Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in regret that I was unable to vote on Friday, November 21, 2025. Had I been able

to vote, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 305, H. Con. Res. 58.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the public service of Courtney Fry, who is departing Capitol Hill after almost 19 years with the House of Representatives.

Ms. Fry's tenure began in 2007 when she started working as a staff assistant in the office of then-Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Her competence, hard work, and dedication led to a 16-year career in that office, where she worked her way up to Director of Legislative Operations.

She then continued her service with the office of House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, where she has worked for almost three years as Director of Member Services. In this capacity, she has been a tireless servant to all members of the House Democratic Caucus, providing advice, guidance, and resources. Ms. Fry has not only been an invaluable partner to my office and my staff--she also became a friend.

I thank Ms. Fry for her countless contributions to the Caucus. She will certainly be missed here on Capitol Hill, and I wish her great success as she moves on to the next chapter of her career.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the week of September 30, 2025, as National Orange Shirt Week. Also known as National Week of Remembrance, this designation aims to honor those who were forced to attend Indian boarding schools.

From 1819 through the 1960's, thousands of Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their traditional homelands to attend U.S. boarding schools. At these schools, countless children were stripped of their cultural identities, often through physical, sexual, psychological, industrial, and spiritual abuse and neglect, all with the goal of assimilation into non-Native culture.

This issue is personal to me. My grandparents, Ruth Stacy and Lawrence Little George, both survived Indian Boarding Schools. I would not be here today if not for the resilience of my ancestors and those who came before me. Tragically, many other children of these schools never got to return to their families or their communities.

Hearing the experiences of Indian boarding school victims and survivors serves to not only honor the Native spirit, but also to ensure that these types of injustices can never repeat themselves. It is for these reasons that I heartily support National Orange Shirt Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the final flight of the Bravo Company, 7-158th Chinook Helicopter General Support Aviation Battalion based out of the New Century AirCenter on September 7, 2025. As a result of the Army Transformation Initiative, the unit was officially deactivated on September 15, 2025.

Based at New Century Airport for more than 40 years, this unit has become a staple in Gardner, Kansas and the surrounding community. From the familiar sight of the Chinooks flying over Gardner, to the generations of families brought to our community through their service at New Century, the unit leaves behind decades of memories.

I am deeply grateful to the soldiers and their families who were a part of this unit, especially those service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Our nation and communities are better and safer because of their service.

Furthermore, I want to express my strong support for the current service members who are facing uncertainty in the aftermath of the unit's deactivation. I urge Army leadership to keep these dedicated service members in mind as they continue with the Army Transformation Initiative. After all our service members and veterans have done for us, we must have their backs.

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

Mr. Speaker, first, I thank Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Craig, and General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee Chairman Scott for their leadership on this bipartisan bill.

The United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025 strengthens the United States Department of Agriculture's ability to improve grain grading technologies through flexibilities to pursue modernization. Using new technologies to improve grain grading is an opportunity to make the process more accurate, efficient, and consistent.

Additionally, the bill reauthorizes key USDA authorities for the grain inspection and grading system and clarifies existing law.

Reauthorizing the United States Grain Standards Act is critical for farmers and for the rest of the agricultural supply chain.

The inspections provided by the Federal Grain Inspection Service define and classify grains, as well as assign grades to specify weight and quality requirements.

These inspections provide a gold standard assurance backed by the U.S. Federal Government to both grain buyers and grain sellers.

I proudly represent Kansas, often called the Wheat State, where agriculture plays a critical role in our State's economy.

Kansas farmers feed not just the Nation but the entire world. In 2023 alone, Kansas farmers exported $5.2 billion in agricultural products around the world. Grain farmers in Kansas and across the country participate in a very competitive global market. Foreign grain buyers should be confident in the process we have in place to ensure that our exports are adequately inspected.

The bipartisan United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025 is critical for the global grain trade. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Craig, and Chairman Scott for their work on this bipartisan bill.

As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I have made it a priority to support family farmers and strengthen our supply chains because I know how vital they are to rural economies, to our global competitiveness, and to grocery costs.

To that end, the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025 is so important to ensuring the continuity and strength of our grain grading and inspection system. This is critical to farmers in Kansas and folks in the grain industry across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to honor Deputy Elijah Ming, who gave his life to serving his community.

Deputy Ming began serving with the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office on October 13, 2016. In his nine years with the Office, he worked in the Detention Center for six years, spent two years on Patrol, and spent one year in Court Transport. He was truly everything good you would want in both a law enforcement officer and in a friend. He was always willing to step in for voluntary overtime and to lend a helping hand. Deputy Ming's work with the department ensured the safety and wellbeing of Wyandotte County residents. Our community mourns the loss of Deputy Ming and will miss the bright, positive attitude he brought to the Office. He was a true patriot and a shining example of courage and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the crucial work of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, also known as HIDTA.

Far too many Americans have been tragically impacted by our nation's opioid epidemic. Thankfully, there is hope. Overdose deaths dropped by 24 percent from September 2023 to September 2024, and while that's something to celebrate, we have a long way to go.

The 33 regional HIDTAs across the country are comprised of federal, state, and local partners, resulting in robust interagency coordination to respond to the most serious drug threats to the region. However, recent proposals to cut HIDTA funding by more than 30 percent, and even to remove the program from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, threaten the effectiveness of HIDTA.

Without full funding, regional HIDTAs will lack the resources needed to maintain this high level of coordination. That's why I recently joined with my colleagues in urging House Appropriations Committee leadership to ensure that the HIDTA program receives the full funding and structural support needed to protect our communities.

Additionally, HIDTA's placement in the Office of National Drug Control Policy, positioned within the Executive Office, ensures policy neutrality, cross-agency alignment, and a whole-of-government approach that is essential to countering complex drug trafficking networks.

When it comes to HIDTA's great work, I speak with some experience. For years, I have held fentanyl roundtables that bring together educators, law enforcement, teenagers, health professionals, and more. At every single one of these roundtables, Midwest HIDTA Executive Director Dan Neill has sat and listened to the tragic stories of loss and the challenges faced by our communities.

Having spent a career in drug and law enforcement, Mr. Neill connects with my constituents in the Kansas Third District, and all of those in his six-state region, to ensure that the Midwest HIDTA provides the top-notch coordination and leadership that is fighting the fentanyl epidemic and has led to a reduction in overdose deaths. But just as HIDTA has supported us, we must support HIDTA.

If we want to continue building on the progress we've made and continue saving lives, we must resist calls to reposition HIDTA or cut its funding. I am grateful for the heroic work of HIDTA and the program's proven impact. I urge my colleagues in Congress to provide full support for this worthy and lifesaving program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the lives of Sarah Milgrim and her partner, Yaron Lischinsky, who were tragically killed in an anti-Semitic attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum here in D.C.

Sarah grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, a community that I have the honor of serving in Congress. She graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and the University of Kansas.

She was a devoted member of Congregation B'nai Jehudah and was dedicated to building understanding and connection between Israel and the United States. Her partner, Yaron, also shared that commitment.

This hateful and targeted violence is not only heartbreaking, but it is unacceptable. Anti-Semitism has no place in our country, and yet we are seeing a deeply disturbing rise in acts of hate.

To Sarah and Yaron, may their memories be a blessing.

To the Jewish community in Kansas, Colorado, and across the Nation, we want them to know that we are all standing with them. We mourn with them. We recommit to creating a world where no one fears for their safety because of who they are. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that Sarah was committed to that.

Mr. Speaker, I now ask my colleagues to please rise and join me in a moment of silence to honor the lives that we have lost.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate National Auctioneers Week, taking place this year between April 28 and May 3.

The National Auction Association, located in the Kansas Third District, is the centralized headquarters for all auctioneering businesses, and I thank them for their advocacy on this matter. Additionally, I would like to recognize Livestock Marketing Association and the National Auto Auction for their advocacy work on this.

An auction is one of the oldest methods of purchasing and selling goods and remains a prevalent practice in businesses throughout the country. And with rising prices, auctioneering remains a steady method of both purchasing and selling goods competitively. Auctions, and the auctioneers that run them, allow buyers an equal chance of receiving competitive prices for purchases and also allow the seller to receive the best possible return.

The hardworking auctioneers that spend their time coordinating with clients and holding these events deserve recognition, and so I heartily support National Auctioneers Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate March as Youth Art Month in Kansas. Youth Art Month exists to honor our student artists and recognize the value of art education, especially for our children.

In 1961, the Art & Creative Materials Institute created Children's Art Month as an event to emphasize the value of visual art education. In 1969, the celebration expanded to include secondary school students, and Children's Art Month officially became known as Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month is now celebrated across the Nation with art contests, exhibits, and special activities.

Annually in Kansas, every art teacher in the state is eligible to submit one student's artwork from their school to be showcased in the Kansas Youth Art Month exhibit at the Topeka and Shawnee County Library. Nationwide, a student from each state designs a Youth Art Month flag to represent their state at the National Art Education Association's Convention. This year, on March 29, 2025, there was a celebration to recognize all of these artists. At this celebration, students engaged in fun art activities, viewed the exhibits, and received certificates and prizes for their involvement in the event.

Youth Art Month exists to increase community understanding, interest, and participation in art and art education. Year round, Kansas art teachers strive to expand art programs in schools and provide opportunities for more students to explore their artistic creativity. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to these educators, and to the Kansas Art Education Association for organizing Kansas' Youth Art Month so that we can formally celebrate them and their students.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Women Construction Owners and Executives, or WCOE for short, on the organization's 40th anniversary. Forty years ago, a group of forward- thinking women construction entrepreneurs came together to help each other succeed in a competitive and male-dominated industry. Their goal was to promote business opportunities for each other and, as a result, formed WCOE. Today, WCOE is recognized as a leading national voice advocating for women business owners and executives in the construction industry.

From its humble beginnings as a small group of women entrepreneurs, WCOE has developed into a powerful and influential nationwide network of local chapters. True to its goal of supporting women in the construction industry, WCOE members continue to mentor each other, sharing their knowledge, experiences, and resources to help one another thrive. This culture of mentorship has been instrumental in fostering a strong sense of community and empowerment among women construction professionals.

Through various programs and initiatives, WCOE provides its members with the support they need to succeed, from business development and networking opportunities to educational resources and industry insights. WCOE has also been at the forefront of advocating for policies that recognize women in construction and promote equal opportunities within the industry. For example, WCOE was at the forefront of a hard-fought effort to mitigate fraud in the Women-Owned Small Business Program by eliminating self-certification. WCOE was also an early supporter of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to recognize the women who helped build this Nation, literally and figuratively.

I applaud this strong group of women, who continue to be a resource and an inspiration to other women in the industry. Their dedication, resilience, and vision have paved the way for future generations of women in construction. As we celebrate WCOE's 40th anniversary, let us recognize and honor the remarkable achievements of this organization. Together, we can build a brighter and more inclusive future for women in the construction industry.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H. Res. 153, expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the plane crash of American Eagle Flight 5342 and U.S. Army call sign PAT 25, introduced by my colleagues from Kansas, Representatives Ron Estes and Tracey Mann. I thank both Congressman Estes and Congressman Mann for their leadership on this matter as well as the leadership and cooperation of the entire Kansas congressional delegation.

The last couple of months have been heartbreaking and trying. It has been a hard time for our country and the U.S. aviation system. There have been numerous accidents, with the Potomac DCA midair collision being among the most tragic.

At approximately 8:52 p.m. on January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342, flying from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan National Airport, collided with UH-60 Army Black Hawk helicopter PAT 25 while on final approach to runway 33 at DCA, resulting in both aircraft crashing over the Potomac River.

There were no survivors. Mr. Speaker, 67 innocent lives were lost: 60 passengers, 4 flight crew, and 3 Army soldiers.

There is no one in my home State who hasn't been deeply affected by this tragedy. Kansas is known as the Air Capital of the World, a place where aviation is not just an industry, but a way of life. The passengers on Flight 5342 were our neighbors, our coworkers, and our loved ones.

We are forever grateful for the more than 300 first responders who arrived almost immediately on the scene to try to rescue survivors. Responding parties initially included Washington, D.C., Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Metropolitan Police Department, Virginia State and municipal police departments, and multiple Federal agencies, including the NTSB, FBI, and U.S. Coast Guard.

Sadly, this and other events stand as a stark reminder of the complexities of the national airspace system and that we shouldn't take the precious few moments with loved ones for granted.

We must investigate this accident thoroughly to prevent this event from ever happening again and ensure that aviation safety always remains a top priority.

With regard to the investigation, we are grateful to the NTSB personnel who are actively supporting the victims' families through the agency's family assistance program. Family assistance is a critical function of the NTSB and invaluable to those mourning the loss of one or more of their loved ones.

In times of tragedy, it can be difficult to sort through the torrent of emotions--sadness, rage, loneliness, and regret. While counseling cannot bring back the loved ones lost, it can help survivors process the storm and maybe, just a little bit, blunt some of the pain.

The NTSB is also leading the accident investigation itself. The agency deployed over 40 investigators alongside the Coast Guard, FBI, dive teams, and the Army Corps of Engineers to aid in the recovery and analysis.

Aside from the wreckage of both aircraft and the personal effects of the victims, the agency has recovered the recording devices from both aircraft, and they are being analyzed by NTSB experts.

This effort also extended far beyond the NTSB's personnel. Hundreds of government employees are supporting this investigative mission, including employees from the FAA, FBI, and Department of Transportation.

As a Member of Congress and as a citizen who cares deeply for U.S. aviation, I am proud of those public servants and grateful for their sense of duty and sacrifice.

Even though we all want answers, we must resist the urge to speculate on the causes of aviation accidents and allow the NTSB to complete its work. Aviation safety is dependent on a stable operating environment and technical analysis. I, for one, would like to trust the experts as they continue their mission to make the skies safer.

When the final report comes out and the time comes to act, I hope that this body remembers this moment. We must do everything in our power, working across the aisle, to prevent this from ever happening again. In the meantime, let us come together in expressing our deepest condolences and agree to this resolution.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the passengers, crew, their loved ones, and first responders.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam).

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 153, and I continue to express condolences for all the victims to their families, friends, and loved ones.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for yielding.

I rise in support of the bipartisan Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, or the SERV Act, which I introduced alongside Representatives Alford and Conaway. This bill honors our veterans' service by helping them succeed as entrepreneurs and small business owners.

My mom served in the Army for 20 years, and my grandfather served in the Army, as well. Through them, I learned about service, leadership, and dedication to country.

Our veterans defended our freedoms, and we owe it to them to provide real support when they return home. Yet, veterans face distinct barriers when starting a business, from accessing capital to overcoming stigmas around disabilities or PTSD. These challenges have contributed to a 35 percent decline in veteran entrepreneurship since World War II.

The SERV Act addresses these challenges head-on, ensuring veterans have the resources that they need to thrive. At a time when harmful Federal worker layoffs at the VA are making it harder for veterans to access support, this legislation is more important than ever. By strengthening SBA programs, we are investing in our veterans, creating jobs, and boosting our local economies.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and show our veterans that we have their backs, both in uniform and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Crowley, who has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. As a dustoff pilot veteran of the United States Army, CW2 Crowley is a hero to his fellow service members and a source of pride for our country.

In 1967, while CW2 Crowley was a pre-med student at Duke University, he decided to enlist in the United States Army to serve as a dustoff pilot. Dustoff pilots flew unarmed helicopter rescues of wounded soldiers and civilians from combat zones and were among the most perilous operations of the Vietnam War. These missions carried immense risk, with casualty rates exceeding 30 percent for pilots and crews. CW2 Crowley trained to be a dustoff pilot at the Army Aviation School at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he stood out as an exceptional student. Given CW2 Crowley's aptitude, his classmates and instructors recognized and awarded him the Guidon of Merit, a ceremonial banner which acknowledges excellence in leadership, skill, and performance among Army Warrant Officer candidates.

Throughout his career, CW2 Crowley flew over 1,000 missions, rescuing more than 3,000 wounded personnel in unarmed helicopters under extreme conditions. For his extraordinary bravery, he was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and received the Air Medal for heroism while participating in aerial flight. His courage and selflessness in the face of constant danger reflect the highest ideals of military service, earning him the well-deserved recognition of the Congressional Gold Medal.

I urge my colleagues to join me in thanking CW2 Crowley for his service to our country. He is a true patriot and a shining example of courage and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of SuEllen Fried. A shining example of a public servant, SuEllen made the lives of everyone around her brighter, particularly those who often went unseen.

SuEllen began dancing in the St. Louis Muny Opera when she was 17. Later, she received her master's degree in dance therapy and creative arts from Park University. While she had not planned a career in dance therapy, her desire to spread joy to others naturally led her to that vocation. One day she was asked if she would come to Osawatomie State Hospital to give cha-cha lessons to psychiatric patients there. At the time of the initial request, she didn't know how to cha-cha, but she ensured she led a class that was joyful and treated each participant with dignity. The class turned out to be a polestar moment in SuEllen's life, and she spent the following 17 years working at the hospital as a dance therapist and became the 100th person registered to do so nationwide.

SuEllen was also passionate about protecting children. She wrote or co-authored seven books on bullying and spoke at schools in 37 states to raise awareness at a time when bullying was an issue that received little attention. She also started the first state chapter of the organization that would later become Prevent Child Abuse America and served on the organization's board.

It was through her work with children that SuEllen became involved with the justice system. In 1978, she received a newsletter that said that 80 percent of individuals who were incarcerated for lifetime sentences at the Lansing Correctional Facility in Lansing, Kansas, had been abused as children. As a result, she had a series of conversations with the authors of the newsletter, which ultimately led to the 400- page Blue Book on the causes and results of violence. In 1982, that book became the centerpiece of the organization she co-founded. Reaching Out From Within, a program led by justice-involved individuals to empower and heal each other. That program has now been adopted into every state prison in Kansas.

The last time SuEllen left her home before her death, it was to say farewell to her friends in the Lansing Correctional Facility.

SuEllen received a variety of honors throughout her life, including serving on President Richard Nixon's task force on mental health, being named as one of President George H. W. Bush's 1000 Points of Light, and receiving the American Red Cross Humanitarian Award.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life of SuEllen Fried. She was a tireless advocate for the voiceless, a star whose light will forever be shining.