Stephanie Bice

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I strongly support this amendment, and I thank my fellow Science, Space, and Technology Committee member, Representative Young Kim, for first authoring this policy. According to a recent Gallup Poll, 79 percent of Americans expect inflation to continue to rise over the next 6 months. Inflation isn't an abstract concept. Americans across the country are feeling the pinch every day at the grocery store, the gas pump, and everywhere else as they buy goods to support their families. The Consumer Price Index reported earlier this year that inflation soared to a record level of 7 percent in 2021, and it only continues to grow with Democrats' wasteful spending sprees. The underlying bill we are considering today just continues that dangerous pattern of reckless spending. Instead of focusing on the targeted bipartisan investments in basic research that would help America excel in competition against China, the underlying bill is filled with partisan slush fund spending. We need to address the inflation crisis, and it should be top of mind whenever we consider massive spending bills. This is why I strongly support this amendment, which directs the National Science Foundation to commission a study on the impacts of inflation on the American people, our international competitiveness, our underserved and rural communities, and our future generations. As the U.S. economy rebounds from COVID-19, with the national debt at more than $30 trillion, and inflationary risks rising daily, this straightforward amendment is sensible, necessary, and timely. I want to thank my colleague for her work on this important amendment. I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, in closing, I want to reiterate my thanks to Representative Kim for her work on the amendment. I urge a ``yes'' vote to my colleagues, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of Shawnee for being named the ``Number 1 City for Women-Owned Businesses in Oklahoma.'' The data collected by Oklahoma Baptist University is reflective of the impressive and hardworking women in Oklahoma's Fifth District. The percentage of women-owned businesses in Shawnee is almost twice the statewide average for cities in Oklahoma and 29.5 percent higher than the national average. In total, 49.4 percent of all Shawnee Forward businesses are owned and operated by women. Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent such dynamic women who are an integral part of Oklahoma's economy through creating jobs and enriching communities. Their contributions to the financial stability, growth, and innovation in the State of Oklahoma is invaluable. I am grateful for the city of Shawnee and Shawnee Forward for their successful efforts in fostering a positive environment for women entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. This hub of leaders has ignited Oklahoma's entrepreneurial spirit and will no doubt inspire young women and girls across our great State for generations to come.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of my constituents, Raymond Washburn, who passed away on January 16. On the horrific day in 1995 when a truck bomb blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more, Mr. Washburn was operating the snack bar he owned on the fourth floor. He not only set himself free from the rubble but was able to navigate and rescue five people from the disaster. What is notable: Mr. Washburn was blind. Mr. Washburn is a true American hero and will be remembered for the incredible selflessness, integrity, and bravery he displayed by saving lives on that terrible day and for his remarkable contributions to the visually impaired community in Oklahoma. Though this brave man will be deeply missed, there is no doubt his legacy will live on. Mr. Washburn's story and the way he lived his life should stand as an inspiration to Oklahomans and Americans across the country. I am thinking of and praying for Mr. Washburn's family and loved ones, that they may find comfort in their loss.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Florida for yielding. I rise today in strong opposition to the so-called America COMPETES Act. This legislation is climate funding disguised as foreign policy, and it will funnel millions of taxpayer dollars to the Chinese economy. While I support the CHIPS Act funding in this bill, the overall package is a disaster. As a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we have advanced bipartisan legislation that increases STEM opportunities and clean energy research. Instead of passing these bills that strengthen American competitiveness against China, Democrats have poisoned bipartisan efforts by including billions in wasteful spending. Later today, the House will consider my amendment to block the $8 billion for the U.N.'s green climate slush fund until we have insight into how emission reduction targets are set and their impacts on our economy. This type of scientific transparency shouldn't be a partisan issue. This far-left legislation weakens our stance against China and threatens our economy and national security. I urge my colleagues to oppose this misguided and wasteful bill.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the devastating impacts on American lives and business because of Biden's lack of preparedness in handling COVID-19. The disruptive testing shortages and record-breaking number of cases are a direct result of Biden's failed leadership. In the spring, the administration ignored a request from a health agency to purchase millions of rapid tests and then rejected a proposal for free rapid tests for the holidays back in October. To solve this self-inflicted shortage, this administration's new plan will require private insurers to cover the cost of tests instead of using the nearly half a trillion dollars from the COVID relief bill passed last March. Madam Speaker, Biden has failed to deliver on his promises to the American people. He said he would shut down COVID-19 and that all Americans would have access to regular, reliable, and free testing. Sadly, that couldn't be further from the truth.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the unimaginable amount of dangerous fentanyl and related substances that are crossing our southern border, enough to kill every American seven times over. Criminal drug cartels are capitalizing on the lack of security due to Biden's open-border policies. Since these large amounts of fentanyl are flooding in, the DEA issued its first public safety alert in 6 years, warning the public about fake pills laced with lethal doses of fentanyl, and we are seeing the devastating effects. Synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, account for nearly two-thirds of the overdose deaths, including American teenagers. Many parents across our country, and including my home State of Oklahoma, have tragically lost their children to accidental fentanyl overdoses. No one should ever have to experience that sort of pain. In February, we have the chance to respond. The emergency class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances is set to expire. Democrats want to enact only temporary extensions, while Republicans are fighting to make it permanent. Madam Speaker, there are deadly consequences to the lack of security at the border. We must ensure law enforcement has the resources to protect our country and keep those drugs out of American hands.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and classmate, Representative Cammack. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the Nation's self-inflicted energy crisis created by the Biden administration. The American people are feeling the strain of Biden's anti-energy policies that are causing costs to skyrocket. Americans are paying 61 percent more nationally for a gallon of gas and heating costs are projected to rise 54 percent this winter. What actions has Biden taken to undo the damage he has caused? Begged foreign countries to increase global output. Last week, he tapped into our Nation's emergency reserve. America will be less secure if we aren't properly stocked with petroleum. We will be at a disadvantage financially and defensively, making us increasingly dependent on countries like Russia and China. Sadly, Madam Speaker, these policies place an undue burden on Americans at a time when few can afford the extra expense. Inflated prices on daily necessities are a tax on low- and middle-class Americans, and Biden's continuous anti-energy policies impact virtually every part of American lives. Increasing domestic production of oil and gas would not only consistently keep prices low, but also boost our economy, create jobs, and preserve our energy security.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the most expensive bill and largest tax increase in American history, the recently passed build back broke bill. The legislation reads like a far-left Christmas wish list that isn't completely paid for. It is filled with more than 150 social programs and budget gimmicks that make these expensive programs appear less costly on paper, although Democrats intend to make them permanent. Some of these include $7.4 billion for electric bicycles, a SALT tax cut of $25,900 for millionaires, $80 billion to the IRS, and $100 billion toward amnesty for illegal immigrants. What is equally concerning is what is not in the bill. Within the 2,000 pages, there is not a single mention of border control, China, or Afghanistan. This year especially, with record-breaking southern border apprehensions, Chinese missile testing, and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Congress should prioritize investing in our country's safety and security. Mr. Speaker, Democrats have doubled down on failed policies and irresponsible spending. It is simply out of touch with the desires of the American people.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the record-breaking inflation that will make next Thursday the most expensive Thanksgiving in history due to Biden's and Democrats' detrimental policy decisions. The American people will feel the impact of rising inflation this Thanksgiving and holiday season. Prices of ingredients for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner are sky-high, with turkey costs up 27 percent, pumpkin pie up 17 percent, and carrots up 47 percent. Beyond the pricey meal, travel costs are surging because a gallon of gas costs 61 percent more than a year ago and airfare is expected to increase 18 percent, placing a burden on families to visit loved ones for the holidays. On top of this, simply staying warm this winter will cost more. Heating bills are projected to rise as much as 54 percent compared to last winter. While these everyday prices are skyrocketing, wages are stagnant, which means decreased purchasing power for hardworking Americans. Not only will they have less money to spend on Thanksgiving traditions and holiday gifts that will have a damaging impact on our small businesses and our overall economy, but the livelihoods of Americans will be harmed by the difficulty to afford day-to-day necessities. Madam Speaker, Biden's failed policies are hitting home. As shown through the significant drop in his approval rating, Americans are desperate for a solution to fix these insane price increases. Instead, what is Biden's response? Continue to push the partisan reconciliation bill that would pump the economy with trillions more dollars in spending for social programs that are not paid for, further exacerbating this inflation crisis and causing American taxpayers to suffer the effects for generations to come. There are grave consequences to careless actions. I urge my colleagues and the American people to recognize this Thanksgiving as a direct result of excessive government spending and shutting down our country's energy production.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the build back broke act. A vote for the underlying bill, along with the infrastructure package, is a vote for trillions in new taxes and spending that will cause inflation to skyrocket and make businesses in America less competitive. Together, these bills would lead to nearly $3 trillion in spending before the government is even funded for next year. Of the many concerning provisions in this bill, perhaps the worst are those concerning American energy. Americans are already paying the most for a gallon of gas in 7 years; and now the Federal Government is warning Americans that their home heating bills could cost 54 percent more this winter as compared to last year. How is that helping middle- income families? Many of my constituents have contacted me about a provision in this bill to assess a $1,500 tax on each ton of methane emissions. This would devastate oil and gas producers in my home State of Oklahoma, where this industry accounts for nearly 134,200 jobs and over $57 billion in economic output, over a quarter of my State's GDP. Not only would this policy kill tens of thousands of American jobs, it would also destroy a major source of my home State's tax revenues, totaling over $13 billion annually, that fund schools, roads, hospitals, and our first responders. This is unconscionable. Madam Speaker, this rule would enable House Democrats to ram through a poorly written and ill-conceived bill that is not supported by the large majority of Americans. Despite the Biden administration's claims that it is fully paid for, a new analysis by the Wharton School of Business shows the full costs of this measure being nearly $4 trillion, with only $1.5 trillion being paid for. The Democrats' claims that this bill wouldn't raise taxes on middle-class Americans is also false. This bill is full of regressive taxes that will hurt middle- and low-income Americans, while it gives huge tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent in high-tax States.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, today, there is a discussion going on as to whether or not we should be voting on the build back broke plan that is being proposed by the Democrats. I have asked for a score from the Congressional Budget Office to find out what is actually in this bill and what it is going to cost American taxpayers. We have heard the phrase before, ``we will vote on it and then you can find out what is in it.'' But the reality is that Members of Congress don't even know what is in this reconciliation package that is being presented. How in good conscience could we actually pass something that is going to be fiscally damaging to the country and putting the cost of it on the backs of hardworking taxpayers across this country? We need to know what is in this reconciliation package that is being proposed. I ask for Speaker Pelosi to request a CBO score, and that this bill be voted on after that is presented to the Members of Congress.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the heat your home tax that Democrats are adding to the partisan reconciliation package during our country's crippling economic crisis. Americans are paying the most for a gallon of gas in 7 years, and now the Federal Government is warning Americans that their home heating bills could cost 54 percent more this winter compared to last. This harmful provision authorizes the EPA to assess a $1,500 tax per ton of methane emissions on energy producers, transmission, storage, processors, import and export, and pipelines. As a result, gas prices will continue to skyrocket, heating bills will increase up to $242 per year, and thousands of jobs could be eliminated in the economy. Madam Speaker, Americans will physically feel the effects of Democrats' senseless tax hike when choosing whether they can afford to heat their homes this winter. Instead of addressing our country's energy crisis at hand, Democrats are actively working to make it worse. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to consider these chilling effects and vote against the Democrats' reckless reconciliation package.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. It is an honor to be selected for the committee, and I look forward to working with all the members, including Ranking Member Steil, on this very important issue. Madam Speaker, I am honored to be selected to serve on the Select Committee on Economic Disparity, and I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to dive deep into the issues at hand and to try to find areas where we can work together to craft bipartisan solutions. In contrast to my friend and colleague from California, I was born the daughter of an immigrant. My father came to the United States with no money in pursuit of the American Dream. He went to college, graduated, started his own business, and, today, is a very successful businessman. I look forward to discussing in this committee the ways that we can foster the American Dream with American citizens across this country. The mission of the select committee is certainly worthy of consideration. The question of why some of our fellow Americans are being left behind in the economy demands our time and attention. One of the most worrying economic statistics of the past year and a half is that the U.S. labor force participation rate is the lowest it has been since 1977, nearly 45 years ago. Millions of fewer Americans are employed or actively seeking work compared to just 2 years ago, and that has created a wide-ranging challenge for American families and for our economy. ``Help Wanted'' signs, as was mentioned earlier, have become ubiquitous across the Nation as stores, restaurants, manufacturers, and others struggle to find employees to continue operations. It is vital that we find the root causes and craft the appropriate solutions. To that end, here are a few areas I think the select committee should focus its time and its energy on. First, we should begin to review and unwind Federal policies that have disincentivized participation in the labor force, many of which were created at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, we should refocus and strengthen our Nation's education and workforce development programs. It is clear that our Nation's education system leaves many Americans behind, saddles students with large amounts of debt, and often promotes pricey degree programs with very poor job prospects. I believe we need to do a better job of matching workforce development programs to the actual needs of employers. Aligning job training curriculum to meet the demands of employers who need skilled workers would almost guarantee jobs for those who complete a program. Third, we need to reform our Nation's criminal justice system and reinvigorate efforts to rehabilitate the nearly 95 percent of prisoners who will eventually be released from prison. Sadly, all too often, we hear of individuals released with just the clothes on their back and a one-way bus ticket. This level of support doesn't set up individuals for success. I am proud, earlier this year, the State of Oklahoma stood up a program to begin preparing inmates 9 months before their release with workforce training and assistance to obtain documentation needed to get a job, transportation, and housing. Improving programs to transition the formerly incarcerated back to society is worth our consideration and can save taxpayers in the long run. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't note the importance of regulatory relief and tax reform as key components to all of this. As someone who worked in the private sector for many years, including running my own firm and working for a family company, I can say with certainty that tax policy and government regulation have tremendous impacts on the decisions of businesses to hire, expand, and make investments. In closing, I would again like to express my appreciation for being on the committee and look forward to working with my colleagues to dig deeper. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Himes and Ranking Member Steil for organizing this Special Order this evening.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, as explained prior, if we defeat the previous question, we will immediately move to bring up H.R. 5586. This bill prohibits the expansion of the Internal Revenue Service's requirements for financial institutions to report bank account transactions. The Biden administration is searching for ways to pay for their partisan $5.5 trillion social policy bill, and one of the Democrats' proposed solutions is to spy on taxpayers' bank accounts. Their proposal would require financial institutions and service providers to report data on accounts that deposit or withdraw more than $600 or maybe $10,000 to the Internal Revenue Service to help ensure that Americans are paying their fair share in taxes. Democrats claim that this regulatory expansion would only impact wealthy Americans and businesses. But in reality, it targets virtually all working-class people in our Nation. This government overreach would be an enormous violation of privacy, jeopardize the financial security of all Americans, and impose significant compliance costs on financial institutions. Through this proposal, the Democrats are looking to weaponize the IRS by creating a new surveillance program, which would allow them to monitor every single bank account without permission or limit. In order to conduct this surveillance on Americans, the provision includes $80 billion to double the number of IRS agents, which would be six times the size of the IRS' annual budget. This plan was initially included in the massive budget reconciliation bill and has now since been removed after pushback from financial institutions and customers. But it is still being considered for passage. Regardless, my House Republican colleagues and I are doing what we can to protect the financial security and privacy of the American people.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. I have recently written a letter to Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Neal, Secretary Yellen, and Commissioner Rettig to express my concerns of overburdening the data collection system, exposing millions of Americans to potential cyberattacks, and how distrust in banks negatively impacts our economy. Additionally, I signed on to a letter and cosponsored two bills that directly address this pressing issue. The letter to Secretary Yellen expressed the concern of more Americans unbanking due to privacy concerns and distrust in banks and how applying extra reporting requirements for financial institutions would be incredibly burdensome. The U.S. Government should not have the authority to spy on bank accounts of American taxpayers. The Biden administration's proposal would significantly impact the working class, invade privacy, pose financial security threats for Americans and businesses, and further burden institutions. House Republicans are working tirelessly to put a stop to this government overreach and protect the American people's security, privacy, and trust in this great Nation.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the ongoing crisis at the southern border. The Biden administration has actively opened the border, and it is directly harming our country by dwindling resources, endangering communities, and emboldening terror threats. I recently visited the Del Rio, Texas, sector to hear straight from our Customs and Border Patrol agents, Texas National Guard, and Texas State troopers. In just one station within the sector, apprehensions have multiplied at an alarming rate, going from 7,400 last year to more than 94,000 in 2021, and agents have detained people from more than 90 countries. While the humanitarian aspect of this crisis is disturbing, I am more concerned with the growing national security threats to our country. Nearly 10,000 individuals with criminal convictions have been arrested in fiscal year 2021 attempting to illegally cross into the U.S., compared to just 2,400 last year. Mr. Speaker, securing and regulating our border is crucial in keeping our country secure, functioning, and, most importantly, safe from external threats. I urge my colleagues to work toward creating meaningful legislation to provide Customs and Border Patrol agents with much-needed resources to firmly protect our border.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the Democrats' now estimated $4.3 trillion budget reconciliation bill that calls for the highest sustained Federal spending levels in American history. Combined with the infrastructure bill, this results in a partisan $5.5 trillion package that will further hurt our economy and, most importantly, the American people. This legislation is filled with a spending spree of far-left policies before the government is funded for next year at a time when inflation is at a 13-year high. Everyday goods are more expensive for Americans, while the purchasing power of an hour of work has declined by 0.7 percent over the last year. Families are paying more and making less, and trillions more in government spending would only exacerbate this economic crisis. Madam Speaker, the American people should not have to bear the brunt of the Democrats' agenda. I firmly oppose the legislation that solely focuses on the left's priorities while furthering our national debt. I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address H.R. 5305, the continuing resolution for short-term government funding that passed the House last night, which I voted against. Earlier this year, House Democrats passed their $3.5 trillion partisan budget package, which significantly increased funding for their own spending priorities. However, this bill did not include funding for our military, the Department of Homeland Security, or grants for law enforcement. Now, House Democrats have introduced their continuing resolution to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling through December 2022 to allow even more taxpayer dollars to go toward their spending spree. Mr. Speaker, funding the government should be a bipartisan issue. Yet, rather than working together, Democrats expect Republicans to give them a blank check for their unprecedented spending. Democrats are responsible for expenditures; they need to take responsibility for the borrowing, too.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4350, this year's National Defense Authorization Act. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I was honored to have a seat at the table in crafting this legislation, and I am pleased to have been successful in having a good number of my priorities for Oklahoma's Fifth District included in this bill. As a new member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was deeply concerned when President Biden proposed earlier this year to essentially cut our defense budget below the rate of inflation at a time when we are facing serious threats from around the world. I am thankful for the leadership of Ranking Member Rogers in securing a bipartisan deal in this bill to provide the additional resources needed to meet our Nation's defense needs. This bill makes important investments to protect our Nation from dangerous adversaries like Russia and China. I also fought to include several items in the bill we are considering today, including a measure I co-led with Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon to require DOD to survey access to mental health and suicide prevention services within the military healthcare system, as well as a modified version of my bill to protect servicemembers and their families with disabilities from being charged out-of-pocket expenses for needed ADA upgrades to their on-base housing unit. Lastly, I successfully advanced amendments to require the DOD to analyze the security threats resulting from the Taliban's release of thousands of prisoners from Bagram Air Base and an amendment to increase resources for the Army National Guard to assist CBP with security operations on the southern border in light of the growing threats emanating from Afghanistan and elsewhere. Bottom line, this bill strengthens our Nation's defenses, supports our brave servicemembers, and sustains important defense programs across the Nation and in my home State of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, certainly there may be provisions of this bill that not everyone agrees with, but I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an American helping our Afghan allies. The situation unfolding in Afghanistan is dire, but in the midst of crisis, there is always light to be found. In Oklahoma's Fifth Congressional District, that light is Allyson Reneau. She took matters into her own hands to help 10 members of an Afghan girls robotics team escape. She has nine daughters of her own and met the girls at a 2019 robotics competition. As the Taliban took over the country, she could not stop thinking about their safety. Reneau reached out to a friend who worked in the U.S. Embassy in Qatar. They completed the necessary paperwork, the Government of Qatar sent a plane, and the girls were flown to safety. It is women like Allyson Reneau who remind us that there is always a light in the dark, even if it shines from one lone candle.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. I guess it remains to be seen.

Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the ongoing crisis happening at our southern border. Since President Biden took office, he has stopped building the wall, brought back catch and release, and ended the remain in Mexico policy. As a result, this administration has created the worst humanitarian, national security, and public health crisis ever seen at our Nation's southern border. In the past 3 months, each month, we have seen more than 170,000 border encounters, a new 21-year high, totaling over half a million illegal border crossings. These numbers are resulting in overcrowded shelters, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violence. In addition, the surge of unaccompanied children coming across the border shows no signs of slowing down. In June, the number of children arriving daily rose to 530. A journey like this is not only unsafe; it could lead to sexual exploitation or forced labor. Despite the continuing increase of border encounters each month, House Democrats want to defund Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement by nearly $1 billion. Our CBP, ICE, and DHS officers have been putting their lives at risk protecting Americans. Calling to defund them during the worst immigration crisis in U.S. modern history is deeply troubling. Mr. Speaker, the open border rhetoric from the Biden administration has encouraged hundreds of thousands of people to make the dangerous trek to the U.S. We must secure the border. We must protect our border cities. We must support the men and women who honorably protect our border. We must end this heartbreaking crisis. In addition to the immigration crisis that we are seeing on the southern border, we are now dealing with a COVID crisis that is not being addressed. The number of individuals crossing into this country with COVID has increased exponentially. These individuals are not being tested. They are not being offered vaccinations. They are being put on buses and shipped across this country. With the number of cases on the increase, it is imperative that this administration addresses the border crisis issue immediately. Mr. Speaker, I again thank my colleague from Arizona.