Trey Hollingsworth

Mr. Speaker, like my colleagues today, I rise in opposition to the previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 5586, Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act.

Mr. Speaker, Hoosiers are outraged. My friends across the aisle would have you believe that it is just the Hoosier financial institutions that are outraged at having to hand over the personal account information of their customers. It is, in fact, those account owners that are outraged at the notion that my friends across the aisle would build an apparatus to surveil and snoop in their personal bank accounts.

Now, their horror only grows as I answer questions for them. First, they ask, surely this must apply only to the super rich and not to me. But I reply, no, it applies to you if you spend just over $200 a week.

Then they will ask, surely this must only apply to those that are suspected of a crime. And I say, no, it is collection on every account, irrespective of whether there is a suspected crime or tax evasion afoot.

Then, of course, they will ask me, surely the IRS has a very good track record of keeping this data safe. And I have to reply, no, the track record, in fact, indicates the opposite. The IRS has a terrible track record of keeping this data safe against the intrusion of actors from around the world and right here at home.

And then they say, well, surely the IRS has a good track record of not mobilizing this data for political purposes. And yet, again, I have to say, no, in fact, the evidence indicates the IRS has mobilized this data for their own political purposes and for the political purposes across the aisle.

My friends, this is horrifying, this surveillance state that is trying to be built. Hoosiers understand what is being asked of them. Trillions of dollars are being proposed to be spent, and now they are being asked to give up their personal information from their personal bank accounts to foot that bill for my colleagues across the aisle. I hope this stops here.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor and recognize Dr. Emily Volk, Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Health Floyd, for being sworn in as President of the College of American Pathologists this past Saturday.

Dr. Volk has dedicated over 25 years of her life to working in the health care system and serving patients. Her outstanding record of clinical practice and operational leadership led her to the position she now holds with the College of American Pathologists, and she will no doubt exude the utmost competence while holding the position.

Throughout her career, Dr. Volk has championed physician and patient advocacy. I can personally attest to Dr. Volk's passion for advocacy during our interactions both at Baptist Health Floyd and with the College of American Pathologists.

I have full confidence that Dr. Volk will carry this new title with pride and lead by exceptional example. I wish her the best of luck in this new role.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a community leader Steve Kerr. Steve is retiring after 28 years of service to Wheeler Mission, a ministry that has been serving Hoosiers for over 128 years, including two locations in my district.

Steve has been with Wheeler since November 22, 1993. He began his role as the Capital Campaign Director and then moved into the Director of Development role. He has built a strong legacy that has impacted thousands of lives, went from three staff members to now twenty-two who make sure the needs of residents, staff, donors and volunteers are met daily.

In 2003 Steve had the vision to bring runners, walkers, and families together on Thanksgiving Day to help raise money for the ministry. The Drumstick Dash is now headed into its 19th Dash and continues to grow. People from all over the country descend on Indy and virtually to ``Move Their Feet So Others Can Eat.'' The annual campaign, along with other special events, raises around million dollars each year for this vital ministry.

Wheeler Mission offers the Indianapolis and Bloomington communities homeless shelters, residential programming, addiction recovery services, and social enterprises. Wheeler has adapted to meet the community's ever-changing needs and is unwavering in its commitment to Christ and the transformation through the Gospel. I thank Steve Kerr for his commitment to Wheeler Mission, and the lives he has and will continue to impact due to his legacy.