Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, after much debate, we can now codify President Trump's effort to prevent the development of a central bank digital currency, or CBDC, and ensure that the United States' digital currency policy remains in the hands of the American people and not the administrative state.

I am proud to have my legislation, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, being considered on the House floor for a vote today.

This bill is straightforward. It prevents unelected Washington bureaucrats from creating a financial surveillance tool that, if not done correctly, will fundamentally alter the lives of every American.

Unlike decentralized digital assets, a CBDC is a digital form of sovereign currency that is designed, issued, and monitored by the Federal Government. It is government-controlled, programmable money that, if designed without the privacy protections of cash, could give the Federal Government the ability to surveil and restrict Americans' transactions and monitor every aspect of our daily lives.

In other words, every dollar you spend, where you spend it, and who you spend it with would all be visible to and tracked by the watchful eyes of Washington. There would be no cash, no anonymity, and no space for private financial decisionmaking.

This isn't an inconceivable concept. We have already seen examples of governments developing these types of tools and using them to weaponize their financial systems against their citizens. The Chinese Communist Party employs a CBDC that is being used to monitor and restrict its citizens' spending. The data is being used to develop a social credit system that rewards or punishes individuals based on their spending behavior.

In Canada, the former Trudeau administration demonstrated the power of Federal financial surveillance and control when it froze the bank accounts of hundreds of truckers protesting the COVID vaccine mandate in 2022.

Surely, this totalitarian surveillance tool would never take root in the United States. However, that assumption would be wrong. This is not a theoretical risk. It is a very real and very dangerous precedent.

Under the Biden administration, financial surveillance was a core tenet of President Biden's policy agenda. In 2022, President Biden issued an executive order placing urgency on CBDC research and development.

Moreover, the agency reports created under that executive order made it clear that the previous administration was eager to create a CBDC and was willing to trade Americans' right to financial privacy for a CCP-style surveillance tool.

Our bill, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, prevents future administrations from weaponizing this technology against the American people while ensuring that any development of digital money reflects our American values of privacy, individual sovereignty, and free market competitiveness.

If not designed to be open, permissionless, and private--``private'' with a capital p--resembling cash, a government-issued CBDC is nothing more than an Orwellian surveillance tool that will be used to erode the American way of life.

The Federal Government has no business monitoring Americans' daily financial lives. We don't need or want a state-run digital dollar with Chinese Communist Party characteristics. We need to protect the core principles that make this country exceptional: liberty, limited government, and the right to privacy.

We are on the verge of the next game-changing technological evolution, and we must embrace this push for a more developed digital economy. In doing so, we cannot jeopardize who we are as Americans, and this bill is designed to ensure just that.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Hill and Chairman Steil for their tireless work and advocacy on this issue, in addition to the 135 Members of Congress who have joined as cosponsors of our legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Michael Mayor Keith Wettschreck who is retiring later this month.

For nearly 20 years, Mayor Wettschreck has been a fixture in the St. Michael community. After serving in the United States Navy for more than 26 years, Keith returned home to Minnesota determined to continue driving positive change in his community.

Keith's service in local government began with a role on the city's planning and zoning commission. He was later elected to the city council where he served until being elected mayor in 2020. Throughout Keith's time in office, he has been a staunch defender of fiscal responsibility, having slashed the city's debt in half. He has also been an invaluable partner as we have worked to fund transportation and infrastructure projects in St. Michael and the surrounding communities.

Thanks to Keith's leadership, St. Michael has flourished. His dedication and vision over the years have made the St. Michael community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Mr. Speaker, we are deeply grateful to Mayor Wettschreck for his service to the St. Michael community. We wish him and his wife, Tracy, and their two children, Michael and Anne, all the best in the next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Minnesota to honor the lives of former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were brutally murdered in their home on June 14.

We also express our collective outrage over this politically motivated attack, which resulted in life-threatening injuries to my friend, Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette.

My wife, Jacquie, and I have known Melissa for more than 20 years. Melissa and I joined the Minnesota Legislature together in 2005, and we served together until 2011.

While we may have disagreed on policy, Melissa was a great colleague who fearlessly fought for what she believed in and devotedly served the people of Minnesota.

One day, while I was in the Minnesota Legislature, I brought my only daughter to work with me. I wanted to introduce her to some of the strong female leaders in our State and my colleagues who were, frankly, exceptional at what they do.

One of the first people who I introduced Katie to was Melissa Hortman. Though we came from different sides of the aisle, Melissa was incredibly gracious with her time and couldn't have been more kind and encouraging to my daughter.

Melissa's warmth and generosity extended far beyond that moment. As speaker of the Minnesota House, she led with integrity and fostered bipartisan collaboration, even during the most challenging times in our State.

While we mourn Melissa and her husband, Mark, we continue to pray for healing and peace for Senator Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and their daughter, Hope, who were targeted by the same evil coward that night.

I have known Senator Hoffman for many years and have had the pleasure of meeting his daughter, Hope, on several occasions as they visited our office here in Washington, D.C.

John is a wonderful man, devoted husband and father, and friend. He is a commonsense legislator and has been a champion for Minnesotans with disabilities throughout his time in office.

His bravery during the attack, lunging at the gunman to protect his family, likely saved their lives, though it left him with life- threatening injuries.

Yvette, who was also hit by the gunfire, heroically shielded their daughter, Hope, whose quick thinking in locking the door and calling 911 triggered a statewide law enforcement response that, frankly, prevented further tragedy. Their courage and heroism should continue to inspire us all.

We are grateful to the brave men and women of law enforcement for their work to apprehend the evil perpetrator, and we look forward to justice being served.

Let's be clear: There is absolutely no place in our country for politically motivated violence. This attack, carried out by an evil coward disguised as a peace officer, was not just an assault on two Minnesota families, but it was also an attack on the very fabric of our Nation. It sought to silence and strike fear into the hearts of those who dedicate their lives to public service.

As we continue to grieve, we cannot and will not let this tragedy define us. We must show our communities, our State, our country, and the world that Minnesotans are united and that our resolve is stronger now more than ever. From Minneapolis to Mankato and from Delano to Duluth, we come together as one voice to condemn all forms of political violence. We commit to always treat each other with respect, regardless of differing opinions or political affiliations.

Our prayers are with the Hortman family as they grieve the devastating loss of their loved ones, and we also continue to pray for John, Yvette, and Hope as they deal with the physical and emotional repercussions of this horrific attack.

In closing, I will echo the words of Melissa and Mark's children: ``Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. . . . Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents' memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.''

May we always adhere to that sentiment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding Minnesotan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office Director, Peter Berg. Peter is retiring later this month after nearly 30 years in federal law enforcement.

After graduating from the University of Illinois, Director Berg began his career in 1996 as an Immigration Inspector with the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Peter's long career in federal law enforcement has taken him across the country, where he faced some of the world's most dangerous, and hardened criminals. As the Acting Deputy Executive Associate Director, he was appointed the Deputy Senior Coordinating Official for the Department of Homeland Security Southwest Border Coordination Center, where he served as the liaison between numerous federal agencies, managing the complex challenges of our Southwest Border.

As the current Field Office Director for the St. Paul Area of Responsibility, Director Berg manages all ICE officers assigned to Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. This area spans over 350,000 square miles, includes nearly 12.5 million people, and includes one field office, nine sub-offices, and 2 resident officer locations.

I recently met with Director Berg and his team at their St. Paul field office to learn about their efforts to keep our communities safe and to discuss how we can continue to support them at the federal level. After meeting with them, I can tell you firsthand just how important their work is to keeping Minnesotans safe. In the past few months, Director Berg's officers have removed dozens of dangerous criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota, including known terrorists, gang members, child predators, and murderers. After nearly 30 years in federal law enforcement, Director Berg has had an incredible impact on his Area of Responsibility. While we will certainly miss his leadership across the Midwest, we are eternally grateful for his dedication to our communities, states, and Nation.

I thank Director Berg. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all Minnesotans to honor the lives and legacies of former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were viciously murdered in their home on June 14.

We also continue to pray for Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, as they recover from this heinous attack, as well.

There is no place in our country for politically motivated violence. None. The fact that the Hortman and Hoffman families are being forced to endure the consequences of inexplicable evil is heartbreaking, devastating, and infuriating for us all, but it is through tragedies like this that we are reminded that we are stronger together. There is more that unites us than divides us, and when we turn to our faith in God, we can maintain hope in the midst of absolute turmoil.

We are grateful to local, State, and Federal law enforcement for their swift action in apprehending this evil coward who attacked these dedicated public servants and we look forward to justice being served.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of our outstanding caseworkers, Barbara Harper.

Barbara is retiring at the end of the month after nearly two decades of public service to the people of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. We are lucky to have Barbara here on the floor today for this speech.

This is a bittersweet moment. As the lead caseworker in our office, Barbara repeatedly demonstrated compassion, tenacity, and dedication. These values define public service. Her career as a caseworker began over 18 years ago under Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, whom she first met when their children were in school together in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Concerned by the curriculum her kids, Ben and Libby, were exposed to in the public school system, Barbara teamed up with other parents, including Representative Bachmann, to voice their concerns. It was through this shared passion that Barbara and Michele developed a friendship. It wasn't until Barbara, her late husband, Larry, and their kids returned from a 3-year stay in Singapore for Larry's job that Barbara's career in public service began.

Barbara reconnected with Michele in the grocery store. Michele remembered Barbara's passion for school choice and concerns with the school system. Barbara went on to help Michele in her Minnesota senate campaign as a volunteer scheduler. When Michelle decided to run for Congress, Barbara helped organize and support her campaign. After her victory, Barbara joined the Bachmann staff as a caseworker. She has led casework operations for the last 18 years, starting in 2007.

Barbara is a total powerhouse. Her efforts alone returned hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars rightfully owed to our constituents. She has helped secure more than $1 million in Federal funds for Minnesotans in the first 5 months of this year alone. Still, it is the human impact of her work that sets her apart.

Barbara helped hundreds of Minnesota families with foreign adoptions, notably reuniting 4-year-old Otra, who was in a Kenyan refugee camp, with her family in the United States. Otra was a baby when her family left for the U.S. and lacked the proper paperwork to emigrate with them. After years of work, Barbara secured authorization for Otra to enter the U.S. and coordinated with the airport to ensure a smooth arrival. It was an understandably emotional reunion for the family and one that continued to serve as motivation for Barbara as she worked to solve similar cases for other Minnesota families.

The walls of Barbara's office are covered with photos of families she has assisted, thank-you cards, and drawings from young children as a token of appreciation for her help. Not only does she support families in need, but she actively fights the Federal bureaucracy on Minnesotans' behalf.

One story involves a simple display of the First Amendment. A constituent of mine had signed and filed his tax return while adding the words ``under protest without prejudice.'' For this, the constituent received a threatening letter from the thugs at the IRS, telling him he could be fined $5,000 for adding those words. Barbara contacted the IRS, stood up for free speech, and prevented a fine from ever being levied against him.

Barbara represents the best of all of us. She attends community events like the Senior Expo and brings casework directly to constituents. Barbara has held close to 100 hours of mobile office hours across our district.

Barbara also led our office's Congressional Art Competition, a program that actually turned into a passion for her. For years, we struggled to receive submissions, but thanks to Barbara's efforts, the program has turned into one of our most successful outreach projects. The best part is the joy it brings to Barbara when we recognize the young artists and their beautiful work.

Barbara's commitment to service is unmatched. She often stayed in our office late into the night and worked weekends to help our constituents. Barbara has left an incredible impact on our community and has touched countless lives, including my own.

Anyone who knows Barbara knows she is a devoted patriot. She frequently reminds our legislative team of the importance of our pro- liberty, America First principles, and she staunchly opposed the Big Government policy positions of the Obama and Biden administrations.

Barbara is one of a kind. My wife, Jacquie, and I will always cherish her friendship. On behalf of our staff, the Sixth District, and the Nation, I thank Barbara for everything. I wish her all the best. I urge everyone to thank Barbara for her years of service to this institution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Midshipman Bridgett Sundheim. A Delano High School graduate, Bridget is graduating from George Washington University today.

The Sundheim family is in town for the celebration. They are somewhere up there. They are a generous, upstanding family from Delano. My wife, Jackie, and I have known them for years.

During high school, Bridget launched Best Buddies, a student organization that continues transforming the lives of students with special needs. She was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol, which led Bridget to join the Navy ROTC at GW.

Last summer, Bridget served on the USS McCampbell in Japan, earning a coveted Blue Chip from the ship's captain and guaranteeing a spot on the ship after being commissioned as a surface warfare officer. She plans to return to the USS McCampbell later this year.

Driven, kind, and unwaveringly patriotic, Bridget holds herself to the highest standards.

I wish Bridget all the best and thank her for her service and dedication to our country. She makes Delano and the State of Minnesota proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Congressman, and chairperson of the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry, as he retires from Congress after 20 years of service.

Throughout his time here in Washington, Chairman McHenry has been a champion of innovation and always worked to ensure that American capital markets remain the envy of the world.

Chairman McHenry has been my personal mentor since I came to Congress, and I can't thank him enough for his counsel and guidance and his two decades of leadership, hard work, and dedication in the financial services space and beyond. His retirement is going to leave enormous shoes to fill and a legacy that will be felt by this institution for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, if it was physically possible to walk in Patrick's shoes, I would. It has been a pleasure learning from him and serving alongside him. While we will miss having Patrick here in these Halls, we wish him and his family the very best in the days to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of the longest-serving mayors in the Nation, Marvin Johnson, as he retires after 45 years of leading the city of Independence in Minnesota.

Marvin was actually my inspiration to run for office. When my wife, Jacquie, and I were starting out, our city public works department marked 400-year-old trees on our property, two oaks and two maples, and they were to come out the next day for a new road.

I called Marvin. He showed up at my house at 10 o'clock at night. He looked at the trees, he looked at the road, and he took out his ``brick phone'' that some of us remember from 30 years ago, and he called the public works director. He said, Danny, move the road 50 feet, we are not going to take these trees.

Since that time, I have never seen a government official as effective as Marvin. His council meetings were models of efficiency and respect, even as I rocked my newborn children in their car seats under the table during late-night evening sessions.

He is a true public servant and has been an outstanding mentor and friend over the years. As his career in public service comes to an end and he looks ahead to his 90th birthday this spring, we wish him all the best in whatever comes next. I thank him for his support over the years and his leadership on behalf of the city of Independence.

Remembering Minnesota State Representative Dick Borrell

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Minnesota State Representative Dick Borrell who passed away suddenly earlier this year.

Dick was not just a loving family man, but also a successful businessman and a true patriot. Raised in Waverly, Minnesota, he went on to serve our Nation in the Marine Corps and earned his degree from Minnesota State, Mankato.

Dick had a Midas touch when it came to business. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. He ran his business for over 20 years and was often found working overtime or on weekends shoulder-to- shoulder on the production lines with his employees. In fact, Dick was at his warehouse working just 3 days before he passed away.

When not at work, Dick loved flying and sharing countless adventures with his wife, Patty, usually from their backyard runway, which he used for his plane. He even spent time flying around the State with me during my campaign for Governor, which I will never forget.

Dick was passionate about politics and preceded me in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was an active member of the Wright County Republicans and was never shy about sharing his thoughts about what is coming out of Washington.

He was a leader in our community. Dick Borrell touched the lives of thousands in Minnesota. To his wife, Patty, and the rest of the Borrell family, we offer our most sincere condolences, and we will always remember our friend, Dick, and a life well-lived.

Recognizing Congressman Dean Phillips

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge my Minnesota congressional colleague, Congressman Dean Phillips, as he concludes his service in the House of Representatives.

Outside of Congress, Dean has proven to be a shrewd businessman, owning and starting several successful companies, and helping run his family's business.

During his tenure here in Washington, Dean worked across the aisle with the same tenacity to help Minnesotans. From ensuring small businesses received the financial flexibility they needed during COVID to working with all of us in the Minnesota delegation to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs for our veterans, we found ways to put our political differences aside and get results for our constituents.

As we saw over the last year, Dean is never afraid to pursue common ground for the common good and fight to restore Americans' faith in our institutions, regardless of the political ramifications.

I thank Dean for his service. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Becky Carlson from St. Cloud, Minnesota, who is in Washington this week to receive a prestigious award from the U.S. Department of the Air Force.

Since 2003, Becky has been working tirelessly to send care packages to our brave men and women overseas, through her non-profit Becky's Troop Care Packages. Becky started this endeavor to pay tribute to her brother, who passed away during the Vietnam War.

Becky stated, ``It took me a lot of years to figure out what I could do to give back. And I wondered and wondered and wondered. And some of the soldiers coming home and stuff told me how bad it was over there, how the food was so horrible. You know, I thought, `Well, why can't I send a package or two?' ''

Despite health challenges over the years, Becky's resolve has never been stronger. Fueled by the support of local businesses, community groups and volunteers, Becky sends dozens of care packages to service members per month and several hundred during the holiday season. These care packages often include snacks, magazines and personal letters from family, friends and volunteers.

In addition to her work with her non-profit, Becky is a part of several Family Readiness Groups which help support soldiers and their families as these heroes transition from their military careers back into civilian life.

Becky's lifelong commitment to support our military heroes has not gone unnoticed. She was previously named the Woman of the Year by the St. Joseph American Legion Auxiliary Post 328. This week, she is in Washington, D.C. to receive the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award at the Pentagon.

I thank Becky for her years of service to our veterans and community. She makes St. Cloud and the State of Minnesota proud.

Mr. Speaker, a public servant, a veteran, a small business owner, and my friend, St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis is retiring after nearly 30 years in office.

Dave found his passion for politics while serving in the Air Force and working as a congressional liaison at the Pentagon. He then represented the St. Cloud area in the State senate for 10 years, eventually becoming the Senate minority leader.

Dave is a customer service representative. During his 20 years as mayor, he hosted over 1,000 townhalls, including multiple 24-hour marathon townhalls and frequently invited residents to his home for dinner.

Dave has been an incredible partner working with us on hard infrastructure projects in the St. Cloud COP House. I thank Dave for his service to St. Cloud, Stearns County, and the State of Minnesota. Enjoy your retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Minnesota Civil Air Patrol Cadet Evan Ekstrand, who was awarded the General Carl A. Spaatz Award.

This award is the Civil Air Patrol's highest honor and is given to less than 1 percent of Civil Air Patrol cadets for excellence in leadership, character,

physical fitness, and aerospace education. Evan has dedicated his life to service, and this award is well-deserved.

I met with Evan and his fellow cadets earlier this year. Evan stands out. He stood out from the group because of his patriotism and his passion for aviation.

Evan is not the only member, however, of the Ekstrand family to be involved in the Civil Air Patrol. Until recently, Evan's mom, Tami, served as the deputy commander for cadets of the Civil Air Patrol, St. Croix Squadron.

I congratulate Evan, again, and I wish him, his fiancee, and his family all the best.

Mr. Chair, on Roll Call No. 315, I mistakenly voted NO when I intended to vote AYE.

Amendment No. 59 Offered by Mrs. Spartz

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Reis Grams and Jesse Haugen, two outdoorsmen who passed away while canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Reis was a beloved husband to his wife, Angie, and a devoted father to his sons, August and Teddy. He grew up in Blaine and was a man of many talents, from his love of the outdoors to becoming a skilled carpenter and businessowner. He was a lifelong learner, a caring family man, and a man of deep faith.

Jesse grew up in Blaine and served our Nation honorably in the U.S. Army. After his military service, Jesse served as a youth leader at his church. A proud father and husband, he owned and operated a business with his wife, Bethany, and cherished every moment spent with their son, Isaac.

Last month, Reis and Jesse's canoes went over the Curtain Falls, leading to their tragic passing.

We are praying for strength and comfort for their families, friends, and all who knew them during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the distinguished career and dedicated community service of Sauk Rapids Mayor Kurt Hunstiger who recently announced his retirement from public office.

Mayor Hunstiger's tenure in public service is truly commendable. Over the past 30 years, he has served in various positions, including 18 years as a city council member and the last eight years as mayor. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the community, as he guided Sauk Rapids through times of growth and change.

Despite retiring from his day job in finance four years ago, Mayor Hunstiger continued to dedicate his time and energy to the betterment of Sauk Rapids. In a letter to the community and city staff announcing his retirement, Kurt expressed his gratitude for their support and collaboration over the years. In this next chapter he plans to spend more time with his family.

Under Mayor Hunstiger's stewardship, Sauk Rapids has thrived. He leaves behind a legacy of fiscal responsibility and a commitment to community engagement. His efforts secured the city's fiscal stability, ensuring a strong foundation for the future.

His dedication, vision, and hard work over the years have made the Sauk Rapids community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

We are sincerely grateful for Mayor Hunstiger's service and contributions to Sauk Rapids and Benton County and wish him a fulfilling and joyful retirement.