Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I grew up in the shadow of war in South Korea. My family fled poverty and a bitter lack of opportunity, and my mother- in-law crossed the DMZ multiple times to rescue loved ones who were trapped under tyranny in North Korea. For me, it is unimaginable to see socialist ideas gaining traction in America today, but then I remember that socialism never advertises its track record: starvation, oppression, the loss of freedom and opportunity, and more than 100 million lives lost worldwide.

Today's proponents of socialism have made their goals clear. Read them for yourself on the DSA website: abolish the U.S. Senate, replace the Presidency, dismantle the Supreme Court, and rewrite our Constitution.

These radicals want to tear down everything America stands on and everything it stands for. I refuse to watch that happen.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1490 so that this generation of Americans is not fooled by the empty promises of socialism and future generations never pay the price that families like mine already have. As Ronald Reagan said: We must preserve America as the world's last best hope for mankind.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Korea Foundation for its steadfast support of the Peace Corps Korea Revisit Program. This initiative has enabled more than 500 former Peace Corps Korea Volunteers to return to the Republic of Korea and witness firsthand the extraordinary transformation achieved since their service from 1966 to 1981.

During those years, more than 2,000 Americans served in the Peace Corps in Korea, working alongside local communities as the country rebuilt from war. I know their story personally because I was a young girl growing up in South Korea during those same years. These volunteers, together with the resilience and determination of the Korean people, helped a war-torn nation rise into a vibrant democracy and one of America's strongest allies.

The Peace Corps Korea Revisit Program is a powerful testament to the bonds forged through that shared experience. By supporting this program, the Korea Foundation has made it possible for former volunteers to reconnect with the communities they once served and to see the lasting impact of their partnership, service, and mutual respect.

I join Friends of Korea in expressing my appreciation for the Korea Foundation's leadership and generosity in advancing this meaningful initiative and strengthening the ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Korea Foundation for its continued efforts to promote goodwill, understanding, and cooperation between our two nations.

Mr. Speaker, over 80 percent of Americans believe Members of Congress shouldn't be trading stocks and benefiting off insider information. Yet, while Americans have made their

position clear, some Members of Congress and their families made more than 13,000 stock trades worth more than $600 million last year.

Americans deserve to know they have honest representation that puts their interests first in Washington, not career politicians looking to get rich.

That is why I am proud to rise in strong support of this Stop Insider Trading Act to restore trust in Congress and bring accountability that the American people are asking for.

Congress is not a VIP club for lifelong insiders to enrich themselves. We are here to serve the American people, and the American people have given us a clear mandate.

This is not partisan. It is not controversial. Stopping insider trading should be the easiest decision we make this week. Let's get this done.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3350, to designate a post office in the city of Tustin, California, as the Ursula Ellen Kennedy Post Office Building.

Ursula Ellen Kennedy made history as the first woman elected to the Tustin City Council and the first woman to serve as mayor of Tustin.

At a time when few women held public office, Ursula stepped forward to serve the city she loved. In 1978, she was elected to the Tustin City Council, and 6 years later, her colleagues chose her to serve as Tustin's mayor.

However, her story did not begin in city hall. While raising her family, she became a writer, publishing more than 500 articles and a book of essays. In her forties, she enrolled in law school, earned her degree, passed the bar, and built her career as an attorney while raising her family.

Ursula came to city hall to build a stronger Tustin. When the city's planning commission was disbanded, she fought to restore it because she believed residents deserved a voice in their community's future.

She helped guide the development of east Tustin into the neighborhood we know today as Tustin Ranch. She also championed the senior center that still serves residents today, helping bring it from vision to reality. More than three decades later, it remains a lasting testament to her leadership.

Ursula Kennedy passed away in 2024 at the age of 87. She is remembered as a woman of vision, humor, fairness, and heart. She leaves behind a loving family who continues her legacy.

While we can never fully repay leaders like Ursula Kennedy, dedicating this post office ensures her legacy lives on in the community she helped build.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Kennedy family for working with me on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3350. May Ursula Kennedy's life continue to inspire us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

There is nothing more central to the American Dream than homeownership. Unfortunately, thanks to Gavin Newsom and leadership in Sacramento, that American Dream is slipping away, and hardworking families are being left in the dust.

After years of inaction, my home State of California has earned an F in housing affordability. That is why I am taking action, working closely with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to help address that crisis for my constituents in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

We have already worked closely with President Trump to secure historic SALT relief for southern Californians. That relief, combined with the provisions in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, will bring the dream of homeownership closer to reality for working families in my district.

For the first time since 2006, we are unlocking new capital that financial institutions can invest in affordable housing and community development projects. Additionally, we have fortified programs that will aid rebuilding efforts and help mitigate potential wildfires.

Under this administration and Republican leadership in Congress, we are making it easier for builders to build, lenders to lend responsibly, and families to save. Hopefully, this legislation will deliver results for American families, as promised.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to add my voice in strong support of H.R. 7892, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act. In California, 34 percent of community college applicants have been flagged as likely fraudulent. That is more than one in three applicants.

These so-called AI ghost students are scammers using fake identities to enroll in classes, pocket taxpayer dollars, and disappear without ever setting foot in a classroom.

Between April of 2024 and April of 2025, criminals stole more than $10 million from California's community colleges, robbing taxpayers and hurting real students who depend on that aid.

That is why I sent a letter to the Department of Education demanding an investigation and stronger safeguards to stop this fraud before taxpayer dollars go out the door. This bill builds on those efforts by strengthening application verification requirements and ensuring future administrations cannot weaken them.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Burgess Owens for introducing this very commonsense legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7037, the Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies, or DOMINANCE Act.

Critical minerals are the foundation of military power, industrial strength, and economic security. They enable fighter jets, semiconductors, batteries, and energy infrastructure. They increasingly determine which nations lead the modern world and which ones fall behind.

Today, far too many of these supply chains are controlled by China, creating a strategic vulnerability the United States cannot afford to ignore.

Over the past year, Congress has taken a serious look at this challenge. Last July, the Foreign Affairs Committee's East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee held a hearing on breaking China's chokehold on critical mineral supply chains. The message was clear: America must boost domestic production while building a coordinated strategy with our allies and trusted partners.

We have also spent the past year listening to the companies, manufacturers, and investors building these supply chains, including Freeport-McMoRan, MP Materials, KoBold Metals, and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Earlier this year, my colleague Congressman Bera and I traveled to Peru to see firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing critical mineral development. Across all of these conversations, one consistent theme emerged--America needs a durable, long-term strategy.

The Trump administration has advanced important initiatives, such as FORGE, Pax Silica, and Project Vault. I recognize administration officials David Copley, Jacob Helberg, and Ben Black for their leadership in advancing America's energy and mineral security interests.

Yet Congress must ensure these efforts endure beyond any single administration. As China executes a decades-long plan, America cannot afford to shift strategies every few years. That is why Representative Bera and I introduced the bipartisan DOMINANCE Act.

This legislation aligns America's diplomatic, financing, and strategic tools to strengthen critical mineral and energy supply chains with our trusted partners.

I thank Congressman Pete Stauber of Minnesota, chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, for his leadership on domestic mining. I also thank Congressman Rob Wittman for his leadership on strengthening our defense industrial base, and Congressman John Moolenaar for confronting the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party.

The DOMINANCE Act complements their work by ensuring international efforts reinforce, not replace, U.S. domestic production and industrial resilience.

The bill establishes the Bureau of Energy Security and Diplomacy at the State Department. It creates long-term energy security pacts with our allies and partners. It authorizes the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement, FORGE, and improves interagency coordination.

It supports key investments in energy supply chains, launches mining fellowship and exchange programs to build future talent, codifies key White House positions, and requires specialized training for Foreign Service officers in critical posts around the world.

This legislation is about economic security, industrial strength, and national security. The United States must stop depending on China for the materials that power the modern world.

The DOMINANCE Act ensures that America and its allies, not our adversaries, shape the future of global energy and critical mineral supply chains.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8665, the Allied Defense Sales Act.

As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Foreign Military Sales Task Force, I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan bill introduced by our task force chair, Representative Zinke.

H.R. 8665 is a practical step forward to strengthen our defense industrial base while reinforcing partnerships with trusted partners.

America produces the most advanced and reliable defense systems in the world. Our partners across Europe, Asia, and beyond consistently prefer U.S. equipment for its quality, performance, and the security relationships that come with it. Yet, many smaller nations face significant obstacles when pursuing individual purchases. The administrative burden, minimum order sizes, and unpredictable timelines often discourage sales that would otherwise benefit both our allies and American industry.

H.R. 8665 addresses these challenges head-on. The bill directs the State Department to develop a clear strategy for enabling multinational procurement. A partner nation would agree to serve as the lead nation to enable a multinational procurement, ensuring other qualified allies are able to participate in important foreign military sales.

By combining demand, we can achieve more predictable production schedules, lower unit costs, faster deliveries, and greater overall efficiency for manufacturers here at home.

This model also improves interoperability among our partners, allowing them to work more seamlessly alongside U.S. forces and with one another.

This legislation requires the Department to assess allied interest, identify suitable lead coordinators, examine financing options for partners that may not qualify for standard programs, address regulatory hurdles under existing export laws, and highlight opportunities to make more U.S. capabilities available for export. The Department will need to regularly report to Congress on implementation and on its results.

In an era when competitors are aggressively marketing their systems abroad, we must make it easier for allies to choose American. This bill does that without compromising our rigorous oversight or security standards.

It supports good-paying jobs in defense manufacturing hubs nationwide, including in Orange and Riverside Counties in my district, which many aerospace and defense primes, SMEs,

and startups call home. It enhances collective deterrence and advances U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes both economic strength and strategic advantage.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8665 is a commonsense step forward. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my remarks on the previous version of this bill be moved to this point in debate in the Congressional Record.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5248, the Producing Returns and Opportunity for Investment and Trade Act, or PROFIT Act.

I thank Chairman Mast for his leadership on this bill and working with us. This is a bipartisan bill, and it is the result of months of collaborative work by the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee and my staff.

I thank Chairman Mast for his leadership and getting us this far. His initiative to prioritize State Department reauthorization, as part of a broader all-of-committee effort, is already delivering results.

Before last year's NDAA, nearly 85 percent of the Department was unauthorized. With the passage of H.R. 5248, Chairman Mast will have pushed through legislation to bring that authorization level well above 50 percent. That is truly an amazing achievement.

I also thank Ranking Member Meeks. During the September 2025 committee markup, he rightly called this bill ``a distinct bright spot'' in the authorizing process due to its strong bipartisan refinement.

I am delighted that we have been able to bring this bill to the House floor under suspension today. Passing H.R. 5248 alongside other State Department authorization legislation fulfills a core responsibility of the Foreign Affairs Committee, producing an annual authorization bill.

Regrettably, the committee has neglected this fundamental duty for over two decades, and the costs of that neglect have grown steadily.

Without regular authorizations, we cede policy direction to other committees and must rely on their vehicles to advance our priorities. Oversight suffers as the Department becomes less responsive, delaying witnesses, ignoring document requests and briefings, and we fall short of our Article I constitutional responsibilities.

Unchecked, the Department, like most government agencies, expands, loses focus, and accumulates bloat. Bureaus and offices created to serve one administration's priorities persist, layering new offices on top of old ones and creating redundancy and inefficiency. The Department of State that this administration inherited was rife with bloat, government waste, and slowed decisionmaking.

The PROFIT Act is a critical step to restoring regular order to the authorization process. It codifies what President Trump has said repeatedly: economic security is national security; economic policy is foreign policy.

This bill realigns bureaus and offices under the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, placing commercial diplomacy at the forefront of America First foreign policy. It signals strong support to American companies in critical minerals, energy, and related sectors. The Department will work to open markets, reduce dangerous supply chain dependence on China and other adversaries, and level the playing field so U.S. firms can compete and win abroad.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is a vital piece of the committee's broader effort. At a time of unprecedented challenges to our economic sovereignty, the Department's tools must be fit for purpose. H.R. 5248 equips it to prioritize economic statecraft and deliver results for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ryan Gallagher for completing his tenure as Chairman of the Orange County Sanitation District Board of Directors, having served from July 2024 through June 2026.

In his various positions, Chairman Gallagher has provided nearly six years of continuous leadership and vision to the OC San Board of Directors, Administration Committee, Steering Committee, Operations Committee, Groundwater Replenishment System Steering Committee, General Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee, General Legal Services Ad Hoc Committee, and OC San/Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority Joint Policy Committee.

Tustin City Councilmember Ryan Gallagher was born and raised in Southern California and holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He is a licensed Civil Engineer in the State of California and was elected to the Tustin City Council in 2020.

Mr. Gallagher was elected to serve as Chairman of the OC San Board in 2024 and serves as a member of the Water Advisory Committee of Orange County and Newport Bay Watershed Executive Committee. Prior to joining the City Council, Ryan proudly served on the Tustin Planning Commission and as past Board President of Orange County Water Association, as well as in past Board President roles for local chapters of the Association of Water Agencies, American Public Works Association, and American Society of Civil Engjneers.

Ryan is the Chief Operations Officer of MKN, a water and wastewater consulting firm. He previously served as a Vice President of a nationwide engineering firm and Associate Vice President of a Fortune 500 global engineering firm. In his role, he works with local municipalities to plan and design clean water infrastructure for the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water to communities throughout Southern California, which earned him recognition as one of the top 20 engineers in the country under 40 by Engineering News-Record in 2019.

During his tenure as Board Chairman from July 2024 through June 2026, Chairman Gallagher compiled a remarkable record of accomplishment. He championed the rollout of the Resource Innovation for a Sustainable Environment program--known as RISE--a forward-looking initiative focused on water, energy, solids, and air that positions OC San to meet future environmental and operational challenges. He oversaw continued fiscal strength, including maintaining OC San's AAA credit ratings from all three major agencies for the 15th consecutive year, reinforcing affordability and responsible rate management.

Chairman Gallagher directed Board efforts on the 2025 Strategic Plan update, including the addition of a new policy focus on potable water salinity control and continued emphasis on environmental stewardship and fiscal discipline. He supported the launch of OC San's redesigned website, improving accessibility, transparency, and ease of use for customers and stakeholders, and oversaw increased public engagement efforts--including community events, tours, and educational programs reaching thousands of residents and students across the service area.

He also supported initiatives that strengthened workplace culture, including a highly successful employee engagement survey with strong participation and positive feedback on meaningful work and growth opportunities. And throughout his chairmanship, he reinforced OC San's leadership in regulatory compliance and environmental protection through programs like the Pretreatment Honor Roll and longstanding ocean monitoring efforts that protect coastal water quality.

I want to thank Chairman Gallagher for his exemplary service and dedication to OC San and the communities we serve and wish him all the best in the years ahead.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for yielding.

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1259. This resolution sends a very clear message: The United States will not be silent while the Chinese Communist Party continues to detain, torture, and disappear innocent people, including family members of American citizens.

These individuals are not criminals. They are pastors, doctors, publishers, and brave voices who have been targeted simply because they threaten the CCP's fabricated narrative and grip on power.

Under the CCP's rule, there has been ample evidence of modern-day concentration camps in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities face genocide because of their language, culture, and beliefs.

In Hong Kong, the National Security Law and Article 23 have crushed basic freedoms. Jimmy Lai, the courageous founder of Apple Daily, has now spent over 5 years imprisoned. In February of this year, he was sentenced to an additional 20 years in prison, which is essentially a life sentence. At 78 years old, his health is deteriorating, and his case is a symbol of Beijing's assault on the rule of law and basic human rights.

The CCP's unrelenting persecution campaign and coercion do not stop at Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Around the world, Tibetans, Falun Gong practitioners, Christians, and prodemocracy voices are under threat.

As President Trump prepares to engage directly with Xi Jinping this week, we urge for the prioritization of the immediate and unconditional release of Pastor Jin Mingri; Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife, Pang Yu; Dr. Gulshan Abbas; Jimmy Lai; and all others justly detained.

Several of these individuals have family members who are U.S. citizens. Their loved ones here at home deserve answers and action.

I commend President Trump for always putting America first and demonstrating strength and resolve on the world stage.

We reject the CCP's reign of terror. We stand with every freedom- loving people in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Tibet, and across China who dreams of a day when faith is not a crime and truth is not censored.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and

I urge the administration to make the release of these individuals a priority in engaging with Beijing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Eva Woodby, who recently passed away, and I send my deepest condolences to her devoted husband, Alex Yu, and family.

Eva lived the American Dream. She came to the United States as a student with nothing and worked tirelessly to build a very successful business. No matter how much she achieved, she never stopped giving back or lifting others up.

Even when her business struggled during COVID and as she battled late-stage cancer, Eva never gave up. She faced every challenge with strength, dignity, and determination. Her life was not defined by hardship, but by courage and resilience. She showed all of us what it means to keep moving forward, no matter the odds.

I am very grateful for Eva's friendship, and I will strive to live up to the example she set every single day.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and to honor the resilience and strength of the Armenian people.

I am deeply grateful for our vibrant Armenian-American community in southern California whom I cherish very dearly. Their history, their culture, and their contributions are an enduring part of our Nation's history.

As we reflect on this tragedy, we must also reaffirm our commitment to

truth, education, and prevention. That is because remembrance is not just about the past, it is about protecting the future.

I will continue to stand with the Armenian community, and I will work to ensure that the promise of ``never again'' is upheld.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, and I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 5587, the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS Act.

Republicans ran on a simple promise: to unleash American energy dominance and lower prices for families. The HEATS Act delivers on those commitments.

Geothermal energy is a powerful domestic energy source that can generate electricity and heat homes and buildings without relying on foreign adversaries or suppliers.

America has enormous geothermal resources sitting right beneath our feet. My State of California has some of the richest geothermal reserves in the world, but burdensome permitting requirements are keeping that energy locked away.

The HEATS Act fixes that by cutting red tape and waiving Federal drilling permit requirements for geothermal wells on State and local lands. Operators will still go through a rigorous State-level permitting process, but they will no longer be subjected to duplicative Federal requirements that slow production, raise costs, and kill jobs.

This means more American energy coming online faster, lower energy costs for working families, and a stronger domestic supply chain that doesn't depend on adversaries like China.

H.R. 5587 is a commonsense, progrowth measure that lowers energy costs and strengthens our national security.

I thank Representative Gray for working with me and co-leading this effort. I also thank Chairman Bruce Westerman for his work to accelerate geothermal production and advance American energy independence.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the HEATS Act.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1422) to impose sanctions with respect to persons engaged in logistical transactions and sanctions evasion relating to oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, and related petrochemical products from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1422, the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act.

For decades, the Iranian regime has brutally suppressed its own people while exporting terror across the globe. Tehran has pursued nuclear weapons, expanded its missile and drone programs, sponsored terrorism, and targeted Americans and our allies.

On February 28, under President Trump's leadership, U.S. Central Command launched Operation Epic Fury after Iran rejected diplomatic off-ramps and refused to dismantle its nuclear program.

Since then, the regime has escalated further by targeting civilian infrastructure and threatening to hold the Strait of Hormuz and our global energy supply hostage. These actions are funded by Iran's illicit oil and gas sales, and now is the time to cut off its revenue streams.

H.R. 1422 strengthens secondary sanctions on entities that are enabling Iran to evade existing restrictions and profit from its petroleum trade.

This bill sends a very clear message that the United States will not tolerate those who finance the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, June 16, 2025.

Hon. Brian Mast,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

Dear Chairman Mast: I write regarding H.R. 1422, the

Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025. Provisions of this bill

fall within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction,

and I appreciate that you consulted with us on those

provisions. The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be

discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it

may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.

The Committee takes this action with the understanding that

forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in

any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any

future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their

subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a

conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar

legislation.

I ask that you please insert this letter in the

Congressional Record during consideration of H.R. 1422 on the

House floor. I appreciate the cooperative manner in which our

committees have worked on this matter, and I look forward to

working collaboratively in the future on matters of shared

jurisdiction. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, yes, I reclaim my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa and is the author of this important bill.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.