Jodey Arrington

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, again, I would say that America is the most generous Nation, not only the most powerful, but the most generous. We represent 5 percent of the world population, and we represent 20 percent of the immigrant population. We welcome freedom-loving, law-abiding people who want to make America their home and make a better life for their family, but only if they respect our laws and our sovereignty and the safety of the American people. Millions of people wait for years to have legal status in this country, and this President has just created lawlessness and chaos, just like that, with a pen and a cell phone. The unilateral actions have been reckless and endangered not only our citizens, but the poor people that are making this trek on account of his message: Don't come now, is what he says, but come now. Come one, come all. It is a free- for-all at the border, is what his policies say loudly and clearly. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my dear friend from the great State of Arkansas (Mr. Westerman), he represents Arkansas' Fourth Congressional District.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve the truth. Over the past year, Republican and Democrat lawmakers have worked together to provide temporary and targeted assistance to the American people. Five times, we passed bipartisan legislation, totaling $4 trillion, to help families get back on their feet and our country get back to work. Which begs the question, Mr. Speaker: Why now are Democrats, who control Congress and control the White House, abandoning bipartisanship to jam through this partisan legislation without a single Republican vote? I will tell you why. It is because this is not COVID relief. It is a $2 trillion blue State boondoggle and a Trojan horse for their reckless partisan policies. It is because Speaker Pelosi is throwing your tax dollars at Democrat cronies like a float captain throws beads at a Mardi Gras parade: bailouts for union pensions, bailouts for cash-flush States like California, bailouts for schools that still refuse to open their doors to struggling students. This massive spending bill, masquerading as COVID relief, will bankrupt the country. It will not rescue the country. It will bankrupt it and saddle our children with insurmountable debt. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, this bill is further proof that there is virtually no distinction between the Democratic Party and unions as a political organization. In 1 week, Mr. Speaker, the Democrats are bailing out failed union pensions with tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer moneys, and now they are forcing States and workers into this failed union system. This bill is definitely prounion, but it is antiworker, anticompetitive, and antifreedom. This bill forces workers into unions, forces them to pay union dues. It deprives them of their right to privacy. It forces workers to divulge their personal information to their union bosses. What a racket. It would wreak havoc on our workers. Talk is cheap, Mr. Speaker, and the American worker isn't buying this empty political rhetoric. They understand the best way to protect workers is through progrowth, America-first policies that give our workers more freedom, more opportunity, and more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to be present for one of the votes, on March 2, 2021. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 52.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor a great West Texan, United States Air Force Colonel Exa Fay Hooten, of Abilene, Texas. She passed away on January 16 at the age of 92. She was born on August 27, 1928, in Floydada, Texas, to Maude Latham and Richard W. Hooten. After graduating high school, she attended Texas Tech University, where she received a bachelor's degree and then later received her Ph.D. from Texas Women's University. Exa Fay believed travel was second in importance only to a college education. She joined the Air Force and traveled the world working in military hospitals, taking care of our wounded warriors. After Active Duty, she entered the Reserves and was the first U.S. Air Force Reserve dietician to obtain the rank of full colonel. I thank Colonel Hooten for her service and patriotism. I thank her for showing us that, like the West Texas horizon, the possibilities of life are limitless when you pursue your passion and put others first. God bless, and go West Texas.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, there is an old country saying: You can put all the perfume and lipstick you want on a pig, and it is still pork, and it still stinks. H.R. 1319 is filled to the brim with bad policies and partisan priorities that is disguised as ``COVID relief.'' This bill: Pays people more to be on unemployment than to go to work. Slaps small businesses with job-killing wage mandates. Gives a $350 billion windfall to States who were mismanaged and broke before COVID. Hands a blank check to union bosses and greedy corporate executives who ran their pensions into the ground and stuck taxpayers with the tab. It rewards temper tantrums from teacher unions by doling out billions of dollars to schools who refuse to open their doors to their students. This bill is chock full of bad policies, barriers to recovery, and bailouts galore. Madam Speaker, let's open the country up, get our kids back into the classroom, and get America back to work.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, the first and most important job of the Federal Government is protecting its citizens. From day one, President Biden, who campaigned as the unifier in chief, has made record unilateral decisions to compromise the security of our country and undermine the rights of the American people. In his flood of executive orders, President Biden has already stopped deportation, lifted travel restrictions from terrorist countries, halted border wall construction, empowered sanctuary cities, weakened asylum policies--I am running out of breath, Madam Speaker. I welcome all freedom-loving and law-abiding citizens who want to make a better life for themselves in this country, but we must respect the sovereignty of this country, we must respect the rule of law, and we must always respect the American people's safety first.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, thank you to my friend from the Show Me State and the ranking member and our fearless leader on budget. Speaking of show me, I would like for somebody to show me why this is good for the American people, Mr. Speaker. We all want to help our fellow Americans. We all want to help our country get back to its feet from this pandemic and the unintended consequences from government actions, but this resolution is a disaster in and of itself on so many levels, Mr. Speaker. Let's start with this spirit of unity and peace and bipartisanship. This President, one after another, has taken more executive actions than all three Presidents combined that have killed jobs, that have undermined the security of the American people, and now, the first major legislation is to use reconciliation to ram this through. This isn't about relief and recovery, Mr. Speaker. This is about a Trojan horse to sneak policies that would not otherwise go anywhere in this Chamber because it couldn't. There are Federal wage mandates, when our small businesses are sucking air trying to get on their feet, make payroll, provide a service. And we want to kill 4 million more jobs. That is a CBO estimate. That is in healthy times. That is in good times. This isn't a recovery relief bill. It is a massive bailout and a windfall to poorly managed cities and States. My colleagues are asking $350 billion. Census data shows that we have lost State revenue to the tune of $37 billion. What is the $350 billion going to go to, Mr. Speaker? I ask my colleagues. It is to bail out cities and States with poor management who have been reckless and irresponsible in their behavior and they want the taxpayers to bail them out. They are asking 10 times the amount of what they need. It is irresponsible. This is a series of bad policies. These are barriers, not incentives, to recovery. There is $500 billion, a massive redistribution of wealth to people who are unaffected by COVID, to people who are in this country illegally, Mr. Speaker. This resolution increases the unemployment insurance so that 80 percent of the people are actually being paid more on unemployment than at their previous job. Are you kidding me? Please, tell me this is not a recovery bill, Mr. Speaker. Look, we don't need another job-killing Federal mandate, reckless spending, liberal, partisan wish list. We need to open up this great country's economy, get our kids back to school, and bring America back. Please work with us to do that for the sake of this country.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, Lee Roy Wilson, 90, a longtime resident of Rule, TX, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021. A funeral service was held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the First Baptist Church, Rule with Rev. Scott Hensley officiating. Lee Roy Wilson was born October 5, 1930 in Rule, TX to Okla (Nabors) and Roy Wilson; he was the last surviving child of 10. He married Frances (Wade) Wilson on November 14, 1953 in Pinkerton, TX and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage. Lee Roy served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his discharge he worked in the oil field for 34 year as a production supervisor for Sojourner. He also farmed and worked as a hunting guide for many years. He loved hunting, gardening, and sharing his vegetables he raised with his friends and family. Lee Roy's greatest loves were God, his family, and the many friends he had. He loved being able to attend annual Wilson and Wade reunions so he could spend precious time with his family. He is survived by his children, Melinda Casey, Roy Wilson (Becky), Fran McCown (Jerry); grandchildren, Sandy Anderson (Jody), Blayne Casey, Jeff Casey, Stefanie Bonds (Kelly), Lesli McCarroll (Ryan), Lee Taylor Wilson, Zach Tinnin (Sarah), Joey Wilson (Dusty), Cole McCown; great grandchildren, Callie Ervin (Matt), Tanner Anderson, Will Anderson, Addison Bonds, Kadynce Bonds, Knoxlee Bonds, Braxton Wharry, Jaxon Wharry, Stephen McCarroll, Brendan Tinnin, Connor Tinnin, Gavin Tinnin, Shelby Wilson, Riley Wilson, Quaid Wilson; great-great grandchildren, Ace, Wade, and June Ervin; brothers-in-law, Don Wade (Sue), Sonny Wade; numerous nieces, nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances; son, Johnny; granddaughter, Chelsea Tinnin; 2 brothers; and 7 sisters.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I was unable to vote due to a family death. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 18.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I rise with great sorrow to oppose this second attempt at a baseless impeachment from my Democrat colleagues. This week's attack on the U.S. Capitol was completely unacceptable, and the people involved should be met with swift accountability. The President didn't incite a riot. The President didn't lead an insurrection. There are no high crimes and misdemeanors requisite of an impeachment. I am not saying the President didn't exercise poor judgment, but to criminalize political speech by blaming lawless acts on the President's rhetoric is wrong, Madam Speaker, and a very dangerous precedent. The criminals who stormed the Capitol that day acted on their own volition. They are responsible for their actions. This is an important moment, Madam Speaker, for our Nation. We have the opportunity to come together and do what is right for our country. The votes are certified; President Trump has conceded. Let's focus on the future and get back to the people's business.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the great State of Florida (Mrs. Cammack), my friend. Madam Speaker, as Americans, we believe governments receive their just powers from the consent of the governed. That sacred transaction can only happen legitimately in a free and fair election. Election integrity is the very lifeblood of our unrivaled system of self-government. The law and the Constitution gave Congress not only the authority but, I believe, the responsibility to serve as the last check on the integrity of our Presidential elections. We either believe, according to statute, that every elector was ``lawfully certified'' and ``regularly given,'' or we don't. States certainly have broad delegated powers to administer Federal elections, but they still must operate within the bounds of the Constitution. Despite receiving numerous petitions--to the detriment of the country, I might add--the Supreme Court failed to answer the most important question of the 2020 election: Can entities outside of the State legislatures make election law? The plain language of Article II of the Constitution answers the question unequivocally no. The decisions made today in these Chambers are of the utmost consequence, and the horrible precedent that will be established if we don't act will have lasting impact on our beloved Republic. Madam Speaker, this proceeding is not just about the integrity of this election. It is about ensuring the integrity of all future elections. I take no pleasure or pride in making my objection today, nor do I wish for any State electors to be disqualified. However, based on the law, the Constitution, and my conscience, I cannot support certifying votes from any State that violated the Constitution. Madam Speaker, this decision is not about loyalty to a President. It is about my fidelity to the Constitution and the oath that I swore.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation to provide relief to our fellow Americans, accelerate our Nation's economic recovery, and ensure our great Nation comes back better, stronger, and healthier than ever. I don't want to belabor my deep concerns with the process except to say, Mr. Speaker, that it is fundamentally broken and that it was unnecessarily prolonged for purely political reasons. The American people waited, and waited for months. They deserve better, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend, fellow Texan and ranking member, Kay Granger; our leader, Kevin McCarthy; Kevin Brady; and many others who helped finalize this agreement. It is far from perfect. I haven't met perfect legislation since coming to Washington. But it does a good job of supporting our struggling families, small businesses, healthcare professionals, teachers, and other frontline workers at a time when many desperately need it, and all of this at a fraction of Speaker Pelosi's $3.3 trillion bailout bonanza, which included cash for illegals, legalizing marijuana, and a host of other unnecessary and irresponsible provisions. Mr. Speaker, it is no small feat to keep our annual spending below the budget cap, and I commend my colleagues, including Chairwoman Lowey, for that. To do that and prevail in protecting troops and including their pay raise, funding for the border wall, preserving the sacred protections for our unborn, I have got to tell you, that is pretty darn good. It is hard for me to stand for some of this stuff in this bill, this omnibus. But on balance, it is good for the country, and I am standing with Chairwoman Lowey, and I am standing with my fellow Texan, Kay Granger. God bless America.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, thank you for indulging me. God bless the Mulder family. God bless those who serve our great country. I pray to God that this will help make an impact on the real lives of our veterans as they transition and maximize their greatest God-given potential as civilians once again. That is the way this ought to work, and I know that is our desire.

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, how can a Texan respond to that in the 3 minutes that has been allotted to me? Mr. Speaker, I will say, with all sincerity, what an incredible man, what a great statesman and a leader for this country. For all things good about our veterans and the promises that we have made and the services that we render to them, Dr. Phil Roe, what a hero and what a great mentor to many of us. I join the many who have benefited from your friendship and leadership. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Chairman Takano's friendship, and I thank him for his leadership and his love for our veterans. Our country's character, I think we would say, could be measured in a few ways. One of them is how we treat those who we send off to battle. In addition to being the right thing to do--that is, deliver on the promises we make to our veterans--it is also good national security policy. It is more than just recruiting the right people and providing the best training. If we are going to maintain the greatest fighting force in all the world, we need to make sure we do right by our Active Duty military men and women as they transition to civilian life and being veterans. Mr. Speaker, I want to focus on title IV of this piece of legislation. It is the Transition Assistance Improvement Act that I have worked on for a few years now. It is named after my dear friend from high school, Bill Mulder, Chief Petty Officer Navy SEAL Bill Mulder. I love saying his name. He is a warrior's warrior. He, too, gave his life for this country. He suffered and struggled with the wounds of battle that you can't easily see. Let's put it that way. I am so grateful to Chairman Takano and Chairman Roe, and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, especially Representative Mike Levin, for helping shepherd this along and honoring Bill Mulder and his family and, in doing so, passing this legislation that will engage our Active Duty military earlier in the process, before they venture out as civilians, to equip them and empower them with education and opportunities for employment and to connect them with their brothers and sisters, fellow veterans in the community. All the component parts of this, I think, will end up with lives saved, less Bill Mulders, in terms of his final chapter, and less pain for wives of military personnel, like Sydney Mulder. To Sydney, let me say thank you for your sacrifice. To Bill's children, Nina, Jake, and Sam, thank you for what you guys represent in military families. Your dad is a true American hero. His legacy will not stop here. It will live on in you, and it will live on in the lives that it changes because of this piece of legislation.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life, and honor the memory of Troy Lee Jones, a member of the Greatest Generation who I had the privilege of representing in the United States House of Representatives. It cannot be disputed, Madam Speaker, that Mr. Jones' life was defined by his devotion to the Lord, a fierce American patriotism, and a specialty for salesmanship--traits he no doubt passed along to the children and grandchildren he raised, all of whom have made tremendous contributions to the economic, health and educational wellbeing of West Texas. Troy Lee Jones drew the first breath of his extraordinary life on May 14, 1924, in Radium, Jones County, Texas. Born to Georgia Mae and Lacy D. Jones, Mr. Jones grew up in small towns on the South Plains before graduating in 1941 from Sparenberg High School, located at Five Mile, Dawson County, Texas. After high school, he worked several jobs, including that of Civilian Quartermaster at Lamesa Field, a United States Army Air Force glider training school. Despite qualifying for a deferment, and against his mother's wishes, Mr. Jones enlisted in the United States Army in 1943. He trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, and Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, New York. A member of the 487th Port Battalion, Company B, 5th Engineers Special Brigade, 1st Army, Mr. Jones trained for Operation Overlord with his fellow soldiers in Wales' Rhondda Valley before landing on Omaha Beach during the first wave of the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. A recipient of multiple campaign awards and the Purple Heart, Private Jones served the remainder of the war in Antwerp, supporting supply chains to arm and feed the Allied Forces, all the while, under constant bombardment by the Nazis. After returning from Europe, Mr. Jones lived in Lamesa where he worked for several years before meeting the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Troy and Minnie Margaret ``Marge'' Ward met on a blind date on New Year's Eve, 1947 and the couple married on March 31, 1950, in Lovington, New Mexico. Troy and Marge lived and worked alongside one another for the next seventy years, and their devotion to one another was evident even during the final days of their life together. During the decade following their nuptials, the couple was blessed with three children, Cathy, Terry and Jeff. A natural-born salesman, Mr. Jones peddled ointment door-to-door as a boy before beginning his formal sales career at Fair Department Store in Lamesa the week following his marriage. He worked in and managed consumer sales enterprises for over fifteen years until he operated his own--Jones Department Store--in Silverton, Texas. Not only was Mr. Jones a business leader in Briscoe County, he was elected to the Silverton City Council and served as the town's mayor during the twenty-two years he lived there. Marge and Troy sold their store in 1986 and moved to Lubbock, where he worked in several sales positions prior to his retirement in 1999. It's true that Troy Lee Jones performed heroically on the battlefield and that he made many positive civic and economic contributions to West Texas, but what his family appreciates most, Madam Speaker, is the faith heritage that Troy passed along to them. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of seven, was baptized in Moran, Texas and spent the next nine decades living out his faith alongside his family and his community. He was an active member in several Baptist churches and was an ordained deacon. Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his parents Georgia Mae Loudder Jones and Lacy D. Jones. He is survived by his devoted wife Minnie Margaret ``Marge'' Ward Jones and his children, Cathy Marion Jones Buchanan (Michael) of Lubbock, Terry Lee Jones Byers (James) of Muleshoe and Jeffery Ward Jones (L' Anna) of Lubbock. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Juli Catherine Buchanan McCauley, Cameron Ward Buchanan, Michael Dee Buchanan, Riley Mac Byers, Russell Ward Byers, Austin Keith Jones, Linley Brittain Jones Melham, Jeffery Nicholas Jones, and seventeen great-grandchildren. While Mr. Jones resided in Lubbock for the final thirty-four years of his life, he lived and worked in towns such as Radium, Lorenzo, Tuxedo and Levelland, communities that are the heart and soul of West Texas and the life book of Texas' 19th Congressional District. Like so many other rural Americans, Mr. Jones decided as a young man to trade a life of relative tranquility on the South Plains for one of grueling sacrifice on the battlefields of World War II. We must never forget those brave Americans, like Troy Lee Jones, who risked everything to secure not only America's freedom, but also to liberate the world from tyranny and terror. Private Jones and his fellow soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines returned home to build their families and communities, laying the groundwork for the moral strength and economic prosperity that, even today, extends across the dusty plains of West Texas and from sea to shining sea. Madam Speaker, on behalf of my constituents and the Texas congressional delegation, I wish to thank Troy Lee Jones for his sacrifice for the cause of freedom, his legacy of faith and service to Almighty God, and his deep and lasting contributions to West Texas.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very special constituent, a legendary west Texan, and a great American and the most recent inductee into the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame, Gene Arrington. At 6-foot-6, ``Big Air,'' as his friends call him, is a giant of a man with a larger-than-life story. He was raised by a single mom on the south side of Amarillo, Texas, with little more than a roof over his head. In spite of his humble beginnings, God blessed him with an abundance of athleticism and drive that helped him achieve tremendous success in the sport of basketball. In 1956, Arrington led the Palo Duro Dons to their first State championship basketball title, averaging 20 points a game, and named to both the all-State and all-tournament teams. He was the only Texan to be invited to play in the North versus South All-Star Game in Murray, Kentucky. After high school, Arrington joined Polk Robison's Texas Tech Red Raiders, where he started for 3 years, scored 652 points, and pulled down 409 rebounds in 71 games. His greatest feat, Mr. Speaker, while playing ball at Texas Tech was winning the heart of a young coed from Austin, Texas, Betty Lee Cook, who is now his wife of over 50 years. If you asked my dad about his greatest achievements, he wouldn't reference championship titles, all-star games, or all-State and all- conference teams. He wouldn't mention a single athletic achievement or accolade. Instead, he would talk about the day he met Jesus and joined God's kingdom team and what joy and blessing and peace and purpose he experienced from that relationship. He would talk about his most impressive score of convincing my mom to marry him and spend over 50 years doing life with him and how she has been such a faithful friend and partner and such a hardworking woman and an amazing mother. He would talk about coaching three boys to be men and how proud he is of all three of us and how he prayed every day--every day--for our happiness in life and in the Lord. He would talk about his all-star friends and what a blessing they have been and how sweet life has been and how they have helped him be more successful. I am proud of my dad's induction into the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame, but, Mr. Speaker, the most important thing to my dad is not being a Hall of Fame athlete. It is being the best husband, father, and friend that he can be. So I congratulate my dad on his Hall of Fame honor. But, more importantly, I congratulate him on realizing his deepest desires and his biggest dream of being a world-class father and teaching his boys the game of life, the love of God, and the true meaning of success. He is our hero. God bless, and go West Texas.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor my colleague, my friend, and fellow pitcher on the Congressional Baseball Team. In fact, in 2018, after watching my colleague John Shimkus pitch for an inning, I followed him on to the mound. After watching him for an entire inning, I still, Madam Speaker, cannot throw the ball straight. But in all seriousness, it is a privilege to serve with a man with such great character and commitment to service. In fact, John, you are the epitome of a servant leader. I imagine this is how you were when you were a soldier, when you were a teacher, a local leader. That is certainly who you are in this Chamber, and it has made all the difference. I am reminded of the scripture in Philippians that says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourself. That is who you are, John, and that is the value and the trait that has made this country what it is today. I pray that we will have more leaders follow you in your ilk. It is an honor to be your friend. I am grateful for your friendship, and I wish you blessings and Godspeed in all your future endeavors.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, for the record, it is my friend, Phil Roe, who likes to say that there would be no Texas if there weren't a Tennessee. I have to say that in his honor, and then I will have to defend my honor now when I go back to Texas. That is my gift to the gentleman as he departs. He is a distinguished gentleman and statesman and an effective leader for our Nation and for our veterans. I thank the gentleman for that from the bottom of my heart. I thank Chairman Takano for his camaraderie and our common cause of serving the veterans. We served together when I was in my first term on the VA Committee, and he has a passion for our veterans. While we may disagree about things from time to time, I respect that about the gentleman and I wish him all the best success as we try to do right by those men and women who gave up their today so we could have our tomorrow. Now, to Chairman Levin, nothing would honor me more than to honor the Mulder family and my friend Bill Mulder. And for the gentleman to allow us to carry his name forward, representative of the men and women who have served and who have returned with honor but with wounds that you can't see and that end up taking their lives and taking so much from this country because they have so much more to offer, I thank the gentleman. We need to recognize when things are working around here, and I will say that any time we can govern for this great country and we can do the right thing and put our country first, I will commend anybody any day and all day. So God bless you gentlemen for your leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7105, a package that includes legislation that I, along with Chairman Levin, introduced to honor Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Bill Mulder. This legislation aims to improve the VA's transition assistance program to help our Nation's servicemembers successfully reintegrate back into civilian life when they return home from serving our Nation. Bill Mulder was a friend, a leader, and an American hero who, as I mentioned, due to the invisible wounds that often plague our soldiers when they return, tragically ended his own life just a few months after retiring from serving our Nation with distinction. Our veterans face unique challenges when they return home and if we can do a better job on the front end, engaging them earlier and providing them the education, training, equipping them to reintegrate so that we can, on the back end, prevent the struggles with addiction, unemployment, homelessness, suicide, that is the goal here. Those are things that disproportionately affect our veterans and we can do something about it, and I believe this legislation will address that in a meaningful way. As we recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I can think of no other cause more worthy for our support in this great body than helping our veterans transition to a more productive and healthy and fulfilling civilian life after they sacrificed so much for our country. By the way, I can't think of a better way to honor Bill Mulder and those just like him. So I stand in support.

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I almost rushed the most important part. This is not only a cause worthy of our support as a Congress, but it will honor men and women just like Bill Mulder. I believe if we do it right, and if the VA and the Defense Department actually implement it right--that is the next big hurdle--then we will save lives. And that is why we got into this gig, right? We want to make a difference. We want to help our fellow Americans. We want to save lives.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, unfortunately I was unable to be present for votes on September 17, 2020. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 194.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my dear friend from Ohio, for yielding. I am listening to my colleagues and the recent speaker. Where is that passion, where is that indignation over the violent mobs that are terrorizing our communities, that are assaulting our law enforcement officers? People are being killed in cold blood in once great American cities, and not nigh a word is said in this great Chamber about what is happening to our fellow Americans whose rights are being trampled. Instead, they want to hyperventilate over this pettiness. We know what it is about, and the American people know what it is about, Madam Speaker. They know good and well this is about scoring political points. They have seen it over and over, day in and day out for the last 2 years under the Pelosi leadership of this great representative body; obstruction, more political theater, and just dividing us. This is dividing our country. This is opportunism like I have never seen before. You can't refer to a virus by its place of origin? We have been doing that for time immemorial. And now we can't call it the ``Chinese virus,'' somehow that is offensive? This is about dividing our country. This is about stoking the flames of racial dissension. It is un-American. It is unacceptable for our leaders to do what is happening today. I trust the American people; they are watching this. This is the stark contrast in leadership that we have been talking about. Do you want more of this, America? Do you want more resolutions to condemn calling the virus the ``Wuhan virus?'' Or do you want to condemn what is happening in Portland, in Seattle, and the rise in crime and the mass exodus by our police officers, who feel that they have jeopardized their livelihoods and their lives? We have disrespected them. We have demonized them. What are we doing in this Chamber? God save the Union. God have mercy that we can't just come together, solve a few problems, I don't know, like the unprecedented crisis that we are facing to get our fellow American citizens and families back on their feet. To hold China accountable for what they have done. There are real problems to solve, and I want to work with my colleagues. And they know we condemn racism. They know we don't stand for making light of something so serious. But they are seizing on this political opportunistic moment. It is the wrong time. They are on the wrong side of history here, Madam Speaker. And the ultimate judge of what happens today in this Chamber and what has happened over the last 2 years will be in the hands of we the people. And that is my faith, that is my confidence.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained by a media hit across the Capitol complex. I would have been a strong ``yes'' on rollcall No. 194.

Mr. ARRINGTON

Mr. ARRINGTON. Madam Speaker, I cannot believe that this week, under the leadership of my colleagues on the Democrat side, under Speaker Pelosi, we are actually going to vote on a resolution condemning people for using the place of origin to distinguish this novel virus. We are going to use our time and the formal declaration of this great body to do that instead of condemning the lawlessness and the violence that is ravaging our once-great American cities. I think that is unacceptable by all standards. I think we have plenty of opportunity to stand with our law enforcement officers who risk their lives, the law-abiding citizens who are having their rights trampled, and say no more. I have the David Dorn Act and the Patrick Underwood Act. Both men died, being murdered in cold blood by these violent protesters. This would increase penalties and accountability for the folks who consider even thinking about doing that in the future. We also have a resolution to condemn this lawlessness. I hope my colleagues can join me on that.