Mark Alford

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair and my good friend, Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, for their leadership. Mr. Speaker, for too long, Washington has governed by crisis: shutdown threats, continuing resolutions, these omnibus bills, and backroom deals that the American people never asked for. Mr. Speaker, this bill proves that those days are coming to an end. The Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 is bipartisan, bicameral, and built the right way--from the ground up, from subcommittees up. It strengthens our national security, restores American energy dominance, backs law enforcement, combats illicit drugs, and supports responsible land management, all while spending less than the current continuing resolution. Mr. Speaker, that is not chaos. That is responsible governing. There are no poison pills, no partisan games, and full-year funding that takes shutdown leverage off the table and allows America to plan, build, and lead. As an appropriator, I am proud of what this bill delivers for Missouri's Fourth Congressional District. There are several investments that I won't go into here, but I am proud of this process. I am proud to be under the leadership of Tom Cole. I have never seen a committee--and I know I have been on your committee, as well. I have never worked this hard in my life, but I have never been more proud of what I am able to do in this body and on this committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, for too many American families, the American Dream seems further out of reach each and every year, especially when it comes to owning a home. Do my colleagues know that housing is the number one monthly expense for most families? When Washington piles on blue tape mandates and bureaucratic nonsense, working families pay the price. Under the Biden administration, their so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which was really nothing of the sort, homebuilders were buried under costly green new scam mandates and overregulation, driving up construction costs and pushing homeownership even further out of reach. This was also known as the green new scam in action. House Republicans are changing that. We are cutting the blue tape. We are lowering costs. We are making homeownership more affordable in 2026 and beyond. One great example is the Affordable Homes Act, led by my colleague Congresswoman Erin Houchin. This commonsense bill removes unnecessary Federal interference and eliminates costly energy mandates that drive up the price of manufactured housing. This is one of the most affordable pathways to homeownership for first-time buyers, young families, and seniors. This is just one example, Mr. Speaker, of how House Republicans are working to lower housing prices. As co-chair of the Real Estate Caucus, I worked with the Trump administration to reverse these disastrous policies because the government should get out of the way and not stand in the way of the American Dream. Back home in Missouri, I have seen exactly what these mandates do. A Kansas builder showed that so-called green energy codes save homeowners only about $125 a year but add more than $1,200 a year to families' mortgages. It is simple, folks. If a policy costs families more than it saves them, it is not a smart policy. House Republicans are fighting to make housing affordable again. They are putting families first. The first step is this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the rule. I urge passage of this act. Let's make homes affordable in America again and save the American Dream.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank our chair for his leadership and the ranking member for her leadership, as well. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2965, the Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act of 2025. For 4 long years under the previous administration, America's small businesses, the backbone of our economy and the heart of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, have been smothered by an onslaught of overreaching Federal regulations that have made goods less affordable in the United States of America. Under the Biden-Harris administration, small businesses were hit with an unprecedented $1.8 trillion--not billion--$1.8 trillion in new regulatory costs while inflation soared over 20 percent. Where do you think that cost goes, Mr. Speaker? It goes to the consumer. Main Street cannot thrive under that kind of bureaucratic chokehold. Americans are demanding affordability, and this is a good step in that direction. This bill, championed by my colleague Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, finally puts a stop to it. H.R. 2965 requires the Small Business Administration to report on the regulatory costs imposed by other Federal agencies on small businesses. It is transparency. It is all about transparency. It is going to show the American people exactly where the Democrat blue tape is strangling growth in America. This legislation supports President Trump's regulatory rightsizing agenda and gives our job creators the relief they desperately need to start, to grow, and to succeed once again. Mr. Speaker, do you want to make things more affordable in America? Do you want to cut down on overregulation? This is the bill to do it. Let's all stand with America and our small businesses and our entrepreneurs, our family-owned businesses, and support H.R. 2965.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, my blood pressure is up right now. I cannot believe what I just heard on the House floor, the ranking member of this distinguished committee denouncing Trump but will not denounce socialism on the House floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. History is clear. Socialism kills people. It leads to the deaths of tens of millions. It crushes religious liberty and destroys free markets. Our Founders built this Nation on a revolutionary idea that individual liberty and not government control is a source of human achievement. They understood that when the government owns the economy, they soon seek to own the people. I hope people who are watching right now on C-SPAN or on the news get what is going on in this body today. This side is against socialism. That side is for socialism. I am disgusted with what is going on in this body, and I hope the American people see through the charade, the gaslighting, and the lies that are being told.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, in the words of Yogi Berra: ``This seems like deja vu all over again.'' Fifty-nine days ago, I stood at this very lectern debating the ranking member and a friend of mine over the continuing resolution to keep our government open. On September 19, we did our work in this body, but Senate Democrats chose to hold America hostage with the Schumer shutdown. Democrats in Congress, including the minority whip, shamefully admitted they were using the misery they inflicted on the American people as leverage to achieve their leftist wish list of demands, slowly twisting the heads of the American people in a vice. Tonight, I am relieved to say the misery of the Schumer shutdown is on our doorstep. Mr. Speaker, this package proves that when Republicans stay united and put America first, we can govern with strength, compassion, and common sense. Tonight, Mr. Speaker, we will reopen the government and liberate the Schumer hostages.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, an institution championing courage, discipline, and devotion to duty. For two and a half centuries, Marines have stood on the front lines of freedom, defending our Nation's ideals at home and abroad with unwavering honor. Since its founding on November 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, the Marine Corps has embodied the highest standards of service and sacrifice. From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, Marines have answered the call of duty with unwavering courage and honor. Through centuries of conflict and change, they have earned their reputation as one of the world's most disciplined and lethal fighting forces, steadfast in their mission to defend our freedom. In Missouri's 4th Congressional District, we are proud to be home to two outstanding detachments of the Marine Corps League: the Sgt. Darell S. Cole Marine Corps League Detachment in Richland and the Warsaw Leathernecks Marine Corps League Detachment in Warsaw. These detachments continue to exemplify the Marine spirit long after active service: honoring fallen comrades while supporting veterans, their families, and our local communities. As we commemorate this remarkable milestone, we recognize not only the 250 years of service and sacrifice by the United States Marine Corps but also the enduring legacy carried forward by the brave men and women who wear, or have worn, the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. Their commitment to God, Country, and Corps remains a model of selfless devotion that inspires us all. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Missouri's 4th District, I extend my deepest gratitude to every Marine, past, present, and future, for their extraordinary service to our great Nation. May we continue to honor their courage and uphold the values they so bravely defend. Semper Fidelis.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole and our ranking member for their leadership as we move toward regular order in the appropriations process. I appreciate the ranking member's passion because of this issue, but we are not here today, Mr. Speaker, to talk about Russ Vought. We are here to talk about keeping the government open and avoiding a Schumer shutdown. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this short-term CR, the continuing resolution. This CR will ensure the Federal Government remains open and working for our constituents. It ensures that our troops get paid on time and that our veterans continue getting the healthcare they need and other benefits that they have earned. It also ensures the Trump administration can continue its work to secure our border, secure our communities from violent crime, and secure a stronger economy. Under the leadership of Chairman Cole, we have passed all 12 spending bills out of committee on a condensed timeline and for the first time in years, regular appropriation bills are now headed to conference committee, showing that appropriators are engaged in good-faith, bipartisan, bicameral negotiations. Keeping our government open and working for the American people should not be a partisan issue, but it appears our Democrat colleagues want to make it one. As you will see throughout this debate today, Democrats' proposal is full of partisan priorities that would explode the Federal debt by $1.5 trillion. Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker: If our Democrat colleagues vote against this clean CR to keep our government open, they will own the shutdown. This will be a Schumer shutdown. The media will not be able to spin it. The American people will see straight through their gaslighting and political posturing to the contrary. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the continuing resolution and keep our government open.

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I highlight a special place in Camdenton, Missouri, in the Fourth Congressional District of Missouri: The Funky Buffalo Coffee House and Trading Company, a weird name, but a great place. It is our September Small Business of the Month. Now, this just isn't an ordinary coffee shop. It is where community happens, families gather, students study, friendships are built, and real conversations are had like we used to do back in the day. We had the opportunity to stop by there and have some of their great coffee and see firsthand during one of our townhall tour stops in August. Yes, we actually did townhall tours. I know a lot of you are surprised by that. We got out there and listened to people. From seasonal fall specialty coffees to strawberry lemonade smoothies, the Funky Buffalo is always offering new drink recipes. The Funky Buffalo is run by Kendra. She is a wife, a mom of three, and now a bold small business owner. She and her husband, Chris, have poured their hearts into this place creating not just a business but a blessing for our district. Their family is directly affected by ``22 a day,'' the number of veterans who take their own lives each and every day. Uncle Ry, Kendra's husband's younger brother, was just 26 when he lost his battle to post-traumatic stress on U.S. soil. Ryan was a son, a brother, a best friend, and an uncle. This is why 100 percent of their shop's net proceeds of coffee, awareness bracelets, and awareness shirts are donated to suicide prevention programs and other veteran organizations. Mr. Speaker, I am more than proud to recognize the Funky Buffalo as our small business of the month, and I thank them for investing in people, investing in our community, our district, and in the American Dream. September Veteran of the Month: Dale Karst

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, today, I am honored to recognize our September Veteran of the Month: Mr. Dale Karst. Dale proudly served in the United States Air Force, entering service on September 16, 1966. After basic training, he was stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base with the Air Police Squadron before deploying to Vietnam with the 377th Combat Defense Unit. He was stationed at Tan Son Nhut during the Tet Offensive, one of the most dangerous moments of that war. When he returned home, Dale was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. Dale told me his most cherished memory of service was returning from Vietnam to meet his newborn child and embracing his wife again, a moment he wasn't sure he would ever see. Today, Dale and his wife, Patty, enjoy time with their grandchildren and working on projects together. He reminds us of three things we must always honor: God, family, and country. Dale's got some health challenges right now, and I had the opportunity of visiting him at our VA Hospital in Kansas City a few weeks ago. Although, he is going through these challenges, he has a big smile on his face. I will tell Dale that we are praying for him. We are going to make sure he gets through this and that he gets the best healthcare possible through the VA system. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Mr. Dale Karst, a true American hero, for his courage, his sacrifice, and his enduring love for the United States of America. I want Dale to know we love him.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize our July Veteran of the Month, Edward Eugene Holmes. He was a proud Missourian and a resident of the Missouri Veterans Home, and I got a chance to meet him this past winter. He just left this Earth last month at the age of 99, and we want to take the time to honor his life and legacy today. Edward was born on April 7, 1926. He joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1944, just weeks after graduating from high school. He served as a gunner's mate in the Pacific during World War II and was later assigned to the USS Ault, part of the Seahorse Squadron, in preparation for the invasion of Japan. After the war ended, Edward remained on duty during the occupation until January of 1946. During his service, he traveled the world from Australia to Africa to Japan and back home through the Panama Canal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Seaman 1st class. After the Navy, Edward built a long and successful career in the floral industry and was known for his love of fishing, golfing, hunting, and making breakfast for his grandchildren. He was the proud father of 3 sons, grandfather to 6, and great-grandfather to 13. Madam Speaker, Edward Holmes served his country faithfully with honor, humility, and always heart. It is my privilege to recognize him posthumously as our July Veteran of the Month.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, today we honor a true American patriot, Master Sergeant Robert William Swank as our August Veteran of the Month. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, and reared in Fort Scott. He answered the call to serve in 1967 and spent over 36 years in uniform, including time in Vietnam with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. Roger earned the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, and numerous other awards. He continued his service in the Missouri Army National Guard for more than three decades and retired in 2004. Off the battlefield, he was just as committed, serving as a mail carrier, a community leader, and a devoted family man. He was married to his wife, Linda, for 35 years, and together they have raised seven daughters. Even in retirement, Roger remains a pillar of his community by volunteering with the Red Cross, serving his church for more than 40 years, and acting as assistant chaplain for the Disabled American Veterans organization. Madam Speaker, I thank Roger so much for his lifelong service to our country and our communities. He is an inspiration to us all. Honoring Anne's Acres

Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, today we are proud to honor Anne's Acres, a generational family farm in Lincoln, Missouri, in the Fourth District as our July Small Business of the Month. Since 1999, Robert and Leslie Exendine, along with their three daughters and six grandkids, have cultivated five acres with nearly 7,000 blooming blueberry plants. Say that 10 times fast. This vibrant farm named for the shared middle name of Leslie and their daughter Kadey is a cornerstone of our district. During its peak 3-week season from Father's Day to the Fourth of July, Anne's Acres welcomes over 200 visitors, including local school kids. The gift shop delights a lot of people with the aroma of freshly baked blueberry muffins and refreshing slushies. I am hungry now. Robert, a retired Air Force mechanic from Whiteman Air Force Base, and his family are now expanding, adding 8,000 strawberry plants for next spring. Congratulations to the Exendine family, including Kadey and her sons, for their dedication. I invite you all to go visit them in Lincoln, Missouri. Honoring Dan & Jerry's Greenhouses

Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, today I rise today to honor Dan & Jerry's Greenhouses, a small business gem in Harrisonville, Missouri, in the Fourth District, our August Small Business of the Month. For years, Dan & Jerry's has been a cornerstone of our community. Their Farm Fresh Selects trial garden tests hundreds of plant varieties each year, making sure only the best make it to our gardens. Beyond their exceptional products, they foster community spirit through events like the Annual Arts & Crafts Fair, Fall Festival, and Plant a Flower for Mom on Mother's Day. These gatherings create lasting memories and strengthen our small- town bonds. We are honored to be able to visit this phenomenal spot this August during our district work period. I thank them for their dedication to excellence and community. Let's get to Harrisonville and visit them, as well. Thank you to Dan & Jerry's Greenhouses for being our August Small Business of the Month.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Chair, our ranking member, and the distinguished ranking member of the full committee. It is good to be here on this late evening to do important business for the American people. I rise in strong support today of H.R. 4016, the Defense appropriations bill before us, not just as a matter of policy, but as a matter of preparedness. Together, we can ensure that our men and women in uniform and their families have what they need when they need it. Right now, our small-caliber ammunition stockpiles are not where they need to be. This is unacceptable. This bill makes critical investments to fix that, Mr. Chair. It ensures we are getting the necessary rounds back into the magazines of our servicemembers, whether they are training at home or deployed in harm's way. Let's be clear: Asking our troops to be ready to fight tonight without basic tools to complete their mission is a risk that we are not willing to take. This bill prevents that from happening. However, it is not just about restocking. We are also rebuilding; rebuilding our industrial supply base so that we are not relying on adversaries or unstable foreign markets for the things that make our military work. This means we must continue building batteries for our most complex weapons systems right here in the good old United States of America. We must push forward with the most important technological edge we have in modern warfare, including the B-21 Raider. The B-21 is not just another aircraft. It is the future of our long- range strike capabilities, a sixth-generation stealth bomber that will reaffirm American air dominance and serve as a powerful deterrent to rogue regimes and near-peer adversaries alike. The threats we face today, from the Pacific to the Middle East, are not theoretical. They are real. Our adversaries are evolving, and they are not waiting for us to catch up. This bill helps us stay ahead. It ensures that the American people and the American military remain the arsenal of democracy. Above all, it supports the men and women who wear our country's uniform and stand ready to defend this Nation each and every day. Let's take a quick look at this next poster. It will show exactly what the Democrats would be voting against for the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act. They would be voting against a pay raise for American troops and border security investments to counter drug trafficking. They would be voting against investments for critical ships and aircraft, against modernization of America's nuclear triad, against missile warning systems and technology, and against next-generation U.S. weapons systems. They would be voting against increased stability for servicemembers and their families, against training and equipment for an agile, capable force, against supporting the supply chain production, against deterring the Chinese Communist Party and foreign adversaries, and voting to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortion travel. Mr. Chair, for their sake, for our sake, for the sake of our great Nation, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill, to deliver on our America First agenda with President Trump and to stand firm in our commitment to peace through strength.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Foxx) for her work on this. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and in strong support of H.R. 1, President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Today, Mr. Speaker, we face a watershed moment for the American people. This Republican majority was given a clear mandate by the American people, which is the America First agenda. This bill is our opportunity to deliver on that agenda. H.R. 1 stops the largest tax increase in U.S. history, while providing the largest tax cut for working-and middle-class families ever, with no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and tax breaks for seniors. H.R. 1 protects the 87,000 Missouri farms and countless family-owned small businesses from double taxation by expanding the death tax exemption. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reverses 4 long years of Biden's open- border policies with a generational investment in border security, including funding to complete phase 2 of the border wall. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act modernizes our Armed Forces for 21st century threats by properly funding our military and funding the Golden Dome. H.R. 1 ends the progressive left's war on American energy by unleashing domestic oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy production. H.R. 1 lowers energy costs, ensuring reliable and stable energy sources. H.R. 1 renews not just energy independence but makes us energy dominant once again. Finally, H.R. 1 restores fiscal sanity by cutting almost $2 trillion in Federal spending. It rescinds billions in green new scam funding. It eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse from numerous Federal programs. Mr. Speaker, this is a time for choosing. We can choose to side with the illegal aliens, unelected rogue bureaucrats, and fear-mongering from the America left or we can choose to side with the American people and deliver on the mandate that they gave us back in November. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to put America first, support the rule, and pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, if you are packing up your car, booking a flight, or planning a trip this summer, you have probably noticed that things feel a little bit better this year, a little bit smoother, and much more affordable. Mr. Speaker, that is not luck. That is because Congress is working to pass President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and it is already making a difference in our summer travel plans. Mr. Speaker, hardworking American families deserve the freedom to fuel up without pinching pennies, and Trump's bill gets us one step closer to true energy dominance. One of the biggest costs to families hitting the road this summer is the price at the pump. That is why we fought hard to include an important provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that cuts red tape on domestic energy production. It reopens Federal lands for drilling and streamlines refinery regulations. Mr. Speaker, it is simple: When America produces more energy, we pay less at the pump. That means that we don't have to beg foreign dictators for oil. In fact, experts are already predicting a decline in gas prices as we move through the summer months. Usually, they go up because the summer fuels are more expensive. Because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we have the freedom to make more summer family memories without breaking the bank. It is not just about driving, either. If you have flown lately, you have probably experienced the delays, cancelations, and chaos plaguing America's airlines and our airports. President Trump's big, beautiful bill tackles this head-on by investing in modern air traffic control technology, expanding staffing pipelines, and overhauling the bureaucratic logjam that has kept our skies grounded for way too long. Mr. Speaker, thanks to President Trump, America will begin streamlining hiring for air traffic controllers, improving FAA coordination, and bringing our aviation infrastructure into the 21st century where it belongs. That means smoother trips for everyone just in time for peak summer travel season. This bill is exactly the kind of commonsense, America First legislation that I came to Congress to support. It is proof that when we put American small businesses, our families, and our travelers first, we can make real progress. Whether you are headed out to one of my favorite spots, Lake of the Ozarks, in my district, if you are flying to visit family, or just filling up the tank for the weekend, know this: Your summer will be easier because we are passing the President's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Honoring the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense pride for the brave airmen of Missouri's own 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in my district, who executed decisive, strategic strikes against the Iranian regime under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump. I also will take a moment to honor the other heroes who are part of this historic operation. Pilots from the Air National Guard's 131st Bomb Wing, also at Whiteman, made up 50 percent of the flyers alongside the 509. The operation, maintenance, and the support personnel also contributed significantly to the experience in planning, preparation, and execution. Just this past weekend, the world saw, once again, what American resolve looks like when we are paired with unmatched precision and capability. B-2s launched from Whiteman and executed a long-range strike against Iran in Operation Midnight Hammer. This is one of the best examples of integration of total force that has come from Whiteman Air Force Base in recent times. Operation Midnight Hammer is a vivid example of what our long-range strike capabilities are all about: strategic reach, rapid response, and incredible deterrence. Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, these were not just strikes, they were a message to the world. It is a message to every rogue regime that threatens American lives and our global stability that when President Trump draws a red line, he means it. This is what peace through strength looks like. We are all reminded, once again, that under President Trump, America does not bend to tyrants or terrorists. We confront evil. We prove our dominance on the world stage, and we ensure that regimes like Iran's will never get their hands on a nuclear weapon. Let me say one thing for the Ayatollah. He now has a choice. This is a time for choosing whether he wants peace or chaos, prosperity or poverty, isolation from the rest of the Arab world or integration to make the Middle East great again. God bless the 509th and 131st Bomb Wings. God bless our airmen and women at Whiteman Air Force Base, and God bless Donald J. Trump, our President.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3944, and that I may include tabular material on the same.

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am honored to present the fiscal year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill to the House today. This bill supports our troops, their families, and our Nation's veterans. The bill includes nearly $18 billion for military construction efforts. It is critical that our servicemembers and their families have the infrastructure and support they need. This bill delivers to construct and improve military housing, childcare centers, and other quality-of-life components that are so important to those who risk so much. This bill continues to build on investments that strengthen our national security through the construction of modern infrastructure and improvements to critical quality-of-life facilities for our servicemembers and their families. Additionally, we continue to provide significant funding to build upon prior years' work to enable the Department of Defense to meet the challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The bill honors our commitment to our Nation's veterans and to our troops. To honor that commitment, the bill provides full funding for healthcare and benefits for veterans. Our veterans have earned these benefits, and we are making good on our promises to them. That includes fully funding our commitment to the PACT Act. The bill continues robust investments in women's health, rural health, veterans' homelessness issues, and mental health. The legislation maintains all the funding for medical and prosthetic research. It increases funding for VA infrastructure and supports Arlington National Cemetery. It invests in the improvement, operations, and maintenance of burial grounds for those who have sacrificed. I thank Ranking Member Wasserman Schultz. I am glad we are at this step in the process and hope that we continue to work together to support our troops and our veterans. Everyone--everyone, Mr. Chair--should understand that this bill cares for our veterans. It supports our troops and their families. This bill keeps the promises that we have made to our heroes. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3944, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today is the first of 12 essential steps that the House Appropriations Committee will take to restore strong, responsible governance under the golden age of the Trump administration. Just this past weekend, Missouri's own 509th Bomb Wing and the 131st Guard Wing of Whiteman Air Force Base in my district demonstrated the vital role that our B-2 long-range strike force plays in preserving national and international security. Drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia has shown just how vulnerable strategic assets can be. This bill emphasizes the importance of modernizing and hardening our infrastructure for the world's most advanced air wings, such as the B-21 Raider. Our greatest asset, though, is not our aircraft. I think the ranking member would agree, it is our people. This bill makes bold strides to improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. It expands childcare options. It enhances access to tutoring for children of fallen and disabled veterans, and it supports the daily needs of the men and women who wear the uniform. Access to a VA facility is not a reality for some of our rural veterans. I hear this each and every day out in my district, 24 counties southeast of Kansas City. This bill, though, ensures that they are not forgotten. We increased access opportunities by increasing the funds available for community care. In a powerful act of bipartisanship, we are strengthening the Veterans Crisis Line. When a veteran calls, someone must answer. Increased staffing and resources will help ensure that support is there each and every time. Mr. Chair, our veterans fought for us. It is time that we fight for them. This bill does that, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, a vote to support our veterans. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ALFORD

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Ms. Sarah Milgrim and to strongly condemn the horrific and heinous anti-Semitic acts of violence like this one around America. Sarah was just 26 years old. She was a daughter, sister, friend, and peacemaker. She was born in the Kansas City area, close to Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, and attended American University here in D.C. Sarah committed her life to building bridges across cultures, faiths, and borders. She worked in Morocco to bring communities together in pursuit of understanding, and she believed deeply in the power of people to choose compassion over hate. Just last month, Sarah was targeted and murdered because of her Jewish faith. This was not just an attack on one person but a brutal and violent attack on our shared humanity. It was an act of anti-Semitic violence. This horrific hate cannot have a home here in the United States of America. I had the opportunity to visit Sarah's father, mother, and brother at the shiva at their home recently, and I assured them that this body is united in ending anti-Semitic hate in America. It cannot continue. May we honor her memory not only with our words but with action by standing against anti-Semitism in all of its forms, by protecting our vulnerable communities, and by embracing the values that Sarah embodied each and every day. June Veteran of the Month Colonel Keith J. Butler

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our June Veteran of the Month, a new veteran, Colonel Keith J. Butler. Colonel Butler enlisted in the Air Force in 1991 and was selected for an Air Force ROTC scholarship in 1997. He earned his commission through the University of South Carolina and served in operational, staff, and command assignments as an F-16, F-117, and B-2 pilot. Colonel Butler has held positions at the squadron, group, wing, major command, direct reporting unit, and joint staff levels. He is currently the commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, home of the B-2 Stealth bomber, since June 2023, and he is retiring in just a few weeks. He has flown combat missions and held several other positions all over the world. He is decorated with many awards and is respected by many. I am proud to call Colonel Butler a friend. Mr. Speaker, I thank him for his bravery, service, and dedication to America. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement, Colonel Butler. June Small Business of the Month In Full Bloom

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize our June Small Business of the Month, In Full Bloom. In Full Bloom is a flower shop just off the square in Centralia, Missouri, in my district. This shop is the result of a leap of faith. Owner Gretchen Spires' vision came to life when she started the shop where creative design meets small business. She has grown this phenomenal floral shop over 16 years. She shared her story of prayer and faith with our team. This journey of becoming a small business owner is the American Dream, and we are proud of her success. We love stopping by to see a full display of prom corsages, flower arrangements, and beautiful gifts for loved ones. Mr. Speaker, I thank and congratulate her for all she does for the Centralia community. The One Big, Beautiful Deal

Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the big, beautiful bill. We have done our part here in the U.S. House. It is time for the good folks across the hallway there in the U.S. Senate to do theirs. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has a big impact on rural America and the Fourth Congressional District of the great State of Missouri. Let's talk about the tax provisions. It makes permanent enhanced debt tax relief. It makes permanent small business deductions. It extends 100 percent immediate expensing. It makes permanent double small business expensing. It provides immediate expensing for new manufacturing and production structures in America, and it will renew the opportunity zones to better target rural America. This is a win for America. In fact, just today, The White House Office of Management and Budget estimates it will reduce our Federal deficit by $1.4 trillion. The one big, beautiful deal is a win for the American people.