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09Bills and Joint Resolution Presented to the President
10Adjournment
1 member spoke
11Memorials
Daily Digest
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced
49 public bills, H.R. 6498- 6546; and 3 resolutions, H. Res. 935, 937-938 were introduced.
Pages H5109-11
Reports Filed
Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 1098, to reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119-396); H.R. 5131, to extend military land withdrawals in Alaska, New Mexico, and California for a period of 25 years and to make technical corrections to descriptions for certain military land withdrawals, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119-397, Part 1); H.R. 3620, to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage, Alaska, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-398, Part 1); and H. Res. 936, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3898) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make targeted reforms with respect to waters of the United States and other matters, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3383) to amend the Investment Company Act of 1940 with respect to the authority of closed-end companies to invest in private funds; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3638) to direct the Secretary of Energy to prepare periodic assessments and submit reports on the supply chain for the generation and transmission of electricity, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3628) to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add a standard related to State consideration of reliable generation, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3668) to promote interagency coordination for reviewing certain authorizations under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1071) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes; and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-399).
Page H5109
Speaker
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Gill to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H5059
Recess
The House recessed at 12:51 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.
Page H5065
Recess
The House recessed at 5:49 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m.
Page H5100
Suspensions
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025: S. 356, to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 399 yeas to 5 nays, Roll No. 315;
Pages H5066-71, H5100-01
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025
H.R. 2302, amended, to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians;
Pages H5071-73
Removing restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky
H.R. 1276, amended, to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky;
Pages H5073-74
Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act
H.R. 4285, amended, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to designate an entrance-fee free date in 2026 at National Park Service sites in order to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America;
Pages H5074-75
Dalles Watershed Development Act
H.R. 655, amended, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the City of The Dalles, Oregon;
Pages H5075-76
Cormorant Relief Act of 2025
H.R. 2293, amended, to require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities;
Pages H5076-77
Make State Wildlife Action Plans Efficient Act of 2025
H.R. 1676, amended, to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to approve the wildlife conservation and restoration program of a State within a certain period of time, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 400 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 316;
H.R. 2388, to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe;
Pages H5080-81
Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act
H.R. 2389, to take certain land in the State of Washington into trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation;
Pages H5081-82
World War II Women's Memorial Location Act
H.R. 2290, amended, to provide that the memorial to commemorate the sacrifice and service of the women who worked on the home front to support the efforts of the United States military during World War II may be located on the National Mall;
Pages H5082-83
Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act
H.R. 2306, amended, to reauthorize the Adams Memorial Commission;
Pages H5083-85
Authorizing, ratifying, and confirming the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York
H.R. 2916, to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York;
Pages H5085-86
Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act
H.R. 573, amended, to require the Council on Environmental Quality to publish an annual report on environmental reviews and causes of action based on alleged non- compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;
Pages H5086-88
ePermit Act
H.R. 4503, amended, to improve environmental reviews and authorizations through the use of interactive, digital, and cloud-based platforms;
Pages H5088-91
Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025
H.R. 5131, amended, to extend military land withdrawals in Alaska, New Mexico, and California for a period of 25 years and to make technical corrections to descriptions for certain military land withdrawals;
Pages H5091-93
Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 80 Prospect Street in Avon, New York, as the ``Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building''
H.R. 323, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 80 Prospect Street in Avon, New York, as the ``Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building'';
Pages H5093-94
Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 298 Route 292 in Holmes, New York, as the ``Sheriff Adrian `Butch' Anderson Post Office Building''
H.R. 1008, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 298 Route 292 in Holmes, New York, as the ``Sheriff Adrian `Butch' Anderson Post Office Building'';
Pages H5094-95
Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 86 Main Street in Haverstraw, New York, as the ``Paul Piperato Post Office Building''
H.R. 1009, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 86 Main Street in Haverstraw, New York, as the ``Paul Piperato Post Office Building'';
Page H5095
Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 840 Front Street in Casselton, North Dakota, as the ``Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office''
H.R. 1830, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 840 Front Street in Casselton, North Dakota, as the ``Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office''; Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 West Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as the ``Oscar J.
Pages H5095-96
Upham Post Office''
S. 2283, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 West Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as the ``Oscar J. Upham Post Office''; Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5225 Harrison Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, as the ``Jay P.
Pages H5096-97
Larson Post Office Building''
H.R. 2466, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5225 Harrison Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, as the ``Jay P. Larson Post Office Building'';
Page H5097
Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the ``Mary Elizabeth `Bettie' Cole Post Office Building''
H.R. 1461, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the ``Mary Elizabeth `Bettie' Cole Post Office Building''; Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the ``Brigadier General Frederick R.
Pages H5097-98
Lopez Post Office Building''
H.R. 2175, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the ``Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building''; and
Pages H5098-99
Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Macedonia Lane in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the ``Reverend Harold Middlebrook Post Office Building''
H.R. 1372, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Macedonia Lane in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the ``Reverend Harold Middlebrook Post Office Building''.
Pages H5099-H5100
Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Fourteenth Congressional District of Florida
The House agreed to H. Res. 308, dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Fourteenth Congressional District of Florida.
Page H5102
Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Twenty-eighth Congressional District of Texas
The House agreed to H. Res. 309, dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Twenty-eighth Congressional District of Texas.
Page H5102
Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the at-large Congressional District of Alaska
The House agreed to H. Res. 310, dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the at-large Congressional District of Alaska;
Page H5102
Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Thirtieth Congressional District of Texas
The House agreed to H. Res. 311, dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Thirtieth Congressional District of Texas.
Page H5102
Dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Fourteenth Congressional District of Florida
The House agreed to H. Res. 312, dismissing the election contest relating to the office of Representative from the Fourteenth Congressional District of Florida.
Page H5102
Suspension: Proceedings Postponed
The House debated the following measure under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed. Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025: H.R. 3857, amended, to amend the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act.
Pages H5077-78
Senate Referral
S. 2950 was held at the desk.
Page H5066
Senate Message
Message received from the Senate appears on page H5066. Quorum Calls Votes: Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H5100-01 and H5101. Adjournment: The House met at 12 p.m. and adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Every speech and line is the Congressional Record's own text, read from GovInfo. Speakers are matched to members by GPO's own metadata. Referandom places each turn on the Clerk's video by matching its words: 262 of 386 spoken turns were found. Turns without a time are still listed; they just can't seek.
Morning-Hour Debate
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of January 3, 2025, the Chair will now recognize Members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning-hour debate.
The Chair will alternate recognition between the parties, with time equally allocated between the parties and each Member other than the majority and minority leaders and the minority whip limited to 5 minutes, but in no event shall debate continue beyond 1:50 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great work being done at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
Recently, on a visit there with Senator Dave McCormick and Depot Commander Colonel Lewis, I was able to see firsthand how the Army depot works every day to support our warfighters.
Since assuming command in July, Colonel Lewis has overseen more than 1,500 personnel, who perform critical work repairing and modernizing the air and missile defense systems that allow the U.S. military to remain the most technologically advanced and lethal fighting force in the world.
Beyond supporting our warfighters across the globe, Letterkenny Army Depot is a vital economic driver in the region, bringing nearly half a billion dollars back to the district through jobs and contracts.
It is an honor to represent Letterkenny in Congress, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to revisit and see the incredible work that is being done in Franklin County.
On behalf of everyone in Pennsylvania's 13th District, I offer my thanks for the important role that Letterkenny plays in aiding our warfighters and look forward to their continued innovation and dedicated service to our country.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the great energy bills that will come to the House floor later this week.
This Congress, Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have worked diligently to improve grid reliability as well as the permitting process for Federal projects, ultimately supporting President Trump's goal of unleashing American energy dominance.
Upcoming legislation that came out of the Committee will ensure that reliability and affordability are prioritized when making decisions about our electric grid. These bills will also reverse the trend of the last 4 years, such as restrictions on natural gas pipelines that were blocked by radical blue State governments' Green New Deal agenda.
I was proud to support these bills out of the Energy and Commerce Committee and look forward to seeing this legislation passing Congress and being signed into law by President Trump.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the community impact of Arnie and Linda McClure of Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania.
Arnie is an accomplished businessman, a farmer, a published author, and a civic leader. In 1980, Arnie founded The Valley Log, a weekly newspaper in Huntingdon County. Arnie has served as the publisher and editor over the last 45 years.
Arnie's contributions to journalism also include multiple books on Pennsylvania history. Additionally, Arnie and his wife, Linda, are partners in the McClure Mills Farms.
Arnie's wife, Linda, is a community leader in her own right. Currently, she serves as the president of the Mount Union District School Board. Together, Arnie and Linda are a powerhouse couple in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
I express my gratitude to both Arnie and Linda for their many contributions to making Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, a stronger and better community.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Lieb family of Barr Ridge Farms as the Farm Family of the Year in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
Barr Ridge Farms is operated by Aaron and Bob Lieb, the triple-great- grandsons of Adam Lieb, who founded the dairy farm in 1861.
The Farm Family of the Year is awarded by the Cambria County Farm Bureau to a multigenerational family farm that has been active and well respected in the farm bureau.
Located in Nicktown, Pennsylvania, Barr Ridge Farms produces approximately 1,200 gallons of milk every day.
On behalf of everyone in Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Lieb family on this notable recognition and express gratitude for their enduring commitment to the Pennsylvania agricultural community.
Mr. Speaker, food costs are sky high, and regular people are struggling to put dinner on the table for their families. More and more people are relying on emergency food assistance at food banks and food pantries just to survive.
This extraordinary need, exacerbated by Trump's cruelty and his administration's awful policies that have increased hunger made this year's March for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts more important than ever.
Every November, an incredible team of antihunger advocates, concerned neighbors, and Federal, State, and local officials embark on a 43-mile walk to raise funds for and awareness about the terrible problem of hunger.
As always, NEPM's incredible radio host Monte Belmonte led the group, pushing a shopping cart and rallying us to keep up the fight. This year, Monte's son Pax marched with us to support his dad and our effort to end hunger.
I was joined by my incredible family--my wife, Lisa; my son, Patrick; Wendy, Bill, and Courtney Talcott; and baby Hazel. Their support and commitment to the cause of ending hunger means the world to me.
I am grateful to Congressman Richie Neal and former Congressman Joe Kennedy for joining the march. I thank my colleagues in State government for showing up and continuing to work tirelessly to protect people in Massachusetts from the cruelty of this administration: Our amazing Governor, Maura Healey; Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle; State Senators Jo Comerford and Jake Oliveira; State Representatives Natalie Blais, Mindy Domb, Lindsay Sabadosa, Homar Gomez, Shirley Arriaga, and Pat Duffy.
I thank Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher, Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau for marching with us.
The hundreds of other people who joined the march--students, advocates, members of my staff, community leaders such as Tim Garvin of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, Sean Barry, Shannon from the Martin Luther King Center in Springfield, and so many, many more--are incredible. We had double the number of marchers this year compared to last.
Along the way, the marchers stopped by some of the incredible food pantries that serve the people of western Massachusetts: the Amherst Survival Center, UMass Amherst Campus Pantry, Stone Soup Cafe, Kate's Kitchen and Providence Ministries, and Lorraine's Soup Kitchen & Pantry.
We were able to keep going thanks to the nourishment of De La Luz and Holyoke Community College Culinary Arts program, Berkshire Brewing Company, Bub's Bar-B-Que, Holyoke Hummus, and Hillside Pizza. A shout- out to Dean's Beans coffee for keeping us caffeinated during the entire march.
I also thank local law enforcement--Deerfield and Springfield Police, and the Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin County Sheriff's Departments-- for keeping us safe along the march.
I thank our media sponsors--New England Public Media and WRSI 93.9, The River--for broadcasting the walk and raising awareness among people in western Massachusetts.
I am so grateful to my friend, Andrew Morehouse, of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and his entire team, particularly the development team, for all they do to improve food security among people in western Massachusetts and for their work in organizing this incredible event every single year.
This march is tough. The days are very long, and we were exhausted by the end of it, but it is nothing compared to the struggle people in poverty face every single day just trying to survive in the United States of America, the richest country in the history of the world.
My great desire is to never again have to do this walk, not because of the long days or the cold weather or the aching legs and feet, but because I dream of a day when every family is food secure and no person goes to bed wondering where their next meal is going to come from.
Sadly, we are further from that goal today than we were a year ago. The Trump administration and the Republicans in Congress have taken a sledgehammer to basic needs programs that help regular people afford food. They have completely ignored rising costs and the needs of real people, instituting the largest cuts to healthcare and food assistance in American history, all to give tax breaks to the wealthiest people in this country.
This year's march raised nearly a million dollars, and that is a lot of money, but it is nowhere near enough to make up for the cuts imposed by Trump's big, ugly bill.
Charity alone has never, will never, can never make up for the hundreds of billions of dollars in Federal cuts. Ending hunger requires strong Federal investments in basic needs programs and a strategy championed by the Federal Government.
Until we have a government that is willing to meaningfully invest in basic needs programs, we will continue to march in support of a future where we are able to finally end hunger now.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Master Sergeant Brandan Holliday.
Brandan recently returned home from deployment, serving with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in southwest Asia. While on deployment, Master Sergeant Holliday served as a night-shift flight chief, leading over 56 security forces members for U.S. Central Command.
Master Sergeant Holliday's home unit is the 121st Security Forces Squadron based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. He also serves his community as a law enforcement officer, as an emergency management specialist for the Kettering Police Department, and as a part-time sergeant and deputy sheriff for the Aberdeen Police Department and Adams County Sheriff's Office, respectively.
In total, Master Sergeant Holliday has 12 years of experience in the Armed Forces and over 15 years of law enforcement experience. Upon returning home from his recent deployment, Master Sergeant Holliday was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his outstanding leadership.
What makes America exceptional are men and women like Brandan Holliday, the quiet heroes who put their lives on the line in defense of our freedoms. This country is forever indebted to our servicemembers and their families, who sacrifice so much to preserve our experiment in self-government.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Cincinnati Clermont women's volleyball team. The Cougars defeated Kent State Tuscarawas to win the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II championship. This is UC Clermont volleyball team's second title in its history. What makes this title even sweeter is that Kent State knocked the Cougars out of the playoff tournament last year.
UC Clermont dominated the playoffs, thanks to their tireless work ethic and family culture. Ending the season 23-4, the Cougars secured the top tournament seed and rode the momentum to the national championship.
Multiple Cougars were named to the all-tournament team, showcasing the amazing work the coaches and support staff do to develop these young women into star players. Winning titles is truly a joint effort between players, coaches, and parents. It takes teamwork to achieve great things, and that is something I hope the girls carry with them for the rest of their lives.
All of southern Ohio is proud of the Cougar volleyball team. I look forward to their continued success.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mayor Bob Foster.
Bob was an incredible friend, a mentor, and a leader who gave so much to our country, our community, and my city of Long Beach.
As mayor of Long Beach for 8 years, he transformed the city into an economic powerhouse, and he led us through the 2008 financial crisis. He signed historic agreements to clean our air, to clean our water, and to clean our ports. He made our city government more efficient and responsive to residents.
Bob was also a successful businessman and CEO who brought his experience and support for working people to city hall. His vision and work led to the creation of our new civic center and downtown library. We honored that legacy when we named the new council chambers the Bob Foster Civic Chambers. It was one of the last actions we took when I was mayor of Long Beach.
His commitment to public service continued even after he left office. He and his family supported charities, nonprofits, and so many others across our city. They included mental health programs, initiatives for students and libraries, and Cal State, Long Beach.
Mr. Speaker, I first met Bob when I was a student at Cal State, Long Beach, and he served as a trustee for the California State University system. We served together again when I was elected to the city council and he was elected as mayor of Long Beach.
I was proud to support his agenda when I was on that council. When I ran for mayor, nobody did more to help my campaign than Bob. I was honored that he trusted me to be his successor for our community. His support was invaluable. I am honored that he trusted me, but most importantly, I am honored to have just known him.
His leadership is known across our community. He was a great friend and a great mentor. I enjoyed his advice, our talks, and, most importantly, his jokes. I will miss him terribly. All of our love is with his wife, Nancy, and his family.
Mr. Speaker, to his wife, Nancy, I will say that we love her so much. We support her. We thank her for all her work to our city, as well. We will continue to work and honor his incredible legacy.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Skip Keesal.
Skip was a force, a friend, and a devoted leader in our community. He helped shape our country, our State, and the city of Long Beach. He dedicated his life to helping others and always doing the right thing. He knew everybody. Whether it was events he would have with U.S. Senators or with community members, he was as comfortable with those in power and in business as he was with community activists and the folks working across our community.
He was a giant in the legal profession, establishing one of the most admired law firms in California and one of the most powerful firms when it comes to maritime across the country.
Throughout his professional success, he maintained a deep commitment to our city and our people. He was the most respected and giving philanthropist in the city of Long Beach. Nobody did more than Skip.
He was tireless in his work for both the law firm and to countless charities and projects. The impact of his work will go on. It was a privilege to know him, to have worked alongside him, and to learn from him. I will miss our lunches, his advice, and his friendship.
Mr. Speaker, my thoughts are always with Beth, his family, and those who loved him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Bob Maxson.
Bob was the president of Cal State, Long Beach for 12 years, and he was also my biggest mentor in life. I am forever grateful for his friendship and guidance over the years.
More than anything, he was an incredible leader and teacher who devoted his life to the university and its students. His vision of excellence and effort to put student success front and center at CSULB turned it into the powerhouse it is today in our State.
He was the first president in the CSU system to win the Association's University President of the Year award by its own students. He won it so many times that the award was named in his honor. He coined the nickname ``The Beach,'' of which Cal State, Long Beach is now known by. He enthusiastically supported its students and athletic teams across the campus.
Mr. Speaker, I first met Bob when I served as student body president. His kindness, support, and mentorship changed the course of my life. I know for so many other people, he was a constant presence. We stayed in touch throughout my entire time in office. He supported me when I was mayor, supported me when I got to Congress, and I spoke to him just a few months before he recently passed.
I have never stopped being grateful for his service to our university, to our students, and to our community. We will always be grateful. My thoughts are with his family and the Cal State, Long Beach community.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Siamese Twins Museum, dedicated to Eng and Chang Bunker, located in Mount Airy, North Carolina.
Born in Thailand in 1811, which was then referred to as ``Siam,'' Eng and Chang were the first documented Siamese twins. Early in their adult lives, they traveled around the entire world working in show business, but decided to settle in the United States.
After becoming naturalized American citizens and following a short stint in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Eng and Chang, along with their wives and children, made the decision to move to Mount Airy in 1854.
They settled on Mount Airy because they sought better farmland and believed that the area presented many educational opportunities for their children. They each had 13 children. Soon after moving to Mount Airy, the two brothers became very successful in farming and were regarded as upstanding members of their community. Their many descendants have become very successful and prominent citizens also.
Mr. Speaker, the Siamese Twins Museum tells their story and does an excellent job of highlighting their lives through artifacts and interactive displays. Not only does Mount Airy house this museum but also the Andy Griffith Playhouse and Museum. Of course, Mount Airy is the prototype for the famous Mayberry series starring Andy Griffith.
Mr. Speaker, Mount Airy is a wonderful place to visit, and I encourage everyone to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I have heard from a lot of my colleagues about a nationwide shortage in professional fields like teaching, nursing, and social work. Our communities have done a lot of work to address these shortages so we can keep our hospitals and clinics and schools open. However, between pay, student loans, and even threats on the job, this is a hard time to go into fields like nursing and teaching.
Yet somehow, this administration found a way to make our workforce shortages in these areas worse and make it harder for people in professional fields facing shortages.
The administration just announced a plan that would remove professions like nursing, teaching, and social work from their list of graduate professional degrees, making it harder for people entering these fields to access financial aid.
What message does this send to people deciding whether or not to enter these critical fields facing shortages? When we have more shortages in teaching and healthcare, what will happen to our schools and our hospitals?
Workforce shortages also raise costs, and the policies of this President will, once again, raise costs on Americans and make it harder for them to access healthcare, mental health resources, or even get a great education.
The next time we hear about workforce shortages or rising costs, remember that this administration made the problem worse with this move.
Mr. Speaker, homeownership has always been a cornerstone of the American Dream. However, in my community in Virginia and in communities across the country, homeownership is slipping out of reach for many Americans.
Today, according to surveys, approximately half of potential home buyers cannot afford a downpayment anymore. The median age for a first- time home buyer was once in the late twenties and now it is 40 and continuing to rise. We need to put housing affordability front and center when we are talking about this affordability crisis.
I am proud to introduce the bipartisan First Home Savings Opportunity Act, legislation to support working Americans achieve their dream of homeownership.
The bill establishes first-time home buyer savings accounts, allowing future home buyers to save, with tax deductible contributions, for the downpayment and closing costs that often stand in their way.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill. Together, we can meet the affordability crisis head on and deliver real support for our constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Loudon County High School's football team, led by Head Coach Matt Reidenbaugh, on making it to the State championship. They have put together a pretty impressive season, and they will be taking on the Varina Blue Devils. We wish Coach Reidenbaugh and the team the best of luck this weekend.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Kettle Run High School Cougars, led by Head Coach Delmar Christian, on making it to the State championship in football. They put together an amazing season. They will take on Lake Taylor this weekend. We wish Coach Christian and the team the best of luck as they make Fauquier County proud.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Independence Police Department for receiving the 2025 National Officer Safety and Wellness award in comprehensive wellness. This is the top award in the country, and Independence Police Department is the first in Ohio ever to win it.
The department focuses on fitness, mental wellness, financial wellness, and family programming to keep its officers supported and operating at the highest levels.
Physical wellness is supported by onsite gym access, organized challenges and workouts, and free wellness exams and cancer screenings. Its mental health support includes confidential counseling, peer and chaplain programs, and an annual screening with a licensed mental health clinician. Additionally, between 2023 and 2024, information gleaned from nutrition and financial wellness seminars contributed to a 50 percent reduction in sick time usage within the department, resulting in $125,000 in savings for the city.
Mr. Speaker, the Independence Police Department's comprehensive wellness program is truly unparalleled, and I congratulate them on this more than well-received award.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my constituent Eileen Quine, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Halloween.
Eileen's children describe her as a loving wife to her husband, a master sergeant in the Marine Corps, with whom she shared 74 years of marriage before his passing.
She was heavily involved in the lives of her three children: Karen, Ronald, and Loree, always providing a welcoming home where their friends could gather.
She has five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and ten nieces and nephews who all call her weekly and some even daily to keep in touch. She is a social animal who loves being with people and is a wonderful friend, aunt, and, most of all, mother.
Mr. Speaker, I wish Eileen a very happy 100th birthday.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bob Sekerak, a proud Clevelander.
Born to John and Mary, and beloved husband to Linda, Bob's greatest joy was his son, Brian.
Drafted into the Army during the Vietnam war, Bob served honorably as a medic in Seattle.
After the war, he returned home to Hinckley, where he spent happy days swimming in the lake and enjoying barbecues with his family and friends. Bob built a distinguished career as a respiratory therapist at Metro Health Systems in Cleveland, working alongside his brother David until retirement. A gifted pianist, he brought joy to many with his favorite songs.
In later years, Bob found peace on a small farm in Medina, raising rescued horses and a spirited donkey, always accompanied by his loyal German shepherd. His favorite horse, Duke, reflected Bob's own gentle strength.
Today, we celebrate a life of service, music, and quiet devotion, a life that touched all who knew him.
Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize two individuals: Independence, Ohio Chief of Police Robert Butler, and Medina, Ohio Chief of Police Ed Kinney.
Earlier this year, Chief Butler was sworn in as president of the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and Chief Kinney was sworn in as first vice president of the Association.
The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police was established almost 100 years ago to serve its members through a broad range of services, including professional, educational, and informational services.
The goal is to foster improvements in police practices, training, and education while increasing the public's understanding of the role police play in keeping all of us safe.
The association made a great decision to select two great chiefs that happened to be from my district for these leadership positions.
Chief Butler has been a police officer since 2008 and became the Independence Chief of Police in 2021. Meanwhile, Chief Kinney has served the city of Medina for over two decades, becoming chief of police in 2017.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Chief Butler and Chief Kinney for their leadership in both Ohio's Seventh District and the whole State of Ohio. I thank them both so much for their service.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the town of Lady Lake, Florida, which celebrated its remarkable centennial in November. Though the town held its first official meeting in 1925, Lady Lake's story reaches back to the 1880s, when a new railway depot sparked growth in a community first home to the Seminole Indians.
From its early years as a hub for citrus and watermelon growers to the history now preserved by the Lady Lake Historical Society Museum, the town's heritage reflects a century of resilience.
The recent weeklong celebration brought that heritage to life, uniting residents, visitors, and community partners in a series of events to honor 100 years of hometown pride.
I extend my sincere appreciation to the town commission, along with Town Manager Lawrence and Police Chief Hunt, for their leadership in making this milestone possible. My thanks also go to every department, volunteer, and community partner who helped make that celebration unforgettable.
Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to represent the residents of Lady Lake in Congress. Here is to another 100 years of community connection and tradition.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city of Flagler Beach, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, marking a century since its official incorporation. Though it would not become an official city until 1963, Flagler Beach's history stretches back even further, when it was originally known as the town of Ocean City.
The iconic Flagler Beach Pier quickly became a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, and the existing A-frame carrying the city's name remains a treasured piece of that early history. My office will continue working with FEMA and our State, county, and local partners to assist with the pier's restoration, ensuring this landmark endures for future generations.
Flagler Beach has always been defined by its close-knit community, small businesses, and the enduring spirit that makes this city truly unique. I extend my sincere thanks to the Flagler Beach City Commission and the staff for their leadership and dedication in preserving this community and its heritage.
Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to represent the people of Flagler Beach in Congress. Here is to 100 more years of community, resilience, and a bright future for this coastal gem.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Diane Kornegay for her selection as Florida's 2026 Superintendent of the Year.
Ms. Kornegay is a seasoned educator with more than 35 years of experience. Under her tutelage, Lake County Schools have made significant strides in academic performance, achieving an A grade from the Florida Department of Education in 2025 for the first time since 2008, which is no easy task.
Since the beginning of her tenure, Lake County Schools have also seen notable increases in proficiency, including 15 percentage points in algebra 1 and 7 percentage points in English language arts for grades 9 and 10.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Kornegay is committed to serving her community and ensuring academic excellence for her students. Lake County is fortunate to have such an excellent servant, and I am honored to congratulate her on receiving this award.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Commissioner Julius ``Jules'' Kwiatkowski, a faithful public servant who served as commissioner of the East Flagler County Mosquito Control District for 17 years.
We have a lot of mosquitoes in Florida. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Kwiatkowski helped guide the district through major accomplishments, including the expansion of mosquito control services to meet the needs of a growing community. His service to the community was so exemplary that he was honored with the unveiling of the ``Jules the Turtle'' statue to celebrate his enduring community spirit.
Even before his election as commissioner, Mr. Kwiatkowski was a dedicated community servant. Upon moving to Florida, he volunteered with Palm Coast Fire and Police and served during the 1998 Flagler County wildfires.
Beyond his service, Jules was a dedicated husband and father. Flagler County was incredibly fortunate to have such an excellent man serve the community. May his memory be a blessing.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Superintendent Carmen Balgobin of Volusia County Schools for her selection as 2025 Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents.
Superintendent Balgobin's leadership of Volusia County Schools has been transformative. Under her watch, the district received its first A rating in 16 years from the Florida Department of Education, achieved a 93.7 graduation rate, and eliminated all D-rated schools in the county. Her innovative approach of focusing on college and career technical pathways programs, which specify teaching students practical skills for their next steps, has paid dividends for the education of all Volusia County students.
Mr. Speaker, Superintendent Balgobin is committed to serving her community and ensuring academic excellence for her students. Volusia County is fortunate to have such an excellent servant, and I am honored to congratulate her on receiving this award.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a major milestone for Lee County in my district. With a critical $2.1 million grant in community project funding, the Meller Family Health Center and Lee County EMS facility became a reality and officially opened. I am proud to have secured these funds for the EMS bay improvement project, but also for the Lee County Public Health Department, which has its first independent base of operations in more than three decades and will save on rental income for the county.
This new health center and EMS facility will strengthen our public health infrastructure and improve emergency response for families across the region. This project has long been important to both the community and to me, and I am grateful to support investments that restore, maintain, and enhance essential public health services, enhance emergency response capabilities, and help Lee County continue to grow.
Mr. Speaker, the opening of the Meller Family Health Center marks a new chapter of progress and preparedness for our community.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Easton Valley High School team for earning first place at the 2025 Clinton Community College Academic Quiz Bowl. The team, led by Coach Jenny Knutsen, included Captain Tyson Tubbs, Lucas Kunde, Tyler Kunde, and Nizhonia Schmidt.
Each year, high school teams compete by answering questions across a wide range of subjects, including math, history, science, language, literature, government, music, arts, sports, and current events, sort of like Trivial Pursuit.
Clinton Community College awards a trophy to the winning school, and the Sharar Foundation further supports these students with a $1,200 scholarship for graduates who choose to attend Clinton Community College.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Easton Valley team on their dedication, hard work, and commitment to learning. They have made their school and community incredibly proud.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tessa Cardoza on her impressive victory in the Iowa Restaurant Association culinary competition.
Ms. Cardoza, the executive chef at Maxwell's On the River in Muscatine, Iowa, is known for her exceptional culinary skill and creativity. In collaboration with the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Choose Iowa, and Lola's Fine Hot Sauce, another entrepreneurial product made in Iowa, she crafted an outstanding entree featuring a locally sourced beef tri-tip roast that truly impressed the judges.
Chef Cardoza plans to return to the competition next year as the defending champion, ready to showcase her talents once again. Her determination, passion, creativity, and expertise reflect a lifelong commitment to fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a chef.
Iowa is fortunate to have such a talented and inspiring individual who turns the incredible ingredients produced in our State into award- winning dishes. I am going to have to make another trip to Maxwell's On the River.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Tessa Cardoza on her achievement that
Mr. Speaker, in just a short time, our Nation will celebrate America's 250th birthday. This is a moment to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and the shared ideals that have carried us through challenge and triumph.
America 250 is not simply a milestone on the calendar. It is a call to remember the innovation, perseverance, and sacrifice that have shaped our Nation, and to keep fighting for the American Dream that has stewarded freedom for generations of Americans.
I rise today to recognize the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda for helping lead this nationwide commemoration. Its new exhibit, ``America 250: A More Perfect Union,'' invites visitors to walk through the defining chapters of our shared history, not as distant events, but as living lessons about who we are and who we aspire to be.
The Nixon Library has long been a cultural and educational cornerstone in California's 40th Congressional District, enriching our community through its commitment to historical stewardship and civic education. As America prepares for this anniversary, the Nixon Library is once again stepping up to inspire reflection, unity, and renewed purpose.
Today, I encourage Americans of all ages to take a moment to engage with our history, to remember the courage of those who came before us, and to ensure the spirit of 1776 continues to guide our path forward.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the millions of Americans, including many in my district, who live with alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss and often comes with significant emotional and mental health challenges.
Alopecia affects people of every age and background, and for many, the journey can feel isolating or misunderstood. No one should face this condition alone. Raising awareness helps ensure that patients and families receive the understanding, compassion, and support they deserve.
Today, I recognize the strength of those living with alopecia and the loved ones who stand beside them. Their resilience reminds us of the importance of community and the need to continue fostering empathy and inclusion for all who are navigating visible and invisible health challenges.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, which will be considered under suspension of the rules this week. I urge its swift passage so it can be sent to the President's desk without delay.
For generations, the Secure Rural Schools program has been a lifeline for rural communities and school districts across America. Since 1908, Federal law has required the U.S. Forest Service to share 25 percent of revenues from Federal forest lands with local governments to support public education.
As timber revenues declined due to foolish Federal regulations and reduced harvests, Congress acted in 2000 to create the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, preserving vital funding for most rural counties. When last reauthorized in 2023, this program delivered more than $281 million nationwide to help keep teachers in classrooms and students on the bus.
I represent rural counties like Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry, and Columbia Counties, where school leaders tell me how essential these funds are to keeping programs running.
This is not a partisan issue. It is a promise to rural America. Let's reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 and keep faith with the communities that steward our national forests.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the timber industry and the harvest of trees in our forests.
When I was growing up, my father was a forestry professor at Washington State University and my uncle was a smokejumper. I served in the U.S. Forest Service.
Years of fear and hesitation around commonsense tools like select timber harvest and controlled burns have left many of our forests dangerously overgrown and chronically undermanaged. We need to harvest more timber for the economic revenue it produces and for the reduced fire danger it creates.
Good environmental stewardship means empowering these professionals to be part of the solution and to help manage our Federal forest lands responsibly for today and generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, with gray wolf populations reaching over 400 in Washington State and Oregon, I rise today to warn of the danger they continue to pose for hunters, farmers, and livestock.
Gray wolves can consume up to 7 pounds of meat a day. Their primary food sources include deer, elk, and cattle. In August 2025 alone, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that three calves were killed and two injured in just one 30-day period.
Folks in our region know why our grandparents worked so hard to control the gray wolf population. They understood that balance must be kept between wildlife preservation and the livelihoods of those who live and work the land.
With a significant number of these wolf packs now concentrated in northeastern Washington and with no signs of their growth slowing, Congress should take careful note of our ranchers' perspective. Their continued loss, emotional toll, and frustration caused by inconsistent State and Federal protections demand attention and action. A one-sided policy of unchecked expansion is not the answer.
Gray wolf populations have recovered. Now it is time to ask whether our current path reflects balance, fairness, and common sense for rural America. As everyone in rural America knows, particularly in Washington State, if there were wolves in Bainbridge Island or in the suburbs of Seattle, the wolf population in Washington State would be a little different.
Mr. Speaker, we need to bring common sense and balance back and reduce our wolf population in northeastern Washington.
Mr. Speaker, lately we see a lot of the usage of the word ``affordability'' around Washington. We hear it on both sides of the aisle. Let me say that Republicans were about affordability before affordability was cool.
We see that the cost of everything has been driven by policies that are due to these regulations. Because of the regulatory load that has been put in place by Democrat policies in my home State of California and in Washington, D.C., then it is no surprise we have these very costly regulations for fuel.
We are expecting to see fuel in California go up to $8 next spring because we are losing two refineries, plus possibly a third one, and a pipeline that goes from north to south and is losing money. There is also another regulation that will be put in place to regulate the fuel on how it is formed to make lower carbon.
That brings me to my next thought.
CO2 in the atmosphere is only this little, tiny wedge right here. It is 0.04 percent. Check it out. In 1970 and 2025, it is the same proportion. It has barely changed from the whole picture of the makeup of the atmosphere. Yet, we are spending trillions and trillions and displacing our economy. We are sending our economy to other places because of this chase over CO2.
I should remind my colleagues that carbon dioxide is essential to plant life, for trees, and for all other forms of life. We then gain the benefit of it by exchanging oxygen with plant life. We are really going down a bad path here as we continue to chase these carbon policies.
One of the things greatly affecting the cost of doing business, especially in my home State of California, are the policies that take away water supply and don't allow the water supply to be added to. How do we think we will have agriculture in California and things will be affordable when we keep taking away the water and losing the water?
Mr. Speaker, check this out. There are 34 million acre-feet lost from all inflows up through the delta. Lake Oroville holds about 3.5 million acre-feet. Shasta Lake holds about 4.5 million acre-feet. There are other smaller lakes around the State that are still very significant. We have others that hold up to 1 million.
We can't fill the lakes because they let all the water out. They have an idea about a flushing flow or this or that. Yet, 3 years ago, agriculture, especially on the west side of the Sacramento Valley, had allocations cut down as low as 0 percent, but it was 18 percent across the board for several districts.
We really have a problem with affordability that is driven by Democrat policies at the Federal level and the California State level. It isn't because of something the Republicans are doing. Republicans, again, are the driver of trying to make things affordable if we can get through the regulatory load.
We get to the point where we can't run a farm or a business. Even a household can't afford to do the things a household does because of these policies. We see the spending habits of Washington, D.C., as well as the amount of money the Federal Government has spent and overspent over the years. Profligate government spending eats up the money supply, which drives inflation.
We put all these $2,000 and $1,200 checks in people's hands during the COVID era especially, and there was a lot of money chasing very few products because nobody was manufacturing anything. We still live with that inflation.
Thankfully, President Trump's policies are helping to bring prices down on groceries, fuels, et cetera.
Let's go back to fuel for a moment because energy is really the main driver of affordability. Is it going to be low-cost energy or the high- cost energy we saw so much of during the Biden era? Indeed, it is starting to come back, at least in the States that aren't California.
Mr. Speaker, I have seen the price of gasoline at $1.85 in Colorado. It is right around $4.00 or $4.50 in California. As I mentioned, they expect the prices to go up next spring, if they continue on this path of closing refineries or refineries being driven out of business by burdensome regulations.
Where is it going to stop? When will people stop it? I guess that is the biggest question. When are they going to stop Governor Newsom and the 3-1 Democrat-ratio State legislature from thinking up more and more laws and dumping them on the backs of our people?
In Washington, we try to do reforms. We run into a buzz saw of rhetoric, flat-out lies, and the difficulty of passing some of this stuff on the other side, over in the Senate, because they can't get 60 votes.
Mr. Speaker, Republicans are trying to reform this effort and make things truly more affordable. These are not just buzzwords and not just something to say to the press.
Mr. Speaker, when a community moves in true harmony, you can hear it before you ever see it. It is the sound of neighbors lifting one another up, volunteers sustaining the arts, and people creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
For 25 years, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival in northeast Florida has embodied that spirit. It has brought world-class performers to Florida's First Coast, inspired young people through music education and shown that a committed community can resonate as powerfully as any concert hall performance.
Mr. Speaker, a festival is more than just music. It reflects the heart of the place that sustains it. For a quarter century, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival has proven that when a community comes together, it always plays in perfect tune. Congratulations on 25 amazing years.
Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago, the Syrian people achieved the historic impossible. After 12 years of murderous conflict with 54 years of Baathist socialist dictatorship, they drove out the sadistic regime of al-Assad.
President Donald Trump has proclaimed successfully ``give Syria a chance.''
Under Assad, half a million people were killed, half of the nation was displaced, and 90 percent of the country was in poverty.
In August, I visited Damascus with Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Trump envoy Tom Barrack and saw the devastation of war. It was inspiring, though, to meet with President al-Sharaa, his cabinet, and the diverse interfaith leaders.
Syria has a real promise of stability benefiting all the Middle East, including change in Tehran. That is why both of us, a Democrat and Republican, appreciate so much the repeal of the Caesar Act, which is sanctions on the Assad regime with the full support of President Donald Trump.
In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, insulting and mocking Trump, speaking lovely in the morning and conducting mass murder in the evening.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.
We all know a strong education can unlock a lifetime of possibilities. Yet for students with disabilities, sometimes even going to school can be challenging. Thankfully, IDEA changed all of that.
At its core, IDEA is about providing a tailored education that meets a student's unique needs. As chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I am committed to expanding strong, personalized educational opportunities so every student can succeed.
IDEA was an incredible first step in making education possible for our Nation's students. As we look to the future, we must maintain and remain steadfast in our commitment to making high-quality, tailored education possible for every American student.
Mr. Speaker, once again, we are hearing this word ``affordability'' tossed around a lot these days as an election line. It seems to be used to cover up the ideals of the bad policy that is driving up the costs and making everything unaffordable.
You see it in every speech and every press release. The buzzwords aren't really the important part. It is the policies that are driving the high cost of everything.
Let's start with energy, once again. In my home State of California, our electricity prices are higher than most other States except maybe Hawaii. You can slap the word ``affordable'' on this policy, but it isn't. You can't run a farm or a business or a household on slogans.
Then there is Washington's spending habits. When we saw ``affordability'' being tossed around again, massive government spending is part of vacuuming all available money out and supply out and driving inflation. It is amazing how quickly these talking points lose that.
Then there is the regulatory stack. Folks love to preach ``affordability'' While burying projects under NEPA delays. In my home State of California, car regulations are taking away our vehicles and forcing everything into an electricity grid that can't handle it. Affordability doesn't come from a policy like that.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 356) to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Vasquez) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from California?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased and honored to be able to stand here today in support of the bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, which we are considering under suspension of the rules.
This important bill would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program, also known as SRS, which is really a lifeline for many rural communities in my home of northern California, my neighboring States, and across the Nation.
In counties with large swaths of national forests, the SRS program makes essential payments to county governments that help ensure schools stay open, county roads stay maintained, and emergency services remain available.
Previously, counties received a portion of timber sale proceeds from projects on our national forests, as Federal lands are not subject to State or local property taxes. However, as timber sales have decreased over the years, something I am working with Chairman GT Thompson, Chairman Westerman, and the administration to reverse, Congress created the SRS program to make up for that shortfall in timber receipts.
This program expired in fiscal year 2023, and the last payments went out in 2024. For many counties and many schools, the lapse in the SRS program means an abrupt and devastating cut of roughly 80 percent of that portion of funding that they would normally receive, which is unacceptable.
It hurts local governments' ability to provide basic educational, public safety, and other services. Schools would close, and jobs would be eliminated due to this delay. In this case, it might even be just in time for Christmas.
In 2024 alone, my home State of California received $33.7 million through this program.
The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 helps ensure the more than 700 rural counties that receive these SRS payments have the resources they need for schools, roads, and wildfire mitigation by reauthorizing this program. This bill not only ensures that SRS payments can go out in 2025 and 2026 but also makes retroactive payments for those missed in 2024 when the program expired.
Reauthorizing the SRS program means that schools, public works, and county services will not be forced to lay off dozens of employees who do the essential work for rural counties and schools--again, right before Christmas in some cases. Those who have already been let go due to the lapse in funding should be able to be brought back to continue the important work they do for their areas.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank my great colleagues, Chairman GT Thompson of the Committee on Agriculture and Chairman Bruce Westerman of the Committee on Natural Resources, for their work on reauthorizing the SRS program.
I also thank my colleagues for making this a bipartisan bill, my co- lead on the issue, Colorado Representative Joe Neguse, for coming in with me on this for the House version of the bill, and Senators Crapo and Wyden for their work on that side.
I urge my colleagues to support this. Let's get this out and get the delay over with to help these local counties and schools.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of New Mexico's Second Congressional District to celebrate a long-awaited victory for rural America, the imminent passage of the bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act.
I preface my remarks by thanking Representatives LaMalfa and Neguse, who introduced this bill, and Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Craig. We would not be standing here today without their leadership and outpouring of strong, bipartisan support that we have seen for this bill both here in Congress and on the ground in our communities.
For decades, SRS has been more than an abstract Federal program. It has been a promise, a promise that when Federal lands limit local tax revenue, Congress will stand with rural communities and school districts so that they continue to provide the basic essential services that every American family deserves.
Rural communities across the country and in New Mexico know this story well. In Catron, Grant, Sierra, and Otero Counties in my district, national forests define our landscape, and they define who we are. They are the treasures that we value and protect. Yet, those beautiful lands also mean fewer taxable acres, fewer revenue streams for public schools, and fewer resources to maintain the roads that our families travel every day.
For more than 20 years, SRS helped close that gap. It ensured that public schools could keep teachers in the classroom, that buses could run safe routes on rural roads, and that county governments could plan long-term budgets with certainty.
It ensures that children growing up in frontier communities receive the same shot at a quality education as anyone in major cities in my district, like Albuquerque or Las Cruces. It ensures that when there was a medical emergency in the middle of the night, emergency medical services had the roads that they needed to save lives.
That stability vanished when SRS expired in 2024. Rural counties across the West, including mine, were forced to make impossible decisions.
In New Mexico alone, our communities lost more than $9 million in a single year. That $9 million loss meant school districts had to consider laying off teachers and reading specialists and cutting back to a 4-day school week in a place like Quemado because they could no longer afford to operate a 5-day school week.
County commissions were forced to take a hard look at their budgets, looking line by line at what vital services they could cut to ensure their communities could maintain their roads.
This past August, I met with a bipartisan group of county officials, educators, and Tribal leaders back home to discuss SRS and the need for reauthorization. Their message didn't
Today, after months of fighting for reauthorization, we are delivering on a bipartisan basis. Today, we are sending a clear message to rural communities across New Mexico and across the country that they are not invisible, not expendable, and not expected to bear the weight of this lapse alone.
The Senate has already passed this reauthorization, and I urge my colleagues to help us finish the job and send the bill to the President's desk for his signature.
This is the kind of win that New Mexicans sent me to Washington, D.C., to deliver, and it is worth celebrating.
This legislation represents the best of what Congress can achieve when we put aside partisanship and focus on the people we serve. It reflects both Democrats' and Republicans' shared understanding that rural counties take on an enormous responsibility in managing and stewarding our national forests, and their kids should not be left behind because of it.
It is a recognition that public lands benefit our entire Nation, and the cost of maintaining essential services like schools and roads should not fall solely on the shoulders of rural families.
For New Mexico's Second Congressional District, this bill means stability. It means that school districts can retain teachers, hire staff, and keep programs in place that enrich our children's futures. It means that our sheriffs, firefighters, and first responders have reliable funding for the roads and infrastructure that they depend on when every second counts.
Passing SRS reauthorization also honors the frontier spirit that defines rural New Mexico. Communities like Silver City, Cloudcroft, Quemado, and many others throughout New Mexico continue to lead in forest conservation, outdoor recreation, wildfire resilience, and natural resource management. They deserve a Federal partner that matches their commitment, and today, they are getting that.
Mr. Speaker, both New Mexico and I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who worked tirelessly to bring this legislation to the finish line. I also thank the local leaders, our county commissioners, school superintendents, teachers, parents, and firefighters, just like these folks here in Fence Lake, who raised their voices and never let this issue slip from their attention.
As this bill is signed into law, I look forward to witnessing the relief that it will bring across New Mexico in time for Christmas. I look forward to seeing teachers stay in their classrooms, rural roads being repaired and maintained, and families in these rural counties finally receiving the stability that they have been promised but denied for too long.
Today is a good day for rural America. Today is a good day for New Mexico.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to vote in favor of the SRS Reauthorization Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Vasquez from New Mexico for driving this forward on his side of the aisle, both sides of the aisle. I appreciate being able to get this over the line here soon, as we both know too much about wildfires in our respective States, as well. This will go a long way toward helping that issue.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Bentz), my colleague from my north border.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.
Mr. Speaker, in 1990, the spotted owl was listed under the Endangered Species Act as a threatened species. Almost immediately, timber production from Federal forests in the Western United States plummeted by 80 percent.
The economic and societal costs of timber-dependent States and their timber-reliant counties was appalling. Demand for SNAP and Medicaid shot up. Alcoholism and meth addictions became routine. County tax revenues were decimated.
A belated but needed response was the Secure Rural Schools Act first passed in 2000, 10 years after the listing of the owl. This law, and the funding it provides, was designed to partially offset the massive decline in Federal timber revenue. It provides a modest amount of funding for critical services, including: infrastructure maintenance, search and rescue, fire prevention, and, most importantly, money for children's education.
As this chart shows, all of those billions did nothing to help recover the owl. The population has declined from 1,200 pairs in 1980 to around 200 pairs today. When society enacts laws that seemingly benefit the broader public but end up harming small communities, society must assume responsibility for that harm. That is what this bill partially accomplishes.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues. I thank the leaders of the committees that helped put this bill together. I thank Speaker Johnson for this bill and the funding my counties so desperately need. I urge my colleagues to support S. 356.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Vasquez for yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, my bipartisan legislation with Representatives LaMalfa and Neguse in the House and Senators Crapo and Wyden in the Senate.
In central and southern Oregon, my district, the Federal Government owns over 3 million acres of forestland that pays no taxes to our local government. Generations of families built their lives and livelihood around Federal timber harvest, and counties relied on revenue shares from those sales to fund public services. When the timber industry collapsed, the revenue shares also disappeared.
Congress made a commitment to support rural communities and the critical infrastructure to make sure they did not get left behind. However, in the Republican budget bill, H.R. 1, the timber revenues from Federal lands to counties were eliminated, adding insult to injury.
The Secure Rural Schools program has been a lifeline for our rural communities. It supports basic public services like keeping roads paved, schools open, and emergency services running. Secure Rural Schools was meant to be a bridge and not the final answer for our rural communities.
Mr. Speaker, we still have a long way to go to deliver on the investments and job opportunities that rural America needs and deserves. I know it is one of my top priorities in Congress, along with many of my colleagues.
Letting this program expire and pulling the rug out from under our rural counties is simply not an option. We owe it to our rural communities and our timber-dependent counties to keep this commitment.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it, as well.
Mr. Speaker, as a former county commissioner, I rise in strong support of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.
Since the National Forest System was created, nearly 200 million acres of rural America have been put aside for conservation, recreation, and responsible natural resource development, like mining and timber harvesting.
When these acres were put aside, rural communities lost their access to this land for settlement and economic development. To compensate these communities, they were supposed to receive a portion of the revenue the Federal Government generated from responsible resource development to help fund things like schools and rural roads.
Today, thanks to endless litigation and opposition from environmental groups, responsible development like mining and timber harvesting is nearly
The Secure Rural Schools program was created to help offset that. Today, the Secure Rural Schools program provides nearly $7 million a year to rural communities across Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District.
While we should really be taking action to encourage and allow responsible mining and timber harvesting within our national forests, providing this relief is the next best thing. This is a vital lifeline for rural America that the American people owe to them. We must reauthorize it.
Mr. Speaker, rural Minnesota and rural America matter, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 356 to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program.
Mr. Speaker, with such a large percentage of Wyoming's resources historically locked up in Federal lands, including national forests, communities across my State have long weathered challenges associated with reduced flexibility and a decreased tax base.
While a percentage of revenue from timber sales previously alleviated tax shortfalls, shifting land management priorities in Washington, D.C., have led to significant declines in timber harvest.
The Secure Rural Schools program was created to bridge the gap for our rural communities that continue to be impacted by decades of agency mismanagement, Federal overregulations, and harmful lawsuits.
Since its creation, Wyoming communities have received vital funding to support infrastructure projects, public education, search and rescue operations, and other critical emergency services. The program's lapse in authorization has since threatened these essential functions, and its successful reauthorization will assist countless Wyoming communities that are uniquely and disproportionately impacted by bureaucratic decisionmaking beyond their control.
Lastly, we must not lose sight of the underlying problem and continue to prioritize policies that restore timber production and the original intent of our Federal land management agencies: supporting multiple use and healthy forests through proactive management strategies while meeting the needs of surrounding communities.
I appreciate all of the Wyoming stakeholders who brought this issue to my attention and have remained engaged on this legislation throughout its consideration in Congress. I also thank Representative LaMalfa and Chairman Westerman, as well as Chairman Thompson, for their steadfast leadership on this legislation to resolve these issues and support our rural Wyoming communities.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 356.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight two particularly important projects in my district that sit in the Gila National Forest and are surrounded by the rural communities of Glenwood, New Mexico; Quemado; and Reserve. These are two incredibly important projects that have helped diversify rural economies and helped support the outdoor recreation economy: the Catwalk historic trail and the Cosmic Campground.
These two projects on Federal public lands have brought in very important economic revenue to these communities. They have brought in tours from all across the country to see the darkest skies in the country in what is an International Dark Skies Sanctuary and one of the most breathtaking trails that one can experience in our Nation's first wilderness.
Regardless, SRS is incredibly important to help ensure that our schools and our roads continue to function as we expand New Mexico's outdoor recreation economy.
Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, I am very glad and relieved this day has finally come.
Mr. Speaker, seven of the counties in my district rely on this program to assure every child has access to a quality education and to provide important public services.
Throughout the period in which this fund has lapsed, I have met with many of the leaders in these schools who have talked about the tradeoffs they have had to make. I met with the students who have seen opportunities taken from them, extracurriculars and other programs that have been limited because of this lapse in funding.
I thank all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle here today and in the committees of jurisdiction for their tireless efforts in overcoming the inertia of this institution and getting this bill to the floor for a vote today.
I look forward to it passing in a resounding bipartisan way and in a way that I hope will assure that, going forward, we don't allow for this sort of lapse to happen again where for 1\1/2\ years these schools and counties were going without these vitally needed payments.
This is a measure that has broad bipartisan support. It is a very popular program. It is an important program. There is no reason that Congress should fail to pass its reauthorization in a timely manner.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to this passing on the floor today. We need to make sure that in the future we don't keep our schools and our students in limbo.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), who is the hardest working man on this issue. My colleague is the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, which is a lifeline for rural school districts that have experienced severe budget impacts since 2023 when the program was not reauthorized. This bill is vital to restoring critical funding, preventing further school closures, and ensuring rural students have access to quality education that can compete with urban communities.
However, this is not just an education issue. This is about investing in the future of rural America and supporting communities surrounded by Federal forests.
It is something I hear about regularly from the men and women of the Fourth District of Arkansas who share my understanding that our schools must be supported in a way that allows them to play a role as a community hub while also supporting our timber industry that is the lifeblood for many of our communities.
For generations, Arkansas counties with large swaths of Federal forest land have received a share of Federal timber harvest revenue on Federal land. Unfortunately, reduced timber revenue since the 1990s, as a result of declining rates of timber harvesting, litigation, and misguided environmental regulations, has drastically affected county revenue, creating very real economic impacts in its wake.
Franklin, Garland, Hot Spring, Howard, Johnson, Logan, Montgomery, Newton, Pike, Polk, Pope, Scott, and Yell Counties have lost millions of their SRS funding while waiting for this legislation to be reauthorized. Communities across Arkansas and the United States are sounding the alarm, and it is time for Congress to listen.
This bill not only shines a light on an educational issue but underscores the need for an increase in responsible forest management. That is why I introduced the Fix Our Forests Act earlier this year, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. FOFA would not only result in more stable funding for working families, but it would also mitigate the devastation of wildfires in our wildland-urban interfaces through the restoration of forest health and commonsense management. I hope the Senate will act soon so we can send FOFA to the President's desk quickly to help our rural communities throughout Arkansas and the Nation.
It is time to restore revenue, revitalize resilience, and reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools legislation for our rural timber communities. This will be for our rural timber communities all across the country.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague, Mr. LaMalfa, for the work that he has done on this, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.
The Secure Rural Schools program, or SRS, is a lifeline for rural Utah communities.
When timber revenues from Federal lands declined, it threatened the ability of counties to fund their schools, roads, and emergency services.
Counties are responsible for providing these basic services, but what if they can't?
SRS steps in to fill that gap in counties with overwhelming Federal land ownership, counties that previously benefited from timber sales. With the majority of Utah's land federally managed, our counties cannot simply tax their way out of budgeting shortfalls.
The elected county commissioners in my district spend a lot of time getting creative and stretching the dollars they have as far as they can, and that includes working to get Congress to fund SRS. Kane County is 87 percent federally owned. Garfield County is about 94 percent federally owned, and Piute County is about 75 percent.
SRS recognizes that the Federal Government has an obligation to be part of the communities surrounded by the land it manages. Replacing lost funding is a step toward being part of those local communities.
This funding keeps schools staffed and keeps roads maintained. Our rural counties need the stability and fairness that comes with reauthorizing SRS. It matters a lot for Utah.
To be clear, rural counties, timber counties, would rather have the jobs that come with timber production and sound forest management, management for resource production. However, in the meantime, while we are fixing the policies that prevented that, SRS is essential for the rural counties.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank Chair Westerman for his support of the Fix Our Forests Act, introducing that bill, and I hope that it does make it to the Senate.
I think as we talk about the longevity of rural communities and sustainability of rural communities, we have to have good forest management and a diversified economy that includes the timber industry, cattle growing, and outdoor recreation. So much of that depends on the health of our public lands.
I am encouraged by the bipartisanship shown on this bill today. I hope we can have more conversations and we can pass SRS out of the House today so that we can ensure that these rural communities have a future that is not dependent on Federal funding but that has a diversified economy that uses our natural resources wisely.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson). I greatly appreciate my colleague's strong work in our Agriculture Committee and the Subcommittee on Forestry.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished chairman of the Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Forestry for his great work, for his leadership, and for his tireless work on this important issue.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.
Actively managing our national forests is critical for both forest health and the economic health of our rural communities. Congress has long recognized that responsible timber harvesting is essential for encouraging that stewardship.
Since many communities throughout the United States, including Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District, are located within national forest lands, declining timber harvests can lead to chronic underfunding of local schools, emergency services, and other projects that rely on a strong tax base. As a result, Congress made a commitment to provide resources to rural communities and schools that have tracts of land managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Since 1908, Federal law has required that 25 percent of the revenue generated through timber sales in national forests is returned to the local county. These funds are then used by local governments to provide critical support services for schools, roads, and other essential needs.
Timber harvesting in the national forest system reached its peak in the late 1980s, then dramatically declined in the early 1990s. This decline led to significantly reduced payments to counties, notably impacting rural schools. This trend continued throughout the decade, and harvesting levels have since remained only a fraction of their historical highs.
To offset this lost revenue, Congress created the Secure Rural Schools program in 2000 to offer an alternative funding formula that takes historic production levels into account. This program has been a lifeline to hundreds of rural counties and school districts across the country who have seen their budgets slashed through no fault of their own.
The program expired in the fall of 2023, resulting in county payments reverting to the rate under permanent law, which equates to a nearly 70 percent reduction.
Today's legislation will extend Secure Rural Schools for 3 years and make adjustments to payments already made for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Without this critical reauthorization, these rural school districts will not receive any additional funding this year, and payments scheduled for distribution in the spring of 2026 and beyond will remain at significantly reduced levels.
I represent many communities that receive funding through the Secure Rural Schools program, and I remain committed to seeing the program operate consistently and successfully. We must ensure that Congress continues to fulfill our obligation to our rural counties and schools.
Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote favorably.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I think we can all recognize what a special moment this is for our rural communities. These days, Democrats and Republicans don't often see eye to eye long enough to get a piece of legislation like this all the way to the President's desk. The fact that we will today shows just how important we all know it is to stand up for our rural communities.
For New Mexico, this is real money with real impact. Our rural communities have been missing more than $9 million that should have been supporting schools, roads, and essential services. I am proud to be bringing that money back to the families and communities that have waited for far too long.
I also want to take a moment to recognize some of the incredible New Mexican advocates who helped make today possible. This is not a full list, but it is a long one, so bear with me. Our Secure Rural Schools champions in New Mexico's Second District include: Kayli Ortiz, Amber Vaughn, Randall Earwood, Charlene Webb, William Hawkins, Kate Fletcher, Joy Esparsen, David Lackey, and Deborah Mahler. These are the folks who showed up, spoke out, organized their neighbors, and never let us forget what was at stake.
I thank every constituent who wrote, called, and shared their stories with our office. Their advocacy drove much of this effort. Their persistence is why we are passing this bill into law today.
Again, I thank my Republican colleagues for working on this piece of legislation with me and other members of the committee.
I am proud of my community. I am grateful for their trust. Once again, they proved something that we all know back home: Don't mess with rural New Mexicans.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
In closing, I thank once again Mr. Vasquez for our ability to work on these issues. We should use this ability for a lot more success going forward on forestry, fire, and keeping these schools funded as we go.
Mr. Speaker, I also thank Mr. Neguse of Colorado for working with me on the House version of this bill to get where we got today. I thank Speaker Johnson and our leader, Mr. Scalise, as well, for helping get this shepherded for us today and get past some of our other issues that have taken a while to get through. Let's just not have this happen again in this fashion, as it has taken a while to get here. I am very grateful that we have come together and that everybody has seen the importance of this legislation.
Lastly, I really want to thank the folks in our districts for their patience and good cheer. In New Mexico and my part of northern California, as well, I am thankful for the patience people have shown with us trying to get through this process and for the good cheer, again, they have brought.
Our colleagues from Trinity County and Shasta County, some of them are in the audience here today. I am going to especially point out a couple of Modoc County supervisors who are always in my ear in a good way on this: Supervisor Coe and Supervisor Geri Byrne. I thank them for their consistency and persistence in helping get this over the line.
I am very happy we have gotten here today. With broad bipartisan support, let's do more of this.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.
This bill would reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Self- Determination Program (SRS) through Fiscal Year 2026 and provide lapsed payments for 2024 and 2025.
Administered by the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Bureau of Land Management, SRS funding goes to counties to help maintain schools, infrastructure, and other essential community services for many rural counties that contain federal lands exempt from federal property taxes. The SRS program is certainly a critical program for my home state of Idaho. Nearly two-thirds of Idaho is public land, which means a vast majority of rural counties throughout the state depend on this funding. In fact, Idaho ranks third nationally in SRS funding, behind only Oregon and California.
I want to thank my colleagues, especially Representative LaMalfa from California and Representative Fulcher from Idaho, for working diligently to get this bill across the finish line. I am also grateful to Speaker Johnson, House Leadership, and my colleagues for supporting this bill.
As a long-time supporter of the SRS program, and a cosponsor of the House bill, I look forward to seeing this lifeline benefit local communities throughout Idaho.
Mr. Speaker, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act provides critical funding for rural communities.
This measure is of particular importance for my home state of Idaho, as 62 percent of our land is owned by the federal government.
Every year, Idaho loses revenue in timber sales due to wildfires fueled by federal land mismanagement. In fact, in 2024 alone, a staggering one million acres of the Gem State went up in flames.
Rural counties in Idaho are impacted even more so by extensive federal ownership, as they are unable to tax large portions of land in their jurisdiction.
With this funding reauthorization, rural communities across Idaho will be able to keep classrooms open, roads maintained, and emergency services operating. However, a long-term solution is necessary, and I will continue to advocate for one in Congress that ensures Idahoans dictate Idaho affairs--not the federal government.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 356.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2302) to take certain Federal land in the State of California into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2302, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2302, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025, introduced by Congressman McClintock, would place approximately 80 acres of BLM land and 185 acres of fee land into trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
Descendants of the Miwok Indians once lived throughout north central
The Shingle Springs Band, however, was displaced by the Gold Rush of the 1850s, prompting the Federal Government to refer to the Tribe as the ``Sacramento-Verona Band of Homeless Indians.'' In 1920, the government provided the Tribe a 160-acre parcel of land known as the Verona Tract, which serves as the Tribe's rancheria.
As the years have passed, and without the realignment of Highway 50 in California, the rancheria has become largely landlocked. This has prohibited the Tribe's growth and restricted its housing opportunities.
In 2014, roughly 41 acres of BLM land were placed into trust for the Tribe to assist with Tribal housing needs. Developing the land for housing has proved difficult, however, due to the land's rough terrain.
Recently, the Tribe purchased land near the rancheria known as the Indian Creek Subdivision, which was previously approved for a now- defunct subdivision. The Tribe seeks to place this land into trust and is pursuing this goal legislatively, as their previous attempts to obtain fee-to-trust approval through the Federal administrative process have been mired in bureaucracy.
The other parcels involved in this legislation comprise approximately 80 acres of BLM land that will be transferred into trust for the Tribe. These parcels have suffered from various management issues, which have led the Tribe and other surrounding landowners to raise concerns about increased wildfire risk. Despite lacking ownership, the Tribe has performed needed management functions on this land, a fact that reflects positively on the Tribe's stewardship capabilities and deep- felt concern for the land's overall health.
Currently, the Tribe has no immediate commercial or development plans for these parcels. Pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, gaming on these lands is prohibited.
I applaud Mr. McClintock for working with the Tribe to develop H.R. 2302, which would place land into trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
As you heard from Chairman Westerman, H.R. 2302 will help provide the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians the ability to address their housing and infrastructure needs for their citizens.
Like Americans across the country who are struggling to afford housing in the Trump administration's economy, the Tribe is currently facing a housing shortage, with over 180 families listed on the Tribe's housing wait list. Without additional land, the Tribe is unable to build the housing needed to provide these families with homes.
The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act will address this challenge by transferring 80 acres currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management and 185 acres of tribally owned fee land into trust for the benefit of the Tribe.
This bill is an important step toward ensuring that the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians has the lands they need, their lands, to meet the current needs of their citizens and to plan for sustainable community growth.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present this bill at the request of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to transfer 80 acres of BLM land and 185 acres of fee simple land that is already owned by the Tribe into trust as part of their reservation for the purposes of housing.
Mr. Speaker, I have always insisted that any transfer of lands from fee simple ownership to Federal trust must have the approval of the local land use management agency that is responsible for this land, since it takes that land off of the tax rolls and out of the agency's jurisdiction. I am pleased to report that the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors has unanimously endorsed this bill effecting the transfer.
This particular tract was approved for residential housing in the past, but the projects never materialized. This land transfer will bring a new neighborhood into the community, providing desperately needed housing to Tribal members. The Tribe already owns this land. It merely seeks the freedom afforded by Federal trust status to bring it to fruition.
The transfer of the 80 acres of Federal BLM land should also be a no- brainer. The BLM long ago abandoned this tract to neglect, and it is now densely overgrown and a serious fire hazard for the surrounding communities.
Putting this land under the active management of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians assures that good stewardship can be restored to this acreage in perpetuity.
The local government did request some restrictions on the use of the land, which the Tribal government has agreed to. The property cannot be used for gaming, nor for commerce beyond what is necessary to support the needs of the new neighborhood.
Frankly, I hope that future boards will agree to expand the permissible use of this land. In the meantime, both the Tribal government and the local government have agreed to these restrictions, and they are incorporated into this act.
Mr. Speaker, I will take just a moment to tell you about the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians because it is a remarkable tale of resilience, determination, and triumph.
The members of this Tribe are the descendants of the Miwok and Southern Maidu people who populated the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Central Valley of California for many thousands of years. Spanish colonization devastated the Native population in the 18th century, and the 19th century gold rush all but obliterated it. By 1913, the entire Native population of California had plummeted from an estimated 310,000 down to just 17,000.
In the aftermath, the few surviving members of the Miwok Tribe were allocated 160 acres as a rancheria, but the construction of Highway 50 cut the residents off from easy access and the members dispersed into the surrounding communities.
The Indian Reorganization Act breathed new life into the isolated, disbanded descendants, and the members returned and reorganized as the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, the only federally recognized Tribe in El Dorado County. They have achieved remarkable success in the years that have followed.
This small Tribe, numbering an estimated 500 enrolled members, raised the private money to build an off ramp from Highway 50 to restore access to their rancheria. They used the opportunities afforded under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to construct the Red Hawk Casino. From that success, they have expanded into a hospitality and recreation center for the region, providing employment, commerce, healthcare, and all of the spinoff commercial activity that that means to the surrounding community.
The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians survived near annihilation during the Spanish colonization and gold rush eras only to become a prosperous and integral part of El Dorado County. I am honored to carry this legislation that will continue their progress and contributions to their posterity and to our community into the years ahead.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation will allow the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to place land into trust in a way that will benefit both the Tribe and the surrounding area.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1276) to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1276, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation offered by my good friend and the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Representative Comer. This legislation would remove Federal deed restrictions from a building and the surrounding parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.
For more than six decades, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah has provided a safe place for young people in McCracken County, Kentucky, to learn, grow, and thrive. The club is a model of community service, offering affordable mentorship, recreation, and educational opportunities to hundreds of children each year.
Today, the club is ready to make long-overdue improvements, including renovating and expanding its building, adding new classrooms, and refurbishing its gymnasium so that it can serve even more children and bolster its educational and recreational programming.
To do so, the Boys & Girls Club is hoping to acquire the current building and surrounding land from the city of Paducah. However, these plans are stalled by an outdated Federal deed restriction put in place by the National Park Service on the land where the Boys & Girls Club currently operates.
H.R. 1276 removes that restriction, which would, in turn, allow the city of Paducah to transfer the parcel directly to the club.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Comer for working with the Natural Resources Committee to amend this bill during our committee's markup to ensure that this area remains dedicated to public and recreational purposes in perpetuity. This is a commonsense bill that cuts red tape, empowers local leaders, and strengthens a vital community institution. Chairman Comer has played a vital role in leading and representing his community.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1276, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in 2012, the National Park Service conveyed this 3.62- acre parcel of land in Kentucky to the city of Paducah through the Federal Lands to Parks Program.
This program allows States, counties, and local governments to acquire surplus land for public recreational purposes, an incredibly impactful alternative to the Trump administration's public lands selloff scheme.
Although the land was conveyed to the city, the National Park Service still retains a deed restriction. Today, the parcel is utilized, as you heard, by the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, which provides programming for youth in the community. The club is a central part of the community but faces challenges in accepting new members and a growing wait list due to the need for renovations and expansion of facilities.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1276 would remove the National Park Service's deed restriction, allowing the city of Paducah to transfer the parcel to the club so that they can move forward with the renovations and improvements needed to increase capacity, expand programming, and better serve youth in the community.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority for working with us in the markup to add language that ensures that this property continues to serve a public purpose by the Boys & Girls Club. This is an important assurance and guarantee.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1276, to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.
It is an honor to serve the people of Paducah and McCracken County in Congress. One of their community's most impactful institutions, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club has been a cornerstone of support and opportunity for local youth for over 60 years.
The club is located on land currently owned by the city of Paducah, which has held the property since 2012. For over 60 years, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club has been a force for good in Paducah and has had a positive impact on thousands of children who have come through its doors.
Today, the club is facing unprecedented demand. More than 100 children are currently on the waiting list due to space constraints in the existing facility.
Unfortunately, lingering Federal interest in the property dating back to the city's involvement in the Federal Lands to Parks Program decades ago has impeded progress on an exciting renovation project for the local Boys & Girls Club.
Despite strong local support from the city of Paducah and community members, this Federal restriction has hampered efforts to raise funds and begin the renovation process.
H.R. 1276 is a straightforward, commonsense bill that would lift this outdated restriction and allow the city to fully transfer the land to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club. There is no time to waste in making this commonsense fix to enable this project to move forward.
I was proud to collaborate with the city of Paducah, the National Park
I thank Senator Paul for introducing the Senate companion bill, S. 601, and Senator McConnell for being an original cosponsor of that legislation. I look forward to working with them to get this bill across the finish line and onto President Trump's desk.
I also thank Chairman Westerman for his support and I urge passage of H.R. 1276.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
As has been noted, for more than 60 years, the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club of Paducah has provided dedicated service to their community.
H.R. 1276 is a straightforward bill that will enhance this legacy of service by removing an unnecessary Federal deed restriction and allowing the city of Paducah to transfer land directly to the club. This will pave the way for long-planned improvements that will directly benefit Kentucky children and families.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Chairman Comer's legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1276, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4285) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to designate an entrance-fee free date in 2026 at National Park Service sites in order to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4285, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4285, the Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act, or STARS Act, led by my colleague, the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy).
This bill designates September 17, 2026, as a fee-free day across our national parks and other Federal recreation lands in honor of the 250th anniversary of our Nation's independence.
September 17 was also the date on which the U.S. Constitution was signed 11 years later, bringing together two foundational milestones in American history.
By waiving entrance and recreation fees at more than 400 National Park Service units and thousands of Federal recreation sites, the STARS Act ensures that families across the country can celebrate America 250 by connecting with our natural landscapes and historic places. From our forests and lakeshores to our battlefields and monuments, these sites tell the story of our liberty, resilience, and shared civic values.
This is a simple, bipartisan bill that expands access to our public lands, encourages public participation in the semiquincentennial, and reaffirms the ideals that continue to guide our Nation.
I commend Representative Maloy, as well as my fellow Arkansan, Senator John Boozman, for leading this bipartisan legislation in the House and the Senate, respectively. I also recognize the work of Representative Pete Stauber, who offered a thoughtful amendment during our Natural Resources Committee markup to expand this bill to national forests, refuges, and all public lands.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4285, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, next year our Nation will celebrate its 250th birthday. H.R. 4285, the STARS Act, would mark that milestone on September 17, 2026, by providing free entrance to National Park Service sites and waiving standard amenity recreation fees to sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service.
I fully support helping more Americans experience our public lands and will be honored to support this bill. However, it is hard to ignore how hollow this gesture feels when it comes alongside the ongoing Republican effort to undermine access to these very places.
While we may be hearing how treasured our public lands are from my colleagues today, some of their actions paint a different picture.
Republicans are slashing the already underfunded land management agencies' budgets. Republicans are firing hardworking Americans who keep our public lands open and safe. Republicans are trying to sell off our public lands for a quick buck.
Republicans are working to undo protections for national monuments, trying to block updates to outdated resource management plans, and pushing reckless development for extractive industries no matter the public health or environmental consequences.
Republicans are attacking bedrock environmental and historic preservation laws, attempting to erase and rewrite history in our public lands, and working to turn our public lands into prisons and detention centers.
Americans deserve better. They deserve public lands that are open, well cared for, and honest about our history, not just a few symbolic gestures and a free entrance day every now and then.
It is our responsibility to care for our public lands, to support the people who care for them, and to ensure they reflect the full and robust history of everyone who shaped this country. That is how we can honor the past and ensure our public lands remain places that future generations of Americans can learn from and enjoy.
Democrats will continue to stand up for our Federal workforce and to fight to protect Americans' public lands.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill and reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, as we get ready to celebrate our 250th anniversary--and, actually, we are already in it with some of the Revolutionary War battles being fought already over 250 years ago--we look forward to Americans being able to have a very affordable day when they can go to our parks and Federal lands for free.
It is already an exciting time in America. I commend the gentlewoman who brought this bill to us and the effort that she has put forth to make sure that Americans can have an affordable day on our Federal lands.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Utah (Ms. Maloy), the lead sponsor of the bill.
Mr. Speaker, Americans are preparing to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026.
How do you properly celebrate 250 years of freedom? One very uniquely American way is to spend time in what Wallace Stegner called ``the best idea we ever had,'' our national parks.
National parks provide our connection to history, nature, and shared heritage, including our bright future as a nation. The Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act, which doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, so we call it the STARS Act, designates Constitution Day, September 17, 2026, as a fee-free day at National Park Service sites and extends fee waivers to Federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the United States Forest Service.
This allows Americans to experience our national history, natural treasures, and natural resources that preserve and protect the legacy that began in 1776.
This legislation is complementary to the Department of the Interior's effort to launch the digital America the Beautiful passes, expand motorcycle access, create a resident-focused fee structure, and otherwise improve the experience for Americans.
The STARS Act highlights Constitution Day to encourage reflection on America's founding principles. Get out and enjoy this Nation's natural resources, learn something new, or just celebrate with loved ones in one of our parks.
Free access encourages families and communities to visit, learn, and participate in the national celebration together. Americans just might come together during this major national commemoration by getting outside in a forest, historic park, bird refuge, or go on an iconic hike.
The STARS Act is about connecting Americans with history, nature, and the founding principles of our Republic. We can celebrate America's birthday in a very American way that invites all people, regardless of politics, religion, age, or income bracket to be united in taking part in the freedoms we enjoy as a result of our Constitution.
Maybe, just maybe, by joining together to mark this milestone, we can awaken a fresh reverence and respect for our founding documents, our collective national blessings, and the ideas that changed the world two-and-a-half centuries ago.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I am enthusiastically in support of this policy, but I think I have to underscore, again, that our public lands belong to all Americans, as the previous sponsor mentioned, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or background.
The stories preserved at sites like Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial in my district serve as powerful reminders of what happens when we allow fear and prejudice to override our values of inclusion and justice. In this moment in our history as we celebrate the semiquincentennial of our Nation, we are also watching history attempt to repeat itself with the rounding up of Americans and the rounding up of folks living in this country who are being persecuted in our streets and on our public lands.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation and urge all my colleagues to support it, as well. I also urge us to learn from our history and to move forward more equitably.
Mr. Speaker, I, once again, thank Representative Maloy and Chairman Boozman for their leadership on the STARS Act in their respective Chambers of Congress.
This is a good bill that gives every American the opportunity to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation's independence in the very places that conserve our history and our heritage.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4285, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 655) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain Federal land to the City of The Dalles, Oregon, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 655, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 655, sponsored by my colleague, Representative Bentz.
This straightforward legislation would transfer 150 acres of U.S. Forest Service land to the City of The Dalles, Oregon.
The area encompassed by the legislation includes a dam and reservoir that the City currently operates under a special use permit from the Forest Service.
The Crow Creek Reservoir, located in the Mount Hood National Forest, is key to providing clean water for drinking, residential, and commercial uses in The Dalles. In fact, the existing infrastructure provides 80 percent of the City's annual water supply.
However, in order to access and maintain this critical water infrastructure, the City must perpetually reapply for special use permits from the Forest Service, a time-consuming and expensive process.
In addition to wasting time and personnel resources, the renewal process is estimated to cost the City at least $150,000.
Between 2010 and 2020, the population of The Dalles increased by more than 11 percent. To address the needs of its current and future population, the City plans to increase the Crow Creek Reservoir's capacity from 900 to 3,000 acre-feet. Allowing the City to take full ownership of the land within the reservoir's watershed will allow local leaders to move ahead with planned capacity and safety improvements to the Crow Creek Reservoir without running into red tape and wasting taxpayer money.
This is a fiscally responsible bill that will cut costs for the local community and for the Forest Service. A land transfer will allow the City to advance upgrades to the Crow Creek Reservoir. H.R. 655 is a simple, practical step that saves money immediately and decreases costs over time by shrinking the Federal estate.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Bentz for his leadership on this issue and for his steadfast work on behalf of his constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 655, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 655, the Dalles Watershed Development Act, introduced by my colleague from the Pacific Northwest, Representative Bentz from Oregon.
This bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey approximately 150 acres of Federal land in the Mount Hood National Forest to the City of The Dalles, Oregon.
This land is vital to the City's watershed and supports roughly 80 percent of its annual water supply. Local ownership of this land will allow the City to better manage its water resources, protect water quality, and plan for future water infrastructure.
Under the bill, the land transfer would occur at no cost to the City and be subject to valid existing rights.
The City would cover the administrative expenses of the conveyance, including surveying, and the conveyance would be executed by quitclaim deed.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority for working with us to include language that guarantees the property is used by the City for the public in perpetuity. With this important update, the legislation offers a practical, bipartisan solution to address clear infrastructure need and to adapt to a changing climate in which water resources are becoming more and more scarce. I thank Representative Bentz for his leadership on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 655, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 655, the Dalles Watershed Development Act.
The City of The Dalles, located in my district, depends on its municipal watershed for almost all of its supply of drinking water. Protecting and managing this watershed is vital to the health, safety, and future of The Dalles community.
Today, that task is complicated by the fact that critical infrastructure, the Crow Creek Reservoir and the surrounding timbered area, is located on both City-owned and federally managed Forest Service lands.
The City operates these facilities under a special use permit, which is inefficient and costly and limits the City's ability to expeditiously expand and modernize this water supply.
The City of The Dalles is a growing City. It is an important City, and it is one that deserves this kind of help and attention. I am happy to bring this bill to achieve this purpose.
This bill offers a practical solution by transferring 150 acres of Forest Service land within the watershed of the City into the City's ownership. This transfer will allow the City of The Dalles to officially upgrade the Crow Creek Dam, increase its reservoir capacity by 2,100 acre-feet, eliminate the need for ongoing special use permits with Forest Service, and allow implementation of a comprehensive watershed management strategy. We would also save tens of thousands of dollars in administrative costs for both the City and the Forest Service.
Mr. Speaker, this is a narrowly tailored, community-driven proposal that directly supports clean water, public safety, economic growth, and good government.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Westerman and the members of the committee for their support of this bill, and I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 655.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation will eliminate the City's need to reapply for a special use permit to access land within its own municipal watershed and allow local leaders to move forward with a vital expansion of its reservoir capacity, which is necessary to serve its growing population.
Expanding the City's water supply will support the growing number of businesses and families that call The Dalles home. This legislation is straightforward, timely, returns power to local government, and saves taxpayer money. I thank Representative Bentz for sponsoring this critical measure.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 655, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 655, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2293) to require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue certain regulations relating to the taking of double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2293, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2293, the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Ezell from Mississippi. This legislation would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate the Aquaculture Depredation Order for double-crested cormorants, which was in place from 1998 until 2016, until it was vacated by a judge in response to yet another activist lawsuit.
Double-crested cormorants are waterbirds common to the Great Lakes States and the Southeast. They are opportunistic and intelligent predators that often feed at aquaculture facilities, where fish are easy to catch. A variety of studies have determined that predation from double-crested cormorants costs the aquaculture industry nearly $65 million annually in economic losses.
This legislation would streamline the permitting process to take double-crested cormorants, restoring protections for aquaculture producers without negatively impacting cormorant populations.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Ezell for his continued leadership and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2293. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak on H.R. 2293, the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025.
Aquaculture facilities nationwide are facing issues with predatory birds. We experience it in Washington State as well, along with the pinnipeds that we spent some time discussing last week.
Double-crested cormorants consume large quantities of fish from these operations, negatively impacting businesses that provide jobs and support their local communities.
From 2003 to 2014, the Fish and Wildlife Service implemented the 2003 proposed rule adopting the Aquaculture Depredation Order and the Public Resource Depredation Order, a Federal program that allowed aquaculture operators, States, and Tribes to manage cormorant populations in a controlled way with proper oversight. That program was found to be unlawful by the courts.
This bill would lawfully reinstate the depredation order for aquaculture facilities. Further, it would expand coverage to 12 States and allow the Secretary to add others as appropriate. The bill would also include aquaculture lake managers and pond managers who face similar challenges.
I am pleased we were able to work out a bipartisan solution that maintains environmental safeguards under bedrock environmental protections like NEPA and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This approach will provide a reasonable regulatory framework with proper oversight and require renewal every 5 years to ensure that it is working as intended and that, moving forward, the Fish and Wildlife Service conducts proper environmental assessments as it renews the program.
This bill will help U.S.-based aquaculture producers deliver healthy and affordable protein for American families.
Mr. Speaker, I think this is a workable approach we can support, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2293, the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025, which reinstates the Aquaculture Depredation Order for double-crested cormorants. The double-crested cormorant is a nuisance, plain and simple.
A single cormorant can eat up to 1\1/2\ pounds of fish every day. Even the Fish and Wildlife Service has classified them as opportunist and generalist feeders that prey on a wide range of species.
Yet, farmers are still forced to jump through needless hoops to prevent these birds from wiping out their stock. The Aquaculture Depredation Order is nothing new. It is the same commonsense tool that was easily reinstated in 2003, 2009, and 2014.
Aquaculture farmers have been struggling for years with the importation of nondomestic catfish flooding the market. Every year, American catfish farmer communities lose up to $64 million in stock to the cormorants alone.
For far too long, catfish farmers in Mississippi and across the Southeast have been weighed down by burdensome permits and processes created by people too far removed from the realities of everyday, working-class Americans.
It is past time we restore a commonsense approach to this and ensure that our farmers can finally defend their ponds without any Federal red tape in the way.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman, Leader Scalise, the Gulf Coast officials, and numerous Mississippians who have worked hard to bring this bill to the floor. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, this commonsense bill allows aquaculture producers to effectively manage the overpopulation of double-crested cormorants, which threatens their way of life and harms coastal economies. I once again thank Mr. Ezell for his diligent work and attention to this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 2293 and yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2293, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3857) to amend the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3857, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3857, the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act.
In Colorado and in the West, we don't measure water by what comes out of a faucet. We measure it by what falls on our mountains. Snowpack is our reservoir, our lifeline, and our future, but water managers are still forced to make major decisions with incomplete data and outdated tools.
This bill reauthorizes the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program so that we can use modern technology, lidar, satellite imagery, and other remote-sensing tools to build accurate 3D models of snowpack across entire watersheds. Better data means better reservoir planning, better support for agriculture, better protection for our cities and towns, and better management across every industry that depends upon water in the West.
We cannot manage what we can't measure. H.R. 3857 gives Western communities what they need to plan ahead and protect the water resources that sustain our way of life.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in enthusiastic support of H.R. 3857, the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act, brought forward by my colleague and fellow freshman, Jeff Hurd.
This legislation, as he described, would extend the Bureau of Reclamation's Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through 2031, ensuring that communities have accurate water supply forecasting.
This program plays a critical role in advancing new technologies, expanding snow monitoring areas, and improving the accuracy of water supply forecasts.
This work is extremely vital to supporting Western communities facing growing challenges of climate change, persistent drought, and growing demands from communities that are growing in our States.
Across the West, communities are experiencing changing precipitation patterns, diminished snowpack, earlier runoff, and changing water availability. I certainly look to the mountains, the Olympics and the Cascades, every time I drive around my district, using a very nontechnological approach to assessing the snowpack on the mountains.
Mr. Speaker, there are definitely scientists using much better tools, but this legislation authorizes even better tools to allow us to plan for our communities' safety and our access to clean water, agriculture, and a thriving economy.
Paired with the growing demand for water, these changes we have seen create uncertainty for water managers and users who rely on accurate data for planning.
By reauthorizing the Snow Water Supply Forecasting program, we ensure water managers and users have the information that they need to make informed decisions and support the continued collaboration between agencies and expanding snowpack data collection and forecasting capabilities.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill reauthorizes a vital program that helps water managers promptly and effectively plan for and respond to drought.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3857, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1676) to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1676, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1676, the Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Donalds from Florida.
This bill advances a goal shared by both House Republicans and the Trump administration to promote government efficiency by holding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accountable when reviewing State Wildlife Action Plans, or SWAPs.
SWAPs serve as blueprints for identifying each State's and territory's unique conservation needs. By law, States must have an updated SWAP to receive funding through the State Wildlife Grants program, and SWAPs must be updated every 10 years.
The SWAPs of 44 States, the District of Columbia, and three territories are up for renewal in 2025. In the past, the approval process for SWAPs has taken as long as 18 months due to bureaucratic delays at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Last year, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered into a memorandum of understanding to simplify the review process for these plans. This bill is intended to complement that work by directing the Secretary of the Interior to approve SWAPs within 180 days of submission.
I commend Representative Donalds for his continued leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1676.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1676 will improve the State-led conservation of priority fish and wildlife resources by improving the efficiency of the State Wildlife Action Plan review process.
State wildlife managers in every U.S. State are facing increasing challenges. Nationwide, more than one-third of all plant and animal species face heightened risks of extinction.
State Wildlife Action Plans are essential to proactively conserving fish and wildlife, rather than waiting for populations to decline to a point where they need Endangered Species Act protections. These plans provide a comprehensive assessment of the status of States' wildlife populations, key habitats, and strategies to keep the populations strong.
Each year, these funds provide States with upwards of $54.4 million to conserve species and critical habitats. These funds have enabled numerous success stories, including research and conservation for the rare Sierra Nevada red fox in California and the Cook Inlet beluga whales in Alaska.
States must update and resubmit their action plans every 10 years to qualify for annual State wildlife funds. This year, dozens of States are going through their annual process. They are concerned than an already thin Fish and Wildlife workforce will have a difficult time processing these plans in a timely fashion.
This bill would redirect the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the States to work together to speed up State Wildlife Action Plan review processes, and it would codify the Fish and Wildlife Service's current practice of automatic implementation, while a plan is in review, to ensure that States don't lose access to these critical conservation funds while the service reviews their plans.
At the same time, this bill would maintain the standards by which these plans are reviewed, ensuring that these Federal dollars are used responsibly and as Congress intended.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1676, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1676, the Make SWAPs Efficient Act.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of State Wildlife Action Plans, a major milestone for fish and wildlife conservation. Statewide action plans serve as a vital blueprint for identifying the unique conservation needs of each State and territory and are required for States to take part in the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant program.
These plans play a leading role in helping to prevent and recover endangered species and guide the conservation of over 12,000 species in the greatest conservation need.
Currently, there is no deadline for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to approve a State-submitted wildlife action plan, with most taking over 18 months to simply get an approval. This is something that is unacceptable, and my legislation seeks to change that.
The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to approve a State's SWAP within 180 days, once the Secretary determines the SWAP complies with the requirements of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. If the Department of the Interior fails to authorize the SWAP within 180 days, the SWAP is deemed approved.
It is time to take a real swipe to unnecessary red tape, minimize self-induced delays, and streamline the regulatory process for the allocation of much-needed conservation funding to our States.
Mr. Speaker, this is a very good piece of legislation. It was my pleasure to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this. I recommend that the body approve this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will help make the Federal Government more efficient and ensure our conservation programs work as they were intended.
Once again, I thank Mr. Donalds for his diligent work and attention to this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1676, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2388) to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2388, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2388, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Randall. H.R. 2388 would take approximately 1,083 acres of National Park Service land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
The Tribe is located within the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington and has approximately 984 enrolled members.
The Tribe signed the Treaty of Point No Point in 1855, which entitled them to share a small reservation not on their traditional lands. After signing the treaty, most Tribal members opted not to live on their reservation, instead choosing rivers, shorelines, and sites of their ancestral burial grounds.
Through the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, the Federal Government acquired 372 acres of land and assigned it to 14 families in the Tribe. In 1968, the Tribe received Federal recognition, which included the acres given to the families. As a result of Federal recognition, the Lower Elwha Reservation was formally established for the Tribe.
The approximately 1,083 acres of National Park Service land in this legislation were acquired in the 1990s through the Elwha River Ecosystems and Fisheries Restoration Act. The act required the National Park Service to identify lands to be transferred to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe for housing, cultural, or economic development purposes and place them into trust.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act.
I thank Chairman Westerman and Subcommittee Chairman Hurd for their partnership in bringing this important legislation to the floor. I am deeply honored to serve on the House Natural Resources Committee and the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. I am proud to represent a district that is home to 12 federally recognized Tribes, Tribes that led the Nation in co-stewardship, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration.
Each time this Congress gathers to address land restoration and treaty reserved rights, we are doing incredibly meaningful work, not only alongside the Tribes that we serve, but in service of the integrity of our Federal Government's commitments.
I also want to extend a special thank you to Chairwoman Frances Charles of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe for testifying before the committee earlier this year on this bill. Chairwoman Charles has spent her career protecting the Lower Elwha's culture, preserving their language, and ensuring that treaty reserved hunting and fishing rights remain.
It strengthens the restoration of the Elwha watershed, which is one of the most iconic examples of climate resilience and ecological recovery anywhere in the country. This bill recognizes that the Lower Elwha people have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial.
Transferring land into trust is one of the most impactful actions the United States can take to deliver on trust and treaty obligations. It is one of the clearest ways we can demonstrate respect for Tribal sovereignty and return land to the stewardship of the people who know it best.
This bill is straightforward, and it is long overdue. It aligns our policies with our values, and it honors the community that has spent decades repairing the damage caused by a Federal infrastructure that was built without Tribal consent.
As someone who has the honor of representing the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, I am proud to lead this legislation alongside Senators Cantwell and Murray. I recognize the dedication and work of my predecessor, Representative Derek Kilmer, who championed this bill in past Congresses prior to his retirement last year.
Chairwoman Charles' leadership has been essential to one of the most ambitious restoration projects in our country's history: the removal of the two dams on the Elwha River, the largest dam removal project of our Nation's history at the time, and the healing of a river system that has been blocked for a century.
Just this year, we celebrated an anniversary of the river being free, the return of the salmon through canoe journey. This is an endeavor in which Tribal canoe families journey from around the Salish Sea and British Columbia to come to land, to celebrate, to commemorate their history, and to promise to preserve the land, water, and ecosystem for seven generations forward.
This legislation is an important piece of that puzzle, transferring approximately 1,082 acres of Federal land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. These are lands once tied to the Federal hydroelectric project, lands acquired during the dam removal process, lands that include cultural sites, historic villages, and ecological areas directly connected to the Tribe's stewardship of the Elwha River.
Placing these lands into trust is not just a procedural act. It is a promise fulfilled. It affirms the Tribe's sovereign right to protect and manage sacred sites for generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in moving this bill forward so we can take the final step in returning these lands to the Lower Elwha people, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2388 takes approximately 1,083 acres of National Park Service land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Randall for her work on this legislation, I urge the adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2388.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2389) to take certain land in the State of Washington into trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks into and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2389, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2389, the Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Randall.
H.R. 2389 would place approximately 72 acres of U.S. Forest Service land, known as Allotment 1157, into trust for the Quinault Indian Nation.
The Quinault Nation is located on the western coast of Washington State in the southwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula.
In the treaty of Olympia, or the Quinault Treaty, the Quinault Indian Tribe ceded their lands and, in return, received tracts that became the Quinault Indian Reservation. The treaty was dismissed after the passage of the General Allotment Act, and the Tribe's lands were separated into 2,340 80-acre allotments to individual Tribe members.
One of these individual Tribal member allotments was Allotment 1157, which was sold by the Indian allottee to a logging company for $60,000 in the 1960s. The logging company faced legal challenges by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the early 1990s. In 1996, the Trust for Public Lands purchased Allotment 1157 and sold it to the U.S. Forest Service for $3 million. The Forest Service currently manages the land.
The Quinault Indian Nation has attempted to reacquire ownership of the land that sits on their reservation for the benefit of their Tribe. The Tribe has the support of local stakeholders and the Federal Government and plans to use the land for heritage and cultural purposes. Gaming on these lands pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act would be prohibited.
I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in strong support of this bill, the Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act, and I thank Chairman Westerman and Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Hurd for the opportunity to speak about another bill before us today and for their thoughtful engagement with Tribal council members, Tribal President Capoeman, when he came before the committee, and Quinault Business Committee member Tyson Johnston, who testified to the importance of this legislation earlier this year.
This bill, for me, represents the kind of tangible, bipartisan work I believe that Congress should be doing every day: delivering real solutions, repairing historic injustices, and strengthening our relationships with sovereign Tribal nations.
Earlier this year, I reintroduced the Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act in partnership with Senators Cantwell and Murray. I want to recognize the leadership of my predecessor, Representative Derek Kilmer, who worked diligently on this legislation in past Congresses.
This bill would return approximately 72 acres of land, as we have heard, known as Allotment 1157, to the Quinault Indian Nation by placing it into trust with the Department of the Interior.
To understand why this matters, we have to understand the history. Allotment 1157 was once part of the original Quinault Reservation, land guaranteed to the Nation under the Treaty of Olympia.
In 1928, during the era of forced allotment and fractioning, where ownership of Tribal land was divided, the land was taken out of trust and ultimately lost
Through all those years, the Quinault people were cut off from land that held deep cultural and ecological value.
Allotment 1157 includes some of the last remaining old-growth forest in the region, and it is a place where Quinault carvers once slid canoe hulls into the Salmon River, a place tied to traditional lifeways, craft, and history. It is sacred land.
Returning Allotment 1157 is not only historically justified. It is morally necessary. It restores the Quinault Nation land that was never meant to be taken. It reaffirms the United States' trust responsibility and treaty obligations. It allows the Tribe to continue stewarding an ecosystem that they have cared for since time immemorial.
The Quinault Nation plans to use this land as a place of education, a living museum where future generations can learn about their heritage, their connection to the Salmon River watershed, and their responsibility to protect the land.
This is self-determination in action. This is environmental stewardship in partnership with Tribal leadership. This is Congress fulfilling its promise.
I am proud to champion this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Restoring Allotment 1157 is long overdue, and moving this legislation forward is a meaningful step toward justice.
I thank my partners in this work for their support, voices, and stories. They are essential as we work to uphold our commitments to Tribal nations. I thank the Natural Resources Committee members for giving this legislation the thoughtful attention that it deserves.
I respectfully ask all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2389 takes approximately 72 acres of U.S. Forest Service land into trust for the Quinault Indian Nation and adds the 72 acres to the contiguous land of the Quinault Indian Nation.
This legislation supports Tribal sovereignty, and it has the support of the Tribal leaders and local stakeholders.
Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2389.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2290) to provide that the memorial to commemorate the sacrifice and service of the women who worked on the home front to support the efforts of the United States military during World War II may be located on the National Mall, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2290, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2290, the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act, led by Representatives Dingell and Fulcher.
During World War II, more than 18 million women stepped up to serve this country on the home front. While many Americans recognize the image of Rosie the Riveter, their work went far beyond the factory floor. My grandmother served as a Rosie the Riveter, stepping up to fight on the home front, as well. Women became welders, code breakers, pilots, medical professionals, truck drivers, and community caretakers. Their contributions were essential to the Allied victory, supporting our troops overseas and redefining women's roles in American society.
In 2023, Congress authorized the creation of a memorial to honor the women who worked on the home front during World War II. Under the Commemorative Works Act, placing that memorial on The National Mall or in the surrounding area requires an additional act of Congress. H.R. 2290 provides that authority, ensuring this memorial can be located in a place of national prominence alongside other monuments honoring wartime service and sacrifice.
This bill is bipartisan and straightforward. It properly recognizes the contributions of millions of American women whose work was essential to victory in World War II. By authorizing this memorial to be placed on or near The National Mall, we affirm their legacy and ensure future generations will learn from their examples of patriotism, responsibility, and service.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2290, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of Representative Dingell's H.R. 2290, the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act.
This legislation, as we have heard, would ensure that the service and sacrifices of millions of American women are forever honored on The National Mall and not erased, as we have seen efforts to do over the course of this year.
During World War II, over 18 million women stepped forward to serve on the home front, raising the number of women in the workforce to nearly 40 percent between 1940 and 1945.
These women served in so many capacities: pilots, mechanics, electricians, engineers, coders, and countless other roles. Many of them served in my district at Naval Base Kitsap and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
Their contributions were the backbone of the war efforts, showing the country what women could achieve. Their work reshaped the American workforce and opened doors for future generations of women welders, scientists, and servicemembers.
By authorizing the World War II women's memorial to be placed on or near The National Mall, we are ensuring that the legacy of these brave women will never be forgotten.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my strong support for H.R. 2290, the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act, which I, as has been previously stated, introduced
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes The National Mall as the location for the memorial, commemorating the service and sacrifice of the women who worked on the home front during World War II.
This bill advances a decade-long effort to properly honor the more than 18 million trailblazing women who are now known and loved as Rosie the Riveters.
Our Rosies answered the call when our Nation needed them the most, redefining the role of the American woman and opening the door wider for generations to come. During World War II, women went to work in record numbers. Yet, they are all too often the untold story of the home front.
At Ford Motor Company's Willow Run bomber plant in Michigan, just as an example, women made up almost half of the workforce that turned out one complete B-24 Liberator bomber every 55 minutes. Many women worked in jobs that no one ever thought they could do, such as riveters.
Mr. Speaker, the Rosies taught me what a riveter was. I didn't realize what it was until I was by that plane, and I went: Oh, that is what a riveter is.
They were also welders, and they proved to themselves and the world that Americans can do it.
I am blessed to have many Rosies in my life. I have gone to many birthday parties for 100-, 102-, and 103-year-olds because we are blessed to have a number of the original Rosies living in my area. They have inspired me. They tell me their stories. On a cold Veterans Day this year, when the wind chill was zero degrees, I stood outside with those strong, resilient women with every ounce of their intellect there, sharing the stories of what it meant to be a Rosie.
This bill will take us one critical step closer to ensuring that our Rosies receive the recognition that they deserve.
In 2022, Congress passed bipartisan legislation authorizing the establishment of a memorial dedicated to the Rosies. However, additional legislation is needed to permit the memorial to be located near the existing World War II Memorial. They are part of that whole story.
I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation and help complete the story of World War II in our Nation's front yard.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act, which was carefully crafted to respect the Commemorative Works Act process, honoring the legacies of our Rosies and ensuring that the memorial may be located at a site near the current World War II Memorial.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague mentioned, I recently had a chance to go to a 100th birthday celebration of one of my constituents, who was an original Rosie, Ms. Jean Lillian Winther, whose story was part of the fabric of our country's history at a time when women were rarely seen in the shipbuilding trades.
Jean stepped forward with courage and determination, taking up the torch, quite literally. She showed that women could excel as welders, as builders, as defenders of our Nation's security, and, as I learned at her birthday, as excellent dancers on the decks of an aircraft carrier in between shifts.
Her work on the Essex-class carriers was vital to our Navy's success, but her example reached even further. Jean blazed a trail for women who came after her, proving that skills and determination know no boundaries. Every woman who has picked up a welding torch or entered a shipyard since has walked a little easier because of women like Jean.
Mr. Speaker, I am so honored to support this legislation to make sure that we commemorate in a place of honor the women who helped shape our country and helped shape the future of women in service and in the trades for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, this bill is about ensuring that the contributions of millions of women on the World War II home front are remembered alongside other monuments in Washington, D.C. This bill commemorates America's wartime service and sacrifice. H.R. 2290 guarantees that future generations will see their stories represented in a place of national prominence.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, today I am privileged to speak on the bipartisan World War II Women's Memorial Location Act. World War II required great sacrifices of every American citizen. To the great credit and pride of our Nation, American citizens rose to the challenge with grit and determination. With millions of men overseas, American women--popularly known as ``Rosies'' in tribute to Rosie the Riveter-- stepped into roles traditionally held by men. These women answered the call to service by holding down the home front, working as pilots, engineers, electricians, mechanics, and more. 18 million women answered the call of their Nation in its time of desperate need. The impact they had on our country cannot be overstated. In Idaho, civilian women worked and volunteered at the Farragut Naval Training Station located in North Idaho, which was built shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and became the second-largest naval training base in the country. Their presence was felt across every state, in countless shipyards, factories, farms, and ranches.
Despite their monumental contributions, we still lack an independent, prominent memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring these patriots. There is urgency to pass this bill so that living Rosies can see their legacy commemorated in their lifetime and so the memorial can fold into the broader America250 effort. The memorial's construction will be funded entirely through private donations and won't use taxpayer dollars. The amount of work and dedication the WWII Women's Memorial Foundation has poured into this project clearly illustrates its importance.
Not only will this memorial honor the women of World War II, the memorial will serve the important purpose of inspiring Americans to embrace service to their country and contribute to our Nation's success. I urge the passage of the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2290, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2306) to reauthorize the Adams Memorial Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2306, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act, led by my colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).
Mr. Speaker, although our Nation's Capital contains towering and iconic tributes to many of our Founding Fathers, we still have no memorial for President Adams and his family.
Their remarkable dynasty of public service gave America not one but two Presidents, a Secretary of State, an ambassador, an abolitionist, and one of our most accomplished first ladies.
John Adams was a chief architect of independence, our Vice President, and our second President, whose lifelong correspondence with his chief political rival, Thomas Jefferson, stands as a shining example of the power of speech and shared principles.
Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women's rights and shaped the second Presidency through her letters and advice to her husband. Their son, John Quincy Adams, served as our sixth President and later was a fierce opponent of slavery in this very body, as the only former President to be elected to the House of Representatives.
In 2001, Congress sought to finally cement the legacy of the Adams family in our Nation's rich history by approving the creation of a memorial to the Adams family in Washington, D.C. In 2019, Congress further authorized the Adams Memorial Commission, a bipartisan panel comprised of Members of Congress and Presidential appointees, tasked with spearheading planning, raising private funds, and educating the public on the Adams family legacy of patriotism and civic duty. With the majority of commission members approved as of last year, the commission has begun the site selection process for the memorial.
Representative Moolenaar's bill extends the authorization of the Adams Memorial Commission until 2032, allowing its members to continue their work to create the first memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to honoring the Adams family. The bill would authorize a new site for the memorial just south of the White House, where John and Abigail Adams were the first Presidential family to reside.
During a legislative hearing in the Federal Lands Subcommittee, Jackie Gingrich Cushman, the chair of the Adams Memorial Commission, testified: ``The Adamses exemplified strength of character, belief in God, and the importance of family, education, and public service. John Adams and his family demonstrated that ideas, hard work, and determination can change an entire nation for the better. This memorial will inspire new generations of Americans by reigniting pride in our shared American values and our constitutional Republic.''
This bipartisan bill will give our Nation the opportunity to honor John Adams and his family with the memorial they deserve. As America approaches its 250th birthday, there is no better time to honor a family whose ideas and sacrifices helped build our Nation and protect its principles for generations to come.
I commend Representative Moolenaar for his leadership in this effort and take a moment to recognize the late Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who we sadly lost earlier this year. Representative Connolly not only sat on the Adams Memorial Commission but also was the main Democratic sponsor of this legislation and a champion for the Adams Family Memorial.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2306, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2306, legislation introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).
This bill would extend the authority for the Adams Memorial Commission and authorize a prominent location for the eventual memorial to commemorate the legacy and contributions of John Adams and the entire Adams family, including Abigail and their son, John Quincy Adams.
It has been nearly a quarter-century since Congress first authorized this memorial in 2001. It is time to finish what we started.
We are speaking of a family that didn't merely participate in the American experiment but helped define it. Thomas Jefferson called John Adams the Colossus of Independence, and his thoughts on government frame the very Constitution we swear to uphold every day we report to work here in our Nation's Capitol.
Abigail Adams was an early beacon for women's rights, and John Quincy Adams fought the gag rule and slavery right here in the House. The contributions of the Adams family to the founding and development of our country are countless.
Finally, because John Adams was the first to live in the White House, it is only fitting that this memorial will be located nearby. We can only hope that the hard work, wisdom, and dedication of these American heroes rub off on the current and future residents of the White House.
I thank Representative Moolenaar and all of the members of the Adams Memorial Commission for their dedication to this project. Hopefully, we will all be able to visit the new memorial very soon.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his strong support. I also thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work in this area.
Today, I rise in support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act. This bipartisan legislation will extend the Adams Memorial Commission, which is tasked with establishing a national memorial honoring President John Adams, First Lady Abigail Adams, and their family for their leadership in shaping the early course of this Nation.
As we look to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this bill celebrates a family pivotal to the foundation of this country. The United States would not be where it is today without multiple generations of Adams family members serving the country and working tirelessly to ensure its success.
John Adams served as our first Vice President and second President, with Abigail supporting him throughout as his most valued and trusted adviser. They were the first family to occupy the newly constructed White House, which this monument will be immediately adjacent to.
Their son, John Quincy Adams, was America's sixth President, and so dedicated to this country that following his administration, he returned to the Halls of this very building to continue his service as a Member of Congress, arguing adamantly for the abolition of slavery.
This memorial will educate generations to come about this historic family's role in our Nation's founding and inspire all Americans to honor their
I am pleased to support the ongoing work that has brought the Adams Memorial closer to reality, ensuring that our Nation's first leaders are remembered in a fitting and lasting way.
I urge all my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Adams Memorial Commission, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act. This legislation would extend until 2032 the existing authorization to build the Adams Memorial in the President's Park, dedicated to the contributions to our Nation by John and Abigail Adams, John Quincy and Louisa Catherine Adams, Charles Francis Adams and Henry Adams and their family.
The exciting part of this is that while efforts have been made in the past, we have finally arrived upon what I think is a suitable location for this memorial. It is shown in this small rectangle here, not very far from the White House itself on the Ellipse. I think that is the key to the success of this effort, and I give great credit to the bill's sponsor, John Moolenaar, and my other colleagues on the Adams Commission for making the effort and advocating that the Adams family receive the recognition, and the appropriateness of this memorial speaks to that as well.
Mr. Speaker, during the 118th Congress, I was honored to be appointed to the Adams Memorial Commission by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. I also recognize and thank the commission chair, Jackie Cushman, who was essential to this whole process and really was a driving force in bringing all of us together, as well as Commissioner Major General Peter Cooke, and Commissioner Richard Houghton for their dedication to this effort. In addition, I thank my fellow Members of Congress on the commission, Congressman Morgan Griffith of Virginia and also the lead sponsor of this bill, Congressman John Moolenaar of Michigan.
As others have also noted, our dear friend and colleague, the late Congressman Gerry Connolly also served on the Adams Commission until his passing earlier this year. Gerry dedicated his life to serving his community and our Nation and stood for what was fair and just, as did our former Presidents John and John Quincy Adams.
Congressman Connolly is deeply missed, and the remaining members of the commission greatly appreciate his work and the work of my Massachusetts delegation colleagues, first Bill Delahunt, who we lost a couple years ago and worked on this commission, and Congressman Bill Keating, who actually stood in Gerry Connolly's place to join the commission and carry on Representative Connolly's legacy.
As the gentleman from Colorado noted, the success of this endeavor is greatly aided by the designation of this particular site for the purpose of establishing this memorial.
President John Adams was one of our most influential Founding Fathers, negotiating the Treaty of Paris that secured our independence from Britain. He was also a steadfast public servant who believed staunchly in the rule of law, defending British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, even when it was unpopular, and ensuring the first peaceful transfer of power after his loss in the 1800 Presidential election.
His son, John Quincy Adams, was equally as devoted to public service, and I am honored to hold the same seat in the House of Representatives that he once held after his Presidency, where he made the fight against slavery one of his primary causes. His advocacy for public education and the sciences is a legacy that I am proud to continue.
Mr. Speaker, this is the third attempt at this effort. It is a glaring oversight that on the eve of our 250th anniversary there is still no memorial in our Nation's Capital honoring John Adams, John Quincy Adams, both Presidents, and their family, and their leading role in shaping our country. This recognition is long overdue.
In closing, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this act, and I thank you for the time and courtesy.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Just down the hall from this Chamber, we get to take our constituents many times on a tour through Statuary Hall and we see the desk location where John Quincy Adams served as President.
Some of our Founding Fathers tolerated slavery. John Quincy Adams knew it for what it was, a stain on our soul, and he worked so hard, dedicating his life to eliminating slavery. I can't help but think of the divine providence that allowed John Quincy Adams for one term to serve in the same Chamber as Abraham Lincoln. I think God smiled upon our Nation when he did that to pass the torch on to Abraham Lincoln and end that scourge for America and for mankind.
Mr. Speaker, by reauthorizing the Adams Memorial Commission, H.R. 2306 would provide the time needed to thoroughly design, locate, and construct a memorial truly worthy of the Adams family's commitment to America.
I, once again, recognize Representative Moolenaar for his bipartisan commitment to honoring one of America's most accomplished founding families ahead of our Nation's 250th birthday.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2306, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2916) to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to Resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2916, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2916, to authorize, ratify, and confirm the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York, introduced by the gentlewoman from New York, Congresswoman Stefanik.
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is located on the border of New York and Canada along the St. Lawrence River. Following the Revolutionary War, the Seven Nations of Canada and the State of New York signed the 1796 Treaty, which gave the Tribe its reservation.
In 1824 and 1825, New York acquired land from the Tribe without the Federal Government's approval, violating the Non-Intercourse Act, which reserves to the United States the exclusive right to acquire Indian lands and prohibits conveyance without Federal approval.
After decades of court proceedings, a 2022 Northern District of New York ruling determined that the State of New York's 1825 purchase of land violated the Non-Intercourse Act. Mediation between the parties resumed and culminated in a settlement signed earlier this year.
The settlement would return approximately 3,500 acres of land to reservation status and would allow the Tribe to acquire up to 14,000 additional acres from willing sellers. Additional provisions in the settlement include waived tuition and mandatory fees for Akwesasne Mohawk students attending State University of New York institutions and preferred-rate power from the New York Power Authority.
The settlement requires no Federal monetary contribution and clearly defines the reservation's boundaries.
Negotiated settlements related to Indian land claims under the Non- Intercourse Act require congressional approval, and that is why we are here today.
H.R. 2916 would authorize, ratify, and confirm the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim Settlement Agreement and bring final resolution to a longstanding claim.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2916 would finalize a longstanding land claim in New York for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe by ratifying and confirming the Agreement of Settlement and Compromise to resolve the Akwesasne Mohawk Land Claim in the State of New York.
Under this settlement, the Tribe will see 3,500 acres of land returned to reservation status and have the opportunity to acquire up to 14,000 acres of land in the land claim areas.
The settlement also provides Akwesasne Mohawk students who attend State University of New York institutions free tuition and mandatory fees.
In addition, the Tribe will have the right to nine megawatts of power at a preferred rate from the New York Power Authority and will receive $70 million from the power authority over 35 years.
This legislation will finally resolve the Akwesasne Land Claim after 43 years of litigation and 11 years of negotiation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Crank, for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2916, my bill to ratify the land claim settlement agreement between the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, New York State, Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, the towns of Fort Covington and Bombay, and the New York Power Authority.
For more than 40 years, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne have worked diligently to resolve the Akwesasne land claim in northern New York in my district. The last decade has seen very focused efforts between the Tribe, local, and county officials, and our congressional office to realize this long-sought agreement dating back to the 1796 Treaty with the Seven Nations of Canada.
This historic settlement provides long-term certainty and remedies in terms of lands, land acquisition, payment of past property taxes, and will greatly benefit our North Country community.
For the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, today's action represents the resolution of a generations-long fight, and finalizing this settlement allows the Tribe to restore portions of their homeland, strengthen self-governance, and expand economic opportunities for the North Country.
Unfortunately, I was dismayed to watch the agreement sit on the Governor's desk for over 6 months while she refused to review the documents and then pushed last-minute changes, leaving members of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, who worked alongside my office on this legislation, in limbo and long awaiting the culmination of over 40 years of their leadership's hard work.
Our office worked swiftly and diligently to pass this out of committee, and I am proud to have gotten this across the finish line in the House. I look forward to getting this legislation passed in the Senate and on to the President's desk for his signing.
Mr. Speaker, this moment is the culmination of the dedicated work by many past and present Mohawk leadership, elders, and community members from Akwesasne, as well as county and local officials, and I am honored to pass this bill in Congress.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2916 gives the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe clarity on their reservation land and resolves a centuries-old violation of the Non-Intercourse Act. This settlement is long overdue and widely agreed upon. It is up to Congress to take the final steps and authorize the settlement.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2916.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 573) to require the Council on Environmental Quality to publish an annual report on environmental reviews and causes of action based on alleged non-compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 573, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 573, which would consolidate prior NEPA data collection and reporting efforts into a single report published annually by the Council on Environmental Quality, or CEQ. This bill ensures that consistent, transparent permitting data is available and accessible to the public.
It is well known that our permitting system is mired with substantial delays. Many of these issues stem from burdensome and lengthy environmental documents and lawsuits instigated by special interest groups.
In past administrations, CEQ has published reports on NEPA litigation and environmental reviews. From 2001 to 2013, annual surveys recorded the defendant agency, plaintiff category, and case results, showing that special interest groups, not individual citizens or communities, were responsible for the most NEPA cases.
Although these CEQ studies provided useful data on the cumbersome review timelines and resource strains resulting from NEPA analysis, they have either been produced ad hoc or attention to their continued production has fallen by the wayside.
Similar to CEQ's annual litigation surveys conducted between 2001 and 2013, the reports required by this bill would include information related to any NEPA-related civil action brought against an agency and would identify the lead Federal agency, each plaintiff, and case outcome. This information will allow Congress to identify who is suing to block critical infrastructure projects and examine the end result of the litigation on the project itself.
This bill would also build off the first Trump administration's NEPA reports conducted in 2020 by directing CEQ to review the page length of environmental impact statements and the timelines to complete such EIS, with updates published annually. This information will give Congress better insight into whether agencies are respecting the NEPA deadlines and page limits created in the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the lead sponsor of this legislation, Representative Yakym, for his hard work on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Representative Yakym's Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act. This legislation would direct agencies to
I believe these reports will show there are far fewer NEPA lawsuits holding up projects than my colleagues across the aisle sometimes argue about, but regardless, this will be good data for decisionmakers to have.
The bill would also require reporting on the time it takes agencies to complete environmental impact statements and the number of pages of those analyses. The Council on Environmental Quality will then report annually on average lengths of time, page counts, and any directional trends.
I appreciate the majority working with us to also include requirements for disaggregating reporting to show page limits and timelines pre- and post-passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. This law placed new limits on page counts and 2-year deadlines for environmental impact statements. It will be important for us to know if these new requirements are really working.
Mr. Speaker, again, I support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, H.R. 573, the Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act, which I introduced with my good friend, Mr. Panetta from California.
The National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, was passed in 1970 to look at the impacts of projects on the environment.
After decades of abuse and misuse, NEPA has strayed far from its original purpose. Now, it is a four-letter word, often weaponized to bury infrastructure, housing, energy, and other critical projects under a mound of paperwork and litigation.
NEPA is more synonymous with red tape than a green light. One recent study found that energy projects spend a median of 3 years from final agency approval to a final court decision, with some projects facing delays that last for decades.
At various points in time, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, or CEQ, has compiled reports on lawsuits, paperwork, and delays associated with NEPA, but these efforts have mostly been ad hoc.
This bill would formalize and consolidate these reports by requiring the CEQ to publish a single annual report detailing the burdens created by NEPA, including the volume of lawsuits, the length and complexity of environmental review and paperwork, and the cost of delays to taxpayers and project sponsors.
This report, coupled with the efforts of the Trump administration and this Congress to rein in permitting burdens, will allow us to conduct oversight, ensure accountability, and identify areas of further reform.
The consequences of NEPA are felt across this country, from manufacturing and construction in my district to critical forest management, mining, and housing projects. These delays impact our economy, but they also constrain our efforts to achieve energy dominance, protect our national security, and compete with China.
This bill is an important step in our work to continue reforming the permitting process. It is time to get the government and unnecessary barriers out of the way of hardworking Americans who want to make America build again.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for his help in getting this bill to the floor and to my friend, Mr. Panetta, for his partnership. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Mr. Speaker, I rise as a co-lead of the Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act.
As we have heard, this is a bill that would require the Council on Environmental Quality to provide annual reports that evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal permitting process.
I thank Representative Yakym for his leadership on this issue and really appreciate his willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion to fix our government's permitting process. It is a process that, as we know, can be bogged down, burdensome, and brutally bureaucratic, leading to unnecessary delays that make it very difficult to increase affordable housing, improve our infrastructure, and advance important energy and transmission projects.
People in California's 19th Congressional District, as well as I am sure people in the Second District of Indiana and communities all across the country, have a great amount of concern and consternation as the permitting process is stunting their will and ability to reduce their carbon output, to solve the affordability crisis, and to decrease the damage from natural disasters.
Requiring an annual report is a commonsensical and practical way to use evidence to find the issue, fix the process, and affirm our energy and environmental values. It is a first step--we get that--but we know it is also a very big and impactful step so that, together, we can implement our efforts to protect our planet, increase clean energy options for our country, and reduce costs for communities.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye.''
Mr. Speaker, the Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act will provide Congress with crucial information on NEPA litigation. It will also provide transparency to help ensure that agencies comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act's NEPA deadlines and page limits.
I thank Mr. Yakym and Mr. Panetta for their work on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 573, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4503) to improve environmental reviews and authorizations through the use of interactive, digital, and cloud-based platforms, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4503, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4503, the ePermit Act, which will establish a governmentwide technology strategy to improve Federal permitting processes and timelines. I thank my colleagues, Representatives Johnson and Peters, for their strong bipartisan work on this legislation.
Today's digital landscape for Federal permitting is out of date, consisting of diverse and isolated systems spread across different Federal agencies. Generally, these systems are not interoperable or sufficiently accessible for project sponsors or the general public.
To address these issues, the Trump administration issued a memorandum titled: ``Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century.'' The Council on Environmental Quality, or CEQ, subsequently issued a Permitting Technology Action Plan. The plan sets the foundation for the seamless exchange of information between agencies, simplified interactions for applicants, and greater transparency and predictability on environmental review and permitting schedules for project sponsors and stakeholders.
The ePermit Act would codify key aspects of CEQ's action plan and provide Federal agencies with direction on implementation of electronic permitting systems. It would also instruct CEQ to work with other agencies to establish a unified interagency data system for environmental permitting and integrate AI into agencies' permitting processes.
As the world increasingly adopts new technology solutions to boost productivity and improve project outcomes, the Federal Government must do the same or risk being left behind.
The ePermit Act takes a strong step in the right direction by modernizing Federal permitting technology in a project-agnostic manner.
Again, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Johnson and Peters, for this commonsense bipartisan bill. I ask my colleagues to join me in support.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the ePermit Act sponsored by my colleague, Representative Dusty Johnson, and co-led by Representative Scott Peters.
The ePermit Act will help enhance and deploy technology to improve permitting processes all across the Federal Government. Perhaps more importantly, the bill is an example of what can be accomplished with a bipartisan approach to problem solving and good-faith negotiations.
The Fiscal Responsibility Act directed the Biden administration to study the possibility of improving digital tools for permitting. Representatives Johnson and Peters partnered to turn those Biden administration recommendations into good legislation. The current administration has helped finalize the bill with further input from both Democrats and Republicans.
Again, I strongly support this bill, and I hope to do more of this kind of important bipartisan work in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding time.
Mr. Speaker, I will admit to being pretty excited that the ePermit Act is on the floor today, not just because it is my bill but because America needs this.
For years, both parties have agreed that our permitting system is too slow. It is too complicated. Frankly, it is too stuck in the past. That is too bad because, really, the story of America has been in no small part a history of big ideas and big projects. It is time for us to get back to that: for more housing, for more broadband, for more critical infrastructure that will power this American economy for decades to come.
Too often in the last few years, our permitting process has stood in the way of that. Here we are, arguably the most technologically advanced nation in the world. Yet, our agencies have been using decades-old fragmented systems that simply were not built for the kind of scale and complexity that we see with modern projects.
It is almost laughable. We have got modern agencies. We have multiple agencies that will look at the same project using different data standards, using different approaches, and different systems. Believe it or not, they are still trading old, outdated, mostly static PDFs.
Perhaps not surprisingly, this creates confusion, delay, and a lack of transparency for project developers, for communities, for the public, and for our own Federal agencies. Sometimes they don't even know with specificity what is going on at a particular stage in the process.
This bill, the ePermit Act, addresses those problems. Because of this bill, we will modernize and digitize our permitting process with uniform data standards and a unified permitting portal so that agencies can work together and so that the public and communities can see what is actually happening.
Of course, as the gentlewoman mentioned, we are not starting from scratch. I was involved when Congress recognized the importance of these digital solutions in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. She is right that the Trump administration has prioritized this work, and we have worked with the administration to bring legislative clarity to that vision.
Let's be honest. There are many parts of the siting and permitting process that Republicans and Democrats disagree on, but this is not one of them. A more efficient and a more transparent permitting system is bipartisan. Our diverse coalition of cosponsors and supporting stakeholders shows just that.
I thank Mr. Peters for being a good partner on this legislation. I thank Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman for their support.
Mr. Speaker, the ePermit Act is a win for builders, a win for transparency, a win for communities and the public, and a win for America's competitiveness. I urge my colleagues to join us in letting America build again.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4503, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5131) to extend military land withdrawals in Alaska, New Mexico, and California for a period of 25 years and to make technical corrections to descriptions for certain military land withdrawals, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5131, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5131, the Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Begich of Alaska.
This is an important bill that ensures our military continues to have access to the lands they need to train, test, and remain ready to deter and defeat our Nation's adversaries abroad.
H.R. 5131 extends critical land withdrawals for an additional 25 years at Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright in Alaska, Fort Irwin in California, and the McGregor Range at Fort Bliss in New Mexico. These lands provide unique training environments, restricted airspace, and infrastructure that cannot be replicated elsewhere. They are essential for Arctic operations, brigade-level exercises, missile defense testing, and joint training with our allied forces.
The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated. It is vital that we continue to allow the Army to use these unique areas. Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright in Alaska have the only Arctic training environments in this Nation. Fort Irwin, in California's Mojave Desert, houses the National Training Center, the Army's premier site for brigade-level, force-on-force training exercises. Finally, the McGregor Range in southern New Mexico supports Patriot missile live-fire exercises, aerial gunnery, and large-scale mobilization training. Without these vital training areas, we would risk losing our military's strategic advantage over hostile foreign nations.
I commend Representative Begich for his leadership on this effort. His bill provides long-term certainty to the U.S. Army so they can continue training and testing effectively as they prepare for the threats of tomorrow. By advancing this legislation, he is not only helping Alaska, but the entire Nation, by ensuring we have the most capable, prepared Armed Forces in the entire world.
I also thank the U.S. Army for their continued service to our Nation and for their collaboration on this effort. They strongly support this bill, and we were grateful to work alongside them to advance this legislation.
This is a good bill. It strengthens national security, provides certainty for our servicemembers, and ensures America remains prepared to deter aggression and protect our interests around the world. This legislation also directly reflects the priorities set forth in President Trump's executive order on prioritizing military excellence and readiness, which reaffirmed America's commitment to the military superiority necessary to counter new and emerging threats.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Begich for his hard work on this legislation which helps our military. I urge my colleagues to support his bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5131, legislation introduced by my colleague from Alaska (Mr. Begich). This important bill will extend the public land withdrawals for several military installations that operate on public lands in Alaska, California, and New Mexico.
Our public lands do a lot. As we have already discussed on the floor of the House today, they mean a lot to the American people.
One critical function that many Americans may not know about is their role in supporting military training, readiness, and other strategic missions throughout the country.
The use of these lands, as made possible by the extensions provided by this bill, is incredibly important to the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense. I thank the majority for working with us in a bipartisan manner to ensure swift consideration of these provisions.
A version of this language is expected to be included in this year's final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to get a floor vote very soon. This will ensure that the critical operations at each of these installations proceed without interruption.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Begich for his work on this bill. I urge swift passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5131, the Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025. This is a bipartisan, commonsense measure that ensures our Armed Forces retain access to some of the most essential training lands in the United States.
For decades, public lands in Alaska, New Mexico, and California have been withdrawn from military use under statute. These withdrawals are not permanent, they must be renewed by Congress, and several of them are now scheduled to expire.
If Congress fails to act, then critical training areas at Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely in Alaska, the McGregor Range in New Mexico, and Fort Irwin in California would lose their legal status for military use.
H.R. 5131 solves that problem by extending these withdrawals for 25 more years and making necessary technical corrections to land descriptions to ensure accuracy and proper management.
In Alaska alone, this bill protects more than 850,000 acres of world- class training terrain used by the 11th Airborne Division, the Army's only Arctic-designated division. These soldiers must train in extreme cold, remote, and challenging environments in order to be prepared for real-world missions in the high north. There is simply no substitute for the terrain and conditions Alaska provides.
This legislation does not expand the military footprint or limit public access beyond what is already established. Importantly, this bill does not bypass environmental review. In fact, the military has engaged in robust consultation with Tribes, local communities, conservation groups, and stakeholders across Alaska, New Mexico, and California.
What this bill does is straightforward. It preserves readiness, strengthens national security, and upholds responsible stewardship of public lands, all while ensuring the continuity of training operations that our servicemembers rely on to stay prepared and to stay safe.
At a time when global threats are ever-present, particularly in the Arctic, Congress must ensure our military can train as they fight. H.R. 5131 accomplishes exactly that.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support, and I urge all Members to join me in voting ``yes'' on this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank Representative Begich for his leadership on the Public Lands Military Readiness Act of 2025. This bill ensures that our military's capabilities and readiness will remain strong as we move into the future.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5131, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5131, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 323) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 80 Prospect Street in Avon, New York, as the ``Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Avon, New York, for Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz.
Officer Mazurkiewicz served with the Rochester Police Department for 29 years. Officer Mazurkiewicz was also an active member of the Rochester Police Locust Club for his entire career.
Officer Mazurkiewicz was tragically shot and killed while on duty while conducting surveillance duty. He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Lynn, four children, and three grandchildren.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 323. Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz was born in 1967 and was a 29-year veteran of the Rochester Police Department. He received the Rochester Police Department Life Saving Award, Officer of the Month Award, 17 Excellent Police Service Awards, and 7 Unit Commendation Awards.
Officer Mazurkiewicz and his partner were shot while undercover investigating a double homicide. His sacrifice while serving in the line of duty deserves to be honored.
I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Officer Mazurkiewicz by naming a post office in Avon, New York, after him.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Gill for yielding. I rise in strong support of my bill today, H.R. 323, to rename the post office in Avon, New York, as the Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building.
It is appropriate to name this post office after Anthony Mazurkiewicz. A grateful community should always find ways to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in its service.
Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, also known as Tony, was born on November 7, 1967, in Amsterdam, New York. Officer Mazurkiewicz was a graduate of Avon High School and SUNY Brockport.
Officer Mazurkiewicz then began his law enforcement career in 1988 as a jail deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department in Rochester, New York. In 1993, he joined the Rochester Police Department as a patrol officer, serving both Clinton and Goodman sections until he transferred to the tactical unit in 2002.
During his distinguished career as an officer with the Rochester Police Department, Officer Mazurkiewicz was the recipient of the Rochester Police Department Life Saving Award, Officer of the Month Award, 17 Excellent Police Service Awards, 7 Unit Commendation Awards, 32 Chief's Letters of Commendation, and the Good Conduct Award for 29 years of service without a sustained complaint.
Beyond his duties as an officer with the Rochester Police Department, Officer Mazurkiewicz was also an active member of the Rochester Police Locust Club, a very distinguished club, for his entire 29-year career. This included
Officer Mazurkiewicz devoted 29 years to serving and protecting the Rochester community and was looking forward to a well-earned retirement to spend fishing, traveling, relaxing, and spending a lot of time with his wife, Lynn, and their family.
On July 21, 2022, Officer Mazurkiewicz was tragically shot and killed while on duty while conducting surveillance duty. As part of a murder investigation, Officer Mazurkiewicz and another officer were in an unmarked police vehicle when the subject walked up from behind and fired 17 rounds.
Officer Mazurkiewicz is survived by his wife of 28 years, Lynn; four children; three grandchildren; his parents, Francis and Rose Mazurkiewicz; his brother, Frank; his sister, Lisa; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; Anthony's very large and extended law enforcement family; and everyone in the community who knew him.
Officer Mazurkiewicz was an American hero who dedicated 35 years of his life to upholding justice and the rule of law until he was ruthlessly killed in the line of duty while serving our community.
Renaming the Avon post office in his honor will not fill the profound hole left in our community and in the hearts of his beloved family, but it will serve as a lasting tribute to his honorable service and very distinguished legacy.
This tribute to Officer Mazurkiewicz will inspire future generations and ensure that his courage, patriotism, and commitment to our community are never forgotten.
I am grateful to my New York congressional colleagues for cosponsoring this bill and am especially thankful to Congressman Joe Morelle for co-leading this bill with me. I also thank Chairman Jim Comer, the Ranking Member Emeritus Gerry Connolly, and Ranking Member Robert Garcia for their support in the Oversight Committee. Finally, I thank Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for their help in getting this bill to the floor.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill to honor the life and service of Anthony Mazurkiewicz and show our enduring support for all of our fallen law enforcement officers.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who gave his life in the line of duty.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 323.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1008) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 298 Route 292 in Holmes, New York, as the ``Sheriff Adrian `Butch' Anderson Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Holmes, New York, for Sheriff Adrian ``Butch'' Anderson.
Sheriff Anderson served Dutchess County for over 50 years, as mayor of Pawling for 8 years and sheriff for 47 years.
His numerous philanthropic efforts include his role as a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley. He was also chairman of numerous organizations, including the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
Sheriff Anderson is survived by his wife, Danielle, and children.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 1008. Sheriff Adrian Anderson was a 47-year veteran of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. In 1983, he was elected mayor of Pawling and served as the village's mayor for 8 years. He received five Combat Crosses, which are awarded to officers who perform acts of heroism in their communities.
Sheriff Anderson was an active member of many local organizations, as my colleague shared, serving as a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley and chairman of the March of Dimes.
I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Sheriff Anderson by naming a post office in Holmes, New York, after him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of legislation honoring a man whose life was defined by service, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to his community.
Sheriff Adrian ``Butch'' Anderson dedicated more than five decades to public safety and public service in Dutchess County, New York.
Sheriff Anderson's law enforcement career began in 1970, when he was appointed a deputy sheriff in the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office. He served in the uniform patrol division and was promoted to detective in 1974.
In 1983, he was elected mayor of the village of Pawling and served for 8 years.
Sheriff Anderson was elected Dutchess County Sheriff in 1999 and served with honor until his untimely passing on September 29, 2021, during his sixth term.
He also served as a member of the Dutchess County GOP Executive Committee, took on pivotal roles in New York State Sheriffs' Association, and chaired President Trump's New York campaign in 2016.
Butch's commitment extended beyond law enforcement. He was actively involved with community organizations, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Hudson Valley, and the McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation.
Sheriff Anderson lived a life marked by courage, integrity, and a genuine concern for the people he served. He believed in leading from the front, treating others with respect, and showing up for his community every single day.
A close friend of longtime Pawling resident James Earl Jones, Sheriff Anderson's voice was a mixture of Darth Vader and John Wayne. He had a distinctive voice and presence, and he was a humble and gentle man.
It is, therefore, my honor to announce this legislation designating the United States Postal Service facility located at 298 Route 292 in Holmes, New York, as the Sheriff Adrian ``Butch'' Anderson Post Office Building. This legislation serves as a lasting tribute to a man whose service profoundly shaped Dutchess County for more than five decades.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Sheriff Anderson, for his service, his sacrifice, and his unwavering commitment to Dutchess County. His legacy will endure for generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues in the House to support this bill naming a post office for a local civil servant, Sheriff Adrian ``Butch'' Anderson.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1008.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1009) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 86 Main Street in Haverstraw, New York, as the ``Paul Piperato Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Haverstraw, New York, for Paul Piperato.
Paul served the county of Rockland for over 30 years, 15 of them as county clerk. He was responsible for numerous innovative services in the county clerk's office, and his passion for the people who he worked with was evident in the quality of his work.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1009.
Paul Piperato served as Rockland County clerk since 2006. He brought strong government expertise that began in 1988, when he joined the county's finance department and later spent 16 years as deputy county clerk.
During his tenure as county clerk, he modernized the office by implementing a digital records system and introduced new, user- friendly, and novel features to its website and mobile services for the public.
Paul Piperato remained an active part of his community, serving various local organizations and youth programs.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Mr. Piperato by naming a post office in Haverstraw, New York, after him, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of legislation honoring a man whose service and leadership left a lasting mark on Rockland County and the town of Haverstraw.
Paul Piperato dedicated more than three decades of his life to public service, including 15 years as Rockland County clerk, where his vision and commitment transformed county government for the better.
Paul was revered and respected across party lines. As a Rockland County clerk, he revolutionized the office, making it more accessible and efficient for the community that he so dearly loved.
Paul's work extended beyond his official duties, touching lives through his involvement with numerous civic organizations, including: Jawonio, People to People, and The ARC Rockland Foundation.
During his tenure, he modernized county services by developing a cutting-edge computer imaging system, launching a 24-7 online records portal, and introducing e-filing and e-recording services that improved efficiency and accessibility for residents. His work ensured that government functioned not just effectively but responsively, meeting people where they are.
Paul created the highly successful veteran discount program, Return the FAVOR, demonstrating his deep commitment to those who served our Nation. His dedication to attending naturalization ceremonies for new citizens reflected his profound love for our community and country, bringing joy to those he welcomed as his fellow Americans.
His legacy as a public servant made him a pillar of Haverstraw in Rockland County and continues to benefit residents every single day through the programs and systems that he put in place.
It is, therefore, my honor to help introduce this legislation to rename the United States Postal Service facility located at 86 Main Street in Haverstraw, New York, as the Paul Piperato Post Office Building. This designation is a meaningful appreciation for his hard work, his leadership, and his lifelong commitment to serving others.
By renaming this post office, we ensure that future generations will know the name of Paul Piperato, not only as a county clerk but as a visionary public servant who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those who he served.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for a local public servant, Paul Piperato, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1009.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1830) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 840 Front Street in Casselton, North Dakota, as the ``Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Casselton, North Dakota, for U.S. Navy Commander Delbert Austin Olson.
Commander Olson entered the U.S. Navy from North Dakota and served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
On January 11, 1968, he piloted a mission that took off from Thailand and, while descending into the target area, the aircraft crashed, killing Commander Olson.
Commander Olson's remains were not recovered until 2001, and he has been memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Commander Olson was married to his wife, Patricia, and had two children, Dana and Eric.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1830, the bill brought before the House by my fellow freshman and Congressional Women's Softball teammate, Julie Fedorchak, to honor Commander Delbert Austin Olson.
He is a hometown hero of Casselton, North Dakota, who served in World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war as a member of the United States Navy. As part of Observation Squadron 67, while descending into a target area in Laos during the Vietnam war, his aircraft crashed in a remote mountainside on January 11, 1968, killing him and his crew.
His remains were not identified until 2002 after being recovered the year before. He was finally laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in 2003 and received the Purple Heart and Navy Commendation Medal with Valor.
The Senate unanimously passed a similar version of this bill during the last Congress. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Commander Olson by naming a post office in Casselton, North Dakota, after him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true North Dakota hero from Casselton, North Dakota, Commander Delbert Austin Olson.
Commander Olson, as my colleagues mentioned, answered the call of duty not once, not twice, but across three major conflicts: World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war.
In Vietnam, he served with distinction, participating in some of the most dangerous missions of the war. He flew low over Ho Chi Minh Trail to gather intelligence that protected American servicemembers on the ground.
On January 11, 1968, Commander Olson and his crew were killed in action when their plane went down. His name is etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, and today we gather to take another step to make sure future generations know his story.
My legislation will rename the Casselton Post Office as the Commander Delbert Austin Olson Post Office. This is a small way to show how much we value his sacrifice and to make sure his story lives on in the town he loved.
North Dakota does not forget its heroes. Commander Olson's life reminds us of the quiet strength and devotion that defined the very best of this country.
I am proud to bring this bill forward, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Commander Olson's remarkable service and sacrifice.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for Commander Olson, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to a grateful nation. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1830.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2283) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 West Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as the ``Oscar J. Upham Post Office''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Guthrie, Oklahoma, for Oscar J. Upham. Oscar John Jefferson Upham was a private serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Boxer Rebellion and Spanish-American War, ultimately earning the Medal of Honor for his service in Peking, China, in the summer of 1900.
In addition to serving in the marines, Mr. Upham worked as a letter carrier for the Guthrie Post Office for 40 years. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service, and he died February 14, 1949, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where many of his family still live today.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2283.
Oscar John Jefferson Upham served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1896 to 1901. He earned the Medal of Honor for his valiant actions during the Boxer Rebellion in Peking, China. He was also known for firing the opening shot from the USS Oregon at the Battle of Santiago Bay in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.
After his military service, he continued his private life in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where he worked as a letter carrier for an impressive 40 years before his passing in 1949.
Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support for this legislation by encouraging my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Oscar Upham by naming a post office in Guthrie, Oklahoma, after him. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for Oscar Upham, an American military hero.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 2283.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2466) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5225 Harrison Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, as the ``Jay P. Larson Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Rockford, Illinois, for Jay P. Larson.
Mr. Larson worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. Serving with enthusiasm and commitment, known for his joy and warmheartedness, Jay Larson was tragically killed in a mass stabbing spree in March 2024 while delivering the mail.
Mr. Larson is survived by his mother, seven siblings, 10 nieces and nephews, and many friends.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2466. This is a bipartisan bill to rename a local Illinois post office after Jay Larson, who served his community as a dedicated letter carrier.
Jay Larson was killed while doing his job, delivering mail to his community. Mr. Larson was one of four people killed in attacks that took place last year in Rockford, Illinois. He gave more than 25 years of service to the United States Postal Service.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Congressman Sorensen, for advocating on behalf of his constituent and bringing this bill to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Jay Larson by naming a post office in Rockford, Illinois, after him, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 2466, which will redesignate the Rockford post office on Harrison Avenue in honor of Jay Larson.
I thank the chair and ranking member for their support, and my colleague on the other side of the aisle, Darin LaHood, for partnering with me in this effort.
Jay Larson was born and raised in the same hometown as me. We are proud to have been from Rockford, Illinois. In fact, Jay was also proud to share the same high school as myself, Boylan Central Catholic High School.
Jay served in our community as a letter carrier for 25 years, but here is the thing: He never took a sick day because delivering the mail was more than a job for Jay. Everyone who knew him told me of a man who was proud to take care of his neighbors, whether it be caring smiles or conversation, thoughtful gestures, and the occasional treat for his furry friends along the route.
To his fellow letter carriers, Jay was well known for his willingness to lend a hand, often helping others with their routes after he finished his own. As one of those colleagues summed it up: ``He made everyone feel like you were the most important person in the world at that time.''
Jay is the definition of an exemplary public servant and a good neighbor.
His last mail route was March 27, 2024. Jay was killed in a senseless and violent attack while on the job.
As we approach the 2-year anniversary of this tragedy, it is my hope that renaming the main Rockford post office in Jay's honor will offer a testament to his service while giving our city something else to be proud of.
Mr. Speaker, Jay Larson is worthy of this honor and worthy of our memory. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for Jay P. Larson who served his community with distinction as a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2466.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1461) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the ``Mary Elizabeth `Bettie' Cole Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, for Mary Elizabeth ``Bettie'' Cole.
Mrs. Cole served as the associate director of office services, director of the mailing department at Point Park College, local historian, and beloved member of her community.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1461.
Bettie Cole was a longstanding community leader in her home State of Pennsylvania.
Born in Edgeworth on April 5, 1923, she studied journalism and communications. Later in 2000, she became known as the historian of Sewickley Valley's Black community. That year she published ``Their Story: The History of Blacks/African Americans in Sewickley and Edgeworth,'' documenting an often overlooked part of the local community. Her book was published after 20 years of research, including more than 100 interviews.
I commend my colleague, Congressman Deluzio, for advocating on behalf of his constituents and bringing this bill to the floor. I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Bettie Cole by naming a post office in Pennsylvania after her.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) for his support.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask this Chamber to honor and memorialize a beloved western Pennsylvania community leader, local historian, and author by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 1461.
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Cole, fondly called Bettie by those who knew her and loved her, was born in Edgeworth, Pennsylvania, on April 5, 1923.
She moved to nearby Sewickley, Pennsylvania, in 1939, where she spent the rest of her life. She was a 1940 graduate of Sewickley High School, and shortly after graduation, she married and had two daughters who she raised and nurtured.
Many years later, in 1988, she retired from Point Park College, now Point Park University, as the associate director of office services and the director of the mailing department.
While she worked at Point Park, Mrs. Cole earned her associate of arts degree in journalism and communications. She was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda, a National Honor Society for part-time students, as one of the 13 charter members of Point Park Gamma Epsilon chapter. She boasted at the time she was possibly and proudly the chapter's eldest member and nearly its only grandmother.
She put what she learned at Point Park to work for the benefit of her community, Quaker Valley, and beyond.
Mrs. Cole was passionate about the history of her family and the community in her hometowns.
For 20 years, she conducted countless hours of historic research, including interviewing more than 100 community members. In 2000, that work came to fruition with the publication of her book titled, ``Their Story: The History of Blacks/African Americans in Sewickley & Edgeworth.'' It was a one-of-a-kind documentation of a significant and often-overlooked part of the Sewickley Valley community's history and heritage.
Mrs. Cole passed away in 2016 at the age of 92, leaving behind a family and community proud of her contributions. I think those merit recognition, and what better way to memorialize Mrs. Cole and her work than by putting her name on the post office in the community she loved and chronicled. That history in Sewickley is a rich one, and Mrs. Bettie Cole is a key part of telling that shared story.
The Sewickley Borough Post Office at 521 Thorn Street is a beautiful, historical building. It would become an even more meaningful historical marker for the community if it were renamed the Mary Elizabeth ``Bettie'' Cole Post Office Building.
H.R. 1461 was cosponsored by the entire Pennsylvania congressional delegation, Democrats and Republicans alike. I thank my colleagues for their support, and I ask this Chamber's ``yea'' vote on H.R. 1461.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for Mary Elizabeth ``Bettie'' Cole, a local historian and beloved community member.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1461.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2175) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the ``Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Santa Barbara, California, for Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez.
Brigadier General Frederick Lopez served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 31 years, both in Active Duty and in the Marine Corps Reserve. As a result of his service, he has been awarded numerous decorations and medals.
Beyond his military service, Lopez served 7 years for McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company as a flight test engineer and 29 years for Raytheon as an electronic warfare engineer and director of engineering.
Lopez has been an active member for his community, serving on the board of directors at the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation in Santa Barbara and has served with the National Academies of Science and Engineering.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2175.
During his 31 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez was deployed to South Vietnam during the Vietnam war to
He earned numerous honors, including the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and Bronze Star with a Combat V, marking a distinguished military career.
In addition to his military achievements, Brigadier General Lopez worked in aerospace and defense, served on national security boards, and remained actively engaged in veterans' advocacy activities.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Congressman Carbajal, for advocating on behalf of his constituents and bringing this bill to the floor. I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Brigadier General Lopez by naming a post office in Santa Barbara, California, after him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage every Member of this Chamber to support this legislation honoring one of Santa Barbara County's own, Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez.
My bill would name the South Patterson Avenue post office in recognition of General Lopez's distinguished legacy of service and his dedication to our country, serving in the United States Marine Corps for over 30 years, both in Active Duty and the Reserves.
General Lopez was born in Santa Barbara as the oldest of six siblings and spent his childhood between the communities of Santa Barbara and Lompoc, and later in Goleta.
After graduating from Lompoc High School, he attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he earned a degree in mathematics.
Upon graduation, General Lopez joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967. Soon after, he was deployed overseas for the Vietnam war, serving as an infantry rifle platoon commander and a regimental sniper platoon commander, as well. His service earned him both a Bronze Star and a Combat Action Ribbon, as well as the respect of the marines he served with.
Over his 30 years of service, General Lopez served in a number of critical leadership roles, including as a company commander of the Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, commanding general for the 4th Marine Division, and deputy commanding general of the 1st Expeditionary Force.
He is a distinguished graduate of the NATO Joint Warfare Officers Course, the Naval War College Strategy and Policy Course, the Armed Forces Work Colleges National Security Course, the Senior Reserve Components Officers Course at the U.S. Army War College, and five other professional military schools.
Outside of his military service, General Lopez has been an active member of his community, serving on the board of directors of many organizations, including the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation in Santa Barbara. He has also been a member of the Military Order of the World Wars for over 20 years. He was elected the 90th National Commander-in-Chief for the MOWW in 2020 and serves as the local Colonel George C. Woolsey Chapter commander.
General Lopez's service is beyond worthy of recognition by Congress. He represents the best of our servicemembers, and his leadership will inspire others to continue in his footsteps for years and decades to come, serving our Nation and the military families of the central coast.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and thanking General Lopez for his exemplary service to our country by passing my bill to name the South Patterson Avenue post office in his honor.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill, naming the post office for Brigadier General Frederick Lopez, a highly decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2175.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1372) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Macedonia Lane in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the ``Reverend Harold Middlebrook Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Knoxville, Tennessee, for Reverend Harold Middlebrook.
Reverend Middlebrook played a crucial role in the civil rights movement during the sanitation workers strike in Memphis and later founded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission in Knoxville.
Reverend Middlebrook was president of the Bolivar Human Development Corporation, an adviser to the Hardeman County Bi-Racial Commission, coordinator of the Hardeman County Political Action Commission, and an advisory board member of the Tennessee Public Service Commission.
Reverend Middlebrook was a loving father to his three children, two of whom followed his footsteps to work in public service.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1372.
I offer that I think many members of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform were very interested to ensure that this bill made it in the package today, so I am glad to see it here.
Reverend Harold Middlebrook was born in Memphis on July 4, 1942. He was a civil rights activist, ordained minister, and leader in the community. Through his active involvement with the civil rights movement, he became friends and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on more than one occasion.
Reverend Middlebrook secured the appearance of Dr. King for multiple strikes and also participated in multiple sit-ins in Atlanta while a minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King held a pastorate.
I encourage my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Reverend Middlebrook by naming a post office in Knoxville, Tennessee, after him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend and fellow east Tennessean, Reverend Harold Middlebrook.
Reverend Middlebrook moved to east Tennessee, my district, actually, in 1977. Of course, I was in the seventh grade then. I don't know if technically it would be called my district, but he was the pastor of the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ.
Before moving to Knoxville, Reverend Middlebrook played a crucial role in the civil rights movement. He was a close friend of Dr. King. He joined the Memphis sanitation workers strike, and that was a labor and civil rights movement where sanitation workers protested unsafe working conditions and low wages. He was at the Lorraine Motel when Dr. King was assassinated.
In 1986, he founded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Commission in Knoxville. I will say, for the record, every time they do the parade, it is the coldest day of the year, just for the record.
He was also president of the Bolivar Human Development Corporation and adviser to the Hardeman County Bi-Racial Commission. He was a co- coordinator of the Hardeman County Political Action Commission, and he was an advisory member to the Tennessee Public Service Commission.
Beyond his leadership, Reverend Middlebrook is a loving father to three children, as was stated earlier, two of whom followed in his footsteps to work in public service.
Reverend Middlebrook spent his life befriending and mentoring folks in our community. Many friends of mine and I have sought his counsel. Just for the record, Mr. Speaker, he has never voted for me. He is not a member of my political party, but we are still very good friends. I think that is something that is missing in this country.
When I was mayor of Knox County, I would always invite a bunch of young people from the office to go down to Calhoun's, and we would all eat a bunch of barbecue. I would want those young people to understand that the civil rights movement was not something in black and white on the History Channel. It was real life. People got their heads cracked, and people lost their lives. Dr. Middlebrook, I think, got arrested over 40 times during all of that. He is an inspiration to me.
One other story: We were at an NAACP dinner one night, and they were asking everybody to sit at the head table. I was mayor at the time, and they asked me to sit at that head table. I noted that Dr. Middlebrook and his bride were not sitting at that head table, and I said: No, my wife and I will sit over here off to the side. I like to run with the ones that brought me to the table, and Dr. Middlebrook is one of those guys. He believed in dignity for all, and he is a testament to his faith in Jesus.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill naming a post office for an honored community member, Reverend Harold Middlebrook.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1372.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair declares the House in recess until approximately 6:30 p.m. today.
Accordingly (at 5 o'clock and 49 minutes p.m.), the House stood in recess.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 356) to extend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 399, nays 5, not voting 28, as follows:
Messrs. ROY, BURLISON, and BURCHETT changed their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
Mr. FINE changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Make State Wildlife Action Plans Efficient Act of 2025
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1676) to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to approve the wildlife conservation and restoration program of a State within a certain period of time, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
This is a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 400, nays 0, not voting 32, as follows:
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the floor and missed the roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 315 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 356--The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, and YEA on Roll Call No. 316 on the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 1676--The Make SWAPs Efficient Act of 2025.
Mr. Speaker, this vote closed prior to me being able to vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 315 and YEA on Roll Call No. 316.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, a devoted public servant to Michigan for decades.
Congresswoman Kilpatrick began her career as a public school teacher in Detroit before being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where she became the first Black woman to serve on the powerful appropriations committee.
She would serve nearly 20 years in the State House before being elected to the United States Congress, where she also served on the House Committee on Appropriations. She was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and cared deeply about mentoring and empowering the next generation of leaders.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have joined the bipartisan Michigan delegation to honor her memory tonight.
Over her 14 years in the House, she fought for much-needed Federal funding to revitalize southeast Michigan when it needed it the most.
Her work helped bring Detroit back from the verge of bankruptcy and grow into the flourishing city it is today.
She secured money for education, infrastructure, medical services, and other much-needed investments. Our beautiful, clean riverfront is just one permanent reminder of her impact on our community.
We are thankful for her lifetime of service to our great State.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), who is the dean of the Michigan delegation.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise today on behalf of all Michiganders to honor the life and legacy of a former member of the Michigan delegation, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who, unfortunately, passed away in early October.
Ms. Cheeks Kilpatrick's journey began in classrooms, as has been mentioned, in Detroit where she worked as a dedicated teacher who was committed to the task of all of her children. That early calling to uplift young minds and invest in their future shaped the course of her life.
I was fortunate to serve with the former Congresswoman in both the Michigan State legislature where I served on the appropriations committee with her. In fact, that one term in office was historic when there was an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, and we shared the chairmanship of the transportation subcommittee together.
I found out what it was to work in concert in a bipartisan way for the
She showed firsthand how committed she was to serving our community, regardless of what community, and advocating for education and opportunity for working families.
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick inspired countless others by leading with integrity, resilience, devotion, and also strength.
Today, we mourn her passing, but we also honor the lasting mark she left on this Nation and on this body.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for all of us to join in a moment of silence and honor for Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick.
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(c) of rule XV, I rise to provide notice of my intent to offer a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from further consideration of H. Res. 432.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Did the gentleman sign the petition?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 2(c) of rule XV, a motion to discharge is privileged only at a time designated by the Speaker within 2 legislative days after the intent to offer such motion is offered.
The Chair will entertain the gentleman's motion at that time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Elliot Abrams for 42 years of dedicated service to the residents of Patton Township, Pennsylvania.
Elliot was first elected township supervisor in 1980, after service on both the Patton Township Sign and Review Board and the Planning Commission. Elliot has a long history of service to Patton Township and to the entire Centre region
For more than 50 years, Elliot delivered the weather report as chief forecaster and senior vice president of AccuWeather. He was first hired at AccuWeather in 1967. In 1971, Elliot graduated from Penn State University with both a bachelor's and a master's degree in meteorology.
Elliot holds the title of certified consulting meteorologist and the AMS Seal of Approval for both radio and television from the American Meteorological Society. He is one of only a few living individuals to earn this distinction.
Mr. Speaker, Elliot has dedicated his life in service to the Centre region both on and off air, and he will formally retire from the Patton Township Board of Supervisors at the end of this year.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the charitable work in Yonkers during this holiday season of Operation Santa Claus, raising money to support organizations that work directly with individuals, especially children with developmental disabilities.
The funds raised provide essential services, support, and adaptive equipment during the holidays and throughout the year ahead.
The annual event fundraising is a breakfast to be held this Sunday, December 14, in Castle Royale in Yonkers, where State Senator Nick Spano is chairman with Tom Meier and Gail Burns as co-chairs.
We salute their good work and the individuals and groups honored at this year's breakfast, including Dr. Iyad Annabi, who is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight a remarkable act of kindness happening right here in the State of Georgia.
Georgia Tech faculty and staff opened their homes to students who could not travel home for Thanksgiving. Through a program called Home for the Holidays, students were welcomed like family.
Many of these students are international, far from home, and experiencing an American Thanksgiving for the first time. Faculty members cooked meals, shared traditions, and offered community to those who needed it most.
This is a very best example of what it means to look out for one another. It shows that a university is more than classrooms and textbooks. It is a community.
These volunteers gave students comfort, belonging, and memories that will last a lifetime. Their generosity reflects the values we cherish in Georgia: hospitality, kindness, and service to others.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Georgia Tech faculty and staff for making Thanksgiving feel like home for every student.
Mr. Speaker, I am here today not just as the Representative for Oregon's Fifth Congressional District, but as a mom getting ready for the holidays.
Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, costs are out of control.
Every time I go to make a purchase, these companies keep charging me fee after fee after fee. So whether it is booking travel for my son to come home for the holidays or buying tickets for my daughter as a Christmas gift, these fees are driving up the cost of everything.
You get to the checkout page, and suddenly the price feels like it is 40 percent higher. There are payment processing fees for a flight, venue fees for a concert, airport concession fees for a rental car, or service charges on just about everything.
I have had it with these junk fees, and I have heard from so many others that they have too.
Americans deserve transparency, not bait-and-switch pricing models.
That is why I introduced the Junk Fee Prevention Act. It is past time that we get corporate greed under control and protect American families.
I am calling on the House to get it done for the holidays.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate both the Corner Canyon and the Lone Peak High School football teams who recently faced off in the Utah 6A State Championship. Their matchup showcased exactly what Utah embodies: determination, grit, and exceptional spirit.
Corner Canyon emerged victorious, securing their sixth State title in the past 8 years and their third straight championship. This championship capped a phenomenal season where they finished with a record of 12-1 and boasted one of the highest scoring offenses in the Nation. Their success reflects the leadership of head coach Eric Kjar, who instilled in these men values of dedication, perseverance, and hard work.
I hope you all join me in wishing them good luck as they play in their first ever Overtime National Championship against St. Frances Academy.
I would also like to congratulate Lone Peak High School and their head coach Bart Brockbank. Despite their loss in the championship, they played admirably throughout the entire season, even giving Corner Canyon their only loss of the season back in September.
I congratulate the teams, the coaches, and the schools. They certainly make Utah proud.
Mr. Speaker, vaccines are one of mankind's greatest inventions.
In the last 50 years, the World Health Organization's global vaccine efforts have saved 154 million lives. Every single person alive today owes something to that progress.
Yet, last week RFK, Jr. and his panel of antiscience, cherry-picked cronies recommended ending the decades-long practice of immediately vaccinating all newborns against Hepatitis B.
This will lead to more disease, cancer, and preventable deaths. It will increase healthcare costs.
I am calling on acting CDC Director O'Neill to reject this recommendation and protect our children.
I continue to call on RFK, Jr. to resign. His time at HHS has been an embarrassment and has caused deep harm to our country.
To lead our Nation's health system, you must rely on facts and data, not conspiracy and ego.
I will continue to stand with the Democratic Doctors Caucus fighting against RFK, Jr.'s rejection of science and data.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2025 Southeastern Conference Champions, my alma mater, the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Last Saturday, the Dawgs beat the Alabama Crimson Tide in dominant fashion, with a final score of 28-7. The win marks UGA's 16th SEC championship victory and the first back-to-back SEC titles since the 1980s.
I congratulate all the talented young men who put their everything into the game, especially to the Ninth District's own, quarterback and SEC championship game MVP, Gunner Stockton from Rabun County.
I also recognize the other incredibly talented Dawgs from George's Ninth District who helped clinch yet another SEC title: Well done to the city of Buford's KJ Bolden and Suwanee's London Seymour.
I congratulate the entire University of Georgia football team and coaching staff led by the legendary head coach Kirby Smart.
Now let's bring home yet another national championship. Go Dawgs.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of a free Iran and in solidarity with the women that are leading that fight. These women are asking for basic human dignity, the right to live without fear, to speak freely, and to make decisions about their own lives.
For too long they have been silenced, imprisoned, and even killed for demanding those very freedoms, but they still courageously protest and persist.
They are fighting not just for themselves but for their daughters and their families, so the next generation can grow up with hope instead of fear and opportunities instead of oppression.
In America, we believe freedom should not depend on your gender, your religion, or where you were born. No government should be able to control a woman's body or take away her voice or determine her future, not here nor in Iran.
In Oregon, where thousands of families with Iranian roots have built their lives, we understand that their fight for freedom is not distant. It lives right here in our own communities.
The people of Iran deserve a future without fear, a future with free speech, free assembly, and the right to choose their own leaders and their own path.
I stand with the women of Iran. I stand with their courage. I will continue fighting for a future where every person in Iran can live free, speak freely, and dream without fear.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say that tonight I rise to speak as we continue to examine what is unfolding before us. It is important to remember that the fight for the Iranian people is not some distant, unfamiliar struggle. In many ways, it echoes the very heartbeat of our very own American story.
Long before America became the beacon of liberty it is today, we were a people under the heavy hand of those who believed power belonged to rulers, not citizens. Our Founders knew what it meant to challenge an authority that refused to listen. They understood what it meant to stand up, too often alone, and declare that sovereignty belongs to the people.
They risked their livelihoods, Mr. Speaker, their reputation, their families. They risked everything so that future generations might inherit a nation grounded in rights, not repression, but grounded in freedom.
Mr. Speaker, that spirit is alive today in the streets of Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and more than 1,000 towns and villages across Iran.
We often talk about the American Revolution, but we rarely pause to recognize what it really was: a movement of ordinary people who refused to accept that their destiny would be decided for them by somebody else. They believed they had a God-given right to shape their future, and that is precisely what the people of Iran believe today.
The parallels runs deep, deeper than we sometimes see.
When America endured the Great Depression, it was a time of doubt, fear, and uncertainty. But leaders like Franklin Roosevelt reminded the American people that despair is never destiny. Let me repeat that. Despair is never destiny. He told them that courage, unity, and faith could rebuild an entire nation from the brink of ruin.
Mr. Speaker, today the Iranian people are living through their own era of hardship--economic collapse, political oppression, and constant fear. Yet, they continue to stand, continue to march, and continue to hope. When the free world faced aggression in the 20th century, voices like Winston Churchill refused to surrender to hopelessness. He spoke truth when others stayed silent. He strengthened resolve when others faltered. He understood that a single courageous leader speaking plainly, boldly, and without apology could ignite the moral energy of millions.
We are seeing that in Maryam Rajavi right now, and I will talk more about that in just a minute.
The same need exists today for the Iranian people: leaders like her who speak truth and nations that stand firmly with her and behind her.
Perhaps the strongest parallel of all comes from our own civil rights movement, a time when America confronted its deepest flaws, yet emerged stronger, more just, and more faithful to its founding ideals.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: ``The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.''
That arc bends when brave people stand up. It bends when people refuse to be silenced. It bends when free nations lend their voices to those who have been denied one.
Mr. Speaker, that is what we are witnessing in Iran today: a movement not controlled by foreign powers, not directed by political elites, but born from the ordinary people of Iran, who simply want the dignity that God intended for them.
Mr. Speaker, I will say this plainly: The return of sovereignty in Iran will
That is why I am behind Maryam Rajavi. We know from our own history that when people rise for freedom, the greatest thing the free world can do is stand beside them.
Mr. Speaker, she has a 10-point plan. I will read that 10-point plan.
One, rejection of the velayat-e faqih, absolute cleric rule: affirmation of the people's sovereignty in a republic founded on universal suffrage, as well as pluralism.
Two, freedom of speech, freedom of political parties, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press and the internet: dissolution and disbanding of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC; the terrorist Quds Force; plainclothes groups; the unpopular Basij; the Ministry of Intelligence; the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution; and all suppressive patrols and institutions in cities, villages, schools, universities, offices, and factories.
Mr. Speaker, we heard the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle) speak about women getting their rights and girls getting their rights. Madam Rajavi is fighting for the rights of women, girls, and men, too, by the way.
Three of the 10-point plan is a commitment to individual and social freedoms and rights in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: disbanding all agencies in charge of censorship and inquisition, and seeking justice for massacred political prisoners, prohibition of torture, and the abolishment of the death penalty.
Four of the 10-point plan, separation of religion and state, and freedom of religions and faiths.
Five, complete gender equality in the realms of political, social, cultural, and economic rights, as well as equal participation of women in political leadership, Mr. Speaker; abolishment of any form of discrimination; the right to choose one's own clothing--figure that out, how simple that should be, the right to choose one's own clothing freely; the right to freely marry and divorce; the right to obtain education and employment; and prohibition of all forms of exploitation against women under any pretext.
Six, an independent judiciary and legal system, consistent with international standards based on a presumption of innocence, Mr. Speaker: the right to defense counsel, the right of appeal, the right to be tried in a public court, full independence of judges, abolishment of the mullahs' sharia law, and dissolution of the Islamic Revolutionary Courts.
Seven, autonomy for and removal of double injustices against Iranian nationalities and ethnicities consistent with the NCRI's plan for the autonomy of Iranian Kurdistan.
Eight, justice and equal opportunities in the realms of employment and entrepreneurship for all the people of Iran in a free-market economy: restoration of the rights of blue-collar workers, farmers, nurses, white-collar workers, teachers, and retirees.
Nine, protection and rehabilitation of the environment, which has been absolutely massacred under the mullahs.
Finally, 10 of her 10-point plan, a nonnuclear Iran that is also devoid of weapons of mass destruction: peace, coexistence, and international and regional cooperation.
Mr. Speaker, I can't say it any better than what Maryam Rajavi has said. This matters for even our security. It matters for regional stability, absolutely. Most importantly, it matters because America has always believed that human liberty is not a Western idea and not an American idea; it is a universal truth.
A sovereign Iran built by its people, powered by its people, and accountable to its people would be a force for stability, not chaos. It would be a force for prosperity, not destruction. It would be a force for hope, not despair.
The stories of the Iranian people today sound strikingly similar to the stories of the American people throughout our history: resilient, courageous, unwilling to surrender to tyranny, and determined to leave a better world for their children.
Mr. Speaker, history shows us this: When people demand sovereignty, and the free world supports them, the world changes. It happened in 1776. It happened throughout Europe in the darkest days of the 20th century. It happened in the movements for justice and equality on our own soil, and it can happen again for the people of Iran.
Mr. Speaker, that is our prayer. That is our thought for today. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Virginia?
Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today for the third week in a row to anchor the Congressional Black Caucus' Special Order hour to tell stories of people who stand to lose their health insurance if Congress does not act in 22 days.
Mr. Speaker, 22 days. We have 22 days to prevent at least 5 million people from losing their health insurance.
For the past 3 weeks, the Congressional Black Caucus has brought stories of the 22 million people who will see their health insurance premiums double or even triple and, for some, spike beyond their ability to pay when enhanced premium tax credits expire in 22 days. An estimated 5 million people will lose their health insurance because they can't afford these new premiums. The Congressional Black Caucus has told stories of people concerned that they will be among those 5 million.
Mr. Speaker, I have good news. This Thursday, the Senate will have two competing plans on the floor for a vote. Yet, Speaker Johnson still has not committed to allowing a vote on the floor in this body.
Leader Jeffries has a discharge petition open right now to extend the tax credits, and we just need four Republicans to join us in signing it.
House Democrats have come forward with a plan. Senate Democrats have come forward with a plan. Senate Republicans have come forward with a plan. The administration still doesn't seem to have a concept of a plan, but we have 22 days where the American people are expecting us to act.
Mr. Speaker, I will begin this Special Order hour by yielding to the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chair Yvette Clarke of New York.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for her hard work and dedication in anchoring the Special Order hour of the Congressional Black Caucus for 3 consecutive weeks, as she has rightly stated. We are so proud of the work she is doing to uplift the stories of people across this Nation who are standing on the edge of what could be catastrophic in terms of healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, good evening, I am Representative Yvette D. Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, proudly representing New York's Ninth Congressional District, which is located in central and southwest Brooklyn.
I thank my colleague once again, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, for anchoring this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour.
I rise tonight, Mr. Speaker, with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus to bring awareness to the fast approaching ACA tax credit funding deadline and to give voice to everyday Americans who will be harmed by the Republican-led healthcare crisis. The enhanced ACA tax credits are set to expire on December 31 unless congressional Republicans join Democrats to extend them.
In a few short weeks, millions of Americans will be forced to pay astronomical prices for their health insurance. Many will lose coverage altogether because they will not be able to afford it.
I want to share the story of a constituent who lives in my district in Brooklyn, a woman who wants to work, who does work, and who contributes to her community every single day.
Denise, of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, is self-employed. She is a graphic designer. She also lives with lupus, a serious autoimmune condition that requires consistent care and access to specialists. The only reason she has been able to stay in the workforce is because of the Affordable Care Act, and specifically the enhanced premium tax credits that have made quality health insurance something she could actually afford.
Those credits lowered her monthly premium enough so that she could manage her health, pay her rent, and keep her small business going. However, now she is being told that if these enhanced credits expire, her premium could double.
When she found out that her healthcare costs could become unaffordable, she said: ``The only reason I can work at all is because I can manage my lupus with regular care. I can't pay New York City rent, pay those premiums, and keep my business going. It feels like Congress is telling disabled people, don't work, go back on full benefits.''
Mr. Speaker, doubling someone's premium doesn't just strain a budget, it changes a life. It forces people to give up work. It pushes people with disabilities out of the workforce. It tells them that independence is a luxury that they can't afford.
My constituent does not want to stop working. She does not want to give up, but if Congress allows these credits to expire, we are effectively telling her and millions like her that staying insured and staying employed are no longer compatible choices. That is wrong. It is within our power to prevent it.
All 214 Democrats have signed a discharge petition that will extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for 3 years. All we need are four Republicans who are willing to join us in protecting our Nation's healthcare.
Allowing these tax credits to expire is, indeed, a choice, and it is the wrong choice. Our communities are counting on us to do the right thing and to put their needs over politics. It is people over politics.
Mr. Speaker, I thank our chair for her tireless efforts to fight for our constituents who have found their healthcare costs going up along with the cost of everything else.
I yield to the former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, the gentlewoman from Ohio's Third District, Representative Joyce Beatty.
Mr. Speaker, let me first say thank you to my colleague from Virginia, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, for yielding to me and for leading this Special Order hour. I also thank our chairwoman, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from Brooklyn, New York.
You heard her as she came to the floor, Mr. Speaker, sharing with us the value, the importance of why we are here tonight. You have also heard it, not just tonight but for weeks, we have come to this floor.
Mr. Speaker, the question you should ask yourself is: Why are we here? Why are we standing here and telling these stories? These are stories that I am sure people in your district and your colleagues have heard also.
Well, we come tonight because we want America to know how important our work is, but more importantly, we want America to know that Democrats are standing up for them. We are united in this single cause because it is our top priority.
Tonight, we share the stories of our constituents. We do it as a reminder that others turn away from the struggle, but the Congressional Black Caucus leans in, standing in the gap for families who can't afford for Congress to look the other direction.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to share the human cost of allowing the Affordable Care Act healthcare tax credits to expire. I rise on behalf of the families of the Third Congressional District that I serve in the great State of Ohio.
I rise on behalf of the families across this Nation. I rise on behalf of the 18-plus million Black Americans that the members of the Congressional Black Caucus serve.
Mr. Speaker, I also rise on behalf of the 82 million Americans that the Congressional Black Caucus serves. Families, Mr. Speaker, who sit at the kitchen table late at night wondering which bill they can pay and which bill must wait.
If Congress fails to act, 35,000 people in my district will see their healthcare costs rise. Let me just give you an example. For a 60-year- old couple, earning $85,600, annual premiums will rise by almost 300 percent. It is unthinkable.
Mr. Speaker, 15,000 people in my district will lose their healthcare altogether because of Republicans' refusal to extend the tax credits. Small businesses make up 48 percent of the ACA marketplace consumers.
I have heard colleagues on both sides of the aisle talk about how it is the small business owners who are the economic engines that make this America work. They are the backbone of communities, communities like my community in the Third Congressional District.
If I could go back and remind you, Mr. Speaker, and all those who are listening, it was the Democrats with our American Rescue Plan who expanded the promise of the Affordable Care Act to make healthcare more affordable. I could take you back to 1965, Mr. Speaker, when then, too, we were dealing with healthcare, and it was the government body that came up with Medicaid and Medicare to make sure that we protected the American people and provided not just for the wealthy, but for all, for the least of us.
Tonight, I want to put a face on it, Mr. Speaker. I want to lift up two Ohioans who put names to these numbers. You see, it is not about the politics, as our chairwoman said. It is about people. It is about everyday people.
Let me tell you the story of Tracie, a small business owner, who wrote that her family's premiums have tripled. Before the tax credit, they were paying over $1,000 a month just to stay insured. With two children in college, she wrote: Our family relies on these subsidies just to support our students and pay our bills. We don't live extravagantly. Please, Congresswoman, keep fighting for us.
Let me tell you the story of Mark, a 60-year-old husband and a part- time worker. He told me his ACA premiums will rise $11,000 in 2026. He may have to return to full-time work out of fear that he and his wife will be left without healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, I could tell you story after story and put a face on it. I could tell you the stories from across this wonderful America that we live in. We all have stories.
Healthcare is not about Democrats and Republicans. It is about people. Tonight, we come to this Chamber, to this floor, the House of the people, to share with you the stories because we want hope. We want to provide hope to the American people. We want to be able to tell them that they don't stand alone. We want to be able to tell them that we really believe that we can make a difference, that we can provide affordable, quality healthcare for everyday people.
Mr. Speaker, Democrats stood united, as you know, for more than 40 days during the Republican-caused shutdown to prevent this, but here we are. Republicans refuse to negotiate.
Healthcare, Mr. Speaker, is a lifeline for families who have upheld their end of the bargain even when Republican policies have not upheld theirs.
Mr. Speaker, my ask is very simple, and here it is: Congress must act. Congress must restore these tax credits and protect affordable healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, I guess the question really is, what do we say to that family? What is the answer that we say that we cannot negotiate? What is the answer that we say to them that we cannot bring it to this floor? What is it that you would like me to say to the American people? What is it my colleagues on the other side that don't stand united with us for the people want me to say to the American people? I guess that is why week after week after week, we come to this floor for Special Order hours.
Mr. Speaker, I want you to know how important this is that we go out into our districts and because we know people are making a decision between healthcare, feeding their families, and putting a roof over their head. I could
Tonight, I end with asking you not to come to our rescue as Democrats but come to the rescue of the American people, and let us make a difference by negotiating and having an American healthcare plan that will make sure that all individuals can have affordable healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for this Special Order hour. I thank her for her brilliance and her tenacity that she comes here and stands and tells the stories and leads us so hopefully we will be able to make a difference.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Beatty for her remarks.
Mr. Speaker, earlier today, Punchbowl News reported that Speaker Johnson is planning a long process to fix healthcare. The Speaker says he anticipates working on healthcare through the second quarter of the year and have a vote in the first quarter or the second quarter. He acknowledges that there is a lot to fix in healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, open enrollment ends on January 15. The new premiums, without the enhanced premium tax credits, take effect for 22 million Americans on January 1. Do you know who can't wait 6 months for a healthcare fix? The 5 million Americans who are estimated to find they can no longer afford their health insurance premiums when the premium goes up.
I don't understand the priorities that Congress focused on this year. I really don't. I don't understand how under H.R. 1, which I call the big, ugly bill, Congress bent over backward, congressional Republicans specifically, bent over backward to provide permanent tax breaks for people who make over $500,000 a year, such as a permanent $15 million gift or estate tax break or a tax break for buying an airplane, but for people who make $64,000 a year or a family of four who makes just over $129,000 a year, congressional Republicans just expect them to absorb health insurance premiums that will double or triple.
In my district, that family of four earning just over $129,000 a year will see their premiums increase by $4,675. A 60-year-old couple earning $82,800 a year will see their premiums increase by $11,968.
My State legislators have predicted at least 60,000 Virginians will have to cancel their insurance coverage. Who are some of these people?
We have heard stories, at least under the Medicaid cut debate, we heard Speaker Johnson say, well, these are young men who are living in their parents' basement playing video games. Who are we talking about? Who are these families who are going to see their health insurance premiums spike? They are restaurateurs, beauticians, landscapers, mediators, chiropractors, funeral directors, farmers, freelancers, contractors, and gig workers. They are the ones caught in the cross fire of a political battle that has now reached a stalemate.
Roughly, half of the adults covered under the Affordable Care Act, about 10 million people, are small business owners, their employees, or the self-employed, according to KFF. One of them lives in my district. Well, one of the businesses is in my district. There are several people who work there.
Lester Johnson and his wife, Yolanda, own and run Mama J's, which is a very good--I highly recommend it--southern cooking, soul food restaurant in my district in Jackson Ward, which was once known as the Harlem of the South. I talked to Lester and he said: It is a lot of gamesmanship, and the people are like the pawns.
Lester and his wife and his daughter rely on the Affordable Care Act. They pay right now about $700 a month. He looked at his bill and his bill would go up more than $1,400 if he loses the tax credit.
He has about 40 employees and they will see their premiums spike, as well. It is a lot of money for people, Lester said, and not knowing what the price is going to be because of a stalemate in Congress adds uncertainty. I think everybody is feeling the anxiety.
Who else can't wait for 6 months?
Who else can't wait for 6 months? A lot of people who rely on the Affordable Care Act live in States that voted for the current President, or people who voted for the current President, or live in red districts, like Reagan Fisher Wyssbrod from Salem, Virginia, who works three part-time jobs to help support her family while keeping the flexibility she needs for her children. She spends some days as a substitute teacher and as a business manager for a library association. She does some bookkeeping on the side. None of these jobs offers benefits.
Her projected monthly premium increased by $400, raising her monthly out-of-pocket costs to $1,900, and her doctor moved out of network. It is astonishing, she said. She spent 3 weeks combing through plans and eventually found one that would save her family about $100 a month, bringing her premium down to $1,800, but the deductible is a lot higher. Worst case scenario, her out-of-pocket costs would be $20,000 on top of the monthly premium.
She said, ``Ultimately, it came down to: I don't go to the doctor that often. My kids don't go to the doctor that often. And so, we just rolled the dice. We will wrap some bubble wrap around us, I guess.''
Bubble wrap is not going to help if she has a heart attack. Bubble wrap is not going to help if she is in a car accident. Bubble wrap is not going to help those mothers of premature babies who spend, on average, $70,000 a day in a NICU stay.
Victoria Cassels, an accountant in Roanoke, worries about her adult daughter in Richmond, who is a self-employed graphic designer with an autoimmune disease.
This year, her monthly premium rose by $400, about three times higher than it was last year. She plans to help her daughter cover the cost if she can't take on enough work to meet the new expenses.
Cassels, who prepares taxes for individuals and small businesses, says that more of her younger clients are talking about dropping health insurance altogether. In the last few years, she has had a slew of clients in their twenties and thirties who have started their own business. They are just getting started in life. They don't have the savings to afford the increasing cost of health insurance. They are probably going to have to put off starting a family because, without health insurance, being pregnant and childbirth are pretty expensive, even with insurance.
Ben Pearman, a financial adviser from Bent Mountain in Roanoke County, also runs his own business. Higher monthly costs have led him to reconsider his options. A single man in his fifties, he pays for his own health plan, and next year, his monthly premium will jump from $724 to $935. He can absorb the higher cost but is considering switching to concierge care that will let him pay a flat monthly rate or an annual fee. If he did that, he wouldn't have insurance if an accident happened. Accidents happen.
I remember one such accident when my son, just before his third birthday, grabbed my curling iron and burned his hand. This was a Saturday. After a trip to the emergency room--we were in a rural county that didn't have a burn unit--they said: Well, you can either go home to Richmond, a 3-hour drive, and on Saturday there is a burn clinic, and they can take him then, or we can see if we can get him admitted to the hospital tonight.
I said we were going to see if we could get him admitted because I had health insurance, and I knew the health insurance would cover it. If I didn't have health insurance, I probably would have had to wait for that burn clinic 3 days later, and his second-degree burn probably would have gotten infected.
We took the ambulance ride, and we got to the hospital. After that and a week in the burn unit, the total cost of that bill--and this is in 2013, so you know the prices have gone up--that entire bill was $15,000.
I had employer-provided insurance, so I paid $1,000. Imagine if I was one of these families that said that I am just going to wrap myself in bubble wrap or
These are just a few of the stories of people who right now are struggling to figure out which bill they are going to pay. They are counting on us to help them.
Being a history maker who is also a history nerd, I have to tell a little history right now. My parents grew up during the Depression, and my father was born in 1925. He would have been 100 years old in September. He was just old enough to remember when the stock market crash happened. He didn't know what was going on. He was 4.
He remembered how his father one day owned an apartment complex, a newspaper, and a nightclub, and the next day lost everything due to circumstances outside of his control. He also remembered and told us the story about the stress that put on his parents.
A few years later, in 1934, his mother died from cancer when he was 10 years old. My dad went to Alabama to live with his grandparents, who founded a school. Because the State of Alabama didn't think it was important enough to educate Black children, his grandparents started a school.
My dad saw the best of government and the worst of government. He saw the worst of government through Jim Crow. He saw the best of government when Congress and the President, through the New Deal, responded to the Great Depression, responded to people who, through no fault of their own, were economically devastated.
My mother was born in the middle of the Depression, so she never knew anything other than poverty. She also experienced the best of government through the New Deal and the worst of government through Jim Crow.
Telling me these stories, I came to understand that, at its best, government is a force that helps people and solves problems, especially when those problems are due to factors beyond their control and the solutions are beyond their reach. That is the best of government. The worst of government is when a few benefit from the oppression of the many.
We just commemorated the D-day anniversary, a little bit later than the Depression, or as we were coming out of the Depression. There are only 12 people left who survived that. There are very few people alive today who remember the Great Depression. There are very few people today who remember when the United States Government lived up to its better nature and reached out, not to give a handout, but a hand up, to millions of Americans who, in the blink of an eye, lost everything and couldn't feed their families.
Mr. Speaker, my father was also a pastor. I can't help but think of him without thinking of Matthew 25:31-40. This is the story of the sheep and the goats, and this is what Jesus talks about.
``When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the Nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right: Come you, who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.
And the righteous will say: Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or you needing clothes and we clothed you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?
The king will reply: Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.''
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of people in this country who are hungry, who are sick, who are unhoused, who are strangers, and who are imprisoned.
This year, Congress basically said folks are on their own. This year, Congress basically said that we will make it harder for folks to eat. We will make it harder for people to get the care that they need.
The President of the United States fought all the way to the Supreme Court to keep from feeding hungry children with money that Congress appropriated for that purpose in the event of a shutdown.
We passed legislation that will strip an estimated 17 million Americans of their health insurance at a time when Americans are looking to us to help them and solve problems.
The Affordable Care Act is not perfect. Do we really want to tell 22 million people that because Congress cannot stop playing political football with their lives, they have to gamble with whether or not they pay their health insurance bill when it is priced out of their reach?
They are expecting us to act. We have 22 days. Whether it is Leader Jeffries's discharge petition or whether it is one of the bills on the floor of the Senate, we have 22 days to act. We have 22 days to at least say we will make sure that for the next year or 2 years or however many we can, until this magical concept of a plan appears for us to vote on, we will help them a little bit to at least pay for their health insurance right now so they don't have to rely on bubble wrap or a wing and a prayer.
Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 14 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.
