Thursday, June 11, 2026

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

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

Without objection, Mr. Kustoff of Tennessee was recognized for 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome Pastor Carlton Gerrell of Tennessee Valley Community Church in Paris, Tennessee, as our guest chaplain. Pastor Gerrell has dedicated his life to ministry in the church and through public service. Mr. Speaker, under Pastor Gerrell's leadership, TVCC, the Tennessee Valley Community Church, has become one of the largest congregations in rural West Tennessee. Pastor Gerrell also served on the Paris City Commission from 2010 to 2022. During that time, he spent 8 years as mayor, working to strengthen the city that he calls home. He and his wife, Dr. Norma Gerrell, have built a life in Paris and are the proud parents of two sons, Trey and Scott. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Pastor Gerrell's service to the ministry and to the community in Henry County. I thank him for offering the opening prayer before the people's House.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Matthew A. Lamb, United States Marine Corps, a native of Connersville, Indiana, who is retiring after more than 25 years of faithful service to our Nation. Lieutenant Colonel Lamb enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in May of 2000 as a field radio operator and deployed with the 5th Battalion, 11th Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the Combat Action Ribbon. He commissioned in May of 2006 as an adjutant and later deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, as a G-1 mentor to the 201st Corps of the Afghanistan National Army. Over the two decades, he commanded a recruit training company at MCRD San Diego and served in key staff billets at MCRD Paris Island, Headquarters Marine Corps, and the United States Marine Corps Forces South. He is a distinguished graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and holds a degree from the University of Indianapolis and Syracuse University. His final tour brought him to Capitol Hill as deputy director for House Affairs in the Marine Corps Office of Legislative Affairs, where he served as the Corps' principal interlocutor for the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. I had the privilege of working with him directly. I wish him well in his retirement, and I thank him for his service. Semper Fidelis.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of my very good friend, Augustino Tran Cau, who passed away on June 7 in Anaheim, California, at the age of 80. Mr. Tran was a combat medic during the Vietnam war. Following the fall of South Vietnam in 1975, he was imprisoned in a political reeducation camp in Vietnam, but eventually escaped and later settled in Orange County, California, where he and his family built a new life and made southern California their home for almost 50 years. As a pharmacist, Mr. Tran dedicated his life to serving others through healthcare. He was actively involved with the Vietnamese-American community, advocating for democracy, freedom, and human rights for Vietnam. Augustino's legacy will live through his family. My thoughts and prayers are with them during this time.

Speaker, I rise today to highlight National Forest Week celebrated earlier this month. This week is an opportunity for us to celebrate the beauty of our national forests. I am proud to represent the Allegheny National Forest, the only national forest in Pennsylvania. Whether it is forestry, energy production, timber harvesting, or an abundance of outdoor activities, the Allegheny National Forest has it all. For generations, the Allegheny National Forest has brought economic prosperity to the region. This month I was proud to introduce the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act with Representative Andrea Salinas of Oregon. This bipartisan legislation provides incentives for the use of mass timber building materials in Federal contracting, giving timber and other forest products companies the ability to compete for construction, renovation, or acquisition of public buildings, and for military construction. The Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act is a clear step in the right step. It ensures we continue to support the Allegheny National Forest, rural communities, and businessowners. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and support our Nation's timber industry and forests.

Mr. Speaker, this coming Monday, June 15, we mark 14 years since DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. The keywords here are "deferred action." That means you defer action and do not go into deportation. It gave Dreamers a chance to breathe. Yet, President Trump is trying to suffocate DACA one delayed renewal at a time. He is detaining and deporting Dreamers, slow-walking renewals, and creating gaps that are costing them their livelihoods. Dreamers were brought here as children. They grew up here and are American in every way--in their hearts, their souls, and their minds--except on paper. They should not have to keep proving they belong in the only country they call home. This is why I am leading the American Dream and Promise Act, to give Dreamers permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship. The House must vote on this bill and finally keep the promise that this country has made.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an inspiring small business owner from Utah, Chelsea Beutler, whose work reminds us of the beauty that can bring people together, even in divided times. Chelsea, the founder of Sunnyside Urban Flower Farm, has been selected as a floral designer for the 113th annual First Lady's Luncheon in Washington, D.C., a century-old bipartisan tradition hosted by the Congressional Club Museum and Foundation that supports charitable causes and celebrates community service. Chelsea's journey is one of resilience and creativity. During the COVID pandemic, as her family faced personal challenges, Chelsea transformed her approach to farming, turning from vegetables to flowers and, in doing so, cultivated not just crops but connection. Through workshops and community events, she has helped people to reconnect, heal, and find joy. In a world that often feels divided, her work is a reminder that something as simple as a flower can bridge gaps, uplift spirits, and bring us closer together. I am proud to recognize Chelsea Beutler for her achievement and for representing Utah on the national stage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with an important message for the Trump administration: The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is not for sale. For the third time, they have tried to sell off the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to Big Oil, and for the third time, it has flopped. Last Friday's lease sale brought in less than 1 percent of projected revenue. Not one major oil company even showed up, and for good reason. Last summer, I traveled to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I fished its rivers, walked its Coastal Plain, and watched musk ox roam one of the last truly wild places on Earth. Mr. Speaker, I can speak with firsthand experience when I say that this place is simply too special to drill, too important for the animal ecosystem and global bird migrations, and too critical for indigenous cultural preservation. Our public lands belong to the American people, not to the highest bidder. When the highest bidder doesn't even show up, maybe it is time this administration got the message.

Mr. Speaker, for the past 27 years, the Bipartisan Women's Caucus has held an annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington's Military Women's Memorial. It is a solemn event, a time when Republicans and Democrats come together to honor the immense service of women in the United States Armed Forces--until this year. Several military branches declined to participate in what would have been the 28th annual ceremony, leading to the event being canceled. They cited Trump's executive order and Department of Defense guidance that bans the celebration of identity months and diversity events. DEI? America is home to more than 2 million living women veterans. For 200 years, women have fought and sacrificed for our Nation. DEI? Instead of honoring their service, the Trump administration is trying to erase women's contributions to our Nation and our history. DEI? They want to deny and diminish the sacrifice of women veterans. Can you imagine anything more un-American? Mr. Speaker, DEI. This administration will not ever erase their devotion, excellence, and integrity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an institution that is purely California, the California Conservation Corps, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. It started in 1976 with Jerry Brown in his first iteration as Governor. When wildfires come, when floods rise, when the Earth shakes, and when pandemics descend, you can count on the California Conservation Corps answering the call. Every year, corps members have protected our forests and built and maintained trails so that many of us can enjoy the outdoors. When the Nation calls, the California Conservation Corps answers far beyond the borders. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, the California Conservation Corps answered the call for mutual aid by sending crews to support post-disaster recovery. If there is a flood, if there is a fire, look to the levees, look to the forest, and you will find the California Conservation Corps. It has a rich and well-deserved history. Mr. Speaker, I yield back in honoring the California Conservation Corps's 50th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1345, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 1335) condemning actors seeking to defraud the United States Government, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that governmentwide fraud and improper payment prevention reforms will meaningfully improve the financial prosperity of the United States, and that Federal program eligibility should be verified before payment, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Pursuant to House Resolution 1345, the resolution is considered read.

The resolution shall be debatable for 1 hour, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform or their respective designees. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 30 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are facing a national emergency of fraud in Federal programs that is impacting all Americans. We have watched and been very sad to see the deficit that keeps rising in this country, but it also comes from fraud, whereby money that was spent by the Federal Government is given to people who did not earn and are not entitled to those resources. According to the Government Accountability Office, the GAO, the Federal Government is estimated to lose between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud against all Federal programs and operations. This means that the average American taxpayer spends between $1,000 and $3,000 annually just to line the pockets of fraudsters and criminals. While vulnerable Americans are robbed of benefits, these programs are designed to provide things that we have authorized them for, and they are being stolen. They are being taken advantage of. It is time that Congress makes sure that the American public understands the true extent of the problem so that Congress can be empowered to enact bold legislation to address fraud in programs. Mr. Speaker, our chairman, James Comer, chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, listed it as one of the priorities not just for this Congress but for the American people to know that Congress is doing their job. They are doing their job to not only approach and attack this problem, but they are going to make sure that the American people have a clear viewpoint of where this happened, why it is happening, and what Congress intends to do about it. As a result of my serving as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, I have held six hearings where we investigated and looked at not only how and why this happened, but the real question is: What is Congress doing in the Federal Government to make sure that they stop this issue by addressing it? Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a link to a report that was issued by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is titled: "The Cost of Doing Nothing: How Tim Walz and Keith Ellison Fueled Minnesota's Fraud Explosion." https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MN-Fraud-Final-Staff-Report.pdf Mr. Speaker, the cost of doing nothing means that we allow it to continue. That is why we are on the floor today, to give the American people a clear answer of not only what happened and how it happened, but also who is responsible for these actions. I would assume, based upon what I have seen over the last few weeks, that our friends who are Democrats will come to this floor and vote "no." They want to act like they deny what is happening. Yet, during every single one of these hearings, our friends showed up and were very critical and really asked thoughtful questions. They asked questions of how and why and what we are going to do. Today is an opportunity where we will lay out that story for the American people and say this is a national disgrace. What we are bringing with H. Res. 1335 today will make clear to the American people, from the United States Congress, what we would like to have every single Member understand and vote for because it impacts every single congressional district. As the father of a disabled young man, a Down syndrome young man, I will tell you that the benefits that my son or others who are disabled count on the Federal Government to be able to properly provide to them, as provided by law, the things that they are entitled to, many other people not only come and make claims that are not true but devise a process by which to take money away from those who it was designed to help. In every State across the country, fraud in Federal programs has run rampant. That is why you have seen, based upon not just us ringing the bell to let people know, but really the media also speaking up about this national disgrace. It has allowed Governors and people who run local agencies to relook at who they are and what their agencies are doing. It has caused, all across this country, people to go look for these types of circumstances to make sure it is not in their backyard. That is also why we are here today. We will provide a flashlight, a guiding light, to show people what has happened, how it happened, and what we need to do about it. The Oversight Committee has taken decisive action in this investigation. They have taken time to understand the fraud. They have taken time to make sure they have looked at those actors behind this, what were the reasons why this happened, and who is responsible. It will provide a guiding light for States and counties and cities all across this country to make sure that it is not a disgrace that is being placed upon them. These programs needed to be highlighted. They needed the review. They needed the light of day. They needed to know the story. That is exactly what this report is. This report is factually based with data, information, and things that every Member should be willing to support. This is a resolution. It is not changing the law. It is saying we are going to say to the American people: On our watch, these things happened. I think that it is important to note that there will be things that are uncomfortable. There are things that are uncomfortable that happened. I don't want to sit here today and just point a finger at any particular person, but you go where the story goes. The Oversight Committee's investigation into Minnesota social services programs uncovered $9 billion that was potentially stolen by fraudsters. This was very interesting, Mr. Speaker, because it was a systematic understanding of how people went about this, how people turned a blind eye to not only the things that were happening but perhaps even abetted and helped these people to sustain this fraud ring that went on against their own people. The facts of the case are, the media has showed up, investigators have showed up, and so did our investigators. We had investigators go to places who were receiving millions and millions of dollars which was done across a wide range of things. In Minnesota, it was $9 billion. The money that was stolen by these criminals was taxpayer money. They were taxpayer dollars that were placed there for the benefit of the people in Minnesota. I think that we should have an outrage by the people and those Members of Congress from Minnesota. They should show up here and say: Thank you for helping us. We are not going to go to fight anymore. We are going to go to fix. That is what this does. This gives a roadmap to not just Members of Congress and not just the media. The American people will get the story, see how it happened and who turned a blind eye to doing their job. The money that was stolen by these criminals were taxpayer dollars intended to feed children, educate children, take care of those who may have a disability, help low-income seniors, help veterans, and help people who look to the Federal Government. Our votes here say yes, we want these Federal programs. Yet, the people closest to the action, the people responsible, those who were elected, those with oversight responsibility, those who have prosecutorial responsibilities, those who had a job to be a part not just of the American way of doing business but a part of what our democracy is, turned a blind eye to the facts, reality, and the things that were going on right underneath their noses. Meanwhile, senior State officials, including the Governor and the Attorney General, both former colleagues of ours who distinguished themselves in this body, were aware of this widespread fraud for years. Mr. Speaker, that is a story in and of itself. These officials possessed the legal and prosecutorial authority to stop fraud payments but repeatedly failed to not only hear the warnings but to act against those who were whistleblowers. They retaliated against those who did bring that to them. This is something that needs to be available for every Governor in every State and territory. When you ignore doing your job, there are people who will pay attention. There are questions that will be asked, and there is going to be some sort of review. I will tell you, the American people are tired. They are tired of people in elected places who will turn a blind eye to not just the responsibility but with the knowledge that this was intended for maybe someone in their family, certainly someone in their community. When we talk about education, disability payments, poor people, helping widows, helping veterans, that is the story that is being told today. In April of this year, Federal authorities raided more than 20 locations in Minnesota as part of the ongoing Federal investigation. This included the Quality Learning Center. The self-named Quality Learning Center, was a so-called childcare center with no children being found, yet millions of dollars being sucked down by fraudsters. Fraud in Minnesota became just the tip of the iceberg in this instance as we saw. Whether it is widespread fraud in California in the hospice system or fraud in the Medicare waiver program in Ohio or New York, it is clear that our local, elected officials, who have the responsibility, need to pay attention to the clear warnings that are being made. The Trump administration has taken decisive action to combat fraud, waste, and abuse by establishing the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Since March, the task force has uncovered hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of fraud just in the State of California, including other government contracts that should go to women, children, veterans, and people with disabilities. H. Res. 1335, sponsored by the gentleman from Texas Congressman Pat Fallon and those on the subcommittee and committee, emphasize that these schemes across the country harm the American taxpayer and the vulnerable recipients who expect to receive them. Congress must condemn these actions and make sure they are available. I encourage each of the Members who will be voting today to understand the real need of what we are doing here today. It is more than just a Paul Revere call to action. It is an actual story about how local people turned a blind eye, retaliated against those who came and provided feedback, and then did nothing and waited until billions of dollars were wasted. Mr. Speaker, I hope that what I am doing here today is giving an open invitation to all the Members of this body to come and see this for what it is. It is available to them. It is something that everyone has seen the story. The question is: Will we today, openly, as a body, understand that this is something that happened in their backyard or could be in their backyard, and they need to use this story. Today, an "aye" vote will do just that. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me be clear: Fraud in Federal programs is a real problem. It diverts money meant for children, seniors, and working families into the pockets of criminals. Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that didn't feed a hungry child, didn't help a disabled veteran, didn't reach the people that this Congress intended to help. Democrats and Republicans have a long history of working together to stamp it out. We should continue to do that, and I thank the gentleman from Texas. I know he is sincere in his commitment to address this issue, but this resolution turns what should be a bipartisan effort into a partisan political attack that points the finger only at Democratic-led States and Governors while pretending the problem does not exist in Republican-led States. The gentleman said we should follow the story, but this resolution is an incomplete story. It doesn't go where the story goes. Let's talk about some of the story that this resolution leaves out. Mississippi has a Republican Governor, Tate Reeves. In the largest public fraud case in that State's history, more than $77 million was stolen from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program, money meant for some of the poorest families in America. It was diverted to professional athletes, horse farms, and a volleyball complex. An audit found tens of millions in misspent Federal funds, and some of that money ended up in the pockets of Trump endorser and outspoken MAGA Republican Brett Favre, who took taxpayer dollars for speaking arrangements and never showed up. He pocketed the taxpayers' money and never showed up. In December of 2024, Mississippi was ordered to repay $101 million in misspent welfare money. That State's Republican-controlled legislature has done nothing to address that fraud and corruption. As of today, they are sitting on $145 million in unallocated TANF funds with no real plan. This resolution names Governor Walz and A.G. Ellison and mischaracterizes what has happened in Minnesota. It says nothing about Governor Reeves, who was directly implicated in the coverup of the fraud. Let's continue to follow the story of Oklahoma and Alabama. According to Federal data, these two States, led by Republican Governors, lead the Nation in SNAP fraud. They lead the Nation. It is not Minnesota, not New York, not New Jersey, not Maryland. It is Oklahoma and Alabama. This resolution is silent in both cases. In Florida, Federal prosecutors recently arrested a Russian national accused of submitting billions of dollars in fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims through a Texas-based supplier and funneling millions overseas. Governor DeSantis in Florida just reappointed a University of Florida board of trustees member who faces Federal charges for defrauding the government of financial aid funds. In Florida, there is not accountability for fraudsters. There are board positions. In Tennessee, Republican State Senator Brian Kelsey was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States. The good news is he was sentenced to 21 months in prison. The bad news is President Trump pardoned him 15 days after he began serving that sentence. The former Republican speaker of the Tennessee House and his chief of staff were convicted together in a public corruption case. President Trump pardoned them both, too. This resolution calls for accountability for those who steal from Federal programs. In 2025, alone, President Trump issued pardons or commutations to 25 people convicted of fraud--wire fraud, securities fraud, tax fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud. Those pardons deprived fraud victims of more than a billion dollars in restitution they were owed. Americans had a billion dollars stolen from them, and they are not getting it back because President Trump pardoned the criminals. This resolution doesn't mention it. Another State that I don't think is in the resolution is New York, and there has been some fraud in New York. A gentleman by the name of Donald J. Trump was found liable by a New York court for a decade of business fraud, inflating his net worth and values to deceive banks and insurers. The same gentleman in the State of New York was convicted by a jury of his peers--12 jurors--of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, fraud. The same gentleman also indicted by a Federal grand jury for conspiracy to defraud the United States. President Trump pardoned convicted fraudsters, fired 19 inspectors general who collectively uncovered over $50 billion in fraud and waste in a single year. He defunded a nonpartisan training program that prepares the next generation of Federal fraud investigators. You can't claim to be serious about preventing fraud, whether you have a task force or not, while you are dismantling the institutions built to catch people who commit fraud. Mr. Speaker, I support robust, bipartisan efforts to prevent fraud in Federal programs. On the Oversight Committee, Democrats and Republicans have worked together to do that, but this resolution isn't that. I will quote a former U.S. attorney who spent his career prosecuting the healthcare fraud that is rampant in Mississippi, not mentioned in the resolution. He said: Whether a provider or beneficiary is willing to commit fraud has nothing to do with where they live or which party governs their State. If my colleagues truly want to fight fraud, I invite them to join me in condemning Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Florida with the same energy they brought to fraud in other States. I invite them to condemn the pardons in 2025 that let convicted fraudsters walk free. I invite them to work with us to restore the independence of our inspectors general and fund the oversight infrastructure that this administration has defunded and gutted. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains on both sides, please.

The gentleman from Texas has 16 minutes remaining. The gentleman from Virginia has 23 minutes remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I do want to respond to the gentleman. I do want to respond to the gentleman and tell him today is that open invitation. He and I know that this is a lot of work, work that is factually based. It is not just showing up--and I don't doubt anything he has said--but showing up with the evidence of who, how, where, why did this happen, and what is being done. I would just say that the gentleman knows that our Government Operations Subcommittee is ready and open and available--that he would have to admit here on the floor--on a bipartisan basis. If the gentleman wants to use the word "bipartisan" and say this is an attack, then bring the things that he would want us also to look at, but please don't make this political because we have done our homework, because we have aimed at where the problem is, because we have done these hearings. We have had people directly in front of us with their hands raised. We did the work. We did the facts of the case, and I think--

Will the gentleman yield?

The gentleman has his own time. He has 23 minutes. The gentleman needs to understand that he, too, sits at one of these tables where they can have witnesses called. They can have their staff do these things, and they can go investigate. They know that perhaps most of all, I will be very open to listening to them. That is because if there is one thing I have done over the last few years, and when I was chairman of the Rules Committee, it is to listen to other people and to try to at least offer to the body an opportunity to see the facts of the case. I think it is an easy thing to come down here--and I respect the gentleman. I make sure that he is involved in all of our hearings, but to come down here without evidence or hard work and make claims, I think, is a very difficult thing when we are expected, as Members of Congress and our staffs, to do these things right. Mr. Speaker, we want to continue the story. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Finstad), who was on the winning baseball team last night and did a great job.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Sessions for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1335. For far too long, fraud has run rampant through our federally funded, State-administered programs in States like mine, Minnesota. It has allowed bad actors to steal billions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars, taxpayer dollars meant to feed hungry children, taxpayer dollars meant to help with and assist low-income adults, taxpayer dollars that were intended to help veterans afford housing, and taxpayer dollars that were meant to provide affordable childcare. This administration and congressional Republicans remain committed to putting an end to this nonsense and making sure assistance programs are there to serve our neighbors who truly need them, not fraudsters. Mr. Speaker, I am just a commonsense farmer from southern Minnesota. It is beyond me and my understanding that tackling this fraud epidemic in this country should not be defined by the sweatshirt and the label we have on that sweatshirt. It should not be a sweatshirt with an "R" on it. It should not be a sweatshirt with a "D." This should be the issue that we all put on the sweatshirt that has "USA." We are protecting the taxpayers of this country. We should be committed to putting these fraudsters in jail. That should not be a partisan issue. That should not be a red-State or a blue-State issue. Earlier this week, the House Oversight Committee released a report exposing, in my State of Minnesota, how Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison were aware of the widespread fraud taking place throughout the State. They had the authority to stop it, and they failed to act. Today's resolution affirms our commitment to combating waste, fraud, and abuse. It is our commitment that we need to protect the generosity of the American taxpayer. I am proud to support this legislation that holds fraudsters accountable. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote "yes."

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the comments from the gentleman from Texas. He is open and always willing to have a conversation and work on bipartisan legislation, and I appreciate that. I do think it is unfair to suggest that the majority or the gentleman are the only ones who have done the work to understand these issues. I came to this floor with documented cases of fraud that have taken place across the country. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the full text of the March 4, 2026, "Democratic Staff Report--Fraud As Pretext: How the Trump Administration Sacrificed Accountability to Push a Violent, Lawless Agenda," which can be found at the following link: https:// oversightdemocrats.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2026-03-04fraudaspretextstaffreport.pdf.

Democratic Staff Report: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform U.S. House of Representatives

Mr. Speaker, this report outlines some of the facts related to Minnesota and the harm done by the Trump administration's freezing of Federal funds in a number of States where law-abiding Americans who pay their taxes aren't getting the benefits that they have earned because the Trump administration has frozen funds. I appreciate the gentleman's willingness to always engage and discuss these issues in a serious way and, as he said, follow the story wherever it leads. We have had in the Oversight Committee Governor Walz and AG Ellison. I would just like to ask the gentleman whether he would be willing to bring to the Government Operations Subcommittee some of the Governors of the States that I outlined, where massive fraud has taken place: Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Can we bring any of those Governors before our committee to talk about the fraud in their States? Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

This resolution that we are going to vote on today highlights fraud in Ohio, a Republican-led State. It is right in the report. It is right here. This Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has also had an ongoing investigation, including Medicare fraud in Ohio. The committee held a hearing on that Medicaid fraud in Ohio just last week. Just last week, both the staffs were aware of that, and we brought in Ohio State officials to testify to get them on record just like we did, as the gentleman knows, in Minnesota and other States. I appreciate the gentleman asking the question.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker. Another significant incident of fraud that isn't mentioned in the resolution, and that we haven't mentioned yet today, took place in the State of Texas, where the Attorney General, Ken Paxton, was indicted for securities fraud, and he had to pay $300,000 in restitution and perform community service to avoid potential jail time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the gentleman: Would you be willing to ask Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to come before our committee to talk about fraud in Texas? Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. Speaker, I will answer that question, and the answer is clear: The State of Texas that has that authority and responsibility did that in extensive hearings and extensive reports that led up to action by the State of Texas officially in the legislature to bring him before them, and he has answered every question he could have answered. It is on the record and there for all the world to see.

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time. It doesn't sound like we are going to bring any other Governors or State officials before the committee. As I noted, Governor Walz was with us for many, many hours, but no other Governors have come before us. I think that does a disservice to the American people who could benefit from hearing about the fraud in some of these other States, as well. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the full text of the CBS News article: "Trump says he'll stop health care fraudsters. Last time, he let them walk." Trump Says He'll Stop Health Care Fraudsters. Last Time, He Let Them Walk.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the CBS Miami article: "Florida Eye Doctor Salomon Melgen Gets Clemency From Trump In Medicare Fraud." Florida Eye Doctor Salomon Melgen Gets Clemency From Trump in Medicare Fraud

This resolution is pretty simple. It condemns fraudsters and recognizes that governmentwide fraud and improper payment prevention reforms are necessary to improve the fiscal health of the United States. That is how it reads. This includes all States. Let's not pretend it doesn't. From sea to shining sea, this resolution is all that, according to the Government Accountability Office. Nevertheless, according to the GAO, $1 trillion of improper payments occurred under the Biden administration. Secretary Bessent recently estimated that it was nearly $500 billion a year, so even more than $1 trillion. That is the reality. The House Oversight Committee's recent report, whether you like it or not, found that Minnesota Governor Walz and his administration turned a blind eye to massive fraud schemes. Two of the most notorious examples were the "Learing Center"--I am sure you heard of it--and Feeding Our Future, which was set up to feed hungry young children. People, criminals, stole from it. We are here defending them? Fraud was allowed to grow for years while warning signs were ignored. In Los Angeles, Mr. Speaker, investigators have identified roughly over $3 billion in hospice fraud. Thirty percent of the hospice bills were going to one county, an L.A. County, for the entire Nation. We have got people in this Chamber who are defending that somehow? In other words, as I just stated, we don't need any words: One-third of the Nation's hospice funds went to one county in the United States. In my home State, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where unemployment, by the way, sits at 3.6 percent, 15 percent of the residents are enrolled in SNAP. Yet, the program's recent error rate, by the way, was 15 percent, pretty much the highest in the country, making Pennsylvania one of the worst performing States in the Nation, particularly considering our lower unemployment. Mr. Speaker, $463 million per year, in Pennsylvania alone, is not going to needy families. It is being scammed. From L.A. to Minneapolis to Pennsylvania, from sea to shining sea, taxpayers are being forced to fund fraudsters in and out of our government. It is stealing from every American who works hard and pays taxes. Equally important, we need to stop these criminals who scam the American taxpayer. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I have worked with banks, telecom companies, regulators, law enforcement, and consumer groups to fight fraud and scams. I am working on legislation to strengthen criminal penalties for fraud, require states to repay improper payments, and establish a framework to better track fraud across the federal government. Everyone in this chamber should be outraged by this level of fraud. Anyone who is considering voting no on this resolution ought to think about if they are going to be part of the solution or part of the problem. I urge passage and yield back.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, with respect to Minnesota--and this is laid out in the report that I entered into the Record--the majority's own investigation does not support the assertions that they make in their resolution here today. Witnesses that were questioned did not support the claims that Governor Walz or Attorney General Ellison directed anyone to ignore fraud. Instead, they describe the fraud controls, the law enforcement partnerships, and the steps to stop fraudulent payments. Minnesota's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has prosecuted more than 300 cases and recovered more than $80 million for taxpayers. Those prosecutions were well underway long before the majority on the Oversight Committee took any interest in the situation. There is some more fraud that I haven't discussed yet today, and it is taking place in the Trump administration. President Trump accepted a $400 million plane from a foreign government, in my view, I think quite clearly, in violation of the Constitution. The Air Force then had to modify that plane to address security concerns. Those modifications are estimated to cost a billion dollars. The Air Force won't tell us. Taxpayers spent at least $1 billion to modify the gifted jet that the President got from the Qatari Government. Maybe you would be okay with that if it was a gift to the United States of America. What is going to happen to the plane in 2029? It will be transferred to the Donald Trump Presidential Library Foundation. Those transfer costs, to transfer the $400 million gift the President took from the Qatari Government, were also paid for by the taxpayers. The taxpayers are getting a raw deal here, and President Trump is getting a brand new, $400 million--I should say $1.4 billion--jet. I haven't talked yet about the digital schemes. World Liberty Financial was started by the Trump family in 2024. Most of the profits flow directly to the Trump family. It is estimated they have profited $1.6 billion. Where did that money come from? It came from people who bought meme coins and have seen the value of those coins plummet. Constituents maybe in my district or yours, Mr. Speaker, who have lost money, that money is in the pockets of the Trump family. I haven't gotten into the conflicts of interest, the stock trades, the prediction market profits. I heard the White House created a task force to prevent fraud. This White House and this Cabinet are a task force to commit fraud. It is well-documented. I was reading the resolution, and one of the whereas clauses says: "Whereas the Department of Justice has also discovered that $250 million meant for a child nutrition program was instead spent on luxury cars. . . . " That is bad. That is outrageous. Whoever did that should be prosecuted. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if it would surprise my friends on the other side of the aisle to know that President Trump's Department of Homeland Security, under the leadership of Secretary Noem, spent hundreds of millions of dollars, not on luxury cars, but on luxury jets. They bought, not one, but two of the top-of-the-line Gulfstream G700s. Secretary Noem basically walked into the proverbial Gulfstream dealership and said: I don't want the base model. That is not good enough. I want the most expensive model, the biggest, with the softest leather seats. I am not going to pay for it. I am going to send the bill to the taxpayers, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. I have called on Secretary Mullin to sell those jets, recoup hundreds of millions of dollars for the taxpayers and go back to flying the more modest Gulfstream G550 that previous DHS Secretaries flew. I wonder if the gentleman would join me in that request of Secretary Mullin to sell the Gulfstreams and fly in a more modest jet, as previous Secretaries have. I share the outrage about this taxpayer money being spent on luxury cars. Surely, we shouldn't be spending it on luxury jets. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman has an opportunity to bring forth more than public data. He has the ability to go and take testimony, to gather the information. I encourage the gentleman to do that.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Stutzman).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1335 to condemn the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. According to the Government Accountability Office, the Federal Government loses between $233 and $521 billion annually to fraud. Think of that, $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud. That is up to $3,250 lost to fraud per taxpayer each year. That is insulting to the American people. Americans work hard for their money, and wasting Americans' paychecks to fraud is just unacceptable. I strongly support Vice President Vance's work leading the task force to eliminate fraud. The task force has already identified and halted billions of dollars of waste to fraudulent healthcare services and government contracts. As a Member of Congress, we are entrusted to be stewards of taxpayer dollars. I look forward to finding ways to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse on behalf of the American taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his hard work. This is an important issue that we must figure out in order to eliminate this waste that the American taxpayers expect us to find, so we make sure every dollar is being used wisely at the Federal Government level.

Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, President Trump's pardons and commutations have wiped away billions of dollars in victim restitution, forfeiture, and fines. That includes people who have been pardoned who were convicted of securities fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, tax evasion, healthcare fraud, and public corruption. President Trump commuted the sentence of Lawrence Duran, who helped lead a massive Medicare fraud scheme that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in false claims and more than $87 million in restitution. He commuted Joseph Schwartz, whose nursing home empire collapsed after years of neglect and fraud, leaving patients, workers, and families devastated. Let's not forget the $1.8 billion slush fund for January 6 cop beaters, that he continues to try to put in place. Let's be clear, Mr. Speaker, the other side wants to lecture us about fraud. They stay silent as this administration lets convicted fraudsters walk free and wipes away the money owed to victims and taxpayers. It doesn't stop there. As I noted, President Trump and his family stand to personally and financially benefit from some of these actions. In April of 2026, a drone manufacturer, backed by Eric and Donald Trump, Jr., won its first DOD contract to supply drones to the Pentagon, while their father and the President of the United States led the country into an illegal war with Iran. We have fraud being perpetrated on the American public with memecoins, no-bid contracts, Tom Homan's alleged $50,000 paper bag of money, insider trading in the White House, and the appearance, at least, maybe more, of pardons for sale. It is hard to take seriously this resolution, expressing to be concerned about fraud, when there is massive fraud taking place and the majority says and does nothing. A serious anti-fraud agenda would strengthen inspectors general, fully fund the Government Accountability Office, and protect independent oversight. This resolution doesn't do that. While oversight Democrats will oppose this partisan resolution, we are going to continue to support legislation and continue to work in a bipartisan way to combat financial fraud and improper payments, protect the privacy of sensitive taxpayer information, toughen Federal ethics laws, and hold fraudsters accountable, especially those that have been pardoned by President Trump. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, the American people and Members of Congress have heard the story today: 200-plus pages of factual data, six hearings, and the opportunity on a bipartisan basis to develop the facts of the case from people's own testimony. Today, we have a request for us to listen to the minority. This has been done for the last year and a half; opportunity for hearings, opportunity for their staff to develop the same kind of factually based information, not public data, not something that they read somewhere but to bring to the floor, to bring to the subcommittee and the committee, the hard facts of the case. Mr. Speaker, I think we have made our point today, and that point is that there were people who were elected who chose not only to not listen but, when people came forward who were whistleblowers, they took retaliatory action against them. They have denied their involvement, and, yet, the mounds of data suggest otherwise. Mr. Speaker, I think today this subcommittee and this committee are bringing forth, through Mr. Fallon's resolution, an opportunity to say enough is enough. It should be a story that is told by every one of us. We invite their vote. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

All time for debate has expired. Pursuant to House Resolution 1345, the previous question is ordered on the resolution and the preamble.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.

Proceedings will resume on questions previously postponed. Votes will be taken in the following order: The motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 9238; and Adoption of H. Res. 1335. The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, the remaining electronic vote will be conducted as a 5-minute vote.

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. 9238) to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.

The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill. This is a 15-minute vote.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the unfinished business is the vote on adoption of the resolution (H. Res. 1335) condemning actors seeking to defraud the United States Government, and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that governmentwide fraud and improper payment prevention reforms will meaningfully improve the financial prosperity of the United States, and that Federal program eligibility should be verified before payment, on which the yeas and nays were ordered.

The question is on adoption of the resolution. This is a 5-minute vote.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote today due to a commitment in my Congressional district. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 221 and NAY on Roll Call No. 222.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote in the House today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 221 and YEA on Roll Call No. 222.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 109) allowing Emancipation Hall to be used for a ceremony to dedicate the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Oklahoma?

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate 80 years of the Midwest Theater, a place that has meant so much to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and surrounding communities. For eight decades, this theater has been more than just a building. It has been a gathering place, a community hub, and a doorway to worlds far beyond our own. Children, parents, grandparents, and friends have come through these doors to laugh, to cry, to wonder, and to be transported into stories from every corner of the globe. The Midwest Theater has given us the gift of escape, the chance to set aside the worries of everyday life, and lose ourselves in imagination, creativity, and shared experiences. While it began as a movie house, it has grown into something even greater: a thriving performing arts center that enriches the cultural life of western Nebraska through film, music, theater, and live performance. As we celebrate 80 remarkable years, we also celebrate the countless number of volunteers who have sustained this institution and the generations still to come who will create new memories here. Happy 80th anniversary, Midwest Theater. May your lights continue to shine brightly for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday students from the University of Puerto Rico gave me this graduation cap. It says: I want to graduate without hunger. Eating is a basic need. Puerto Rico is not eligible for SNAP. As a result, many people, including our students, have to choose between buying a textbook or buying food. We are working to change that, and today I have very important news. For the first time in this initiative's history, we have a Republican cosponsor in the Senate, and I thank Senator Roger Wicker for joining Senator Gillibrand and 17 other Democrats in extending nutrition fairness for Puerto Rico. I thank the Senate Republicans as well and 58 Democrats who cosponsored my bill to extend SNAP to Puerto Rico. The fight goes on. We are making progress, and the people have hope.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Brett Scrogham, a young Hoosier from Greenwood, Indiana, whose life was taken in Indianapolis nearly 2 weeks ago. Brett was 23 years old. He was a son, a brother, and a friend to many. He had recently graduated from IU's Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis, where he was among our top students. He had just started his career in Indianapolis, working in commercial real estate for a good friend of mine. That part of Brett's story hits close to home for me. I started my own career in Indy at that age in the same field. He was headed to an Indianapolis Indians game in the light of day with his family when he was killed in a carjacking attempt right downtown. That happened in my hometown. It happened in our hometown, and it is painful for me to say that out loud. A family should be able to go to a ball game in our capital city and come home safely. Parents should be able to watch their son build a career, start a life, and become the man they raised Brett to be. Instead, his family is grieving a loss no family should have to endure. Today, I want his family to know from this well of the House that Brett is remembered and that his life mattered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minnesota Senate President Pro Tempore Ann Rest for over 40 years of service in the Minnesota Legislature. Senator Rest led with cogovernance, often holding listening sessions at Frankie's Chicago Style Pizza in New Hope where she heard directly from community members and let their voices lead her policymaking. She made history as the first and only legislator to chair the Taxes Committee in both the State house and the senate where she shaped the largest tax cut package in State history. That landmark legislation invested more than $1.5 billion in a child tax credit fund and included over $105 million to expand affordable housing in our State. I have been incredibly grateful for her steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of all Minnesotans, and I wish her the very best in her retirement. She has made an incredible mark on my life and the lives of so many young Minnesota legislators, and I am so grateful for her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside Congressman Meuser to honor the life of Dr. Richard Alley, a devoted community member dedicated to education and patient care on a local and global level. Dr. Alley was not only a physician and professor in Wilkes-Barre, where he provided decades of compassionate care for people within his local community, but also participated in international medical mission trips to provide care to people abroad. Dr. Alley also engaged in educational philanthropy through assisting with high school scholarships in the Greater Wyoming Valley, and thus, enhanced educational opportunities for younger generations. His actions in the academic world will continue to live on for many years to come. Dr. Alley not only helped in the spheres of education and medicine, but he also served the armed services. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran, where he served as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps. Today, we honor Dr. Alley's service to his local community, to his country, and to the world. May we honor his legacy not just with words but by striving to live with the same compassion, care, and devotion he showed every single day.

Mr. Speaker, happy Juneteenth. On Juneteenth, we honor and celebrate both liberation and perseverance. Juneteenth marks the moment when the promise of freedom finally reached the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas more than 2 years after emancipation had been declared. As many of our residents across the country celebrate, we recognize the contributions of many of our Black communities whose labor, leadership, and sacrifices helped build this country. We also remember the struggle for justice did not end on Juneteenth. Each generation has been called to continue the work of expanding opportunity, protecting civil rights, and ensuring that every person is treated with human dignity. Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom must be more than a promise. It must be reflected in our schools, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and in our democracy. Black neighbors need more than a day, Mr. Speaker. They deserve reparations. Let's celebrate Juneteenth, but let it be a reminder that, again, the future must include real results and real accountability for every family so they can thrive and a community can be valued.

Mr. Speaker, I, as well, rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Bresnahan, to honor the contributions of Dr. Richard Alley, a great American from Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania, who passed away this month at the age of 91. Dr. Alley was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania, the center of my district. He dedicated his life to caring for friends and neighbors as a physician and was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. During his distinguished career in medicine, Dr. Alley served as an attending physician at Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre and as a medical consultant at facilities across the region. When he wasn't caring for his patients, Richard was teaching medical students at Drexel Medical School. Dr. Alley also generously gave his time to community organizations, including the Rotary Club, the Salvation Army, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Boy Scouts of America, and was himself an Eagle Scout. Dr. Alley's legacy of service lives on in his siblings, Ali, Samie, Albert, and Elaine; and every student he taught and every patient he treated. Mr. Speaker, please join Congressman Bresnahan and I as we express our deepest condolences to Dr. Alley's family, friends, and community.

Mr. Speaker, let me continue to recognize the voluntary service of those residents of Co-op City in the Bronx who are serving as building association presidents. We cannot recognize all of them in any one setting, but let me add to the list of names already mentioned for the work that they do to help make Co-op City the outstanding complex that it is: Leah Graham, Building 23; KaTrina Dinham, Building 12; Yvette Livingston, Building 1; Bernard Cylich, Building 7; Jewel Crawford-Duncan, Building 10; Deborah Henry, Building 11; Bruce Silberman, Building 24; Barbara Johnson, Buidling 17; Ezekiel Springer, Building 32; Helen Atkins, Building 18; and Sonia Feliciano, Building 19. There are more buildings and townhouses to recognize, and we will do so in the days to come. This is the Nation's largest cooperative complex. It is run in an exemplary fashion because the residents and their shareholders care deeply about their community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Sergeant Devin A. Seibel, assigned to the Air Ambulance Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Combat Aviation Brigade, at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Devin was a dedicated soldier who was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, an American-led coalition working to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. On May 31, Devin, at only 26 years young, tragically passed away during a training-related incident on Erbil Air Base in Iraq. His sacrifice is not only a reminder of the price of peace but also the unwavering dedication to our freedoms. He leaves behind his loving wife, his stepfather, parents, and brothers, whom we will be praying for. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in remembering Sergeant Devin Seibel and his service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, President Trump and I ran for office on the same promise: to lower costs. Let's review the promises President Trump made to the American people. The average cost of gas on the day President Trump took office was around $3 per gallon. On the campaign trail, he said he would bring the price of gas to under $2 a gallon. Today, the national average of gas is $4 a gallon, and it is over $5 in Oregon. Diesel is even higher, around $6 a gallon. Oregonians, from families to farmers, are paying the steep price. Trump also promised to cut Americans' energy bills in half, but electricity rates haven't fallen. Rates are up 10 percent under the Trump administration, which is more than the rate of inflation and way more than hardworking families can afford right now. President Trump promised over and over again to make America affordable. It is obvious that this administration has not lived up to its promise. Instead, Trump has propelled our Nation into an illegal war, which has disrupted global oil markets and has put his administration's foolishness on a global stage. For the sake of our wallets, our environment, and the future workforce and economy, we need to invest in a diverse portfolio of affordable, clean energy and rein in Trump's recklessness.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, Chief Chris Eddy's Law. Battalion Chief Chris Eddy tragically passed away at the age of 35 from an explosion while attempting to put out a fire in a refrigerated container unit. Chief Eddy was a fearless firefighter with 17 years of service at fire departments including Walton, Rockdale, Morgan, Putnam, and Greene County. His death is a true tragedy. Unfortunately, it was an avoidable one. That is why I have introduced Chief Chris Eddy's Law, which will create substantial changes that will help prevent this from happening again. By requiring placarding for refrigerated containers, firefighters will quickly be able to recognize if a container truck has the potential to explode before they decide how to handle the fire. Our firefighters put their lives on the line for us every day. The least we can do is ensure they have the information necessary to perform their jobs safely and effectively. Mr. Speaker, Chief Eddy dedicated his life to saving others, and we owe it to him to ensure that this tragedy brings substantive change.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Juneteenth festivities happening in southern Arizona and throughout the country. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863. However, it took until June 19, 1865, 2\1/2\ years later, for all enslaved people to be informed of this order. As a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, I was proud to champion the board's first-ever funding of the Tucson Juneteenth Committee and support making Juneteenth a paid, administrative holiday for Pima County employees. As we mark the 161st anniversary of Juneteenth, we also recognize and celebrate the Tucson Juneteenth Committee, which has been bringing our community together in commemoration and celebration since 1970 thanks to the leadership of Larry Starks. I am honored to join our community and the Tucson Juneteenth Committee in celebrating this important occasion. Their decades of dedication have helped preserve the history, culture, and significance of Juneteenth for generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I invite all of southern Arizona, for the last of a month full of events, to join us Saturday, June 20, at the Kino Sports Complex for an evening of freedom, culture, education, and community as we honor this important milestone for our Nation's history and recommit ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice for all. Happy Juneteenth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the more than 2 million women across the country who have answered the call to serve our Nation in uniform. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I had the honor and privilege of serving alongside remarkable and capable women whose professionalism and competence strengthened our Armed Forces and helped keep our country safe. Their service and the service of countless women that came before them deserves to be recognized. That is why I am proud to introduce legislation designating June 12 as Women Veterans Appreciation Day. This date commemorates the signing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, landmark legislation that granted women the right to serve as permanent members of our military. Today, women serve in every branch of our Armed Forces and continue to make invaluable contributions to our national security. This legislation honors their sacrifices, their achievements, and their enduring legacy of service. Mr. Speaker, I thank all the women veterans who have worn our Nation's uniform for their service, their leadership, and their commitment to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, Leonard Luciano, Jr., affectionately known as Junior, Lenny, or Mr. Lou, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and schoolteacher in Newark, New Jersey. For decades, he was also known throughout Livingston and West Essex for making the most delicious pizza at Junior's Pizzeria. The 11th of 12 children, he was raised in Livingston, New Jersey, and Mr. Lou worked tirelessly to serve all those around him because he knew that through service and community, one improves the world as well as one's self. A member of the first graduating class of Livingston High School in 1957, he excelled as a standout football linebacker, leading his team in tackles year after year, a fact he happily loved to share. Mr. Speaker, nothing can make up for the sudden loss of this generous and kindhearted man, but it is a privilege to take this moment of remembrance. We are all so much better for having known Mr. Luciano. Job well done.

Mr. Speaker, we must celebrate the wins because there is so much that happens here in the House that is not in service of the American people, including, this week, Republican efforts to give a blank check to ICE and to pass an education bill that would gut funding for schools and education institutions. That is why we must celebrate the wins, and why I am so proud today to introduce my bipartisan Postsecondary Student Success Act to ensure that all students from all walks of life can succeed. In New Mexico, we are leading the way as the first State in the country to guarantee early childhood education, free childcare, free college, and free trades schools for all. It was legislation I was proud to cosponsor and lead in the legislature and here in Congress. These are generational investments that will transform the lives of countless New Mexicans. Today, I am introducing my Postsecondary Student Success Act that will make crucial investments to ensure that working parents, first-generation students, veterans, and students with disabilities who face real barriers, financial stress, lack of support, and systems--

The time of the gentlewoman has expired. Ms. STANSBURY.--that are not built for them can succeed.

The time of the gentlewoman has expired. The gentlewoman is no longer recognized.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Juneteenth, marking 161 years since the full enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Juneteenth flag was created by Boston's own Ben Haith and insists that the story of our Nation is incomplete without the ongoing work of liberation. Red, white, and blue to affirm that Black Americans are Americans. An arc to symbolize the horizon of a future where America lives up to its ideals, and a starburst in the middle representing the new era of freedom. As we commemorate this sacred day, let us honor our ancestors not just through reflection but through action, organizing, and restorative and reparative policies that bring us closer to freedom, the freedom they dreamt of and fought so hard for. Let everyone of all backgrounds and in all regions of this country commit to fighting for an America that oppresses no one. From Galveston to Boston, our futures are tied. Happy Juneteenth.

Mr. Speaker, I am so excited to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week and recognize the legendary Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, a treasured tradition along our beautiful Crystal Coast. For generations, fishing and boating have brought families together, supported small businesses, strengthened our coastal economy, and connected people to breathtaking waters that make eastern North Carolina so special. The Big Rock tournament represents the very best of our maritime heritage, drawing anglers from far and near to experience world-class competition and the unmatched hospitality of our coastal communities. Fishing, it is not just a pastime in the East. It is our way of life. Mr. Speaker, as a co-chair of the Congressional Boating Caucus, I am so proud to support our boaters, anglers, captains, crews, and coastal businesses who keep these rich traditions alive.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor Chief Greggory Pederson for more than 51 years of extraordinary service to the Mound community and the people of Minnesota. Chief Pederson joined the Mound Fire Department in 1975 as a volunteer firefighter and dedicated the next five decades of his life to protecting and serving others. Over the course of his remarkable career, he served as captain, training officer, assistant fire chief, emergency management director, and ultimately fire chief. Throughout his career, Chief Pederson answered more than 15,400 calls for fire and emergency assistance. His steady commitment helped to shape generations of firefighters and to strengthen the Mound community for decades. Chief Pederson's career reflects the very best of public service, selflessness, professionalism, and a deep dedication to his neighbors and community. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Minnesota, I thank Chief Pederson for his incredible career and lasting legacy. I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, House Republicans are making it harder for moms and kids to get the food they need. WIC, or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, has provided mothers and babies with healthy food and a solid start in life. Needy families use it to purchase formula, fruits, veggies, milk, and other nutritious essentials. Yet, House Republicans just slashed this vital benefit by 10 percent in their agriculture spending bill, making it 10 percent harder for 18,000 Rhode Islanders to make ends meet. Because of Trump's latest cruelty, moms will go to sleep every night fearing their kids will go without. Without proper nutrition, kids are denied growth, learning, and opportunity. Republicans can always find money for billionaires, but how is it they can't find money for moms and babies? Mr. Speaker, every kid deserves enough to eat. It is time to stop the cuts, end the chaos, and bring down costs.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a few portions of the editorial written by Steven Khan and his colleagues regarding the Trump administration's cuts to U.S. biomedical research.

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

Steve Khan and his colleagues were removed from the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting, where NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya was set to speak, while passing out copies of their editorial. Attacks on science always become attacks on scientists. This leads to policy by fear and favor, not evidence. The editorial said: "Just a year ago, in these very pages, we highlighted the many threats the current U.S. administration posed to the health of our Nation. Since then, there have been actions by the administration that have caused grave health consequences, and their current approach will continue to do so. The numerous measles outbreaks and associated avoidable deaths have resulted in part from hyping disproven theories of harm rather than publicizing the effectiveness of the measles vaccine." While one would think that this congressional action to preserve the NIH budget was a clear repudiation, it has not stopped President Trump from requesting a 2027 budget that now seeks a $5-billion reduction to the NIH. Mr. Speaker, we call on all concerned citizens of our beloved country to contact their congressional Representatives to declare their alarm.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of Chicago for winning the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Tennis National Championship. The top-ranked UChicago Maroons, led by Head Coach Matt Brisotti, defeated Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 4-3 in a thrilling back-and-forth battle at the Champions Tennis Club in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Christian Liew and Ajer Sher gave UChicago early momentum. Michael Choi rallied from a 5-2 deficit to win. Senior Emil Grantcharov helped clinch the national title for the University of Chicago Maroons. Even more amazing, this is UChicago's third championship title in 5 years. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate these student-athletes and coaching staff for this exceptional accomplishment and historic achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eddie Hart for his induction into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. A Californian from birth, Eddie won State and NCAA titles during his collegiate track and field career where he became known as one of the top sprinters in the Nation. Eddie's performance in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games earned him the title the "World's Fastest Human" and a gold medal for him and the United States of America. Today, Eddie serves disadvantaged youth in our community through his Eddie Hart All In One Foundation. Eddie's commitment to service and his athletic excellence has touched countless lives for generations. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Eddie Hart, gold medalist, for his induction into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. Eddie Hart was once the world's fastest human. He is still one of the world's best humans.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week news broke that "you" have a secret plan to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The following day, as new numbers were released showing core inflation rose to 4.2 percent on everything, the President said he loves inflation. He thinks the numbers are just great. I am sorry, but where I come from, our retired workers know that Social Security and Medicare are hard-earned benefits we all pay into. Also, we know Medicaid is a lifeline for the most at-risk seniors to access healthcare or pay for long-term nursing care for those who can't afford it in their golden years. We also know that the price of everything is going up, from gas to groceries to housing and so much more. Look at energy. Oh, my goodness. I don't agree with Speaker Johnson's notion to cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We should strengthen them and even expand them, and I don't agree that inflation is great. I don't love it. If Americans coast to coast can't afford to put gas in their cars, groceries on the table, and a roof over their head, then that is a problem. The Speaker and the President should get outside the beltway bubble. Americans need their serious attention to bring inflation down.

Mr. Speaker, and still I rise with much to say, but before going into my message, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Veasey), a colleague who has done an exceptional job representing the 33rd District in the State of Texas. After he has finished, I will then continue with my message.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from the Ninth Congressional District from Texas, a colleague and a great guy that represents the Greater Houston Fort Bend area for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the last couple of weeks, I have lost a couple of amazing constituents--one in a terrible tragedy. There was a fire in Dallas, an apartment building that exploded. It was a gas explosion, and one of the people that lost their life in the explosion was Ms. Sylvia Collins, who was just an incredible person. Any time I would go to an event in the Oak Cliff, Dallas part of the district that I represent, Sylvia was usually at that event. She supported and attended so many of the different functions and so many of the different programs for constituents and townhalls that I would put on for the district, and she is someone that is going to deeply be missed. She was someone that literally dedicated her entire life and her time in Dallas trying to do everything that she could to make sure that people were taken care of. She was always looking out for someone else and just always had a friendly smile on her face, so much civic engagement--her time as a precinct chair in Dallas County and a community organizer. She just wanted to make sure that all voices were heard. She just did an extraordinary job in doing that. Throughout her life, she became known as someone that was passionate. Anyone who asked her to join a cause or be a part of something, she was always there for them. Whether it was campaigning for civil rights, whether it was helping different people that wanted to run for office, being a spokesperson for our immigrant community, Sylvia was someone that was always there for everyone else. It was such a tragedy when she died in the explosion. There were also a young woman and her baby that were killed in the explosion, as well. We are still trying to find out exactly what happened during that explosion, but her loss of life has truly left a hole in the Dallas County community, the Dallas County Democratic community, and just everyone that came across this amazing woman that always had a smile and a hug for you. She is going to be missed. I send prayers out to her family.

The next person here that I wish to recognize is Mr. Anderson Lampkin. His wife is still with us. They would have celebrated 73 years of marriage in August, an extraordinary couple. The reason why I have both of them pictured, even though Mr. Lampkin is the person that we lost, is because they did everything together as a family, the entire family. Whether it was Boy Scouts, whether it was all of their work at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on the north side of Fort Worth, NAACP, they did everything together as a family. I think they are just an amazing example of what we need to get back to. Mr. Lampkin was born in Gonzales, Texas, but was raised in Austin. When he left East Austin, he moved to Dallas, and then came to Fort Worth about 10 years later. He liked to volunteer and be a part of the community. For 60 years, he was a sign language interpreter. He was the deaf ministry bus driver, a deacon at his church, a trustee at his church, a leader in his church. He was someone that was committed to public service as a nonelected official. It was just amazing to go to a Boy Scout event, for instance, and see him and his wife involved, to see his kids involved, to see his grandkids involved in Boy Scouts. They did everything together as a unit. His leadership and volunteer services touched so many different clubs and agencies in Fort Worth and in Tarrant County: Mission Shiloh, the Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts there in Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Education Association, and many, many others. He was from a very large family, and Mr. Lampkin is someone that is going to be missed greatly. I will miss seeing that couple at different events together. I urge you to keep Ms. Dorothy Lampkin in prayer, and keep the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids in prayer. Mr. Speaker, I honor Mr. Lampkin for a job well done. I thank the gentleman from Texas, my colleague, my delegation colleague, for giving me a few minutes to honor these extraordinary Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciate the way Mr. Veasey has conducted this time, and I wish him the very best. Mr. Speaker, and still I rise. And I rise, Mr. Speaker, as I always do, unbought, unbossed, unafraid, and now I must also add unelected, a liberated Democrat, truly liberated, liberated to the extent that while I have been censured, I have not been silenced. While I have now been unelected, I will not be silent. My agenda remains the same. It is still the agenda that deals with the voices of those that are not heard in this House as they should be, the voices of the least, the last, and the lost--the least among us, persons who don't inherit a legacy of much, but actually a legacy of poverty, not plenty; persons who are among the lost in a society as rich as ours where persons find themselves lost in places of despair, living in places that you and I would not consider a place habitable. The least, the lost, and, of course, the last. The last would be those persons who are the last to be hired and the first to be fired--the least, the last, and the lost. But I also represent other people, and I will continue to do so. I represent those persons who suffer invidious discrimination. They are among the LGBTQIA+ community. They are women. They are persons who are of the Islamic faith. They are persons who are currently suffering from anti-Semitism. They are persons who are suffering because of the color of their skin. Today, I rise to speak on the topic of invidious discrimination emanating from the Presidency. I call to the attention of the listening audience and viewing audience an article from the Huffington Post, the HuffPost. This article is titled: "Trump Used His Go-To Insult In Interview After Knicks Loss"--that would not be the last game, of course, the game prior to this one--"And Experts Say It's A Pattern." We are talking about his go-to insult, and I must commend Ms. Katie Mather for the outstanding job she has done with this article. It has the date June 9, 2026, as its date of publication. I would like to read some excerpts from this because I think it would give us an opportunity to understand how the Trump Presidency has not only impacted what he does but also some other aspects of society. So this is truly invidious discrimination emanating from the Presidency. Let me read some excerpts. The first reads: "'First Take' host Stephen A. Smith slammed President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning after Trump told reporters on Monday night that Smith wouldn't be a good fit to run for President because `you need a high IQ.' " My dear friends, if I may say brothers and sisters because I truly believe that there is but one race, and that is the human race, so if I may just say, my dear brothers and sisters. Friends, you may call Stephen A. Smith many things. I probably would not agree with anything that is negative. I don't know a negative side of him. I know that he is opinionated, but that is not unusual in the United States of America to have people who are opinionated. It is especially not unusual here in the House of Representatives. So you might call him many things, but I don't believe that you can call him a person in need of a high IQ, implying that he has a low IQ, and it goes on to say this in this article. Stephen A. Smith is brilliant, and I say this without question, reservation, or hesitation. He is one of the most brilliant people who I have seen in the sports arena, but he goes beyond sports. He talks on a multiplicity of subjects all the time, and he equips himself well on every topic that I have heard him speak on. Now, you don't have to agree with a person to understand the brilliance of the person. He has a brilliant mind, and I do believe that the President made this comment for dubious reasons. So let me continue reading from excerpts in the article: "Trump's `low IQ' comment against Smith has racist implications . . . " This is what the article says: " . . . racist implications and is referred to as a `racial dog whistle' by linguists and political experts, said Dr. Karrin Anderson, a communications studies professor at Colorado State University." This professor is making the point that when the President says these things about persons with low IQs, he is actually signaling to others. It is a racist dog whistle. The article goes on to say: " `What distinguishes a dog whistle from just an insult is it is designed to sound innocuous . . .' " the dog whistle is designed to sound as though, oh, it is harmless, just another thing someone is saying to be funny or cute. Well, not this dog whistle. The article goes on to say: " `. . . Anderson, who teaches courses in rhetoric, political communication, and gender and communication, told HuffPost: `It is meant to be deniable. The virtue, the rhetorical appeal of a dog whistle, is you can deny that it functions in the way that it is actually designed to function.' " So this dog whistle is designed to appear to be innocuous and harmless, but its functionality is rooted in something else. He goes on to say: "It's a term that white supremacists have historically used against people of color, and it's not the first time the President has publicly used it. Last month, he called House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries a `thug' and a `low IQ' person on Truth Social." This is where he speaks much of what he says to the public. But this term "thug," let me focus on it for just a moment. Hakeem Jeffries, he calls a thug. That is demeaning. He does this to demean people of color, but then he adds the injury to this insult of low IQ. You can accuse Hakeem Jeffries of many things, but you cannot, in any way, produce the empirical evidence to show that he is a person with a low IQ. He is a brilliant man, a brilliant person who has the appeal that most people understand to be that of a person with great intellect. So when the President calls him a thug and a low-IQ person on Truth Social, and he did this in April, this was a means by which he could demean and insult and use the term that those who live in the world of white supremacy embrace. This is something that they readily embrace, and they understand the dog whistle. They understand what the President really means when he says "thug" and "low IQ." Let me go on. "In April, he called Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson the `new low-IQ person on the Court.' " The `new low-IQ person on the Court.' "During the 2024 Presidential election, Trump repeatedly described former Vice President Kamala Harris as a `low-IQ individual.' " Note what all of these people have in common: color. African Americans, persons who have reached great heights in terms of their professions, persons who are making a difference in a very positive way in our country. But the President would demean them by challenging their intellect and, in so doing, appeal to white supremacists who still believe that people of color have low intellect. Reading on: " `He applies it . . .' " meaning his low IQ comment, " `. . . indiscriminately to Black people in different walks of life and professions.' " This is what Anderson said. " `That's where it reveals that it is a racist dog whistle because it doesn't relate to anything else.' " It goes on to say: "Experts say the `low IQ' insult has a storied past. "There is a long history in the U.S. of this `low IQ' dog whistle." This is Anderson speaking again. It goes on to say: " `During the colonial era, White male elites took for granted that they were cognitively superior to women and people of color, and thus, divinely appointed for leadership.' " Well, that explains a lot of the sexism that we have seen. That explains a lot of what we have seen when persons decide that they are simply going to reduce you to something less than human by assigning you to the primate family and calling you an ape or saying that you are related to the apes or somehow you are an ape, reducing people of color to animals that are not as superior life forms as some others. These animals are not persons. They exist, and we want them to exist, but we don't want people to compare human beings to these animals, and the President does this. He has compared a former President and First Lady to apes. We don't like to talk about this, I have found, but there are many people who would rather just see this kind of go away and let's let that just be something that he has done. Well, the President never apologized for it after saying that. Someone else actually posted it, but he never apologized. By the way, I don't ask him to apologize. I ask him to just tell the truth: That this was wrong, that it should not have been posted, and that he would not allow this to happen again. That would be more suitable for the means by which he can atone for his transgression, but he hasn't done any of that. He tends to double down. Well, this article goes on to remind us: " 'IQ was used to justify heinous behavior like racial segregation and forced sterilizations.' " Now, this is something that another social scientist, Figueroa, has called to our attention in this article. Forced sterilization because of IQ actually happened in the United States of America. We have much to atone for. As we approach this great anniversary, we would have people believe that all is well. All is not well. All won't be well until some of our transgressions have been properly addressed. This notion that you should sterilize a woman because you believe that she has a low IQ is more than simply a crime that is statutorily illegal. It is really a crime against humanity to engage in this kind of conduct. It actually happened. After we ended the enslavement of African Americans in this country, Africans from America, living in America, who were, at the time, and much of the time not declared citizens--so let's just say Africans in America. After slavery was ended, the enslavement of people after some 240 years, the people who had a hand in building this very facility, the Capitol, the White House, the ones who built roads and bridges, the people who planted seeds and harvested crops, they were the economic foundational mothers and fathers of the country. After we ended the enslavement of these persons, then we embarked upon convict leasing, which is another form of racism. Slavery itself was rooted in racism. This whole notion of convict leasing allowed people who violated some code to be placed in the hands of other persons, to be leased out from the government or some arm of the government. Many of them died as leased persons, those convicts who had been leased. There is a grave near Houston, Texas, with 95 bodies in it, persons who were convicts and leased, all in a common grave. This kind of behavior was justified based upon IQ. They were less than human. They were akin to the lower forms of animals that we would call primates. As such, you can do almost anything to them that you would like, and people did. This forced sterilization and this segregation was a form of invidious discrimination and was rooted in racism. Many of us alive today in this country experienced lawful racism in the form of segregation. Many of us went to back doors, drank from colored water fountains, sat in the back of the bus, and were locked up in the bottom of the jail. Many of us suffered this form of invidious discrimination, known as segregation, which is rooted in racism. We the people decided that we would no longer have this form of invidious discrimination exist lawfully. We ended it lawfully. We didn't end it as it relates to the practice. Invidious discrimination against people of color still exists to this day in this country. People who would say that it doesn't exist, and say that repeatedly, those who are in high places, those comments are based in racism.

If you are saying repeatedly that people of color are not discriminated against in this country, and you are repeatedly saying it in public spaces, you, my friend, are a racist. You are. Nobody bothered to tell you before now. I know you didn't get the word. I am here to tell you that people who do this, to demean other people, to say that they are less than, that is racist rhetoric. Persons who do this regularly, with intentionality, you are a racist. As I indicated, IQ was used to justify heinous behavior, like racial segregation and forced sterilization. "That thinking," it reads here, "was amplified in the late 1900s by a popular book titled `The Bell Curve,' which falsely claimed that IQ differences between racial groups were biological. "Phrenology, another form of race science that claimed skull shapes determined intelligence, has also been completely discredited by the scientific community because of how often it was used to uphold scientific racism and gender stereotypes throughout the U.S. and Europe." Friends, people of color and women have suffered greatly in this country under the color of law, under the guise of science that was rooted in racism. We have to change this. This cannot continue in this country. Until we change this, we cannot truly say that all persons are treated equally. Although they are created equally, they are not treated equally. We cannot say that liberty and justice for all exists when we address ourselves and the Pledge of Allegiance. It just doesn't happen. It is not the case. There is not liberty and justice for all in the United States of America. Let us continue. It reads: "Roughly 8 in 10 of Trump's `low IQ' attacks target Black and Brown people, data shows." We are talking about empirical evidence. "Trump has been using this dog whistle frequently. Between January 20, 2025, and April 25, 2026, Trump posted `low IQ,' or a variation of the phrase, 24 times." Let me stop for just a moment and deal with the variation of the phrase. There are some people who don't say low IQ. They will say stupid. They will say: Oh, Black people are stupid, or they will say a particular Black person is stupid. In so doing, they will say: Now, I really mean this in the sense of the way the word stupid is defined. They use stupidity. They use this in the sense of referring to the person's intellect. Again, it is another means by which persons are using dog whistles to demean people of color. This dog whistle that the President uses has permeated what I call racist radio. Yes, racist radio exists. Not all radio is racist, but there is a large segment, a subset of radio, that is racist. They are on the air daily, utilizing terms such as stupidity, depicting people of color as less than human beings. They have done it to the extent that they have normalized it within the circle that they reside in. They have normalized it. People just come to accept it. Well, I don't. I refuse to accept what racist radio does routinely. The President, who is at the top of this chain of unscrupulous behavior, shapes the tone and tenor for all of these things that happen beneath him. Much of what we are seeing today is being perpetrated and perpetuated because the President does it. Why can't others do it? People see it this way. We have this racist radio that is constantly perpetrating and perpetuating racist dog whistles in the form of IQ, in the form of depicting persons as less than human, who are persons of color, and in the form of using language other than low IQ, such as stupid. Stupidity has become another dog whistle for racist radio. They know that I speak truth. They rarely have the truth spoken such that they are exposed. Those of you who are listening to it and enjoying it, you are enjoying racism. As long as you continue to enjoy it and support it, buy the products being advertised on those stations, you are supporting racism. Racism exists in the public arena because, in many instances, people are buying the products that the racists purvey. The racists sell the products on their radio stations. They advertise the products. You buy them from those stations, and as a result you are supporting racism. I refuse to do it. Racism is something that we have to combat along with sexism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, all of the various invidious phobias. Let me repeat this. It bears repeating. "Roughly 8 in 10 of Trump's `low IQ' attacks target Black or Brown people, data shows." It goes on to say: "Trump has been using this dog whistle frequently. Between January 20, 2025, and April 25, 2026, Trump posted "low IQ," or a variation of the phrase, 24 times, according to a study by Truthout, a nonprofit news organization. Eight out of every 10 posts were directed at Black or Brown people. In the first 10 months of his second term, Trump did not refer to any White person as someone with `low IQ.' " I am going to repeat that. "In the first 10 months of his second term, Trump did not refer to any White person as someone with `low IQ.' " These are the kinds of things people don't want to hear, but you have to know the truth so that you can free your minds. I read someplace that if you know the truth, it will set you free. I want to free your minds. This will free you, some of you. Some of you choose not to be free, and there is nothing that will be said to free your minds because you choose not to be free. There is no one so blind as he who chooses not to see. Not as he who cannot see, but he who chooses not to see. There are many people who choose not to see. No White person referred to with "low IQ." The article goes on to indicate: "It is designed to signal to a specific audience that a speaker shares their ideology or belief systems." That is what these dog whistles are designed to do, to say to other people, hey, don't worry, I have got your back, I believe, just as you believe, that they have low IQs, so it is okay for you to say it on racist radio now. It is all right. You can call persons stupid. You can say low IQ. You can do it with impunity because the President is doing it. Well, it is not all right, and you are not going to do it with impunity because you are going to be exposed. This goes on to indicate that: "[Trump] uses it to refer to Black people and, predominantly but not exclusively, Black women." "Predominantly, but not exclusively, Black women." I stand in defense of Black women. I stand in defense of the Black women that he has called persons with low IQs. I defend Maxine Waters. I defend Vice President Kamala Harris. I defend Jasmine Crockett. I defend the women that this President would demean with a racist comment, and that is what it is. It is racist. Racist commentary constantly repeated over the airwaves. It goes on to say: "I think, in his mind"--this is a person speaking now of the President--"I think in his mind, because it doesn't explicitly refer to race, he feels that it is easy to deny that it's a racist label." My friends, he can deny it, but there are some of us who see through it. I am here to tell you that it is racist, and it is a racist label. This article concludes with this language: "By repeating the phrase openly"--as is done on racist radio quite regularly. Remember, we are talking today about invidious discrimination emanating from the Presidency, and I chose this topic, emanating from the Presidency, because I wanted to talk about how it has permeated society. It starts there at the top with this President, and it permeates society. Now, the argument can be made that it was here, and it was, before this President took office, but he has popularized it. He has normalized it. He has made it such that people in racist radio use it regularly and feel as though they are doing something noble by demeaning people of color and women and others as well, members of the LGBTQIA+ community. He says: "I think in his mind, because he doesn't explicitly refer to race, he feels that it's easy to deny that it is a racist label." The final comment: "By repeating the phrase openly, the practice further popularizes the concept." By repeating it, he popularizes the racist comment. As another person who spoke--Harris--once put it, "Trump's language seems to have become less a dog whistle and more a bullhorn." "Less a dog whistle, more a bullhorn." So, friends, here we are. We have a President of the United States of America who routinely uses racist commentary to refer to people of color. Routinely. He does it without a thought as to how it impacts the lives of the people he refers to, the persons that he is calling low IQ. He doesn't really understand--maybe he does understand and doesn't care, but he should consider how it impacts the lives of people, how it signals to other people that the persons are less than, and how it can cause some people to respond to them in a very adverse way. However, we have to say to the President--and I do so today--Mr. President, if you are using this kind of commentary, as you do, and you continue to do it routinely, someone has to tell you what you are doing. Here is what you are doing, Mr. President: You are bringing the country itself, the country itself to a level of concern for others such that we are not seen as we were once seen--as we were once seen as a country with the Statue of Liberty, the notion that there is liberty and justice for all in our Pledge of Allegiance, the notion that we truly respect all people, and that all persons are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You are causing people across the globe to see us differently. You are causing people across the globe to understand that the United States is undergoing something that they never thought they would see and, quite frankly, I am amazed myself. Therefore, Mr. President, there is only one thing I can say to you: When you do this, you are not only using a racist dog whistle, you are a racist. That kind of terminology utilized the way you do it regularly makes you the racist who has now given other racists the license to say what they say openly and notoriously, normalizing racism. As we approach the 250th anniversary, Mr. President, you should be ashamed. However, there is no shame in you. You have already demonstrated this with your behavior over the many years that you have had a public voice. You have already demonstrated there is no shame in you, so because you have no shame in you, Mr. President, I would call to your attention that while I am unbought, unbossed, unafraid, and unelected, censured but not silenced, Mr. President, there is still a countdown to impeachment. Mr. President, it is just a matter of time. Your day of reckoning will come. Someone is going to stand in the well of this House of Representatives and is going to introduce Articles of Impeachment against you. These articles are going to pass in this House of Representatives, but before that person does it, however, I believe that there will be someone who will introduce articles to lay the foundation for the actual articles that will later on pass the House of Representatives. There is always someone who lays the foundation for things. A foundation was made at the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A foundation was laid to eliminate invidious discrimination in bussing on bus lines when Rosa Parks took a seat and ignited the sparked that started the civil rights movement. Someone is going to lay the foundation. Mr. President, you should know you will be impeached again. You will be three times impeached. Mr. Speaker, with that said, I, Al Green, a proud, unbought, unbossed, unafraid, unelected, and truly liberated Democrat, yield back the balance of my time.

Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President and to direct their remarks to the Chair.

Pursuant to clause 13 of rule I, the House stands adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Monday next.