Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend and fellow east Tennessean, Charlie Tombras, Jr. Charlie passed away at 83 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Charlie was a Knoxville native. After high school, he continued his education at the University of Tennessee where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

After his time at UT, Charlie served his country by joining the Army and heading to Vietnam, becoming a decorated Army Ranger. After his service, he returned to Knoxville to work for his father, the legendary Charles P. Tombras, Sr., founder of the Tombras Group Advertising Agency.

Charlie demonstrated grit and dedication to advertising and pioneered campaigns for many of the world's most recognizable brands. Charlie also kick-started the process of establishing the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations at our beloved University of Tennessee in 2022.

In addition to his successful business ventures, Charlie was a great outdoorsman, holding records in marlin fly-fishing, sailfishing, and spearfishing, and loved to spend his spare time in the Smoky Mountains and the rivers of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, Charlie was a known all-American family man, who passed in the presence of his loved ones after a long battle with leukemia.

We love and miss him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4405) to require the Attorney General to release all documents and records in possession of the Department of Justice relating to Jeffrey Epstein, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we Republicans are requesting this unanimous consent.

Are Democrats objecting to this request?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of my friend Bruce Hartmann in celebration of his amazing career. Bruce is a Knoxville native who served in multiple management roles at the Knoxville News Sentinel for twenty-six years, before serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Community Relations Officer at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Bruce's career began in Baltimore at The Baltimore Sun, followed by stints in Massachusetts at The Lowell Sun and in New Hampshire at The Nashua Telegraph. Finally settling down in Knoxville, he began work at E.W. Scripps Company, becoming the youngest President and Publisher of the Company at 36 years old. He oversaw the construction of the new Knoxville News Sentinel headquarters in 2001 and has been an integral part of the success of the News Sentinel.

Most recently, Bruce has served the Knoxville community at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He has helped the hospital secure more than 60 million dollars in grants for the advancement of patient care. He also helped establish the Fentress County Emergency Department and was a true pioneer of rural healthcare in East Tennessee.

Perhaps more importantly, Bruce has a wonderful wife, Tami, and together they have raised an amazing family. Tami and Bruce have been married for 44 years with three children and eight grandchildren. I am thankful for Bruce, his commitment to East Tennessee, and his advocacy for the University of Tennessee. We wish him all the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in disbelief over the fact that in our own Nation's Capital, prosecutors are allowed to prosecute criminals as old as 25 years old as minors.

While President Trump has restored law and order to the District, I am not surprised that D.C.'s local government continues to protect the criminals and ignore victims. The D.C. CRIMES Act puts an end to this madness and ensures safety and security across D.C.

At 18 years old, you are given adult responsibilities, like being able to vote or sign up for the military. At 18 years, you become responsible for your

choices and your decisions and should be treated as such. At 21 years old, you are able to legally consume alcohol. At 25 years old, you can become a Member of Congress.

This is why the D.C. CRIMES Act is essential to ensuring the long- term safety and security of our Nation's Capital so that violent offenders are not just handed any more get-out-of-jail-free cards. The bill also orders judges to stop sentencing youth offenders below the minimum sentencing guidelines.

It is time to bring back justice in America. It is time for fair punishment for the people who interfere with people's daily lives, specifically those with prior convictions. The revolving door of justice ends today. I cannot thank Representative Donalds enough for his vital work on this legislation.

It is time to push back against soft-on-crime judges and DAs. We are a nation of laws, Mr. Speaker, and Washington, D.C., should be a model for justice across our great Nation.

In no way, shape, form, or fashion should we be charging adults as minors and allowing them to return to commit similar or more violent crimes. The citizens, tourists, businesspeople, and every other member of this city deserve safety and security. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which will ensure just that.

We will restore D.C. to become the shining city on the hill that our Founders envisioned it to be. I again thank my dear friend Congressman Donalds. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, due to an illness, I missed the vote series on September 3, 2025. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 224; YEA on Roll Call No. 225; YEA on Roll Call No. 226; YEA on Roll Call No. 227; YEA on Roll Call No. 228; YEA on Roll Call No. 229; YEA on Roll Call No. 230; YEA on Roll Call No. 231; YEA on Roll Call No. 232; YEA on Roll Call No. 233; and YEA on Roll Call No. 234.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in sadness to mourn the passing of Detective Andrew Woods of the Union County Sheriff's Office who passed away following his heroic battle against stage IV cancer.

Andrew spent his career with the Union County Sheriff's Office, starting in patrol and working his way up to detective. He was known as a man who always showed up with a smile and served as a mentor to the younger officers. He was a friend to all in the department and the community.

Andrew spent his time as a volunteer firefighter while also mentoring kids in the community who wanted to be involved in public service and law enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, in his free time, Andrew spent time with his family, fishing, golfing, or watching Tennessee Vols whoop up on Alabama. Too many times, that didn't happen, Mr. Speaker.

Andrew was a person who all Americans should strive to be like. He was dedicated to serving his community. He was a good family man. He committed his time to helping children achieve their dreams of becoming law enforcement.

Andrew is truly a hero of Tennessee, Mr. Speaker.

I personally extend my condolences to Andrew's family and friends; my dear friend, Sheriff Breeding; and the entire Union County Sheriff's Department.

Our prayers go out to all of them, and may the Lord bless Andrew Woods.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very good friend of

mine and a dadgum good east Tennessean, Mr. Willis Roscoe Bowman, on his 90th birthday.

He is a lifelong resident of Bristol, Tennessee, and a lifelong entrepreneur. If I had to guess, I think his proudest accomplishment is his family. Mr. Bowman is married to his loving wife, and he is an outstanding father and grandfather to nine grandchildren. I know they keep him very busy.

He began his career after purchasing a small gas station, going on to own nine different domestic and foreign car dealerships across east Tennessee. At the age of 90, he still continues to go into the office three to four times a week, Mr. Speaker. I think Congress could learn a lot from his work ethic and dedication to his community.

Roscoe is also a NASCAR fanatic and never missed a race at Bristol Motor Speedway from 1961 until 2019. He even earned the coveted position of dropping the starting flag at a race. Over the years, he has become a collector of classic cars, restoring many of them himself.

Friends, family, employees, and customers of Roscoe's will always tell you that he is one of the best men in all of east Tennessee, and I agree with that.

He is most well-known for giving you his word and coming through every time, Mr. Speaker. This is yet just another example how Members of Congress could learn a little of something from Roscoe.

Mr. Speaker, from up here in Washington, D.C., I thank Mr. Bowman for his friendship, and I wish him the happiest 90th birthday. I thank him for his time and commitment to the people of east Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 260) to require a strategy to oppose financial or material support by foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations to the Taliban, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, my bill, H.R. 260, focuses on three main issues: one, keeping financial and material support out of the hands of the Taliban; two, reporting on cash assistance programs; and three, reporting on the Afghan Fund and the Afghan central bank.

Since December 2021, the United States has sent over $5 billion in cash to Kabul. This money has been taxed and stolen by the Taliban, yet we continue to send it.

Mr. Speaker, that needs to end.

The State Department needs to ensure that any aid does not go to terrorists in Afghanistan. We need to have a clearer understanding of the influence the Taliban has on not just international aid but the Afghan banking system, as well.

When this bill was originally introduced at the end of 2023, it did not mention nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan. However, our understanding of the reality on the ground has changed.

During a hearing last year, former Secretary of State Blinken admitted that over $10 million had been paid to the Taliban. Contacts within Taliban resistance forces have provided me with a different narrative. According to them, nearly all of the cash aid sent to Afghanistan ends up in the hands of the Taliban.

Mr. Speaker, they will hate us for free. We do not need to give them hard-earned American tax dollars. It is time we know what is going on and implement a strategy to make sure this aid goes to those who need it.

I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for working with us closely on this important piece of legislation and coming up with a bill that works for both parties. My Democratic friends agree that it is time to stop funding terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and across the Middle East.

I thank my dear friend Shawn Ryan from middle Tennessee, former Navy SEAL, who brought this to my attention.

I also thank my good friend ``Legend.'' He goes by that name because he has a hit out on his life because he has taken a tough stand. He is an Afghan that fought for America, and he is my friend.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the kind words that Representative Jackson said about me. He is probably one of my closest friends across the aisle. I don't agree with him on anything, but he is my friend and I dig that.

Mr. Speaker, we must send a very strong message that the United States will no longer tolerate sending U.S. tax dollars to terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and across the Middle East.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1998) to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to foreign persons engaged in piracy, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1998, the Sanction Sea Pirates Act, introduced by my dear friend Representative Jackson.

This legislation is a strong statement of intent that Congress will not tolerate the sea piracy which threatens trade across the globe. By modern standards, sea piracy may seem like an age-old problem, but the reality is it is very brutal. Sea piracy is a violent crime that endangers the lives of merchant sailors, disrupts global trade, and can cause massive economic losses.

America has long stood strong against sea piracy. However, in recent years, piracy has been on the rise, Mr. Speaker. Pirates, often based out of Somalia, have taken advantage of disruptions created by Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The result has been a disturbing spike in pirate attacks in the waters surrounding the Horn of Africa.

This bill uses economic power to support ongoing military efforts by the U.S. and its partners to combat piracy and safeguard trade in this vital strategic waterway. The bill imposes full financial and visa sanctions against any foreign person who engages in piracy.

By leveraging the economic power of the United States to supplement the work of our Armed Forces, we can help end sea piracy and ensure the safety of our merchant sailors. I support this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, June 16, 2025.

Hon. Brian Mast,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Mast: I write regarding H.R. 1998, the

Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025. Provisions of this bill

fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction,

and I appreciate that you consulted with us on those

provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be

discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it

may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.

The Committee takes this action with the understanding that

forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in

any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any

future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their

subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a

conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar

legislation.

I ask that you please insert this letter in the

Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 1998 on the

House floor. I appreciate the cooperative manner in which our

committees have worked on this matter, and I look forward to

working collaboratively in the future on matters of shared

jurisdiction. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the body to pass the Sanction Sea Pirates Act and send an unmistakable message: The United States of America stands firmly against sea piracy and is committed to ensuring freedom of navigation against crime in the high seas. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Ezell for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act.

TVA is a congressionally chartered American public power company that provides electricity to over 10 million people in Tennessee and six surrounding States.

Despite TVA's significant role in our daily lives, it holds most of its meetings behind closed doors. I believe Americans are sick and tired of these dadgum backroom dealings, Mr. Speaker.

The TVA Transparency Act requires all board meetings to be held in public and for TVA to provide at least 7 days' notice so that people know when and where the meetings occur.

This bill provides greater accountability to the American people while retaining reasonable FOIA--for those who don't understand what ``FOIA'' is, that is the Freedom of Information Act--and Sunset Act protections.

I have always advocated for more transparency at TVA, first in the State legislature, then as a mayor, and now as a Congressman.

I thank my good friend, Representative Cohen, who I don't see in here today, for his continued support. Steve and I were in the Tennessee General Assembly together. We raised the speed limit in Tennessee. We brought Isaac Hayes to the floor of the Tennessee State Senate. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) is the first person who ever fed me lobster, oddly enough. He has been a great friend, and he also called my momma when my daddy died. I am very close to Steve. Even though our political allegiances are about as far apart as they can get, he is still my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bipartisan bill and restore public trust in TVA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to honor the life of a great Tennessean and my dear friend, Bobby McClellan III.

Bobby passed peacefully at 59 years old surrounded by loved ones and greatly cherished by east Tennesseans.

Bobby was born into a seventh-generation Knoxville family, Mr. Speaker, with his father, Matthew, who is just a dear friend of mine and my daddy's. His daddy was a legendary businessman.

Bobby graduated from Webb School of Knoxville and continued his schooling at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he was a member of the SAE fraternity.

Bobby later graduated and went on to serve as general manager for his father's company, M.S. McClellan. Bobby married the love of his life in 2006, Julie.

Bobby also served his community by supporting the local animal shelters, national parks, and recreation spaces, and being a loud and proud supporter of the Tennessee volunteers.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke to my dear friends, Frank Nystrom and Tommy Siler, about Bobby and his life. The trouble with this job, Mr. Speaker, is that too many times we miss events, and I was not able to make it to his funeral because of things up here. I miss Bobby. He was a good man.

I hope everyone joins me in honoring Bobby by speaking out to maybe a beloved friend or family member that you haven't spoken to in a while, because when they are gone, Mr. Speaker, they are gone.

I remember Bobby used to say, ``There is no `Woo' in Rocky Top.'' If I had to explain, you would not understand, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. I thank him for taking this bull by the horns.

Mr. Speaker, as I have heard some of the good ol' boys say: It is cold in here. Maybe we need to start cutting some hogs.

If you know what that means, you know what that means.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address this body on the issue of stock trading by Members of Congress. We are public servants and stewards of our community. Why does Congress think we are above the law?

For years, Members of Congress have gotten rich on the backs of hardworking Americans' taxpayer money. Members sit on committees and go to private briefings where they get privileged information from companies informing us if the stock price will skyrocket or plunge.

We appropriate money to different economic sectors that may benefit our own portfolios, and who gets the short end of the stick? Hardworking, red-blooded Americans.

That is why I introduced the End Congressional Stock Trading Act to level the playing field and restore public trust in Congress. Every time I go back to east Tennessee, I get asked by my constituents: Tim, why hasn't Congress done anything to stop this?

My answer is simple. It says in my notes that Congress doesn't have the stomach--but the reality is we don't have the guts, Mr. Speaker--to sacrifice their own bottom line for the good of the country. I hope I am surprised, and I hope that Congress takes action. I doubt we will, seriously.

Mr. Speaker, we are public servants. We serve the people who we represent. We aren't elected to come up to Washington and get rich while our constituents oftentimes struggle to make ends meet.

I am here to serve the least amongst us and try my dadgum hardest to make the lives of east Tennesseans better, Mr. Speaker. I don't sell stocks. I have a mutual fund. I talked to my broker today, Tommy Siler, and I am proud to say that I have recovered from any losses, and I am almost at $11,000 with my mutual fund. Mainly, I trade baseball cards and comic books on eBay, and that is currently my portfolio.

President Trump said that if my colleagues pass the bill banning stock trading for Members of Congress, he would sign it. Let's see if we have the guts to stand up and do what is right.

When I was mayor of Knox County, there were things that would come before me. I would bring in my attorney. I would bring my buddy, Mike Jones, and I would bring in my dear friend Colonel Julian, who has since passed, Mike would tell me if it was legal or if it was illegal.

He would say: Well, boss, it is legal.

I would look at Colonel Julian, and Colonel Julian would tell me if it was ethical or not.

Mr. Speaker, this may be legal, but dadgummit, it is surely not ethical. We know what is right. We need to do what is right.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsor. It has been a pleasure working with the gentleman, who has been straight up, and I dig that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Devyn Martin and his coach, Tommy Eggleston. Both Devyn and Coach Eggleston have left an incredible, lasting mark, not only on West High School basketball but also on the entire community.

Devyn is a heck of a ballplayer, Mr. Speaker, and this year he earned the title of Player of the Year for District 4-4A, averaging a double- double, while being a key leader in the locker room.

As Devyn heads off to college to continue his career, Mr. Speaker, please join me in wishing him good luck.

Coach Tommy Eggleston joined West High School's faculty and coaching staff in 2011 and has always been a role model and tremendous leader for students at West High School. I have seen it firsthand, Mr. Speaker.

This past year he was promoted to be the head coach of the basketball team. In his first season, Mr. Speaker, he led his young men to a 21-4 record, finishing second in the district.

On behalf of all the Members in this Chamber, I offer congratulations to Devyn and Coach Egg, and I wish them the best of luck in the future. I can't wait to see what each of them achieve.

Honoring Mary Frances Tucker

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Frances Tucker for her service to the community with the Emerald Youth Foundation.

Emerald Youth Foundation is a Christian ministry that has served young people in Knoxville for over 30 years, offering ministry, mentorship, and fellowship. The organization under Ms. Tucker's board leadership serves over 3,000 young people each year in urban Knoxville.

Mary Frances Tucker has dedicated her life to Christ and serving the least amongst us. Her devotion to serving children in Knoxville started with raising four amazing children along with her late husband, Guy Tucker. I know her daughter very well. She is quite a lady.

Mrs. Tucker has spent countless days selflessly volunteering to make sure that inner-city children and young adults have access to resources that are so vital to their success.

Prioritizing education, healthy habits, and helping young people in their walk with Christ has allowed Mrs. Tucker to have a profound impact on countless generations of east Tennesseans. I have no doubt that every person who has been and continues to be touched by Mary Frances Tucker will go on to achieve great things and, most importantly, be good stewards of Jesus.

I had the time of my life the other morning having breakfast with her when they were honoring her, and it was quite a deal. She is quite a lady. I am proud to know her.

Honoring Miles Mencer on His Retirement

Mr. Speaker, I am going to change sides here real quick. I rise today to honor a good friend of mine, a great Tennessean, my buddy Miles Mencer, who is finally retiring after five decades of hard work in east Tennessee. I am sure he will continue to be a thorn in my side, Mr. Speaker.

Miles has worked his tail off for 54 years. He started working for his father when he was only 9 years old for Mencer's Tree Service in Knoxville, Tennessee. Miles eventually took over his father's beloved business, turning it into one of the most successful tree services in east Tennessee.

If you know anything about Miles, you know the impact that he has on a room when he walks in. He is one of the most fun-loving, outgoing, and dadgummit, he is just hilarious, Mr. Speaker. He is also a little bit too loud for my taste, but that will go for some other time. He is just an incredible person.

I always remember in junior high school, me and a friend of mine, who has since passed away, I was always the designated driver for obvious reasons, and we were going to a place out a ways, and Miles walked out disgusted. My friend remarked that we needed to turn around because Miles Mencer just got carded. He has been quite a friend of mine since then.

Please join me in congratulating Miles on 54 years of hard work and dedication to his community in east Tennessee. I know Miles will enjoy having more time to spend with his amazing children and grandchildren. I am sure he will continue to be a thorn in my side. I am proud to call him a friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to congratulate President Trump on a successful first 100 days in office.

Under President' Trumps leadership, he has successfully closed the southern border. For the past 4 years, our country has been invaded by illegal aliens, many of whom are on the terrorist watch list, members of the Taliban, members of the Chinese Communist Party, not to mention MS-13, gangbangers, human traffickers, and fentanyl distributors. They have also trafficked over 300,000 children, and who knows what hell those young people are in right now because of our callousness.

That has not happened under this President, though. Under President Trump's leadership, the border is now completely shut down. That means safer streets, safer schools, and safer communities, Mr. Speaker.

In my own community, some dear friends of mine, the Corcoran family, lost their dear son at the hands of an illegal. I see them and talk to them on a regular basis, I don't know anything that could ease their hurt except prayer.

However, as we now pass the 100 days since President Trump has taken office, it is time for us to do our jobs and codify these executive actions that he has taken to make America great again. If Republicans are serious about backing the President's agenda, let's do something about it, dadgummit.

That means making sweeping reforms that may actually involve some sacrifice, like passing a bill that I have--a shameless plug--End Congressional Stock Trading Act, which would level the playing field and help restore America's faith in Congress once again.

There is no reason in the world, Mr. Speaker, that we are individually trading stocks. Everybody ought to do like I do and have my buddy, Tommy Seiler, manage my portfolio of $11,000. I do not trade any individual stocks. It is all a mutual fund.

President Trump said if Congress passed a bill banning stock trading for Members of this body, he would sign it. I say let's give him that opportunity. Let's first see if Congress has the guts to stand up and do what is right. I sure as heck know that is what I will do.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon to speak to America about Abrego Garcia, the alleged MS-13 member and illegal alien who the Trump administration deported back home to El Salvador.

I would like to ask my Democrat colleagues this question: Where was your outrage when the Biden administration allowed millions of undocumented illegals into our country? Where was your outrage when my own constituents, the Corcoran family, were crying over the body of their child who was killed at the hands of an illegal? Where were you when Laken Riley and many other Americans were slaughtered by illegal aliens who were allowed into our country under your open-border policies?

Now you want to go on TV and act outraged about Abrego Garcia being deported? Give me a break.

Here are the facts. He was pulled over by the Tennessee Highway Patrol for speeding with an expired license. He was detained. He had folks in his vehicle that were apparently not American citizens. Then he was ordered by Biden's FBI to be released.

In court documents, his wife even said: ``At this point, I am afraid to be close to him.'' She goes on to say: ``I have multiple photos, videos of how violent he can be . . . ''

When Democrats grandstand on the deportation of a wife-beating El Salvadorian, MS-13 gang member and chant ``Bring him home,'' I have good news for you. He is home, and he will never be able to call America home.