Sheri Biggs

Mr. Speaker, every day law enforcement officers across this country put on the badge, putting their lives on the line.

Anderson County Sheriff's Deputy, Alex Albrecht, experienced that reality firsthand. During what began as a routine traffic stop with another officer, Deputy Albrecht responded to a call for backup and was shot in the line of duty while serving his community.

By the grace of God, he survived, has recovered from his injuries, and continues to embody the courage and resilience that define America's law enforcement officers.

Deputy Albrecht's story reminds us that there is no such thing as a routine day in law enforcement. Every traffic stop, every call for service, and every shift carries risk. Yet, our deputies and police officers answer that call regardless, putting others before themselves.

For the people across South Carolina, men and women like Deputy Albrecht represent the very best of public service.

May God continue to bless Deputy Albrecht, his family, and every law enforcement officer who faithfully serves our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. I really appreciate the leadership of Congressman Wilson and Congressman Fry's friendship.

Mr. Speaker, today, South Carolina mourns the loss of one of its most dedicated public servants, Senator Lindsey Graham. I can't tell you how many calls I have gotten this week, some of them not even our constituents and some of them not even from the State of South Carolina. I think the impact that Senator Graham made was worldwide, as my colleagues have already mentioned.

I know this week Governor McMaster appropriately named Darline to fill her brother's term, and I applaud that decision. We wish her success and Team South Carolina is here to assist in anything that she may need during her term.

Lindsey's story was a South Carolina story. He was raised in the town of Central, which is in my district. He learned the value of hard work in his family's restaurant.

After losing both his parents while attending college, he became the guardian of his younger sister, Darline, putting family before himself and demonstrating the character that would define his life.

As a healthcare provider, as a psychiatric mental health practitioner, I can't help but think about what that must have been like for that young man, the enormous responsibility and how he put everything before his own self. From that moment on, service became the defining purpose of his life.

Senator Graham earned his law degree. He served our Nation in the United States Air Force, retiring as a colonel after more than three decades. He devoted over 30 years to representing the people of South Carolina in the statehouse, in the United States House of Representatives, and in the United States Senate.

His commitment to service, his love for South Carolina, and his unwavering devotion to the people he represented will leave a legacy that endures for generations.

I have had members of the military call in this week to express their sincere condolences for our loss in South Carolina.

He was a friend to South Carolina, but he was also a friend to other States and other nations. He will be missed dearly.

Throughout his career, he was a steadfast champion of our conservative principles. Not everyone agreed with his politics and his policies, but one thing I think that we can agree on is that he did love his State and loved his country.

He fought hard to shape the conservative Supreme Court as we know it today. He defended the sanctity of life. He championed our servicemembers and veterans. He remained one of the strongest advocates for our allies abroad.

I was thinking earlier today, when we were in Seneca, South Carolina, with some Members who were supporters of Israel. We talked about our faith. I remember him standing in front of that congregation. It was at a church, and he was so passionate about his work and those people. He didn't hesitate for 1 minute to talk about his faith. Those are the things that I will remember, how strong he was and how he didn't waver one bit.

Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Senator Lindsey Graham's extraordinary life of service and in praying for his family and all who mourn his loss.

Mr. Speaker, I don't speak on this legislation as an outside observer. As a Member currently serving in the Air National Guard, I have worn the uniform. I have seen firsthand what it asks of servicemembers and their families. This legislation is written from experience, not just policy.

Mr. Speaker, more than 1.3 million Americans serve our Nation on Active Duty, and they answer the call with very little notice--shipping out on deployment orders, relocating their families across the country on PCS moves, or rushing to emergency assignments at a moment's notice.

They don't get to plan ahead. They don't get to choose their travel dates. They simply go because that is what the service requires.

Last summer, the Transportation Security Administration launched the Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease initiative to better support our servicemembers while advancing much-needed modernization across our aviation system as passenger volumes continued to grow. Depending on the airport, military members and their families may receive expedited screening through dedicated lines, preferred lanes, or front-of-line access.

My legislation, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act, builds on this important effort by establishing a 3-year pilot program to expedite security screening for Active-Duty military personnel and their accompanying family members with priority given to airports located near military installations.

That means in my home State of South Carolina, which is home to a number of military installations, servicemembers will benefit from faster, more efficient travel while maintaining the same high security standards.

Let me be very clear: Every passenger remains subject to appropriate security screening. What this bill does is gives airports the flexibility to implement the program based on their own operational needs, their proximity to military bases, and passenger volume.

This bill is targeted. It is practical, and it is fiscally responsible.

A few minutes saved at a security line may seem insignificant to some, but to a military spouse managing three children and a cross- country move on 48 hours' notice, it is anything but.

It sends a message to every servicemember and their family: America sees you, values you, and respects the sacrifices you make in service to our country.

I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation for our servicemembers and their families.