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24 public bills, H.R. 7457- 7480; and 10 resolutions, H. Con. Res. 74; and H. Res. 1048-1056 were introduced.
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Reports Filed
Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 2869, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require that the Employee Benefit Security Administration make an annual report to Congress on investigations, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119-491); and H.R. 6392, to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to recognize students who have completed secondary school education in a home school setting as high school graduates, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119-492).
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Speaker
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Cloud to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
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Recess
The House recessed at 11:08 a.m. and reconvened at 12 p.m.
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Committee Election
The House agreed to H. Res. 1048, electing a Member to a certain standing committee of the House of Representatives.
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Recess
The House recessed at 1:24 p.m. and reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
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Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act, Undersea Cable Protection Act, and Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act: Rule for Consideration
The House failed to agree to H. Res. 1042, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, by a recorded vote of 214 yeas to 217 nays, Roll No. 60, after the previous question was ordered by a yea- and-nay vote of 216 yeas to 214 nays, Roll No. 59.
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Order of Business
Agreed by unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider in the House H.J. Res. 72 if called up by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or his designee; that all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution be waived; that the joint resolution be considered as read; that all points of order against provisions in the joint resolution be waived; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to final passage without intervening motion except for one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or their respective designees.
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Providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President
The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 74, providing for a joint session of Congress to receive a message from the President.
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Meeting Hour
Agreed by unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow, February 11th.
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Quorum Calls: Votes
One yea-and-nay vote and one recorded vote developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H2115-16 and H2116. Adjournment: The House met at 10 a.m. and adjourned at 10 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: 81 of 95 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 6, 2026, 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 11:50 a.m.
Mr. Speaker, today we honor a woman whose commitment to service has shaped Winchester for more than six decades. Carolyn Griffin began her community service 60 years ago with the Winchester Medical Center Auxiliary and has since become one of its most respected and enduring volunteers. From being a long-time participant in the hospital's Follies to comforting children and reading to visually- impaired patients, her compassion has touched countless lives.
As chairwoman of the Animal Assistive Therapy program, Carolyn leads more than two dozen dog handler teams who bring healing and joy to patients throughout the hospital. While one extraordinary year produced nearly 12,000 volunteer hours, the program typically provides two to three thousand hours of therapeutic support each year.
Her service reaches far beyond the hospital. Carolyn devoted 22 years to Winchester City Council, guiding the city with wisdom and heart. Her 60 years with the Apple Blossom Festival included serving 2 years as festival president, and she was honored with the Salvation Army's Certificate of Life Membership for five decades of service.
A small business owner, knitter, and active community member, Carolyn Griffin has made Winchester stronger, kinder, and better for all.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mark Ingerson on his selection to the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame. This well-deserved honor reflects an exceptional career and a lasting impact on students at Salem High School and across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
During his 23 years as head coach of Salem High School's speech-- formerly forensics--and debate teams, Mr. Ingerson built one of the most successful programs in VHSL history. His teams captured an astonishing 20 VHSL State championships, including a record 19 consecutive State titles in speech, an extraordinary achievement marked by sustained excellence and leadership.
He coached 103 speech State champions, 59 runners-up, and 5 individual debate State champions. Beyond competition, he expanded opportunities statewide through the founding of the Southwest Virginia Forensics League, service on VHSL advisory committees, and the hosting of numerous tournaments. His two-time recognition as the National Federation of State High School Associations' Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator of the Year underscores his national impact.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mark Ingerson on his induction into the VHSL Hall of Fame, a career defined by excellence and a lasting commitment to empowering student voices.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the James Wood High School Girls' Volleyball Team on their fourth consecutive VHSL State title and on finishing an incredible 30-2 season. This championship is especially meaningful for remarkable seniors--Kennedy Spaid and Brenna Corbin--who will graduate having won four State titles in four varsity seasons and had standout performances. Claire Keefer will graduate with three championships and anchored the team with key blocks and aces.
We also honor Head Coach Adrienne Patrick who closes her sixth and final season with yet another championship. From the relentless play of teammates Kylee Plumb, Kennedi Bower, Kylie Putt, Reese Justice, Bella Middleton, Kyla Wilhelm, Kyleigh Bly, and Macie Hewitt to the late surges and unstoppable teamwork, this group showed what it means to refuse to quit.
Today we honor not just a title but a legacy. James Wood became the first team in Frederick County history to win four straight State championships, a testament to tradition, excellence, and family these girls have built together.
Congratulations to the Colonels. They have made history and have done it with heart.
Congratulating the Glenvar High School Boys' Cross Country Team
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Glenvar High School
Led by seniors Tyler Davis and Aldin Smith, the Highlanders delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 80 points and edging out Clarke County and Stonewall Jackson High Schools. Tyler Davis earned All-State honors, while Aldin Smith also captured a Region 2C championship earlier this season.
The championship team includes seniors Tyler Davis and Aldin Smith; juniors Evan Harris, Asher Faught, Casey Weeks, Colin Graffeo, and Daniel Tozier; sophomores Jackson Wimmer and Cash Malcolm; and freshman Zach Davis.
This historic season was guided by first-year Head Coach James Osborne and Coach Rachel Millirons. I congratulate these student- athletes, their coaches, and the entire Glenvar community on an outstanding achievement.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a milestone in the life of Derrick Thompson, city council president of the city of Mount Vernon on his 50th birthday celebrated this week. He will be doing the celebrating on Saturday night of his journey so far. He is a graduate of the Mount Vernon Public School System and now a professional in education in that very same school system. Twice-elected to the Mount Vernon City Council, he is serving for the second time as its presiding officer.
Happy Birthday to Derrick. There is much more ahead for him and the people he serves. We salute Derrick from the floor of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, the city of White Plains, Westchester County's seat of government, is a dynamic city of over 60,000 people, with major corporations headquartered there, such as Heineken USA, Atlas Air, and Danone North America; a shopping mecca with major regional businesses; as well as small businesses and large national stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Nordstrom's. There is a vibrant community with restaurants, entertainment, and more.
There is also a vibrant network of neighborhoods that link the residents of the community: Battle Hill, Fisher Hill, Gedney Farms, Rosedale, Reynal Park, Highlands, North Street, Carhartt, Gedney Meadows, and more. They are linked by an organization that is the envy of other communities in Westchester: the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations. The group meets monthly to discuss the concerns of each of the diverse neighborhoods, and they meet with local elected officials to address the issues that arise. They link together for the active and festive elements of community life, and it reaches into the larger whole.
Let me salute the current leaders of the association: President Michael Dalton, Vice President Sharon Woodford, Treasurer Tom Osbeck, and Secretary Michael Sanchez, along many other active local association presidents.
From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute their community-minded activism.
Mr. Speaker, I want to salute and recognize Ms. Tajian Nelson, who is Westchester's first African-American female commissioner of the County Board of Elections as she celebrate her 50th birthday this week. Tajian has been long active in government and the public arena in various leadership positions, and at her tender age she has many more years of advancement and achievement in success ahead of her.
Congratulations to Tajian. We are all part of her fan club right here on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joe Schumacher for his 25 years of dedicated service to the great folks in Virginia's First Congressional District and to our Nation.
Joe first served as chief of staff and district director for my predecessor, Jo Ann Davis. He started with her in 2001 and then in 2007 came over and worked as a district director in our office.
Joe has been incredible, a great leader, a great servant leader. He is connected in every way, shape, or form to the district, to the folks that either knock on the door or call him on the telephone. In fact, he is proactive. He gets out there and interacts with folks to understand what is needed in our community. He also is making sure that we are a one-stop shop. Anything that comes in our office, we are going to help somebody. Even if it doesn't involve a Federal agency or there is a Federal nexus, Joe is going to make sure that we help those folks.
His pride in the First Congressional District extends to everything that he does, and it is that caring about people and about issues important to the district that really make a difference. He is very energetic, and his commitment to bettering the lives of Virginians and the folks in the First District is unparalleled.
I am deeply grateful to Joe for his years of service, his expertise, and his countless number of hours that he has spent--many, many hours of overtime out there working on behalf of the great folks in the First Congressional District.
He has had a profound impact not only on the district but on my work. I look to him to make sure we understand what needs to happen, and he is there to help motivate me to get those things done.
He is truly one of the finest leaders that I know, and I deeply appreciate his dedication to the great folks in the First District.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing Joe Schumacher for his 25 years of service to Virginia's First Congressional District and to our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I will speak briefly about community project funding. Through fiscal year 2026, the appropriations process, I was able to advocate and secure 20 million taxpayer dollars, money to come back to the First Congressional District. This is about making sure we do our job here and making sure those districts get the dollars that our constituents pay into the Federal system, making sure some of those dollars come back. I am proud to deliver results that matter to Chesterfield County, Matthews County, Bethel Manor Elementary School, the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority, the city of Williamsburg, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and Colonial Behavioral Mental Health.
It is not just abstract investments. These are projects that have an impact on communities. Things like Collier Behavioral Health, where they are actually going to increase access, starting with primary care and enhancing behavioral and mental health services.
We are going to do things like protecting drinking water there in the city of Williamsburg, supporting working waterfronts to make sure our economy continues to grow with industries that rely on having access to these creeks. That means dredging the creeks to keep them open for boating traffic. We talked about the importance of access to mental health services but comprehensive healthcare, and investing in major infrastructure projects. These things have massive impacts on communities and are leveraged in many ways to as much as ten or twentyfold over the Federal dollars that come to these localities.
Community project funding, again, does the things that we are intended to do here in Congress, and that is bring back the dollars that our taxpayers pay to the Federal Government, bring them back to communities in ways that matter the most. Members of Congress that are elected to serve those people are the best judgment pieces or places where those decisions are made. It is our job to make sure we advocate for those projects.
I am proud to work on behalf of the Commonwealth to secure $20 million that come back to these critical
Mr. Speaker, as we continue our celebration of Black History Month, I rise to recognize a Georgia trailblazer, Elana Meyers Taylor, a member of Team USA Bobsled. Elana is a mother of two and the only athlete from Georgia competing at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan.
Born and raised in Douglasville, Georgia, Elana attended George Washington University on a softball scholarship. She began bobsledding in 2007 and is competing in her fifth Olympic Games for Team USA. She has won five medals, making her the most decorated Black Winter Olympian in history.
Elana has won nine World Championship medals and four USA Bobsled and Skeleton Women's Athlete of the Year awards. She has also served as the president of the Women's Sports Foundation, giving a voice to women around the globe.
Elana's community is so proud of how she represents us on the world stage. On behalf of Georgia's Sixth Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, we wish Elana all the best at the Olympics in Milan.
Mr. Speaker, during Black History Month, a time of celebration and honoring of our ancestors, we cannot ignore the challenges we face as a nation.
As the daughter of civil rights trailblazers, I take pride in serving as a leader within the Congressional Black Caucus. I know we must move forward with faith that our Nation's best days remain in front of us, if we continue to lead by example.
I may have been just a child when the Congressional Black Caucus was formed, but its very founding embodied the spirit of what our dear friend, John Lewis, called ``good trouble.''
Following President Nixon's refusal to meet with the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, our founders made national headlines when they decided to boycott his 1971 State of the Union Address. Their efforts secured an audience with the President, where they went on to present 61 policy recommendations. They sought this meeting ``out of a deep conviction that large numbers of citizens are being subjected to intense hardship, are denied their basic rights, and are suffering irreparable harm as a result of current policies.''
It is striking to me to read these words because, out of context, one might believe that these are words to describe the way so many of the American people feel about this moment, about this Congress, about this President.
It is true that America has made remarkable progress since the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but I wonder who among the original 13 members of the Congressional Black Caucus would have dared to imagine that less than 40 years after their founding that one of the CBC's members would be elected to the highest office in the land.
Yes, the world has changed for Black people in America. Despite our gains, we are still grappling with a backlash to that progress. We see it in obvious ways, like the hate and racism that spreads through social media posts. However, even more concerning is the way in which Federal policies exacerbate years of discriminatory practices against communities of color.
We see it in housing discrimination, healthcare disparities, and wage gaps. We see it when the extraordinary service of the Tuskegee Airmen is scrubbed from the Department of Defense websites in an effort to erase their service to our Nation. We also see it when the very teachings of Black history in our Smithsonian Institution are threatened by executive order.
Just as the Congressional Black Caucus of 1971 did, the Congressional Black Caucus of 2026 refuses to stand by in the face of these efforts to undermine the impact and the importance of Black men and women, and we stand against extremists that would rather erase our history than address our needs.
President Barack Obama said it best: ``On the challenges of our times . . . on the threats of our time . . . members of the CBC have been leaders moving America forward.''
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to share that over $24 million in Community Project Funding is now coming home to southeast Iowa, funding that has been signed into law and will soon begin making a real difference on the ground.
This didn't happen overnight. It came after months of meetings with local leaders, carefully reviewing community priorities, submitting formal requests, and tirelessly advocating for these projects in Washington.
Thanks to that work, we are delivering $6 million to replace the Cascade Bridge in Burlington, improving traffic safety and connectivity in the region, but most importantly, replacing this historic landmark. It is very much a community-desired project. We are paving hazardous schoolbus routes in Jefferson County, upgrading intersections in Coralville, and strengthening key emergency routes in Keokuk County. These are not abstract policies. They are practical, meaningful improvements that directly serve Iowans.
I am deeply grateful to the city and county officials who partnered with me on these efforts. I came to Congress to deliver for Iowa, and I will continue fighting to make sure our communities get the support they have earned.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Washington Community Theater.
Last week, the Washington Chamber of Commerce marked this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Alive After 5 celebration, recognizing five decades of arts, culture, and community collaboration.
Since opening in 1976, the theater has served as a home for community productions and regional events, thriving because of community initiative and generous local support. Led by President Mike Jewell, the anniversary celebration honored the theater's boards and volunteers for their contributions and welcomed Mark Fischer, an experienced arts leader, as the new manager and technical director.
Showcasing local and regional Iowa talent, the Washington Community Theater has become an important part of the community. It is a place where Iowans come together to enjoy theater and put in the hard work behind every production. The Washington Community Theater's strong reputation and lasting legacy reflect the powerful impact the arts have on our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the historic win for Iowan and American seniors. This tax season, Iowa's seniors are finally seeing meaningful relief that reflects a lifetime of hard work.
Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors now qualify for a $6,000 Social Security tax deduction, giving them real financial breathing room and long-overdue peace of mind after 4 years of high prices under the Biden administration.
I recently enjoyed spending time in Pella with Iowa seniors and their families, many of whom are thrilled to be saving this tax season and were not aware of this provision. What mattered most was hearing directly how this new deduction will make everyday life better.
For seniors living on fixed incomes, every dollar counts, and this policy puts more of their own money back
Under the Working Families Tax Cut Act, seniors age 65 and older can now claim a $6,000 individual deduction, while married couples filing jointly can claim $12,000, significantly reducing and for most seniors effectively eliminating Federal taxes on Social Security benefits.
After a lifetime of contributing to our communities and our country, seniors deserve real peace of mind, and this deduction helps deliver exactly that.
Mr. Speaker, as this year unfolds, the year of the 250th anniversary of our great country and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I had the privilege yesterday of speaking at Loyola Marymount University in California to start, from our standpoint and theirs, this celebration. It was such a joy to behold the enthusiasm of the young students for our country, its heritage, and its founding.
President Thomas Poon welcomed me there. I met with the administration as well as the teachers, but of course, all of us were there to celebrate the students and their enthusiasm about how they wanted to take the lead as we go forward, recognizing that so many of our Founders were very young people. Lafayette--not an American, but a Frenchman--was 19 years old when he first started helping in our revolution.
I bring this to the attention of my colleagues because this is something that is not just about the 250th anniversary and the vision that our Founders had for this great country. It was the first time in the history of the world that a country was founded on the equality of people, and again making pursuit of happiness part of that Declaration.
We have a Constitution that was so wise, it recognized that we couldn't do it all there, so it was made amendable. In the history of our country, over time, freedom became even more broadly enjoyed, whether it was the abolition of slavery, the voting rights for Black men, women having the right to vote, and then, of course, Roe v. Wade and marriage equality and the rest. For the first time, though, we acknowledge that now our freedoms are being limited, and that is part of the discussion that we have to have now.
It was a glorious occasion. I was saying to the students that there is nobody in the history of the world like them. They need to know the power they hold, and they should be ready, know why they would want to be involved in politics, in government, and the rest, because we really need them to be there. However, they should also appreciate the education they have at this Jesuit institution which is there for the glory of God as its value system. It is not just about the education, but about the values that are being conveyed and exchanged, listening to the students, learning from them, those that we strive to teach and mentor, but also hearing what they have to say.
I am grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to have this as one of my first events to observe publicly the anniversary of our Declaration of Independence and everything that flowed from that.
I thank President Poon and I thank the university. It was so impressive to see the enthusiasm that Loyola Marymount University has for our great country.
Mr. Speaker, on another note, though, the day before--and I call this to the attention of some who may not be aware--as the world knows and acclaims, we had the performance of Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl halftime.
I rise with pride in that because we take pride in the San Francisco Bay Area hosting. Even though we didn't have a team in the game, we had responsibility for hosting. Our mayor of San Francisco said his main responsibility was the weather, and the weather was beautiful. We were so happy to see all the patriotism and the songs that were sung throughout. We had the flag, and the military were present with the planes that flew over, and then the beautiful performance by Bad Bunny. At the end of it, he said: God bless America.
It is interesting to see the reaction to it when people said: Well, he is not American. Yes, he is. He is a Puerto Rican, and he is an American.
I was recalling to friends in 2002, when I was in New Orleans for the game between--at the time it was the St. Louis Rams versus the Patriots. The Patriots won, I think, their first Super Bowl, first in a long time anyway under Tom Brady and Belichick. Anyway, at that one, the half-time performance was Bono and U2. They are Irish. They are not Americans. They are Irish. It was received so beautifully by everyone.
The point I want to make, Mr. Speaker, is that during the performance of U2 and Bono in the stadium in New Orleans, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations was behind him. That spirit existed Sunday in our stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area when Bad Bunny performed. God bless America.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, on his induction into the 23rd annual Living Legends of Aviation.
Founded in 2003, the Living Legends of Aviation awards recognize individuals who have significantly impacted the aviation industry. This includes entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, astronauts, record setters, pilots turned celebrities, and celebrities who have become pilots.
A Savannah native, Mr. Burns earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Southern University and began working at Gulfstream Aerospace in 1983. Over the course of more than four decades, he has served in numerous leadership roles across the company, including engineering and customer support.
In July 2025, Mr. Burns was named president of Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, proudly leading the organization since then, contributing significantly to its growth and success.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Burns on his leadership in both the aviation industry and his induction into the Living Legends of Aviation.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Michael Adams, the former president of the University of Georgia.
Unfortunately, Dr. Adams passed away on January 25 at the age of 77.
From 1977 to 2013, he served as the University of Georgia's 21st president, transforming our State's flagship university into one of the Nation's most prominent public institutions.
Under his visionary leadership, enrollment grew from nearly 30,000 to 35,000 students, Federal research expenditures nearly tripled, and the endowment more than doubled.
Dr. Adams oversaw more than $1 billion in campus construction and renovation, creating vital facilities for teaching, research, and student life. His success as a university administrator was recognized by more than 50 higher education awards. He deeply believed in the transformative power of higher education, and his stewardship directly strengthened Georgia for generations.
Mr. Speaker, Dr. Adams has left an enduring legacy that will forever touch the soul of our beloved State.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Colonel Stephen ``Tracker'' Thomas, who is retiring from command of Georgia's Combat Readiness Training Center at Savannah Air National Guard Base.
Since assuming command in 2023, Colonel Thomas has led this premier training hub with unmatched commitment and devotion.
Drawing on nearly two decades of combined Active-Duty and Air National Guard service, he elevated the CRTC's role in preparing warfighters for great power competition.
Under his leadership, the center continued hosting quarterly large force exercises, training specialists in theater-deployable communications, and delivering exclusive cross-demand training from Charleston to Orlando.
His vision has solidified the CRTC as a vital national asset for the Air Force, Air National Guard, Reserves, and other partners.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Colonel Thomas for ensuring global air readiness and dominance. We wish him and his family a fulfilling retirement.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of George Whittenburg, a bright young man taken from us far too soon following a tragic car accident on January 30.
George was a 21-year-old student at the University of Georgia from Austin, Texas. He was a beloved son, brother, cousin, and friend whose infectious spirit touched countless lives.
Through his involvement in Sigma Phi Epsilon and Cru, a religious organization at the University of Georgia, George exemplified faith, leadership, and kindness. His friends would describe him as smart, confident, and a source of comedic relief, a Christlike man who overcame personal struggles to inspire others toward ministry and service.
George's personal growth and friendship have left a lasting impact on the Athens community, with thousands praying for him following the accident.
Mr. Speaker, our hearts ache for this loss. I pray for the Whittenburg family and all who knew him. May God's perfect plan bring them comfort.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to deliver over $2 million in Federal funding to the city of Los Angeles' Crisis and Incident Response through Community-Led Engagement program, or CIRCLE.
CIRCLE is a 24/7 unarmed response program that sends a team of mental health professionals and individuals to address nonurgent LAPD calls relating to the homeless population.
Through the use of this Federal funding, CIRCLE will now expand to more communities in my district, including North Hollywood and Sun Valley.
By meeting people where they are, CIRCLE helps prevent crises from escalating and connects individuals with the service and long-term support that they need.
The safety and prosperity of communities in the San Fernando Valley are among my most critical priorities. I am working with stakeholders and leaders across my district to ensure that all people feel safe and welcome in my district.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to bring these resources that will improve mental health and address substance abuse within the homeless population.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to secure over $1 million in Federal funding for the CSUN's Autodesk Technology Engagement Center.
This center will be a tech hub where students and our community will be able to explore their curiosities in STEM through hands-on learning opportunities.
These funds will allow the center to purchase cutting-edge tools and equipment for their discovery lab, Student Success Center, and other state-of-the-art technology.
As challenges continue to plague our country, including climate disasters and health-related threats, it is important that we understand how STEM can be used to solve these issues. As an engineer and former STEM educator, I have seen firsthand what can be done when we provide accessible STEM education resources to communities with diverse backgrounds.
For over 65 years, CSUN has provided students across the San Fernando Valley with the educational opportunities that they need to succeed in our world.
With the funding I was able to help secure for the Autodesk Technology Engagement Center, CSUN will be able to continue preparing students for the workforce.
I am confident that with this support, students will feel encouraged to pursue careers in STEM and create innovative solutions to solve the demands of our ever-changing world.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to deliver $1 million in Federal funding to Los Angeles Valley College for a new cybersecurity center.
This funding will provide the latest software and training for our current and future cybersecurity professionals to engage with.
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing career fields in California and across the country. In fact, California has promoted a statewide initiative to train 50,000 entry-level cybersecurity professionals by 2030. The expansion of STEM education in my district will help close equity gaps and barriers that traditionally exist.
Meeting the demand for careers in cybersecurity not only boosts our workforce but also ensures that the United States remains a global leader.
Cybersecurity education needs to be accessible, and this center will foster those opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to gain experience from those who are in the cybersecurity field. It also ensures that our workforce is better equipped to prevent cybersecurity threats to our key infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with LA Valley College to continue paving pathways for students to access high-paying, in-demand careers.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ellen Lampton of Perham on her National Service Honor award. This prestigious award, presented by Helper Helper, is reserved for individuals who embody the very best of civic responsibility.
Since 2022 alone, Ellen has dedicated over 1,000 hours of service across nearly 300 separate volunteer commitments.
Whether she is volunteering at the Perham Living gift shop, assisting with local bake sales, or spending countless hours calling bingo games for residents, Ellen's presence is a constant source of joy and stability.
Ellen's service goes far beyond mere numbers. It is defined by what her neighbors describe as a spirit of generosity, leadership, and deep compassion.
Mr. Speaker, as her colleagues at Perham Health and Perham Living can attest, volunteers like Ellen are the heartbeat of our rural communities. Her dedication reminds us all of the difference one person can make when they lead with heart and faith.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding educator and mentor, Dave Blanchard, who was recently honored by the Prairie Conference for 27 years of dedicated service to the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle School community.
For nearly three decades, Dave has been the definition of stepping up whenever needed. In addition to being a cornerstone of LPGE's English department, he has served as a coach for football, volleyball, and baseball, and as the National Honor Society and One Act Play adviser.
As the LPGE director recently noted, Dave's positive presence and willingness to serve have made a lasting impact on generations of students and staff. He is a reminder that the success of our school depends not just on what happens in the classroom but on the selfless dedication of those who support our students in every area of their lives.
Mr. Speaker, prices are too high. Under Trump's economy, Americans are paying more. Just the other day, Trump said he is very proud of this economy. Americans cannot afford this Trump economy.
The nonpartisan Tax Foundation has said that under the watch of Trump and Republicans, the U.S. has had the largest tax increase as a percent of GDP since 1993 because of tariffs.
These tariffs are a tax on the U.S. and Americans. They are estimating that U.S. households are paying a thousand dollars more in 2025, and it is going to go up in 2026.
Let's talk about electricity prices. Families across the country are opening their electric bills and asking: Why is my bill so high, and is anyone doing anything to bring down these prices?
The Trump administration promised Americans they would cut costs, including energy costs. They promised cheaper power. Instead, families are paying more right now. While fossil fuel companies take in record profits, families are afraid to use the air-conditioner during dangerous heat waves because their electricity costs will spike. Seniors are turning off the heat on frigid winter days. Prices jumped sharply last year, far faster than paychecks.
Last year, there were 43 different electricity rate hikes across the country, totaling over $11 billion in new costs for ratepayers. Millions of households are saying they cannot afford this. They are already behind on their utility bills, and more and more households have had their electricity shut off by utilities.
This is not an accident. This is a choice by Trump and Republicans. Clean energy, like wind and solar paired with battery storage, is the cheapest power we can build. If we build more of it, we can lower electricity prices, which means American families will be able to turn the heat on in the winter or the AC on during dangerous heat waves, but the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are doing everything they can to stop clean energy that will help lower costs for the American taxpayer.
They are rolling back programs that help build low-cost power. They are making it harder to build new wind, solar, and transmission projects. Projects that were already planned, financed, and under construction to deliver cheaper electricity are now stalled or scrapped. The result: higher prices for working families.
House Democrats are fighting for affordable clean energy. We believe energy policies should make life easier, not harder.
Mr. Speaker, we believe the way to lower prices is to build more clean, affordable power, not less.
We believe that no senior should have to choose between heat and medicine and no family should have their power shut off, while fossil fuel companies make more money than they have ever seen in the past.
Americans deserve better than broken promises and rising bills. We must deliver lower costs including lower energy costs for American families.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the beloved Colfax boys' basketball coach, Reece Jenkin.
Coach Jenkin is battling stage IV pancreatic cancer with the same courage and determination he has inspired in his players for years.
Just this week, for the first time in over a month, he returned to Colfax High School not to coach but to cheer on his son, Adrik, on Senior Night.
Despite the toll of his treatments, Coach Jenkin's trademark positivity and radiant smile lit up the gym as he hugged his seniors and encouraged his team from the sidelines.
That night, Adrik delivered an incredible 38-point performance, leading the Bulldogs to victory and completing a perfect 20-0 season. Yet, the true victory was seeing Coach Jenkin there, living proof of the strength that love, faith, and community provide.
The entire Colfax community, including the entire eastern Washington community, stands behind Coach Jenkin as he continues this fight. His perseverance, humility, and devotion remind us all of what real leadership looks like both on and off the court.
Mr. Speaker, today is World Pulses Day, and I rise to celebrate eastern Washington's pulse growers.
What is a pulse, you say? One of the reasons I am standing on the House floor is to give rise to the new branding of the hardworking farmers who produce lentils, chickpeas, dried beans, and peas that feed our Nation and the world.
Pulses are a powerhouse crop, rich in protein, packed with nutrients, and a cornerstone of healthy diets across the globe. They are also a win for our soil and our climate. By fixing nitrogen naturally, they reduce the need for fertilizers that help sustain productive farmland for future generations.
In communities on the Palouse like Pullman, Colton, and Moscow, chickpeas and lentils aren't just an agricultural success story. They are a symbol of innovation, stewardship, and community pride.
As we mark World Pulses Day, let's recognize these growers and the vital role they play in strengthening both our food system and our rural economies.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Pat Tully, one of the few remaining D-day veterans, as he marks his 105th birthday.
Sprague's own Joseph Patrick ``Pat'' Tully stands as a shining example of dedication, resilience, and character through every chapter of his remarkable life.
After graduating from high school in 1940, Pat answered his country's call, enlisting in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and helping maintain vital communications during the buildup to D-day.
Serving with the 980th Signal Corps Service Company, he crossed the icy North Atlantic in convoy to Liverpool before supporting the Allied Forces during and after the Normandy invasion.
When asked for the secret to 105 years of his remarkable life and his sound mind and body, Pat replied simply: two glasses of red wine, daily exercise, and a life of service.
Eastern Washington and, indeed, our entire Nation salute him for his remarkable example. Happy 105th birthday to Pat Tully. We thank him for his incredible life of service to our Nation.
Mr. Speaker, Federal immigration agents are out of control.
President Trump and Secretary Noem have turned ICE and border patrol into masked paramilitary forces that are terrorizing our neighborhoods. They are operating outside the law, terrorizing our communities, violating court orders, and shooting and killing immigrants and American citizens alike.
I cosponsored Articles of Impeachment against Kristi Noem, and I voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security to hold this administration accountable.
ICE must be defunded and dismantled. I am working to take the $75 billion that Republicans gave to ICE in the big, bad bill and invest the money where it belongs, which is in expanded healthcare and affordable housing. Every taxpayer dollar is better spent doing virtually anything other than funding this brutality.
Mr. Speaker, I won't stop fighting until the families in Denver and across the country are safe from these thugs.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday Congressman Massie and I went to the Department of Justice to read the unredacted Epstein files. We spent about 2 hours there, and we learned that 70 to 80 percent of the files are still redacted.
In fact, there were six wealthy, powerful men that the DOJ hid for no apparent reason. When Congressman Massie and I pointed this out to the Department of Justice, they acknowledged their mistake. They have now revealed the identity of these six powerful men. These men are: Salvatore Nuara; Zurab Mikeladze; Leonic Leonov; Nicola Caputo; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, CEO of Dubai Ports World; and Leslie Wexner, who was labeled as a co-conspirator by the FBI.
My question is: Why did it take myself and Thomas Massie going to the Justice Department to get these six men's identities to become public? If we found six men that they were hiding in 2 hours, imagine how many men they are covering up for in those 3 million files. The story gets worse.
The reality is that Donald Trump's FBI scrubbed these files in March, long before Thomas Massie and I passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. My bill is clear. The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires them to unredact those FBI files. Yet, the Justice Department said to me and to Congressman Massie: We just uploaded whatever the FBI sent us.
Guess what. The FBI sent scrubbed files. That means the survivors' statements to the FBI, naming rich and powerful men who went to Epstein's island, who went to his ranch, who went to his home and raped and abused underage girls or saw underage girls being paraded, are all hidden. They are all redacted.
It is a little bit of a farce. They are inviting all the Members of Congress to go see the Department of Justice's ``unredacted files,'' but they have got all redacted files from the FBI.
It is not the fault of the Justice Department attorneys. They were just told to upload things that Donald Trump's FBI had already scrubbed.
It is a blatant violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but it also asks a fundamental question: Who are they protecting? Why are they protecting these rich and powerful men, people I call part of the Epstein class? Why are we in a country where there is no elite accountability for people who do the most heinous things?
We have in England the king now calling for an investigation and possible prosecution of his own brother. We have in Norway the princess who no longer has support to be the queen. Yet in the United States of America, we have someone in the Cabinet, Howard Lutnick, who is all over these Epstein files and who allegedly had business with Epstein after he was convicted of pedophilia, but is still in the Cabinet.
We need to ask ourselves: Are we in America going to have the lead accountability? Are we going to call to account the rich and powerful people who broke the law or cavorted with a pedophile, a convicted pedophile?
Are we going to have prosecutions for billionaires who went to this island and either raped underage girls or saw underage girls being raped and didn't say anything? Are we going to have investigations?
I will tell you what this is about. It is not just about the 1,200 survivors. It is about two tiers of justice in America. It is about people who can accumulate wealth and power and don't have to care about the rest of America.
They have destroyed so much of this country. Income inequality is at a 60-year high. Workers' salaries are less than they have been for 75 years as a part of GDP. Somehow, this country seems to be working for the rich and powerful; but it is not working for ordinary working-class Americans.
I say enough. It is time to begin with accountability for the Epstein class. Hold in front of Congress those people who visited the island or did business with Epstein after he was a convicted pedophile. Let's investigate them, and let's prosecute them.
Let's return to democratic accountability in the United States of America. Let's return to one system of justice in the United States of America. Let's return to a place where every American has a stake in this country.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Social Security. It is a sacred trust and a solemn promise to generations of America's workers. It is a promise that includes a retirement benefit that is earned. It is a disability benefit in the event of injury. It is also a survivorship benefit, an insurance benefit for families if the earner becomes ill or is fatally hurt and dies.
This belongs to all Americans who work. Workers pay into this earned benefit system, and they do it through their FICA taxes. It comes out of a check every month. Social Security is earned.
Yet, President Trump and his administration, especially the DOGE boys--I bet you nobody in this Chamber even knows their names--have worked to weaken this 90-year-old security benefit.
The Trump administration and their approach threatens the Social Security Administration's ability to operate. They have already cut over 7,000 jobs of employees who administer this program to millions of Americans from coast to coast.
In my district alone, there was an 11 percent decrease in Social Security field office workers. That means appointments are delayed, and questions can't be answered for months. Sometimes the phone isn't answered through no fault of their own.
I want to say to every single public employee who works in a Social Security office across this country that they are patriots. We thank them for the work they do. We salute them. We salute them for their patriotism.
Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration says they are not closing any offices; but the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, is attempting to weaken and dismantle a system which has stood tall for almost a century, created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
More than 11,000 Americans turn 65 each day. Many will graduate to access benefits and, ultimately, Medicare for their own health. Congress must ensure that our citizens have a guaranteed safe and secure retirement. They worked for it.
DOGE not only threatens Social Security by removing vital staff across our country but by mistreating and exposing beneficiaries' private and personal information.
In my entire lifetime, I have never seen strangers go into the U.S. Treasury Department and peek at other people's private beneficiary records. This is un-American. We can't even name the names of those who did this.
The private information of the American people should not be fed into AI software somewhere or made open for the entire internet, which is full of hackers to access. We must protect the assets of our people and those who trust this program.
Social Security information has always been private until now. Social Security is often the only resource that keeps our seniors out of poverty. For more than 7 million Americans over the age of 65, at least 90 percent of their income comes from Social Security, which they earned.
Of those 7 million, almost half would not be able to afford essentials such as food, housing, and clothing without Social Security benefits. Now due to tariffs and inflation caused by Trump, those costs continue to go up, up, and up for everybody including seniors. It is hardest on them.
Every county in Ohio has at least 20 percent of its population receiving some form of Social Security benefits, and this means Social Security plays a huge role economically in northwestern Ohio's economy.
Standing up for our region and our seniors is one of my highest priorities in Congress, and that is why last year, when Social Security celebrated its 90th birthday, I introduced a resolution to demonstrate continued support from Congress for this program. It must be strengthened to support Americans and the next generation throughout their retirement for decades to come.
Raising the retirement age would reduce benefits for millions of Americans, placing an unnecessary burden on
I promise to oppose any changes to the retirement age for these vital, national retirement, disability, and insurance programs. If seniors choose to keep working after age 60 or age 65, that is okay, but they will be taxed on their income. That is only fair, but that FICA tax will go into Social Security.
I thank all of our colleagues who joined in supporting my resolution and urge others to consider supporting this resolution, which demonstrates the House of Representatives' dedication to protecting retirement security by not raising the retirement age. I support strengthening Social Security, not cutting and gutting it.
Mr. Speaker, I end with Social Security is a sacred trust from one generation to the next, and we intend to keep it.
God bless every senior in this country and those who will access that important age of 65-66 very soon.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Officer Joshua Hobson of the Bethlehem Police Department for an act of service that reflects the very best of our law enforcement.
While working an overtime shift, Officer Hobson responded to a call that was first reported as a burglary. It turned out to be an 88-year- old resident who was deeply concerned about the lock on her front door, and she no longer felt safe in her own home.
After inspecting the door, Officer Hobson realized that the lock had been improperly installed. Instead of just filing a report and moving along, he took it upon himself to go to a local store, purchase a proper lock, and install it himself, giving this resident the peace of mind that she had been missing.
This story is just one example of the many behind-the-scenes ways that our local law enforcement serves their communities every single day. Officer Hobson's actions reflect the care, professionalism, and compassion that define the men and women who protect our communities.
I am grateful for Officer Hobson and for the men and women of the Bethlehem Police Department who work every day to keep our communities safe.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kate Gilchrist, a senior at Parkland High School and a resident of Orefield, for an extraordinary achievement.
Kate was recently selected as an Emerging Young Artist awardee, 1 of just 15 nationwide whose work will be displayed prominently here in Washington, D.C. This program highlights talented artists with disabilities and supports their growth in the creative economy.
Kate's work reflects creativity, confidence, and resilience, and her selection is a testament to her talent and determination. It is inspiring to see a young person from our community be recognized on the national stage for telling her story through art.
As a fellow Parkland Trojan, I congratulate Kate, her family, and her teachers, and I wish her continued success as she pursues her passion and future opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mario Landino, a graduate of Emmaus High School, for representing our community on one of football's biggest stages.
Mario recently played in the College Football National Championship as a member of the Indiana University Hoosiers, starting on the defensive line as his team captured the national title.
Back home in Emmaus, where I reside, friends, former teammates, coaches, and neighbors came together to cheer him on, a testament to the character and leadership that Mario has shown, both on and off the field.
Mario's success reflects the hard work, discipline, and values instilled by his family, coaches, and community. I congratulate him on this incredible achievement and wish him all of the best and continued success in the years that lie ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Jim VanWert, a dedicated member of the Lower Macungie Fire Department, who recently passed away after 45 years of service to our community.
Jim devoted his life to protecting others, serving in many roles over the decades, including nearly 25 years as assistant fire chief.
Jim's leadership, experience, and commitment helped to shape the department and mentor generations of firefighters. For nearly half a century, Jim answered the call whenever his neighbors needed help. His service reflects the dedication and sacrifice that define fire departments across our region.
I extend my deepest condolences to Jim's family, his fellow firefighters, and the entire Lower Macungie community. As a Lower Macungie resident, I thank Jim for his service and the sacrifice that he gave.
Jim will never be forgotten, and I am grateful for the example that he has set for all of those who serve.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kevin Cahill, head coach of the Lehigh University football team, for earning the Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the top head coach in the Football Championship Subdivision, or FCS.
This national honor reflects Coach Cahill's leadership in building Lehigh football and restoring a championship culture. Under his guidance, the Mountain Hawks captured back-to-back Patriot League titles, earned consecutive FCS playoff appearances, and completed an undefeated regular season.
Beyond the wins, Coach Cahill has built a program centered on discipline, teamwork, and student-athlete leadership, values that will reflect the very best of the Lehigh University community.
I congratulate Coach Cahill, his staff, and all of the student- athletes on this well-deserved recognition, and I thank them for representing Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley with excellence, both on and off the field.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that this week House Republicans, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, will vote on the SAVE Act. This legislation will work to ensure election security, restoring public trust in the electoral process.
The bill would protect valuable rights through common sense, such as mandating a valid photo ID for all Federal elections, requiring documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in Federal elections, and forcing States to identify and remove noncitizens from existing voter rolls.
As a former Lexington County election commissioner, I know firsthand these reforms are basic, and opposition sadly reveals opening the door for ballot fraud.
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 Trump and mocking Trump, as Putin destroys Ukrainian civilian utilities to freeze Ukrainians, murderously deprived of electricity, heat, and water with temperatures below zero.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of a pillar in a western Massachusetts community and a fixture in Berkshire County, my dear friend Bill Sturgeon.
Born to a firefighter and a nurse from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Bill graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1966 before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1969. He proudly served our country during the Vietnam war and was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic achievements.
Bill continued that service upon his return home, working as a police officer in both the Lanesborough, Massachusetts, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, police departments.
In 2008, Bill hosted his first radio show at WBRK radio, embarking on a remarkable journey to becoming one of the most iconic voices in the Berkshire community history. As a self-described Kennedy Democrat, Bill hosted guests from all across the political spectrum and from all walks of life on WTBR's ``Morning Drive.'' He welcomed debate that was respectful, substantive, and grounded in a genuine desire to inform rather than inflame.
I can say with all confidence that he is the only reporter whom I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with who started the interview with me by saying: Hey there, handsome. Needless to say, Bill Sturgeon is truly one of a kind.
Mr. Speaker, the American people are forever grateful to Bill Sturgeon for his service to our Nation, and the people of Berkshire County are forever grateful to him for being part of their morning drive.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for the dictionary that he sent to all of us who still believe in those things and not computers. Thank you very much, sir.
Mr. Speaker, let me tell you something that is a real ``big dill.'' Mt. Olive Pickle Company in Mount Olive, North Carolina, is celebrating 100 years.
With more than 230 million jars of pickles, peppers, and relishes flying off the shelves every year, Mt. Olive has been a cherished favorite in kitchens around the globe. Pickles on your sandwiches, relish on hot dogs, mm-mm-good.
Founded in 1926 by Shikrey Baddour, George Moore, and a group of dedicated local leaders, the company was created with the spirit of community in mind, believing that their success meant success for their hometown.
Let's raise our jars and toast a century of tasty impact and a legacy that continues to enhance dinner tables.
Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2189, Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. 261, Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025; Providing for Consideration Of...
Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.
Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and reported out a rule providing for consideration of three measures.
The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3617, the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act, under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, or their designees, and provides for one motion to recommit.
The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 261, the Undersea Cable Protection Act, under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources, or their designees, and provides for one motion to recommit.
The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, the Law- Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act, under a closed rule, with 1 hour of debate equally divided among and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their designees, and the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their designees, and provides for one motion to recommit.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation. The rule before us once again exposes a fundamental divide in the House. Republicans are focused on protecting American lives, American infrastructure, and American national security. Democrats are focused on protecting bureaucracies, activist pressure campaigns, and the broken systems they created.
For years, Democrats have governed by slogan instead of substance. They talk about safety, but undermine law enforcement. They claim to care about national security, but allow infrastructure critical to that mission of security to decay. They give lipservice to the need to reshore our supply chains, while time and again supporting policies and legislation that ensure that America remains dependent on our foreign adversaries.
Their opposition to the rule today undermines and underlines the stark contrast between the left's words and their actions, which threaten to undermine our country.
Mr. Speaker, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2189, the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act. Every single day, law enforcement officers are asked to make split-second decisions in dangerous, unpredictable situations. In those moments, officers should have access to every appropriate tool available to de-escalate encounters, protect themselves, and save the public's lives.
Yet standing in their way is outdated Federal law. Under current statute, less-than-lethal devices like tasers are still treated like firearms. That classification no longer reflects modern technology, modern training, or modern policing. It creates unnecessary barriers for law enforcement agencies across this country.
These devices are designed to temporarily incapacitate an individual without causing serious or permanent injury. They play a critical role in real-world law enforcement encounters by giving officers a nonlethal option to defuse potentially violent situations and protect both officers and the public at large.
Because these de-escalation tools are misclassified under Federal law, the consequences are real. Law enforcement agencies and communities face higher costs, procurement delays, and unnecessary regulatory hurdles, including taxes and rules written over 50 years ago that were never intended to apply to modern, less-than-lethal technology.
At a time when departments are investing in better training, accountability, and modern technology to reduce fatal encounters, access to less-than-lethal alternatives should be expanding, not shrinking. Federal law should be keeping pace with innovation, not trapping law enforcement in the past.
Mr. Speaker, the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act updates this outdated framework and acknowledges a simple fact. Law enforcement officers need access to better tools in order to do their job safely and effectively.
The bill ensures less-than-lethal devices are treated for what they are, which are tools in de-escalation, not firearms. It draws clear lines, focuses on devices designed to incapacitate without causing serious injury, and explicitly prevents any device that would be converted into a lethal weapon from falling under the new definition.
Democrats will claim that this bill is dangerous. They always do. The real danger is forcing our law enforcement officers into a false choice between using deadly force or no force at all. If we are serious about reducing violent encounters and saving lives, we should be focused on giving officers more options to de-escalate situations when seconds matter.
Mr. Speaker, the rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 261, the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025. This bill is about infrastructure most Americans will never see but every single one of us rely on every single day. From sending an email to making a phone call to moving money across the globe, undersea cables are the backbone of the modern world.
In fact, undersea cables carry more than 95 percent of global internet traffic. They support military communications. They move trillions of dollars in financial transactions and keep the global economy functioning.
Protecting this infrastructure is not just about speed or convenience. It is about national security. Route diversity matters. When too many cables are forced into the same landing areas, vulnerabilities increase. Adversaries take notice.
Despite their importance, undersea cable projects face duplicative and unnecessary regulatory hurdles. Even after projects receive all required Federal and State approvals, agencies can still demand additional authorizations, slowing installation, maintenance, and repair work that is critical to keeping these systems secure.
We see this pattern far too often in Washington. Projects are approved, but delays pile up anyway. Timelines slip. Responsibility gets passed around. Bureaucracy grows, while real-world risks go unaddressed.
We saw the same pattern play out in upstate New York. Micron is making a historic investment in bringing advanced semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, creating thousands of good- paying jobs and strengthening domestic supply chains critical to our national security.
Yet, even after clearing one of the most stringent State environmental review processes in the country, the project is subjected to duplicative Federal reviews that reached the same exact conclusions again and again. Those delays were not about environmental risks. They were bureaucratic duplication, years of lost time before construction could even begin.
That is not environmental protection. It is regulatory paralysis. It is
At a time when adversaries are actively probing undersea infrastructure, Washington should be focused on protection, resilience, and readiness, not red tape.
That is exactly what the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 does. It prevents agencies from piling new permitting requirements onto projects that have already been reviewed and approved. It allows installation, maintenance, and repair to move forward without unnecessary delay, while preserving coordination and oversight.
Nothing in this bill weakens environmental laws. Nothing strips oversight and accountability. It simply says that once the government has completed its review, it should not keep finding ways to slow down critical security infrastructure.
If Democrats were serious about national security, we could pass this on suspension. They would support protecting the infrastructure that carries our communications, our commerce, and our defense information. Instead, they will continue to defend a broken process that leaves critical assets exposed and America more vulnerable than it should be.
Mr. Speaker, the rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 3617, the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act. Critical minerals are essential to modern life. They are used in defense systems, energy infrastructure, manufacturing, and the advanced technologies that power our economy and keep this country secure. Without reliable access to these materials, everything built on top of them becomes vulnerable.
Yet for years, Washington policies have discouraged domestic production and pushed our supply chains overseas. The result was predictable. The United States became dangerously dependent on foreign sources for critical minerals, often controlled by adversarial nations that do not share our interests or our values.
American jobs were lost and supply chains weakened. Foreign governments gained leverage over materials our economy and national defense rely on every single day. That is the damage this Congress is now working to reverse.
Energy security has been a core national security concern before. After the oil crises of the 1970s, Americans learned the hard way what happens when adversaries control the resources our economy depends on.
Today, we face a similar threat not just in energy but across the next generation of industries like artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and defense systems that all rely on critical minerals.
After decades of degrowth policies that drove energy production, mining, and refining all overseas, our adversaries exploited those vulnerabilities. The result is an economy that leaves American families exposed to decisions made in places like Communist China.
We have already seen this play out. Communist China has taken steps to restrict exports of key minerals including antimony, which is essential to defense manufacturing for systems like radar. That is not a theoretical risk. It is active leverage being used against the United States today.
Under President Trump, the United States has begun to change course by prioritizing domestic production, strengthening supply chain security, and treating critical minerals as a strategic national interest.
H.R. 3617, the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act, builds on that effort. It forces the Federal Government to take a hard look at where America is vulnerable, improves coordination across agencies, and ensures securing critical minerals is treated as a priority, not as an afterthought.
The bill strengthens the Department of Energy's role in identifying supply chain risks and supporting responsible domestic production, refining, and processing, so America is not forced to rely on adversaries for materials essential to our economy and to our defense.
Let's be clear about what this bill does not do. It does not eliminate environmental review. It does not lower standards. It simply says America should be able to responsibly produce what it needs here at home instead of outsourcing our future to foreign powers.
Instead of trying to score political points, Democrats should support efforts to close the supply chain vulnerabilities that Communist China actively exploits to the detriment of the American people.
If Democrats were serious about supply chain security and national defense, this is exactly the kind of bill that they would support. Instead, they spent years defending policies that left America exposed. Republicans are choosing strength, security, and self-reliance. Democrats choose dependence and delay.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I listened to every word of my colleague from New York's very long speech regarding the bills that the House is considering today. I might perhaps offer a different picture that I think the American people ought to consider.
I think, as you know, Mr. Speaker, last month the U.S. economy shed over 100,000 jobs--100,000. It was the worst month with respect to job losses since the Great Recession in 2009.
Prices are going up across the board. Everything is getting more expensive. Orange juice is more expensive. Ground beef is more expensive. Countless Americans across our country are struggling.
Last year, we experienced a 46 percent jump in farm-related bankruptcies. Rural America is struggling under this President's reckless policies. Americans across the country are struggling economically because of House Republicans' reckless policies.
For all those who wonder whether politicians in Washington might offer a solution to what ails our country economically, have no fear. House Republicans have come up with an answer. This week, they are focused on what really matters to the American people: Cutting taxes for tasers and making it easier for multinational tech companies, monopolies, to build undersea cables through marine sanctuaries.
Those are the bills that we are considering today on the floor. That is their answer to the economic crisis that has befallen the people of our great country.
It is absurd. It is absurd. It begs the question: Why? Why would House Republicans choose this course, again, given all of the challenges that I know that their constituents face, as mine do?
Unfortunately, it is a reflection of the core values of just too many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, who invariably, incessantly, and inherently have a predisposition to favor the ultrarich and the biggest corporations on planet Earth. Anyone who doubts it should consider the bills that we are debating today.
I have to tell you that I do a lot of townhalls in my district. I represent the great State of Colorado. I know the Speaker, being from Nevada, knows my State quite well. I represent a large district in western Colorado and northern Colorado. It is bigger than eight States, with no offense to my colleagues from New Jersey, Maryland, or Rhode Island. It is a huge district, which means that I am on the road a lot. I do a lot of townhalls.
A lot of issues come up at these townhalls. There are a lot of obstacles that Coloradans and Americans are facing that they would like to see their elected leaders help to solve.
I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, the one topic that has never come up at a single townhall that I have held in my career: undersea cables. It just hasn't come up.
Maybe my colleague in New York has a different experience. I don't know. I don't know if he hosts townhalls. I would encourage him to do it. Maybe undersea fiber optic cables are a big deal in his district. I can tell you that they are not in mine.
My constituents aren't really concerned with slashing permitting fees so that the largest technology companies on planet Earth can build fiber optic cables through marine animal sanctuaries. That just isn't something that they are spending a lot of time thinking about.
Who could blame them given all of the concerns that they have in light of the economic conditions that they are experiencing by virtue of this administration's cruel policies that the House Republican Conference has abetted at every turn.
Mr. Speaker, one could ask, as I suspect you would: What is the gentleman from Colorado's suggestion? Lucky for you, Mr. Speaker, I have one, because we know that one of the reasons that prices are going up across the board in the United States are tariffs. It is this President's reckless policies with respect to tariffs. We have some solutions in that regard. They are ways that Congress can finally stop abdicating its authority and exercise its powers with respect to tariffs.
I think the Speaker knows that because Speaker Johnson decided to tuck into the rule that we are considering today a measure that would prevent the House from considering any changes to the President's tariff policies for yet another 6 months.
I am going to read you a quote: ``It will be the fourth time this rule vote putting a gag on tariff debates has been done. I don't think tariffs are good for the economy, manufacturing jobs, and ag industry. American consumers pay the tariffs and thus it is a big tax. I support giving these authorities back to Congress.''
These aren't my words. These are Republican Congressman Don Bacon's words, your colleague, who agrees that what Speaker Johnson is trying to do is to, yet again, gag the United States Congress.
To Mr. Bacon, I say: Thank you for your honesty.
To the rest of my colleagues, I say: Where is your backbone? Where is your spine? Stand up for the Constitution, as your colleague is doing. Stand up for the House of Representatives. Stand up for your constituents.
Shameful, Mr. Speaker.
I am hopeful that perhaps that political courage that Mr. Bacon is showing will be contagious. Maybe a few more of my colleagues will join him.
In any event, I know that we have a lot of speakers who are eager to talk on this subject.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are advised to address their comments to the Chair.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2189, the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that modernizes our Federal firearms laws to better align with 21st century technology and the real-world needs of law enforcement officers and the communities they protect.
The bill does something straightforward but important. It creates a new classification for less-than-lethal projectile devices and removes them from outdated regulatory categories that were never designed with today's equipment in mind.
For years, departments across the country have faced unnecessary hurdles acquiring proven less-lethal tools that can make a life-or- death difference in a very high-stress environment.
These tools, such as specialized projectiles intended to deescalate confrontations, have helped officers reduce injuries for themselves and for the public. Yet the lack of clarity in the current law has made procurement difficult and compliance confusing.
H.R. 2189 fixes that, establishing clear, commonsense definitions and regulatory pathways so that our law enforcement professionals can get the equipment that they need without unnecessary delay or confusion. That is not just good policy. That is good public safety sense.
This legislation represents a balanced approach. It upholds our commitment to the rule of law, supports law enforcement safety, and provides additional tools that encourages de-escalation and reduced violence wherever possible.
As a fellow law enforcement officer, I thank Congressman Fitzgerald for leading this valiant effort. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in advancing this forward.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Neguse for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues are trying to use today's procedural rule vote to sneak in a provision that would block a vote on Trump's tariffs for the next 6 months.
I have a bill to end Trump's tariffs on Mexico, the United States' number one trading partner, that Republicans have been stalling for months.
They have also blocked our bills to end the tariffs on Canada and the so-called liberation day tariffs.
These tariffs have been a disaster for American families and businesses. Domestic manufacturing is in a downturn. Farmers are suffering, and the tariffs cost the average American household over $1,000 per household in the last year alone, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.
Too many of our Republican colleagues would rather surrender their congressional authority than stand up to Trump. They would rather cross their fingers or pray that the Supreme Court settles this.
Let's be clear. A vote for this rule is a vote in favor of Trump's illegal tariffs. It is a vote for higher costs for the American people, and it is an abdication of our duty as Members of Congress.
I urge my colleagues, Republican and Democratic alike, to vote ``no.''
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues across the aisle would love to scapegoat everything on the President's tariff authority. The question of affordability, which they have all of a sudden gotten into their hands, is rich given that they presided over the worst inflation spike in 40 years.
Under President Joe Biden, families paid more for everything, for food, housing, transportation, and energy. It all exploded on their watch when they ran three Houses of government.
Energy prices surged roughly 20 percent. In many parts of the country, electricity rates rose 30 percent. Democrats didn't just miss the problem. They caused it, and then they put their hands over their face and pretended like everything was okay.
Those weren't abstract numbers. Those were kitchen table realities, and they remain kitchen table realities for working families, who are lectured by Democrats to be patient. Meanwhile, this transitory inflation--their claim--they just spent trillions of dollars more and inflamed the problem all the more.
The difference today could not be any clearer. Gas prices are coming down. They are at their lowest level in 4 years. Real wages are rising again. Regulatory costs are finally being rolled back after years of Democrats using regulations as a weapon against affordability.
President Trump and congressional Republicans are cleaning up the mess left behind, undoing the damage of the Biden economic policies, restoring confidence, and rebuilding an economy that works for people who actually earn a paycheck.
That brings us to the rule before us today. The three bills under this rule all address affordability in the real world. They reduce unnecessary delays that drive up costs. They protect the infrastructure Americans rely on every single day. They support domestic production, so families are not left paying more because Washington chose delay, dependence, and dysfunction.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, whenever I have an opportunity to listen to one of my colleagues' speeches in this august body, I can always count on them to do three things: to say a noun, a verb, and ``Joe Biden.'' My colleague from New York does not disappoint with this myopic obsession that they have with Joe Biden.
Facts are facts. The price of beef has risen 16.4 percent since last year. The price of coffee is up 19.8 percent. The price of lettuce is up 7.3 percent. Frozen fish is up 8.6 percent. In total, families paid $310 more for groceries during President Trump's first year in office compared to 2024, so spare us these ruminations about Joe Biden.
If they want to get serious about doing something about the cost crisis in our country, making life more affordable for Americans, there is an easy way to do it: Don't sneak in procedural roadblocks to considering tariff policies by the House.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. DelBene), who has been a principled leader on this issue with respect to tariffs.
Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves in an all too familiar situation. Speaker Johnson and House Republicans are trying again to prevent our ability to have an up-or-down vote on Trump's tariffs, like they have done multiple times over the last year.
The President's chaotic trade war has been crushing businesses and raising prices on families across the country. I am hearing from communities across Washington about the devastating impact of these tariffs. A small business owner in my district told me he is being tariffed out of business. I know my colleagues are hearing the same, especially from farmers who are often the first and hardest hit when countries retaliate against these tariffs.
Yet, despite all of this damage, Republicans have sheepishly fallen in line behind the President and gone along with avoiding a vote. They would rather bend the knee to the President than stand up for their communities.
Affordability is the number one issue facing families right now. Tariffs are taxes that raise prices, plain and simple. These illegal tariffs cost the average American family $1,700 last year. Today is an opportunity to break this cycle, but Republicans need to be part of the solution. This is a chance to stand up for our constituents, who deserve to know that their elected Representatives really work for them.
If my colleagues think these sweeping tariffs are such a good idea, then vote for it, but stop hiding. We are not elected to dodge important issues just because we are afraid of the President. The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, authority over trade policy.
I am grateful for my colleagues who have been fighting with me against these tariffs since the beginning. I hope that more of them will find the courage to say enough is enough today. Vote ``no'' on the rule.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution and in support of H.R. 2189, the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act. This bill will put lifesaving, less lethal technology in the hands of more law enforcement and public safety officers.
When the Gun Control Act of 1968 was enacted more than 50 years ago, it was not written with the intent to regulate less lethal projectile devices such as tasers. Unfortunately, if a taser or other device uses an explosive propellant to discharge a projectile, the ATF classifies it as a firearm. This makes it more difficult for law enforcement and public safety officers to obtain and use these devices.
For starters, many States prohibit public safety officers from using firearms. In at least 12 States, correctional officers are unable to carry firearms in the course of their official duties. Many State laws also prohibit or restrict the use of firearms in schools and hospitals, meaning security officers would be unable to purchase these devices.
For police departments, law enforcement officers could be unfairly subjected to higher levels of liability exposure for discharging a ``firearm'' than a less lethal device. This includes my own State of Wisconsin, which includes in its definition of deadly force the discharge of a firearm.
Mr. Speaker, that is why the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act is both necessary and important. H.R. 2189 makes a small, but important, change to the Gun Control Act's definition of a firearm to appropriately define a less lethal projectile device.
It does so by instituting a five-part test, ensuring only those devices that are truly less lethal will pass ATF scrutiny. It also exempts these devices from the firearm excise tax, the simple logic being that police departments and manufacturers should no longer be paying a firearm tax on a device that is no longer classified as a firearm. It was never intended to apply to them in the first place. It should not apply to them now.
By making these simple changes, we are equipping our law enforcement and public safety officers with the best tools to keep our communities safe and our first responders out of harm's way.
Innovation should be rewarded, not stifled, and this bill does just that.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Congressman Correa, Congressman Schweikert, and Congressman Stanton, for their leadership on this issue over the last two Congresses.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, again, I am not going to dispute my colleague from Wisconsin's sentiment here. If people are looking to not pay taxes on tasers, he has them covered. The Republican Conference has them covered.
If people are struggling to pay for their groceries or their rent, they are out of luck as far as the House Republican Conference is concerned. Taxes on tasers, don't worry. They have a plan for that. They are working really hard to solve that existential challenge facing the country as we speak.
Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an amendment to the rule to strike section 4, which would stop an attempt by Republican leadership to block the House from taking up-or-down votes on President Trump's disastrous tariff policies through the end of July.
As the country knows, since March of last year, Speaker Johnson and the Republican majority have blocked up-or-down votes on these policies. Our view is that these policies have been a disaster for the American people, and everyone knows it.
We all remember, with great fanfare, President Trump announcing liberation day. The only liberation that any of our constituents have felt is the money departing from their wallets as this President increases prices on everyday consumers.
It is wrong, and the Congress has a constitutional duty and responsibility to act. We know that these tariffs have cost the American people trillions of dollars. We know that according to the Joint Economic Committee, the average American family now pays an extra $1,625 in basic expenses thanks to the economic policies of this administration.
The question is why are Republicans hiding from an up-or-down vote on these tariff policies?
In the Senate, multiple votes have been held on these policies. Joint resolutions to terminate the tariffs have been sent to the House, to the Clerk here on a bipartisan basis from the United States Senate four different times. But Republicans, four different times, have done the opposite. Republicans have delayed votes on these tariffs, essentially surrendering one of Congress' main functions to one man, one man in the White House.
During the September vote, several Republicans were apparently so frustrated by the process that they actually held out for about 45 minutes before they, of course, did what we all expect them to do: fold and strike a deal.
One of them--and I will quote from one of my Republican colleagues. One of the temporary holdouts said that under the Constitution, the power to impose tariffs is a congressional power and needs to be restored to Congress. Apparently, he switched his vote after issuing that statement because he got a commitment from the Speaker that this House would only block votes on tariffs until the end of January.
Well, here we are back again with the Republican Conference springing into action to do Donald Trump's bidding. He says: ``Jump.'' Our colleagues say: ``How high?'' Well, not all of our colleagues say that. Maybe one of one or two of them, as I said, may show the courage tonight to vote their conscience.
Republicans are trying to ram through yet another rule to hide from taking up-or-down votes this time until the end of July. It is outrageous, outrageous, and it is why we are offering this amendment. Before yielding to the distinguished ranking member who has been a leader in this regard, I want to quote my colleague Tom Massie from Kentucky, a Republican, who I think said it best. ``Why haven't we
I would encourage my colleagues, those of whom may find some semblance of backbone, to defeat the previous question, and we can finally have an up-or-down vote in this body on whether to terminate President Trump's disastrous tariffs starting this week with Canada, my colleague from New York's neighbor to the north.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask for unanimous consent to include the text of my amendment in the Record along with any extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Colorado?
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, whose proposal we will be considering, who has fought against these disastrous tariff policies at every turn.
Mr. Speaker, it is Groundhog Day again in Washington, D.C. You know, this week is an opportunity to drive down electricity costs, create jobs at home by bolstering our exports of goods made in America. It is an opportunity to lower the cost of groceries and healthcare for families around our great country. But this Republican majority never misses an opportunity to do the opposite of addressing affordability for the American people.
After all of the majority's procedural shenanigans last year, my resolutions ending President Trump's harmful tariffs on Canada and Mexico are due for a vote this week. But the Republicans couldn't let that stand. They are trying to change the rules again and again and again and again to do what? They are trying to change the rules again to avoid voting on ending Trump's tariffs.
Just this week, new research from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation showed that the President's tariffs cost the average American well over $1,000. It will cost them even more now. That is what it cost them last year. It will be even more this year.
President Trump brags about the money generated from tariffs, but it is money ripped right out of the wallets of working families. Will this body listen to the affordability concerns of our constituents and retake our responsibility over Congress' Article I powers to tax and trade? No, they won't. Will they lower the cost of utilities and groceries or medical devices around the United States that Americans need? No, they won't.
What we are witnessing is one of the most astounding displays of cowardice in the modern history of Congress. It is truly a spectacle. In all my years, I have never seen a group of Members so deeply afraid of just doing their job.
The American people sent us here to address their affordability concerns. I had to say to one member of the administration just last week: Do not continue to be a flunky of the President. Don't be a flunky of the President. Don't block for the President if he is not doing the right thing. Work for the American people. Don't be flunkies for the President when you know he is wrong. Work for the American people. Let's vote on this. Let's have the bravery to vote on this.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to remind my friends on the other side of the aisle that the Supreme Court heard arguments on November 5 on this very issue of whether the Trump administration has the authority to impose the tariffs under the debate right here. Our extension of the tolling days is something Democrats did themselves back in the 116th and the 117th Congress.
Unlike when they did it, ours has a clear end date, sunsetting in a matter of months, unlike the blanket prohibitions of COVID NEA resolutions under Democratic rule.
This extension will allow the Supreme Court the time necessary to provide a ruling on this extremely consequential issue. It is just amazing to hear the arguments about affordability when they presided over an era of government that exploded our national debt, exploded prices, not to the tune of $1,000 but tens of thousands of dollars on Americans across the board, and they still tried to convince people that their policies had nothing to do with it.
That is why this House is in Republican hands, the U.S. Senate is in Republican hands, and the White House is in Republican hands. That is because it was part of the mandate given by the American people to reset the global trade order and to renegotiate unfair trade deals that have happened over decades. Both Republican and Democratic administrations alike took advantage of the American worker, chased our jobs overseas, and ruined our supply chains. All of those things happened.
The tariffs have been an important tool that the President has been able to use to create real trade deals, opening up markets for American products. We have seen it firsthand. We have new trade deals around the globe. America has come from a position of strength because of this tool, not a position of weakness. We can't allow that weakness to prevail.
Mr. Speaker, I oppose the rule because it contains H.R. 2189, the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act. This is a terrible bill and a billion-dollar giveaway to gun manufacturers wrapped in a deceiving title.
The corporate lobbyists pushing this bill claim it is an effort to prevent police violence, but, in reality, it would make everyone less safe. In fact, the words ``law enforcement'' aren't even found anywhere in the bill.
Even Gun Owners of America is not being shy about what the bill really does. They posted the summary online. Just today they posted it as a bill exempting certain weapons from all firearms regulation under the Gun Control Act and the National Firearms Act. There will be no background checks and no questions asked.
Nowhere in the bill text does it mention law enforcement because law enforcement already has and uses the power to purchase tasers. What the bill actually does is create a new loophole that will flood our communities with more weapons and new ghost guns.
Axon and other companies that make and sell weapons will benefit from this bill, but none of us will benefit from it. Our communities will be less safe.
Every time the government creates a new opening, the gun industry will take advantage of it. I promise you, Mr. Speaker, within weeks there will be files online to 3D print the parts you need to make this weapon you got without a background check into a gun that can shoot bullets, and within months you will be able to purchase those same parts online legally.
When gun violence remains the leading cause of death in the Nation for our kids, Congress must not hand unregulated weapons over to the public. We must not make Axon, a multibillion-dollar company, even richer. I am someone who has witnessed both police violence and gun violence, and I want Congress to consider real reform like the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
This bill was rushed to the floor. We tried to make changes, but our edits were rejected.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to vote ``no'' on this rule, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Folks should know that voting ``yes'' on this is voting ``yes'' on more guns in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2189 does not allow felons or violent criminals to gain access to anything new. It does not override State or local law, and anyone barred from possessing these devices today remains barred tomorrow.
What this bill actually does is correct an outdated Federal classification that treats tasers like deadly firearms. That outdated and absurd classification has driven up costs, created delays, and made it harder for law enforcement agencies to access less-than-lethal tools designed to specifically de-escalate situations and to save lives.
Democrats are calling that clarity a loophole. In reality, the only thing that this bill closes is the gap between outdated law and modern policing. Instead of supporting officers who want safer alternatives to deadly force, Democrats are trying to scare the public with cherry- picked statistics and misleading claims.
Let's be honest. If Democrats were truly concerned about public safety, they would not oppose a bill that encourages de-escalation and reduces the likelihood of fatal outcomes and encounters.
Despite all this rhetorical nonsense about policing in the United States, Democrats are standing in the way of this commonsense measure. They cannot seem to support legislation that empowers law enforcement in any way, even when it keeps communities safe.
However, this pattern is not stopped with this bill. Across all three bills before the House today, the choice is the same. Republicans are offering practical solutions to strengthen public safety, protect critical infrastructure, and secure our supply chains that our national security depends on, and Democrats are choosing, again, to delay, to distort, and to defend broken systems and outcomes.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I hesitate to respond to my colleague from New York because, again, I think this rule is largely a smokescreen to just avoid a discussion on the President's reckless tariff policies.
However, insofar as my colleague is obsessed with cutting taxes on tasers, I suppose I am compelled to respond to simply say that what was just stated with respect to violent felons not being able to access tasers by virtue of this legislation, that is untrue. It is just untrue.
Clearly, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are seeking to remove these particular weapons from the definition of firearm under Federal law, and as a result, the various protections and safeguards that exist under Federal law. They can make the argument that in certain States there may be protections. That is not true of every State.
In any event, the larger question that every American who is watching C-SPAN now ought to ask themselves is: Why is the U.S. House of Representatives spending so much time on debating cutting taxes for tasers?
How did that manage to become the top priority of the House Republicans in Washington, D.C.?
Inquiring minds would like to know.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), who is the distinguished Democratic leader of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman who is my friend from the great State of Colorado, Representative Neguse, for yielding time and for his leadership.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this rule, another reckless effort by the Republican majority to stop this House from doing something to stop the reckless Trump tariffs.
Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives, part of this Congress, is a separate and coequal branch of government. We don't work for Donald Trump. We don't work for J.D. Vance, and we don't work for Republican billionaire donors. We work for the American people.
The Constitution, Mr. Speaker, gives this House the explicit authority with respect to tariffs. Yet because apparently my Republican colleagues have been ordered by the current President not to allow an up-or-down vote on whether his tariffs are harmful to the American people, once again, we find ourselves discussing a rule to limit the ability of this Congress to act on behalf of the American people.
This is consistent with what we have seen from the Republican majority, Mr. Speaker, from the very beginning of this Congress, which, unfortunately, continues to act like nothing more than a reckless rubberstamp for Donald Trump's extreme agenda, an agenda that is not helping the American people. It is hurting the American people.
Yes, we have a cost-of-living crisis in this country, and I know the President doesn't want to talk about it. He thinks it is a Democratic hoax.
No, the affordability crisis in this country is not a hoax. It is very real. Working-class Americans, middle-class Americans, and everyday Americans are suffering because of the failed Trump Republican economy.
Donald Trump, his words, promised to lower the high cost of living on day one. More than 1 year later in the United States of America, Mr. Speaker, costs haven't gone down. Costs have gone up. Housing costs are out of control. Healthcare costs are out of control. Childcare costs are out of control. Electricity bills are out of control, and the price of groceries and everyday goods are completely out of control.
One of the reasons why the cost of living continues to crush the American people is because of the Trump tariffs which have imposed thousands of dollars in additional costs on everyday Americans, making life even more expensive than it had been when this Presidency began.
Why is it so complicated for Donald Trump to keep his promise to the American people to lower costs and to focus on making life more affordable?
Instead, he has gone the opposite direction, imposing tariffs on our allies in Canada and Mexico, in Europe and across the world, without any clear strategy, having an adverse effect on the pocketbook of everyday Americans.
This Congress is charged constitutionally with the ability to say yes or no as it relates to tariffs that have been imposed. In fact, the President should have sought our authorization.
Instead, he is using a fake emergency authority that hopefully the Supreme Court will make clear he does not have, and we certainly await that decision. However, we don't need to wait for that decision. We don't work for the Supreme Court either.
The House is the Article I branch of government, the institution that the Framers decided should be the part of government that is closest to the American people, that reflects the hopes, the dreams, the aspirations, the fears, the concerns, the anxieties, the passions, and the life experiences of the American people, who are suffering right now in this failed Trump Republican economy.
That is not just my simple observation. FOX News, the President's favorite news source, in a recent public opinion survey concluded that more than 70 percent of the American people believe, correctly, the economy is a disaster under this President.
One of the reasons why it is a disaster is because of the reckless Trump tariffs. The Republican majority, Mr. Speaker, won't even allow an up-or-down vote. That is what this rule is about--silencing debate and the will of the people's Representatives to do something meaningful to make life more affordable for the American people.
I asked some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who know that this so-called mandate that Republicans apparently believe they had in the aftermath of the November 2024 elections--parenthetically, by the way, what mandate do they really think they have in this House when they have the narrowest majority that any party has had since 1930 during the Great Depression?
In fact, we also know they wouldn't even be in the majority right now had they not stolen three seats from the people of North Carolina with mid-decade gerrymandering in 2024. Therefore, we don't want to hear anything about mandate.
The only mandate we have collectively is to make life more affordable for everyday Americans, to drive down the high cost of living, to stop burying your head in the sand, to stop being a reckless rubberstamp for Donald Trump's extreme agenda, to stand up to him every now and then as part of a separate and coequal branch of government.
Stop the cult-like behavior, Mr. Speaker. It is hurting your very constituents.
We have an opportunity, if we vote down this rule, to actually take up for consideration the resolution put forward by Congressman Meeks that would wipe out the unnecessary tariff imposed on our ally to the north in Canada. It is a step that should have been taken a long time ago, but Republicans have been blocking this vote.
I just hope that a handful of Republicans will join every single House Democrat in opposing this rule so we can get to a debate on the actual substantive effort to stop the reckless, dangerous, and harmful Trump tariffs as part of our commitment as Democrats to do what is necessary to lower the high cost of living and to make sure that every single American in this country, when they work hard, when they play by the rules, they should be able to live an affordable life, a comfortable life, and live the good life.
It is not too much to ask for in the wealthiest country, America, in the history of the world. Work hard. Play by the rules. Live the good life. Good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for the children, and a good retirement--which means backing off extreme attacks on Social Security and Medicare--that is a Democratic commitment.
In order to help bring about that good life, Mr. Speaker, one of the most meaningful things that we can do as a body is to stop the harmful Trump tariffs. Vote ``no'' against this rule.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this Republican rule.
Republicans continue to give President Trump a free pass to damage our economy and punish our American families with his illegal tariffs.
The Constitution could not be clearer: Congress, not the White House, has the authority to impose tariffs. It does not belong to President Trump, no matter how many crazy rants he tweets out in the middle of the night.
Yet Republicans continue to fold like cheap lawn chairs by refusing to allow a vote on Trump's tariffs. Instead of standing up for their constituents, they are acting as a cut-and-paste for Trump.
Why? It is because they are more afraid of his retribution than they are concerned about the budgets of their families back home, families who are paying for Trump's endless trade wars.
According to the Joint Economic Committee, Trump's tariffs cost American households more than $1,600 last year--that is $1,600--and that will continue to rise if Congress doesn't take the keys away from Trump. Maybe that is pocket change for Trump and his billionaire buddies. Higher prices on groceries, cars, housing, utilities, and other basic necessities don't impact them.
However, working families, small businesses, and farmers are certainly feeling the pain of these trade wars. Trump's tariffs are increasing prices on everything for them, and Republicans are letting it happen on their watch.
My Republican colleagues have a choice. They can stop cowering to Trump and vote to strike down this rule because Americans want an end to Trump's trade wars.
Let's reclaim our constitutional authority and put an end to his abuse of tariffs once and for all.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, it has become impossible to ignore a defining feature of today's Democratic Party, and that is Trump derangement syndrome, which is a real disease. No matter what legislation is before this House, no matter how unrelated it is to President Trump, Democrats find a way to twist the debate back to him--his personality, what they hate about him--not the text of the bill, not any of the real-world problems families are facing, just Trump over and over and over. Every time they do that, American people pay the price.
When inflation exploded in 2022, after trillions of dollars in Democratic spending overheated the economy, families were drowning in higher grocery bills, higher gas prices, and higher rents. All of it exploded, went out of control. It is a matter of fact. It is not a matter up for debate. It happened in this country.
Democrats were not focused on fixing those things. Instead, they are focused on their latest Trump obsession. When the border collapsed and millions of illegal immigrants poured into communities across our country, Democrats once again ignored the consequences of their own policies. Instead of securing the border or addressing affordability, they leaned harder into the same tired talking points and hysteria about President Trump.
Voters saw right through that in the last election, and Democrats lost the popular vote. They lost the electoral college. They lost every swing State on the map. Yet, even after that decisive rejection, Trump derangement syndrome remains completely untreated.
Instead of course correcting, Democrats continue to defend wasteful programs, failed policies, bloated bureaucracy, while reflexively opposing every effort that President Trump and House Republicans are making to clean up the mess that they created.
Here we are again today listening to the same theatrics. The American people are no longer entertained by those theatrics. They are focused on results: lowering costs, securing the border, strengthening energy independence, restoring accountability in Washington, reshoring American jobs, and bringing manufacturing here back to the United States of America that their failed policies over decades have chased away.
While Democrats remain stuck in the year 9--we are going on year 10-- of Trump derangement syndrome, Republicans are focused on governing and delivering results for working families. Mr. Speaker, I would like to once again remind my colleagues of what is actually in the rule before us today.
The rule provides for consideration of three commonsense bills: the Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act, which we have talked about; the Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025; and H.R. 3617, the Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act, which will strengthen our domestic critical mineral supply chain so we can be stronger here at home and across the world.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
``U.S. Manufacturing Is in Retreat and Trump's Tariffs Aren't Helping,'' February 2, 2026, headline, The Wall Street Journal.
Apparently, The Wall Street Journal has Trump derangement syndrome, too, according to my colleague from New York. American consumers must also. Everyone apparently has it except for House Republicans.
By the way, my Republican colleagues talk enough about Joe Biden, one would be forgiven for thinking they miss him. As I said, noun, verb, ``Joe Biden,'' effectively the answer and retort on my colleague's part to every question.
The reality is that my Republican colleagues, as has been displayed and demonstrated time and time again, work tragically for one person, and that person is Donald Trump. Lest anyone doubt that, let's see if a few of them will have the audacity, the courage, to vote against the rule today.
I will say, it bears repeating. I have quoted a lot of Don Bacon on the floor today. If he is watching, I hope he will forgive me in advance. I will read again this tweet, this post on X, from John Bresnahan of Punchbowl News, who quoted Mr. Bacon: ``It will be the fourth time this rule vote putting a gag on tariff debates has been done. I don't think tariffs are good for the economy, manufacturing jobs, and the ag industry. American consumers pay the tariffs and thus it is a big tax. I support giving these authorities back to Congress.''
That is from Republican U.S. Congressman Don Bacon, so spare us the stale and tired attacks about Trump derangement syndrome. These are your colleagues saying it, not me.
My colleagues ought to do the right thing: vote against this rule so that we can have an up-or-down vote on the disastrous Trump tariffs that are inflicting pain on the people who I represent in the great State of Colorado and across the country.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, for years, Democrats told the American people not to believe what they could see with their own eyes. They said that crime was under control, our infrastructure was secure, our supply chains were resilient, and our energy systems were just fine.
The legislation under the rule today takes real steps toward fixing broken systems, supporting our law enforcement officers, protecting critical infrastructure, and rebuilding supply chains right here at home.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the rule before us today.
The material previously referred to by Mr. Neguse is as follows:
Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2189, Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. 261, Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025; Providing for Consideration Of...
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on ordering the previous question on the resolution (H. Res. 1042) providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2189) to modernize Federal firearms laws to account for advancements in technology and less-than-lethal weapons, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 261) to amend the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to prohibit requiring an authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if such activities have previously been authorized by a Federal or State agency; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3617) to amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to secure the supply of critical energy resources, including critical minerals and other materials, and for other purposes; and for other purposes on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on ordering the previous question.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 216, nays 214, not voting 2, as follows:
Mr. RYAN changed his vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
So the previous question was ordered.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it be in order at any time to consider in the House the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 72) if called up by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or its designee; that all points of order against consideration of the joint resolution be waived; that the joint resolution be considered as read; that all points of order against the provisions in the joint resolution be waived; and that the previous question be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to final passage without intervening motion except for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or their respective designee.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida?
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to salute the outstanding work of The Woman's Club of Larchmont, Inc., for their fine contributions to the Larchmont community.
Celebrating their 100th year last year, they have embarked on their second 100 years with programs to promote education, literature, the arts, to provide philanthropic financial support to nonprofits and charities, and engender a healthy public dialogue on local critical issues.
This year, The Woman's Club is led by Anne McAndrews, a former mayor who serves as club president. Other top leadership posts are held by Joyce Callahan, Ronnie McGovern, Sophie Kent, Theresa Fanelli, Marsha Kirchoff, Jenny Carter, and so many other outstanding women of the community.
From the floor of the House of Representatives, we recognize the outstanding achievements of The Woman's Club of Larchmont, Inc.
Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 10 p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11 a.m.
