Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my concerns on the rising price of diesel fuel. Price gouging by greedy oil companies is causing hardworking Americans to struggle to fill their tanks. President Trump has already called on the Department of Justice to open an investigation into this abuse.

Behind me, to my left, you will see a chart explaining just how dire this situation is for consumers. Refiners typically make a profit of around $15 per barrel, or roughly 35 cents per gallon. Today, the refiners are making $117 per barrel, or $2.78 per gallon. That is nearly an 800 percent increase, Mr. Speaker, an 800 percent increase they are making on the backs of hardworking Americans--our farmers, truck drivers, and ultimately us, the consumers. Every day we go to the market and pay more.

That is why I am introducing legislation to implement export control measures on American diesel. Export controls drive down prices while also helping farmers and keeping more money in the pockets of consumers.

That is affordability, Mr. Speaker. That is what America wants. That is what they are asking for, and dadgummit we ought to deliver it.

These companies know they can make more money selling at higher prices abroad. American companies should prioritize American consumers and keep American diesel in America.

I ask the President to please call on Congress to pass this vital piece of legislation. I don't believe Congress has the guts or the willpower to do it. But the President has proven time and time again that he and Vice President Vance do have the guts to do what is right for this country. I call on the President--I implore the President-- please, to call on Congress to pass this vital piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my concerns on the rising price of diesel fuel. Price gouging by greedy oil companies is causing hardworking Americans to struggle to fill their tanks. President Trump has already called on the Department of Justice to open an investigation into this abuse.

Behind me, to my left, you will see a chart explaining just how dire this situation is for consumers. Refiners typically make a profit of around $15 per barrel, or roughly 35 cents per gallon. Today, the refiners are making $117 per barrel, or $2.78 per gallon. That is nearly an 800 percent increase, Mr. Speaker, an 800 percent increase they are making on the backs of hardworking Americans--our farmers, truck drivers, and ultimately us, the consumers. Every day we go to the market and pay more.

That is why I am introducing legislation to implement export control measures on American diesel. Export controls drive down prices while also helping farmers and keeping more money in the pockets of consumers.

That is affordability, Mr. Speaker. That is what America wants. That is what they are asking for, and dadgummit we ought to deliver it.

These companies know they can make more money selling at higher prices abroad. American companies should prioritize American consumers and keep American diesel in America.

I ask the President to please call on Congress to pass this vital piece of legislation. I don't believe Congress has the guts or the willpower to do it. But the President has proven time and time again that he and Vice President Vance do have the guts to do what is right for this country. I call on the President--I implore the President-- please, to call on Congress to pass this vital piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor the outstanding career of my very good friend and colleague, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, who has spent nearly 50 years in service to the great state of Tennessee.

Randy graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1962 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 1967. He put his degree to good use, returning to Oak Ridge and working as a pharmacist at Methodist Medical Center. Throughout his career in Tennessee politics, he continued to serve at the Medical Center until his retirement in 2010.

Elected to the Tennessee State House in 1979, Randy found his calling in financial policy, first as a state representative and then as a state senator. During his 26 years on the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, including a decade as chairman, Randy was instrumental in creating a balanced budget and maintaining Tennessee's ``Triple-A'' credit rating.

Throughout his tenure, Randy has been widely recognized for his outstanding public and community service, earning numerous honors from respected organizations for his leadership and commitment to the community.

While Randy has devoted much of his life to serving the people of Tennessee, his greatest source of pride is his family. He and his wife, Janice, have two adult daughters, Melissa and Maggie, and three grandchildren, Haley, Morgan, and Trent. As Randy retires from public service, I join his constituents and all Tennesseans in expressing my sincere gratitude for his decades of dedicated service and wishing him and his family a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the tourists up there in the gallery who, I am sure, are not here to hear me speak but are just getting out of that horrible heat. I welcome them to their Nation's Capital.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of Trooper William ``Buddy'' Bennett and his impactful career of protecting The Volunteer State for three decades.

Trooper Bennett is well known by the Tennessee General Assembly members and State House members and senators as a member of the Tennessee Highway Patrol's Capitol Protection Unit, where he was a friend to all.

In my 16 years in the State legislature, Mr. Speaker, I came across many State troopers who were as much a part of the legislature as we were. Trooper Bennett was always selfless and kind no matter who was there. He will be dearly missed by the State capitol and his colleagues, current and former members and Senators alike, and me, as well.

As a devoted father and husband, he will commit his time following his retirement to his wife and two children at his home in Lebanon.

I thank Trooper Bennett for his service to our great State of Tennessee, and I wish him well in his retirement.

Recognizing Don W. White

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the outstanding career of my very good friend and fellow motorcycle rider Don White, who has spent more

than three decades serving and protecting the citizens of Lenoir City.

A lifelong resident of Lenoir City, Don dedicated his career to public service by keeping drugs off the street and putting bad people behind bars. He built strong, lasting partnerships with the Federal and local agencies. He strengthened drug enforcement efforts, and he set a standard of excellence that has elevated the entire department.

As chief and later as public safety director, Don guided Lenoir City through periods of growth and challenge with steadiness, integrity, and a devotion to the good people of Loudon County. His influence was so impactful that the city opened the Don W. White Public Training Center in his honor, ensuring future public servants will carry forward the values he championed.

After 33 years of service, Don White leaves behind not just a career but a safer, stronger Lenoir City shaped by his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, as I have always said, that bald head is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a solar panel for a think tank.

Recognizing Kyle Hixson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the appointment of Justice Kyle Hixson to the Tennessee Supreme Court. As a seventh- generation Tennessean, Justice Hixson is the true embodiment of what it means to be a true Volunteer.

Justice Hixson has spent nearly two decades as a public servant and will continue to serve the good folks of east Tennessee in the highest court of our great State.

In appointing Justice Hixson, Governor Bill Lee selected a judge whose career is dedicated to upholding and fighting for the constitutional values necessary to maintain liberty and justice in Tennessee.

Justice Hixson has been a lifelong pillar of our great community. From working in his family's grocery store as a kid to raising his three very lovely daughters, he understands the strength of Tennessee lies in its families, its communities, and the people who call it home. Throughout his great career, he has remained committed to serving both his profession and his fellow Tennesseans with humility and integrity.

Justice Kyle Hixson embodies the volunteer spirit through hard work, faith, and principles. His appointment is a testament to Tennessee, and I am honored to recognize him today and call him a friend.

Mr. Speaker, due to a previously scheduled classified briefing, I missed the vote on June 30, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 233.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate your abilities at short stop, as well.

I thank Mr. Ro Khanna for his kind words. I have never heard the words ``extraordinary leadership'' attached to the named Tim Burchett before, and I thank the gentleman for that. I thank the gentleman also for including me in this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise, of course, in support of the bipartisan Government Audit and Accountability of Federally Funded State- Administered Programs Act.

This bill directs the Comptroller General, or our good friends at the Government Accountability Office, to produce recurring assessments of federally funded State-administered programs.

This report will compare trends across States and identify programs and administrative practices most vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse in State and local administration of Federal funds.

Every year, approximately $1.1 trillion of taxpayer dollars are administered by State and local governments. The money is administered with little or no oversight from the Federal Government.

How many times have we heard that we need to audit those folks? This does just that. By requiring the GAO to monitor and report on trends across States, we will begin to see which administrative practices are most vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse.

Recently, I have seen fraud run rampant at all levels of government. It is time that we mandate oversight so that the American people know where their taxpayer dollars are going.

Mr. Speaker, we have an obligation to our constituents to protect their hard-earned money. We have an obligation to make sure that government is working for the people. We have an obligation to actually do something, dadgummit, to rid government of waste, fraud, and abuse. It starts today with voting ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend Representative Ro Khanna for his support in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, and I urge my colleagues to pass this bipartisan piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Pete Michaels, who is celebrating 50 years of reporting traffic in Knoxville.

Pete is the embodiment of the American Dream, and how, when you put your mind toward something, anything is possible.

He was an entrepreneur from the beginning. Pete started with $7.63 in his pocket. With the help of a banker, he bought his first airplane before he even had a pilot's license and signed radio contracts before his business was even started.

Still to this day, you will hear Pete's voice across radio stations in Knoxville giving you a traffic report on all the major highways and roads.

Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to Pete on this historic mark of five decades on the air, and I thank him for taking care of the good folks of east Tennessee every day and for being my very loyal, longtime friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Wes Rucker, who tragically lost his life on February 19.

Wes was an award-winning journalist covering athletics at the University of Tennessee beginning in 2000 for, I believe, The Daily Beacon at UT.

Wes began his career freelancing across East Tennessee, covering the Vols and other professional sports. In 2011, he joined ``CBS Sports'' as a senior writer and also hosted two radio shows on ESPN Radio Knoxville. Wes also hosted multiple podcasts, was a Heisman Trophy voter, an AP football and basketball poll voter, and a contributor to the AP All-American Team and All-SEC selections.

Most recently, Wes joined WBIR in August of 2025 as a guest columnist and began hosting a weekday sports show in November of 2025.

Wes' legacy will live on through Knoxville and the University of Tennessee. He was known as a wonderful guy who loved every second of his job and being with the UT family every day.

I ask that if you get a second today to please say a prayer for his wonderful wife, his young son, and his unborn

baby. His wife lost her husband, and his son and unborn baby lost their daddy. I can't even imagine the hurt that that would cause, so please say a prayer for them.

Madam Speaker, dadgum, if I need 5 minutes, pull me off on this one, okay?

First and foremost, I express my deepest sympathies to those good folks who lost their lives at LaGuardia Airport in New York, and I hope we all remember them and their families in our prayers.

I rise today in support of H.R. 2247, the Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act. I guess it should be air people technically. My mama flew an airplane during the Second World War, so I would be remiss if I didn't say that.

Pilots are still required to carry paper copies of their original medical certificates and licenses. The FAA says that this requirement exists mainly because of concerns about forgery, but the FAA already keeps secure electronic records of these certificates.

The Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act would allow pilots to present digital certificates issued by the FAA administrator during inspections.

Now, dadgummit, Madam Speaker, it is ridiculous that Congress has to digitize pilot documentation because unelected bureaucrats decided to invent some unnecessary rules. To me, we shouldn't have to be on the floor of the Congress to do that, but this bill would allow airmen to continue to present physical certificates if they choose, providing flexibility while ensuring security and compliance.

The aviation sector remains burdened by outdated practices in an era of rapid technological advancement.

This commonsense legislation helps modernize the industry, enhances convenience for airmen, and aligns FAA procedures with 21st century standards.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation. I will also thank Noah Hooton in my office who did all of the heavy lifting on that. I appreciate the support from across the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Andy Collins, a lieutenant game warden retiring after 33 impressive years of service to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Andy grew up in Knoxville and graduated from my alma mater, Bearden High School. He attended the University of Tennessee and earned a degree in fisheries and wildlife sciences. He began his career in Hawkins County before moving south to Loudon County. His responsibilities eventually expanded to include 11 counties in east Tennessee, covering all of Tennessee's Second District.

Throughout his 33-year career, Andy has exemplified the mission of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the State's fish and wildlife. Andy knows more about wildlife than anyone I know. As a matter of fact, he has forgotten more than I will ever know. When I run into a problem on my farm, he is the first person I call. Whether it is with deer or turkey or anything else, he is always quick to pick up my call.

Andy will spend his retirement days doing what he loves best: spending time outdoors with his beautiful wife, Mary Jo; his son, Wyatt; and his daughter, Emily.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Andy on his achievement. I thank him so much for his service to our great country and to the beautiful State of Tennessee. It is a much better place because of folks like him and the great folks at TWRA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend of mine, Diane Jordan. She was the first Black woman to serve on the Knox County Commission. Diane served four terms from 1992 to 2007 and was known for her passion for improving Knox County while wearing some really cool cowboy hats of hers, and that is one right there.

Diane grew up in our community and knew it better than anyone. She was always serving and looking for ways to make it better.

In a time of great division in Knoxville, she was one of those who was always in the middle of it trying to fix things with peaceful conversations, Mr. Speaker, something we don't see a lot of anymore. She is known for her sayings about working together across the aisle to bring change to the people we represented as one.

We could all take a lesson from Diane, Mr. Speaker. After four terms, she continued public service through community philanthropy and mentoring other city officials, including my friend, former Knoxville Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie.

She leaves behind her husband of 41 years, Reverend John Jordan, eight kids, and more than 20 grandkids. She has always been in my prayers. She was a dear friend.

I remember when my daddy died, she was extra kind to my mama, and I will always remember that. I remember walking with her in the Martin Luther King Day parade that was always the coldest day of year, Mr. Speaker, and every dadgum person knew her. It was like walking with a rock star. She always made me feel very special.

Diane will be missed, but I know she is with Jesus right now, and she is doing better than all of us.

Mr. Speaker, the SAVE America Act will block illegal immigrants and noncitizens from voting.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there being spread by the media and my friends across the aisle. House Republicans and President Trump want to protect the ballot box and ensure integrity in our elections across this great country.

Only U.S. citizens should participate in the election process. The laws we create in Congress affect all Americans, and Americans should be the ones who select their leaders.

This SAVE America Act puts in place safeguards, Mr. Speaker, to prevent noncitizens from abusing our democratic process. United States citizens should be the people choosing our elected leaders, not illegal immigrants.

I am not a drinker. Everybody knows that. But I know if I go to Weigel's in Knoxville, Tennessee, down on the corner of Emory Road and Tazewell Pike, and I go in there to buy a six-pack or a can of Skoal or a scratch-off, then I have to produce an ID.

Mr. Speaker, when you purchase a firearm, when you board a plane, and when you open a bank account, if I put $100 in the bank and right then ask for $20 of it back, I have to show a dadgum ID.

Why can't you vote for an elected official without one, Mr. Speaker?

This legislation codifies President Trump's executive action to secure our voter registration process, which has been a key platform of President Trump this term.

Democrats are lying, Mr. Speaker, saying this bill prevents minorities from registering to vote. It protects their vote. It protects every American citizen's vote. It disgusts me, and, frankly, I find it racist to assume that minorities cannot obtain an ID.

We need to have the guts to stand up and protect our dadgum election, Mr. Speaker, and that means we need to pass the SAVE America Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today remembering the life and the legacy of a dear lady, Natalie Haslam, who passed away on January 16. Natalie set the true example of what it means to be a volunteer. She spent her life giving back to our community and the people who are in it, and, of course, to our great University of Tennessee.

Born in 1931, Natalie was raised in Knoxville and graduated from UT in 1953. In 1974, she married Jim Haslam, the owner and founder of Pilot Company. She is known for her leadership and philanthropy. Natalie became the first woman to serve as the chair of the East Tennessee Foundation Board in 1987.

I always remember Ms. Haslam when my dad died. I was at the mortuary, actually, with my mama picking out my dad's casket. Big Jim and Natalie called me and told me that everything would be all right and if I needed anything, just to call. I also remember when Mr. Haslam and I would be at events together. She would always shush us and then just give us a smile.

While serving the Knoxville community, her commitments to the University of Tennessee remained unmatched. Natalie and Jim through the Haslam Foundation donated $32 million to UT with $10 million going toward the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center. It is one of the finest music centers not just in the State of Tennessee or the country, but the world, Mr. Speaker.

Natalie is survived by her husband, Jim; three granddaughters; three stepchildren; six grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was a true humanitarian. She will always be remembered as someone in east Tennessee who gave back to a place where she lived and loved. I will always remember her as a very classy lady.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my good friend, Johnny Wayne Farris, who was recently nominated as candidate for Time magazine Dealer of the Year. He is also being recognized nationally by Time magazine for his community service and industry accomplishments.

Johnny Wayne Farris is the president of Farris Motor Company, founded by his grandfather in 1929. Farris grew up in the industry and joined the company full-time in 1972--when I was in the second grade, Mr. Speaker--after graduating from Tennessee Tech University.

Farris Motor Company's mission is to be the dealer of people and truly has accomplished that in his time with the company across Tennessee.

Farris has an honorable record of humanitarian aid and philanthropy, as well. He has shipped over 140 containers of humanitarian assistance over the last 12 years to support east Tennessee families and refugees at home and abroad.

Johnny Wayne Farris is not only a great businessman; he is in my fraternity, Sigma Chi. He is also even a better member of his community, helping anyone and everyone he can.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my dear friend, Johnny Wayne Farris, and thank him for all that he has done for east Tennessee and me and my family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend and fellow east Tennessean, Reverend Harold Middlebrook.

Reverend Middlebrook moved to east Tennessee, my district, actually, in 1977. Of course, I was in the seventh grade then. I don't know if technically it would be called my district, but he was the pastor of the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ.

Before moving to Knoxville, Reverend Middlebrook played a crucial role in the civil rights movement. He was a close friend of Dr. King. He joined the Memphis sanitation workers strike, and that was a labor and civil rights movement where sanitation workers protested unsafe working conditions and low wages. He was at the Lorraine Motel when Dr. King was assassinated.

In 1986, he founded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Commission in Knoxville. I will say, for the record, every time they do the parade, it is the coldest day of the year, just for the record.

He was also president of the Bolivar Human Development Corporation and adviser to the Hardeman County Bi-Racial Commission. He was a co- coordinator of the Hardeman County Political Action Commission, and he was an advisory member to the Tennessee Public Service Commission.

Beyond his leadership, Reverend Middlebrook is a loving father to three children, as was stated earlier, two of whom followed in his footsteps to work in public service.

Reverend Middlebrook spent his life befriending and mentoring folks in our community. Many friends of mine and I have sought his counsel. Just for the record, Mr. Speaker, he has never voted for me. He is not a member of my political party, but we are still very good friends. I think that is something that is missing in this country.

When I was mayor of Knox County, I would always invite a bunch of young people from the office to go down to Calhoun's, and we would all eat a bunch of barbecue. I would want those young people to understand that the civil rights movement was not something in black and white on the History Channel. It was real life. People got their heads cracked, and people lost their lives. Dr. Middlebrook, I think, got arrested over 40 times during all of that. He is an inspiration to me.

One other story: We were at an NAACP dinner one night, and they were asking everybody to sit at the head table. I was mayor at the time, and they asked me to sit at that head table. I noted that Dr. Middlebrook and his bride were not sitting at that head table, and I said: No, my wife and I will sit over here off to the side. I like to run with the ones that brought me to the table, and Dr. Middlebrook is one of those guys. He believed in dignity for all, and he is a testament to his faith in Jesus.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this.