Tim Walberg

Mr Speaker, I rise to recognize Turner Korotzer of Hillsdale as the Veteran of the Month for September, and honor him for his sacrifice and service on behalf of a grateful Nation.

Turner enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2015, serving proudly as a Network Administrator with the Headquarters Battalion of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton in California. During his service, Turner deployed twice to Kuwait and later to Syria with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Throughout his time in the service, Turner's dedication

to our Nation and local community earned him the Navy Achievement Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

After leaving active duty, Turner's commitment to serving others never ceased, and he became an active member of the local veteran community, joining multiple veteran service organizations, including the Hillsdale American Legion. Turner eventually took on a leadership role with the American Legion, helping to plan Hillsdale's annual Independence Day fireworks event. He also has demonstrated deep dedication to his fellow veterans, providing peer support and, in 2025, organizing and participating in the cleanup of the property of a Vietnam veteran who needed assistance. Over the years, Turner has also volunteered with the Major Henry Holloway Canteen Unit, supporting local fire departments in the Hillsdale community.

Turner Korotzer's dedication to service and unwavering commitment to both our Nation and Michigan's local communities should serve as an inspiration to us all. I am honored to share his story today, and I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the esteemed accomplishments of this distinguished veteran and public servant.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1499, I call up the bill (H.R. 4795) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution that participates in a nonexpressive commercial boycott of Israel from being eligible for certain funds under that Act, to require an institution that participates in certain programs under that Act to certify that students are not unreasonably obstructed from participating in academic programs in Israel, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 4795.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4795, Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act.

In recent years, we have seen campaigns to boycott Israel spread across American campuses. These campaigns have pressured colleges and universities to cut financial, commercial, and academic ties with Israeli companies and institutions. That can mean restricting study abroad opportunities, research partnerships, academic exchanges, conferences, and other programs involving Israel.

We cannot ignore the role these campaigns have played in fueling the alarming rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses. It is no coincidence that some of the largest supporters of these campaigns have applauded the October 7 attacks and continue to use anti-Semitic language.

The Boycott, Divest and Sanctions, or BDS, movement singles out and demonizes Israel. It rejects the truth that Israel is a close friend and strategic

partner of the United States. Our universities should not use taxpayer- funded Federal programs to discriminate against Israeli students, faculty, institutions, or businesses simply because they are Israeli.

H.R. 4795 would prohibit participating institutions from engaging in boycotts of Israel that are not based on legitimate business reasons. It would also require colleges and universities to treat academic opportunities involving Israel the same as those involving other countries, ensuring Israeli students and faculty have the same access to academic programs and opportunities as their peers from around the world.

This is about fairness. It is about justice. It is about protecting academic freedom. It is about accountability for Federal taxpayer dollars.

The Federal Government provides significant support to higher education. American taxpayers should not be funding institutions that utilize Federal programs while simultaneously pursuing discriminatory boycotts or unequal academic treatment based solely on ties to Israel.

H.R. 4795 passed the committee with bipartisan support, 24-9. That vote reflects what should be an important bipartisan consensus. Our institutions of higher education should be welcoming places for scholarship and exchange, not hotbeds of anti-Semitism and discrimination.

I hope the floor vote reflects this principle.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4795 and send a clear message that academic and economic freedom must be protected on our campuses.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), the sponsor of this good legislation and necessary legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), the vice chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is about a simple principle: Our colleges and universities should not discriminate against Israel, Israeli institutions, or Israeli students; and Federal taxpayer dollars should never support institutions that engage in such discrimination.

Academic freedom means students and faculty should be free to study, conduct research, collaborate, and exchange ideas without boycotts closing doors based on nationality.

H.R. 4795 protects that principle. It ensures that colleges participating in Federal higher education programs do not engage in certain unjustified commercial boycotts of Israel and that academic opportunities involving Israel are treated fairly and equally.

This is particularly important at a time when Jewish students and faculty are facing an alarming rise in anti-Semitism on American campuses.

Our universities should be places where every student can learn without fear of discrimination or hostility and where academic partnerships are evaluated on their merits, not on campaigns that target one country.

The United States has a strong and enduring partnership with Israel. Our colleges and universities should not be undermining that relationship while asking American taxpayers to support their institution.

H.R. 4795 passed our committee with bipartisan support. Now it is time for the full House to stand for academic freedom, equal treatment, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

I thank Representative Virginia Foxx for her leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4795.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1501, the Protecting Domestic Mining Act, to strengthen America's security, unlock economic investment, and support thousands of hardworking men and women.

As chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I held a field hearing in Indiana earlier this year focused on the mining industry. I heard and saw firsthand how innovation and emerging technologies have transformed mining operations.

These conversations reaffirmed what we all know: America has abundant natural resources, and when producers have a fair and efficient permitting process, they can safely and competitively access those resources to keep prices down, supply chains stable, and people employed.

Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris administration sought to implement excessive permitting burdens that slow domestic production, increase costs on both producers and consumers, and deepen our dependence on foreign adversaries like China for essential minerals.

These misguided efforts threaten both our national security and our competitive edge by narrowing the scope of projects eligible for expedited permitting.

The Protecting Domestic Mining Act reverses that course. By expanding eligibility for fast-tracked mining permits, this bill cuts permitting delays and gives American producers the certainty they need to invest, innovate, and build here at home, creating more jobs for American workers.

If we want to build on our manufacturing momentum, Congress must ensure we have reliable access to the critical minerals that support a surge in modern manufacturing.

The Protecting Domestic Mining Act strengthens American manufacturing, encourages job creation and economic growth, and ensures we can fast-track projects, reducing costs for producers and consumers alike.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1501 and uphold American competitiveness.