Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, Anderson County is facing a heartbreaking reality. They have experienced 55 suicide deaths this year alone, the highest number ever recorded.

Mr. Speaker, 55 families are shattered; and a community is left grieving. The pain reaches across South Carolina's Third District and across America.

Having counseled hundreds of patients and as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I have seen what suffering looks like when it hides behind a smile. We often notice the physical scars, but we miss the wounds below the surface, the inward scars, the ones that ache in silence. We don't like asking the hard question: Are you thinking about ending your life? We have to, though.

I ran on the promise to help heal our Nation, and that healing starts with the unshakeable belief that every single life and every soul is created by God and with a purpose.

Mr. Speaker, if someone is hurting right now, I ask them to please reach out. They are not alone. They are seen. They are loved. They are worth it.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor an extraordinary man of God and a true pillar in our community. Dr. Steve Hurte is the pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, and I am blessed to call him my pastor. This year, he is celebrating 50 years in ministry.

Dr. Hurte felt the call to preach at the early age of 8, and by 20 years old had devoted his life to serving the Lord.

Since 2013, Dr. Hurte has faithfully pastored at Temple Baptist Church. Though he carries himself with humility and gentleness, when he speaks from the Word, there is a strength and an authority that can only be described as God working through him. He is unafraid to speak the hard truths of Scripture even when they are unpopular.

Dr. Hurte is proof of what God can do with a life fully surrendered to Him. He has touched thousands of lives, including mine, and South Carolina is better because of his faithfulness.

Mr. Speaker, please join me today in celebrating Dr. Steve Hurte for 50 years of unwavering service.

Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of this package because it includes several of my priorities that will directly help our troops, strengthen our national defense, and support American jobs.

One of those is my Made-in-America Defense Act, which ensures more of our military equipment is made right here at home, not overseas. That means more jobs for American workers and stronger partnerships with our allies.

This package also includes my efforts to improve our cyber defense and strengthen our military's readiness so our servicemembers are better equipped, better supported, and always prepared to meet the mission.

These are commonsense steps that put our troops first and make our country stronger.

I am proud to deliver results to South Carolina's Third Congressional District, where we honor our veterans, support our military, and believe in peace through strength.

Madam Chair, I urge adoption of this en bloc amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1000, a bill originally introduced by Representative Green of Tennessee, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable career and dedicated leadership of Sue Veer, who sadly passed away after nearly two decades of service as the president and CEO of Carolina Health Centers in Greenwood, South Carolina. She has left behind a strong legacy through her purposeful mentorship and healthcare advocacy.

As president and CEO, Sue led 19 medical practices that provide care for more than 26,000 patients combined. Her colleagues, patients, and partners in the healthcare space admired her innovative goals for community health centers. She is said to have inspired those around her to aim higher and make a difference.

Sue was a dedicated board member of the National Association of Community Health Centers and the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association. She championed local, state, and national priorities in the health center movement and will be remembered as a committed visionary. In her national work, she was a founding member of a lobbying group called 340B Working Table, which represents hospitals, drugmakers, and various health interests that work together to advance bipartisan 340B legislation. She testified before Congress several times to advocate for 340B progiams and affected patients.

Prior to her career in community health, Sue faced a life-threatening tragedy. A devastating dam failure caused extensive damage and heavy flooding in her town. This disastrous incident took the life of her young daughter. According to Sue, the kindness demonstrated by the healthcare professionals who treated her injuries and helped her move forward proved to be an inspiration. Her survival story, and the healthcare professionals at the forefront, led her to pursue a career in community health and sympathize with patients every step of the way.

Her compassionate ``Monday Messages'' of encouragement to colleagues and friends will be cherished and fondly missed. She is said to have cultivated many deep connections, and I pray for her family, friends, and loved ones as we all mourn her loss.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to represent the 3rd District of South Carolina and to celebrate the legacy of Sue Veer and others who serve people in need and inspire their community.

Mr. Speaker, President Trump made it clear: Put American jobs first, and cut the Washington red tape. I am proud to say that my bill delivers by turning the President's executive order into law and investing in American workers.

The Made-in-America Defense Act strengthens domestic manufacturing. It supports our allies, and it advances our national security, all by cutting through the Washington bureaucracy that too often slows us down.

Here is the bottom line: This bill will produce more jobs for our tradesmen and boost manufacturing in South Carolina and across the Nation.

For South Carolina's Third District, it means good jobs for welders, machinists, and engineers. It means new orders coming into counties like Anderson, Greenwood, Newberry, and Oconee, and many other hardworking blue-color communities all across the Nation.

Importantly, it means America's best equipment reaching our allies faster than ever before.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable American, a decorated combat veteran, and a steadfast advocate for our Nation's heroes--Staff Sergeant Jesse Taylor of Anderson, South Carolina.

Mr. Jesse Taylor was born in Waycross, Georgia, where he grew up enjoying the outdoors and playing sports. After graduating high school in 1963, he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed his Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, earned his Airborne wings at Fort Benning, and joined the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He later completed jungle warfare training in Panama before deploying to Vietnam in 1967. Serving with Cutthroat Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, Staff Sergeant Taylor fought in some of the most difficult terrain and combat conditions of the war, including operations in Phan Rang and the Central Highlands.

For his extraordinary bravery in combat, Mr. Jesse Taylor was awarded the Silver Star--the third-highest military decoration for valor-- presented to him by then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey. It is a recognition few receive, and one that speaks volumes about his courage and sacrifice.

When Staff Sergeant Jesse Taylor returned home, like so many Vietnam veterans, he carried the weight of war with him. But instead of turning away from that burden, he chose to turn toward others. He founded Vets Helping Vets Anderson, a grassroots group that brings veterans together every Wednesday morning. What began as a small circle of 14 has grown into a community made up of hundreds of men and women from every branch of service, bound together by shared experience and mutual support.

Through this effort, Mr. Jesse Taylor has helped build a place of healing and strength for veterans across Upstate South Carolina. His steady leadership, honesty, and compassion have made a profound difference in the lives of those who served--and I want to say personally, it's made a difference in mine as well.

Hearing the stories shared in that room and seeing the way Mr. Jesse Taylor uplifts others simply by showing up with open arms and a listening ear, has deepened my own understanding of what service truly means. It's not just about what we do in uniform--it's how we carry that spirit forward into our communities, day after day.

Mr. Speaker, Staff Sergeant Jesse Taylor embodies the highest ideals of service not only in battle, but in how he continues to serve others with dignity, humility, and heart. I am honored to represent him in Congress, proud to recognize his life and legacy in the official record of this chamber, and even prouder to call Mr. Jesse a close friend.

May God bless Jesse Taylor, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sheriff Lee Foster of Newberry County, South Carolina, for his remarkable service and historic leadership in law enforcement.

Sheriff Foster holds the distinction of being the longest-serving, currently active sheriff in the State of South Carolina--a title he has earned through decades of unwavering dedication to his community and to public safety.

First elected in 1988 and beginning his first term in January 1989, Sheriff Foster has faithfully served the people of Newberry County for more than 35 years. Throughout that time, he has been a constant and steady presence--trusted by his community, respected by his peers, and recognized at every level of government for his service.

His law enforcement career began in 1973 as a junior officer in the Town of Prosperity. From there, he served as Chief of Police in Little Mountain, rose through the ranks of the Newberry County Sheriff's Office, and served as a Senior Criminology Instructor at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. His is a career built on experience, earned trust, and deep knowledge of the communities he has served.

Over the years, Sheriff Foster has received numerous accolades, including the Order of the Palmetto--the highest civilian honor in South Carolina--the Strom Thurmond Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement, Sheriff of the Year by both the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association and the South Carolina Victims' Advocates Association, and Humanitarian of the Year by the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement.

He has served on a wide range of advisory boards and task forces at the state and federal levels, lending his expertise to efforts focused on violent crime, homeland security, victim notification, and training standards. But perhaps what sets Sheriff Foster apart most is his leadership style. He is hands-on, approachable, and deeply involved in every part of the Sheriff's Office--from administrative strategy to accident scenes. His example reminds us that real leadership is about showing up and serving others.

Sheriff Foster and his wife, Carol, live in Newberry, where they raised their two children, Joseph and Amelia. They are beloved members of their community and have given so much of themselves in service to others.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Sheriff Lee Foster today-- not only for his longevity in office but for the way he has served: with humility, courage, and a genuine love for the people of Newberry County. South Carolina is a safer, stronger place because of his service.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach law enforcement week, I rise today to honor a young man whose story reminds us not only of courage but of God's grace.

Nearly 2 years ago, Deputy Lucas Watts of Oconee County was shot in the line of duty during a traffic stop. At just 27 years old, he came face-to-face with death, and by every account, it is nothing short of a miracle that he survived.

Thanks to the quick action of his fellow deputies, the prayers of an entire community, and the healing hand of the Lord, Deputy Watts is still with us today. He is a devoted husband, a loving father, and a faithful public servant. Last year, he was named Deputy of the Year by the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association.

Through hardship and healing, Deputy Watts has remained a powerful example of faith, perseverance, and service.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Deputy Watts, his family, and every law enforcement officer who puts their life on the line each day. We thank them, see them, and lift them up in prayer. May God continue to bless Deputy Watts and all who wear the badge.

Mr. Speaker, I have seen firsthand the courage, the grit, and the sacrifice that define our Nation's Armed Forces. I have also seen the financial strain that far too many of our military families endure while they answer the call to serve.

While these men and women sacrifice daily for our country, their pay is still fully taxed by the Federal Government. Our servicemembers have defended freedom at home and abroad. They have fought for us, and it is past time that we fight for them.

That is why, this week, I introduced my first bill in Congress, the FIGHTER Act, to provide long-overdue tax relief to America's Active- Duty servicemembers.

This is more than a tax policy. It is a message of gratitude.

Now is not the time for more words but action.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with our warfighters, to support the FIGHTER Act, and to give our heroes the relief they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the body for the first time to express appreciation and exhilaration with the opportunity that sits before us now.

Last week, former President Biden addressed the Nation for the last time in a speech that was filled with blame-shifting and praise for his administration that left us with nothing but empty promises and lighter pockets.

President Trump is now at the helm, and I am confident that with his administration, in partnership with this House and our Senate colleagues, we will turn the page with policies that put America First, win the border war, protect tax dollars, keep our promises that were made to our veterans, and defend our sacred values.

That is what my constituents want from this Congress, and that is what I intend on helping deliver in my service to South Carolina's Third District.