Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize three outstanding high school football teams from North Carolina's 14th Congressional District who brought home State championships.

From my home county of Cleveland County, I congratulate the Crest High School Chargers, the 5A State champions. These young men showed grit, discipline, and heart all season.

Also from my home county, I congratulate Shelby High School, which earned the 3A title, continuing a proud tradition of excellence, proving that Cleveland County is a football home.

In northern Mecklenburg County, Hough High School captured the 8A championship. This incredible achievement reflects the talent and determination in communities like Cornelius.

However, these victories actually reflect much more than athletic skill. They reflect the support of coaches, parents, teachers, and communities who stand behind these teams. These young athletes made us very proud to represent the best of the 14th Congressional District.

I congratulate all three teams.

Mr. Speaker, before giving my remarks about the Affordable Care Act, I want to mention a couple of things.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I mention on the House floor the tragic passing of Greg Biffle, his wife, and two children in an airplane crash that happened just a few hours ago in North Carolina. On behalf of this body and all North Carolinians, I want to express my condolences to this wonderful family on this terrible tragedy. They will be in the thoughts and prayers of so many around the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I want to let this body know about the passing of a great leader in our State, former Governor Jim Hunt, who passed away today. The news came out a little bit ago from his daughter who currently is our State's Lieutenant Governor.

He was a great man and a great leader in North Carolina. He loved and cared a lot about public education in our great State. He was a man I came to know during my time as speaker of the statehouse and he was someone who loved his State.

Our thoughts and prayers and condolences are with his widow and with his family, particularly as we go into this Christmas season.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Haridopolos) affording some time to not only myself but to a number of our colleagues today to talk about the legacy of ObamaCare that we find ourselves inheriting here in this Congress.

It is a program that passed some 15 years ago before I believe any of the Members who have spoken so far today were even serving in this body. Here we are in a situation where we have to try to clean up this mess. Why would I say it is a mess?

Mr. Speaker, I can think back to a time before ObamaCare, back before this passed. Healthcare was less expensive. Healthcare was more accessible. A person could go out and afford to buy health insurance. Prescription medications were more affordable. In fact, when I talked to colleagues, when I talked to businessowners, and when I talked to folks, it was easier to be able to get good health insurance.

ObamaCare passes. What happens? We see healthcare costs spike. We see prescription drug costs go out of control. We see total inefficiencies in the system. We see a lot of wasted money. We see these phantom insured folks. These people aren't really insured, but insurance companies are receiving billions of dollars every year for coverage that simply does not exist.

Look at the premiums. Look at a lot of the sticker shock that a lot of Americans are getting right now during this time of year, as we are in the Christmas season, where they are told, they will have to pay more. They need to understand ObamaCare is what has caused all of this mess.

When we move away from a free-market system where we are allowed to have greater efficiency, when we have a system that strives for cost containment but, at the same time, great health outcomes, it works better.

Today, we hear stories of denials and delays, everything on insurance, and it costs more. That, my friends, is unfortunately the legacy of ObamaCare. It is why this body is not going to continue to throw good money after bad. It is an investment that is not paying off economically, and it is an investment that is not paying off for the health of Americans around this country.

On the planned premiums, the actual cost, the premium cost, ObamaCare premiums have risen two times faster than employer plans.

We have a chart. We probably can't see it on TV. There is a chart where we can see this thing spiking up right there out of control. Those are the resulting ObamaCare premium increases that are happening.

This is not acceptable, and it is not appropriate to keep throwing money after it.

These surging premiums are also driving a higher Federal subsidy cost. So what do we mean? The ACA subsidy grew from $18 billion in 2014 to $92 billion in 2023. Now, how many people out there think that they have actually gotten better healthcare in that period of time? I don't think many are going to speak up and say that they are.

Get this. I have talked about it going from $18 billion to $92 billion. This year alone, in 2025, costs are projected to reach $138 billion. Again, it just keeps going up.

The only thing my friends on the other side of the aisle know to do is to keep throwing money at it--keep throwing money at it; nothing to try to improve efficiency, nothing to try to improve coverage, nothing to try to improve the system, nothing but wasting more and more money in a system that is not working.

The COVID extension is what a lot of talk has been about. There was a temporary COVID extension that, when Democrats were in charge, they solely passed, right? They passed to put that in place. The Biden administration put that in with an expiration date.

Well, they knew it could not continue. They knew it wouldn't sustain. I think, frankly, they knew it wasn't going to work.

Get this. Let's say we went along with extending that. It would cost right now $335 billion over 10 years, which is going to, again, only put the budget more out of balance, is going to affect our national debt, and it is simply not sustainable.

The other thing that we looked at earlier was what is called the zero-claim enrollment. That is where folks really aren't even assured. I think they are called phantom insured. It is not real, but it is money being paid to insurance companies. These zero-claim enrollments have more than tripled--more than tripled--rising from 3 to 4 million in 2021 to nearly 12 million in 2024.

Get this. In 2024, about 35 percent of the marketplace enrollees had zero claims, up from 20 percent before the subsidy expansions. At the same time, these insurers received billions in taxpayer subsidies for enrollees who received no care, including--this is real numbers--$21 billion in 2023 alone.

To those folks watching, those folks who are genuinely concerned about improving access to healthcare and affordability, know that Republicans are serious about this. We passed legislation this week to deal with that--to look at some marketplace reforms, to look at association health plans, to look at PBM reform and transparency, and to do things to drive those costs down and to make healthcare more accessible.

Also, look at the bill we put in a few weeks ago to put $50 billion into rural healthcare that will help all of America. It will help my State in North Carolina, but it will help all 50 States because there are areas of our country where simply they do not have access to healthcare because of the rural location, distance to hospital, distance to provider, you name it. Republicans are putting those funds in there to make this more available.

Don't believe a lot of the hype on the other side out there of just spend money and spend money on a system that isn't working. Republicans are serious about improving healthcare for all Americans. The bills we have passed this week and the statements we have made are clear to that.

I appreciate Congressman Haridopolos, my good friend from Florida, for doing this.

I have to say, Congressman, you helped them bring attention to this. You did a great job in Florida when you were in the State legislature, the work that you all did, the work to help there and bringing this issue to the forefront here in Congress. Sir, as a colleague, I appreciate what you are doing, and I appreciate the time to speak today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cleveland Community College on the anniversary of its founding. Since July 1, 1965, when fewer than 40 students gathered in two rented buildings, Cleveland Community College has grown into a cornerstone of progress and opportunity for Cleveland County and our region.

Cleveland Community College has always risen to meet the needs of our community, training returning veterans in its earliest days, and now preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and others.

Thanks to strong leadership from the founding president, Dr. James Petty and the current president, Dr. Jason Hurst--and the presidents in between all those years--the college now boasts state-of-the-art centers for technology, emergency services, allied health, and workforce development, along with strong partnerships with local schools and businesses.

Today, it stands as one of North Carolina's highest performing community colleges. In fact, it is one of the highest performing community colleges in the country.

Mr. Speaker, again, I congratulate Cleveland Community College on its 60th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and the heroism of paramedic Mary Jolly of Gaston County, North Carolina, who tragically passed away at just 27 years old.

On November 15, Mary stopped along Interstate 95 in Florida to help a driver who had been struck by a vehicle. While rendering aid, she herself was hit by another car and critically injured. Mary, sadly, died exactly the same way she lived, which is serving others.

Since joining the Gaston County EMS in 2021, Mary distinguished herself as a highly-skilled and deeply compassionate paramedic and a member of the Swift Water and Surface Water Rescue team. She was named B-Shift Outstanding Paramedic in 2023, which is a reflection of her dedication and her professionalism.

Her colleagues described her as courageous and kindhearted to every patient she encountered. It is clear that her loss is felt across Gaston County and our greater region.

Mr. Speaker, we extend our deepest condolences and our prayers to her family, her friends, and her fellow first responders.

Mr. Speaker, as we take up the Senate- passed bill to reopen the government, I want to clarify that we should be proceeding through regular order before taking any action that could potentially impact the entire hemp industry and affect more than 220,000 American jobs.

Authorizing policy through an appropriations bill is counter to House rules and undermines the jurisdiction of our authorizing committees. Appropriations bills are intended to fund the operations of government, not to rewrite permanent law.

The Agriculture Committee is the proper venue to hear from stakeholders and debate this change. This provision should never have been added to an appropriations bill on the floor of the Senate without input from the farmers and small businesses who will be potentially impacted.

What we need is a measured, transparent approach that prioritizes public safety while preserving a viable path forward for an emerging American industry. Once the government is reopened, I look forward to working with my colleagues to restore certainty and stability for farmers in North Carolina and throughout the U.S.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the courage of Boy Scout Troop 39 from Matthews, North Carolina.

While on their way up to Camp Grimes, these scouts noticed the side of Calvary's Cross Church, in Casar, North Carolina, catching fire from an arson attempt. These young men did not hesitate. They pulled over, grabbed the water bottles and drinks they had packed for the trip, and started working together to put out the flames. Their troop leader said that at one point, the flames were shoulder height. Thanks to their quick thinking and resourcefulness, they helped stop the fire before it could spread and cause severe damage to the church.

This is exactly what the Boy Scouts of America stand for--being prepared, stepping up in the moment, and serving others without being asked. These Scouts set a powerful example for all of us. They didn't wait for someone else to act. They saw a need, and they took responsibility.

I am proud of these young men for their courage and presence of mind. Their actions made a real difference, and they reminded us all of the kind of character and leadership we should be encouraging in the next generation. Casar is lucky to have had them passing through that day.

Mr. Speaker, this debate about keeping the government open is not just an academic debate. I have been here about 8 months. Before that, for about 10 years, I had the opportunity to write budgets for our State of North Carolina in our State legislature. We showed how you can lower taxes, cut regulations, and turn things around, which we have done successfully. I am new in this game here in Washington.

I want to talk about something that is very important to my home State, and that is disaster relief after Hurricane Helene, which has been almost a year ago when that happened, and the ongoing efforts that are happening right now. I want my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to hear this very loudly and clearly. If the government is shut down, those relief efforts, which are vital to my State and other States, including California, that are dealing with cleaning up from disasters, those efforts will stop. That is malpractice. We cannot do that. It is vital to make sure that those things continue.

I am reminded, and I am going to give a shout-out to Chairman Cole here. Back before I was a Member last year, we came up with a delegation from North Carolina. We met with the chairman and other members of the Appropriations Committee. I am very proud of the way that they, on a bipartisan basis, funded that initial tranche of relief for our State and that we have done additional work.

Mr. Speaker, we need to continue the efforts to make sure that we rebuild in western Carolina and any other part of the country that has been impacted.

My request to my friends on the other side of the aisle: There is time to debate all of these other issues as this appropriations bill passes through the process, but this CR simply gives additional time to work through this and will make sure that these disaster relief efforts continue unabated. This is important. We owe it to the people of my district, of my State, and, frankly, to everyone in this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Officer Gabriel Stainback, a young man taken far too soon in a senseless tragedy.

Officer Stainback had just begun his career in law enforcement, sworn in last December to the Cornelius Police Department in North Carolina. He had a bright future ahead of him. He was recently married. He and his wife, Teonna, were out on a bike ride together when he was struck and killed by a vehicle.

No family should ever have to endure that kind of loss. This was a young man who put his heart into his community. He was a State champion athlete, a college graduate, a pilot, and, above all, someone who loved his faith and his family, as well as his community.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, his parents, and fellow officers. Officer Stainback represented the very best of us, and we will not forget him.

Honoring the life of Officer William ``Bill'' Broadway

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Officer William ``Bill'' Broadway, of the Huntersville Police Department, who recently lost his battle with cancer.

In 2016, he joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and later returned to serve closer to his home in Huntersville. His colleagues remember him for his professionalism,

but more so for the compassion and the courage that he brought to the job every single day.

Bill faced his cancer diagnosis with the same strength that he showed throughout his life. Even in his final days, his faith remained strong and his love for his family was unwavering.

Officer Broadway leaves behind a legacy of service and sacrifice that will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Sarah; his son, Declan; and the entire Broadway family.

Madam Speaker, I had some prepared remarks, but as I have talked about this and looked at it even more, this is probably one of the most commonsense bills that will come before this Congress.

This bill simply says if someone reenters or if someone commits a felony, that this law applies. These comments from the other side to try to confuse this issue, to misrepresent the issue, make no sense.

Surely, of all of the things in the world that we can disagree on, perhaps we can at least agree that we should not be allowing felons in this country, and that when someone is here illegally and commits a felony that this law ought to apply.

Have not the events of the last recent days shown that we have enough problems already? Why would we want to have felons from outside this country to come in?

I think about what we were talking about a few days ago back in North Carolina--my colleagues Mr. Knott and Mr. Harris are here--with the senseless murder of the young Ukrainian lady on the light-rail line. It turns out, by the way, that she and her family lived in my district. Then, of course, there is also the senseless murder yesterday, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the violence and evil that is all around us. This is one step to try to prevent and stem even more of that possibly happening. It is by dealing with dangerous folks, not just folks who come across the border for the first time and are dealt with in the normal way, but dealing with folks who are committing serious felonies.

This should be common sense. This is the kind of bill that should get 435 votes on the floor of this House. I hope my colleagues on the other side will reflect on this, will reconsider, and will do the right thing and vote for this bill.

Mr. Chair, we are not here today to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The Lumbee Tribe was already recognized by the United States Congress in 1956.

We are, however, here today to right a wrong, to end the termination era of Indian policy, and to take the Lumbee out of the legal limbo that they have been in for almost 70 years. It is the job of this Congress to right the wrongs of the past.

During the early 1900s, the Lumbee had numerous Indian agents sent by the U.S. Government go to the homelands, study them, collect data, and determine if they are, in fact, Indian. Each time the Indian agents returned to the District of Columbia, they reported back that these were indeed Indian people. They were Indian people who had survived disease, warfare, and colonization.

I know the Lumbee personally. They are a resilient, strong, and proud people. The Lumbee have served this country in every branch of the military. They contribute to our society. The Lumbee have a strong faith in God. They are good friends who value education, hard work, and community.

I am proud to stand with the Lumbee and urge this body to vote today to end a decades-long wrong.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening with a heavy heart because Iryna Zarutska should still be alive.

She fled Ukraine seeking safety and freedom. Instead, she was stabbed to death in a Charlotte light rail car by a 14-time criminal who should never have been back on the streets. In fact, this person had skipped bond on three occasions in the past.

Leftist politicians and judges who have enabled this violent repeat offender to walk have blood on their hands.

As the Representative of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, I am not going stay silent while innocent people pay the price for broken bail policies and soft-on-crime judges.

That is why I am proud to co-lead Chairwoman Stefanik's Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act, which will make it harder for violent criminals to slip through the cracks and walk free without proper review. In fact, it may even hold Federal funds away from local governments that refuse to follow the law and allow these soft-on-crime policies.

Folks in Charlotte and folks throughout this entire country deserve to feel safe. The system failed Iryna. If we don't fix it now, it will fail again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and sacrifice of U.S. Army Sergeant Michael Verardo. Michael was a devoted husband, father, and patriot who gave everything for this great Nation.

After being severely injured by IED attacks in Afghanistan, he came home and continued the fight on behalf of wounded veterans. I was honored to know Michael and his wife, Sarah, through their advocacy work that improved outcomes and changed the lives of countless veterans. I am extremely proud that we worked together on legislation that we passed in the North Carolina General Assembly for veterans and their caregivers for our State.

Michael inspired so many Americans with his bravery, his resilience, and his love for his fellow servicemembers and our Nation. We owe Michael and his family a debt of gratitude that we cannot repay, but I ask you to pray for Sarah, his daughters, and the rest of his family as they navigate this loss and continue his mission.

Mr. Speaker, digital assets are not some future concept. They are already a key part of our financial system, and Washington needs to start acting like it. Nearly one in three Americans have used them in some form, and we cannot afford to let our adversaries, especially the Chinese Communist Party, write rules for this new financial frontier as we sit on the sidelines.

That is why we are advancing these three critical pieces of legislation to make sure that America stays the world leader in financial innovation.

Under the Biden administration, America's innovators operated in a cloud of legal uncertainty, at best. Folks had to choose between dealing with outdated rules or taking their ideas overseas. The Trump administration, however, has taken a much more forward-thinking approach, and now it is Congress' turn to step up.

The CLARITY Act changes this to establish clear regulatory language that allows for the protection of consumers, while also giving innovators the certainty that they need to build and grow right here in the United States.

Stablecoins have shown real promise for faster, cheaper payments at home and abroad. They have opened access to the U.S. dollar for people who have never had that kind of financial stability before. Yet, while the private sector has raced ahead, Washington has been stuck.

The GENIUS Act fixes that. It gives stablecoin issuers a regulatory framework for strong reserves, real redemption rights, and smart risk management.

Finally, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act is about protecting liberty. It blocks the Federal Government from launching a central bank digital currency that could be used to track or control how law-abiding citizens spend their dollars.

Together, with these three bills, this is a big step forward. President Trump is making American leadership in financial tech a priority. These bills reflect that vision with clear rules, strong protections, and a real momentum to keep the dollar at the heart of global finance.

Let's make crypto great again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Helvi Luckadoo of Forest City, North Carolina, who recently passed away at the age of 94.

Helvi was born in Tartu, Estonia, where she enjoyed childhood until World War II turned her world upside down. At just 13 years old, she and her family fled the Soviet invasion, crossing the Baltic Sea to safety and eventually arriving in America through Ellis Island.

She built a new life in North Carolina, raising four sons, serving her neighbors at Rutherford Regional Health System, and later managing the bookstore as Isothermal Community College. She believed deeply in freedom, family, and faith.

Her story is one of perseverance and quiet heroism. Western North Carolina is a better place because of Helvi Luckadoo. She called it home, and she leaves behind a proud legacy and a family who loved her dearly. May her memory be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a deeply troubling breach of trust by one of our closest trading partners.

What happened to the Vulcan Materials Company is nothing short of a hostile act by the Mexican Government. This American company has operated legally in Mexico for decades, supporting critical construction projects across the Southeast.

Yet in 2022, the Mexican military invaded their site, shut it down, and seized control of their operations, including a strategic deepwater port only a few hundred miles from Florida.

Why? Vulcan refused to turn over their land to President Lopez Obrador for his own benefit.

This is an unlawful expropriation of American property by a foreign government, and it is a clear assault on our American economic interests and a threat to our national security.

Congress must stand united against this kind of aggression. I am committed to working with my colleagues and President Trump to ensure there are real consequences for this. We cannot allow a trading partner to seize American assets with impunity. Mexico must reverse course now.