Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. G.V.V. Rao, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and true community leader.

Dr. Rao dedicated his life to service, both here in Virginia and around the world. His career and work on global development took him to the World Bank, the United Nations, and the Asian Development Bank.

In the community, Dr. Rao founded the Balavikas of Fairfax, an organization to promote spiritual values and education for kids in Northern Virginia. His PROCEED Project helped mentor low-income students in India as they pursued higher education.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Rao's legacy lives on in all the lives he touched and the communities that he strengthened. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) on their 100th anniversary of operations.

The American Type Culture Collection is one of the world's leading non-profit biological resource and standards organizations, supplying scientists at home and abroad with biomaterials that contribute to scientific breakthroughs and discoveries. For over one hundred years, the ATCC's mission has been to protect public health and help scientists mitigate global emerging infectious diseases.

I had the pleasure of visiting ATCC's repository and laboratory wing in Manassas, Virginia on May 12, 2025. This wing is one of the many ATCC centers that produces innovative scientific products used in countless research areas to address health concerns across the globe.

ATCC plays a crucial role in maintaining and advancing critical R&D functions in partnership with agencies like the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was also vital in responding to the Zika virus, COVID-19 pandemic, mpox, and avian flu.

ATCC's reference materials are used as a standard across prominent federal and global organizations including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the World Health Organization. In addition to reference materials, ATCC produces a wide range of cell and microbe products that are used in prominent areas of research including cancer research, genetic disorder research, and infectious disease research.

American Type Culture Collection was named one of Prince Willliam County's Best Places to Work in 2025 for their rewards and recognition program, diverse workplace community, and prioritization of employee well-being. Whether it be at the office or across the world, ATCC is committed to improving lives and communities.

Congratulations to ATCC on their 100-year milestone. I thank them for their valuable contributions to the scientific community, understanding of threats to public health, and advancements in scientific knowledge.

Mr. Speaker, Virginians are already paying the price for the one big, ugly bill.

Two small-town clinics and one regional urgent care center in Virginia just closed as a direct result of the bill. Now, six more rural hospitals around the Commonwealth are at risk of closure. That means mothers, children, and Virginians with urgent healthcare concerns have to drive further to get urgent care or wait months to see a specialist.

Remember, this majority and this President said that this bill wouldn't take away benefits or close rural hospitals. Well, they were wrong. We don't need more broken promises. What we need is a different approach, a one big, beautiful repeal instead.

Let's pass the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act, which will restore people's benefits and access to care, ensuring that people in small towns and rural communities will have more access to quality care, not less.

Mr. Speaker, today, on the 24th anniversary of 9/11, we remember the thousands of innocent people whose lives were lost, as well as the courage of servicemembers and first responders who responded that day, many of whom called Virginia home.

The emotional and physical scars of those attacks persist today. We have a duty to care for those who were affected by the devastation. That includes the servicemembers who returned to work at the Pentagon the next day and were exposed to asbestos and other toxins, causing lifelong negative health effects.

That is why I am introducing the Susan E. Lukas 9/11 Servicemember Fairness Act today. This legislation will close the gap in coverage and ensure that these servicemembers receive the care and benefits they deserve.

This bill is named after retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Susan Lukas, a constituent from Gainesville, who returned to work in the Pentagon the day after 9/11 and still suffers to this day chronic health issues as a result.

These brave servicemembers, like Susan, sacrifice so much to keep our country safe. They deserve our support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Captain Dannie Nelson Wilson, Jr., who passed away after a brave battle with cancer.

Dannie was a devoted husband to Tara, a supportive stepfather to Matthew, a loving father to Dannie III and Morgan, and an adoring Pap to Lillian and Ryann.

Dannie first joined the Loudoun County Volunteer Fire and Rescue service in 1989 as a volunteer. In 2000, he became a career firefighter, serving our community at various stations. He rose the ranks over his decades of service and ended up as a captain.

Captain Wilson will be remembered by colleagues for his depth of knowledge and experience, for his toughness, and also for his heart of gold. He expected a lot from his crew, but he also created a fun atmosphere to work in.

Captain Wilson's legacy of service, humility, and devotion will continue to resonate in Loudoun County and beyond.

May we keep his family in our prayers and honor his memory by carrying forward the values he lived by.

Madam Speaker, in the past few weeks, students returned to school across Virginia and across the country, including my two daughters.

Unfortunately, while students were enjoying their summer breaks, this administration moved to slash funding and resources for public education across the country. Those funds are funds that were needed to ensure that our kids get a great education.

This administration has now illegally withheld billions of dollars in congressionally approved education funding, forcing schools to delay or cancel programs.

In northern Virginia, our schools have been the target of even more funding cuts over culture wars and partisan politics. This has come at a time when Virginia is still dealing with learning loss.

As this administration has continued to make plans to cut even more education funding, including at the Department of Education itself, we need to make sure that we are pushing back and fighting back against these cuts because our kids are worth it.

The big, ugly bill slashed funding for Medicaid and SNAP, which families in our community rely on to keep their kids healthy and fed. If we really want to be profamily, prokids, and proparents, we would be investing in our students, not causing chaos and confusion by cutting resources and making our schools less safe and underfunded.

I will continue to work with my colleagues, and I hope this can be bipartisan, to push back on these cuts to education.

Combating the Rise in Hate

Madam Speaker, hate has no place in our communities, and that is why I condemn the recent hateful attacks on Hindu temples and mandirs all across the country.

From the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Indiana to the Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Utah, sacred spaces for faith communities have been targeted with acts of hate, vandalism, and desecration.

These are not isolated incidents. It is part of a rise in violence. It is a part of a rise in division in our country. It is not just happening to temples. It is happening to all places of worship.

Every American deserves the right to safely practice their faith without fear. That is why we need to continue fighting for increased resources for security at places of worship, like these temples. We must be committed to doing more to combat the rise in hate that we are experiencing in the United States to ensure that our communities are protected.

Madam Speaker, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do that.

Supporting Small Businesses

Madam Speaker, since May, 33 new small businesses have officially opened in Prince William County.

They include AlSham, a Syrian grocery store and bakery; GN Banquet Center, an event venue; Modern Remodeling, a restoration service; Shotted, a Saudi-style coffee shop; My Haberdasher, a custom suits and tuxedo rental service; Dry Time Restoration, a water damage service; Chocolate, which I guess is not a candy store but an apparel store in Manassas Mall; Doyle Systems, a full-service mechanical contractor; and Ebenezer Roofing.

The growth of these businesses reflects the innovation and entrepreneurship of our communities, especially of the folks in Prince William County. I am looking forward to continuing to support them as they continue to grow their businesses in one of the best places to do business in the country: Northern Virginia.

Recognizing Haymarket Gainesville Library

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and thank the Haymarket Gainesville Library for having a new collection of books in Nepali.

This is part of a greater effort in Prince William County to include more books in other languages, including Urdu, as part of their world languages collection. We have a great Nepalese community in our region, and we want to make sure that they are supported.

Nearly 175 Nepali language books and around 250 Urdu language books were received as donations by community members. This is a testament to the value of public libraries as a resource to our communities and the growing diversity of our region, as well.

Public libraries, including where our office hosts our office hours, continue to be an asset for all communities and age groups. I am proud that a library in my district is at the forefront of being that space for constituents of all backgrounds.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Judge William Webster, a husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, and resident of Rappahannock County.

He moved to Rappahannock full time during the pandemic after taking weekend trips there for over two decades. He passed away last month at the age of 101.

Judge Webster served his country for over 60 years: in the Navy, on the Federal bench, and as the Director of the FBI and the Director of the CIA. Judge Webster is the only person in history to have led both the FBI and the CIA.

Picked first to lead the FBI by President Carter in 1978, Webster sought to restore public trust in the Bureau, and that is what he did. He once said: ``Every Director of the CIA or the FBI should be prepared to resign in the event that he is asked to do something that he knows is wrong.''

Judge Webster's legacy leaves a lasting impact on the American people, the United States Government, and the Rappahannock County community. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and legacy of Jim Damare, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Jim was a passionate photographer and framed the world through his camera, capturing nature and small family moments.

He and his wife, Maria, moved to Northern Virginia over 30 years ago, raising four children and making countless contributions to our community.

As we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life well lived, one that embodied the principles of hard work, integrity, and love.

Jim's memory will continue to inspire all who knew him to live fully, love deeply, speak truthfully, laugh often, and always take the picture.

May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Hari Vadlamudi, a husband, dad, and beloved member of the Loudoun County community who tragically passed away in July.

Hari was deeply respected through his professional work in the IT field and through his service. He was the treasurer of HealUSA, a nonprofit organization that supports thousands of underprivileged children in India.

He was known by many as a proud volleyball dad. He was always the loudest one in the Broad Run High School gym cheering on his daughters.

Hari had a reputation for always going above and beyond for his family, friends, and community. Hari Vadlamudi's memory will live on and leave a lasting impact on all those who were lucky to know him.

May he rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, Virginia Federal employees are still being fired, RIF'd, and harassed by this administration.

Last week, I heard from a constituent who received a termination letter from the Department of Health and Human Services just hours before it went into effect with no access to their equipment, no offboarding information, and no details about their severance. This is one of the many, many stories that I get at my office every week.

Civil servants who dedicate their career to serving this government deserve transparency, clarity, and respect. But across agencies, this administration continues to blindly and abruptly fire Federal workers. What do we have to show for it? A complete and total brain drain.

We are losing talent and expertise in our Federal Government, all while the administration prioritizes tax cuts and handouts to the biggest corporations.

To my constituents impacted by these cuts, I will continue to demand answers, and I will continue to fight to hold this administration accountable.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable work of Sewa International, both in Virginia and around the world.

Founded less than 25 years ago, Sewa International is a global humanitarian organization committed to serving those in need.

Their mission focuses on several things, including disaster relief, rehabilitation, family services, women's empowerment, health, and education.

In Virginia, Sewa works hand in hand with local organizations to strengthen our communities. They support the big September 11 National Day of Service which will be happening again this year.

They offer after-school programming, provide meal service at local shelters, and help the next generation get involved, engaging high school students and volunteer work.

I am thankful for all Sewa International does for our communities.

Supreme Court of Virginia Prevented a Toll Hike on Dulles Greenway

Mr. Speaker, last week our community got a major win. The Supreme Court of Virginia upheld a bill that I had passed, one that prevented a 40 percent toll hike on the Dulles Greenway, maybe more. Without this bill tolls would have jumped from at least $5.80 to $8.10 each way.

For regular commuters like me, that is $1,150 back in their pockets at least. This is a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together to take on tough fights, including for families facing high costs. This was a bipartisan initiative because across Virginia and across the country families are feeling the squeeze.

Housing costs are up, childcare is expensive, and utility bills are rising. In Loudoun County, tolls add an extra burden to the cost of getting to work.

This win is a step toward lowering costs for all families and a step towards addressing the broader affordability crisis.

I am committed to continuing this work in Congress and fighting to lower tolls even further and pushing for policies that put more money back in the pockets of working families.

Honoring the Life and Memory of Supervisor Bob Weir

Mr. Speaker, I also rise today with profound sadness to honor the life and memory of Supervisor Bob Weir, who served the Gainesville District on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors starting in 2023.

A husband and a father of three, Bob dedicated the past two decades to serving his community. He served terms on the Haymarket Town Council and Planning Commission and over 2 years on the County Board of Supervisors, all focused on empowering his constituents in Prince William County to demand the best from their elected officials.

Bob cared deeply about his constituents and serving them. He was known

for personally following up with residents and addressing their concerns. He prioritized transparency, once saying: You don't have to ask me where I stand on issues because I am usually pretty clear about it. I am not going to sit there and obfuscate up there. If I don't like something, I will tell you I don't like something and why.

Bob's memory and legacy will live on through the lives that he touched. Our hearts go out to all of his family. Our prayers go with him as well. May he rest in peace.

Commemorating Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate Korean War Armistice Day and to honor the millions of servicemembers who fought during the Korean war.

This year marks the 16th anniversary of Proclamation 8399, a proclamation to establish National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.

I am proud to have introduced legislation in this Congress to help reunify families who remain divided from the war. I look forward to continuing to work to support our veterans.

I thank the Korean American Grassroots Conference and partner organizations like the Council of Korean Americans, the Korea Economic Institute, The Korea Society, the Korean American Institute, and Remember 727 for organizing this week's event.

Mr. Speaker, across the country, Americans' utilities bills are going up, and this administration's actions are just making things worse, giving out favors to the fossil fuel industry.

Last week, employees of the Department of the Interior received a memo, and basically what the memo said was that Secretary Burgum has to personally approve every single wind and solar project.

This will add red tape to renewable energy developments while stifling new technology innovation. It is just ridiculous. We want to be a leader in clean energy, but instead we are having the Secretary personally having to approve every single project.

They are cutting off the future of American renewable energy and leaving a void for our adversaries to fill. Our Federal Government should be investing in new innovations that help lower utility costs and allow Americans to live better and healthier lives. Instead, this administration is doing favors for the fossil fuel industry and picking energy favorites.

I think this is bad for every single American, and I think we need to stand up against it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate 37 outstanding students in my district who accepted appointments to the Nation's military academies. They just reported last week, and these are incredibly impressive young men and women.

My district, Virginia's 10th, has an incredibly competitive process and nominates the most number of people

to military academies of any district in the country.

These young men and women were able to get through our rigorous progress by demonstrating leadership, patriotism, and a commitment to service.

We thank the students for their dedication, their courage, and their willingness to answer the call. We look forward to seeing the incredible impact they will have as future leaders of our Armed Forces.

Medicaid Paperwork Red Tape

Mr. Speaker, we keep hearing the same thing about the big, ugly bill the President signed last week. We hear we are keeping Medicaid for the people who need it and only kicking off able- bodied people. This is simply not true.

These cuts to people's benefits are a little sneaky. It is not a work requirement. It is a paperwork requirement. They want to inundate people who need Medicaid as a lifeline with paperwork that will be difficult for them to do.

These are folks with health issues, folks on Medicaid with disabilities, mothers and fathers with multiple jobs and kids, or without access to reliable broadband in a few cases.

The red tape imposed on Medicaid by this bill isn't meant to be a flaw. It is the whole point. That is why they have pushed it forward past the next election.

We have seen this before. In Arkansas and Georgia, they promised to save taxpayer money with ``work requirements.'' All they did was kick people off who actually needed it the most. Unemployment rates didn't go up. Why? Many people on Medicaid are already working.

Who is better at paperwork? Is it someone on disability who Medicaid was intended for or someone who wants to defraud the system?

Most of the waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid is actually from providers and not from the folks who need it. No, the real fraud is this paperwork requirement. We need to get rid of it.

Concern for Educational Funding

Mr. Speaker, I rise today out of deep concern for students across Virginia and the country. Right now, this administration is withholding nearly $7 billion in congressionally approved education funding.

This is money meant for public schools. These fund after-school programs, teacher training, literacy training, and more. Without warning, the administration froze them. The result has been delays and potential cuts and layoffs. School districts, including the ones that I represent, are now scrambling to fill unexpected budget gaps.

I have heard directly from educators in my district whose jobs will be on the line and whose students risk losing vital support if this funding isn't restored.

It is our students who will pay the ultimate price, but it doesn't stop there. The Department of Education has been painfully slow to respond to those seeking help.

My constituents have been waiting for months for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness that they are owed. Others have been placed on incorrect student loan payment plans and subjected to poor treatment from loan providers. They are left frustrated and financially strained.

The administration must release K-12 funding and allow the Department of Education to continue their work. Our students deserve better than this waste and red tape.

Congratulating Madison Whitbeck

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to former Ms. Loudoun County, now Ms. Virginia, Madison Whitbeck.

Madison is a proud graduate of Riverside High School in Loudoun County where she cultivated a love for the arts. Madison will spend the year traveling to over 70 elementary schools, teaching students curriculum on making health choices relating to drugs and alcohol.

She will begin her work on the Arts for All initiative, as well, seeking to expand access to the arts for students across the Commonwealth.

Mr. Speaker, we congratulate Madison, and we look forward to seeing all the great things that she does.

U.S. Embassy Visa Uncertainty

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a concern I have heard from many constituents about the delays and uncertainty in the visa process at U.S. Embassies, particularly in Islamabad.

Families in my district have cases stuck in administrative processing with no clear timeline. These delays are keeping families apart, creating needless anxiety and making it impossible to plan for the future.

Just last week, this administration announced the firings of 1,300 staff at the State Department. That is 1,100 civil servants and 246 Foreign Service officers.

While these cuts may not directly impact those embassy operations, they are only going to have a domino effect that is going to hurt every single embassy around the country and around the world.

At a time of heightened conflict and global uncertainty, we should invest in our diplomatic and consular capacities, not reducing them. I hope that the work in Islamabad has improved so that our constituents can be served better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Brigadier General Donald Wayne Hansen, who recently celebrated his 92nd birthday. This milestone marks a lifetime of extraordinary military service and leadership.

General Hansen's nearly three-decade career began commissioning as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. During the Vietnam war, he served as an assistant staff judge advocate for the 1st Infantry Division, the legendary Big Red One, and later as a staff judge advocate for the U.S. Army Support Command in Saigon.

In 1985, he was appointed assistant judge advocate general of the U.S. Army, capping a distinguished career characterized by integrity, valor, and commitment to military justice.

I celebrate not only General Hansen's 92nd birthday but also his enduring legacy of patriotism and exemplary service that continues to inspire our Nation.

I thank him and wish him a happy birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.