Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 309, the National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act. I thank Chairman Westerman for his support and his work on this.

Congressman Panetta and more than 120 Members--120 of us--all came together in this bipartisan effort to support our law enforcement officers. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 309.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend, a true Texas legend, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and the heartbeat of ZZ Top for more than 50 years, Frank Beard.

Frank passed away on August 17, 2026, in Richmond, Texas, at his ranch,

surrounded by his family. He is now reunited with ZZ Top's base player, Dusty Hill.

As a teenager, Frank picked up the drums, and he never looked back. From 1966 to 1968, Frank played alongside Dusty Hill in the band American Blues before the two of them joined up with Billy Gibbons and formed the iconic band ZZ Top and made history.

In 1970, that classic trio, Billy, Dusty, and Frank, played their first show at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Beaumont, Texas. From that night on, the trio stayed together for over half a century, putting out hit after hit and entertaining millions of fans all over the world.

Frank's steady Texas backbeat was the foundation of that sound. He kept ZZ Top's rhythm locked in for more than 50 years.

Billy Gibbons said it best: ``The world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers and a great and true son of Texas.''

I know Frank is deeply missed by his wife, Debbie, his three children, the whole ZZ Top family, and fans all over the world.

Frank Beard will always be a staple of Texas and rock and roll history.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I will miss seeing my friend, Frank, on the golf course and riding around in his sports car in Pecan Grove. Rest in peace. May God bless him.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Milton Turner Wright, Jr., a former Texas Ranger and retired sheriff of Fort Bend County, Texas, who passed away on March 5, 2026.

Sheriff Wright was a true example of a public servant. From serving honorably in the United States Navy to dedicating his life to law enforcement, he always put others before himself. He served as sheriff of Fort Bend County, Texas, for four terms, 16 years, making him the longest serving sheriff in county history.

As sheriff, he revolutionized the office by embracing modern technologies, specialized divisions, and inmate support programs. Earlier this week, Fort Bend County rightfully renamed its detention center after Sheriff Wright, ensuring that his legacy will never be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in praying for his wife of 68 years, Marian; family, friends, and loved ones as they mourn the loss of such an honorable man.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2071, the Save Our Shrimpers Act.

For far too long, hardworking American shrimpers have been devastated by the flood of foreign shrimp imports entering our markets, driving down the prices, undermining fair competition, and forcing generation after generation of fishing families out of business.

For decades, billions of dollars tied to international development financing have helped support foreign shrimp production overseas.

According to publicly available data from the Department of the Treasury, U.S. executive directors at international financial institutions have voted in favor of nearly 89 percent of multilateral shrimp and aquacultural projects over the last 30 years. Think about that--89 percent.

American taxpayer dollars have effectively helped finance foreign shrimp industries while our own shrimpers are being forced to compete against foreign producers benefiting from the subsidies, unfair trade practices, and lower label and environmental standards, allowing imported shrimp to be sold below the cost of production. It is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the men and women from our Gulf Coast and coastal communities wake up before dawn and work long hours in dangerous conditions to help feed this country. They deserve a level playing field, not a Federal Government helping bankroll their foreign competition.

The Save Our Shrimpers Act directs U.S. representatives at international financial institutions to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose projects that finance foreign shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or shrimp exports overseas.

The Save Our Shrimpers Act stands up for American jobs, American seafood producers, and the coastal communities that depend on the shrimping industry to survive.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand up for our shrimpers and protect the American industry, and I ask them to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2071.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3410, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, which will help unlock the next era of American aviation innovation.

My bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update its regulations to allow civil supersonic flight within the National Airspace System, provided that no audible sonic boom reaches the ground. It is a balanced, commonsense approach that prioritizes both technological advancement and the protection of communities on the ground.

Current FAA restrictions, which have remained unchanged since 1973, broadly prohibit commercial supersonic flight over land without special authorization. While these rules were appropriate for their time, they no longer reflect the state of modern aerospace technology.

Today, advancements in engine design, aerodynamics, and materials have made it possible to achieve speeds above Mach I without generating audible sonic booms at ground level. American companies are already demonstrating that quieter supersonic flight is not only feasible, but safe and reliable.

It is essential that the FAA modernize its regulatory framework to reflect these technological realities. By establishing clear, science and evidence-based standards, we can provide certainty to innovations while ensuring the highest safety standards.

This legislation also reinforces key provisions outlined in President Trump's executive order aimed at ensuring U.S. leadership in civil supersonic aviation, making clear that outdated regulations should not stand in the way of American ingenuity.

H.R. 3410 represents an opportunity for the United States to reclaim and strengthen its leadership in global aviation. By embracing innovation while maintaining rigorous safety and noise standards, we can accelerate the development of future-generation air travel, create high-skilled jobs, and ensure that American companies, not foreign competitors, set the pace for the future of flight.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and help usher in a new era of quiet, efficient, and transformative supersonic travel.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate and honor Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, Superintendent of Schools for Lamar Consolidated Independent School District for recently being named the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year by The School Superintendents Association.

Dr. Nivens leads the way with innovation, high standards, accountability, and joy for leading.

Lamar Consolidated Independent School District is one of the fastest- growing school districts in Texas, serving nearly 49,000 students across nearly 60 campuses.

Before being named the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Nivens was named the Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards.

Under Dr. Nivens' leadership, Lamar Consolidated performs above the State average in academics, with all 57 campuses meeting accountability standards.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Nivens for investing in the education and future of our children and for his commitment to our community. He continues to make the 22nd Congressional District of Texas proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the legislation before us, the ROTOR Act.

The ROTOR Act seeks to fulfill a longstanding recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board to require ADS-B In technology on aircraft operating in our national airspace system. That recommendation reflects years of accident investigation and careful analysis.

But we must also recognize that this bill does not alone close the book on aviation safety. The NTSB recently released its final report on the DCA midair collision, which contains 50 safety recommendations. There is much more work to be done to address them comprehensively and thoughtfully.

We must also be cognizant of the feasibility of implementing the ROTOR Act for all national airspace system users. Safety mandates must be achievable in the real world. Small aircraft operators and regional jet operators could face significant challenges integrating new equipment, particularly if the Federal Aviation Administration were to insist on a fully integrated control panel solution. Costs, downtime, and certification hurdles are not abstract concerns. They are real burdens for operators working on tight margins.

Mr. Speaker, flexibility will be crucial to ensure that all operators can be equipped with available situational awareness tools, including portable technologies and electronic flight bag solutions. I believe this will achieve the broadest implementation and the greatest safety benefits in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

The ROTOR Act isn't perfect. No bill ever is. But I remain committed to working with my colleagues to strengthen aviation safety without placing unnecessary burdens on those we depend on to keep America flying.

Mr. Speaker, the Democratic Party, with help from the dishonest media, used the Epstein files not to seek justice for the victims but to smear President Trump, and it is sickening, quite sickening.

The Democrats have used the Epstein files to distract the American people from the wins President Trump and his administration have delivered for the American people for the last 11 months.

I am proud to work with my Republican colleagues on the House Oversight Committee, in coordination with the Justice Department. Mr. Speaker, 65,000 pages of documents related to Epstein have been released.

What have my Democrat colleagues done? They have selectively leaked and altered documents to mislead the American people.

As President Trump has stated, we have nothing to hide, nothing to hide here. I am voting to release the files so that we can move on from this smear campaign the Democrats have manufactured. God bless Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to honor a good friend and colleague, Representative Derrick Van Orden, a former Navy SEAL, combat medic, and fellow Wisconsinite.

While traveling in Iowa, Mr. Van Orden's combat training kicked in to help save an 11-year-old boy. He and his wife, Sara, were on Interstate 35 outside of Osceola when they heard a large boom. A minivan had collided with a semitruck attempting to reenter the interstate. They immediately turned around and rushed to the scene.

Upon arrival, Mr. Van Orden found a young boy with severe injuries. The young boy's calf was completely ripped apart, and he had an arterial bleed on his right wrist.

Without hesitation, Mr. Van Orden pulled from his suitcase two pairs of socks, which he fashioned into makeshift tourniquets to stop the bleeding in the boy's arm and leg.

With the assistance of two other people who were at the scene, Mr. Van Orden was able to cut seatbelts, a windshield wiper, and a piece of metal to make makeshift tourniquets to stop the bleeding of the young boy until the ambulance arrived.

Without the swift actions of Mr. Van Orden, along with those also on the scene, the young boy probably would have died.

May the actions of Mr. Van Orden and the folks who assisted in saving the young boy inspire all Americans to lend a helping hand to those in need. You truly never know how far an act of kindness, big or small, can go.

Mr. Speaker, Derrick, Representative Van Orden, is with us here. He should have a cape. He is Superman. I applaud Derrick. Well done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero, a man who embodied and exemplified the very best of public service and selfless service, Mr. Chase Childers, a husband, father of three, former police officer, and professional baseball player.

Some of us in the Chamber, including myself, have worn the uniform and sworn an oath to protect and serve our communities. We understand the inherent risks, split-second decisions, and unwavering commitment required.

On July 13, while on vacation with his beloved family in South Carolina, Mr. Childers jumped into action to save another family who were caught in a rip current. Mr. Speaker, they were total strangers. They were not his own family but total strangers.

Thanks to the courageous and selfless acts of Mr. Childers, the family of five made it back to the shore safely. Tragically, Mr. Childers did not.

Mr. Childers' heroic actions serve as a reminder that heroism isn't confined to a uniform or a specific profession.

May his memory be a blessing, and may his actions inspire us all to lend a helping hand to other families, friends, neighbors, and, in this case, total strangers.

God bless Mr. Childers and his loved ones. My family and I are praying for his beautiful wife and three children during this very difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an important provision in the big, beautiful bill.

I was proud to introduce the Endowment Tax Fairness Act, which would

tax the endowment profits of private, elite universities at 21 percent, raising an estimated--listen to me--$70 billion to $100 billion over 10 years.

The Senate gutted this provision and reduced it to under $1 billion annually to protect elite universities that take hundreds of millions of dollars annually in Federal tax dollars.

We were given instructions to generate revenue to pay for President Trump's wonderful priorities. We are not taxing the endowment itself. Harvard has $53 billion. We are not taxing that. We are just going to tax the net earnings on their investments at 21 percent, which is equal to the corporate tax rate.

What did the Senate do? They reduced it to 8 percent, just under 8 percent.

It is about time that we get these universities to pay the same that corporate America pays.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a good friend, Fort Bend County Sheriff's Deputy David Fontenot.

David was a dedicated law enforcement officer with over 30 years of service, 26 of those years with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.

David and I worked many long days, serving and protecting our community. David loved serving his community. He was not only a great sheriff's deputy but he was also a great friend. He was a man that I could depend on and a true professional.

I am saddened to say that on March 29, my friend, David, passed away after a battle with cancer. My prayers are with his family and loved ones, especially his sister, Camile, and his brothers, Chuck, Michael, and Stephen. We love them.

Mr. Speaker, I and the entire law enforcement community of Fort Bend County, Texas, will miss him dearly. God bless him.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena, a true American hero who gave his life fighting the drug trafficking operations of Mexican cartels. As a former law enforcement officer and Army reserve officer, I am deeply moved by Kiki's bravery and sacrifice.

Kiki's remarkable career with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration took him from the

streets of Calexico to the halls of power in Mexico, where he fearlessly worked to dismantle the Guadalajara Cartel. His groundbreaking work led to the discovery of massive drug plantations and the arrest of high-ranking cartel members.

Tragically, Kiki's life was ended by the very criminals he sought to bring to justice. His brutal murder in 1985 shocked our Nation and sparked a renewed commitment to the battle against the Mexican drug cartels.

The recent capture of Rafael Caro Quintero, one of the masterminds behind Kiki's murder, is a testament to the tireless efforts of our great men and women in law enforcement. It's a reminder that justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied. Not to the United States of America.

As we honor Kiki's memory, we also reaffirm our commitment to continuing his vital work. We will not rest until our communities are safe from the greatest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, which is killing our young people at unprecedented rates.

I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Kiki Camarena, a true patriot who gave his life in service to our Nation. May his sacrifice never be forgotten, and may his legacy inspire future generations to carry on his courageous work.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague, Chairman Bost, for yielding. First and foremost, it has been a sincere pleasure to work with the chairman and his staff to advance this important legislation to the House floor. It is an honor to stand with him today. I also extend my gratitude and thanks to my colleague, Mr. Pappas, for co-leading this bipartisan legislation with me for the last two Congresses.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 695, the Medal of Honor Act.

The Medal of Honor is our Nation's highest and most prestigious military decoration that can be awarded.

Under current law, the President may award a Medal of Honor to a member of the Armed Forces who has distinguished himself conspicuously by ``gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.''

Since the Medal of Honor was established by Congress in 1862, it has been awarded 3,528 times. Today, as the chairman stated, there are only 63 living Medal of Honor recipients.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have had the privilege of getting to know some of these heroes and hearing their stories firsthand. In my humble opinion, these heroes are our Nation's most sacred treasure, and it is our obligation, as Congress, to do everything in our capacity to support them and their families.

Currently, each Medal of Honor recipient receives a special pension that totals roughly $1,500 per month, or $18,000 annually. The last update to the special pension for Medal of Honor recipients was back in 2002, when Congress passed the Medal of Honor pension act.

This legislation increased the Medal of Honor recipients' special pension from $600 per month to $1,000 per month. However, since 2002, for more than 20 years, the Medal of Honor special pension has not been updated by Congress. It is long overdue that Congress acts.

My legislation would raise the Medal of Honor special pension to roughly $5,600 per month, or $67,500 annually, and is fully offset.

When I hear stories about how a Medal of Honor recipient's family requested to set up a GoFundMe to pay for surgery and extensive care, or how Medal of Honor recipients are not being reimbursed for travel expenses to speak at several military recruiting events, I knew something had to be done.

Our Medal of Honor heroes deserve better, which is exactly why this critical legislation is needed. While this bill is a small step forward, it is the very least that Congress can do to recognize and show support for these selfless, courageous heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support our Medal of Honor recipients by passing this bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, my Texas colleagues and I rise today to honor a hero, Brazoria County Sheriff's Deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas.

Deputy Vargas was a proud husband and father of three school-age children. Deputy Vargas was shot and killed in the line of duty while working as a member of the U.S. Marshals' Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force, serving a warrant on a repeat offender. He was a dedicated public servant who was with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office for 17 years.

As a former law enforcement officer and sheriff of Fort Bend County, Texas, I know all too well the sacrifices our Nation's law enforcement officers make.

Deputy Vargas was a hero to Brazoria County, the great State of Texas, and our Nation.

My prayers are with the Vargas family, Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman, and the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, the community, and every man and woman in blue.

The war on our law enforcement must end.

I ask everyone in the Chamber to bow their heads in a moment of silence.