Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise today on behalf of all Michiganders to honor the life and legacy of a former member of the Michigan delegation, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who, unfortunately, passed away in early October.

Ms. Cheeks Kilpatrick's journey began in classrooms, as has been mentioned, in Detroit where she worked as a dedicated teacher who was committed to the task of all of her children. That early calling to uplift young minds and invest in their future shaped the course of her life.

I was fortunate to serve with the former Congresswoman in both the Michigan State legislature where I served on the appropriations committee with her. In fact, that one term in office was historic when there was an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, and we shared the chairmanship of the transportation subcommittee together.

I found out what it was to work in concert in a bipartisan way for the

good of the State with a lady who was willing to work together.

She showed firsthand how committed she was to serving our community, regardless of what community, and advocating for education and opportunity for working families.

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick inspired countless others by leading with integrity, resilience, devotion, and also strength.

Today, we mourn her passing, but we also honor the lasting mark she left on this Nation and on this body.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for all of us to join in a moment of silence and honor for Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick.

Mr. Speaker, it is my special privilege to recognize Jim Gillis of Niles as

the Veteran of the Month for December and honor him for his distinguished service to our great Nation.

Jim Gillis dedicated over two decades of his life to defending our freedoms as a member of the United States Army. He achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class and deployed repeatedly with some of America's finest Brigade Combat Teams and Divisions, consistently proving himself a leader of uncommon grit and character.

For his 21 years of active service to our Nation, Jim was awarded over 40 U.S. Army and Department of Defense medals, including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service, and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters. He has been named Division Iron Man, MP War Fighter, MP of the Quarter, Sergeant of the Year, and Distinguished Soldier of the Month for both Fort Bragg and the XVIII Airborne Corps.

After his lengthy service to our Nation, Jim spent an additional 18 years as a U.S. Army civilian, where he eventually became a contracting representative/specialist and the Deputy Housing Chief before his retirement.

Jim has also demonstrated great physical strength throughout his career, allowing him to secure a place on the U.S. Army track team and set a Southern European record for the 3K run at the SETAF Championship.

Beyond the accolades, what sets Jim apart is the spirit with which he served. Whether as an MP or as a Troops to Teachers participant, Jim uses both physical and emotional resilience to uplift others. He cares deeply for his soldiers, his colleagues, and his community, continuing to mentor, teach, and support others. He has also been working to establish a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Edwardsburg High School to ensure the next generation is prepared to lead.

Jim's dedication to his country did not end when he took off the uniform. Instead, he has carried it forward as a civilian. I am honored to share his story, and I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the significant accomplishments of this remarkable veteran.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 916, I call up the bill (H.R. 1069) to prohibit the availability of Federal education funds for elementary and secondary schools that receive direct or indirect support from the Government of the People's Republic of China, 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 to include extraneous material on H.R. 1069.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1069. American classrooms are becoming battlegrounds for foreign influence. For years, my colleagues and I have sounded the alarm about adversaries exploiting our education system. Malign foreign entities like the Chinese Communist Party are working to undermine American values not just on college campuses but across our K-12 schools, as well. This is not only an attack on education and academic integrity, it is a threat to our national security.

Across U.S. colleges, the CCP established Confucius Institutes to push false narratives, whitewash history, and endear American students to the CCP while obscuring its brutal human rights abuses. However, these propaganda operations didn't stop at higher education. In K-12 schools, Confucius classrooms sprang up, aiming to shape the minds of our youngest learners.

At a 2023 Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education hearing, Defending Education highlighted a report exposing nearly two decades of CCP efforts to influence thousands of children. At one point, more than 500 schools hosted Confucius classrooms, many located on U.S. military bases. That is no coincidence. Those programs are a deliberate attempt to undermine American values and compromise our security.

That is why I proudly support H.R. 1069, the Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings for Our Kids, or the PROTECT Act, from Representative Kevin Hern and Representative Kevin Kiley. This legislation prohibits Federal funds from going to any school that also accepts funding from the Chinese Communist Party. It also sets a clear precedent: The U.S. will not allow a foreign regime to dictate what our children learn.

When schools accept CCP funding, they are effectively letting a totalitarian government decide their curriculum. In China, students are taught only what the Communist Party allows. America must never cede that authority. Confucius classrooms have never been reciprocated in China, where U.S.-style cultural exchanges on this scale are forbidden.

The CCP is not interested in genuine cultural exchange or open dialogue. Its goal is indoctrination, teaching students that China is benevolent, while erasing events like the Tiananmen Square massacre and ignoring the ongoing Uyghur genocide and other human rights abuses. By accepting CCP funding, schools shield students from the truth because the party does not want them to know it.

The PROTECT Act gives schools a clear choice: Federal funds or CCP funds, but not both. In the wake of years of learning loss and education decline, schools should focus on student achievement, not spreading foreign propaganda. Under the Trump administration's leadership, we are restoring focus to the education system, putting students first, and protecting them from authoritarian influences.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1069 to protect students, uphold American values, and safeguard our national security.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Hern), who is the commonsense bill sponsor as well as chair of the Republican Policy Committee.

Mr. Speaker, to my friend and colleague, I think she knows that I share her grief and cannot fathom the grief of the loss of her son, especially during the past 12 years.

Protecting kids is a multifaceted process. We are talking about just one aspect in our school systems today. That does not mean we disregard. We may have different approaches, but I certainly want my friend to know we hear her. I guess I will leave it there at this point.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Kiley), the bill's co-lead, as well as the chair of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), who is vice chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), who is the chair of the Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1069, the PROTECT Our Kids Act, makes clear that schools receiving funding from the Chinese Communist Party will not receive Federal dollars.

For too long, schools have turned a blind eye to the CCP's demands for fear of losing CCP money. However, every dollar came with strings attached: lessons glorifying tyranny, rewriting history, and indoctrinating students instead of teaching American values.

Even more concerning, many of these schools were near U.S. military bases, raising risks of monitoring and surveillance of personnel. This is unacceptable.

To protect our students and our national security, we must pass the PROTECT Our Kids Act. It helps prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting our classrooms and promotes education grounded in truth, freedom, and American values.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 916, I call up the bill (H.R. 1005) to prohibit elementary and secondary schools from accepting funds from or entering into contracts with the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party, 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 to include extraneous material on H.R. 1005.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1005.

For much of the 20th century, the United States bravely confronted the threat of communism worldwide.

As the Soviet Union oppressed its own people and extended its influence abroad, countless Americans dedicated their lives to stopping the spread of repressive ideology.

In 1987, President Reagan famously called on Secretary Gorbachev to ``tear down this wall'' at the Brandenburg Gate. A few short years later, the Berlin Wall fell, the Soviet Union collapsed, and democracy gained ground across the globe.

In the years that followed, democracy and Western values flourished, but authoritarian regimes like the Chinese Communist Party have chosen repression over freedom, indoctrinating their citizens to embrace socialism and communism, ideals fundamentally opposed to American values of liberty, freedom, and self-determination.

Now, we are seeing those same authoritarian efforts reach into our classrooms. While some are now closed, the CCP established Confucius Institutes on college campuses and Confucius classrooms in K-12 schools, funding programs with untold dollars. Marketed as cultural exchanges to teach Chinese language and culture, these classrooms are in reality beachheads in the war for young minds.

That is why I am proud to support H.R. 1005, the Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems, known as the CLASS Act, from Representative David Joyce and Representative Michael Rulli. It is an important piece of legislation requiring schools to disclose any funding or contracts received from foreign entities above a nominal threshold.

For too long, schools have allowed foreign adversaries to funnel propaganda into classrooms, propaganda that rewrites history and undermines American values. These programs are funded and directed by the CCP's propaganda arm, targeting children for indoctrination.

No lesson from an authoritarian regime comes without strings attached. The CCP seeks to shape American students' views of communism and tyranny, softening opinions toward authoritarianism, and potentially fostering replication of those same ideas here.

Already, we see these influences on college campuses. Instead of free speech and open debate, we see censorship. Instead of independent thought, we see indoctrination.

This is why we must pass the CLASS Act. Confucius classrooms and similar programs pose real risks to both national and academic security while promoting authoritarianism over freedom and democracy.

As the saying goes, sunlight is the best disinfectant. Greater transparency in education will reveal where school funds come from and whether foreign adversaries are exploiting financial ties to influence students.

By requiring disclosure, we protect American values, strengthen national security, and ensure our children learn what is right, not what our adversaries dictate.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Rulli), the bill's co-lead. I say that as a gentleman from Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce), the bill's sponsor. As a Member coming from the Wolverine State, I congratulate him on Saturday's victory.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1005, the CLASS Act, is a critical step in limiting foreign influence in our classrooms. Too often, foreign funding comes with strings attached--maybe in every case--especially when those dollars come from adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.

Students deserve strong education without indoctrination. I would hope my esteemed colleagues on the other side of the aisle would agree with me on that. Cultural exchange is valuable, but it should never mean sitting through lessons created by the CCP propagandists attempting to rewrite history and change our minds.

Our classrooms are becoming front lines in a battle of ideas, and the CLASS Act provides the transparency needed to protect our students and uphold American values. Students deserve better than indoctrination. That is why we must pass the CLASS Act, send it to the Senate, and, ultimately, to the President's desk, defending both our children and our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Joyce and Rulli, for their clear-eyed attention to this important and credible concern, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, Pursuant to House Resolution 916, I call up the bill (H.R. 1049) to ensure that parents are aware of foreign influence in their child's public school, and for other purposes.

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 H.R. 1049.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1049.

We need greater transparency in American education. In recent years, foreign governments have increasingly sought to influence our K-12 schools. It is not for their stated purpose of cultural exchanges or diplomacy, but to push propaganda.

The Chinese Communist Party, for example, has spent untold sums across hundreds of schools to indoctrinate or influence thousands of children. These so-called little red classrooms were sold as opportunities to teach Chinese language and culture. In reality, they required teachers to omit discussion of human rights abuses, present the CCP in a positive light, and rabidly celebrate the regime.

Students in these classrooms rarely learn about events such as the Tiananmen Square massacre or the ongoing genocide of Uyghur Muslims. Students don't learn about these despicable crimes because the CCP doesn't want them to. This one-sided approach extends beyond K-12 classrooms.

While the CCP operates programs in U.S. schools, American educators are not allowed to expose Chinese students to American culture. The goal is clear. The Chinese Communist Party wants to control information and shape young minds.

Over nearly two decades, the CCP has demonstrated a persistent effort to influence the minds of our children. According to a 2020 State Department report, many of these classrooms are funded and operated, in part, by the CCP's United Front Work Department, a known overseas propaganda and influence operation.

Foreign experience in our schools threatens not only student learning but also our national security. H.R. 1049, the Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education Act, or the TRACE Act, by Representatives Aaron Bean and Ryan Mackenzie, addresses this problem by giving parents the right to review course materials funded or provided by foreign governments and entities of concern.

Students perform better when parents are involved in their education. Yet, in recent years, parents have often been silenced or forced to navigate bureaucratic hurdles just to understand what their children are learning.

The TRACE Act ensures transparency, strengthens parental rights, and protects students from foreign indoctrination. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and defend the role of families in safeguarding our children's education.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would remind my friend and colleague from Virginia that the U.S. Department of Education has been in place while our concerns with foreign influence have been developed and, ultimately, caused the concerns that we address today. We believe that what is being done with reshaping how we deal from the Federal level with our local community schools will, in fact, be more conducive to the ability for them to deal with key issues of concern such as national security when we see that as necessary.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bean), who is a world-class auctioneer and who is unwilling to auction off our children's future to any malign actor.

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

Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Representative Bean for introducing this important legislation. Again, anytime we have legislation that makes a foundational principle, an actual fact, that we support parents having transparency about what is going on in their schools, for anything, it is important as a discussion and ultimately important to make sure in law that is put into motion in every way possible.

It is also a fact that we look at the malign influence that comes from the CCP, yes, but there are other entities equally determined to undermine America, and they are starting in its educational system. Because if you control the minds of young people and you shape their teachers even before that, so when they enter the classroom, even if it isn't a Confucius classroom, those teachers have been impacted in what they point out about some of these malign actors in the world, even if it puts down some of their concerns, is a problem for the United States.

If there is complete transparency, where we talk about all of the entities with truth, then that is fine. That is America. We can take it, having our students know about the Chinese Communist Party and how they have taken Uyghur Muslims and committed genocide on them for years. If we can talk about the Tiananmen Square massacre that went on, that is not a problem. However, that is not what these malign actors want. They want to cover that over.

Mr. Speaker, there is significant evidence of ongoing threats to U.S. schools from malign actors. They may change names and they may change approaches, but they are there. We wouldn't have seen the type of demonstrations and attacks on our Jewish students on college campuses all over this country if there weren't malign actors changing the focus of our students' minds on key issues.

China strategically deployed and expanded their Confucius classrooms rapidly going from only a few in 2008 to over 1,000 worldwide by 2019. More than 500 American K-12 schools have hosted Confucius classrooms. A 2023 Defending Education report identified 143 schools across 34 States with Chinese ties, with at least 7 still active as of this publication.

The report also found that many of these schools are located near military bases.

My Democrat colleagues are correct that the known number of Confucius classrooms has declined after attention from media and advocacy groups increased, including from Congress, but that doesn't prove the CCP threat is gone.

There are 500 Chinese Communist Party-affiliated Chinese nationals--I say ``affiliated'' because they are required when coming over to work in a new production center in my district that will be opened up very soon by a major corporation. These 500 employees have signed a contractual agreement with the Chinese Communist Party to provide any information back to China that they come up with. Who knows what type of influence will take place within 15 minutes of a National Guard base and a key drone wing of the United States military.

These are concerns that we ought to have, but this doesn't prove that we have done enough yet. I think what we have seen causes us to be concerned about what is taking place. It may be that the CCP has found more covert ways to influence our schools. Schools may still be making contracts with CCP entities. If not, great. We will find that out, just without easily identifiable keywords such as ``Confucius,'' but what else will take place. That is why we need these bills.

Under these bills, schools must avoid contracting with the CCP or its agents. Schools must report gifts from or contracts with foreign governments, and resources must be available for parents to review.

We know this can go on right now. We know contracts are undertaken with all of our school districts now. We know that the lawyers on staff have means by which to make sure that the appropriate t's are crossed and i's are dotted. They can follow the law. We must do that.

Advocacy groups, such as Defending Education, have done tremendous work to ensure we know about the CCP's influence, but it shouldn't take a third-party nonprofit to tell us who is teaching our children.

The CCP remains a threat to American interests. I have no doubt that they would still like to indoctrinate American children and teachers, and that is why we must be vigilant and pass these bills.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), who is also the chairman of the Select Committee on the

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

H.R. 1049, the TRACE Act, sends a clear message: Parents have a right to know what their children are learning, especially when curricula are funded by authoritarian regimes.

Foreign influence in classrooms not only undermines our cherished American values but also our national security. The TRACE Act allows parents to review foreign-funded materials and raise concerns when needed. Concerned parents should not be labeled as terrorists, domestic or otherwise, or treated like criminals when they stand up for their children.

By empowering parents, we strengthen student outcomes and protect our schools, which should be in the business of public service to our homes, our families, our children, and our parents.

I urge my colleagues to support the TRACE Act and stand with families in defending the integrity of American education from foreign tyranny.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is my special privilege to recognize Roderick ``Rod'' Fikel of Coldwater, Michigan, as the Veteran of the Month for November for his distinguished service to our community.

Rod served as an MOS 25V Combat Documentation Specialist in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1996 and was deployed to both Kuwait and Iraq. For his dedicated service to our country, he was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Valorous Unit Award. He has also received numerous skill badges.

Since returning, Rod has become a cornerstone of the veteran community, actively participating as a dedicated member of the American Legion. Additionally, when the Branch County Department of Veterans Affairs sought to assemble veterans for a community committee, Rod was the first person to respond and attended every meeting. During these gatherings, Rod offered support and advice to his peers and became well-known for his positivity and sense of humor.

Rod has also shown remarkable perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite being diagnosed with cancer, he has remained strong and in high spirits, continuing to offer support to the veteran community.

Rod is truly an inspiration to many, and I express my profound gratitude for his significant and lasting contributions to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is my special privilege to recognize Dave Welihan of Jackson as the Veteran of the Month for October and honor him for his distinguished service to our great Nation.

Dave courageously served in the U.S. Army from 1971 through 1974 and has been honorably awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Since returning home, Dave has dedicated his life to serving the veteran community and ensuring they have the resources and support they deserve. He was formerly a Veteran Service Officer in Jackson, where he helped those who have worn the uniform resolve their local, state, and federal benefit issues to ensure that they receive the benefits they have so rightfully earned.

He also served as a commander of the American Legion Richard F. Smith Post 29 and worked as the Director of the Jackson County Veterans Affairs Office. While with the Jackson County VA, Dave helped coordinate the burial of five unclaimed veterans so that they could be honored and properly laid to rest, exemplifying his compassion for others. Dave and his wife even selflessly donated the flags used for the burial.

Dave's unwavering service, tireless commitment, and leadership have made a tangible difference. Through his many roles and daily actions, he has uplifted and advocated for his fellow veterans, serving as a guide, mentor, and friend. His legacy will not only live on in the hearts of those he has helped but also in the strong community he has helped build.

May others know of my high regard for Dave, as well as my deep gratitude for his lasting contributions to the county we love.

Mr. Speaker, it is my special privilege to recognize Ken Moore of Monroe as the Veteran of the Month for September and honor him for his dedicated service to our great Nation.

Ken Moore served with distinction as a member of the Air Force during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1967. For his heroic contributions, he was awarded the Expert Marksmanship Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Upon returning home from Vietnam, Ken served for 25 years as a member of the Monroe Police Force, initially as an officer and later as a detective, ensuring the safety of our communities.

Ken has remained actively involved in the veteran community. He has made significant contributions to the VFW and American Legion, and he is a devoted member of AMVETS Monroe.

Notably, Ken also co-founded Flag O'er Veterans with Sam Struth after he observed several cemeteries in the community did not have American flags honoring veterans. The initiative pays tribute to deceased veterans in the Monroe community by raising funds and installing flagpoles with an American flag, lights, and memorial plaques in local cemeteries where veterans are laid to rest.

Ken Moore's remarkable life of service and his leadership working on behalf of America's veterans inspire us all. May others know of my high regard for Ken, as well as my deep gratitude for his lasting contributions to the country we love.

Mr. Speaker, last month I traveled across Michigan's Fifth District to visit hardworking Michiganders who are excited about the benefits of the bill that will include working family tax cuts.

I heard from a farmer in Horton who is relieved that it will be easier to pass his family farm to the next generation because this historic legislation doubles the death tax exemption.

I spoke to a small business owner in Monroe who will now be able to invest more in his operations and grow his family business due to the progrowth policies.

I talked to a waitress in Cassopolis who called this legislation life-changing because she will be able to pocket more of her hard- earned money thanks to no tax on tips and overtime.

As I travel across my district, it is clear that we are delivering for hardworking Michiganders and ushering in a new era of prosperity, and that is great.

Mr. Speaker, it is my special privilege to recognize and honor Delta Air Lines as they celebrate their centennial anniversary.

Delta Air Lines was founded on March 2, 1925, as Huff Daland Dusters, the world's first aerial crop-dusting company in Georgia. Huff Daland's fleet of 18 planes became one of the largest privately owned fleets in the crop-dusting business.

In 1928, Huff Daland Dusters was renamed Delta Air Service to reflect the Mississippi Delta region it served, and by the following year, the airline's first passenger flight took off from Dallas, Texas. By 1945, the company accrued more than 300 million passenger miles and formally became Delta Air Lines.

From its humble beginnings, Delta has evolved into one of the world's leading airlines, transforming the way we travel. Today, Delta has over 4,000 daily flights to more than 280 destinations. Delta currently employs a team of 100,000 people, including over 4,750 Michigan-based employees.

Since establishing Detroit Metropolitan Airport as one of its major hubs, Delta has transformed Michigan into a gateway to the world.

From connecting local businesses to global markets to reuniting families across time zones, Delta has played a crucial role in shaping Michigan's modern identity.

Through innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to safety and service, Delta has continuously redefined the air travel experience.

As we look to the skies, we celebrate Delta Air Lines for becoming the first U.S. airline to reach this milestone, and we wish them the best of luck as they continue to soar to new heights.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, to Michiganders, the Great Lakes are more than just a natural resource. They are a source of pride for our State, a cornerstone of our identity, and a home to our world-class fisheries.

From Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, generations of anglers have cast their lines into these great waters, and families like mine have taken their children and grandchildren to make their first catch, creating meaningful and lasting memories.

These fisheries are also a lifeline for our local economy. Taken together, the Great Lakes commercial, recreational, and Tribal fisheries generate over $7 billion annually and support over 75,000 jobs.

That is why I am proud to join Representatives Debbie Dingell and Bill Huizenga on the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act, which will build on the success of the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program to implement the large-scale marking of fish in all hatcheries.

In 2023, an angler from Sheboygan caught a 35-inch lake trout--I am jealous--which was marked as part of the program. Its coded tag revealed that the trout hatched in 1984 and was raised at the Iron River National Fish Hatchery before being stocked on Sheboygan Reef in 1985.

Data like this allows us to better understand migratory patterns and population changes. By expanding the program to all Great Lakes hatcheries, we can improve fishing practices, increase efficiencies, and save resources wherever possible.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act so that we can preserve our fisheries and be better stewards of this great national treasure.

Mr. Speaker, the Biden administration's reckless spending caused rampant inflation, burdening workers, families, farmers, and small businesses, unless you believe the spin that continues tonight. I don't think America is believing it.

After passing the largest savings in America's history through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this month, the Rescissions Act builds on House Republicans' unprecedented success in reining in wasteful spending and the President's willingness to not spend everything that we give him. That is unusual.

The list of egregious foreign aid projects is endless. Here are just a few: $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street, $18 million to improve gender diversity in the Mexican street lighting industry, $2.5 million to teach children how to make environmentally friendly reproductive health decisions, whatever that means.

This abuse of taxpayer dollars must end. The Rescissions Act would prioritize the needs of Americans over everyone else.

The Rescissions Act would prioritize the needs of American people instead of funding far-left foreign initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, which represents a vital step in reining in wasteful spending and Big Government abuse of the taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is one big, beautiful win for the American people.

Americans struggled under crushing inflation driven by the Biden- Harris administration's outrageous spending. Even worse, the Biden- Harris administration spent billions on reckless student loan repayment pauses, forcing Americans who never set foot on a college campus to cover the costs of elite Ivy League degrees.

House Republicans have the chance to right those wrongs and deliver real results for the American people by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Under President Trump, our economy is booming, thanks to progrowth policies that help workers, students, and taxpayers prosper. By passing this bill, we have a chance to seize on a generational opportunity to help put more Americans back on the path to the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, it is my special privilege to recognize and honor the life of Lawrence ``Larry'' Salwin of Coldwater, Michigan, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Larry was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1940 and married his wife Patricia ``Pat'' Gwozdz in 1963. Larry's everyday actions were a testament to a life of deep purpose, love, and sacrifice. He worked three jobs, before becoming the Senior Administrator at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan where he dedicated 49 years of work to caring for others. He worked these jobs not out of ambition for wealth or recognition, but out of love for his family. He bore the weight of responsibility with grace and humility and worked to build a future for his children.

Today, his children stand tall, and Larry's legacy lives on in their accomplishments. His dedication to providing a better life for his family allowed him and his wife, Pat, to watch their children grow up and succeed in successful careers of their own. It also provided them with the opportunity to spend the later years of their lives in Coldwater, Michigan. It was here that both Larry and Pat created beautiful memories, spending time with family and friends for roughly 24 years.

Larry had a deep love for his family and will truly be missed by those fortunate enough to be in his life. Larry was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Surviving him are his wife, Pat, sons and their spouses, Greg and Marion Salwin, Gary and Maria Salwin, and their grandchildren, Carter Salwin, Claudia Salwin, Katy Salwin, and Brianna Pemberton.

Preceding him in death were his brother, Robert Salwin, sister, Juanita Hicks, daughter, Cynthia Salwin, and granddaughter, Jessica Salwin.

Larry Salwin will forever be known as a hard worker and a dedicated family man. His relentless determination has left an enduring mark on his family and those who knew him.