Tom Rice

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Constitution Week and the Theodosia Burr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

It is a privilege and duty of the American people to commemorate the two hundred thirty-third anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. As citizens of this great nation, we must reaffirm the ideals the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787.

Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the Unites States of America designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week. It is fitting and proper to officially recognize this magnificent document and the anniversary of its creation.

Madam Speaker, I join the Theodosia Burr Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American people in recognizing September 17 through September 23, 2022 as Constitution Week and honor the Framers for their contributions.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose the previous question so we can amend the rule and immediately consider H.R. 7809, the Communities Deserve Cops Act, which allows for the use of COPS grants to provide officers with signing and retention bonuses up to $5,000.

Predictably, Madam Speaker, we have seen shocking increases in violent crime following the calls from my friends across the aisle to defund the police.

This week is National Police Week, a time when we should be honoring those who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Sadly, we are not taking the opportunity to vote on legislation to bolster law enforcement and decrease violent crime.

Despite House leadership having numerous bipartisan bills to vote on, only two bills have been added to the suspension calendar. The Senate Judiciary Committee is taking up five bills tomorrow.

Representative Rutherford's legislation provides much-needed assistance for agencies to hire and retain officers. The COPS grant program is vital to law enforcement agencies of all sizes, but while it has continued to receive funds, it has not been authorized since 2009.

I have also introduced a bill with Representative Spanberger that would reauthorize the COPS grant program and help low-income, rural agencies compete for these grants. It has 53 cosponsors on both sides of the aisle. More of my Democratic colleagues have cosponsored it than Republicans. If Speaker Pelosi would allow a vote on the floor, it would pass.

There are many more bipartisan law enforcement bills that deserve to see the light of day. I hope that, moving forward, we can work together to support the many bipartisan law enforcement bills that deliver targeted solutions to the Nation.

I ask my colleagues to oppose the previous question so that we can provide the needed support for law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and honor today to congratulate the University of South Carolina women's basketball team on winning the NCAA National Championship. It is a great day to be a Gamecock.

After a heartbreaking loss in the Final Four last year, South Carolina found redemption Sunday night, earning the program's second national championship title with a 64-49 victory over second seed UConn.

The Gamecock women's basketball team had an incredible season with a 35-2 record, averaging 70 points a game.

While every member of the team played their hearts out, Aliyah Boston, the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, won the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. She is the first South Carolina player to earn that honor since A'ja Wilson in 2017.

Coach Dawn Staley had an incredible season. Hard work breeds success, and this team is a prime example of that. The national title is a win for South Carolina and every fan who helped cheer them to victory.

Congratulations, Gamecocks, on being the national champions once again.