The speaker pro tempore the house will be in order. The chair lays before the house a communication from the speaker. The clerk the speakers rooms, washington being d. C. October 3, 2023. I hereby appoint the honorable laurie chavezderemer to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. Signed, Kevin Mccarthy speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 9, 2023, the chair will now recognize members from listed submitted by majority even minority leaders for morning hour debate. Time will be equally allocated between the parties and each member other than the majority and minority leaders and minority whip limited to five minutes. But in no event shall debate continue beyond 11 50 a. M. The chair recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Mr. Joyce thank you, madam speaker. This morning 40 million americans will begin their day without access to broadband internet. These highspeed broadband connections, which were once a luxury, have now become essential tools for students, business owners, farmers, and patients. Last year historic funding was disturbed dispursed to the states dispersed to the states. Its time they are used efficiently, not goal plate or cities but connect our Rural Communities to fast, reliable, high speed indnet. Recently, i was proud to introduce the 5g sale act to require the fcc to release previously auctioned spectrum to expand access to 5g internet for communities across central and western pennsylvania. Bridging the Digital Divide has never been more important as we fight to ensure our students can learn from home, that Small Businesses can operate from home, and that patients can heal from home. Thank you. Madam speaker, in the past 10 months since retaking the majority, House Republicans have fought to enact our commitment to america. Working each day to forge an economy thats strong, to build a nation that is safe, to create a future thats build on freedom, and to once again have a government that is accountable to the American People. We fought to reopen the peoples house. We have passed h. R. 1, the Lower Energy Cost act. 225204. Because americans are paying too high a price for gas. We passed h. R. 2, the secure border act, 219213. Because President Bidens border crisis has made each and every state a border state. And we passed h. R. 5, the parents bill of rights, 213208, because parents deserve to be involved in their childrens education. These legislative victories have only been possible because House Republicans have remained united. And willing to stand up to President Bidens radical agenda. It must be a top priority to fight President Bidens outofcontrol spending, his Green New Deal initiatives, and his threats to strip away our constitutional rights. Madam speaker, it is time for House Republicans to renew our commitment to American People and to our shared conservative values. The work that is still ahead is too great to waste any additional time. Thank you. I yield. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from texas, mr. Green, for five minutes. Mr. Green and still i rise, madam speaker. A proud, liberated democrat. In the spirit of shirley chisholm, unbought, unbossed, and unafraid. Unafraid to say that the senate of the United States of america cares more about what they wear to work than the building they work in. There was a recent kerfuffle about the dress code in the senate. As a result, some 40 senators, in fact about 46, signed a letter addressing this newly installed dress code. I wont read it in its entirety because time doesnt permit, but heres what it says in one paragraph. Allowing casual clothing on the senate floor disrespects the institution. Disrespects the institution we serve and the American Families we represent. No disrespect, senators, but i believe allowing Richard Russells name to stay on the Senate RussellOffice Building disrespects the people you serve and disrespects this country. The richard Russell Office build something a symbol of racism. It is a symbol of disrespect for the American People. It certainly disrespects people of african ancestry. Because he was a racist, big got. He was the coauthor of the southern manifesto. He fought antilynching legislation. Rich second degreemurder rus russells Richard Russells named should not be on a building paid for with taxpayer dollars. Its time for you to take the same amount of time that you took to reform your dress code and reform the name thats on the richard Russell Office building. Its easy to do. Just let it revert back to the name it had before it became the Russell SenateOffice Building. Let it become the old senate Office Building. If you need more time, take that and decide the name you most refer. I have no name to recommend. I only recommend that you take russells name off. It took less than two weeks to revert back to the old dress code. After more than its been more than 50 years that Richard Russells name been on this building. If you no shame. Did you not respect people of african ancestry who go in and out of this building . I refuse to enter the richard Russell Office building. Im a oneperson protest. I refuse to disrespect myself by entering the building named after bigoted racist who authored the southern manifesto and fought antilynching legislation. Madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore members are reminded to direct their remarks to the chair. The chair now recognizes the gentlewoman from iowa, mrs. Mrs. Millermeeks, for five minutes. Mrs. Millermeeks thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to congratulate james simeons, a dedicated construction teacher at a high school in elridged, iowa. Who will receive the Harbor Freight tools school prize for teaching excellence. This Prestigious National recognition awards mr. Simmons with a 50,000 grant for his schools Skilled Trades program. Teachers, students, and the north scott principal have been working working together to surprise him today with his award by orchestrating a surprise celebration at school held outdoors by the tiny homes his students tirelessly built. The Harbor Freight tools for schools prize spotlights the exceptional yet often overlooked contributions of High School Skill trades teachers. This year the program saw a regard number of Record Number of applicants with over 1,000 teachers from all 50 states competing in the rigorous selection process. We are proud of you, mr. Simmons. Congratulations on this well deserved honor. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman for five minutes. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to honor a true champion of the San Fernando Valley, a trailblazer, leader, the honorable cindy montanez. We have had the privilege of representing the northeast San Fernando Valley for the past 27 years. Mr. Cardenas shes a strong, unwavering Community Leader who throughout her years of Public Service has made sure that the voices of the people of the valley are heard and that they have a seat at the table. Cindy has lived a quintessential american immigrant story just like the monarch butterfly. They are bicultural and bring beauty to beauty to every injury where everywhere they can. Shes a proud daughter of immigrants. They came to the city of san fernando where cindy and her five siblings were born and raised. Together her family pursued the american dream. A dream that includes giving back to the community and the country that has given us so much. Cindys activism began in 1993 as she pushed to establish the Chicano Studies Department at the university of california los angeles. By participating in a 14day hunger strike. At the age of 25, she won a seat on the San Fernando City council. Two years later she became the mayor of that city. Her Exceptional Leadership extends to the California State Legislature where cindy was the youngest woman elected to the California State Assembly at the age of 28 at that time. At the age of 30, she became the first latina to chair the powerful Assembly Rules committee. She fought for workers protections, consumer rights, and health care access. But without out of these accomplishments what shes best known for is her environmental work. She continued her Environmental Activism to become the c. E. O. Of tree people, one of the largest environmental organizations in all of southern california. With over three million volunteers, they planted hundreds of thousands of trees from the San Fernando City to huntington park. In 2020 she was called back to her role in Public Service. She returned home to serve as the councilmember in the city of san fernando. She is a titan who has worked tirelessly for her community. It is an honor to stand before you today to tell cindys story. I am not the only one highlighting her and her accomplishments. Last month the city of san fernando and city of los angeles voted to rename a park, shared by both cities, to cindy mon montened national park. These distinctions are well deserved. Built on years of tireless service. I just saw cindy when i had the privilege to join our community in a celebration to rename cindy montenez nature park. She was surrounded by dozens of communities members full of love and prayer. It was a beautiful tribute to a hero in our community. For all of this and more, i honor my friend cindy. Every time i see a monarch butterfly, i will think of the impact shes had on the tree lined streets of san fernando, and all across our great state of california. I had the pleasure of meeting her when she was running for city council for the first time 28 years ago. I remember her coming into my office and saying some of her supporters had abandoned her. I listened to what she had to say and i stood up and said, i will support you. What i see in you is someone running for the right reasons. You care about the community. And she said thank you. And thats where she launched her career in 1995. Sometimes in life we meet people that we never know where our journeys are going to go, but im so honored to have called cindy my colleague and my friend. Im so honored to be able to witness one of the first people who got elected to the state legislature out of our community of the San Fernando Valley who could speak to every constituent, both in spanish and in english. That had never happened before in our community. Even though our community of northeast San Fernando Valley was over 75 latino by population. Parents like cindys parents and my parents who came from mexico to make a better life for the next generation and the next. Once again it is my honor to speak before all of us on this Beautiful House about an amazing beautiful person, cindy. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair will recognize the gentleman from iowa, mr. Feenstra, for five minutes. Mr. Feenstra mr. Feenstra thank you, madams. I rise today to honor the life and legacy of jack trice, Iowa State Universitys first africanamerican athlete and the namesake of the College Football stadium in ames, iowa. What an inspiration. Tries enrolled at iowa trice enrolled in Iowa State University with the desire to play football and graduate with a degree in Animal Husbandry and to help and support farmers. Tragically, 100 years ago, on october 8, 1923, trice passed away at just 21 years of age, after sustaining severe injuries during a game. While his life was cut short, his legacy prevailed. In 1997, Iowa State University renamed their College Football stadium the jack trice stadium, and it remains the only major stadium in College Football that is named after an africanamerican. Today Iowa State University supports thousands of students through the jack trice character award and jack trice endowed scholarship, helping generations of cyclones succeed. This october will mark the 100th Year Anniversary of jack trices tragic death. To honor him, iowa state will host the jack trice legacy game on october 7, and hold a ceremony the same at the same location where his funeral was 100 years ago, at the central campus lawn, on october 8. I am proud to introduce a House Resolution that recognizes the life and legacy of jack trice, a young man that passed away way too soon, but inspired our communities and cyclone nation. Thank you. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to honor the life offal again toa Police Officer of algona Police Officer, kevin cram, who was senselessly murdered while doing his job. Officer cram was a 10year veteran of iowa Law Enforcement and a member of the iowa police department. He was also the son, husband and father who was remembered as a family man and a true hero. Proudly wearing the badge, he dedicated his career to protecting his family, our family, and keeping our streets safe. Words cannot accurately express my gratitude for his service and sacrifice. Officer cram gave his life to protect the lives of fellow iowans. There is no greater sacrifice than this. Amy prayers remain with his family, the police department, and everyone who knew and loved him. Thank you, officer cram, you will never be forgotten. Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to recognize my friend and iowas conservative champion, governor kim reynolds, and her husband, first gentleman kevin reynolds. We both came to the iowa senate together, serving the Rural Communities that power our economy and feed and fuel the world. I can tell you that she was the leader back then and shes still a tremendous leader today. Since day one, she delivered real victories for our state. She promised and signed the largest tax cut in iowa history and gave parents a voice in their childrens education. She secured 1. 83 billion purr plus for surplus for our state budget with no debt. She has also deployed the Iowa National guard to the southern border to do what President Biden will not do, secure our border and protect our families. While Governor Reynolds continues herselfless works in iowa, her selfless works in iowa, my prayers are with her family and her husband, kevin, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. I have no doubt that through gods faith their faith in god, they will overcome this challenge and they will continue delivering results for iowa. Thank you, Governor Reynolds, and kevin, for your dedication to our great state. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Correa, for five minutes. Mr. Correa madam speaker, today i rise in honor of uclas chancellor, gene block, to thank him for his 17 years of leadership at americas premier Public Institution of education, ucla. Since 2007, chancellor block has increased accessibility, diversity, grown roanle enrollment and doubled funding for research at ucla. Today, nearly 1 3 of ucla graduates are firstgeneration college students. As chancellor block was himself. As a proud ucla alumni, i thank chancellor block for his service to the public and to the Bruin Community and for keeping ucla as a top Research Institution in the nation. Thank you, chancellor block, for your commitment to Higher Education in southern california, and this country. Go bruins. Thank you. Madam speaker, i rise today to honor a young man in my district, gustavo, a remarkable young man whose journey is one of determination and inspiration. When he was a boy, he looked at the sky and dreamed, making model planes. He dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot. As a proud high school alumni, he stayed focused on his dream, worked hard, volunteered in the community, played basketball. He grew up in an underserved community, but his parents, their support, their sacrifice and hard work pushed them to study at Embry Riddle University where gustavo spent long nights studying the the library, and at the end studying at the library. And at the end, it was all worth it. Multiple jobs, family sacrifices, it was all worth it when his mother joined him as his first passenger on a commercial flight. Now a pilot, he has finally achieved his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. Great work, gustavo, and keep flying hard. Mamadam speaker. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from south carolina, mr. Wilson, for five minutes. Mr. Wilson thank you, madam speaker. Americas sadly in a conflict of dictators with rule of gun opposing democracies with rule of law. This conflict we did not choose. It was begun by war criminal putin on february 24, 2022, invading ukraine. In the murderous tradition of hitler, invading poland, on september 1, 1939, and stalin invading poland two weeks later on september 17. In five weeks, over 70,000 poles were killed in 1939 by the nazis and communists and now thousands of ukrainians have been killed by putin. I am grateful to have read the book by senator Barry Goldwater of may, 1963, why not victory . Proposing the ultimate achievement of democracy over communism. The goldwater president ial campaign led to the hallmark speech, a time for choosing, by ronald reagan, in 1964. This led to the reagan presidency and hundreds of millions of people being liberated from totalitarian communism. More countries today live in freedom and democracy than in the history of the world due to the American Military strength defeating communism. The Russian Embassy in berlin, germany, which i visited outside on may 1 this year, clearly reveals putins murderous goal of recreating the evil soviet empire. The hammer and sickle communist symbol is maintained, amazingly, how shocking, over the massive building, revealing that the russian people are still being oppressed by a despotic dictator. With the invasion of ukraine, putin now has troops in moldova and georgia with direct threats to estonia, lithuania, latvia and even poland, to realign international boundaries. The murderous conquest of ukraine would be a green light for more conquests, putting American Families at risk of attack. It is reassuring that nato has never been stronger, with finland and sweden joining the alliance. Finland has an 830mile border with russia and sweden has given up 200 years of neutrality to stop dictators. The European Union has doubled the aid correctly provided by america, according to analyst of the hudson institute. Additionally, more than 160 officials across federal oversight agencies monitor the u. S. Aid to ukraine. Democracies must continue to stand together to support the brave ukrainians to restore peace through strength. Goldwater was correct in his book, the only alternative to victory is obviously defeat. Putin can end this war today by living up to the agreements that russias already signed for Ukrainian Territorial integrity. The Chinese Communist party is watching as it plans World Domination by 2049, with the largest peace Time Military buildup in world history. The regime in teheran continues its chance of death to its chants of death to israel, death to america, with drones to putin to murder ukrainians. The axis of evil is clear. You have dictator putin, dictator xi, dictator riici. They must be stopped now or every american will be threatened by murderers that i have seen when i saw the murders conducted in ukraine where innocent civilians were brutally, with their hands tied behind their back, executed and buried by the putin troops. As a teenage republican supporter myself of Barry Goldwater who attended the rally in washington, july 4, 1963, i will always be grateful for his vision for freedom. In conclusion, god bless our troops who have successfully protected america for 20 years, as the global war on terrorism continues, moving from the afghanistan safe haven to america, with biden open borders. The Border Security is a National Security for america. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Ruiz. Mr. Ruiz i rise today to honor and memorialize our Fallen Heroes from cal fire who gave their lives to serve our communities. Assistant chief john bishop, fire captain Tim Rodriguez, and pilot tony salsa, all sacrificed their lives to protect our community while battling a fire. Assistant chief john bishop was a devoted and loyal firefighter, husband and father, who never stopped serving others, even in his last moments. He started his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in Mountain Center at volunteer station 78, and worked his way up through hard work, loyalty and commitment. In recent months, before his tragic death, josh had been promoted to assistant chief with cal fires Southern Region headquarters, where he oversaw the Training Program before transferring to the technical air operations. Josh loved his wife of 24 years beyond measure, and lived to make his childrens dreams come true. No matter the cost. Josh was always out for an adventure and was known for his willingness to help others and was loved and respected by his friends, family and community. Now, fire captain Tim Rodriguez loved being a firefighter more than anyone could imagine. He was raised and graduated from West Valley High School in 1997. He started his fire Service Career as a firefighter one, serving at fire station 41 in mecca, and was soon promoted to firefighter two at fire station 79 in coachella. Captain rodriguez married his wife, dorothy, in 2001 and had three children, josh, haley and alexis. He was remembered for the immense love he had for his family and his passion of staying active by hiking, camping, snow boarding, kayaking and mountain biking. Lastly, pilot tony salsa of red bluff, california, pilot salsa was fulfilling his life long dream of becoming a pilot before the tragic accident. Before fulfilling his dream, tony was a dairy worker, a Sales Representative for outlaw car, a custom harvester and avid water skier and finally, a pilot. In 2022, tony played a pick of toll role in implementing the cal fire helicopter coordinator Training Program. Through this program, tony guided and mentored a huge cohort of fellow aviators to help them obtain certifications for their aviation careers. Pilot salsa is survived by his wife, rachel, sons, conor and carson, father, ed, and mother, sharon. These men were husbands, sons, fathers who now leave behind loving and caring families. Their bravery, courage and devotion to duty will always be remembered. I ask everyone present on the house floor to join me, rise in a moment of silence for cal fire members assistant chief bishop, fire captain Tim Rodriguez and pilot tony salsa. Thank you. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore thank you. The chair recognizes the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Van orden. Mr. Van orden thank you, madam speaker. I rise today to do a little truth telling. I rise today as a proud member of the silent majority of United States citizens and of the silent majority of the supermajority of the republican party. Of this august house. Ill be the motion to vacate the speakership is a pools error. I can think of no great leader in that effort than my colleague from the state of florida. The American People are concerned about crime. One of our colleagues was carjacked at gun point a mile and a half from where im speaking today. The border is open. There have been over six million illegal crossings since joe biden has taken leadership. 232,972 Illegal Immigrants are encountered on the southern border last night alone. Thats a 27 increase from july. Customs and Border Patrol seized over 25,000 pounds of fentanyl this year. Enough to kill every american citizen over and over and over again. 151 people on the terrorist watch list have been apprehended over the southern border on joe bidens watch. 151. We dont know how many people are plotting to destroy our nation got across the border. And yet today we will spend the peoples time so that someone can audition for a Television Show or possibly the governorship of a state. This is unacceptable. And the time for these antiics are over. Antics are over. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from connecticut, mr. Courtney, for five minutes. Mr. Courtney thank you, madam speaker. Today i rise to honor mr. Neal mccarran, a Public Servant who just recently announced his retirement from the house of representatives where hes worked for over 20 years. 17 of those years in my office. Seven of those years as chief of staff. Neal is a native of the state of connecticut and began his journey over 20 years ago on the hill as a young assistant working in congresswoman linda sanchezs office. Then moved over to my colleague, john larson, and worked there for a short period of time. Then when i was first elected in 2006, joined my office. Neal worked on a variety of issues during his time there. I see my friend, mr. Kelly, from pennsylvania, we worked together to repeal the cadillac tax in 2019. Neal was part of that really massive bipartisan effort to protect and stabilize the health benefits. Union workers, nonunion workers all across the country passed by a margin of 4196. On the floor, mike and i were here that day. Neal was one of his rare visits to the hill, house floor, was there to join us. The centerpiece of his work was the fact that i have the honor of representing the submarine capital of the world, the home of the oldest submarine base, the new London Submarine base in goton groton, doing great work for our nation every day. And a shipyard, 120yearold company, building submarines for the navy happening to this day. There is a picture here of in 2014 of myself and some staff from the House Armed Services committee. Neal is the gentleman on my far right with the glasses and cup of coffee. Before dawn at the naval port facility in florida. We were about to embark on the u. S. S. Missouri, the submarine behind us, built in groton and commissioned in 2011. Its over in the indopacific region doing great work for our nation. When i first came to office, the shipyard was in a dangerous downward spiral. After the cold war, procurement for submarines collapsed. The shipyard which once had 28,000plus workers was down to roughly 6,000 or 7,000. Beginning that year we got a plusup working again with neals incredible, ike skelton, jack murtha, and others to turn around that spiral. Today the shipyard employs over 21,000 workers. We now again have a build rate of two attack submarines. Now the columbia class ballistic submarine program is beginning the work. They just laid the keel for the second of those vessels. Its a great legacy that neal leaves behind him in terms of reversing what would have been a tragic loss of an Industrial Base with unique talents. But also making sure that our navy has an undersea fleet, which today with the threats from china and russia, is still our strongest ward in terms of creating real deter rent reps to keep the world safe. The admiral once said our submarine fleet is the queen on the chessboard to go anywhere undetected with stealth and with, again, the might and potency to really make sure that our enemies and our competitors abide by International Rule of law. Again as neal begins the next chapter in his life, again, i just want to express my deep gratitude personally, but also for a moment before this house remind people of the fact that people like him are great staff people are so essential in terms of doing big things that benefit our country. Again, neal, best wishes to you and your family and future. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia, mr. Carter, for five minutes. Mr. Carter madam speaker, i rise today in remembrance of launa. She passed away in july after a sudden illness. She was known for her smile and love for others. She earned her position as principal of Blackshear Elementary School through her years of dedication and hard work. Earning accolades including director of student achievement in 2017. She transformed her school through her tireless and creative efforts. Making it a happy, thriving place for the 800 students who looked up to her. She took every opportunity to put others first and lift their spirits. It was never too early or too late to call her for anything. She truly put everyone else first. And many called her their best friend. Miss lana will forever be known who loved big and her impact will be felt for decades to come. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate savannah native earl roach for hitting a major milestone. This past june he celebrated his 40th anniversary of teaching music. Just four years old mr. Roach was able to play music by ear and that began his lifelong passion for music. He attended what is now savannah State University where at just 19 he started passing down his love of music through teaching lessons out of his parents home. Mr. Roach founded the sound of joy school of music in savannah, georgia, and was recognized for reaching this milestone of teaching through a proclamation from the savannah mayor. The slogan for the school is, we are a world of harmony. He hopes his students will continue to pass on the gift of music and harmony for many more generations to come. I would like to take this time to congratulate mr. Roach on reaching this significant milestone. I know he will continue to touch many through his love of music. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of Central Hardware. They opened on norwick street in downtown brunswick in 1948 and became known as the store of 10,000 items. It is Still Family Owned and managed by ann and her brother. Their father, jimmy shaw, always emphasized the importance of quick, friendly, customer certificate Customer Service and competitive pricing. Shaw taught his children everything about the business, and they continue to manage it the way he did. Im proud to say Central Hardware has been an important part of the First District community for 75 years. Again, i congratulate them on their success and i know they will continue to breast our community for many more years to come. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore thank you, mr. Carter. The chair recognizes the gentleman from new york, mr. Espaillat, for five minutes. Mr. Espaillat thank you, madam speaker. For allowing me this opportunity to address the floor. We have seen this week the events that have gripped this nation. The potential for a shutdown. The squabble on the floor for leadership. Extreme maga opinions trying to impose their points of view on the American People. But this past year we have also watched distinctly as Climate Change related natural disasters have hit every region of this country. This last week we saw the images from new york city when subways flooding, street floodings, back yards and front yards of houses flooding. The inability to sustain consistent and persistent rainfall. Crippled new york city. As we saw new york city on the water under water just two months ago, wildfires consumed maui. Mother nature is talking to us. Mother nature is never wrong. And yet this year the energy and water bill within the appropriations process slashes the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient programs by 14 . And instead, get this, instead funds the department of fossil fuel energy at more than 850 million. In the middle of this Climate Crisis we take money away from Renewable Energy and we empower fossil fuel energy. We put them on steroids. It also underfunds the u. S. Army corps of engineers, who will be able to address the flood and storm damage protection, and claws back 50 million that would allow communities like the ones i represent from becoming Energy Efficient. Right in the middle of global warming, right in the middle of these disasters that are hurting communities across the nation, we see how funding is cut for Renewable Energy and for the u. S. Army corps of engineers. In the legislative branch, part of the appropriation process. We see how both those that work in the capitol and those that secure it will be hurt. It lacks funding to secure the Capitol Campus and district offices. Not so long ago we saw how some of our Staff Members in the commonwealth of virginia were attacked in their district offices. Where they worked. We know that security on the capitol complex is important not just for members, but for our staff, for visitors, for everyone that makes their way here. As is also security in our district offices. And not enough funding has been given to that area. Retention of the u. S. Capitol Police Officers continues to be a major problem. After january 6, the Capitol Police is having a difficult time recruiting and retaining officers that will protect all of us. The legislative branch bill also eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion training. This program has been important to ensure that the government continues to look more and more like the rest of the country. Inclusion means me being at this podium, madam chair. Inclusion means you being presiding over this proceedings. Thats inclusion. To have a Representative Government of the people that make up our nation. Yet the office of diversity, equity, and inclusion was eliminated the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Espaillat mr. Speaker, thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman from arkansas, mre minutes. Mr. Hill mr. Speaker, i rise today to thank the firefighters of station 9 in west little rock, arkansas, for their Selfless Service during the horrific tornado that struck our city and region in march. The firefighters of station 9 were standing in their building when it was directly hit by the tornado, completely destroying t. Despite their fire station being in ruins, they immediately got to work clearing debris, providing emergency assistance, and serving an important beacon of hope for those in need in that neighborhood. Their efforts were critical for helping my home towb recover from with hometown recover from one of the worst storms in recent history. The Firefighters Service stands as a model of resilience and strength for our entire state and nation. Mr. Speaker, i rise today to congratulate my good friend, heidi harhe will, on being a re harrel, on being a recipient of the crystal award. Heidi and i worked together at arkansasbased delta trust and banking corps, a little rockbased banking trust and Investment Company where she was the communications and marketing officer. Today she serves as the Vice President and Communications Director at stevens, one of the largest privately held independent investment firms off wall street. Just a few years ago, heidi was selected as an honoree of the 27th class of Arkansas Business 40 under 40. Heidi is truly an inspiration to all through her hard work and leadership. Thank you, heidi, for being a great friend and a Creative Force for good across our community. Mr. Speaker, i want to rise today and recognize a longtime friend, a terrific civic leader in our state, madison murphy, on the occasion of highway 167 from el dorado to little rock being dedicated in his honor. Madison has been an inspiration to all arkansans for many years and received numerous awards and recognition for his work throughout the state. Hes been named to the Arkansas Business 40 under 40 list and been named arkansas tourism person of the year for his Financial Support and inspiration in the creation of the murphy Arts District in el dorado. Madison has also served as chairman of the arkansas Highway Commission from 2023 to 2003 to 2013, where he championed the widening of highway 167 corridor to provide fourlane connection between south and central arkansas. Improving roadway safety, mobility and transit. Throughout his leadership as chairman, a temporary halfcent sales tax was implemented that funded 31 highwaywidening projects to improve connectivity across the state. I applaud mr. Murphy for his leadership and service to the state of arkansas and congratulate him on this recognition. Mr. Speaker, last saturday this house, all the democrats and 31 republicans, rejected a stop gap spending measure which would have lowered spending for the four weeks of the continuing resolution period, secured the border with important needs that we have to secure the border, critical element every day, we hear from our constituents. And it would have established a commission to tackle the biggest challenge this house and this nation has, which is that 70 of our spending, mr. Speaker, does not is not voted on on this house floor. Its on auto pilot. Mandatory spending. And these mandatory spending programs require bipartisan attention to reform them, keep the promises made to the American People and Social Security and medicare, but get our fiscal house in order. I support that commission and i was so disappointed that 31 republicans joined the democrats to reject it. So now in this period of 45 days, as we continue to look for the most conservative spending policies that we can achieve across this house floor and in the senate, lets be committed that we will have a Bipartisan Commission on debt and deficit and get this spending and get these deficits under control. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from minnesota, ms. Finish back, for five minutes mrs. Fischbach, for five minutes. Mrs. Fischbach thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in memory of Granite Falls mayor, david. On september 22, the mayor passed away after a long and courageous battle with a. L. S. Mr. Granite falls, as many came to know him, began his service in City Government in 1979 as a me of the city council. In 1996, he became the citys mayor and served in that role for 27 years until his passing. During his tenure, daves commitment as a leader and advocate never wavered. He guided his community through devastating floods in 1997 and in 2001. And a tornado in 2000. He even spent his final days here in washington working to secure highway funding for his community. The people of Granite Falls and the people of minnesota have lost one of their greatest Public Servants. We can all only hope to be more like dave. I offer my deepest condolences to cindy, his wife of 40 years, and his children, cody, seth and laurel. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields back. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from florida, mr. Bean, for five minutes. Ms. Bean thank you very much, mr. Bean thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Today i rise to honor one of the best and brightest of floridas fourth Congressional District, luke cooper. Luke is an exceptionally young man who was recently announced as a silver medalist for the congressional award, one of the highest awards congress can bestow upon americas youth. The congressional. Mr. Ayotte ward fun to congressional award foundation, there are exceptionally few who meet these lofty goals and luke is one of them. Hes given back to his local community by volunteering at safe Animal Shelter in clay county, fostering cats and kittens until they can find for homes. Through his 150 hours of service, luke has helped with the shelters efforts to care for Homeless Animals while leaving a positive impact on his community. As a volunteer at clay countys teen court, luke has gained handson experience about our judiciary system and learned the necessary judicial system and learned the necessary skills to become a catalyst for a better. To beyond service to others, luke has put in hundreds of hours of personal development, including training for the 50mile cycling excursion and sharpening his problem solving skills on the golf course. A prime example of what students from floridas fourth Congressional District are capable of, i am proud to congratulate luke cooper on his impressive achievements. Mr. Speaker, what do hasbro, warner bros. And Russell Stovers candies and the Jacksonville Exchange Club all have in common . Well, they all were started in 1923 and have thrived for 100 years. They each represent the Gold Standard of service and success. Mr. Speaker, i rise to honor the Jacksonville Exchange Club, an allvolunteer National Service organization that has been providing valuable service and programs to members of our community for 100 years. Since 1923, the club has continued to expand and evolve, dedicating their free time toward the pursuit of Community Projects that promote volunteerism, good citizenship and love of country. With the strong belief that americas youth are the leaders of tomorrow, club members actively seek out ways to inspire and engage jacksonvilles youth with programs such as student of the year and accepting the challenge for excellence award, americanism speech contest. The Jacksonville Exchange Club continues to not only make a difference through their Ongoing Community service efforts, but by providing members with a space where they may gather, exchange ideas, knowledge and the pursuit and pursue the Core Principles envisioned by the clubs original members. Mr. Speaker, i am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this significant milestone for the Jacksonville Exchange Club, its members and the entire city of jacksonville. On its 100th anniversary. I wish the Jacksonville Exchange Club continued growth and prosperity in the years ahead. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Mr. Kelly thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of Childhood Cancer research and the organization, hyundai hope on wheels, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Before serving in congress, i began working with hyundai hope on wheels in my role as a hyundai dealer. Today im proud to work with this incredible charity in my role as cochair, along with mike mckawl, of the mccaul, of the Childhood Cancer caucus. Every time a hyundai is sold, 22 of each new vehicle goes towards hyundai hope on wheel, to fund pediatric cancer research. Since 1998, this organization has raised over 225 million. It truly makes hyundai not only a great company, but a good company. Now, i work with dealers, tom obrien and don riley, and these are the men who started this incredible charity, and has played a crucial role in creating hope and saving lives in the battle against Childhood Cancer. Fueling nearly 1,300 Research Studies at more than 175 medical institutions. They are dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer that finds innovative approaches, creates discovery, improves care for children fighting cancer. The milestone came during an important week last month as they held their annual event here on capitol hill and the cancer caucus held its annual Childhood Cancer summit simultaneously. Here in congress, and through the work of our caucus, we have made great legislative strides that have turned bills into laws and hope into action. Last year we passed the star reauthorization act. Since it was first passed in 2018, this bill has expanded opportunities for childhood research, improved efforts to identify and track Childhood Cancer incidents and enhances the quality of life for childhood survivors. Since its inception, the Childhood Cancer kaw kas has had four landmark pieces of legislation signed into law. The star act, the creating hope act, the race for children act and the global hope act. And our work is not done. Thanks to their work, thanks to our partnership in congress, we have made Great Strides in funding Childhood Cancer research. Most importantly, i believe we are getting closer to the day when no parent, no family will ever again have to hear the words, your child has cancer. I also want to take a moment to share a Success Story from hyundai hope on wheels program. Each year hyundai hope on wheels has a youth ambassador and a few years ago we met hanna adams. She was several years removed from battling cancer herself and she shared with us some incredible and impactful stories. Hanna is now 13 years cancerfree. And this summer she was an intern in our washington, d. C. , office. Shes now a junior at the university of alabama, doubling in major in Political Science and public relations, and we know she will accomplish so much. It is my honor to have worked alongside hanna and all of our youth ambassadors over the years. You know, you can understand why we have a youth ambassador. If we were to go into a Cancer Hospital and try to talk to a child, it looks like their grandfather, in my case, their grandfather came in. Hanna was their age. The youth ambassadors are their age and they connect with children in a way that they say, look, i was once in the same position you are in. You can beat this. You can beat this. We will work with you to do it. Now, as i close, i want to acknowledge that october is Breast Cancer awareness month. As cochair of the house cancer caucus, i want to also make a commitment to those who are currently living with or who have lived with Breast Cancer. Congress will continue to fight for you. By providing the necessary funding for research and support that someday, someday we can find a cure. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Kiley, for five minutes. Mr. Kiley thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to, first, again, extend my wishes and prayers to the family of senator fine stie. Dianne feinstein dedicated her life to Public Service and her pass something a profound loss for our state and country. Id also like to congratulate Laphonsa Butler on her appointment to the senate by Governor Newsom. And i say that with all sincerity. I have harbor no ill will in any form against ms. Butler. She wasnt apparently even expecting this appointment and only learned about it when she got a call from the governor and she agreed to serve. And should be commended for that. I should say that there is has been raised a question concerning whether she meets the requirements to hold this office and to represent california, given that apparently shes a registered voter in maryland. But i trust that the senate, which is responsible for judging the qualifications of its members, is taking that inquiry seriously. I will say, however, that we need to at this point just kind of pause to reflect on the fact that if ms. Butler is sworn in, which i believe shes supposed to be sworn in today, that california will now have two senators who gained their office not by the authority of voters, but rather by the whim of a single individual. Governor gavin newsom. We will have two senators who gained their office via appointment. And we also, by the way, have a senator from new jersey whose own conference is calling on him to resign, which could create another appointed senator in the United States senate. This is very much this is contrary to the spirit of the 17th amendment which calls for the direct election of senators. When this an amendment was adopted it was put in place, according to one scholarly article, to place a distrusted regime of appointed senators with one of popular enfranchisement. Since the 17th amendment, which provided for the direct election of senators, but allowed that governors could appoint senators still to fill vacancies, these appoints have been subject to all manner of abuses. You have had instances of nepotism, governors have appointed children, their spouses, some have appointed themselves to the u. S. Senate. Indeed the appointment that we that Governor Newsom has made demonstrates the risks that are inherent in an appointment system. As one column in todays San Francisco chronicles headline reads, newsomes handling of feinsteins appointment is a highlight reel of his political flaws. He twisted himself into pretzels over the last two years because he looked at this appointment through the lens of what is going to help his president ial aspirations as opposed to what is going to be best for the state of california. As long as two years ago Governor Newsom made statements about who he might appoint in the event of a vacancy. Then just a few weeks ago he said he would appoint an interim senator. A couple days ago he walked back that statement, said no the person would be free to run for reelection. This is not the sort of dynamic that ought to influence who is going to hold a position as important as being a United States senator from california. I should also add its unfair to the candidates who have been running to hold this position in 2024, three of whom currently serve in the house, who have been very actively campaigning, and now face the prospect of running against an incumbent who didnt actually have to face get to that office and face voters in order to get there. For this house, the house of representatives, every Single Person who walks under the floos house is there by the authority of voters. Is there having been elected. There is no reason why it shouldnt be the same in the United States senate. I have introduced House Resolution 57. This is a constitutional amendment that will simply say that in order to be a United States senator, just as to be a United States representative, you have to get there by an election of the people. If this really is a government of, by, and for the people as lincoln put it, we should make sure that those who are here at this capitol making important decisions on behalf of the people are there because the people chose them to be so. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. Lamalfa, for five minutes. Mr. Lamalfa thank you, mr. Speaker. We are in perilous times as a nation due to the weakness we have been projecting the last 2 1 2 years from our leadership. What do we see . When you have a vacuum like that, you know that terminology, china is all too eager to step in and move in and replace us in that regard. We are seeing that with the undermining of our currency around the world. The brix group trying to go on its own with american currency had for many years been the standard. We dont have a birthright to that. We dont have a birthright to the United States being number one in anything. I think we could agree wed be stronger as a country and good intentions as a people the United States is well positioned to continue to be the light of the world that its capable of being. But with bad leadership, poor leadership, we allow others to come in and replace us in that role. China is seeking to do so. On so many things. Manufacturing, food. Thats what id like to talk about today. Food production. At the same time as western countries are saying we need to blame agriculture for Climate Change, which basically means co2 production. Ill remind you once again Carbon Dioxide is only. 04 of our atmosphere. All hysteria over that is that somehow going to be the end of us as a people. The end of the earth. Its only grown a minute amendment. They would have us cut 1 3 of agriculture in this country. John kerry, the socalled czar, as he flies in his private jet to yet another fancy event in davos to talk about Climate Change. Along with hundreds of other private jets would have us cut 1 3 of our agriculture in this country. You see it happening in europe. You see the dutch farmers fighting back against their government where they want to put a bunch of their land out of business. They reclaimed some of the ocean and made prime farmland out of t you have extremist trying to push them out. You have seen where ireland a while back decided we need to cull 30 , maybe a third of their dairy herd. They make co2 and methane gas and such. There was a time in this country where we had way, way more buffalo on the plains than we have currently with beef and dairy cattle. Thats an interesting stat. It isnt about the animals burden of proofing or whatever. As we see the u. S. Due to bad policy, poor leadership being displaced in that area, do we want to become dependent more so in china and other alliances they have with iran, be more and more depend pendent. We are only dependent on 90 of our pharmaceuticals. So much of our manufactured products. You want to do that to agriculture, too . It makes no sense. My home state of california where california produces so many of these great crops here. 90plus percent americans rely on comes from california. We saw last year in 2022 due to the decisions made by the Prime Minister bureau of reclamation and others that the water got cut off to much of agriculture. We saw rights, for example, that normally about half a million acres of rice are grown in california. They cut that number in half. 250,000 acres out. You know how devastating to communities when you have that and other crops wiped away because of mismanagement of our water supply. During a drought period. There is still plenty of water. Plenty of snow pack. We are certainly blessed with a lot this year and made things good for the 2023 crop. We have a decent careover as we watch us forfeiter the water away in this time of year as they have to lower the lakes to have a Flood Control level, conservation level. The water that could be used for other things is going to the ocean as so much of it is. Its a Water Management issue, leadership issue. Where is this going to come from . They want to continue to take dams out. I heard a colleague say these dams havent been maintained over the years. Its because thats purposeful. The government doesnt put forward the dollars and effort and permitting process to maintain and keep dams upgraded. After 40 years they can straight. Someone decides it will be too expensive to revamp the dam. To bring it up to specs. Lets tear it out. Thats what they want. Where is our food going to come from so we dont have the dams, water storage, all those things. Makes no sense. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. The chair now recognizes the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Grothman, for five minutes. Mr. Grothman thank you. Id like to address some of the votes that took place on the floor last week. In particular the vote regarding a continuing resolution designed to keep the government opened that was taken here last friday. The effort to keep the government opened failed 232198. Every democrat voted against that resolution to close the government. But what im going to address is the fact that 21 republicans voted against keeping the government opened at that time. And the press, particularly the new york times, probably the others as well, referred to those 21 people as hard core conservatives. As our country goes under, some people are going to blame the executive. Some people are going to blame congress. Some people blame the courts. I have to say a lot has to fall on the utterly incompetent press corps of this country. Hard lined conservatives. Lets look at the bill that we wanted to have to keep the government opened last friday. First of all a continuing resolution is primarily about spending. That spending bill cut spending, Discretionary Spending, on all but veterans, the border, and defense by 30 . In other words, across the board, you put Everything Else together, Discretionary Spending on the department of education, department of commerce, the department of interior, the state department, energy, the legislature itself. A 30 reduction in spending. How in the world can you say the people who voted for the 30 reduction in spending are not conservative . And how in the world can the press corps refer to the people who voted against a reduction 30 reduction in spending as the hard lined conservatives . Of course we all know part that have bill was not just focused on government spending. Probably the biggest crisis, the biggest crisis facing America Today is the Massive Group of people coming across the southern border. Over 200,000 a month. In addition to that we have all the unaccompanied minors, 8,000 to 10,000 children coming across the southern border, with no adult accompanying them at all. And in that bill we also tried to add 22,000 more Border Agents and catch and re end catch and release so people showing up at the southern border would be kept in mexico. And the policy of inviting unaccompanied minors into our country. In other words, dealing with the immigration crisis. We had two parts of the bill. 30 reduction in correction the gentleladys time has expired Discretionary Spending on so much of the budget. And closing down the border to prevent all these people coming here illegally, as well as to prevent the drugs coming across that cost over 100,000 americans a year. The press corps in this country has the nerve to say the people who sided with the democrats to kill this bill are hard lined conservatives. I call upon the slumbering press to wake up. And Pay Attention to whats in these bills. And tell us exactly what you mean by hardcore conservatives if they vote against the bill. There may be a variety of motivations. Maybe personalities. Maybe you want to fancy yourself a hardcore conservative and you count on utter incompetence in the news media. I beg the press corps in the future to Pay Attention whats in these bills and only use the phrase hardcore conservative to describe people voting for hardcore conservative bills. The next thing that i think we should point out here today and the importance of having that large reduction in spending, is the degree to which, dont mean to bore you with numbers, the degree to which on a daily basis our country gets in worse and worse shape. That is because the Interest Rates go up. Thats no vote that we take here in congress. We fight trench warfare here on a variety of bills. Sometimes the bills are minor bills that have a few Million Dollars in them. In the last two days because of an increase in Interest Rates, the amount of money we are going to have to spend on interest, just interest in the next year, went up 12 billion. Since april when Interest Rates were like 3. 5 the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Grothman the cost in interest has gone up over 100 billion. We have sear faust problems Serious Problems here. Thank you very much. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in