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08Expenditure Reports Concerning Official Foreign Travel
09Memorials
10Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, or Limited Tariff Benefits
Daily Digest
Public Bills and Resolutions Introduced
19 public bills, H.R. 9642- 9660; and 5 resolutions, H. Res. 1424-1428 were introduced.
Pages H4407-08
Reports Filed
Reports were filed today as follows: H.R. 9391, to authorize an extension and expansion of the reimbursable screening services program of the Transportation Security Administration, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-739); H.R. 9388, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize an extension of a program to permit screened passengers and their property arriving on direct flights or flight segments originating at certain foreign last point of departure airports to continue on additional flights or flight segments originating in the United States without additional screening, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-740); H.R. 9328, to improve travel for active-duty military personnel and accompanying family, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119-741); H.R. 8535, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl, with amendments (H. Rept. 119-742); H.R. 8874, to amend the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to require recurring reports on the transition of jurisdictions no longer eligible for Urban Area Security Initiative funding, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-743); H.R. 3106, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes the management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during times of extreme cold weather, and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-744); H.R. 3535, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply the prohibition against contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with elections to contributions or donations in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda (H. Rept. 119-745); H.R. 4541, to reauthorize the Young Women's Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119-746); H.R. 8720, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to modify requirements regarding contributions related to elections for Federal office and to improve the operation of the Federal Election Commission, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119- 747); H.R. 8684, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group health insurance coverage to only pay claims submitted by hospitals that have in place policies and procedures to ensure accurate billing practices, and for other purposes, with an amendment (H. Rept. 119-748); and H. Res. 1423, providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 139) to make daylight savings time permanent, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8595) making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9237) to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1181) to prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring the use of or assigning merchant category codes that distinguish a firearms retailer from general-merchandise retailer or sporting-goods retailer, and for other purposes; and for other purposes (H. Rept. 119-749).
Page H4407
Speaker
Read a letter from the Speaker wherein he appointed Representative Taylor to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
Page H4383
Recess
The House recessed at 12:16 p.m. and reconvened at 2 p.m.
Page H4385
Recess
The House recessed at 2:07 p.m. and reconvened at 3:30 p.m.
Page H4386
Order of Business
Agreed by unanimous consent that the ordering of a recorded vote on the question of reconsideration of the vote on adoption of House Resolution 1398 be vacated to the end that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; and that House Resolution 1377 be laid on the table.
Page H4402
Recess
The House recessed at 5:23 p.m. and reconvened at 6:30 p.m.
Page H4402
Suspensions
The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures: Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10660 Page Avenue in Fairfax, Virginia, as the ``Congressman Gerald E. Connolly Post Office Building'': H.R 6332, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10660 Page Avenue in Fairfax, Virginia, as the ``Congressman Gerald E. Connolly Post Office Building''; Designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the ``Ulysses S.
Pages H4386-87
Grant Post Office Building''
H.R. 7809, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the ``Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building'';
Pages H4387-88
Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act of 2026
H.R. 8770, amended, to amend title 49, United States Code, to establish funds for investments in aviation security;
Pages H4389-90
Improving Travel for Military Members Act
H.R. 9328, amended, to improve travel for active-duty military personnel and accompanying family;
Pages H4390-91
Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026
H.R. 8874, to amend the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to require recurring reports on the transition of jurisdictions no longer eligible for Urban Area Security Initiative funding;
Pages H4391-92
Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026
H.R. 9391, amended, to authorize an extension and expansion of the reimbursable screening services program of the Transportation Security Administration;
Pages H4392-93
One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act
H.R. 9388, to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize an extension of a program to permit screened passengers and their property arriving on direct flights or flight segments originating at certain foreign last point of departure airports to continue on additional flights or flight segments originating in the United States without additional screening;
Pages H4393-94
Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act
H.R. 3106, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes the management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during times of extreme cold weather, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 400 yeas to 7 nays, Roll No. 234;
Pages H4394-95, H4403
Improving Travel for American Families Act
H.R. 8897, amended, to improve travel for American families, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 398 yeas to 12 nays, Roll No. 235;
Pages H4395-96, H4403-04
Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act
H.R. 8168, to require an assessment of terrorism threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists present in countries that are major non-NATO allies;
Pages H4396-98
Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act
H.R. 8535, amended, to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl;
Page H4398
Agreed to amend the title so as to read
``To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl, and for other purposes'';
Page H4398
ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026
H.R. 7574, to provide for the reorganization and realignment of the Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach Office of the Department of Homeland Security;
Pages H4398-H4400
Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act
H.R. 3535, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply the prohibition against contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with elections to contributions or donations in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda; and
Pages H4400-01
FEC Administrative Improvements Act
H.R. 8738, to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require electronic report filing for persons making certain electioneering communications and to permit political committees to make disbursements other than by check.
Pages H4401-02
Expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Lindsey Graham
The House agreed to H. Res. 1424, expressing the profound sorrow of the House of Representatives on the death of the Honorable Lindsey Graham.
Page H4405
Quorum Calls: Votes
Two yea-and-nay votes developed during the proceedings of today and appear on pages H4403 and H4403-04. Adjournment: The House met at 12 p.m. and adjourned at 7:14 p.m. pursuant to House Resolution 1424, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honorable Lindsey Graham.
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: 150 of 183 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 1:50 p.m.
Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to honor the life and the career of Don Detwiler, who passed away in Blair County.
Our community mourns the loss of a business leader, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. On a personal level, I knew Don as a neighbor, a patient of mine, and a friend. Each life that he touched grew stronger and brighter because of Don Detwiler.
From a young age, Don worked in the family business, New Enterprise Stone & Lime. He retired from the company in 2020 as president and CEO and continued to serve as a consultant.
Don held leadership positions in numerous professional and community organizations. In his very distinct, quiet way, he created a distinguished legacy.
As we pause to remember his immeasurable impact, we also keep in mind his wonderful wife, Judy, and his entire family.
Please join me in honoring the life of Don Detwiler, who was truly one of Blair County's most esteemed figures.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department for 100 years of service.
Founded in 1926, the volunteer fire department has evolved into a professionally trained emergency response team that averages more than 300 calls per year.
In addition to its responsibilities within the borough, the fire department also provides mutual aid to several companies throughout Blair and Huntingdon Counties.
The fire department proudly notes that 16 of its members are lifetime members who have served the department for 25 years or longer.
On behalf of everyone in the 13th Congressional District, I congratulate Fire Chief Travis Prough and all members of the Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department on 100 years of distinguished service.
Mr. Speaker, it is with pride that I rise to honor the Bermudian Springs High School baseball team of Adams County for winning the PIAA 3A State Championship in a thrilling 1-0 victory over South Park.
This marks the second State title for the Bermudian Springs baseball team. The first was a 2A State title.
Bermudian Springs finished this championship season with an outstanding 24-4 record.
On behalf of everyone in Adams County and throughout Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate the players, Head Coach Jeff Carpenter, and members of his staff on this memorable achievement.
Honoring Smithfield Volunteer Fire Company on 100 Years of Service
Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Company of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, for 100 years of service.
Since its incorporation in 1926, Smithfield's century of service has been distinguished by steadfast support and a proud local tradition.
History records the fire company's founders mortgaged their own properties to construct the first fire hall. Despite changing times, the community has remained the heart of this organization.
Longtime member and fire company president, Jeffrey Shaffer, has noted that his father was the company's second fire chief, and his mother was a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Congratulations to the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Company.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Greencastle-Antrim High School baseball team for winning the PIAA 5A State championship.
During a 5-hour contest, the longest championship game in PIAA history, Greencastle-Antrim defeated DuBois 6-
Relying on superior talent, resilience, and team chemistry, they finished the season with a 24-3 record. The team will forever be a source of pride for the community.
I congratulate the players, Head Coach Eric Shaner, and the members of his staff of Greencastle-Antrim for this historic achievement.
Mr. Speaker, I take great joy today to recognize the dedication, loyalty, and hard work of my legislative director and healthcare adviser, McLean Piner, and to congratulate him on a well- earned next chapter he will soon embark upon.
I have known McLean his entire life. McLean comes from a great family who live just around the corner from me in our neighborhood in Greenville, North Carolina. My wife and I are great friends with his parents, and our children played and went to school together for many years.
In fact, only one issue ever caused any consternation between the Murphys and the Piners, and it was their inexplicable, and, frankly, despicable, allegiance to Duke University sports programs. Such a fine family, but such misguided loyalty. At least they know that the great basketball coach, Coach K, lost his final game to UNC. Fortunately, this one personal impediment, which I hope one day he will grow out of, has not impacted his character nor will it impede his career.
McLean first began working for me back in 2016 as an intern while I served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Not possessed with a loud voice, nonetheless, he was still a hard worker, tenacious, and a joy to have around.
When I came to Congress in 2019, I was able to wrangle him away from a job downtown to come work for my office. Since then, he has put his head down and continued to earn a place of very high respect in Washington.
Over nearly 8 years, McLean distinguished himself, working his way up from legislative correspondent all the way to legislative director, a role he has now held for 3 years.
He quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with when it came to healthcare issues. As a physician, my chief focus in Congress has been one of making healthcare accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality. I have fought for patients and those who deliver their care.
We have endured close to 7 years of late-night votes, painful policy briefings, unconscionably long markups, and spirited hearings in the Ways and Means Committee. Yet, through countless meetings, briefs, and events, McLean has been there every step of the way with me. We have learned from each other, and his counsel is one I have learned to appreciate and trust.
At the beginning of this session, he came to me and told me he was being recruited by the administration for a job there. I told him no, he wasn't ready, and he had more to learn. Now he is ready. As all good mentors should do, when it is time, they should let their proteges fly away.
McLean will soon depart Team Murphy for the next chapter of his career, an enormous and deserving leap forward over at the Department of Health and Human Services as Deputy Assistant Secretary.
With gratitude and a heart full of pride, I honor and congratulate McLean on this remarkable run we have had and his very, very bright future.
It is not often a Member possesses a staff member that has shown such loyalty, thoughtfulness, and dedication as McLean Piner. Washington can be a very difficult environment to operate in, especially those new to politics.
McLean has developed a keen sense of what is necessary to deliver meaningful change to improve American healthcare. His intellect, ability to connect with others, and communication have made him an indispensable asset to anyone who wants to get down to business and make an impact.
While I wish I could keep McLean in my office as long as I have the privilege to serve in this body, it is time now for him to move on. I have no doubt that he will be successful in his new perch, continuing to serve the American public.
This is not a good-bye, but it is a celebration. It is a heartfelt congratulations that I salute a special individual who deserves great recognition and will continue to impress beyond my imagination.
I give my congratulations to McLean. I wish him well in his next chapter and next journey. I thank him for his service in my office on behalf of the constituents of eastern North Carolina.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize someone whose name is not in the headlines, but whose impact has been felt through the Halls of Congress and across America. Mr. Speaker, today I have the distinct privilege of honoring my chief of staff, Jamie Robinette, as she retires after 25 years of extraordinary service to the United States House of Representatives.
For 25 years, Jamie Robinette has been one of those professionals whose leadership, wisdom, and steady hand have helped Members of Congress serve their constituents with excellence. Jamie has spent her career making others successful, including this Congressman, Mr. Speaker, and ensuring that the people's business gets done.
Jamie's congressional journey began in 2001 with Congressman John Culberson of Texas. Over her first 18 years in that office, she held virtually every position and eventually, not surprisingly, rose to chief of staff. She became known quickly as someone whose judgment could be trusted, whose word was good, and whose dedication to public service never wavered.
She later brought that same commitment and experience as chief of staff to Congressman Ross Spano and senior adviser to Congressman Neal Dunn and as the first executive director of the Suburban Caucus under Congresswoman Ann Wagner. At every stop, Jamie earned a reputation for building strong teams, developing talented staff, and solving difficult problems.
From my very first day as a Member of Congress, Jamie became my trusted adviser and leader of the Bean Team. She has helped shape our office into one that puts constituents first, responds with urgency, and approaches every challenge with professionalism and respect.
Anyone who has crossed paths or worked with Jamie knows that she possesses both institutional knowledge and genuine humility. She understands the rules of the House, the complexities of the legislative process, and the utmost importance of constituent service.
What truly sets her apart is how she treats people. She leads with grace. She listens before she speaks, and she mentors young staff with patience and encouragement. She celebrates the success of others before her own. She constantly takes calls from me: Hey, can you talk to this young person who is thinking about a career? She takes it and gives them that advice.
To Jamie's family, who is in the gallery today, thank you for sharing her with me and the institution which she served so faithfully. Public service requires sacrifice not only from those who serve, but those who support them at home. The recognition belongs to you as well.
Mr. Speaker, public service remains one of the noblest callings in our Nation. Jamie has answered that call every day for 25 years with honor, excellence, humility, and grace.
On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the people of Florida's Fourth Congressional District, thank you, Jamie. God bless you, your family, and the next chapter of your life. Go get `em.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the Chair and not to refer to persons in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Agatucci's Restaurant in Peoria, Illinois, as it approaches an extraordinary milestone of 100 years in business.
This family-owned restaurant has been a cornerstone of central Illinois since 1926, representing the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship, family, and community that defines the heart of Peoria.
Founded in 1926 by Vincenzo ``James'' Agatucci, Agatucci's Restaurant began as a small grocery store before becoming one of Peoria's most beloved family-owned restaurants.
During the Great Depression, James transformed his grocery store into a restaurant to serve the community, later obtaining liquor license number 13, now the oldest continually owned license in Peoria.
The Agatucci family has built a tradition of hard work, tremendous hospitality, and excellence. From introducing pizza to Peoria after World War II to expanding into the frozen pizza and sauce market, Agatucci's has continued to bring people together over delicious food and warm hospitality.
Agatucci's is proudly operated by the fourth generation of the Agatucci family. As the restaurant enters its 10th decade, Danny and Tony Agatucci remain committed to the same values that built their family's legacy.
As we commemorate this incredible milestone, I recognize Danny and Tony Agatucci, their fathers whom they learned from, and the entire Agatucci family for their dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and lasting contribution to Peoria.
Congratulations on 100 years of family, food, and community. Best wishes for the next 100 years.
Madam Speaker, South Carolinians are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham.
Senator Graham enthusiastically served the people of the Palmetto State and America as a public servant and veteran. As a patriot, tireless for peace through strength, he successfully challenged totalitarians.
President Donald Trump memorialized Graham as one of the greatest people and Senators he has ever known.
The New York Post analyzed that ``all Americans of good will should be inspired to keep up his lifelong fights for freedom, decency, and justice.''
The Wall Street Journal editorialized that the death of Lindsey Graham ``is a loss for the country and the cause of global freedom.''
All three generations of the Wilson family extend deepest sympathy with our thoughts and prayers for the family led by his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, of Lexington.
In conclusion, God bless our troops. Trump is reinstituting peace through strength, revealing war criminal Putin lies, and insulting Trump and mocking Trump, which inspired Senator Graham to successfully achieve legislative sanctioning of war criminal Putin.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of a great man.
Louisiana recently lost one of its brightest lights with the unexpected passing of Louisiana State Senator Larry C. Selders at just 44 years of age.
Larry leaves behind his wife, Kendra, and his two sons, L.J. and Luke. The boys were, by every account, inseparable from his side, and he loved them dearly.
Larry devoted himself to helping people rebuild their lives. His compassion stayed consistent while he earned his social work degree from Southern University all the way to the Louisiana Legislature, first as a State representative for District 67 and then as State senator for District 14.
Described as a gentle giant whose kindness made everyone feel like he was an old friend, he humbly approached public service, always lifting up others rather than seeking recognition.
Larry Selders leaves behind a legacy built not on titles but on the countless lives he touched as a devoted husband, a proud father, a trusted friend, and a true public servant.
Louisiana is better because of him, and as a good friend of mine personally, this is a loss.
Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart to honor Air Force Major Alexander Davis of Goldsboro.
On June 15, our Nation mourned when a tragic B-52 mishap at Edwards Air Force Base claimed the lives of eight brave airmen.
Alex was among them, and his life was defined by selfless service. From earning the rank of Eagle Scout to his time at North Carolina State University and his distinguished military career, he faithfully answered every call to serve.
Whether flying missions, modernizing our Air Force, or encouraging those around him, he was dependable. He dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut, always reaching for the skies.
To Doug, Karen, and his family, we grieve with you. We pray with you. We will forever remember Major Alexander Davis, a beloved airman, a beloved leader, and a true American hero.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6332) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10660 Page Avenue in Fairfax, Virginia, as the ``Congressman Gerald E. Connolly Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on that measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of a bill which would rename a post office in Fairfax, Virginia, for one of our former colleagues, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, a father, a husband, friend of mine and to this body, and a lifelong civil public servant, one that dedicated his life to his constituents, his community, and to his country.
Gerald Connolly began his life of service at the Heifer Project International in Little Rock, Arkansas. Arkansas is a beautiful, young State that we have here in the United States, and he chose to move there and to live to work on his project to begin his service.
He then moved to Washington, D.C. in 1972. Gerry rose from the education director to executive director of the American Freedom from Hunger Foundation while simultaneously serving as the executive director of the U.S. Committee on Refugees.
He became a pillar of a person and stalwart for Northern Virginia through his 13 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and served for 16 years as our colleague in this body representing Virginia's 11th Congressional District.
In 2025, he was elected as the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform after serving as a member of the committee since 2009.
In Congress, Gerald Connolly was a friend to many of us and my friend also. He was steadfast in fighting for what he believed in.
He was always committed to bipartisanship where he thought we could agree, and he would find those issues. I worked with him on many. Many of my Republican committee colleagues found Gerry Connolly to be a partner and a friend.
The bottom line is that his exemplary public service will endure, continuing to guide and inspire those committed to serving our Nation. I am sure that his life and the stories of his life are being told with many as an example of public service.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his eloquent remarks.
This legislation is a tribute to a giant of public service, a man whose legacy is written across Northern Virginia and across this institution.
Gerry Connolly believed deeply in public service. He believed in this institution, in the work of representative democracy, and in the responsibility that comes with the oath of office.
He knew that democracy doesn't sustain itself. It takes people willing to do the hard, unglamorous work of governing, legislating, organizing, compromising, and showing up for the communities they serve.
Gerry was a singular force for good in Fairfax, and for 11 years, I had the privilege of serving as his chief of staff. I saw up close how he poured his significant intellect, his integrity, and his energy into serving our community every single day. He is somebody who served the public with every fiber of his being until his last day.
He was widely respected here as one of Congress' most effective lawmakers. He was a champion for the Federal workers he represented, a champion for the Postal Service, a principled statesman who represented our Nation at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
I am confident he is the only person in history who will have served twice as president of the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations and twice as the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Before he served in Congress, he shaped the Fairfax County that my constituents know and enjoy today.
He served on the board of supervisors from 1995 to 2008, including 5 years as chairman. He took enormous pride in that work and had a passion for the work of local government.
Under his leadership, Fairfax County invested in smart growth, in transit, in environmental stewardship, in libraries, trails, and affordable housing. It is the public infrastructure that has transformed Fairfax and Northern Virginia into an economic engine and a national model.
His legacy can be seen in the Silver Line metro extension, the Mosaic District in Merrifield, the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail, and the Oakton Library.
Gerry was an institutionalist in the best sense. He respected this House not as a monument but as a living instrument of democracy, one that must be used to hold power accountable, to protect the dignity of public service, to defend those who don't have a voice, and to stand up for our democratic values at home and abroad.
Mr. Speaker, Gerry had a heart as big as his intellect. He loved people. He loved animals. He loved our community. He loved a good conversation, a good story, and even good gossip, sometimes to the frustration of those who were trying to keep him on schedule.
Above all, Gerry was a family man. He loved his wife, Smitty, who is here with us today in the gallery, with a devotion that everyone around him could see. He was endlessly proud of his daughter, Caitlin, and welcomed his son-in-law, Mark, into that circle of love and loyalty that defined him.
For all of his accomplishments in public, the center of his world was always his family and the joy he took in
For me he was more than a Member of Congress. He was a mentor, a best friend, and a formative figure. Because of him, I am a better public servant, but more importantly, a better husband, father, and friend.
I will carry his wisdom and his love for this community, for this institution with me for the rest of my life. Naming this post office for Congressman Gerald E. Connolly will ensure that generations of Fairfax residents are reminded of what public service looks like when it is rooted in integrity, vision, humor, and love of community.
We lost a giant last year, and we honor Gerry's legacy by continuing the work he loved by serving others, speaking the truth, defending democracy, and never forgetting those who sent us here.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6332, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I, too, while directing my comments directly to the young speaker, will say that I, too, recognize not only Congressman Connolly's family being here, but I equally recognize, as Mr. Walkinshaw does, their contribution of service with their husband and their father and their uncle and those members of the family because service goes beyond just a person. It is extended to the family, who many times is a part of the success that is gleaned from their service, but they are an equal part of it.
I, too, recognize, on behalf of myself and my colleagues on this side, the generosity that they extended by being here today and for the service that they will be rewarded with and thanked for today.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Walkinshaw for the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6332.
As Mr. Walkinshaw has said, this legislation would name the post office at 10660 Page Avenue in Fairfax as the Gerald E. Connolly Post Office in honor of my dear friend and former colleague, the late Congressman Gerry Connolly.
Mr. Speaker, I used to tease Gerry all the time about the 41-mile Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in Fairfax County that was a hiking, biking, and bridle trail. It went the whole arc, from one side of Fairfax County to another, but it is difficult to imagine a more fitting tribute to Gerry's lifetime of public service than this post office because of what he has done.
He wrote, sponsored, and passed the most important postal reform in this century, literally this millennium. He loved the Postal Service. He fought for it year after year.
He served on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for 15 years and, again, was an immensely important leader on that committee. He fiercely believed in the Federal Government's commitment to the American public for affordable and reliable mail delivery for every single household in our country, but he was also a steadfast champion for the unsung heroes, the postal workers, who made that possible. He led the defense against the DOGE attacks on the Postal Service and efforts by this administration to privatize the Postal Service.
As Gerry Connolly often reminded us, public service is leaving communities better than we found them, and Northern Virginia is a better place for Gerry's time in public service.
I first met Gerry and Smitty when they came in as a young married couple 42 years ago when we volunteered on the same Governor's campaign. Over the years, everything that could be done by any human being to make life better for the citizens of Northern Virginia, Gerry did--as a civic association leader, a supervisor, a chairman, a Congressman, the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and, most of all, as the Democratic chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform--everything that he did.
Let me just say, Mr. Speaker, I will miss him greatly. This is a due and appropriate honor.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his kind and eloquent words. I also thank Chairman Comer for his support of this legislation.
As I said, Gerry Connolly is somebody who loved this body. He loved Fairfax County. He loved the Postal Service. This naming of the post office on Page Avenue in Fairfax will mean a lot to his family. Just as importantly, it will mean a lot to our community, which recognizes his decades of dedicated and passionate service with the integrity that he provided.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) has very nicely thanked the young chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, James Comer. Mr. Comer, I think, really did work well with the minority to make sure not only that this bill was handled appropriately, but to make sure that it could be scheduled in time so that the families would be here.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues and all of our colleagues to understand that, today, naming this post office is a nice way to remember not just the memory but also the service that our late colleague, Gerald Connolly, provided.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for their support, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6332.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7809) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the ``Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill, which would rename a post office in Georgetown, Ohio, for Ulysses S. Grant.
As an Ohio native, Grant was born in Point Pleasant and raised in Georgetown before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.
Upon graduation, he served with distinction in the Mexican-American war.
Grant became the 18th President of the United States in 1869 and served two terms as President of the United States of America.
Over his time in office, President Grant established the Department of Justice and oversaw the adoption of the 15th Amendment and other Reconstruction efforts that were important to this fledgling young Nation. He is remembered as one of the great military geniuses and a symbol of national unity.
I am pleased not only on behalf of Chairman James Comer to bring this bill forward but also the important parts of this that come from the delegation from the great State of Ohio. We will be hearing from them in just a few minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, some of my Virginia ancestors are rolling over in their graves today, but I am very happy to be here to speak in support of H.R. 7809 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building.
Ulysses S. Grant was an American hero who helped lead the United States Army to victory against the Confederacy in the Civil War before serving as President of the United States.
After graduating from West Point, Grant served in the Mexican- American war under the leadership of General Zachary Taylor, who would later become the 12th President of the United States.
Grant initially resigned from the Army in 1854, but at the outbreak of the Civil War, he served as commander of a volunteer regiment and was quickly promoted to brigadier general.
Throughout the war, he fought and won numerous battles. His victories included the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson and the defeat of rebel forces at Shiloh and Vicksburg.
As the war progressed, his military leadership played an instrumental role in enforcing President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and advancing the United States' commitment to ending slavery.
In March 1864, President Lincoln designated Grant as the general-in- chief of the U.S. Army Forces, ultimately leading to a Union victory in April 1865 with the surrender of Confederate General Lee at Appomattox in Virginia.
After the war, Ulysses S. Grant served two terms as President of the United States. During his time in office, he pushed forward the Reconstruction agenda, advocating for civil rights and protection from political violence for Black Americans.
I encourage my colleagues to join us in honoring the life and legacy of President Grant by naming this post office in his hometown of Georgetown, Ohio, after him.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill to rename the Georgetown, Ohio, post office the Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building.
President Grant was born on April 27, 1822, in Point Pleasant, Ohio. He spent his childhood in Georgetown, Ohio, a small town in Brown County, in what is today Ohio's Second Congressional District, before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1839.
Grant's time at West Point kicked off a legendary military career, beginning in the Mexican-American War and ending with the rank of general of the Army of the United States, the position he held until he became President.
His accomplishments in the Civil War are too numerous to list, but after winning the battles at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Petersburg, he eventually accepted Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, ending the Civil War and keeping the Union intact.
Following his military service, on March 4, 1869, Grant was sworn in as the 18th President of the United States, becoming the second Ohioan to serve as President. Throughout his two terms as President, Grant worked on civil rights issues, including the establishment of the Department of Justice, the adoption of the 15th Amendment, and other Reconstruction efforts.
Ulysses S. Grant was an extraordinary American worthy of being remembered. At a time when our Nation was divided, much more divided than we are now, he was instrumental in bringing us back together. Without him, our Nation and world would be a much different place.
By renaming the post office in his hometown of Georgetown after him, we are further solidifying his profound legacy.
I thank the entire Ohio delegation for supporting this legislation, and I thank Chairman Comer's staff for working with us throughout this process.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I join Mr. Taylor in thanking the Ohio delegation and really all of our Members for their recognition of service to this great Nation in the naming of this post office.
The effort that the President made to represent the United States, the unity that you heard about his service to the United States military, his service to the Department of Justice, his service to the people of the country to bring them together at a time when many thought we could not survive as a nation, to honor him now is, without question, the right thing to do. Naming this post office in his hometown of Georgetown, Ohio, is a high honor to the people of that town also.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, naming a post office for our 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7809.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8770) to amend title 49, United States Code, to establish funds for investments in aviation security, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8770.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act. This legislation establishes a sense of Congress that 9/11 passenger security fee revenue should be put toward TSA security screening purposes following the end of the current fee diversion at the end of fiscal year 2027.
Additionally, this bill directs funds collected from this fee to modernize and sustain explosive detection systems and technology at TSA security checkpoints beginning in fiscal year 2028.
The SAFEGUARDS Act will strengthen aviation security by ensuring passenger security fee revenue is used for its intended purpose: providing additional resources to protect the traveling public.
I thank Representative Strong for his leadership, and I look forward to continuing our engagement on both sides of the aisle and with our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to ensure that this bill improves deployment timelines for critical aviation security technology without any unintended consequences for the TSA workforce or any other TSA operations.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, since the Transportation Security Administration was created after the 9/11 attacks, the agency has been working to deploy the latest innovative security screening technology to ensure prohibited items carried inside bags and on individuals do not make it past a security checkpoint and onto an aircraft.
However, with thousands of TSA screening lanes across the country in need of technology, Congress has at times struggled to provide funding to recapitalize technology expeditiously across all airports.
H.R. 8770, the SAFEGUARDS Act, would ensure there are increased dedicated funds available to TSA to procure the latest screening technology so that the agency can replace aging technology deployed at airports at a more rapid pace.
Although speeding up the deployment of new screening technology is an important goal, I do have some reservations about the bill. The increased investments in technology are not paid for, and I am concerned that these increases could result in cuts to funding for TSA workforce salaries and benefits if TSA's overall budget does not increase.
Although the bill does contain language reinforcing the sense of Congress that diversions of passenger security fees away from TSA's coffers should end, the bill does not actually do anything to end those diversions sooner than already scheduled under current law or otherwise to bring in more money to TSA.
House Democrats have long been supportive of investments in new and innovative security technologies, but we must also make sure that we are supporting the workforce that operates those technologies.
To start, the House should take up Ranking Member Thompson's bill, H.R. 2086, the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, which would codify fair pay and collective bargaining rights for this critical workforce. This bill has more than 185 bipartisan cosponsors, and the Republican majority should bring it to this floor.
In the meantime, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as our colleagues in the Senate, to ensure that the SAFEGUARDS Act, if enacted, drives investments in technology without causing cuts to pay, benefits, or staffing at TSA.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the SAFEGUARDS Act.
When Americans purchase an airline ticket, they pay a passenger security fee with an expectation that those dollars will be used to strengthen aviation security.
That is what Congress intended when the fee was created, and that is exactly what this bill restores. For years, revenue from the passenger security fee has been directed away from its intended purpose. Meanwhile, our airports continue to face evolving threats and increasing demand on the systems and technologies that help keep travelers safe.
The SAFEGUARDS Act restores accountability by directing this revenue back toward critical aviation security priorities following the expiration of the current fee diversion.
This legislation invests $500 million annually in checked baggage screening technology and $250 million annually
Let me be clear. This is not a new fee that will be placed on flyers, and it does not raise taxes. The SAFEGUARDS Act simply ensures that the fees travelers currently pay are used for their original purpose and in line with the expectation of the traveling public.
Anytime a fee is collected from the American people, it should be carefully scrutinized. I take that responsibility seriously, which is why, when I examined the intent of this fee, I first asked whether the original purpose behind it remains important today. I believe it does.
The fee was established in the aftermath of September 11, one of the darkest days in our Nation's history. In the years that followed, Congress recognized that maintaining a safe and secure aviation system would require a long-term commitment to aviation security and continued investments in the technologies that help protect the traveling public.
The passenger security fee was created to support that mission, and travelers have paid it with the expectation that those dollars would be used to strengthen aviation security.
I am proud to reaffirm our commitment to the traveling public today with this bill. The SAFEGUARDS Act is about restoring trust, improving transparency and accountability, and ensuring the aviation security dollars are spent on aviation security.
I am proud that this legislation has earned bipartisan support and the backing of airports, airlines, and the travel organizations across the country.
I want to thank Chairman Garbarino for his leadership and support in advancing this legislation. I also want to thank Mr. Kennedy of New York for partnering with me on this effort, as well as my colleagues who have joined as cosponsors.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the SAFEGUARDS Act.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the SAFEGUARDS Act of which I am a proud original cosponsor.
As my colleagues mentioned, this bill ensures that all revenue collected through the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee are invested back into aviation and airport security consistent with the fee's original intent.
Just last year, this $5.60 fee on your plane ticket brought in over $4.5 billion from U.S. passengers. The upcoming 25th anniversary of September 11 reminds us how important it is to use those resources to strengthen our national security systems today to prevent future tragedies tomorrow.
My district also borders Denver International Airport. Thousands of airport, airline, and TSA employees in that airport are my constituents--the third busiest in the Nation. To keep them and all U.S. passengers safe, it is critical that TSA receives every dollar possible to properly update security screening equipment and stop emerging threats.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8770 will help ensure TSA's frontline staff get more of the tools they need to keep travelers safe, and at a faster pace.
I look forward to working with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure there are no unintended consequences for TSA's workforce if this bill becomes law.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
As you heard from my colleague from Colorado, $4.5 billion was brought in last year under the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee. What passengers don't know is that the first $1.6 billion last year was diverted to something else other than passenger security.
This bill would say the first $750 million of that passenger security fee would go directly to equipment, and then the balance of that money would go to the TSA discretionary fund, which actually would allow the TSA to get access to this money.
Last year, the TSA discretionary fund didn't have access to this money until the first $1.85 billion was spent. Now, they are going to get access, if this bill becomes law, after the first $750 million is spent on security equipment to make our traveling public safe.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8770, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8770, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9328) to improve travel for active-duty personnel and accompanying family, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 9328.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 9328, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act. The Improving Travel for Military Members Act will allow the TSA Administrator to establish a 3-year pilot program to expedite access to security screening for traveling Active-Duty military personnel and their accompanying family members.
If established, this pilot program will focus on airports closest to military installations with large Active-Duty populations, which will help to ease travel for the men and women bravely serving our Nation.
I want to thank Representative Biggs for her leadership and encourage my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9328, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act.
Our military servicemembers and their families are required to travel regularly, uprooting their lives to move to new locations.
Last year, TSA initiated a pilot program at select airports to provide Active-Duty military and their families front-of-line access to security screening.
H.R. 9328 would cement TSA's ongoing pilot program and codify requirements for appropriate security protocols.
Expediting wait times for servicemembers and their families makes travel a little bit easier and a little bit less stressful for them, and I support advancing this effort.
Mr. Speaker, I don't speak on this legislation as an outside observer. As a Member currently serving in the Air National Guard, I have worn the uniform. I have seen firsthand what it asks of servicemembers and their families. This legislation is written from experience, not just policy.
Mr. Speaker, more than 1.3 million Americans serve our Nation on Active Duty, and they answer the call with very little notice--shipping out on deployment orders, relocating their families across the country on PCS moves, or rushing to emergency assignments at a moment's notice.
They don't get to plan ahead. They don't get to choose their travel dates. They simply go because that is what the service requires.
Last summer, the Transportation Security Administration launched the Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease initiative to better support our servicemembers while advancing much-needed modernization across our aviation system as passenger volumes continued to grow. Depending on the airport, military members and their families may receive expedited screening through dedicated lines, preferred lanes, or front-of-line access.
My legislation, the Improving Travel for Military Members Act, builds on this important effort by establishing a 3-year pilot program to expedite security screening for Active-Duty military personnel and their accompanying family members with priority given to airports located near military installations.
That means in my home State of South Carolina, which is home to a number of military installations, servicemembers will benefit from faster, more efficient travel while maintaining the same high security standards.
Let me be very clear: Every passenger remains subject to appropriate security screening. What this bill does is gives airports the flexibility to implement the program based on their own operational needs, their proximity to military bases, and passenger volume.
This bill is targeted. It is practical, and it is fiscally responsible.
A few minutes saved at a security line may seem insignificant to some, but to a military spouse managing three children and a cross- country move on 48 hours' notice, it is anything but.
It sends a message to every servicemember and their family: America sees you, values you, and respects the sacrifices you make in service to our country.
I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation for our servicemembers and their families.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, military servicemembers and their families make sacrifices for our Nation every day. We owe it to them to make their lives easier in ways big and small wherever and whenever we can. This bill represents a step toward easier travel for Active Duty military and their families.
I thank the gentlewoman for her work on that, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9328, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 9328, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8874) to amend the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to require recurring reports on the transition of jurisdictions no longer eligible for Urban Area Security Initiative funding, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on H.R. 8874.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8874, the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026.
This legislation requires DHS to provide a report to Congress every 3 years on the Homeland Security capabilities of urban areas that have previously received funding through the Urban Area Security Initiative, or UASI.
The FEMA Grant Programs Directorate provides preparedness funding to assist States, localities, urban areas, and Tribal and territorial governments and strengthen the Nation's ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.
Every year, FEMA determines eligible high-risk urban areas for UASI funding through analysis of relative risk of terrorism experienced by urban areas in the United States. As relative terrorism risk undertaken by urban area jurisdictions changes every year, this can sometimes lead to urban areas that were once eligible for UASI funding in one year no longer being eligible in future years.
This legislation will provide consistent information to Congress on the ability of urban areas at risk of terrorism threats to maintain their Homeland Security capabilities.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Walkinshaw for yielding.
I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 8874, the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026.
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, it became evident that cities across the United States could become targets for terrorist attacks and that they lacked the capacity and resources to independently build the critical capabilities needed to prevent, protect against, and respond to terrorist attacks and other catastrophic events.
Beginning in 2003, urban areas across the Nation began receiving dedicated counterterrorism grants from the Department of Homeland Security through the Urban Area Security Initiative, or UASI.
For more than two decades, this program has equipped our local first responders with advanced tools, equipment, and training necessary to protect their communities. These investments have built critical capabilities that strengthen preparedness and emergency responses across the region.
However, maintaining these capabilities cannot be sustained by locals alone. They require reliable, predictable Federal funding. Unfortunately, unpredictable changes to DHS' risk formula, which determines which areas receive funding, have often created year-to-year uncertainty, leaving many cities wondering whether their counterterrorism funding will suddenly disappear. Recently, these funding changes have been politically arbitrary.
We saw this danger firsthand last year, when under the leadership of former Secretary Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security attempted to abruptly remove historically funded cities--including, in my district, the city of New Orleans--from this program.
Former Secretary Noem tried to cut our Federal counterterrorism funding support in the same year our community suffered the horrific attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year's Day, which killed 14 people and injured dozens more. It took a lawsuit to stop them.
Here is the bottom line: Expecting locals to independently finance the massive security required for everyday safety--let alone high- profile events like Mardi Gras, the World Cup, or Super Bowl--is unrealistic and unfair. Abruptly turning off these resources is dangerous.
Congress previously acknowledged the value of UASI funding to communities by requiring a one-time report in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, examining how DHS could help cities transition when they lose grant eligibility.
I am grateful to former Congresswoman Val Demings for championing this previous NDAA provision and for her leadership in recognizing the need to support communities if they transition out of the UASI program. However, a one-time report leaves Congress in the dark going forward. We need ongoing data to monitor vulnerable communities after they are removed from the program and identify whether their security capabilities are at risk of degrading.
That is why I introduced H.R. 8874, the Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026. This bipartisan bill closes this oversight gap by requiring FEMA to submit recurring reports every 3 years on how cities manage and maintain their federally funded counterterrorism and security capabilities after they lose UASI funding.
This bill will improve public safety across the Nation and ensure our communities are never left defenseless, which is why it is endorsed by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the National Fusion Center Association, to name a few.
I thank Ranking Member Bennie Thompson and Representative Gimenez for their partnership on this bill. I urge all my colleagues to support this vital, commonsense legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) for his work on this legislation. I also thank the chairman for his work.
UASI grants have played a critical role in my region, the D.C. metropolitan region, in protecting Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, including this Capitol complex. This bill that will improve transparency, strengthen congressional oversight, and ensure that important security investments made over many years are not lost is a wonderful piece of legislation.
Passage of H.R. 8874 will ensure that Congress has the information needed to understand the impact of UASI transitions and help preserve the critical Homeland Security capabilities our communities rely on. It will strengthen oversight, support our local partners, and help ensure that years of Federal investment and preparedness are not lost.
I applaud Congressman Carter for his leadership on this issue and strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8874. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I also applaud the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) for his leadership on this piece of legislation.
As a Member from New York, I have seen firsthand the benefits and the need for UASI grants. I think it is very important that Congress be kept informed of decisions being made when it comes to these grants.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill, H.R. 8874, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8874.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9391) to authorize an extension and expansion of the Reimbursable Screening Services Program of the Transportation Security Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 9391.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9391, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026.
First established in 2019, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program is a pilot program that allows screening services to be conducted outside the primary passenger terminal screening area. This pilot program has helped provide TSA with reliable streams of revenue while at the same time maintaining a safe and efficient screening environment.
This bill extends the Reimbursable Screening Services Program through fiscal year 2031 and increases the number of allowable participating entities from 8 to 14.
The Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act provides increased certainty for this pilot program to ensure it can continue to develop while Congress assesses its long-term viability.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey, Representative Pou, for cosponsoring this important legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9391, the Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026.
The TSA Reimbursable Screening Services Program, or RSSP, is a pilot program that permits TSA to conduct passenger screening outside primary airport terminal screening areas under reimbursable agreements with up to eight TSA-regulated entities, such as an airport operator.
RSSP facilities are located at airports across the country, including in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York City, and the newest location recently opened in Boston.
The pilot program is set to expire at the end of September 2026. H.R. 9391 would extend the pilot program until the end of September 2031 and expand the number of pilot program locations to 14 to allow the program to grow and bring new RSSP concepts online.
Passing this bill would provide important clarity for a program that has been operating under repeated short-term extensions.
Mr. Speaker, as I said, this bill ensures the RSSP at TSA can continue to operate and develop additional passenger screening locations at airports across the country to improve the travel experience.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9391, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 9391, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9388) to amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize an extension of a program to permit screened passengers and their property arriving on direct flights or flight segments originating at certain foreign last point of departure airports to continue on additional flights or flight segments originating in the United States without additional screening, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 9388.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9388, the One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act.
This legislation extends the one-stop security pilot program for an additional 4 years. The one-stop security pilot program is operated by TSA and aims to streamline travel for passengers returning to the United States from international travel who have domestic connections.
Under the usual screening process, passengers coming from outside the United States undergo inspections by Customs and Border Protection, collect their checked bags, and exit the sterile area of the airport. Under the one-stop security screening process, passengers undergo security screening at their departure airport and fly to a one-stop participating airport where they are cleared by CBP, but they can be routed straight to the sterile area of the airport instead.
In doing so, passengers are not required to reenter through TSA screening, as they have already been screened at their departure airport using the same standards and technologies required by TSA.
If additional airports were to join this pilot program, passengers would be able to continue on their journey with greater ease and efficiency once they return to the United States.
I thank Representative Gimenez, the chairman of our committee's Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, for his leadership.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9388.
TSA's one-stop pilot program enables passengers arriving from certain foreign airports to be exempt from rescreening by TSA prior to connecting to domestic flights.
The one-stop program requires those foreign airports to meet certain standards deemed comparable to TSA's, which helps improve aviation security at those airports.
As more international airports start participating in the program, H.R. 9388 will ensure the program can continue to operate until December 2032, while Congress evaluates and makes any necessary changes to improve the program for the traveling public.
These changes will help advance this pilot program to improve the travel experience for passengers.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act.
In south Florida, Miami International Airport is one of the busiest international gateways in the United States. Every day, millions of passengers pass through airports like Miami International Airport throughout the country. We have a responsibility to keep those passengers and our airports moving efficiently while maintaining the highest security standards. This bill does exactly that.
By extending this successful pilot program, passengers arriving from trusted foreign airports can connect to their final destination without unnecessary duplicate baggage screening.
Security is never compromised. Every participating airport must meet strict TSA standards. Customs and Border Protection retains full oversight, and any passenger or bag identified as a security concern receives additional inspection.
This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will reduce delays, ease congestion, improve the travel experience, and strengthen our aviation system while protecting our homeland.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Garbarino for his leadership. Also, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) for cosponsoring this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Walkinshaw for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9388, the One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act, which I am proud to co-lead with Congressman Gimenez. This bipartisan measure will modernize our aviation system, reduce unnecessary delays, and strengthen our international security partnership that keeps our skies safe.
Today, the international passengers connecting to domestic flights must often retrieve their checked bags, clear customs, and undergo yet another screening process through TSA before re-entering the terminal, creating congestion, long connection times, and avoidable operational strain on airports and the airlines.
The One-Stop Security program is a current TSA pilot initiative that streamlines this process for travelers arriving from trusted foreign airports that meet strict U.S. security standards, allowing them and their baggage to connect directly to domestic flights without duplicative screening.
The One-Stop Pilot Program Extension Act extends authorization for the One-Stop Security program for four more years, giving TSA, Customs and Border Protection, and participating airports time to scale the program, expand international partnerships, and evaluate the infrastructure needed for broader implementation.
This extension will not only improve efficiency and reduce costs but also strengthen the competitiveness of our domestic travel and tourism industries.
Cities where tourism is a major economic engine--like New Orleans in my district--stand to benefit from smoother, international-to-domestic connections that make the U.S. a more attractive destination and keep visitor spending flowing into local economies and supporting our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Gimenez for his leadership on this bill, and I urge favorable passage.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will continue operations for this growing TSA pilot program, helping to improve the travel experience for inbound passengers on international flights. I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9388, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 9388.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3106) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes the management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during times of extreme cold weather, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3106.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025.
This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through appropriate offices and components of DHS to develop and conduct an exercise featuring the participation of Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial agencies, and private-sector stakeholders focusing on a collective response to terrorism that includes the management of the cascading effects on critical infrastructure that results from the occurrence of a terrorist attack during an extreme cold weather event.
DHS must then provide an after-action report to Congress consisting of initial findings, plans to incorporate any lessons learned into future DHS operations, and any proposed legislative changes informed by this exercise.
This legislation will help strengthen the United States' ability to respond to terrorist threats, especially when they might coincide with extreme weather events.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
I thank Representative Walkinshaw for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3106, the Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act, also known as the WINTER Act.
As a nation, we must be prepared to prevent and respond to terrorist threats in every circumstance, including during the harshest winter weather. That is why I introduced the WINTER Act, to strengthen our Homeland Security posture during extreme cold weather conditions and ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is prepared to respond.
My hometown of Buffalo, New York, is no stranger to cold weather events. In December of 2022, Winter Storm Elliott hit western New York with historic force. During the Christmas holiday, this powerful storm brought dangerous blizzard conditions, including 60-mile-per-hour winds, dangerous levels of lake-effect snowfall, and life-threatening subfreezing temperatures. Thousands lost power, phone lines went dark, and roads became impassable, bringing emergency operations and critical infrastructure in the city of Buffalo to a screeching halt.
This catastrophic storm claimed 47 precious lives in our community. Families endured unimaginable hardship and heartbreak, and local governments have spent years responding to the disaster to help neighborhoods recover.
Now, imagine the devastation if, amid a major winter storm of this caliber, our Nation was forced to respond to a terrorist attack. Severe winter conditions often strain emergency response capabilities, disrupt communications, and damage critical infrastructure, making an already dangerous situation even more dire.
These challenges are precisely why terrorists may view extreme weather as an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities and magnify the impact of an attack.
My legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a terrorist preparedness exercise focused on the effects of an attack on critical infrastructure during an extreme cold weather event.
It also requires DHS report to Congress on successes and potential pitfalls of the preparedness analysis, ensuring that we understand where existing security gaps remain.
The insights and expertise gained from this exercise will strengthen coordination among emergency managers, State officials, and community partners, helping to better anticipate and mitigate the consequences of such an attack.
By identifying security gaps before a disaster strikes, we can enhance our resilience and be better prepared to withstand and respond to increasingly sophisticated acts of terrorism.
We cannot control when the next severe winter storm will strike, and we cannot predict when terrorists will look to exploit our vulnerabilities. But we can ensure that our Homeland Security enterprise is prepared for both. That is exactly what this legislation will help us do.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the committee, Representative Garbarino, for his support. I especially thank Representative and Ranking Member Bennie Thompson for his partnership on this bill. I urge all of my colleagues to support this vital legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kennedy and congratulate him on his hard work. Nobody knows how to remove snow quite like those Buffalo Bills fans, especially on game day.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3106, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3106.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8897) to improve travel for American families, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8897.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act.
This bill allows the TSA Administrator to establish a 2-year pilot program to expedite access and implement alternative screening lanes for passengers and accompanying children under the age of 12.
If established, this pilot program would be prioritized at airports with high volumes of family travelers, as well as at airports that have the space to accommodate additional screening lanes.
This legislation will help ease the burdens families face when traveling with young children and improve the overall passenger experience.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Mackenzie for his leadership and urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act.
Every day, thousands of families across our Nation take to the skies, many of them with small children who are not always the easiest of travel companions. I can attest to that.
Any parent knows that long lines at checkpoints can make a long day of travel even worse for a kid.
That is why since last year, the TSA has started pilot programs at select airports with special lines reserved for families which help decrease wait times while keeping screening efficient for other travelers, as well.
H.R. 8897 would codify the ongoing pilot program and ensure appropriate security protocols are upheld. The bill would help advance this initiative to help traveling families.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8897, the Improving Travel for American Families Act, which I am leading alongside my colleague, Representative Foushee.
Americans everywhere understand that there are better, easier, and more efficient ways to manage safety screenings at our airports. That was made clear when this legislation was reported unanimously by the Committee on Homeland Security by a vote of 30-0.
We are bringing both sides together to give families the more convenient air travel experience that they deserve. As the father of two young children, I know firsthand that family travel can be challenging.
Parents often have to navigate crowded airports while juggling strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and more, all while taking their families through the large crowds and navigating long lines.
Every parent is aware that the most stressful part of this process can be the TSA screening point. Families with an array of bags and bulky items pack into the same lanes as business travelers with a small carry-on. The resulting problems can create stress for parents and frustration for everyone else.
That is why H.R. 8897 allows the TSA to establish a pilot program that builds on its existing Families on the Fly initiative, which identifies ways to make the security screening process easier for adults traveling with children 12 years of age and under.
Through this initiative, the TSA is establishing dedicated lines reserved for families, giving them more space, time, and flexibility at security checkpoints.
Because of this program, parents are able to move through screening more smoothly, children have a less stressful experience, and security lines operate more efficiently for everyone in the airport.
Importantly, this legislation does not change TSA's screening requirements or security standards. It simply allows the agency to test practical, family friendly improvements while maintaining the same level of security that travelers expect.
This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help modernize travel experience for American families while improving efficiency at our Nation's airports.
Mr. Speaker, I again thank Representative Foushee for her partnership in this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 8897.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, the airport experience is difficult enough for young families. This bill will help improve that experience while upholding security standards, and I urge support.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8897, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8897, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8168) to require an assessment of terrorism threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists present in countries that are major non- NATO allies, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8168.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act.
The Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to submit a report to Congress assessing terrorism threats from designated terrorist organizations operating in countries designated by the United States as a major non-NATO ally.
Major non-NATO allies benefit from expedited procedures in the foreign military sales process, and this status also makes them desirable for foreign military financing.
Major non-NATO allies are also eligible for enhanced defense research collaboration and the positioning of U.S. defense equipment.
Over time, there has been inconsistent oversight of the major non- NATO allies program, and today there are situations where U.S. designated terrorist organizations are present or operating in countries that have also been designated major non-NATO allies.
This legislation will strengthen oversight of the program to ensure the United States has an adequate threat picture when it comes to terrorist activity in designated major non-NATO allies.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Van Epps for his leadership and encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act.
This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to provide an assessment of the threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists present in countries that the State Department designates as ``major non-NATO allies.''
The assessment required under the bill will give Congress a more comprehensive view of terrorist threats to the homeland, which will inform Congress of authorities and resources needed to combat those threats.
Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Van Epps).
Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act.
When the United States designates a nation as a major non-NATO ally, MNNA, it comes with security cooperation and possible trade deals for defense equipment. This is an important designation that our Nation does not grant lightly.
However, we cannot ignore the fact that foreign terrorist organizations continue to operate in or around some MNNA countries, creating threats that could have serious consequences for U.S. national security.
For that reason, it is critical for Congress to have a full picture of the terrorist organizations that may be operating within our partner nations.
That is why I introduced this legislation. My bill strengthens coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and Congress to better assess and support MNNA partners as they confront threats within their own borders. It requires the Department to provide Congress with a comprehensive assessment, identifying foreign terrorist organizations operating within MNNA countries, as well as each partner's capacity to counter those threats. These partnerships are important, but we must also protect our national security.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Mr. Van Epps. This is his first piece of legislation that will be passing in the House. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8168, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8168.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8535) to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8535.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8535, the Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl for the Department of Homeland Security and each of its components.
Additionally, this bill requires each relevant DHS component to share information related to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of fentanyl with each other, as well as identify any barriers to sharing information and data.
The fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act required DHS to establish a program to collect data and develop measures to assess the effectiveness of efforts to detect and deter illicit fentanyl. It also required the Government Accountability Office to audit the program.
A September 2025 GAO report analyzed the Department's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, with findings that DHS had not yet established the program, that CBP was not provided adequate information from across DHS components that would inform the program, and that DHS had not developed performance goals and metrics to track them.
This legislation will support current DHS efforts to implement these requirements and combat the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 8535, the bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, is based on the nonpartisan research and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office, which last year examined the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to detect, deter, and seize illicit fentanyl.
GAO identified critical gaps in DHS efforts against fentanyl trafficking: a lack of coordination, information sharing, and measures to assess DHS' effectiveness.
As a result, GAO made three straightforward recommendations: first, establish a program to collect data and measure effectiveness; second, ensure access to information across DHS components; and, third, develop performance goals and measures aligned with DHS' strategic objectives. Our bill simply would put into law those commonsense recommendations.
Fentanyl remains one of the most devastating public safety and public health challenges facing our Nation. The scourge of fentanyl trafficking is sobering. CDC data showed that fentanyl accounted for over 69 percent of all drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2025. Last year alone, in the D.C. metropolitan region, there were nearly 1,000 deaths due to fentanyl overdose.
With lives, resources, and time on the line, it is important for DHS personnel to not only work hard in the fight against illicit fentanyl but to also work smart against this enormous challenge. That requires collaboration and the ability to assess how their operations are having an impact.
Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. McCaul, who was my co-lead on this legislation. I thank the chairman, Ranking Member Thompson, and Mr. Correa, as well, who worked hard on it.
As I said, this bipartisan legislation would put three GAO recommendations for combating illicit fentanyl into law. It would require the establishment of a program to collect data and measure the effectiveness of current efforts to counter illicit fentanyl, ensure information sharing across DHS components, and require the development of performance goals and measures.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I congratulate and thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his hard work on this bill. It is a great piece of legislation. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 8535, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8535, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop performance metrics relating to the detection, deterrence, and seizure of illicit fentanyl, and for other purposes.''.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7574) to provide for the reorganization and realignment of the Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach Office of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7574.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 7574, the ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act of 2026.
The Department of Homeland Security's Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach, or ELO, Office operates as a separate office within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Despite their similar functions, ELO operates separately from I&A's Partner Engagement directorate, which facilitates information flow and access for State, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.
The ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act will require the DHS Secretary to develop a comprehensive plan to reorganize the ELO office and realign it with the work of I&A's Partner Engagement directorate to streamline operations and eliminate redundancies. This plan must specifically address ways to improve coordination with law enforcement agencies, centralize points of contact, and enhance information sharing.
Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Evans for his leadership. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, engagement with State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement is essential to the Department of Homeland Security's mission to secure the homeland. State and local law enforcement partners must have clear points of contact within DHS to maximize information sharing and collaboration on issues like emergency and cybersecurity incident response.
H.R. 7574 aims to ensure this by directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to realign the functions and personnel within the Office of Intelligence and Analysis' Engagement, Liaison, and Outreach office.
Madam Speaker, while it is important for State and local officials to have clear points of contact at DHS for information sharing and collaboration, H.R. 7574's requirement to identify redundancies at the Office of Intelligence and Analysis should not, I hope, be viewed as a pretext to reduce I&A's workforce.
I&A is charged with delivering timely and actionable intelligence to our law enforcement on the front lines and unnecessarily slashing their capacity could unintentionally create security gaps and make our communities more vulnerable to cyber terror attacks and other threats.
While I understand that H.R. 7574 seeks to improve DHS relationships with law enforcement agencies by establishing clear communication protocols and centralizing points of contact for law enforcement engagement, I urge DHS to consult with Congress on the implementation of this bill and before any staffing changes or reductions are made. We need to strengthen, not undermine I&A's ability to protect the homeland.
Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. I also thank my bipartisan partner on this, Representative Goldman, for his efforts on this bill.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan bill, the ELO Realignment and Strategic Engagement Reform Act.
This bill consolidates the functions of two existing Department of Homeland Security offices tasked with public safety coordination into one centralized point of contact. DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis, also known as I&A, is the only entity in the U.S. intelligence community responsible for delivering intelligence directly to State and local law enforcement agencies.
As a former cop for over a decade in the Denver metro area, I know there is nothing more critical to law enforcement operations than open communication between local, State, and Federal agencies. Information sharing between the men and women on the front lines and Federal intelligence counterparts ensures that bad actors, often tied to international criminal organizations like cartels and terrorist groups, are removed from our streets as quickly as possible.
From my own experience, I know that State and local law enforcement often face national and international threats: terrorists, cartels, cyberattacks, and foreign enemy regimes. This bill supports State and local law enforcement when they encounter those national or those international threats.
Unfortunately, in my home State of Colorado, Denver Democrats are often more concerned about finding ways to weaken law enforcement operations and attacking our brave officers rather than prioritizing public safety. Defund-the-police antics create public safety conflicts and confusion for law enforcement officers who are trying to serve and protect their communities.
This bill ensures that State and local agencies can easily and frequently access the resources they require from their Federal partners when they are facing threats that require Federal backing.
By reorganizing the ELO Office and realigning its essential functions within I&A's partner engagement directorate, this bill streamlines coordination between law enforcement agencies, enhances information- sharing mechanisms, and reduces duplicative actions.
This ensures responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and it makes sure that State and local law enforcement agencies have the information that they need when they are facing those national or international threats.
Time and again, we wait for tragedies to remind us that we have to incentivize interagency collaboration. This bill takes the fight to the streets, and it makes sure that we are preventively getting these resources to our State and local law enforcement agencies, because no single law enforcement agency can effectively address the full spectrum of threats without that combined resource.
Madam Speaker, I strongly urge support for this bipartisan piece of legislation and support for the millions of State and local law enforcement officers across our country.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's and the committee's work on H.R. 7574, and it sounds like, I think, that we are in alignment. I just want to be sure that the language in the bill referring to redundancies isn't used to defund the I&A at the Department of Homeland Security. It sounds like the gentleman and I are on the same page.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7574. I congratulate Mr. Evans on this fine piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7574.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3535) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply the prohibition against contributions and donations by foreign nationals in connection with elections to contributions or donations in connection with ballot initiatives and referenda.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Wisconsin?
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, introduced by my friend, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick.
U.S. elections should be for U.S. citizens only, and only U.S. citizens should be participating in and donating in political causes.
Today, gaps in our existing laws undermine this principle and actually permit foreign actors to fund U.S. political activities. It is true. Current law allows foreign funding to infiltrate State and local ballot initiatives, referenda, and recall elections.
As we have seen in recent history, those races can attract millions of dollars in outside spending. Some of that has been foreign money, and right now that is completely legal.
Shadowy groups, like Sixteen Thirty Fund, funneled millions of foreign-linked dollars into ballot initiatives and campaigns in States, including Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio.
It sounds crazy, but it is true, Madam Speaker.
We should all be able to agree that foreign funds should not be influencing or financing ballot measures, referenda, or recall elections. Current law, as we know, already prohibits foreign money in Federal elections, and this bill broadens that nonpartisan, commonsense prohibition to similar State and local elections.
Madam Speaker, elections should be decided by Americans, and they should not be influenced or funded by foreign nationals.
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation and ensure American elections remain for American citizens only, and I reserve the balance of my time
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, this bipartisan bill, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, will close a loophole, as my colleague and friend, Mr. Steil, the chairman of the Committee on House Administration, has indicated, that currently allows foreign nationals to contribute to State and local ballot initiatives, as well as recall referenda.
This change is needed because the Federal Elections Commission previously determined that the Federal Election Campaign Act's foreign national prohibition does not actually reach ballot initiatives that do not appear to be linked to an office-seeking candidate at the Federal, State, or local level.
The FEC often sends legislative recommendations to Congress, adopted on a bipartisan basis, to update and strengthen our campaign finance regime. This very bill has been included in their recent recommendations. In fact, this bill is among the highest priority legislative recommendations from the FEC.
I thank the bill's sponsor, Congressman Fitzpatrick, as well as the bill's co-lead, Congressman Golden, for their important work on this issue.
I am glad to see the House taking seriously the risk of foreign interference in domestic elections. In that spirit, I encourage my colleagues to consider other comprehensive democracy reforms to close loopholes.
House Democrats' Freedom to Vote Act, which includes the DISCLOSE Act, would crack down on foreign campaign spending, and I think it is well past time for Congress to do something to stem the tide of dark money, including foreign money, in American elections.
This bill is a start, and I think I would continue to urge us to do more.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, this bill is broadly about making sure that American elections are for American citizens only.
As my colleague Mr. Morelle noted, there is a significant, gaping hole in U.S. campaign finance laws, and, in particular, that is in relation to the measures that we have spoken about, about ballot initiatives, other essential pieces of American democracy that currently allow for foreign funding to come in and influence those campaigns.
While that is not an office seeker for elected office, I think it is without a doubt that those elections and those ballot initiatives are in many ways equally essential to American democracy. Closing out this gap and making sure that foreign funds are not finding their way into U.S. elections is absolutely essential.
I thank my colleague, Mr. Fitzpatrick, for authoring this legislation, understanding the importance of making sure that we are rooting out foreign funds inside U.S. elections. There is a basic premise and a basic principle, and in a particular period of time when it is so simple and so easy for funds to be transmitted into these political activities here in the United States of America, an individual outside of the United States could easily move funds in to influence a U.S. election.
Of course, it is illegal for a donation to be made to an individual seeking Federal elected office, but right now the underlying law does not ban that for purposes of ballot initiatives, local ballot initiatives, referenda, or recall elections.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I concur with my colleague about the importance of making sure that we don't have involvement of foreign entities into our politics.
If I can just opine for a minute, I do think in many ways one of the real challenges facing this country right now is a lack of faith in their government and Americans losing trust and losing faith. Part of that is because of the broad influence of money just generally in our politics. You see billionaires contributing hundreds of millions of dollars. We see the influence of dark money, of super-PACs.
I am looking forward to over the next several months working with my colleagues, and over the next several years, if need be, to repair some of the damage to those relationships and let the people of this country know that the democracy which we celebrated 250 years of this month that it is in their hands, that they are ultimately the sovereigns, and that there weren't outside influences. But I think that is becoming harder and harder to be able to make that point and to convince people of that without dramatic changes in the way we finance our campaigns and the way that the public dialogue engages.
Frankly, I am disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision just this month related to coordination between super-PACs and party committees and individual candidates. I think there is much to do. If we are going to have the ability to persuade American citizens that their government is theirs, we are going to have to take out the influence of all manner of people. Certainly, this bill is a step in the right direction.
I see my colleague, the sponsor of the bill, has arrived, so I will certainly let him address the House.
Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick), the author of this bill who is not only a colleague but also a friend.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my legislation, H.R. 3535, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act.
Madam Speaker, this legislation is built on a simple principle: American elections should be decided by the American people, not by the influence of foreign actors.
The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act closes a dangerous and longstanding loophole in our current election system. While current Federal law already prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to candidates running for office, there remains gaps when it comes to State and local ballot measures.
Ballot initiatives, referendum, and recall elections often determine major public policy questions that directly affect American communities, yet existing law does not clearly prohibit foreign money from being used to influence these outcomes. This bill closes that loophole.
Madam Speaker, this is not a partisan issue. Whether the issue on the ballot is one you support or oppose, every American should agree that the outcome should reflect the will of the American voters, not the financial influence of foreign interests.
Our elections and ballot measures exist to give the American people a voice, not outside actors with agendas that may conflict with our national interests.
The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act simply extends an existing safeguard to ensure that all taxpayer-funded elections receive the same protection from foreign influence.
I thank Congressman Golden for his partnership on this legislation as well as Chairman Steil and Ranking Member Morelle for their engagement on this legislation.
I urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense bill to strengthen the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that our democratic process remains accountable to the citizens that it serves.
Madam Speaker, again, I reiterate my support for the bill, and I want to thank the bill's sponsors, Mr. Fitzpatrick as well as Mr. Golden, for their work on this bill and continue to believe that there is much we can do and much that we need to do. This is an important step along the way.
I thank my colleague and my friend Chairman Steil for bringing this bill before us.
Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I will close by saying I thank my colleague Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania and Ranking Member Morelle for their work on closing this gap in Federal law.
I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 3535, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3535.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8738) to amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require electronic report filing for persons making certain electioneering communications and to permit political committees to make disbursements other than by check.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Wisconsin?
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 8738, the FEC Administrative Improvements Act.
I thank my friends, Ranking Member Morelle and the chair of our Subcommittee on Elections, Representative Lee from Florida, for their leadership on this legislation.
Our campaign finance system wasn't designed for the digital age. That extends to the statutes governing the work of the Federal Elections Commission.
This bill implements several recommendations from the FEC to modernize their administrative operations and reduce outdated administrative burdens.
The bill expands the electronic filing requirements to electioneering communications reports and allows political committees to make disbursements by methods other than checks.
Madam Speaker, the work of the FEC is important to our Federal election system. This bill improves their efficiency and modernizes our campaign finance system for the digital age.
I urge immediate passage of the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I agree again with my colleague and friend Chairman Steil, this is a meaningful, bipartisan bill to ensure that the public receives important information about election-relevant communications.
I was happy to cointroduce this bill with several members of the Committee on House Administration, both Republican and Democratic. I thank Chairman Steil for his leadership and Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Sewell for their work on this.
As people may know, Congresswoman Lee and Congresswoman Sewell, in particular, work hard on election administration issues as the leaders of the committee's Elections Subcommittee. As it becomes harder to find common ground in Congress, I commend my cosponsors for their work on this and other issues important to the work at hand.
The bill we are considering today, the FEC Administrative Improvements Act, would amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require campaign committees to file their electioneering communications with the Federal Elections Commission in electronic format as opposed to on paper.
As the FEC has informed Congress: ``Compared to data from paper reports, data from electronically filed reports is received, processed, and disseminated more easily and efficiently, resulting in the better use of resources.'' I couldn't agree more.
In contrast, paper filings take days to be available to provide critical information for the public, so modernizing our campaign disclosure functions is a commonsense reform for those of us who live in the 21st century, and we are grateful we have an opportunity to do that.
However, there are substantive reasons to make this change as well. The Supreme Court has long recognized that disclosure requirements are vitally important: Disclosure provides the electorate with information as to where political campaign money comes from and how it is spent.
American voters are best equipped to choose leaders when they have the most fulsome, up-to-date information at hand. The FEC Administrative Improvements Act would also tackle another bipartisan legislative recommendation from the FEC, allowing committees to make disbursement in ways other than by check.
The Committee on House Administration--and I think I speak for colleagues on both sides--cares deeply about modernization. Modernizing Congress has, in recent years, driven thoughtful and bipartisan work by committee members to improve the function of this institution.
Our interest in modernization extends to the FEC, so H.R. 8738 will bring the FEC into the modern era and aid every American voter as they exercise their fundamental rights.
Given the bipartisan agreement on the bill, I hope we can move it rapidly from the floor to the Senate and then to the President's desk for signature.
Again, I thank my colleague Chairman Steil for his courtesies and leadership on this.
Madam Speaker, very simply, I thank the chairman and my colleagues. I look forward to what I hope is a unanimous or near-unanimous vote in the House on this important legislation.
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the ranking member, Mr. Morelle, for his work on this legislation. There is a lot of work to be done to update our campaign finance laws for the digital age, and this is an important piece of legislation. I encourage all my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8738. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8738.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the ordering of a recorded vote on the question of reconsideration of the vote on adoption of House Resolution 1398 be vacated to the end that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table and that House Resolution 1377 be laid on the table.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Wisconsin?
Weatherizing Infrastructure in the North and Terrorism Emergency Readiness Act of 2025
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3106) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a collective response to a terrorism exercise that includes the management of cascading effects on critical infrastructure during times of extreme cold weather, and for other purposes, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 400, nays 7, not voting 23, as follows:
Messrs. BURCHETT and BURLISON changed their vote from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8897) to improve travel for American families, and for other purposes, as amended, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
This is a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 398, nays 12, not voting 20, as follows:
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin changed her vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Mr. Speaker, I, like many others, were shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, who served in this body from 1995 to 2003, when he left to begin serving in the Senate.
I wrote in the introduction to my memoir that I am a child of blessed experiences, generally southern, proudly Black. All of my experiences have not been pleasant, but I have considered all of them to be blessings, and so it was with Lindsey Graham.
My relationships with Lindsey were sometimes partisan and passionate, mostly productive on behalf of the people of South Carolina.
For more than three decades, we served the people of the Palmetto State together here in Congress. Throughout that time, we maintained a relationship grounded in mutual respect, even when our political differences were significant. His commitment to public service and the people he represented will remain an enduring part of his legacy.
I shall never forget playing a round of golf with Lindsey Graham in one of South Carolina's many beautiful golf courses, and I raised an issue with him that I thought was very significant.
I said to him that South Carolina, which I considered to be one of, if not the most, historic States in our Nation, was without a heritage corridor, and I thought that one was in order for the State.
Lindsey said he agreed with me, but I said to him: Lindsey, this bill that I have introduced to create the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor will never become law with my name on it. Things had gotten a bit too partisan back in 1994, 1995, and 1996.
I asked him to put his name on it. He said to me: I don't want to take your legislation. I said to him: You are not taking it. I am giving it to you.
Then he said: I don't know if I understand what it is all about. I said to him: When the bill is called, invite me to speak on it, and he did.
South Carolina got that heritage corridor. It has now got two more since, and in every one of those heritage corridors, I worked with Lindsey Graham to make it happen.
South Carolina now has three national parks. We had only one national monument, but now we have three national parks. The monument I worked with his predecessor to get, but with the last two national parks, I worked with Lindsey Graham to do it quietly.
We didn't have press conferences. We just sat down with each other or we got in the golf cart together to make it happen. That is the way it was with Lindsey Graham, someone who was passionate but productive and sometimes pleasant--sometimes.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
Mr. Speaker, I thank very much Congressman Clyburn for yielding.
Indeed, it is bipartisan this evening with our delegation, and South Carolina so appreciates the remarkable service and successes of Senator Lindsey Graham.
It is so personal to me that I got to meet him in his public service. As staff judge advocate to the army air guard, he was staff judge advocate to the air guard. I thank him for his public service and service in the military.
He served in the State House of South Carolina, the U.S. House of Representatives, and obviously in the U.S. Senate, but he was dedicated to the people of South Carolina.
It is really incredible that during the last week of his service, he was present with President Trump for the NATO meetings with Ankara. While he was there, he met with President Ahmad al-Sharaa of Syria and proclaimed that we need to give Syria a chance. He understood how important it is to have a stable and secure Syria as himself being a proponent of a stable and sovereign Israel.
He has always stood with Israel. Then, on Friday, of all things, he had the opportunity to be in Kyiv, Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy where he, again, was so forceful in pointing out that indeed the sanctions bill, as has been agreed to by President Donald Trump, puts sanctions on war criminal Putin.
While he was there, he also toured a drone manufacturing facility. He returned back to the United States on Saturday, and he actually had a very positive conversation with President Donald Trump. Then, almost immediately after that call, he sadly had a chronic acute heart attack and passed away.
In the meantime, today is a very significant day in that our Governor Henry McMaster I think has made an incredible choice and that is to appoint the sister of Senator Lindsey Graham, Darline, to be the new U.S. Senator from South Carolina.
As we are remembering Senator Graham, we can just cherish so many memories that all of us had.
Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.
The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 14 minutes p.m.), under its previous order and pursuant to House Resolution 1424, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 10 a.m., for morning-hour debate and noon for legislative business, as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honorable Senator Lindsey Graham.
