reputation, your bankrupt, empty bank account, your destroyed marriage, your destroyed family, your destroyed reputation. That is what you will be left with.

Now, recently, under the guise of safety, this government mandated that every new car in 2027 and beyond will have a kill switch put in it, not because you ordered it, not because you have a family member that you worry is going to drive impaired and you want to make sure you protect them and your fellow citizens. So you say to the dealership: I want to have a switch in this car that I can shut it off in case I feel my loved one is driving impaired.

No. If you are going to buy a car, the government is going to mandate that that be in the car. You're going to get the kill switch whether you want it or not. The car is going to decide, the vehicle--judge, jury, and, as they say, executioner--whether you are going to keep driving or not.

It doesn't matter if it is 2:30 in the morning and Mr. Self--Mr. Self's family member, because Mr. Self is a little bit older than this now--but Mr. Self's family, his beloved family member is taking his wife to the hospital to deliver Mr. Self's grandbaby. Maybe he is driving a little erratically or a little differently than he normally does because the pressure is on. His wife doesn't want to have the baby in the car. She would prefer to have it at the hospital. Well, the car says: Hey, look. Something is off here. I don't like the way you are driving, so I think I will just shut it off and keep everybody safe.

How about this: What about some young lady who is leaving an establishment. She notices somebody watching her, stalking her, following her. She thinks, boy, I either better get home to my father or my husband, or maybe I want to get to the police station. I am a little nervous. I don't know what this person behind me is going to do. Maybe I run the stop sign or whatever.

The car is going to keep you safe. It is going to shut off for you. That is exactly what you need at that moment.

Again, hook this up with facial recognition software before an intelligence surveillance act, and you can see the whole world caving in on you and your privacy. That is the kill switch. Now ubiquitous, automatic--and it is important that you include automatic in this-- automatic license plate reading cameras installed ubiquitously now.

Two years ago, there were probably 500 of them installed. Now, there is 100,000. Businesses are talking about installing them on their location, and businesses are allowed to do that. Maybe they want to determine what time you show up, what you are wearing, what you are buying. It is one thing for a business to do it, but now law enforcement is also accessing it.

Again, when you have to fight the power of the State, it is very, very difficult. And we found out that automatic license plate readers are being installed near gun stores, being installed near gun shows.

Why would that be? To the gentleman from Texas, what if they are installed at your next rally? The law prohibits the Federal Government from compiling a database of those who own guns. But if we have a database of their car, their license plate, model, year of car, what time they came, what time they left, what they were carrying when they came out of the rally, the gun store, the whatever, well, maybe the government didn't get a warrant; but easy enough, Mr. Self, they just buy the data.

Now, I will say this: Myself; Representative Biggs, who is going to be the next Governor of Arizona; Representative Self, trying to save Texas, you won't find any Members more supportive of law enforcement than those three individuals and the people that come up and talk about these issues.

We want a robust law enforcement to go after criminals, to be armed with every single tool necessary for their success and their safety, but--people say: ``Well, you can't say but''--myself, Representative Self, Representative Biggs, and all of those law enforcement officers raised our hands to take an oath to defend this piece of paper that says you will not have your rights violated for expedience because it is easy, because it makes the job easier.

We want their job to be easy, but we have got to set rules here, and we have to follow those rules.

Finally, the Central Bank Digital Currency, I hear people in my office say to me: Nobody knows what you are talking about. CBDC, Central Bank Digital Currency, no one knows what you are talking about, so quit ranting about it. Well, they will know when it is too late, when they no longer have their dollar bills, when they pay with their phone or with their card, and we don't exchange--we are already not exchanging pennies. Oh, it would never happen. We are already not exchanging pennies.

The Central Bank Digital Currency means you will no longer be exchanging dollars, 20s, 50s, 100s. You will no longer exchange them. That will be done with a card. That will be done with a phone, and it will be monitored by the Federal Government at a central bank, digital, card, phone, currency, how you pay for things.

Now, maybe people say to me: Well, why should I care about the cameras? Why should I care about the kill switch? Why should I care about Central Bank Digital Currency? I am not doing anything wrong. Apparently, they haven't read Solzhenitsyn, right, because people didn't do anything wrong in the Soviet Union either.

But as often has been said--and I don't know who the quote really goes to because that is in dispute too, but governments have been known to say things like: ``Show me the man, and I'll show you the crime.''

With all of these things, that is what we are going to have in America. It is slow. It is creeping. It is insidious. It is like boiling the frog.

Representative Self from Texas and me are here to turn down the temperature. We don't want to boil the frog. We are trying to wake the frog up. Don't let this happen in the United States of America. Let's not be like the Communist Party of China with a system of social credits, because after all of this is in place, that will be next.

We say: Well, I am not doing anything wrong. I don't even go to gun shows.

Well, I don't know, there are a lot of people in this country that subscribe and ascribe to climate change theory and theology. It is almost like a religion.

Well, Mr. Self, I don't know, maybe you want to drive a 1978 F-250 with lots of carbon emissions. Mr. Self, I have got facial recognition software. I can see you in that old truck, and now I have got a license plate reader. It doesn't have a kill switch in it, but I

think you are exceeding your carbon credits for the day, Representative Self. And maybe I can't shut it off, but now I will send the police out to pull you over. But, Heaven forbid, if I can shut it off--maybe it is a newer one, and you are just driving too much. Maybe Mr. Self doesn't like flying to Washington, D.C., from Texas, so he says: Well, I will drive.

Well, my goodness, you are exceeding your carbon credits for the day, Representative Self. We have to shut that thing off. It is not because your daughter is pregnant. It is just because we disagree with you.

These are the powers that the government should not have. If this is a power that is available, it should be your choice whether you have it in your vehicle, whether you are surveilled on a camera, and whether you let the Federal Government determine whether you can buy something, how much of it you can buy, when you can buy it, how often you can buy it.

Then, finally, I want to talk to you about something that we see happening all across the country now: Data centers.

Now, we understand we are in an existential race against China, who calls us the enemy. They call us the enemy, by the way. China considers the United States of America an enemy, and they would like to defeat us. It is really important that we win this race on artificial intelligence, which requires the use of data centers. But the question is: Where all of these data centers are popping up, is this about the race against China for these data centers, or are we putting a data center up so that we can conglomerate data from automatic license plate reading cameras that are at this store or at that store so that that data can be bought so the other store can say: Well, how can I get this customer from going to that store to this store?

Hold on a second. I am all about commerce and competition, but my license plate and where it is and what it is doing there on what car is my business, not somebody else's business to just use. If they are going to use it, then they ought to pay me for it and ask permission or get a warrant--or get a warrant.

So I applaud my friend from the great State of Texas. I am happy to stick around and have a discussion with him, but we are trying to raise the alarm because the violations have happened. We are pretty sure the violations continue to happen if whistleblowers aren't lying to us.

We also know that some of the intelligence agencies aren't forthcoming with the information, right? So we have questions. We are here because we took an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and all of the amendments--not just some of them, not just when it is convenient, and not just to make things easy for some.

We want to protect America. We want to protect our liberties. We can do both. We have to do both. Just because we have these new capabilities doesn't mean that, suddenly, we walk away from what has made this country great.

With that, I will stay.

Would the gentleman from Texas agree that all of us men and women fall short of the grace of God?

Unfortunately, there is darkness within the hearts of men and women. On occasion, we all fall short, and this Constitution exists so that we have a remedy for the times when somebody misuses the awesome power that is provided at the government level, with the use of law enforcement as the enforcer.

I think back to a time not so long ago. There was a pandemic in this country. I was in some state of shock and disbelief that our government told people that they could not work, and that they could not earn a living. They were told that they had to inject an experimental substance into their body or lose their employment. People will say that it can't happen or it can't happen again, but it did happen. It happened just a little while ago.

I am talking to people who say--I see things with my own eyes right now, and I say: ``How did they do that?''

And they said: ``It is AI.''

Mr. Speaker, 6 months ago, we didn't have the capability. We have that capability now.

FISA still exists. Facial recognition software is available. The kill switch is still being mandated for your car. Automatic license plate readers are being installed by the thousands and tens of thousands. We are on the edge--as a matter of fact, we just passed a bill about 1\1/ 2\ weeks ago with a go-live date for a central bank digital currency.

The datacenters that are going to collate all of this information are being put in every single town, in every single State and county, it seems like, across the country, and people don't even know what the datacenter is for. I think people would support them if it was to fight China, but if it is just to collect all this data about all of us, I don't think people are going to go for that.

Yet, I think that is what Mr. Self is getting at this evening. Somebody has to be the stewards of this constitutional right that we have to our own effects, our own privacy, unless there is probable cause that we did something wrong. Not we are going to sweep it all up just in case you did something wrong or just in case we don't like you, and we don't agree with what you are

doing, and then we are going to declare it wrong and make it wrong and punish you for it.

Will the gentleman yield?

It has already happened. It is happening. It has already happened.

We already talked about the millions of Americans who were spied on under the guise of foreign intelligence surveillance. We have already talked about that. We have already talked about the government lying to us about the effects of the pandemic and forcing us to inject things into our bodies that were experimental.

These things aren't theory. These things aren't something that might happen in the future. These are things that did happen, are happening, and are happening at a more and more alarming rate, and are ubiquitous and becoming more ubiquitous in our society.

Well, it is interesting. Every single Republican Member here already voted in favor of limiting the government's ability to install a central bank digital currency. We have had assurances from leadership, from the top to the bottom. We are told that people in the other Chamber are all for it, as well.

It is fascinating and interesting to me that, as much as that may be true, and it is proclaimed, we simply can't seem to get an up-or-down vote on it, which leads me to believe they have every intention of instituting it.

The fact that they put a go-live date in the last bill that we passed should sound the alarm bell to every single American who doesn't want their bank accounts to be monitored and controlled by the Federal Government. Do not allow this to happen.

Mr. Speaker. I rise to recognize Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Justin R. Baysore upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement from the United States Air Force and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. SMSgt Baysore entered the Air Force in 2004, completing Basic Training and Security Forces Technical Training at Lackland AFB, after which he became the Response Force Leader with the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 2006, he served as the Entry Controller with the 51st Security Forces Squadron at Osan AB, South Korea. He briefly returned stateside, serving as the Installation Patrolman with the 88th Security Forces Squadron at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, before deploying to the United Arab Emirates as the Security Response Team Leader with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.

At the end of his active component enlistment in November 2008. SMSgt Baysore served with the 193d Special Operations Security Force Squadron in Middletown, Pennsylvania, where he served as the Fire Team Leader, and deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in 2009 and 2010 as a force protection specialist in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he ensured the security of a Special Operation Forces compound. During the deployment in 2009, he was selected to forward deploy to Fire Base Thomas at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, where he provided personnel security at an austere location.

In 2013, SMSgt Baysore transferred to Air Transportation with the 193d Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron as an Air Transportation Specialist. While assigned to the Cargo, Ramp, and Passenger Services sections, he handled cargo and passenger processing, aircraft on and off-loading operations, fleet service functions, and special handling of hazardous materials. In 2019, he deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, where he was crucial to the redeployment of over 75 personnel and 175 short tons of equipment back to the United States. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Air Freight Section of the 193d Air Transportation Function.

SMSgt Baysore has earned a multitude of awards, decorations, and recognitions, including--but not limited to: Meritorious Service Medal; Air and Space Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; and Air and Space Achievement Medal (w/1 OLC).

Just prior to his retirement, SMSgt Baysore served as the Air Transportation Function Operations Supervisor with the 193d Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron in Middletown, Pennsylvania, during which he led a 46-member flight overseeing critical cargo, passenger, and special handling functions for global air mobility operations across the Department of War.

In his civilian life, SMSgt Baysore enjoys camping at his river lot, fishing, and hunting. While he will continue to work as an FMS Program Manager with the U.S. Navy, he is retiring to spend more weekends with his wife and two sons.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored and privileged to recognize Senior Master Sergeant Justin Baysore upon his retirement after more than 21 years of uniformed service to our Commonwealth and Nation in uniform. His tireless, selfless, dedicated, and honorable service to his fellow Airmen and the United States of America, set the standard by which all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Senior Master Sergeant Jason W. Kerstetter upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement from uniformed service after 32 years of selfless service.

Originally from Richfield, Pennsylvania, SMSgt Kerstetter first enlisted into the United States Army in January 1993. Shortly after his high school graduation, he attended Basic and One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, graduating as an M1A1 Abrams Armor Crewman. Over the course of his 16-year Army career, he was tasked with various assignments, serving on active federal service with the Pennsylvania National Guard in California, Kentucky, and South Korea.

In 2009, SMSgt Kerstetter transferred to the 193d Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron, Pennsylvania Air National Guard--becoming one of the first senior Non-Commissioned Officers in the newly created Aerial Port. He deployed in support of myriad missions, including Operations Enduring Freedom and Spartan Shield. Most recently, he completed a tour with the 609th CENTCOM Combined Air Operation Center, serving as the Subject Matter Expert with the A3/4 Air Mobility Division.

SMSgt Kerstetter currently serves as the Superintendent of the 193d Air Transportation Function, part of 193d Special Operation Logistics Readiness Squadron out of the Harrisburg International Airport, Middletown, Pennsylvania, which supports the Department of War's capability of moving passengers and air cargo worldwide. As superintendent, SMSgt Kerstetter plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and controls ail transportation activities. Additionally, he determines and justifies personnel, equipment, and facilities required to accomplish air transportation functions.

Outside of the military, SMSgt Kerstetter has been married to his wife, Krista, since 2022, and has served our youth for the past 20 years as a fifth grade teacher in the Lower Dauphin School District. He also is a licensed soccer official (since 2013) for both the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and the United States Soccer Federation.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize, commend, and congratulate Senior Master Sergeant Jason W. Kerstetter upon the occasion of his retirement after more than 32 years of selfless service in the United States Military, and on a job extremely well done. His dedication, professionalism, and tireless devotion are a great credit to himself, our communities, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States of America, and set the standard by which all should be judged.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment increases and decreases the amount appropriated in the medical services account in the MILCON-VA appropriations bill to furnish stellate ganglion blocks, or SGB, in every VA facility, not just some of them.

SGB therapy is an outpatient procedure that has been used since the 1920s. It is safe, effective, and affordable, especially in cases where other treatments have failed, and is proven to alleviate common PTSD or PTSI symptoms, such as exaggerated responses and anxiety, with almost no known side effects.

By injecting an anesthetic agent into the stellate ganglion, nerves in the neck that control the fight or flight reflex, it helps bring relief to regions of the cerebral cortex thought to be abnormally activated in sufferers of PTSD.

SGB changes the paradigm of treatment from the failing perception of simply a mental disorder to that of a treatable injury. With traditional therapies as needed, that can bring long-term relief to the injured veterans.

As of 2018, only 11 out of all of America's 170 VA facilities reported using SGB or making it available. Making matters worse, a veteran must fail all other traditional treatments before being considered for SGB therapy, which, anecdotally, is effective 85 percent of the time.

The time, distance, and monetary burdens demanded from finding SGB elsewhere frequently prove too much. I have heard stories of servicemembers getting in a van and traveling from Alabama on their last dime to come up north to try to get the treatment. It leaves far too many of our veterans with options like self-medicating, self-harm, and, too often, suicide as the outcome.

Our Nation suffers 20 veteran suicides every single day. Enough is enough. This has been way overdue way too long. Far too many of our veterans come home to find the war comes home with them. Our current PTSD treatments provide relief for only a fraction of our veterans, and some really encouraging treatments are either unavailable or offered at too few facilities.

We have a moral duty to do everything possible to ease the suffering of those who risked all to protect our freedoms, our way of life, and our country.

This is an incredible PTSD treatment, the results of which I have witnessed personally.

This amendment increases and decreases the amount appropriated to furnish SGB in every VA facility, so you don't have to go to just some. You can go to any. It directs the Secretary of the VA to expand SGB access to veterans upon PTSD diagnosis by making it a covered treatment under Federal law.

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

Mr. Chairman, while the deliberative process is playing out, this treatment has been used for over 100 years, without any known side effects, without any damage to anybody. It is 85 percent effective for the users that have used it. I have witnessed it. If it is invasive, Mr. Chairman, it takes 15 minutes of lying down on the table and getting an injection, and oftentimes sitting up, standing up, and being relieved of your PTSD right then.

While they are studying it, while they are fighting at the VA over turf about which treatment is best, which practitioners should have primacy, 20 veterans a day are taking their own lives while they can't get the treatment.

While they are studying it, it is offered in 11 facilities out of 170. Why, while they are studying it, why are they offering it at 11?

While they are studying it, all the other veterans have to fail every other paradigm before they can get it, and often they commit suicide before they ever get it.

I am tired of waiting on the bureaucracy at the VA and the turf wars between practitioners to do something to save our veterans, and I am going to keep on fighting.

I understand the gentlewoman's comments. I just completely disagree. It is time for us to act while they won't. It is our duty. Abraham Lincoln said it is our duty to take care of those who have borne the battle. We are not doing it. We are waiting on the VA, these different doctors and paradigms to discuss, well, maybe this works, maybe that works. These guys and gals are dying every day. We have got to do something about it.

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

Mr. Chairman, since 2018, 11 VA facilities out of 170 have been using it, not studying it, using it. The study happened after that, and every day that the study is occurring, 20 servicemembers take their lives.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates between 11 and 20 percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom veterans have PTSD in a given year, 12 percent of Gulf war veterans, 15 percent of Vietnam veterans. Sadly, only 40 percent of these heroes will find relief with current treatments.

I am tired of waiting on the VA and this study, which, quite honestly, is just prolonging the turf war between practitioners there. Some of them say they should have primacy and this shouldn't even be involved. Yet, again, it is an outpatient procedure, 15 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we support our farmers, but we also support our consumers. I appreciate my friends on both sides of the aisle for this position, but these two positions of being for farmers and being for consumers are not mutually exclusive.

They are right that we should all have a choice of whether we buy E15 or not, but the problem is that we don't have a choice about the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires us to produce more ethanol than we ever use.

As a matter of fact, these folks up in the gallery here are paying about $750 a gallon to produce ethanol, about 2 to 4 gallons of water for every gallon of ethanol. Thirty cents of every gallon you currently buy of ethanol, after you pay the subsidy, is added to your gallon of gas price. This is going to raise prices.

By the way, you already have the chance to do this. Twenty-two States already have the option to sell E15 year-round. Less than 14 percent of fueling stations in Iowa, where they grow a heck of a lot of corn, sell E15 because the consumer doesn't want it. You get less miles per gallon. First of all, you pay more, subsidize it, and then get less miles per gallon when you put it in your tank.

This is craziness. As the price of fuel goes up because of Iran--not because of President Trump, but because of Iran--we are actually going to increase prices in this House if this bill is voted in favor of.

Delta purchased the Monroe facility in Pennsylvania for $150 million plus $30 million from Pennsylvania, but they spent $2.3 billion on renewable fuel compliance. That is 20 times the purchase price.

Where do you think the price goes, ladies and gentlemen? It goes in your wallet. You are paying for all of this stuff.

I absolutely urge a ``no'' vote on this. Let's not raise everybody's gas prices.

By the way, it doesn't help the environment, either. I have all of those numbers, too, but I am out of time.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Beth El Temple in Harrisburg on the auspicious occasion of its 100th Anniversary.

For the last century, Beth El Temple has been a thriving synagogue and a vital part of our local community. Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Beth El Temple has provided a home for Jewish families across Central Pennsylvania. From the first services, which welcomed the rising sun at the ark and watched it set at the doors to the Sanctuary by the river, the Temple has been a place where all are valued, and which the staff has continued to create a sense of community and belonging for anyone who visits.

Over the years, Beth El has significantly expanded its community outreach to a robust educational program, to include the Gersher Religious School, the Brenner Family Early Learning Center, and the PJ Library Program. Beth El also has a strong service and social action program, assisting and supporting service initiatives throughout the local community, and hosting food and essential service drives for the underprivileged.

On May 15 to 16, 2026, Beth El Temple will celebrate its 100th Anniversary at the Centennial Gala. Guest rabbis, community members, and others whose lives have been positively impacted by Beth El's presence and impact will join.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Beth El Temple and commend its 100th Anniversary and vibrant work. Beth El's impact on the local community, service initiatives, and welcoming environment continue to bring a light to our region and residents.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the good gentleman from Texas for organizing this.

Mr. Speaker, we sure appreciate our good friend Tim Reitz, and my good friend from Texas has laid out things about the Freedom Caucus that we have accomplished and the things that we stand for.

Everybody comes to Washington--I don't care what side of the aisle you are on or what district you are from--you want to make a difference. You want to make your country better. That is what I believe, but Washington has a way of capturing everybody that comes here that maybe has a little bit of a shaky foundation, not really sure about how devoted to that cause they are.

The Freedom Caucus, in my experience, are the individuals that came to save the Republic. That is what they came for and that is all they came for. They want to do the right thing even if it is at their own peril.

As the gentleman from Texas said, we are respected and lauded by many people across the country like at airports or in different cities, even in my own hometown with thanks for the things that we engage on and in for the American people.

We are not doing it for ourselves. We are doing it for the people that we represent. We are trying to make their lives better and save the Republic for them and their children and grandchildren.

With that comes the ire of many of the people that live and work and count on Washington, D.C., to keep on doing the same thing, which is take money from all the people in the rest of the country and spend it on the priorities of the people in Washington, D.C., instead of the priorities of the people in the rest of the country that are paying their taxes.

To be a member of this organization, you have to decide: Do I want to have zero friends in Washington, D.C., right? Oftentimes it is said that you can choose to have your friends in Washington, D.C., or you can choose to have your friends in your district.

Well, a lot of folks don't like that decision and who can blame them. Nobody really likes confrontation, generally speaking. I remember when Tim came to the Freedom Caucus because he wanted to be part of that fight. We had a lot of good candidates as I recall, but Tim stood head and shoulders above all the rest. I found out some years later that Tim is an Eagle Scout and his organizational skills and the way he carries himself, his professionalism is indicative of that kind of person. I probably should have known that kind of coming into the job.

Just like any other organization, we had our challenges. Not everything was perfect, but Tim dug right into those problems, those challenges that we had and made them right. Why that is important is because the organization has to continue, but the Members of Congress that are here, we didn't come to run an organization. We came to save the Republic, to fight for the things that need to be fought for. It is always easy to fight the other side, but it is hard to fight your own side.

Mr. Speaker, I am a proud Republican. I have been since first grade, but we don't always get it right, which is why people like me and some of my other colleagues are here to make sure that we get it right, to make sure that the things we do here are the same things that we told the people at home who elected us they are the same things we told them we were going to do.

Tim joined that effort. Of course, almost immediately upon joining that effort, getting some things right that needed to be dealt with in the organization, we found ourselves embroiled in this battle over the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

It shouldn't be personal. It wasn't personal for us, but we just knew that if we kept doing the same things the same way with the same people, we were going to get the same outcome. We just knew that.

Of course, we also knew that picking on your own team is frowned on by other Members of your team. Even though many of them wanted to see things change, they didn't want to go through the problems and the challenges of meeting that head-on.

Tim was right there in the dark hours of that whole thing. He had faith in us, and our Members had faith in him. He kept the notes. He kept us on track. This is what was said. This is what was going to be done. This is what was agreed upon. This is still hanging out there. Tim, in his own right, became respected in this body among other staff members and other leaders as a person that they could count on for his work who knew the issues, who knew the process, and wasn't going to take a bunch of crap that, quite honestly, gets shoveled around here where they just expect you to take it because that is the way it has always been done.

This organization and our successes are due in great part to Tim Reitz, which is why we are here because we want to honor him on his departure. We wish him well.

This is not easy. This takes a toll on you personally, professionally, and it is a sacrifice every single day. The long nights, the time away from home, the extended heartache and trouble, the ire, unfortunately, sometimes of the people around you.

They will be happy that it got done, but they won't like what they had to go through to get there. Somebody has to do that hard work. Somebody has to be willing to stand up and say, we are not going to keep doing the same old tired things, especially during the challenge for selecting a Speaker round

after round after round in the public. Everybody was watching. Somebody had to make sure that we maintained the direction and the course, the little details along the way. That person was Tim.

Since that time through the many, many battles all for the right reasons, all for the right things, there has been one person who has been at the epicenter of that unsung, behind the scenes, making sure that the details were recorded, making sure that we stayed on track, making sure that what was possible could be achieved, and that was our friend and our colleague Tim Reitz.

While we are celebrating him and his future because this place has a way of grinding you down and using you up. We are also very sad for the loss of someone that is so skillful, so professional, so respected, and achieves results. That cannot be found just anywhere.

We made the right selection then. He remains the right selection now. We are honored to have had him working side by side, shoulder to shoulder with us in these endeavors.

We wish him well. We know he is not out of the fight, but he is going to change his battle position a little bit. We are here to say Godspeed Tim Reitz. God bless you.

Mr. Speaker, I do have to say this, too, while Jody Hice is sitting here. We stole him from Jody. He was working for Jody and we stole him for a greater cause. Jody, of course, part of that cause, as well so he was gracious about it.

It is painful when you lose somebody as competent as Tim. The accolades all around and the well wishes all around. It has been my honor and privilege to serve with you, sir.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Sergeant (MSgt) Jeffrey Pautz upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard (PAANG) after more than 30 years of service to our Nation.

MSgt Pautz enlisted in February 1996. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, he returned to Fort Indiantown Gap to join the 553d Air Force Band, now known as the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast, wherein he served as an Instrumentalist for a multitude of bands, including the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, German Band, ``Guardsmen'' Big Band, and the ``Brass in Blue'' Brass Quintet, performing on trumpet and the French horn.

MSgt Pautz also served in myriad other duty positions, including: Assistant Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Supply; Additional Duty Unit Training Manager; Unit Information Systems Security Officer; Unit Equipment Custodian; Unit Computer Equipment Custodian; Assistant Director, Commander's Support Staff; and Director--Supply.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize and commend MSgt Jeffery Pautz upon his retirement from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and on a job extremely well done. His dedicated, tireless, and selfless service to his fellow Airmen, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, the United States Air Force, and our United States of America set the standard by which all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize Mr. Nathanael Etzweiler on earning the Royal Rangers Gold Medal of Achievement with Merit.

Nathanael has been a valued member of the Royal Rangers Outpost 242 for the past ten years, where, in line with the Four Gold Points on the Royal Ranger Emblem, he has grown mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. His time in the Royal Rangers has helped him focus on his physical health, grow his social network through the church and sports, and strengthen his relationship with God through prayer and scripture.

Nathanael's service in the Royal Rangers has allowed him to give back to the local community in myriad ways; to name a few, he has served Christmas dinner and provided gifts to children and staff of the York Youth Development Center, he regularly serves meals at local Veterans' breakfasts, does yardwork/cleanup for elderly families in his area, volunteers at the Christian Life Assembly church as a greeter at concerts and holiday services, and is a part of the Food Bank Prayer Team.

Throughout each level of Royal Rangers, Nathanael has received high honors, including the Ranger Kids Gold Trail, the Discovery Gold Eagle, and the Adventure Gold Medal. To earn these awards, he completed nine Leadership Merits, 232 Bible Lessons, and 35 various Skill Merits. He has read the entire Bible and, with the guidance of a mentor, has completed the Royal Rangers Capstone project--a self-evaluation and goal-setting study using Doug Marsh's book A Guy's Journey to Manhood.

Outside of Royal Rangers, Nathanael enjoys studying God's Word and praying. He loves the peace of the outdoors and enjoys hunting and trail walking with his father. He plays football, and is a natural leader and teacher who is patient and thorough. Nathanael aspires to continue to serve and grow in honoring God with his life.

On May 2, 2026, Nathanael will receive both the Gold Medal of Achievement and the Gold Medal of Achievement with Merit. These awards are a profound testament to his hard work, his passion for God, his ``service before self'' attitude, and his commitment to the Royal Rangers Code.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate Nathanael Etzweiler on his auspicious and impressive achievements thus far in his life. His service to our community and love for the Lord will have a profound and lasting impact, and I wish him Godspeed on his future successes and adventures.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Sergeant Armel Lovell upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard after 23 years of selfless service.

Master Sergeant Lovell served his entire career in 211th Engineering Installation Squadron. Some of his myriad job responsibilities within Cyber Transport Systems included deploying, sustaining, troubleshooting, and repairing standard voice, data and video network infrastructure systems, IP detection systems, and cryptographic equipment. Additionally, he managed devices and systems with the most current software tools and implemented and maintained all aspects of network systems, cryptographic equipment, and video services using technical data, voltage, waveform measurements, and block diagrams.

At the time of his retirement, Master Sergeant Lovell served as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Cyber Transport Unit. His work protecting and strengthening the Air Force's communications network helped keep his fellow Airmen and our Nation safe.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize, commend, and congratulate Master Sergeant Armel Lovell on his retirement upon more than 23 years of selfless service in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and on a job extremely well done. His dedication, professionalism, and tireless devotion are a great credit to himself, his fellow Airmen, the Pennsylvania National Guard, the United States Air Force, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Senior Master Sergeant William Corl upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement after more than 37 years of service to our Nation in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

Senior Master Sergeant Corl enlisted in the Air National Guard on February 15, 1990, with the 193rd Special Operations Wing. For the first 26 years of his exemplary career, he served as a Section Chief with the 193rd Communications Squadron, wherein he monitored technical and administrative operations to guarantee communications readiness for the EC-130J mission. While Section Chief, he assisted in mentoring his fellow Airmen, managing cyber and communications equipment, ensuring cyber network security, and supporting secure communications for special operations.

After his service with the Communications Squadron, Senior Master Sergeant Corl became a Flight Chief with the 211th Engineering Installation Squadron, wherein he led personnel in engineering, installing, and relocating critical communication-electronics systems to support U.S. Central Command deployments and missions, and strengthened technical compliance, quality control, and operational readiness of communications systems--both duty positions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Senior Master Sergeant William Corl upon his

retirement from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and on a job extremely well done. His dedicated service to his fellow Airmen, our communities, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, the United States Air Force, and our United States of America set the standard by which all should be judged.

Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate Master Gunnery Sergeant Scott A. Pifer upon the occasion of his retirement from the United States Marine Corps after 26 years of selfless and dedicated service.

A native of New Kingstown, Pennsylvania. Master Gunnery Sergeant Pifer enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2000 and entered Recruit Training at Parris Island. After superiors noticed his professionalism, leadership, and promotions while serving under Marine Aircraft Control Group 24 in Hawaii, he was selected for the Marine Corps Embassy Group. Between 2003 and 2006, he served as a Marine Security Guard at the U.S. Mission in Switzerland and the U.S. Embassy in Russia, where he protected personnel and information crucial to our National security. Master Gunnery Sergeant Pifer later served as a J-3 Deputy Director of Regional Operations at the Pentagon in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his illustrious career, he deployed to Japan with the Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron and the U.S. 7th Fleet (2002 and 2009), to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2011-2012), and to Qatar in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (2017).

Master Gunnery Sergeant Pifer earned a multitude of awards and decorations, to include the: Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd award); Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award); and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (8th Award). His administrative leadership at the squadron, battalion, regimental, and Marine Expeditionary Force levels has been instrumental in enhancing Marine air-ground task force combat effectiveness.

In 2017, Master Gunnery Sergeant Pifer was selected for the Congressional Fellowship Program and served as a Fellow in the House of Representatives. He also completed a tour with the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, where he managed personnel requirements as a military liaison officer. At the time of his retirement, Master Gunnery Sergeant Pifer serves as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Installation Personnel Administration Center at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, where he oversees primary administrative operations and ensures personnel readiness for over 3,000 Marines and Sailors.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Master Gunnery Sergeant Scott A. Pifer upon the auspicious occasion of his retirement from the United States Marine Corps after 26 years of honorable, tireless, and selfless service. His vast assignments allowed him to operate and engage in more than 20 countries, broadening his perspective and reinforcing the importance of service, diplomacy, and leadership at every level. The relationships he has fostered and the Marines he developed throughout decades of service guided by the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment leave a legacy that will endure long after his retirement and set the standard by which all should be judged.