Friday, May 15, 2026

The Chair has examined the Journal of the last day's proceedings and announces to the House the approval thereof. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule I, the Journal stands approved.

Will the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) come forward and lead the House in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Chair will entertain up to five requests for 1-minute speeches on each side of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as National Military Appreciation Month, a time to honor and recognize all those who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces. In 1999, the late Senator John McCain introduced S. Res. 33. It passed unanimously and was adopted by the House, officially designating May as Military Appreciation Month. Mr. Speaker, I want to specifically recognize the thousands of Pennsylvanians currently in uniform. Your courage and selflessness do not go unnoticed. We applaud your commitment to defending our Nation's freedoms at all costs. Through every conflict since our founding, the men and women of our Armed Forces have never wavered. Our veterans and our fallen gave their all for every American. We owe them a debt of gratitude that spans generations. This month, let us unite as a nation to salute the brave men and women who protect our values and flag at all costs. Madam Speaker, it is important we continue to support our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. May God bless them and their families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish Bishop Kevin Vann a happy 75th birthday. Since 2012, Bishop Vann has led the Catholic Church in Orange County, guiding it through becoming one of the largest and most dynamic diocese in the Nation. He has also led the remarkable transformation of the former Crystal Cathedral, a protestant church, to Christ Cathedral, now a vibrant center of Catholic worship. We are talking about relations, good relations, between Catholics and Protestants. Today, he serves nationally as the treasurer for the California Catholic Conference of Bishops as well as leading bishops nationwide through the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. I wish Bishop Vann a happy 75th, and many more.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the extraordinary response to Super Typhoon Sinlaku and to honor the many people and organizations who stepped up and continue to step up for the Northern Mariana Islands in our time of need. I commend our local first responders, utility crews, and linemen across the Marianas, our mayors' offices, FEMA, and the Army Corps of Engineers for their steadfast partnership in response and recovery. I also extend my deep gratitude to World Central Kitchen, Team Rubicon, Samaritan's Purse, the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Project Buddy Check 670, the Ayuda Foundation, Karidat, Team Koka, Ohala, and the Tan Sia Lin Foundation, and the many nonprofit and faith-based organizations who continue help rebuild our communities. I say to the CNMI diaspora, our churches, medical workers, community volunteers, and residents who raise funds, ship supplies, clear roads, deliver aid, and care for our neighbors: Your resilience reflects the very best of the Northern Mariana Islands. In the CNMI, recovery is powered not only by government, but by community.

Mr. Speaker, "I don't think about Americans' financial situation at all . . . I don't think about anybody . . ." Madam Speaker, over the past too many years, I have found it important to point out our leaders' failures to tell the truth. This week I heard something different, though no less troubling. I heard the truth. On his way to China this week, the President said he does not care about Americans' financial situation, while back home, inflation is surging. Gas in my home of Montgomery, Pennsylvania, has skyrocketed to $4.69 per gallon. Diesel is even higher, farmers input costs soaring. Groceries, utilities, rent, and all sorts of goods are all up. Through his illegal tariffs, grotesque immigration policies, and now a reckless $30 billion-to-date, poorly thought out, deadly war with Iran, everything costs more. The President does not care, and now he wants American taxpayers to fund his billion-dollar golden ballroom. Congressional Republicans somehow champion it. Madam Speaker, the President may not think about lowering costs. He may not care, but I do.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Urbana councilwoman, proud dog mom to Riley and now to Bronzely, and my good friend, Chaundra Bishop. For 7 years, Chaundra served Urbana with determination and heart, fighting tirelessly for reforms to local policing systems, helping get folks in the community connected to good jobs, and working to strengthen public safety in the community. All the while, Chaundra was fighting a long and difficult battle with cancer. At 29 years old, Chaundra was diagnosed with stage IV intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer that effects fewer than 6 in 100,000 people each year. When standard treatments were no longer enough, she refused to give up and enrolled in clinical trials in search of hope, not only for herself but for the others facing the very same fight. In the process, she became a powerful advocate and an expert. When the Biden White House convened a forum on the importance of clinical trials, Chaundra shared her story, helping others understand what the research funding means for patients and families across the country. While the Trump administration moved to cut clinical trial funding at NIH, Chaundra and I worked together to speak out about the devastating consequences those cuts could have for Americans still searching for answers. Madam Speaker, my thoughts are with Chaundra as she continues her fight.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with great pride to celebrate the incredible students of Apache Jazz Ensemble from Nogales High School in Arizona's Seventh Congressional District. Earlier this spring, I had the joy of attending the Mingus Jazz Festival in Nogales and listening to the ensemble's performance. Their talent, energy, and love for music were absolutely unforgettable. I was so grateful for the opportunity to meet the students and hear their stories firsthand. Since then, these remarkable young musicians traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete at Festival Disney, where they earned a superior rating with an outstanding score of 97.7, taking first place in their division and winning the prestigious Gold Mickey award, the highest honor awarded across all instrumental divisions. These students represented Nogales and southern Arizona with excellence, discipline, and heart. Their achievement is a testament to their hard work and dedication of their director, Anthony Belletti, and the power of music education to inspire and uplift our communities. Madam Speaker, to Apache Jazz Ensemble, Nogales High School, and all of your friends, fans, and families: "Congratulations"; "muchisimas felicidades." Thank you for making Arizona proud.

Madam Speaker, let me celebrate young Stella Apicella, a sixth grader at Blind Brook Middle School in Rye Brook, as she prepares to become a bat mitzvah on May 30. I have seen Stella grow up over the years, the daughter of Joe Apicella and Tara Rosenblum, two prominent Westchester residents. Stella is growing as a confident, thoughtful, and compassionate young woman. She loves basketball--go Knicks--soccer, dancing, and fashion. She is a talented public speaker through debate club and by sharing the stage at times with her prominent mother. Most importantly, Stella gives back to her community. She stands up for others, and she always looks out for the underdog, qualities that will serve her well far beyond this special day. Stella, mazel tov on this great accomplishment. Madam Speaker, from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, I send my best to her.

Pursuant to House Resolution 1275 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of the bill, H.R. 8469. Will the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer) kindly take the chair. Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the further consideration of the bill (H.R. 8469) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes, with Mr. Rouzer in the chair.

When the Committee of the Whole rose on Thursday, May 14, 2026, amendment No. 23 printed in part B of House Report 119-648 offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) had been disposed of.

It is now in order to consider amendment No. 29 printed in part B of House Report 119-648.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

The Clerk will designate the amendment.

Pursuant to House Resolution 1275, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment increases and decreases the amount appropriated in the medical services account in the MILCON-VA appropriations bill to furnish stellate ganglion blocks, or SGB, in every VA facility, not just some of them. SGB therapy is an outpatient procedure that has been used since the 1920s. It is safe, effective, and affordable, especially in cases where other treatments have failed, and is proven to alleviate common PTSD or PTSI symptoms, such as exaggerated responses and anxiety, with almost no known side effects. By injecting an anesthetic agent into the stellate ganglion, nerves in the neck that control the fight or flight reflex, it helps bring relief to regions of the cerebral cortex thought to be abnormally activated in sufferers of PTSD. SGB changes the paradigm of treatment from the failing perception of simply a mental disorder to that of a treatable injury. With traditional therapies as needed, that can bring long-term relief to the injured veterans. As of 2018, only 11 out of all of America's 170 VA facilities reported using SGB or making it available. Making matters worse, a veteran must fail all other traditional treatments before being considered for SGB therapy, which, anecdotally, is effective 85 percent of the time. The time, distance, and monetary burdens demanded from finding SGB elsewhere frequently prove too much. I have heard stories of servicemembers getting in a van and traveling from Alabama on their last dime to come up north to try to get the treatment. It leaves far too many of our veterans with options like self-medicating, self-harm, and, too often, suicide as the outcome. Our Nation suffers 20 veteran suicides every single day. Enough is enough. This has been way overdue way too long. Far too many of our veterans come home to find the war comes home with them. Our current PTSD treatments provide relief for only a fraction of our veterans, and some really encouraging treatments are either unavailable or offered at too few facilities. We have a moral duty to do everything possible to ease the suffering of those who risked all to protect our freedoms, our way of life, and our country. This is an incredible PTSD treatment, the results of which I have witnessed personally. This amendment increases and decreases the amount appropriated to furnish SGB in every VA facility, so you don't have to go to just some. You can go to any. It directs the Secretary of the VA to expand SGB access to veterans upon PTSD diagnosis by making it a covered treatment under Federal law. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment.

The gentlewoman from Florida is recognized is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, it is not the place for Congress to be pushing for increased use of experimental treatments. This procedure is highly invasive, requiring an injection of medication into a collection of nerves at the bottom of the front side of the neck. The VA and NIH are in the midst of a multiyear clinical trial to collect data on this treatment for potential use in treating post-traumatic stress disorder but do not yet have sufficient data one way or the other regarding this treatment. In fact, preliminary data show that SGB effects are not clear, and it is uncertain whether there is a direct link between the treatment and PTSD. If this treatment is safe, effective, and appropriate for expanded use, then the healthcare experts at the VA should be the ones to expand the treatment for wider use. There is a deliberative process for expanding the use of emerging healthcare treatments, and we should let that process play out. It is really not Congress' role to micromanage medical decisions. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while the deliberative process is playing out, this treatment has been used for over 100 years, without any known side effects, without any damage to anybody. It is 85 percent effective for the users that have used it. I have witnessed it. If it is invasive, Mr. Chairman, it takes 15 minutes of lying down on the table and getting an injection, and oftentimes sitting up, standing up, and being relieved of your PTSD right then. While they are studying it, while they are fighting at the VA over turf about which treatment is best, which practitioners should have primacy, 20 veterans a day are taking their own lives while they can't get the treatment. While they are studying it, it is offered in 11 facilities out of 170. Why, while they are studying it, why are they offering it at 11? While they are studying it, all the other veterans have to fail every other paradigm before they can get it, and often they commit suicide before they ever get it. I am tired of waiting on the bureaucracy at the VA and the turf wars between practitioners to do something to save our veterans, and I am going to keep on fighting. I understand the gentlewoman's comments. I just completely disagree. It is time for us to act while they won't. It is our duty. Abraham Lincoln said it is our duty to take care of those who have borne the battle. We are not doing it. We are waiting on the VA, these different doctors and paradigms to discuss, well, maybe this works, maybe that works. These guys and gals are dying every day. We have got to do something about it. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I can appreciate the gentleman's passion. This treatment is being trialed and piloted in 11 facilities for a reason, because we have to make sure it is safe. He is not Dr. Perry. I am not Dr. Wasserman Schultz. In fact, it is important to note that in many instances when this treatment has been administered, while it might provide some immediate relief, oftentimes the PTSD symptoms come back. This trial is being wrapped up in June, and then it will take about a year to analyze the data. We are not medical experts. I have argued time and again on this House floor that Congress is not equipped to be making medical decisions, particularly specific medical decisions that affect a unique group of patients. I certainly hope that this trial results in progress and relief and that it will be scientifically validated, but it is our responsibility to wait for the experts to provide us with those results before decisions are made and leave those decisions to the VA. Mr. Chairman, with that, I oppose this amendment. We should use the process for expanding the use of emerging healthcare treatments, and we should let that process play out. I urge my colleagues to vote "no," and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, since 2018, 11 VA facilities out of 170 have been using it, not studying it, using it. The study happened after that, and every day that the study is occurring, 20 servicemembers take their lives. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates between 11 and 20 percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom veterans have PTSD in a given year, 12 percent of Gulf war veterans, 15 percent of Vietnam veterans. Sadly, only 40 percent of these heroes will find relief with current treatments. I am tired of waiting on the VA and this study, which, quite honestly, is just prolonging the turf war between practitioners there. Some of them say they should have primacy and this shouldn't even be involved. Yet, again, it is an outpatient procedure, 15 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption. I yield back the balance of my time.

The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Perry).

It is now in order to consider amendment No. 49 printed in part B of House Report 119-648.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

The Clerk will designate the amendment.

Pursuant to House Resolution 1275, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Steube) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment is very simple. This amendment prohibits funds from being used to close the Port Charlotte VA Clinic. I have heard from a number of different constituents and veterans in Charlotte County that oppose this clinic being shut down. This amendment would prohibit funds being used to shut down the Port Charlotte VA Clinic. This amendment would not delay construction on a new clinic in North Port. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.

Without objection, the gentlewoman from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes.

As a fellow Floridian, I just want to make sure I underscore the importance of making sure we preserve access to healthcare for veterans across our State. I look forward to working with the gentleman, as we have many times in the past, on ensuring that continued access. I understand his concerns and look forward to working with him, Judge Carter, and the VA to ensure continued access to his constituents. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Steube).

It is now in order to consider amendment No. 50 printed in part B of House Report 119-648.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

The Clerk will designate the amendment.

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

The gentlewoman from Florida is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment would completely eliminate funding in the bill for the NATO Security Investment Program. The base bill already underfunds NATO infrastructure by $122 million less compared to the President's budget request, and even President Trump recognized the value of this program and the return on investment that the NSIP Program provides for the American taxpayer. The President's budget requests $604 million for the NATO Security Investment Program, which is the amount required to fully fund America's commitments toward NATO infrastructure investments. The base bill provides only $482 million for the program, and this amendment would take that number all the way to zero. As the war in Ukraine rages on, this is not the time to abandon deterrence in Europe and undermine our alliances in the region. Moreover, these investments are not only needed to meet NATO's requirements to deter aggression from our adversaries but also to directly support U.S. troops stationed in Europe. Around one-third of active NATO security investment program projects are at U.S. theater posture locations, and an even larger number indirectly support U.S. troops stationed in or moving throughout the region. Yet, the United States' share of funding for this project is only 15 percent. If the United States were to pay a share proportional to our gross national income at the same rate as our allies, we would pay for around 47 percent of these projects. To cut funding for this program is not only not fiscally sound policy, without the NATO Security Investment Program the operational requirements for these projects would not go away, and many of these projects would become a U.S. military construction burden. Our MILCON dollars are already stretched thin, and this amendment would abandon projects for which our allies pay 85 percent of the cost burden. Even if you are concerned about the overall defense spending levels of various NATO countries, this direct contribution program is one program through which our allies pay a disproportionate share. Mr. Chairman, I encourage all of my colleagues to oppose this irresponsible amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, on U.S. membership in NATO, President Donald J. Trump in April of 2026 stated: "Oh, yes, I would say [it is] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and President Putin knows that, too, by the way." "They haven't been friends when we needed them. We have never asked them for much . . . it is a one-way street." On NATO assisting in the reopening of the Strait Hormuz, a White House official in April 2026 stated: "As President Trump said yesterday, NATO was tested, and they failed." "[President Trump] has zero expectations for NATO at this point and did not ask them for anything, even though it's a fact that they benefit from the Strait of Hormuz far more than the United States." President Trump posted on Truth Social on March 31, 2026: "The country of France wouldn't let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the "Butcher of Iran," who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT." President Trump on Truth Social on the United Kingdom on March 31, 2026, stated: "All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refuse to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: number one, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, number two, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait and just TAKE IT. You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is gone. Go get your own oil! President DJT." This just a couple of days ago from Secretary Rubio commenting on NATO basing rights: "One of the reasons I supported NATO is because it gave us basing rights in Europe. So when NATO partners like Spain deny us use of these bases, the primary reason for why NATO is good for America, then what is the purpose of the alliance?" Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), chair of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment. President Trump's budget request included funding for the account in fiscal year 2027. These funds supported our operational readiness and warfighting capabilities, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, the President's comments on this issue have been clear. We are $39 trillion in debt, and we should be focused on America first, and we should be supporting our warfighters and our bases, not NATO in this budget. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I think the point of Judge Carter and my argument is that this funding does support our warfighters in Europe. President Trump asked for, in spite of all the things that he has said about NATO, he asked in his budget for $604 million, and this budget is $122 million less than that, and the gentleman from Florida's amendment would wipe it out. So I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment because it would eliminate funding for infrastructure investments on which our troops and our allies rely. This is not for foreign troops. This is for our troops. It is not fiscally responsible to eliminate funding for this jointly funded program, which provides critical infrastructure. Mr. Chair, if we don't support the NATO Security Investment Program, then either we have to pay more to fund the cost of our infrastructure and Europe will be leaving us on our own, or we allow these needs to go unmet to the detriment of our men and women in uniform and American military readiness. We need to make this decision about this amendment not based on rhetoric but on reality, and the reality is that this funding ensures that we can keep our troops ready and safe. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Steube).

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote. A recorded vote was ordered.

There being no further amendment, under the rule, the Committee rises. Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Loudermilk) having assumed the chair, Mr. Rouzer, Acting Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 8469) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes, and, pursuant to House Resolution 1275, he reported the bill, as amended by that resolution, back to the House with sundry further amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole.

Under the rule, the previous question is ordered. Is a separate vote demanded on any amendment reported from the Committee of the Whole? If not, the Chair will put them en gros. The question is on the amendments.

The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.

The question is on passage of the bill. Under clause 10 of rule XX, the yeas and nays are ordered. This is a 5-minute vote.

Mr. Speaker, I missed a vote due to a personal matter. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 175.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote today, due to a commitment in my Congressional district. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 174 and YEA on Roll Call No. 175.

Mr. Speaker, after voting on Thursday, May 14, I traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia, to participate in Family Day as my son, Justin, completed U.S. Army basic training. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 174 and YEA on Roll Call No. 175.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Tuesday next, May 19, 2026, for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Pennsylvania?

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, Fred Nesler. Fred was best known for his service as a very popular and effective member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1994 to 2012, where he represented his beloved home of Graves County in west Kentucky. I first met Fred when I got elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2001. Fred and I were of different political parties, but that didn't matter to him. Fred was a public servant whose only priority was to best represent his constituents. I was so impressed with Fred Nesler's leadership skills that I talked him into joining me at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in 2012 for all 4 years of my term as Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner. Fred was a larger-than-life figure in west Kentucky politics who was loved by everyone. Mr. Speaker, prior to his service in the Kentucky legislature, Fred was a field representative for Congressman Carroll Hubbard. Representative Hubbard once said Fred was the best that he had, and I replied, "I have no doubt Fred Nesler was the very best." He was a west Kentucky legend who will be deeply missed.

Mr. Speaker, as President Trump returns from Beijing, I rise to deliver a clear message: We must fulfill America's commitments to Taiwan. Congress has approved the sale of critical defense systems to Taiwan. Taiwan has paid for them, and these weapons have not yet been delivered. Xi Jinping's number one goal from the summit was to convince Trump not to sell these weapons, and that is exactly why we need to. Taiwan's legislature has passed a landmark special defense budget, a show of serious commitment to its own self-defense. We need to hold up our end of the deal. This is about national security and our own economy. TSMC has invested over $200 billion in my home State of Arizona. Phoenix has become the epicenter of the semiconductor industry. Those jobs, those fabs, that future, it all depends on a stable, secure, self-governing democratic Taiwan. As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Taiwan Caucus, I call on the Trump administration to immediately complete delivery of every defense system Congress has approved and Taiwan has purchased. No more delays. No more excuses.

Mr. Speaker, as we recognize those who serve in law enforcement during Police Week, we must also pause to remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty. Their courage, their dedication, and their sacrifice must never be forgotten. Today, we honor North Carolina's fallen officers whose names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Arthur D. Ramsey of the Asheville Police Department, Frank J. Hagan of the Asheville Police Department, Francisco P. Flattes II of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, Mark D. Laskowski of the OAJ Ellis Airport Police Department, and Roger L. Smith of the WakeMed Campus Police and Public Safety Department. Each of these officers answered the call to protect and serve, and they represent the very best of our communities. We honor their service. We honor their sacrifice, and we stand with the families who continue to carry their legacy forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act. Eight years ago, Kimberly was a student at a Texas high school, and she and several of her classmates and teachers were murdered by a student who brought his parents' gun to school because it was not properly secured. Their deaths were both a tragedy and entirely preventable. Safe firearm storage is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce gun violence, suicides, accidental deaths, and having stolen weapons end up in the hands of people who should not have them. Seven million children in this country are in a home with a loaded and unlocked firearm. Every year, hundreds of kids are killed and injured because guns are within arms' reach. This bill aims to change that. It requires safe storage devices with every firearm sale. It provides grants so that communities can distribute those devices. And it gives retailers a tax credit to make it easier for them to do the right thing. Kimberly and her schoolmates should have come home that day. This bill ensures that every single kid does.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to recognize the heroic actions of Officer Tyler Cunningham of the Montrose Police Department. While responding to a residential structure fire alongside fellow first responders, Officer Cunningham arrived to find the roof and back of the home fully engulfed in flames. After learning that a woman remained trapped inside, he quickly assessed the situation, forced entry through the front door, and entered the burning residence. Officer Cunningham was able to find the woman and carry her to safety, where EMS personnel were waiting on scene. In moments of crisis, first responders are called upon to make split-second decisions under extraordinary pressure. Officer Cunningham's courage, quick judgment, and willingness to put himself in harm's way saved a life that day. His actions reflect the professionalism, selflessness, and dedication displayed every day by law enforcement officers and first responders across Colorado's Third District. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in thanking Officer Cunningham for his bravery and for his continued service to the people of Colorado.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in the spirit of Frederick Douglass, whose vision of freedom was never narrow and never timid. It was in 1869, as anti-Chinese hatred was rising in America, Frederick Douglass delivered his great speech, "Our Composite National." He stood against the spirit that would produce the Chinese Exclusion Act and declared: "A liberal and brotherly welcome to all who are likely to come to the United States is the only wise policy which this Nation can adopt." Douglass knew that America's strength was in inclusion, not exclusion. He said: "I want a home here not only for the Negro, the mulatto, and the Latin races, but I want the Asiatic to find a home here in the United States." That was moral courage. That was historical clarity. And that is the truth we must carry today. Asian Americans have helped build this country, defended this country, and have enriched this great country. Yet, they have faced exclusion, violence, suspicion, and injustice. This month, we do more than celebrate. We remember. We recommit. We reject anti-Asian hate and xenophobia. As Douglass said: "A smile or a tear has no nationality." Let us build this composite nation he envisioned: just, inclusive, and free.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding young men of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Arizona State University. I had the pleasure of spending time with this group last month and am encouraged by their honorable character, discipline in the classroom, and desire to do good. ASU Sigma Nus have a rich understanding of our Constitution and recognize the importance of civic engagement. They also desire to make a meaningful difference to those around them, routinely partnering with organizations like Childhelp and the Food Recovery Network to fight food waste and hunger. Sigma Nus are also leaders who serve in ASU's student government and in a variety of campus clubs. When young men surround themselves with peers who challenge them to grow and live with integrity, they are better prepared to serve their families, communities, and the Nation. The men I met at Sigma Nu were thoughtful, driven, and deeply committed to serving others. I have no doubt they will continue to make a just and positive impact on their campus, throughout Arizona, and across our country. Mr. Speaker, I thank them for their leadership, their example, and their commitment to these timeless values.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life of Mrs. Jennifer Gonzaga, who passed away on May 10, 2026, after dedicating her life to education and the joy of nurturing young minds. For 25 years, Jennifer served as a first and second grade teacher at Linden School in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Her commitment to her students and her passion for teaching left an indelible mark on countless lives. She was known for her patience, creativity, and unwavering dedication to fostering a love of learning in her classroom. She is survived by her devoted husband, Rommel "Mel" Gonzaga. Their enduring 29-year partnership was a testament to love and support through all of life's seasons. Jennifer's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, including myself.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend two of our Nation's finest who saved a life that otherwise would surely have been lost. On March 15, a man driving through Florida experienced a medical emergency that caused him to crash into a shallow body of water, fully submerging the vehicle. Airman Jesse Arguello and Airman Skyluv Rios, both of the Naval Aviation Schools Command leapt into action with military precision. While Airman Rios summoned emergency services, Airman Arguello jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the now drowning driver. After kicking a hole in the sunroof and tearing out chunks of glass with his bear hands, Airman Arguello pulled the driver through the broken sunroof opening and dragged this individual to safety on shore. I couldn't be more proud of these two young airmen. They represent the finest tradition of our military warriors. I am especially proud to say that Airman Jesse Arguello hails from my own Third District in Utah. Mr. Speaker, may God bless these two great examples of what is making America great again.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Piculin Ortiz. Born in Aibonito and raised in Cayey, Piculin became a symbol of Puerto Rican pride, perseverance, and excellence, our "Atletico and Cangrejero and compatriota"; "athletic crabber and compatriot," our guy in the NBA and in the Olympics where we beat the U.S. dream team in 2004. Piculin Ortiz will live forever in the hearts of a grateful Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor two Puerto Rican brothers, Jose Luis and Irad Ortiz, for their triumphant performance at the Kentucky Derby. They reminded an entire generation of Puerto Ricans that where you come from does not determine how far you can go. This story is Puerto Rico's story: resilient, determined, and capable of competing with anyone in the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Pete Michaels, who is celebrating 50 years of reporting traffic in Knoxville. Pete is the embodiment of the American Dream, and how, when you put your mind toward something, anything is possible. He was an entrepreneur from the beginning. Pete started with $7.63 in his pocket. With the help of a banker, he bought his first airplane before he even had a pilot's license and signed radio contracts before his business was even started. Still to this day, you will hear Pete's voice across radio stations in Knoxville giving you a traffic report on all the major highways and roads. Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to Pete on this historic mark of five decades on the air, and I thank him for taking care of the good folks of east Tennessee every day and for being my very loyal, longtime friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Ms. Kaye Gantt, on her retirement from the National Institute of Minority Economic Development after 17 years of distinguished service. For nearly two decades, Ms. Gantt dedicated herself to advancing economic opportunity and supporting minority entrepreneurs across North Carolina. Through her leadership and unwavering commitment, she helped strengthen an organization whose mission is vital to expanding access to capital, resources, and opportunity for underserved communities. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Gantt provided operational leadership for a relief initiative that helped the institute's CDFI affiliate deliver more than $20 million in grants to over 2,000 historically underutilized businesses, helping countless small businesses survive an extraordinarily difficult time. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Ms. Kaye Gantt's service and lasting impact and wish her a joyful and well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I will take this opportunity to recognize the importance of the passage of the 2026 farm bill. The House-passed 2026 farm bill delivers certainty for our producers through enhancing critical initiatives such as the USDA's farm credit and crop insurance programs. These measures will ensure that farmers and ranchers have access to the capital that they need in order to navigate ongoing challenges like volatile commodity prices and extreme weather events going forward. From wheat growers on the Hi-Line to cattle ranchers in eastern Montana, this bill will provide necessary stability for producers in my home district, allowing them to keep feeding our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman GT Thompson for his hard work on this effort. The House has acted, and now the Senate must do the same. I urge swift passage of the farm bill in the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minnesota State Representative Erin Koegel for her incredible work serving in the Minnesota legislature. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Representative Koegel during my time serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and I quickly learned how thoughtful, dedicated, and strategic she is when it comes to serving her constituents. For decades, Representative Koegel has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of everyday people, passing landmark transportation legislation to invest in roads, bridges, and transit, expanding worker protection for pregnant and breastfeeding Minnesotans. Mr. Speaker, my belief in co-governance is made possible through my colleagues at the State and local level, and Representative Koegel has been a great partner in this work. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of her work for the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in vigorous support for the 2027 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act. This bill delivers for Indiana servicemembers, our veterans, military families, and our taxpayers. This includes $27.5 million for a new aviation maintenance hangar and operations building at our Shelbyville Army Aviation Support Facility. This investment matters. It gives 900 Indiana guardsmen assigned to our 38th Combat Aviation Brigade the modern facilities they need to support rapid homeland deployment, strengthen readiness, and improve recruitment and retention. This bill also includes more than $1.6 billion for two sorely needed VA centers in central Indiana, a replacement to our 75-year-old Roudebush VA Center in Indianapolis and a new outpatient care facility in Fishers, Indiana. Together, these facilities will serve 250 million veterans across Indiana and provide the quality care they have earned through their service to our country. This bill is a win for Indiana, for our National Guard, our veterans, and Hoosier taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of a Jesuit priest, Peter Pabst. I knew him as our community knew him as Father Peter. Beneath his Hawaiian shirts, easy demeanor, and good humor, his heart beat with a fierce commitment to the vision that every child, regardless of their family's poverty, have access to college and future success. That conviction spurred his founding of the Sacred Heart Nativity Middle Schools a quarter century ago to educate young students in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Washington-Guadalupe in San Jose. A decade later, he launched Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School to prepare students from high-poverty families for college, integrating job opportunities with Silicon Valley's top tech companies. For the last 3 years, every one of Cristo Rey's hundreds of graduating seniors was accepted by a 4-year university, nearly all the first in their families to attend college. Father Peter also connected deeply to families in our community, conducting hundreds of baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Father Peter. May his memory inspire all who share his conviction in the boundless promise of every child.

Mr. Speaker, as I have warned for the last year, the redistricting war has spun totally out of control. Those States that have enacted new maps include Texas, California, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. Those looking to do so, either for 2026 or 2028, include New York, New Jersey, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. This is a disaster for our democracy, and we need to bring it to an end. I have introduced legislation to do just that by prohibiting mid-decade redistricting. The good news is, there is growing bipartisan support for this. On the Republican side, cosponsors of my bill include Representatives Kiggans and Baird. On the Democrat side, Representatives Cleaver and Landsman recently endorsed the legislation, and the Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, appeared to do so as well, saying the only reason he is participating in the redistricting war is that there is not a national standard that prohibits mid-decade redistricting. I encourage the minority leader to endorse explicitly my legislation. I will encourage every Member to sign the discharge petition I have opened so we can bring the deeply damaging redistricting war to an end.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding career of Dean Lodge, a dedicated UPS driver who has recently retired after more than 37 years with UPS, including 26 years in the Long Beach community. After growing up in Jamaica, Mr. Lodge moved to New York with his family in 1988, starting with UPS in 1989 in Manhattan. He eventually transferred to Long Beach in 2000, where he became far more than a delivery driver. He became a trusted neighbor and friend. Known for his kindness, reliability, and personal connection, Dean built lasting relationships with the families and businesses he served. He proudly knew his customers by name, looked out for their safety, and brought a sense of care to his work each and every day, and brought consistency to Long Beach. He gave back. He mentored his fellow drivers, earning a deep respect from his colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dean for his decades of service and the joy he brought to Long Beach. I wish him all the best in his retirement and hope he enjoys the races at Belmont Park for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Immanuel Eagles boys' basketball team for becoming national champions. These young men traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana, from St. Charles, Missouri, to win the 78th Lutheran Basketball Association of America's national championship. These incredible young athletes worked hard to show their peers at the national level to never underestimate Missouri grit. As they faced exceptional teams from across the Midwest, these young men demonstrated their hard work, discipline, integrity, and commitment to something greater than themselves. Every pass, every hustle, and every moment on the court reflected their dedication to glorifying God through their efforts. This victory is a testament to the coaches, teachers, and parents at Immanuel Lutheran School, who invest in these young men every day. To God be the glory.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a full heart to honor the brave crew of Artemis II. They journeyed farther than any other human beings ever before them, returning home safely to Earth. Their mission, which was aided by training and research from northern Ohio's Glenn Research Facility and Armstrong Test Center, reminds us of the deep bonds that hold us together: faith, family, and country. These astronauts carried with them the hopes of a nation. In their words upon return, we heard humility, gratitude, and a renewed love for our fragile planet. Let me also pay tribute to the naval ship that welcomed them home, the USS John P. Murtha, named for a resolute Marine Corps veteran, former colleague here in the House, and son of Pennsylvania who devoted his life to serving America. That vessel stood as a symbol of steady resolve of duty carried out far from shore. From the heartland of northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, and our shores from coast to coast to the heavens above, this mission belongs to every American who dares to dream. May we honor their courage not only with words but with continued commitment and funding to exploration, unity, and future generations who will follow in their footsteps. God bless them all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Michael Crawford, a devoted father, husband, loyal friend, and public servant, who spent his life answering the call when others needed help the most. As a firefighter and EMT with the Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department, he stood on the front lines of emergencies, protecting his neighbors and his community for 25 years. He truly embodied what it means to give to our community, serving not for recognition but because others depended on him. However, if you ask those who knew him best, they will tell you that his favorite role was not in uniform but at home with his family. He was the proud father of 12 children and a loving husband to his wife, Jessica. Over the last year, Michael courageously battled a terminal cancer diagnosis, but before he left this Earth, he had one last wish: to see his children graduate. That wish was fulfilled in three early graduation ceremonies, allowing him to see his two daughters receive their nursing diplomas and, through the support of his community, a special high school graduation ceremony held for his son. Today, we mourn his passing, but we also celebrate the life that reminds us of what truly matters: faith, family, service, and sacrifice. To his wife, his children, his EMT and fire department family, and all who love him, we extend our deepest condolences. To Michael Crawford, we offer our gratitude. May we honor his legacy not just with words but by striving to live with the same strength and unwavering devotion that he showed us every single day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark National Police Week and express my thanks and support for the law enforcement officers in New Hampshire and across the country. Our police answer the call every day, regardless of the danger they might face. They do indispensable work to fight crime, keep the peace, and provide assistance to those in need. This week, we honor those tragically lost in the line of duty, and we can never forget their sacrifice. We must give support and respect to everyone who wears the uniform, as well as their families. I have had the privilege to work with the New Hampshire law enforcement community, and I am grateful for their professionalism and leadership. They deserve the resources to do their jobs. We should be passing legislation to increase funding for our local departments to modernize public safety infrastructure, provide new technology and equipment, and hire and train more officers. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in thanking the men and women who swear an oath to protect and serve and keep us safe.

Mr. Speaker, fraudsters are robbing the American people. In Ohio, hundreds of shell companies, operating out of empty office buildings, billed the Federal Government for over $250 million for home health services that couldn't even be verified. We believe the full scope of this scandal, in fact, reaches into the billions of dollars. These are programs that required no medical training, had no verification that services were actually provided, and had no spending caps, but they enriched fraudsters at the expense of the American people. That is why Chairman Comer created the Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses, to go after corrupt institutions that steal from taxpayers, abuse our immigration system, silence Americans, and bury illegal discrimination. It is my honor to lead this task force. This week, we sent a letter demanding answers from the Ohio Department of Medicaid, and we are going to get them. The era of zero consequences is over. We are coming for every single institution that thinks otherwise.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man of unyielding faith, compassion, and love, Reverend O. Robert DeMartinis, known to New York's capital region as Father Bob. This year celebrates the 40th anniversary of his ordination as a priest. Born in Amsterdam, New York, on November 11, 1956, to Filomena Sasso and the late Tullio DeMartinis, Father Bob, guided by the deep faith of his parents and service as an altar boy for Fathers Robert Baltch and Joseph Beck, sensed his calling at an early age. He was ordained in Florida in 1986 and returned home to Amsterdam on Trinity Sunday to celebrate his first mass that year at St. Casimir's Church. He permanently returned to the Albany Catholic Diocese in 1990, serving at several parishes within the diocese. It was in 2010 that Father Bob was welcomed for service in his hometown of Amsterdam to shepherd the congregation of St. Stanislaus. Today, as pastor of both St. Stanislaus and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Churches, his devotion and spirit of service shine through every mass he offers and every religious assignment he assumes. As we honor his four decades of faithful service, a hearty "for many more years"; "ad multos annos," Father Bob, is rendered. I congratulate Father Bob on his many years of service.

Mr. Speaker, recently Trump's Agriculture Secretary bragged with great pride about kicking 4.5 million Americans off of SNAP. At a time when Republicans' tariffs and wars have jacked up grocery prices, it is not good news that Trump and Republicans are making Americans hungrier. SNAP provides the bare minimum, just enough. But it means that kids in Woonsocket can focus on school and not on an empty stomach. It means moms in Pawtucket can worry a little less if there is enough on the breakfast table. It means veterans in Middletown have breathing room on their decisions to pay the light bill or buy food. It means seniors in Smithfield might not skip a prescription refill to eat. Celebrating ripping away 4.5 million American SNAP benefits is immoral and wrong. If this administration actually wanted to help families, they would lower costs, not take away food and make life more expensive. We have to protect SNAP.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Allan Pollock for 19 years of dedicated public service in my district. This summer, Allan is retiring from his role as general manager of the Salem Area Mass Transit District known as Cherriots. Under Allan's leadership, Cherriots has grown steadily. They restored weekend and late-night service, underwent a comprehensive rebranding, and have put sustainable, climate-friendly electric buses into circulation. Cherriots now provides over 3 million rides yearly. But beyond numbers, Allan quite literally brought our community together--bringing workers to their jobs, shoppers to stores, and parents home to their children. Oregon's Sixth District wishes Allan the best in his next chapter. We thank him for his years of dedicated service and for leaving the Salem area stronger and more connected.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about who we are in this moment when the world is watching us choose. The President's illegal war has already lasted 75 days and cost us over $29 billion. We are bombing schoolgirls in Iran, and we are standing by while civilians are being murdered by the thousands. We are shattering every global alliance that we have built. And we stand alone. History will require atonement, but we can choose differently. We have a choice right now. We are a nation of profound moral power. The power does not live in bullets, but it lives in our willingness to return to our deepest values, to choose diplomacy when a world expects war, to honor the lives of those we claim to protect while refusing to destroy them. This is a moment that can and will define us; not who we are, rather, who we are choosing to be. To achieve a free Iran, a free Cuba, a free Lebanon, a free Venezuela, a free Sudan, a free Gaza, diplomacy is our best tool. I will not support or give another dime to this war, and I call on Congress to remember who we are meant to be.

Mr. Speaker, it is America's 250th anniversary, and we are proud in central Florida to have this historic accomplishment of Artemis II's successful Moon mission. Every day, central Floridians drive out to the Cape to work on advancing America's space leadership. This is the first Moon mission in over 50 years that went the farthest of any humans ever. These astronauts were the first astronauts to witness the dark side of the Moon with their own eyes. We welcomed astronauts Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy to the Capitol this week. They had many firsts: the oldest astronaut, the first astronaut of color, the first female astronaut, and the first non-America to do a Moon mission. As the only Member of Congress to witness both Artemis launches firsthand, I couldn't be more proud of them. Congress needs to be committed to us going back to the Moon to land and to go to Mars and beyond. So we need to dig deep to advance American space leadership, and promote innovation for the sake of all humankind.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of an issue threatening the Texas Gulf Coast shrimping and fishing industry, an industry that has thrived for generations but is now under threat to unfair competition from foreign countries and foreign import seafood. This is an issue that this administration said they would address under America First policies, but they forgot the Texas fishing industry, and now labor shortages exacerbate the H-2B visa caps that are preventing small, family-owned businesses from securing the necessary workforce. To make matters worse, our shrimpers must now catch three times the load to make up for the high fuel costs of $80,000 per vessel. In response to this crisis, I co-led the House-passed Save Our Shrimpers Act to block taxpayer-funded projects from financing foreign shrimp industries. The administration must provide immediate relief by giving our shrimpers and fishermen the ability to hire the workforce they need to survive the season. I strongly urge President Trump and this administration to release more H-2B or H-2A visas so we can bring certainty to the coastal communities and ensure the American shrimping and fishing industry can survive.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of National Police Week. Over 300 names were added to the wall in memoriam this week. One of those names was my cousin, Earl Ivey, Jr. He served as an officer for the Mount Rainier Police Department, the Office of the Sheriff, the Seat Pleasant Police Department, and he did double duty as chief and chaplain of the Fairmount Heights Police Department. He was an excellent man, an excellent father and husband, and a great neighbor and friend. I commend him and all of the others who were added to the wall this week. I had one comment I wanted to make to my colleagues. During this week that should be celebratory, there was an amendment to a resolution that was offered that was political and partisan instead of being straightforward and honoring those who were added to the wall. Their names don't have Ds or Rs listed after them. They didn't serve based on their party affiliation. We should set the party affiliations to the side for this week and this purpose and just celebrate them and the great work that they do.

Mr. Speaker, in 75 days, Trump's war has caused the deaths of over 2,000 innocent civilians, including 413 children and 15 American servicemembers. Initially, President Trump called his actions in Iran a "little excursion" that would last a couple of weeks. Now he has acknowledged it is a war. Last month, the President threatened a whole civilization to die. This war has cost almost $30 billion to American taxpayers. It has caused the American inflation rate to rise to almost 4 percent. It has raised gas prices for hardworking Americans across this country. President Trump does not have the power to declare war. This is a war, not an excursion. Only Congress can declare war. We cannot continue to cede congressional authority to a President who acts like this. I call on my Republican colleagues and leaders in Congress to stand up and push back against this reckless and corrupt President before any more lives are lost. Pope Leo, a great American moral authority says: "The future belongs to men and women of peace." I stand with the great American Pope Leo XIV.

Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Smith County High School Owls of Carthage, Tennessee, Class 2A semifinalists in the 2025 TSSAA State basketball championships, and to honor their remarkable journey representing Smith County and Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. These young men embodied everything we admire in our communities: grit, teamwork, and unshakable belief in one another. From the hills of Smith County, they competed on the biggest stage in Tennessee high school basketball, and they did it with pride, dedication, and heart. To Head Coach Layne Bussell, the coaching staff, the families, and the entire Carthage community, this team made you proud. A semifinal finish in Class 2A is no small feat, and these Owls proved that Smith County competes with anyone in the great State of Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable achievement from the young men of Upperman High School in Baxter, Tennessee, right in the heart of Putnam County in Tennessee's Sixth District. The Upperman Bees have made their community proud, competing as semifinalists in the 2026 TSSAA Class 3A boys' basketball State championship. These student athletes displayed the grit, discipline, and teamwork that define the character of our communities in middle Tennessee. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the Baxter Bees represented Putnam County with class and heart. Their coaches, including Head Coach Bobby McWilliams, families, and the entire Upperman community have every reason to stand tall today. Mr. Speaker, we celebrate these young men, not just for the games they won, but for the example they set.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a remarkable achievement by the Sparta Warrior girls' basketball team from White County High School in Tennessee's Sixth Congressional District. This season, the Warriors advanced all the way to the 2026 TSSAA Class 3A girls' basketball State championship game, finishing as proud runner-up. In doing so, they earned their second consecutive trip to the State tournament, a feat that speaks volumes about their talent, discipline, and unrelenting work ethic. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, these young women represented White County with discipline and dedication. Their coaches and families poured countless hours into developing not just great athletes but great leaders. In a district that values hard work and perseverance, the Sparta Warriors have given us all something to celebrate and a standard of excellence to follow. I congratulate every player, coach, and supporter of this outstanding season. Tennessee's Sixth District is stronger because of these young women.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary achievement by the York Institute Dragons of Jamestown, Tennessee, in Fentress County. This year, the Dragons captured the hearts of their community with a remarkable run to the TSSAA Class 2A girls' basketball State championship, finishing as runner-up. This marks their fifth consecutive State tournament appearance, a testament to their discipline, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence. In a county of modest means and mighty pride, their journey to the State championship game reflects what is possible when a community rallies behind its young people. The banner that will hang in the gym at Alvin C. York Institute stands as a symbol of that shared effort and belief. The legacy of Sergeant Alvin C. York, a man who embodied grit, humility, and perseverance himself, lives on in every player who wore the Dragons' colors this season. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the York Institute Dragons on an outstanding season.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about money or, more specifically, cash. As many of you know, I, alongside my Democrat colleague Congressman Donald Norcross, have introduced the bipartisan Payment Choice Act of 2025, H.R. 1138. The bill is straightforward in its intent: to protect the right of Americans to use cash for retail purchases up to $500. This legislation is not just about dollars and cents. It is about preserving the freedoms, privacy, and practicalities that cash affords every American. I hold in my hand a $20 bill. As probably most of you who have looked closely at our American currency know, inscribed on the face of this bill, alongside the portrait of Andrew Jackson, is the inscription that "this note is legal tender for all debts"--for all debts--"public and private." Late Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., who was deeply passionate about this issue, captured it best when he said: "Cash is the only option available for millions of Americans to pay for food, housing, and other essentials. In addition, there are major security concerns with digital payments that do not occur with cash payments. Companies cannot misuse your data after a cash payment. Besides, there are few things more American than cash." Cash should continue to be the one form of payment that is truly universal, accepted everywhere by everyone, regardless of age, income, or background. Yet, an alarming number of businesses, large and small, around the Nation are refusing to accept cash, despite its status as legal tender for all debts, public and private. Many of our national parks are also taking part in this unfortunate trend. Imagine being denied access to a Federal park as an American taxpayer who has cash in hand. It is unreasonable, and we cannot let this continue. The shift toward a cashless society may be convenient for all of us, but it will leave behind millions of Americans. Nearly one in five U.S. households relies exclusively on cash or has no access to alternative means of payment beyond the physical dollars. Cash isn't just a preference to many folks; it is a necessity. That includes seniors, the unbanked, those on fixed incomes, and privacy-conscious American citizens. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee, which I serve on, that cash is "absolutely critical because there are people who don't have credit cards," and that "when stores are not dealing with people who don't have cash, it is a serious problem." He is right. Not only are digital payments not accessible to everybody, but they also come with real concerns about privacy, data security, and the risk of identity theft. The Payment Choice Act is rooted in fundamental American values: the freedom to choose, fairness, and privacy. By giving consumers the right to pay with cash, we uphold their ability to participate fully in our economy, while also safeguarding their personal privacy. Paying with cash means you leave no digital bread crumbs, and your personal information belongs to you. At the same time, America is embracing new financial innovations, and I understand that. Last July, I joined President Trump at the White House for the signing of the GENIUS Act into law. The law reinforces the United States' leadership in digital currencies by securing dollar-pegged stablecoins as the dominant digital currency in the world. This is an important step forward, but even as we welcome these advances, we must never lose sight of a simple truth: Cash remains vital to our Nation's economic stability, our individual freedoms, and national security. In times of crisis, whether it is a natural disaster or a cyberattack, digital payment systems can fail. Just look around the world, Mr. Speaker, and the case for cash is clear. Sweden, for example, is now backpedaling on its decades-long push to go cashless. Sweden's cashless U-turn was driven by security concerns after witnessing attacks on energy grids and communications networks in Ukraine. Back home, we have seen a disturbing rise in the number of cyberattacks targeting our grid and our telecommunications networks, and if that grid goes down and if those networks are compromised, then you will be glad that you have cash, Mr. Speaker, and not just a cash app. I want to address the "let the market decide" argument. Some say we should let the market decide whether a business accepts cash, but the reality is far more complicated. Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, and other States have passed their own State or local regulations. That is not letting the market decide, and with no Federal law requiring cash acceptance, this inconsistent patchwork of regulations creates headaches for retailers and consumers alike. That is not truly a market decision but rather a fragmented regulation. Establishing a national standard would not only streamline operations for businesses but also ensure that every American retains the freedom to use cash, a public good and legal tender. The case of Toby Stover v. United States National Park Service recently underscored the importance of this fight. The case involves a woman who attempted to pay her entrance fee at the historic home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park, New York, using U.S. currency clearly marked as legal tender. Park officials refused, turning her away despite Federal law stating that U.S. coins and currency are, again, legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues. Think about that: A Federal agency declined to accept the very currency issued by the U.S. Treasury, at the home of the President who, in 1935, ordered the Great Seal of the United States printed on every dollar bill to instill public confidence during the Great Depression. That is not just an ironic, hypothetical scenario. It is a glaring contradiction in our payment systems. Our legislation is carefully crafted. It requires brick-and-mortar businesses that accept in-person payments to accept cash for purchases up to $500. It prohibits charging cash customers more than those paying by credit card, and it includes reasonable exceptions for temporary cash shortages or system failures. We have also built in consumer protections and clear enforcement mechanisms so that the right to pay with cash is not just theoretical but real and enforceable. As I have said before, cash is and always will be king. As a growing number of businesses across the country refuse to accept cash, it is important for Congress to publicly recognize its importance. Mr. Speaker, I call on Americans to encourage their Representatives and Senators in Congress to support the Payment Choice Act, and I call on all my colleagues in the House and Senate to join me in affirming that cash should be universally accepted across this great country. Together we can ensure that payment choice remains a cornerstone of American commerce. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, and still I rise. And still I rise, unbought, unbossed, unafraid: a liberated Democrat. I rise as an unbought, liberated, and unafraid Democrat. I am unbought by crypto cash, unbought by the millions of dollars that the crypto industry spends to elect people to Congress so that they can have influence over legislation, and unbossed by the cryptocrats, the people who are among the greediest when it comes to controlling money and who desire to not only avoid taxes but to evade taxes. I am unbossed, unbought, and unafraid; unafraid to speak truth to the powerful crypto industry and unafraid to speak truth about the powerful crypto industry. Mr. Speaker, you can speak truth to power by simply saying: Power, there is a problem. Let's solve it. I speak truth about power because I say to power: There is a problem, and you are it. Today, as a censored but not silenced--censored but not silenced--Member of Congress, I will today speak truth not only to power but also speak truth about power. As I do so, and I will use my pointer as I customarily do, my cane. By the way, this cane is not to help me ambulate. I am quite ambulatory. This cane is a rod and a staff that comforts me in the presence of my enemies when I don't have the protection that Congress is providing us, and I don't always have it. Today, as I speak truth unbought, unbossed, unafraid, and censored but not silenced, I want to call several things to your attention, Mr. Speaker, under the topic of the dangers of unregulated cryptocurrency. There are dangers associated with cryptocurrency when it is not properly regulated. Let's start with the memecoins. Mr. Speaker, if you own a memecoin, you own nothing. You have bought nothing. You have paid for nothing, and at some point, some of the owners of memecoins will get exactly what they paid for: nothing. A memecoin is a fiction that requires the person who buys initially at some point to hope that there is another person who will buy at a higher price and that the money between the price paid for and the price you can sell for, the higher price, becomes your profit. In the parlance of those who do much of this at a street level, that is called the greater fool theory: buying in and believing that there is a greater fool who will come along and cover your possible losses. If you own a memecoin, Mr. Speaker, you own nothing. The President is one of the great purveyors of memecoins. The President has a coin, the $TRUMP Coin, and this coin he can pump up, and he can dump and leave those who are part of the higher price holding the bag. The President pumps and dumps. This is a scam. I am speaking truth about power, not just to power. Yes, Mr. President, you are the problem. You have taken advantage of many people with your scam wherein you can make comments and tell people to come down to Mar-a-Lago, come on down, and those who have the greatest investment, you will be allowed. Those who are buying in at a cheaper level won't be allowed. Therefore, people can go out and buy so that they can be among those who will come to Mar-a-Lago and as a result, he pumps up the value of his memecoin, which is nothing. He pumps up the value of nothing, and then at some point he can sell at this higher price and make an amount of money. This is really insider trading that is transparent. I don't think the President ought to be able to own memecoins. I don't think the Cabinet should own memecoins. I don't think Members of Congress should own memecoins. I think that Members of Congress, the President, and the Cabinet have advantages that other people don't have. We talk to each other. The President can tell people when to buy and when to sell because he is going to pump and then dump or allow you to dump. I believe the law ought to regulate such that memecoins cannot be owned and sold by Members of Congress, members of the Cabinet, the President, and possibly some others that I shall not name at this point. I believe that we have to properly regulate the memecoin. That is why the cryptocrats want to get me out of Congress because they know I fight them. I stand in the way of what they attempt to do to people who are not knowledgeable about how this can be pumped and dumped and how people can be taken advantage of. I am in the way, yes. Come and get me. I understand it. Come and get me. As long as I am here, I am going to stay in the way. I want to protect the American people from this kind of insider trading, this kind of selling of nothing, and being taken advantage of by those who happen to buy nothing and assume that they can sell it for something. Yes, the memecoin is a problem. Those who sell it and create it are a part of the problem when it is not properly regulated. Mr. Speaker, I want to call to your attention the decentralization of cryptocurrency. The cryptocrats want to decentralize cryptocurrency so that they can have peer-to-peer transference of dollars, huge sums of dollars, untold amounts of dollars, peer-to-peer transfers. Why is this so important to them? If you can transfer peer-to-peer, you can engage in tax evasion--more than tax avoidance. Tax avoidance is legal. Tax evasion is illegal. You can transfer huge sums of money from one person to another without some central entity that can be there to make sure that it is properly regulated. That is what the cryptocrats want. They want to be able to just transfer money. That way, you can avoid taxes. You can also do something else when you have this peer-to-peer transference. You can also transfer that money at a speed that is unbelievably fast. You can transfer it to a terrorist organization. It can be received by those who would do us harm, those who would disrupt our society, and those who would disrupt the democracy that we cherish. Yes, the cryptocrats are in the business of buying and selling. They are also in the business of contributing to those who would agree with what I am antithetical to. Those who would agree with what I am antithetical to would allow them to have peer-to-peer transfers and allow them to have memecoins that are meaningless, nothing but a thought, a fiction. I am speaking truth about power, not just to it. Yes, decentralization without regulation is a problem. Of course, the cryptocrats, whether wittingly or unwittingly, are moving in the direction of creating something akin to the demise of the almighty dollar. Cryptocrats would, if they could, have cryptocurrency become the preeminent currency. There is a war for currency supremacy going on across the globe. The dollar is the supreme currency across the globe. It is the reserve currency of choice across the globe. The cryptocrats would have the cryptocurrency become the currency of choice. Use the cryptocurrency. Use it, and you don't have to have it go through some centralized location. Just transfer your money like you please. In fact, if they had their way, cryptocurrency would be tantamount to banks. They would have unregulated banks. The sad thing about what I have just said is that the banks don't know who their friends are. They don't understand, it seems, that there are some of us who are fighting this. They don't seem to understand that. Well, I can tell you this: I am going to protect the American banking system, whether the banks will join in and help or not. I am going to protect the American banking system because, in so doing, I am protecting the American dollar, and in so doing, I am helping to protect American democracy to a certain extent. If the banking system fails, people lose trust. They lose trust in the economy. That impacts the democracy in the sense that we allow people to be placed into office who would facilitate this decentralized transfer of money. I am opposed to it. I am going to protect the banks in this country, a system that has functioned. It has allowed the dollar to be the supreme currency of choice globally. We have to protect the American dollar. I am going to do that. The cryptocrats, if they had their way, would own every Member of Congress, but there are some who resist. I am a part of the resistance. As a matter of fact, I may be at the tip of the spear of the resistance, a part of the avant-garde. I am the resistance, to a certain extent. There are others, but I assure you that I am going to remain the architect of some portion of this resistance as long as I am in Congress. Therein is the operative phrase for the cryptocrats: He said as long as he is in Congress. Well, if we just get him out of Congress, we don't have him to contend with. Well, you can do that, but there are others who will follow. There are. There are others who are already in the fight. They are. They are there. I can assure you of this: I am going to fight you to the bitter end. Until my last days, I will fight what I see as a demise of the dollar, a peer-to-peer transference of money such that you can avoid taxes, and the creation of nothing and selling it as something. This is the epitome of ridiculosity, to allow such things to occur and not challenge them. I assure all who listen that I am going to protect your wallet. There are people who say they want to put more money in your wallet? Well, I am going to protect your wallet and make sure that you can get money in your wallet and not allow people to cleverly disguise themselves as persons who want to regulate when, in fact, they just want to pass something under the guise of regulation so that the cryptocrats can continue to move in the direction of dominance with the cryptocurrency, the crypto dollars, as it were. This is not something that we should take lightly, and I do not. I want to assure you that I am censured but not silenced. I also want to assure you of something else: The countdown to impeachment continues. What the President has done as it relates to wars, as it relates to pumping and dumping, which I have explained earlier, and as it relates to his disrespect for the Constitution of the United States of America, he has done things that are clearly impeachable. It is just a matter of time, Mr. President. Your day will come. Someone is going to stand in the well of the House of Representatives and read Articles of Impeachment to remove you from office. It would be the thing that this country should do so as to prevent another cryptocrat, such as yourself--yes, the President is a cryptocrat--to prevent another cryptocrat such as yourself from assuming power. We have to protect American democracy from the cryptocrats. We have already had a former Vice President say that this President is a great threat to the Republic. I think he said the greatest threat to the Republic. President Donald John Trump: a threat to the Republic and a threat to democracy. Cryptocracy is his main concern, it seems, because it is a family business that he has brought to the White House, and they are using this family business to make billions of dollars at the expense of unsuspecting Americans and people of other stripes, as well. I am censured, not silenced, and I am engaging in a countdown to impeachment. I know that there are people who want to know when. It will happen when it happens, and I assure you it is going to happen. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the time. I am proud to say that I am Al Green, the OG Al Green, unbought, unbossed, unafraid, uncontrolled by the cryptocrats. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities towards the President.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.