Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my friend from Georgia, for all of his efforts to get this passed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and urge my colleagues to pass this critical legislation and the rule to bring it to the floor.

The last full farm bill was passed in 2018. Since then, input costs have risen, borrowing has become more expensive, and markets have grown more volatile. Our policies must reflect that reality.

Last year, we took an important step forward by strengthening the farm safety net and delivering meaningful support for producers through the Working Families Tax Cut Act.

This bill now builds on that foundation. It delivers a modern, fiscally responsible, 5-year farm bill that meets the needs of today's producers and prepares American agriculture for the future.

This bill is grounded in fiscal responsibility. It provides certainty without growing government for the sake of growing government. It cuts through unnecessary red tape and focuses on what actually works for producers on the ground.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

I also rise in strong support of year-round E15 and, specifically, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which finally makes it a reality.

In the Big First District of Kansas, agriculture is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. Our farmers work hard every day to produce the feedstocks that power American ethanol. Expanding access to E15 means stronger markets and better prices for consumers and more certainty.

Madam Speaker, this is a win for farmers, a win for consumers, and a win for American energy. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for H.R. 1346 and support year-round E15.

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

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, and I urge my colleagues to pass this critical legislation when it comes to the floor.

The last full farm bill was passed in 2018. Since then, input costs have risen, borrowing has become more expensive, and markets have grown more volatile. Our policies must reflect that reality.

Last year, we took an important step forward by strengthening the farm safety net and delivering meaningful support for producers through the working families tax cuts. However, that was never the finish line. That was the foundation.

This bill builds on that foundation. It delivers a modern, fiscally responsible, 5-year farm bill that meets the needs of today's producers and prepares American agriculture for the future.

This bill is grounded in fiscal responsibility. It provides certainty without growing government for the sake of growing government. It cuts through unnecessary red tape and focuses on what actually works for producers on the ground.

Mr. Chair, farmers and ranchers do not operate on Washington timelines. They plan in seasons and generations.

We have an opportunity to do our job and deliver the certainty American producers have been asking us for for years. This is about more than policy. It is about supporting the people who keep this country running, strengthening rural America, and ensuring that the United States remains the global leader in agriculture.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a meaningful milestone in my hometown of Salina, Kansas: the 25th anniversary of the Salina Pregnancy Service Center.

For 25 years, this organization has served women, families, and unborn children across our community with compassion, conviction, and care. As someone who is pro-life and who believes that life begins at conception, I am grateful for organizations like PSC that put those beliefs into action every day.

The Salina Pregnancy Service Center provides life-affirming medical care, education, and counseling. They walk alongside mothers with compassion, offering real support that meets both physical and emotional needs. Just as important, they offer hope and guidance rooted in faith, reminding every person who walks through their doors that they are not alone.

Their mission is clear. They offer the love of Christ to those facing a pregnancy decision while helping promote decisions that strengthen Kansas families.

Congratulations on 25 years of service. I look forward to seeing your continued impact in the years ahead.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the ALERT Act, which I am proud to cosponsor.

For Kansans, this bill is deeply personal.

On January 29, 2025, the world stood in disbelief as we watched tragedy unfold over the Potomac River in the collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 out of Wichita and the U.S. Army helicopter. Kansans will never forget the lives lost, the families forever changed, or the grief felt across Wichita and communities across our State.

What happened on that day demands a serious and thoughtful response from Congress to ensure that this tragedy is never repeated. We owe it to the families and to every American who steps onto a plane to make sure our national airspace is as safe as it possibly can be.

That is exactly why we must pass the ALERT Act.

This is the most significant, comprehensive reform to aviation safety in years. It reflects serious, bipartisan work to strengthen our aviation system, improve accountability, and ensure safety remains the top priority in our airspace, which is demonstrated by the fact that the legislation passed out of both the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Armed Services Committee unanimously.

The ALERT Act addresses all 50 safety recommendations from the NTSB and takes meaningful steps to improve transparency, coordination, training, and oversight. It strengthens pilot and air traffic control awareness through modern technology, requires advanced collision avoidance systems on aircrafts, improves helicopter route safety, and enhances air traffic control procedures.

Meaningful, lasting improvements to the safety of our airspace require Congress to work closely with victims' families, the aviation industry, and the administration, and the ALERT Act does just that. Congress must enact solutions to address the root causes that stand the test of time.

Kansas is home to the Air Capital of the World, and aviation is not just part of our economy. It is part of who we are. We will never forget what happened on January 29, and I am committed to ensuring that it will never happen again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Judge Eric F. Melgren of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas and to recognize his distinguished service on the Federal bench.

Today, the district of Kansas unveiled Judge Melgren's official portrait and celebrated his lasting legacy after nearly two decades of active judicial service. As of September 1, 2025, Judge Melgren has assumed senior status, which he will continue to serve with the same dedication and commitment that have defined his entire career.

Judge Melgren's story is a Kansas story. Raised on a cattle and wheat farm in southwest Kansas, he is a first-generation college graduate who went on to lead as student body president of Wichita State University and later earned his law degree from Washburn University.

From private practice in Wichita to serving as United States Attorney for the district of Kansas and, ultimately, to his appointment to the Federal bench by President George W. Bush, his career reflects a life rooted in hard work, service, and leadership.

Over 18 years on the bench, including his time as Chief Judge, Judge Melgren has upheld the rule of law with integrity and a deep respect for the Constitution. He has also given back to his community, leading organizations like United Way of the Plains and Leadership Wichita, and remaining closely connected to the people and institutions that helped to shape him.

In the Big First District and across Kansas, we value those who serve with humility, lead with principle, and stay grounded in their roots. Judge Melgren embodies those values.

I thank him for his service, congratulate him on this milestone, and wish him the very best as he continues his hard work on the bench.

Honoring Michael Hinton

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a proud Kansan whose work honors the legacy of American agriculture and the generations who built it.

Michael Hinton of Hutchinson has dedicated his life to preserving the history and heritage of rural America through antique tractors, but his work goes far beyond restoring old equipment. It is about telling the story of the men and women who have worked the land, provided for their families, and helped feed the world.

Through his creation of Antique Tractors Preservation Day and the launch of talkingtractors.com, Michael has built a platform that brings agricultural history to life and connects generations through a shared appreciation for hard work, innovation, and community. His efforts have earned recognition across Kansas and the Nation.

This year, Michael was inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of some of the most influential figures in our Nation's agricultural history, from George Washington to John Deere. He is now one of only a handful of Kansans to receive this distinguished honor.

In the Big First District of Kansas, agriculture is not just our way of life. It is our legacy. Leaders like Michael Hinton remind us that preserving that legacy matters while we continue to build its future.

I am grateful for his work, proud to call him a fellow Kansan, and congratulate him on his well-deserved recognition.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Ohio for yielding me the time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6460, the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act, which clarifies the ability of the FAA to authorize model aircraft operations in class E airspace.

Everyone gets their start somewhere. For many folks, a lifelong passion for flight is ignited the first time they get the experience of what model aeronautics has to offer. For some, that passion leads them to ultimately pursue long and successful careers in the aviation workforce.

We must do whatever we can to foster a robust recreational operational environment where individuals of all ages can experience all that aviation has to offer.

In 2018, Congress classified model aircraft as recreational UASes. That legislation spelled out what classes of airspace and under what conditions recreational UASes could fly. For 7 years and on behalf of its 2,400 member clubs, of which 30 reside in the great State of Kansas, the Academy of Model Aeronautics has been collaborating with the FAA to attract the next generation of aviation professionals.

Unfortunately, due to a misinterpretation of a provision of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, many recreational clubs across the country found they were no longer able to legally fly in some sectors of class E airspace.

The Recreational Drone Empowerment Act allows model aircraft clubs to request permission from the FAA to operate in class E2, E3, E4, and E5 airspace, as it does for all other classifications of airspace. This legislation does not require the FAA to grant such requests. It merely grants them the legal authority to approve such requests.

I thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and the members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their support of my legislation that would give regulatory certainty to an important part of the aviation community and continues to encourage the next generation of aviators.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down, and the consequences are real for the American people and for the men and women who work every day to keep our country safe.

Right now, more than 100,000 DHS employees are working without pay. TSA officers who screen passengers at our airports have now missed another paycheck. These are hardworking Americans who show up every day to do their job, protect travelers, and secure our homeland, even while Washington politics leave them without the pay they have earned.

This isn't some distant issue for Kansans. Families and travelers across the Big First depend on TSA officers every single day. From airports in Manhattan, Salina, Garden City, Dodge City, Liberal, and Hays, TSA agents are on the front lines making sure our skies are safe.

Just down the road in Wichita, the Air Capital of the World, thousands of Kansans build aircraft that carry passengers across the country and around the globe. Aviation is part of who we are in Kansas, and aviation safety is something we take very seriously.

Yet, Senate Democrats have allowed the men and women responsible for securing our airports to work without pay. As spring-break travel picks up, airports across the country are already seeing longer lines and staffing challenges because of this shutdown. These are dedicated public servants who continue showing up for work every day, even while Washington fails to send them a paycheck.

The impacts of this Democrat refusal to support DHS funding reaches far beyond airport security. FEMA training for first responders has been canceled. Cybersecurity personnel defending our networks are being furloughed while foreign adversaries continue probing our systems. Coast Guard training and maintenance have been disrupted. These are not theoretical consequences. They are happening right now.

Mr. Speaker, what makes the situation even more frustrating is that the House has already acted. House Republicans have twice passed full- year funding to keep the Department of Homeland Security fully operational. That legislation reflects a bipartisan framework negotiated by Members of both parties and deserves and ensures the Department has the resources it needs to protect the American people.

Mr. Speaker, Senate Democrats still continue to block that funding. Instead of allowing the department responsible for protecting our homeland to do its job, they are prolonging a shutdown that harms workers, weakens preparedness, and undermines public safety.

National security should never be used as a political bargaining chip. The men and women who protect our borders, screen our airports, respond to disasters, and defend our infrastructure deserve stability and support, not uncertainty and missed paychecks.

Mr. Speaker, the solution is simple. The Senate should take up the funding the House has already passed and reopen the Department of Homeland Security. The safety of the American people, including Kansans across the Big First District, depends on it.

Madam Speaker, farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers are the backbone of this country. They wake up before the sun, work until long after it sets, and take on risk every single day to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Too often in Washington we ask them to do that work without the certainty and stability that they deserve.

The last fully enacted farm bill was passed in 2018. That might not seem

like long ago in Washington, but in agriculture 6 years is a lifetime. Input costs and inflation surged under the mismanagement of the last administration. Markets are more volatile, and global competition has only intensified.

Our farmers do not need more uncertainty. They need predictability. They need policies that allow them to invest, plan, and efficiently keep their farms and ranches in their families.

That is why it was so critical that we passed what I call farm bill 1.0 last year. Through the Working Families Tax Cut Act, Republican majorities in Congress delivered the most significant investment in American agriculture in decades. We strengthened the farm safety net. We modernized crop insurance. We expanded access to commodity programs. We made historic investments in conservation, research, trade, and rural development. We delivered real tax relief to family farms and ranchers that operate on razor-thin margins.

Those policies lowered the cost of doing business, strengthened risk management tools, and gave producers more confidence to keep working in the face of uncertainty. From cattle ranchers to ag lenders, Americans in agriculture truly needed those policies. In short, it helped farmers weather economic pressure after 4 years of sky-high inflation that increased input costs by more than 36 percent under President Biden, but the job is not finished.

Farm bill 2.0 is about continuing what we started last summer. It is about taking that running start and delivering a fiscally responsible, 5-year farm bill that works for agricultural producers in the real world.

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 does exactly that. This week, my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee and I marked up the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, passing this legislation out of committee in a bipartisan fashion just a few hours ago.

This bill, which I consider farm bill 2.0, reflects the agriculture of today, not that of 2018. It strengthens commodity programs and disaster assistance so our Nation's producers are not left waiting on Congress every time drought, flood, wildfire, or disease strikes.

Farm bill 2.0 ensures dairy, livestock, and specialty crop producers have policies that match their risk. It protects crop insurance as the cornerstone of the farm safety net. It supports conservation programs that are locally led, voluntary, and practical.

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act expands access to credit and modernizes loan limits so producers can keep up with the capital- intensive nature of agriculture today. It strengthens rural development, broadband, water infrastructure, and rural hospitals, because agriculture does not exist in isolation. Strong farms require strong rural communities.

Importantly, the bill is built on a bedrock of fiscally conservative policy. A farm bill should provide certainty without growing government for the sake of growing government. It should prioritize the men and women who have dedicated their lives to American agriculture instead of prioritizing paperwork. It should set our farmers up for success without getting in their way, and it should respect the taxpayer while recognizing that a secure food supply is key to national security. I am proud to say that our farm bill 2.0 lives up to those conservative standards.

This is not about politics. It is about doing our job. Farmers and ranchers plan in seasons and decades, not in continuing resolutions and short-term extensions. Every delay makes it harder for them to make decisions about planting, equipment purchases, and land leases.

Passing a 5-year bill gives producers what they need most: certainty. It gives them certainty to invest, certainty to innovate, and certainty to keep feeding a hungry world. Farm bill 1.0 laid that foundation. Farm bill 2.0 will continue that work.

As part of my farm bill impact series, I have spoken on this floor 34 times advocating for Congress to pass a farm bill, and this legislation is exactly what I have spent so long advocating for: the farm bill that builds on the agricultural wins we passed last year, and most importantly, the farm bill that our farmers and ranchers are depending on.

Madam Speaker, I call on the rest of my colleagues to recognize our bipartisan hard work and pass this legislation for the good of our farmers, our food supply, and our national security because when farmers succeed, America succeeds.

Mr. Speaker, 250 years ago, history was marked by patriots who proved that freedom belongs to the people; not the powerful.

This year, our Nation will celebrate 2\1/2\ centuries of freedom not granted by kings or governments but endowed by God.

America's story is unmatched. It is a story of perseverance, faith, sacrifice, and self-government. From Lexington and Concord to the present day, generation after generation has answered the call to preserve this great experiment in liberty.

As we approach America's 250th birthday, we have much to celebrate. We celebrate the principles enshrined in our founding documents: limited government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and the rule of law. We celebrate a Constitution strong enough to endure great challenges, and we celebrate people who have always risen to meet the moment when freedom was tested. Through it all, the Nation persevered.

Kansans know the story very well. Our statehood was forged in the fire of that very struggle. Kansas entered the Union as a free State, shaped by men and women who believed deeply that liberty was worth fighting for.

Kansas didn't just inherit freedom; they helped to defend it. From the frontier to the heartland, Kansas has always stood on the side of opportunity, hard work, and moral clarity.

Over the course of our Nation's history, Kansas farmers and ranchers helped to feed a growing nation. Kansas innovators helped to fuel our economy. Kansas servicemembers answered the call in every major conflict to protect this country at home and abroad. The values that built Kansas--faith, grit, service, and responsibility--are the same values that built America.

Those patriotic values were embodied by Kansans like President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Senator Bob Dole, whose leadership helped to guide America through defining moments in our history and shape the course of the Nation.

As we reflect on 250 years of our Nation's history, this anniversary is not only about looking back, but it is about looking forward and deciding what comes next. The next chapter of the American story requires strong leadership. It requires leaders who believe in this country, who aren't afraid to defend its principles, and who understand that with hard work and prayer, America's best days are yet to come.

I am grateful that, as we approach this historic anniversary, we once again have strong leadership in the White House from President Donald Trump.

President Trump leads with confidence in America's greatness. He believes in secure borders, strong families, energy dominance, and an economy that rewards work. He understands that, both at home and abroad, American strength is not something to apologize for but something to preserve and protect. American strength makes the world a better place.

The world is watching as America is led by a President who puts our country first and is not afraid to stand up for the values that have defined us for 250 years. He believes in the American experiment, and his commitment to celebrating our Nation's history brings out patriotism in all of us.

Mr. Speaker, America's 250th anniversary should not just be a celebration. It should be a recommitment: a recommitment to the ideals that launched this Nation; a recommitment to the Constitution that binds us together through popular sovereignty; a recommitment to the faith in God that has steered us through stormy seas time and time again; and a recommitment to ensuring that the next generation inherits a country that is freer, stronger, and more prosperous than the one we inherited.

From the Big First District of Kansas to every corner of this great Nation, Americans are proud of our past and hopeful for our future.

May we honor those who came before us, rise to the responsibilities of 250 years of independence, and ensure that the United States of America remains the greatest Nation on Earth for centuries to come.

Mr. Speaker, as we begin the second session of the 119th Congress, we should take a moment to reset our focus and remember why we are here. A new year and a new session bring new opportunities, but the mission remains the same. Kansans sent me to Washington, D.C., to deliver results for the people of the Big First District, and that is what I will continue to do.

The Big First is home to farmers and ranchers who get up before the sun and work until the job is done. It is home to small business owners and families who balance budgets, meet payroll, and expect the same discipline from the Federal Government. Kansans are practical people who believe in hard work, common sense, and accountability. We don't want excuses. We expect results.

After President Trump's first term, the Biden administration inherited near-record lows in inflation and an agricultural trade surplus of $6 billion. After 4 years of failed Democratic policies, we were left with a 21.5 percent increase in prices and an agricultural trade deficit of $40 billion.

When a ship runs into an iceberg, it takes time to turn the ship around, Mr. Speaker. You need to bail the water, repair the planks, and restart the engine before you can fully correct course. Fortunately, thanks to the leadership of President Trump and congressional Republicans, we are back on track and moving away from the iceberg that was President Biden's administration.

Over the course of the first session of this Congress, we made important progress for Kansans. We pushed back against burdensome regulations that drive up costs for Main Street. We worked to strengthen American energy production so families can afford to heat their homes and fuel their vehicles. We advanced policies that support agricultural producers and rural communities and restored the rule of law at our border. Most importantly, we cut taxes for working families, giving the average Kansan $2,200 more per year in take-home pay beginning this month.

That work matters, and I am proud of the progress we have made, but after the damage done by the previous administration, there is much more work to do. That is what this second session must be about.

For Kansans, this starts with agriculture. Farmers have been facing higher input costs, tighter margins, and growing uncertainty since 2021. They need predictability, risk management tools, and a strong farm safety net. Completing a farm bill that reflects the realities on the ground is vitally important, and I will continue pushing for a fiscally conservative, 5-year farm bill that reflects the priorities of our producers who feed, fuel, and clothe the world.

While real wages are rising and inflation is nearing a 5-year low, there is more to be done to lower costs for families and small businesses. Washington regulations often hit Americans hardest in rural communities like the ones I represent. Commonsense regulatory relief is not about cutting corners. It is about letting people work, grow, and innovate without unnecessary government interference.

Energy is another area where House Republicans are working hard for the good of our Nation. Kansans support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that prioritizes American oil, gas, biofuels, and renewables. This approach supports good-paying jobs, strengthens our economy, and keeps prices affordable. Green New Deal policies that pick winners and losers or ignore rural realities do not work in places like the Big First of Kansas, and this Congress has a responsibility to pursue solutions grounded in reality, not ideology.

Finally, Congress needs to ensure that we continue good stewardship of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Families in Kansas must make tough choices every day, and they expect their government to do the same. Last year, we rescinded $9.4 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse found in Federal programs, such as funding for Iraqi ``Sesame Street,'' electric buses in Rwanda, and LGBTQ programs in Uganda. Fiscal responsibility is not optional. It is a basic obligation that House Republicans are focused on each and every day in the 119th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, the second session of this Congress is not about starting

over. It is about following through. Kansans sent me here to stay focused on results, not political noise. I will continue working to make sure this body delivers real outcomes for the Big First District of Kansas and keeps its promises to the people whom we serve.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, this Chamber lost a kind friend, loving husband, proud father, and tireless advocate for rural America and the Western United States.

Doug LaMalfa brought joy and sincerity into the Halls of Congress every single day and fought for the good of northern California.

I first met Doug in freshman orientation. Of course, he was a more senior Member than I was, but we go to leadership elections, and because ``LaMalfa'' was near ``Mann'' in the alphabet, I sat right behind Doug, who quickly introduced himself to me, found out I was from Kansas, and spent 3 minutes digging through his phone to find pictures of a road trip that he took in one of his classic cars right through Kansas. Seven minutes later, I walked away from Doug very aware of all the stops that he had made in my great State. From that moment on, I was always the Mann from Kansas.

During our time together on the House Agriculture Committee, Doug routinely brought the priorities of farmers and ranchers in his district directly into committee hearings and roundtables. His multigenerational family farm grounded him and his beliefs, making him an even better advocate for the abundant agricultural producers of California's First District.

Audrey and I are praying for Doug's loved ones as they grieve through this tragedy.

Psalm 34:18 says: ``The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.'' It is our prayer that Doug's family, friends, and team would feel that closeness as they honor, and we all honor, his life and legacy.

Mr. Speaker, the first time I spoke on this floor this year, I highlighted the vision the Nation and our constituents charged us to usher in when they elected this Republican majority 1 year ago. The 77 million Americans had given this Congress a mandate to restore commonsense solutions and get our country back on track.

The country was overwhelmingly frustrated with the open border, the Green New Deal, the heavy-handed regulatory policies from the Biden- Harris administration, and we all wanted the madness to stop.

This Republican majority has been laser focused on keeping our promise to America, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished in a little under 1 year.

For years, the Nation watched as radical activists targeted the right to life, the right to bear arms, and even the freedom of speech. These rights are fundamental to who we are as Americans. On September 10, 2025, the country saw the unimaginable happen when Charlie Kirk was senselessly assassinated for practicing his right to free speech and open debate. That is not who we are as Americans.

Rather than allowing this evil to silence patriotic Americans, this majority recommitted ourselves to our founding values and the fact that we are endowed by our creator with inalienable rights and that the government exists to secure those rights, regardless of what way the political winds are blowing.

As we move into 2026 and look forward to celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great Nation, it is important that we recommit ourselves to faith, family, and freedom and continue fighting to ensure that leadership in our Nation's Capital supports and affirms our God- given rights.

As I talk with Kansans about the challenges here in Washington, we all agreed: We need more Kansas values and commonsense solutions. While there is still a lot of work to do, we had a strong start to restoring this commonsense leadership. Over the course of the first 3 months of our Republican majorities in the House and Senate and President Trump's Presidency, we repealed Green New Deal policies that hindered small businesses, stifled innovation, and drove up costs for everyday families.

President Trump's policies delivered the safest border in our Nation's history with Customs and Border Protection showing a 95 percent decline in daily encounters under President Trump compared to President Biden's policies within the first 100 days. President Trump and congressional Republicans' policies enforced the law and worked tirelessly to remove bad actors from the country. Month after month, the data has shown and continues to show that our country is more secure now than ever.

Our national debt continues to be a concern, standing today at $38 trillion. It is obvious that Congress needs to continue cleaning up our fiscal house, and, for once, we have leadership willing to rein in wasteful spending.

President Trump was the first President in our Nation's history to do what is necessary: pause Federal spending, go line by line through the Federal budget, and seriously evaluate how our Federal dollars are being spent. For many leaders of the Nation's Capital, this was heartburn, but for fiscal conservatives like me, it was welcomed fiscal sanity.

Majorities in the House and Senate supported this rollback of wasteful spending, rescinding $9 billion spending for voter ID initiatives overseas, electric buses in Africa, and millions of dollars in LGBT movements around the world. This wasn't just fiscal irresponsibility. It is highway robbery.

All of Washington should be working with Republicans to rein in our government spending, but as far-left activists demanded free healthcare for illegal immigrants, Federal spending lapsed, and the government shut down for 43 days, putting some of our most vulnerable and brave Americans at risk. House Republicans remained united, and we did not cave to the radical left. We stood firm and continued to urge our colleagues across the aisle to come to the table, return to regular order, and get our fiscal house back in order.

Together, this majority has enacted policies that restore the American Dream. As a fifth-generation Kansan, I take that American Dream very seriously. For five generations, my family has farmed, raised cattle, and been involved in our western Kansas community. I want my children and future grandchildren to be able to do the same.

The working families tax cuts passed by Congress help restore the American Dream by making the Trump tax cuts permanent and ushering in a new era of economic prosperity and growth for the country. Our legislation prevented Kansans from seeing a tax hike of more than $2,000 this upcoming January, made long-overdue investments in strengthening the farm safety net, and restored American energy dominance while ensuring affordable, reliable energy access for families across the country.

This is the future Kansas families voted for as they have waited for years to get a degree of relief from the historic inflation levels caused by President Biden.

Serving in the Big First District in the U.S. House of Representatives is a tremendous honor. I look forward to all that we are going to accomplish next term as we celebrate all the victories of this year.

Mr. Speaker, Zach Scheiman was a true patriot. Born and raised in Garden City, Kansas, Zach was a deep lover of freedom who embodied courage and service over self. Zach lived by these principles, and they guided him through his lifetime.

Tragically, Zach passed away doing what he loved most, serving others. He gave up his life while fighting alongside the Ukrainian Special Forces, defending the principles he so greatly believed in.

As a young boy, Zach fell in love with aviation. He could often be found helping with events at the Garden City Regional Airport or excitedly watching his father, Mike, in the air traffic control tower. Those countless hours at the airport made a lasting impact on him, and as a young adult, Zach answered the call to serving in the United States Air Force.

Throughout his Air Force career, Zach served at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, and completed international stints in Iraq and Qatar. Zach also served with the Royal Air Force in Mildenhall in the United Kingdom.

For the last 11 years, Zach served in his hometown once more as an air traffic controller at the same place where his love for aviation began, the Garden City Regional Airport.

Zach did not keep that love of aviation to himself. He couldn't. He found joy in sharing that passion for aviation with student groups who visited the air traffic control tower, as well as with visitors and student pilots learning the field that he loved so much.

Zach poured into Garden City's youth by serving on the local arts boards in Garden City and actively participating in community career fairs. He left his community better than he found it, creating gains for students and helping organize local festivals, recitals, and shows.

Zach was a man of honor, and Audrey and I are deeply grateful for his service to our Nation and our community. We pray for his loved ones and the Garden City community as they come to terms with his untimely passing. May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Zach for his duty and service.

Celebrating Kansas Football

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize four remarkable high school football programs in the Big First District that brought home State championships this season.

In Kansas, high school football is more than a sport. It teaches discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of community. More importantly, it connects us all through a common good while making memories that will last a lifetime.

As a kid from western Kansas, I grew up listening to K-State football on the radio. Like so many young people across our State, those Saturday broadcasts shaped my love of the game. I later had the privilege of playing on a State championship team myself at Quinter High School, and I remember the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself. That is what these young men experienced this season.

This year, four schools from the Big First reached the top of their divisions.

In 6A, Manhattan High School claimed the title with a decisive 27-0 win over Olathe Northwest. Their players, coaches, and staff worked hard all season to earn an achievement that will be remembered in the Manhattan community forever.

In 5A, my hometown of Salina is celebrating a very special moment. The Salina Central Mustangs brought home the State championship with a 51-34 victory over Basehor-Linwood. For the students, families, and alumni who have longed for another State championship for the last 20 years, I congratulate them on bringing their title home. They all deserve it, and we are all so proud.

In the 1A Division, Sterling football defeated Rossville 35-34 in one of the closest and most competitive games of the season. Games like this reflect the best of high school athletics: determination, sportsmanship, and communities rallying behind their teams.

In an eight-man Division II, Hanover earned a 28-20 victory over Victoria to secure another championship for their school. Eight-man football has deep roots in rural Kansas, and Hanover's success highlights the strength of programs that represent some of our smallest but proudest communities.

Mr. Speaker, four State championships in 1 year from schools in the Big First District is quite an accomplishment. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the strong communities, dedicated coaches, supportive families, and student-athletes who put the work in day after day to bring these championships home.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these young men, their schools, and their hometowns. They have represented Kansas with pride, and they have very bright futures ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. Last Wednesday, the Nation witnessed a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence involving two members of our National Guard from West Virginia, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe.

Specialist Beckstrom gave her life in service to our country. She wore our Nation's uniform with honor, stood ready to defend her neighbors, and lived out the highest ideals of duty and sacrifice. We grieve her loss deeply, and I ask God to bring comfort and peace to her family, her loved ones, and entire National Guard community.

We also pray for the full and swift recovery of Staff Sergeant Wolfe. He remains in critical condition, and Americans across Kansas and the country continue to cover him in prayer. I ask for God's healing hand on him, for strength for his family, and for protection over every man and woman who serves.

Mr. Speaker, tragedies like this remind us that the cost of our freedom is not free. None of these men and women were drafted or forced to put on the uniform they wear. They boldly answered the call to serve in defense of our freedom and safety, and we are eternally grateful for the sacrifice that they and all the Armed Forces make every day in service to our country.

Tragedies like this shake us, but they also remind us just how precious life is, how quickly it can be taken, and how much we owe to those who step forward to serve.

This violence was senseless. It was wrong. Today, we pause not to debate, but to mourn, to honor, and to pray.

Mr. Speaker, let us remember Sarah Beckstrom's courage. Let us stand with Andrew Wolfe as he fights to recover. Let us hold their families close in our hearts during these difficult days ahead.

May God bless the Beckstrom and Wolfe families. May He watch over our National Guard, and may He bring comfort and healing to all who are hurting.

Mr. Speaker, may Specialist Sarah Beckstrom's soul rest in peace.

Less Regulation, More Freedom

Mr. Speaker, every year, small businesses spend nearly $15,000 per employee to comply with Federal laws. American companies spend over $3 trillion a year on compliance.

I am sure this is not a shock to anyone in this Chamber, but we know that some of that cost gets passed on to consumers. The Competitive Enterprise Institute estimates that U.S. households absorb $16,000 annually in hidden regulatory fees and taxes.

For many families in the Big First District of Kansas, that money could be used much better elsewhere.

When this Republican majority was elected last year, the country trusted us to roll back burdensome regulations and lower costs. This week, we have an opportunity to do so.

The small businesses that make up the Big First are often small, family-owned and -operated mom-and-pop shops. They don't manage or run their small businesses to be billionaires or to become ultrawealthy. Their goals are to serve their communities, meet a need, and serve their neighbors well. That is what they should be empowered to do, but sadly, that is not their reality.

Everyday Americans are forced to bear the brunt of that regulatory cost. If you talk to families across my district and ask them what they could do with $16,000, the answers would be endless. Some may say that they would purchase a car for their family or teenage child.

Many would love to see that money stored away in an emergency fund or a retirement fund. If their family has a loved one who is aging or facing health challenges, that money could be used to assist with caregiving or medical expenses. No matter the response, I feel confident that the vast majority of Kansans would agree that they could find a better use for those dollars than paying an additional tax to bureaucrats who want to regulate every detail of how they do business from hundreds of miles away.

This week, House Republicans will take a commonsense step forward by protecting consumers and small businesses alike from these costs. The Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act is exactly the type of legislation that this Congress was elected to enact. It ensures that any regulatory change from the SBA does not increase compliance costs for small businesses and, in turn, consumers. Regulations are meant to protect competition, not make costs unbearable for businessowners and consumers.

We are working to right that wrong, make small businesses stronger, and give American families more breathing room in their day-to-day expenses. Despite the distraction that the media and some of my colleagues across the aisle would love to see in this Chamber, this majority is still laser-focused on delivering on our promises that we made to the country last year. This is yet another small step forward to getting our country back on track and

helping small businesses thrive again. Promises made, promises kept.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Scott William Heimann, a loyal husband, a devoted father, a beloved son, and an invaluable member of the Hays, Kansas, community. Scott paid the ultimate price, sacrificing his life for the community he loved and served.

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Scott's watch ended far too soon. He was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. On behalf of Kansans in the Big First District, I thank Scott for his service.

Scott served with the Hays Police Department for 9 years. Throughout his time, he served on the Special Situation Response Team, High-Tech Crime Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Honor Guard.

Scott took pride in wearing the Hays Police Department uniform. He was never above serving the community he lived in, whether his task was reading books to students at the library or responding to the most dangerous threats that posed a risk to his neighbors. There was no task too big or too small in his eyes.

Audrey and I mourn with the Hays community, and I continue to pray for them as they come to terms with this tragedy. We especially pray for Scott's wife, Beth; his beautiful children, Victoria and Patrick; and all his loved ones who he left behind.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 34 that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. As the reality of Scott's untimely passing sets in, I ask that the Lord be close to his family, wrap His arms around this grieving community, and provide comfort.

I say well done to Sergeant Heimann. May he rest in peace. I thank him for his service and for giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Recognizing National Rural Health Month

Mr. Speaker, this Thursday, America will celebrate National Rural Health Day. As a Representative of 60 primarily rural counties and the congressional district with the most critical access hospitals than any other district in the country, I understand full well the importance of adequate, quality healthcare for all communities.

Earlier this year, I proudly supported the working families tax cut, which established the Rural Health Transformation Program. This legislation made the single largest investment into rural healthcare in nearly two decades and will be life-changing for the men and women who call rural communities like the ones I represent home.

The $50 billion in the Rural Health Transformation Program will better position rural healthcare facilities to embrace innovative technologies while improving the way healthcare is delivered, strengthening health outcomes, and ensuring the health of rural Americans reaches its full potential. The quality of care that Americans receive should not and cannot depend on their ZIP Code.

By investing in the Rural Health Transformation Program and putting safeguards around the Medicaid program to guarantee it serves the vulnerable patients it was intended to serve, this Republican majority has taken historic strides to strengthen rural healthcare. Rural communities are the backbone of America, and I am proud that I have supported this legislation to ensure that they have access to the highest quality care.

This National Rural Health Month, I recognize and thank the dedicated rural healthcare providers, hospitals, service providers, clinics, and community health centers that serve as pillars in providing health services and lifesaving care to Kansans in rural America and work to ensure that they receive the care that they deserve.

I ask that they keep up the hard work, and I thank them again for all that they do for their neighbors in rural America. Happy National Rural Health Month.