Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, as someone who grew up in a communist country where people were punished for expressing their opinions, I have an enormous appreciation for our First Amendment rights. This is a core principle our Nation was founded on.

I might not like many things that my colleagues from both parties have to say. Sometimes I think they are crazy things, but I will still vigorously defend their First Amendment rights and rights of free speech, especially what they have said as private individuals before. The voters will decide if they are the right representative for them.

It is a slippery slope to start policing people's opinions, and our Congress will start resembling a communist politburo if we are not careful. I would really like my colleagues to think before they make this vote.

Mr. Speaker, as a finance professional and CPA who spent over a decade working in advanced finance, as former accounting college faculty, and as a mother of two young daughters, I am appalled at how reckless, irresponsible, and broken our budgeting process is.

The Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and the intent of fast-track reconciliations has been completely misused, often by both parties. These budgeting gimmicks are unacceptable. We must reinstate the deliberative process in our House and restore transparency, accountability, and basic principles of budgeting.

I hope my Democrat colleagues will express similar concerns to their leadership, since we all care about the future of our children and our country.

As their fellow Democrat Senator once said: We are in the process now of seeing the Pandora's box, which has been opened to the abuse of the reconciliation process.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent Bob Locke on the occasion of his 90th birthday on January 30, 2021. This is a momentous occasion.

Mr. Locke has witnessed so many great milestones in American history in his 90 years of life, and it is my pleasure to now add his name to our country's history. Bob has served his country as a National Guardsmen where he eventually earned the rank of Sergeant. After his years in the Guard, Bob continued to serve his community tirelessly, his hard work enabling countless public servants the ability to support our fellow citizens. The work Mr. Locke has displayed over the past many years has not gone unnoticed and in these trying times I hope this document begins to thank and recognize him.

On behalf of Indiana's 5th Congressional District, I wish Mr. Locke a happy 90th birthday and continued health.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate a variety of opinions, but any accusations must go through the proper due process, whether it is election fraud or an impeachable offense.

As someone who did not support the objection to certification last week, I will not support this political charade today.

The rule of law and due process is vital to what our constitutional Republic stands for. Congress should stop playing divisive politics and start working on delivering real, good policies for the American people.