Was killed in south america or africa. We were working with that were going to leave this keep our commitment toe live gavel to gavel coverage of congress. Today the house will work on several Small Business related measures and a bill to revital r. F. K. Stadium football site. Off the floor, members are continuing work on government funding with the first of two shutdown deadlines coming friday. And later today, the house will swear in representativeelect tom souzzi of new york, who recently won a special election to replace george santos. Youre watching live coverage here on cspan. 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, d. C. February 28, 2024. I hereby appoint the honorable Mariannette Millermeeks to act as speaker pro tempore on this day. Signed, mike johnson, speaker of the house of representatives. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the order of the house of january 9, 2024, the chair will now recognize members from lists submitted by the majority and minority leaders for morning hour debate. The chair will alternate recognition between the parties with mime 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 1 50 p. M. The chair recognizes the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer, for five min minutes. Mr. Blumenauer thank you, madam speaker. This week we are having a public media summit in our nations capital. With representatives from independent television stations from across the country. 13 years ago of prospects were not particularly encouraging. We just had a takeover in the house of representatives with people intent on reducing Government Spending and public media was in the crosshairs. Today, 13 years later, the federal funding is still flowing, at record levels, to americas public broadcasters. We noted the retirement of the head of americas Public Television stations, pat butler, who helped guide us through these difficult times. Congress has enacted a new Infrastructure Investment program for public media, nearly three times as large as the one it replaced. When covid struck, the economy imploded, congress provided 250 million in emergency Financial Assistance to americas public media. And our partnership for public radio and television includes our state governments as well who will commit a record 365 million to support public media. There are hundreds of advocates who will hit capitol hill to share the strong positive message of public broadcasting. In a way this should be the easiest of lobbying assignments. Public broadcasting is the most trusted name in media. 180 Million People watch or listen to it every week. The Senate Passed the appropriation out of committee 242. At a funding level overwhelmingly approved last spring by congress with the agreement with the president to avert a shutdown. It included 149 republicans. The benefits are powerful, and almost universe aolly supported universally supported. Its not just news, but most point out that pbs and n. P. R. Is where even the critics go when they need to know what is actually going on. Part of our challenge now is that there are a handful of people who are holding the budget hostage. Which is unfortunate because there is overwhelming support in the house and the senate if we are able to see our way clear. Its perplexing because funding for public media is overwhelmingly supported by rural and small town america. There is always going to be public broadcasting in new york or san francisco, boston, or even portland, oregon. But there will not be as much and the programs wont be as good but it will be there. But thats not the case for rural and small town america. In the mountain states, rural midwest, in alaska. Thats why the late republican dean of the house, don young, was such a fierce champion for public broadcasting in his state and nationally. He knew that it was more important in Rural America where there are fewer choices and its more expensive. Federal support was critical. News, general at the same time, culture entertainment, culture, think where we would be during covid without the public educational component. Its also increasingly important for Public Safety. The network supplied by public broadcasting is the Emergency Communications for natural disaster, for efforts in terms of fires, floods. It is a system that we depend upon. And it is public broadcasting that provides the backbone. People literally depend on it for their lives. Lets hope, as the visitors from the Public Television stations visit capitol hill, meeting with our staff, providing this information, that people are receptive. Because this is an opportunity for us in a bipartisan basis to strengthen the ability of americans to be able to learn, to be able to promote culture and education, and Public Safety. It is the best bargain for the taxpayer dollar. I hope that we will be supportive. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair now recognizes the gentleman from pennsylvania, dr. Mr. Joyce madam speaker, i rise to address the house and ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks. The speaker pro tempore so recognized. Mr. Joyce madam speaker, last week President Biden announced a plan to cancel 1. 2 billion in federal Student Loans for 150,000 borrowers. As americans we have always followed a followed a simple rule, if you take out a loan, you pay back the loan. Its time to call a spade a spade. This student loan scam isnt forgiveness, its an Election Year handout to President Bidens far left voters. To transfer debt to the american taxpayer. This gimmick transfers the burden of the loans from the students who took the loans on to every american taxpayer. Repaying these loans certainly has no personal benefit to 87 of taxpayers who dont have Student Loans and to the 100 million americans who never attended college. This Program Takes advantage of americans who are already struggling to support their families under the weight of President Bidens inflation. It is time to send a message to President Biden and his administration that we cannot allow hardworking americans who have kept their word and repaid their personal loans to be ripped off by yet another pandering scheme to the far left. Thank you. Madam speaker, i rise today to celebrate rare disease week. Right now more than 25 million americans and their loved ones are impacted by over 7,000 conditions which are classified as Rare Diseases. Since the orphan drug act was enacted in 1983, more than 600 drugs have been developed to combat these illnesses and ultimately save lives. Now because of President Bidens socalled inflation reduction act, the environment that has allowed these treatments to develop is being threatened. This week, im proud to be working alongside my colleagues to advance bipartisan legislation, the orphan cures act, which would expand the orphan drug exemption for medicines was multiple indications involving rare disease and cancers. Its critical that Congress Acts to support research and development into treatments and therapies that address Rare Diseases and further work to ensure that patients have access to the care and to the treatment that they need. As we recognize rare disease week, lets commit to standing with patients who are living with Rare Diseases. Including pediatric cancers. And diseases like cystic phi row business cystic fibrosis. Classified as rare but they are not rare to the families and patients suffering with them. Lets commit to working together to ensure every patient, regardless of the rarity of the condition, receives the support, care, and treatment that they need. Thank you, madam speaker. I yield. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from iowa, mrs. Millermeeks, for five minutes. Mrs. Millermeeks thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to remember and celebrate the life of larry his remarkable work in the quad cities was transformative. Over the years he was president of the j. C. s and the chamber of commerce where he served for many years as an ambassador. He was last a member of the morning optimist clubs, the kiwanis club and served as the district chairman for the boy scouts of america. His unwavering dedication, leadership, and passion for excellence set a standard that will continue to inspire us all. As we reflect on his achievements, his military service, and his service to our community, let us remember the positive influence he had on those around him. Id like to offer my deepest condolences to his wife and his family during this difficult time. May we honor larry by carrying forward his spirit of resilience, creativity, and commitment to making a difference. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of zach bott, a winemaker at fi fireside winery for being named the 2024 Iowa Wine Growers Association winemaker of the year. In a region known for its rich agricultural history, zachs dedication and passion for wine making have set him apart. He has not only mastered the art of wine making, but also become a symbol of excellence in the industry. His commitment to producing high quality wine reflects the spirit of innovation and hard work that defines iowas wine making industry. Congratulations, zach, on this well deserved honor. May your success inspire a new generation of wine makers and continue to elevate iowas iowas preens in wines. I rise to celebrate beth who recently was named the permanent athletics director for the university of iowa. She is now the first woman to oversee the universitys entire Athletics Program since Christine Grant led the then separate womens Athletic Department from 1973 to 2000. Beths groundbreaking announcement not only marks a significant milestone for women working in athletics, but the promotion also reflects iowas commitment to excellence and diversity in leadership. With an impressive track record and a visionary approach, beth is ready to lead iowa athletics to new heights. Congratulations, death, and go, hawks. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to identity with a department of transportation, the city crews, county crews, and all the volunteers who worked tirelessly during the recent winter storm in iowas first congressional district. With another storm coming in today, their work has been so helpful to all iowans. And to those who are crossing the country on interstate 80 or interstate 35. Their unwavering commitment and dedication ensured our roads were cleared, our sidewalks were usable, our communities remain safe, and ensured our essential Services Continued uninterrupted. And it was a challenging and dangerous job to do at that. So i extend my deepest gratitude to the women and men who threw her hard work who through their hard work kept our cities running smoothly and roads safe. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Rose, for five minutes. Mr. Rose mr. Speaker, last week our country lost yet another innocent soul to President Bidens administrations inexcusable and shameful open border policy when 22yearold laken hope riley was brutally murdered by venezuelan citizen who illegally entered our country in september, 2022. Laken was a Nursing Student at augusta universitys athens campus out on a morning run near the intramural feeds at the university of georgia fields at the university of georgia. May her soul rest in peace. Unfortunately, this is what americans across the country have come to expect since President Biden took office. His administration has enacted and implemented numerous open border policies which directly and inevitably result in these sorts of tragedies. In addition to this terriblagedy that occurred in georgia, local authorities in virginia arrested a 32yearold venezuelan migrant in connection with the Sexual Assault of a minor. This individual also entered the country in september of 2022 after being detained and released by u. S. Customs and Border Patrol in el paso, texas. In our nations capital, washington, d. C. , a man accused of shooting three district of Columbia Police officers is found to be in our country illegally, with an active deportation order with immigration and customs enforcement. All three of these terrible, completely avoidable tragedies occurred in the same calendar month. Just a week apart. Mr. Speaker, pure and simple. These are the consequences of the biden administrations indefensible open border policies. There is no doubt that President Bidens effectless border policies are fecless border policies are the direct causes of this once unimaginable level of crime and loss of life. To make matters worse, just days after both of these immigrants entered our country illegally, President Biden, instead of trying to secure the border, eroan us willy i erroneously stated that the border was actually secure and that it was, quote, not rational, unquote, to deport Illegal Immigrants from veps waila venezuela. In deporting Illegal Immigrants, if deporting Illegal Immigrants is not rational, then that begs the question, mr. Speaker, what is rational . Simply doing nothing but keeping the border wide open surely isnt rational. As a father of two Young Children growing up in President Bidens United States, where every town has become a border town, i fear it is only a matter of time until one of these families that i represent in middle tennessee faces the same consequences of the biden administrations open border policies. I pray that day never comes. I also pray the president comes to his senses and ends the humanitarian crisis at the southern border, that his administrations policies have caused. The administration has already admitted they have the authority to restrict migrants ability to seek asylum at the border. It is well past time that the president used that authority. Until then, House Republicans like me will continue sounding the alarm and beating the drum to shed light on this administrations open border policies and blatant abuse of our immigration laws. Border security is National Security and strong borders make for strong countries and safe countries. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the the gentlewoman from North Carolina, ms. Foxx, for five minutes. Ms. Foxx thank you, madam speaker. Madam speaker, at this very moment, americas dedicated farmers and the nations entire Agricultural Community are facing a serious threat. That threat is the communist chinese partys continued purchasing of American Farmland. This is a threat that i take very seriously and its one that i remain committed to fixing. Heres the truth. The Chinese Communist party has absolutely no interest in supporting our nations food supply. It cares only about improving its own bottom line, while kneecapping a community thats always put food on the tables of families in every zip code in america. Think about the threat thats being posed to our National Security as more American Farmland is acquired by the Chinese Communist party. My record is Crystal Clear on standing with farmers and ive recently taken action to confront and expose the Chinese Communist partys covert agenda. Ive cosponsored h. R. 7131, the afida improvements act, legislation that makes serious reforms related to how the United States department of agriculture shares data on Foreign Investments in Agricultural Land. Whats more, ive cosponsored h. R. 809, the prohibition of Agricultural Land for the peoples republic of china act. This legislation requires the president to take necessary actions to prohibit the purchase of public or private agricultural real estate located in the United States by nonresident aliens, foreign businesses or any agent, trustee or fiduciary societied with associated with the government of the peoples republic of china. Further, under this legislation, individuals or businesses with direct ties to the government of the peoples republic of china will be prohibited from certain programs administered by the secretary of agriculture. Madam speaker, the simple truth is that our nations foo