Stephanie Bice

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Madam Chair, I hear the words from my colleague from Maine, but I will note a few instances of what we are seeing at the Smithsonian because I believe that to be incorrect. Drag events at Smithsonian Institution Museums include: June 22, the Neurodiverse Drag Story Hour; June 23, 2023, Native Pride Extravaganza, the American Indian Museum; June 3, 2023, Drag Story Hour; June 4, 2022, Pride Family Day with two lip-syncing drag shows; June 2021, Virtual Drag Queen Art Bingo; June 2021, Virtual Drag Queen Story Time; and June 2020, Drag Queen Story Time. These are not appropriate things to be hosting in taxpayer-funded buildings, using taxpayer resources targeted at children. These are adult events, and they should be kept away from children. I strongly support the amendment. Children should not be exposed to adult cabaret performances. In what world, Madam Chair, is that okay? They receive Federal funding to ensure their buildings are maintained and the staff are paid. I do not believe it is appropriate for staff to be paid to expose children to inappropriate material. I do not believe it is appropriate for Federal buildings to be used. I do not believe it is appropriate for Federal agencies, such as the Smithsonian Institution to promote drag shows on their official channels. Government funding should not be used to expose children to inappropriate material. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE. Madam Chair, I encourage support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Wisconsin for yielding. First, I want to say that my colleague on the other side of the aisle referenced an issue with an election where 624 noncitizens illegally voted. He suggested that that actually wasn't accurate. So my question would be: What is an accurate number? Because in my opinion, one person voting illegally in an election is one too many. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the SAVE Act. Since taking office, more than 9.6 million illegal immigrants have crossed into the United States. This crisis is not only a national security threat, but one that can seriously alter the outcome of our elections. We have seen efforts from States and localities, including the District of Columbia, to allow noncitizens to vote. Securing our elections is of paramount importance, and we must ensure that it is easy to vote and hard to cheat. The SAVE Act will strengthen our election security, improve voter confidence, and ensure American elections are only for American citizens. Specifically, this legislation requires State election officials to ask about citizenship before providing voter registration forms, and it requires an individual to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in Federal elections. These commonsense solutions are not controversial, which is why I am deeply concerned that the President of the United States has threatened to veto this legislation. In fact, this step should alarm every citizen living in this country. We must ask: Why? Why is this administration refusing to take steps to safeguard our elections and protect the votes of every single American? Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the SAVE Act, and I look forward to voting for it.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, today is an exciting day as we join with our Democratic colleagues for the Congressional Women's Softball Game. The 16th annual event, which raises money for breast cancer awareness, will be played in a bipartisan fashion against the press, and we are looking forward to a successful win against our adversaries this evening. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield to my co-captain of the Congressional Women's Softball Game, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4877, the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act. In Oklahoma, there are over half a million oil and gas wells, which allow our State to rank eight in oil and gas production in the country. While active wells support hundreds of thousands of jobs, legacy sites and abandoned wells can present environmental and economic problems. Across the country, some abandoned or orphaned wells are slowly leaking harmful gases and chemicals into the ecosystem. This is partly due to some wells being left unaddressed after their use. However, most leaks are the result of plugging procedures or materials that have not withstood the test of time. To remedy this issue, different States have implemented plugging and cleanup programs with varying levels of success. For example, the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board has invested $132 million to successfully clean up over 18,000 sites across our State. Additionally, the Federal plugging and remediation program established last Congress provided $25 million in initial grants to Oklahoma. This was a great first step, but unless we want to continue to spend on temporary solutions, we must have innovation. H.R. 4877 will address this innovation gap and potentially save billions of dollars in future efforts. Through the research, development, and demonstration activities authorized by this bill, the Department of Energy will improve the data on the location of abandoned wells, the process for plugging, reclaiming, and repurposing wells, and the ability to mitigate potential environmental impacts of leaking wells. In the future, we won't need another $4 billion in Federal plugging programs. The innovation spurred by this bill could cut those costs in half and save billions in taxpayer funds. H.R. 4877 directs the type of forward-looking research and development that will solve our legacy challenges, while allowing responsible environmental stewardship to continue into the next generation. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to lead this bill with my colleague from Pennsylvania (Ms. Lee). I thank her for working alongside me in a bipartisan fashion to get this bill to the floor, which is a great example of innovating to solve a real-world issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote from my colleagues.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act. Over the weekend, we saw the terrible effects that weather can have on our communities and States. Throughout the heartland, there were more than 50 confirmed tornadoes, which left many injured and, sadly, took the lives of four Oklahomans. This is why the Weather Act Reauthorization Act is so important. We must ensure that Americans have the resources they need when critical weather events strike. This includes having access to accurate weather forecasting and other necessary resources to protect life and property. I was pleased to see that my legislation, the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, the National Mesonet Authorization Act, and the WING Act were included in this package. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio Modernization Act will help save lives by updating our emergency alert system. Specifically, it paves the way for future development and provides fail-safe options so that the national weather radio is never down for an extended period and that outages will be less frequent. Over the weekend, there were issues with receiving and transmitting alerts from the national weather radio. My bill will help address the aging infrastructure in these systems and prevent outages like these from occurring in the future. The National Mesonet Authorization Act will work to increase the overall coverage and accuracy of the National Mesonet Program, which provides reliable, real-time data and observations for weather prediction, severe weather warnings, and emergency response. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas for his leadership on this legislation and for his focus on protecting Oklahomans. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, for many, today is just another day on the calendar, but for Oklahomans, today marks significance. It was 29 years ago today, April 19, 1995, that the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed, and 168 Oklahoma lives were lost. I could not be at the ceremony, which will occur later this morning back in Oklahoma, so I thought it only fitting that I stand before this body to recognize those who we have mourned over these last 29 years. To the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters who never made it home that day, and their loved ones whose lives were changed forever, we will never forget. Oklahomans overcame the tragedy together, forming the Oklahoma standard through the embodiment of the American spirit. It was through that unity that we found strength. Our community, our State, and our Nation will never be the same, but we remain strong. As we mourn the lives lost, we pray for those who have and continue to suffer.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, on February 11, Oklahoma City lost a wonderful public servant. Cathy Cummings was one of the most positive and friendly women you would ever meet. Although our political leanings were quite different, she always greeted me with a hug and a smile when we would see each other. Cathy served as the mayor of The Village as well as a city councilwoman and championed causes she felt could make a difference in her community. She may be best known as the owner of Vito's Ristorante, a popular Italian restaurant that re-created many of the recipes Cathy learned from her upbringing in a very traditional Italian family. Family was the most important thing to Cathy, and I know her husband, Sean; daughters, RoseMarie, Danielle, and Angelina; and sons, Gabriel and Kyle, are proud of the woman she was and the legacy she leaves behind. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, since the breakthroughs of the shale revolution, the United States has become a growing producer of natural gas and a significant exporter of liquefied natural gas. This past year, LNG exports hit record highs, and we became the world's leading exporter. These exports are critical for our European allies who are still dealing with the fallout of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is why Biden's decision to stop issuing new LNG permits is deeply concerning. Sadly, this is just the latest attack on domestic energy production. The President's decision will create tremendous regulatory uncertainty and eliminate American jobs. He has weaponized the permitting process and caved to environmental groups that seek to end fossil fuels. We have seen what can happen when there is an insufficient supply of LNG globally. Energy prices rise, and the coal-fired power plants turn back on. I urge the President to reverse this reckless decision.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, earlier in this debate, the gentleman from Mississippi noted that there has been more fentanyl seized at our southern border than ever before, but what he did not recognize is that there are now more fentanyl deaths in this country than ever before, and that is a direct result of what is happening across our southern border. I rise today in support of the impeachment of Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This is one of the most solemn and consequential actions the United States House of Representatives can take, and I do not take it lightly. However, under the watch of Secretary Mayorkas, we have witnessed the degradation of our border security and the willful and consistent refusal to comply with and enforce Federal immigration laws. Today, fentanyl is the leading cause of death for those aged 18 to 45, terrorists on the FBI watch list are being released into the interior of the country, and the cartels are a multibillion-dollar business. The crisis we face today is a threat to every single American, causing our communities to be less safe, and it is a direct result of Secretary Mayorkas' actions. A clear message must be sent to the executive branch that they no longer get to break the law without consequences. Secretary Mayorkas must be held accountable.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, since President Biden took office, he has not only waged a full-scale assault on American energy production but also on widely used gas-powered automobiles in order to cater to electric vehicles. Despite EVs accounting for only 14 percent of all vehicles sold in 2022, this administration is proceeding forward with its goal to install 500,000 EV chargers by 2030. While I oppose the continued push toward electrification, especially when America's baseload power is unable to keep pace with current demands, I was at least pleased that Congress put in place requirements for the IIJA that we ``Buy American.'' However, even this is now being ignored. The Federal Highway Administration is attempting to issue new waivers to bypass the mandate. Instead of upholding the safeguards that are critical to protect taxpayer dollars, the administration decided to increase our country's reliance on bad actors like China, who already control the EV sector. Communities are already struggling with electric transformer shortages. Our grid is in need of major upgrades, and the last thing we should do is empower our adversaries by issuing these waivers to build charging stations for vehicles whose battery components primarily come from China. I find it incredible that President Biden, who pushed so hard for this legislation, now wants to completely ignore a key provision that was added to safeguard our Nation from China and protect American jobs. This is wrong. I call upon the Federal Highway Administration to rescind this onerous rule, and I urge my colleagues to support the resolution of disapproval.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to say good- bye to Ava Forrester, one of the last World War II Rosie the Riveters. Ava worked on the left wing of the C-47 cargo transport aircraft in Oklahoma City. I had the tremendous honor of meeting Ava on her 105th birthday this last April. She was optimistic about life, willing to try anything, and funny, too. It is imperative that we remember the legacies of women like Ava, who stepped up to serve her country in a time of need. Their work allowed the American war effort to be successful and powered an unprecedented age of American ingenuity. It seems only fitting that as we approach Veterans Day, I have the blessing to recognize Mrs. Forrester. Rest in peace, Ava.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment. My amendment directs the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service to provide Congress with the quantity and types of weapons, weapons systems, ammunition, explosive devices, armored vehicles, drones, UAVs, and chemical weapons, such as tear gas, in their possession. Since taking office, the Biden administration has repeatedly attempted to supercharge an already weaponized IRS. According to the watchdog organization Open The Books, the IRS has spent over $35 million since 2006 to stockpile weapons, ammunition, and gear. Nearly one-third of this $35 million, or roughly $10 million, has been spent in the last 3 years alone. The report also mentions the purchase of tactical lighting, optical sights, ballistic helmets, and similar items. This is not a new issue, and it is not new to Oklahomans. The late Dr. Tom Coburn, the godfather of oversight and a great Oklahoman, previously raised similar questions and never received adequate responses from the IRS. In July, I sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel requesting information on this issue, including: Details on the accounts that the IRS had used to purchase such weapons, gear, and ammunition. Data on the quantity and types of items used in the possession of the IRS. Information on the specific types of modifications to IRS-issued weapons that had been approved, and the number of these requests that have been approved. This is vital information, because part 9 of the Internal Revenue Manual, titled Criminal Investigation, outlines modifications that can be made to weapons and the process for exceptions. Proper oversight dictates that we understand the process and the practice. The IRS still has not replied to my letter. They must be reminded that Congress controls the power of the purse and has oversight authority. Americans are rightly concerned by the IRS's lack of accountability, and they are frustrated that agencies continue to abuse their power. Mr. Chair, it comes down to transparency. I fully recognize the historical significance of the IRS and their ability to take down criminal entities. However, the IRS needs to tell the American people exactly what capabilities they have. When the IRS audits an American business or individual, they first and foremost ask for an asset inventory list. If you don't have one, it is a serious problem. Why does the same agency refuse to provide their own asset list? What are the materials stockpiled? This is increasingly concerning as we look at recent funding increases due to the so-called Inflation Reduction Act in which the Biden administration provided millions of dollars to hire tens of thousands of new agents. I will remind my colleagues of the strict rules and processes that are in place on our military as it relates to firearms and munitions. Every military commander must keep a detailed and precise record of munitions, both spent and otherwise. They are expected to measure to the ounce and can receive significant punishment if those numbers do not match up. The IRS should be no different. Today, the number of armed Federal agents is rapidly approaching the size of the United State Marine Corps. The lines have been blurred between the IRS's role as a regulatory tax agency and a law enforcement agency. The American taxpayers are providing the funding for these assets. The least they deserve is an accounting of their purchases. My amendment provides much-needed transparency on this issue. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Chairman, they could prove that they are not hiding anything and not stockpiling weapons by providing the report that I requested. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Womack).

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Under his leadership and a very small, five-seat majority, House Republicans have achieved, contrary to popular belief, numerous victories. We passed the Parents Bill of Rights; the Lower Energy Costs Act to lower the cost of gasoline and restore American energy independence; the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which was one of the largest enacted cuts with enforceable spending caps in American history; and H.R. 2, the most conservative southern border security bill in history--all of this while fully funding our military and our Nation's veterans. Let me be abundantly clear: Attempting to remove Speaker McCarthy will put this House in a stalemate and paralyze our ability to fight for our constituents and instead create a fight amongst one another. We have 43 days to restore fiscal responsibility and advance conservative appropriations priorities, which is exactly what my colleagues have asked for. Instead, we are threatening any House proceedings. This is an unnecessary distraction. Working together under the leadership of Speaker McCarthy is of the utmost importance. Mr. Speaker, I stand and strongly support Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House, and I encourage my Republican colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of this year's Defense appropriations bill, and I thank Chairwoman Granger and Chairman Calvert for their hard work in crafting this important bill. Today, our Nation faces serious threats from our adversaries--in particular, the People's Republic of China. This legislation focuses on delivering the resources needed to counter these threats and to support our servicemembers and their families. The bill includes one of the largest pay increases for our troops in years, particularly for our junior enlisted, as well as needed investments in next-generation fighter aircraft, submarines, and modernized tactical vehicles. I am also pleased that the bill focuses on combating the illicit flow of opioids and fentanyl into the country, which is killing countless Americans on a daily basis. The legislation takes needed steps to ensure that the DOD is focused on its core mission of being the most lethal and effective fighting force on the planet, not on advancing a woke agenda. Lastly, I am pleased that the bill includes important Defense priorities in the State of Oklahoma, including funding to accelerate the E-7, which will be based at Tinker Air Force Base.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Davidson) for yielding. When this news broke that the FHFA organization had passed a rule to change how this particular policy was put in place, I immediately went to him and I said: We need to fix this, and here we are. I am proud to stand in support of this legislation, which I am collating with Congressman Davidson. Under the rule from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home buyers with good credit scores will be forced to pay more for their mortgages to subsidize loans to higher risk borrowers, and that is why the Middle Class Borrower Protection Act is so important. It will roll back this administration's senseless rule and stop the anticapitalist agenda. Similar to the student loan scam, the President is, once again, trying to bypass Congress and centralize more power in the hands of the executive branch. Since President Biden took office, he has increased the role of the Federal Government in the lives of everyday Americans, and this is a perfect example. With sky-high mortgage rates, the last thing we need is to add more fees and burdens on hardworking Americans and certainly hardworking Oklahomans in my district. I stand in support of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to stress the importance of passing pragmatic legislation to address the debt ceiling. During this 1-minute speech, the national debt will increase by $1.5 million or roughly $25,000 per second. Over the last 12 years, the U.S. Government has more than doubled our national debt, reaching $31 trillion. It is clear to everyone that Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. This is why we passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act. The legislation is a responsible approach which would raise the debt ceiling while saving taxpayers $4.8 trillion over 10 years. I am astounded that President Biden and the Senate Democrats are willing to hold our economy hostage. The facts don't lie. House Republicans have done our job, and Speaker McCarthy has negotiated in good faith. Meanwhile, for over 100 days, this administration and Senate Democrats have done nothing. Let me be clear, if we default, it is because of their inaction. It is past time for President Biden and Senator Schumer to do their jobs.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise and thank the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and Chairman Rocky Barrett for their response to the storm damage in late April throughout central Oklahoma. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation dispatched more than 20 emergency management units and agencies and even began working to anticipate community needs before the tornado hit Potawatomi County. The widespread destruction suffered in Shawnee and its surrounding community was devastating. At least 1,800 structures in Shawnee were affected, with 300 heavily damaged and 42 completely destroyed. My heart goes out to the community, and I am proud of the way Oklahomans have come together as we continue rebuilding and look forward to the future.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Police Week, which serves as a reminder to remember and memorialize law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Tragically, this includes two Oklahomans, Sergeant C.J. Nelson and Sergeant Bobby Swartz. These officers have 32 years of combined service for their respective forces, and both leave behind loved ones. I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to their families. We will always remember the sacrifice of these two heroes, and we cannot thank them enough for protecting and serving our communities. From Isaiah 40:31, ``But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.''

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. Like any family, Republicans are proposing living within our means, not continuing to rack up a balance on American taxpayers' credit card. In contrast, President Biden has unilaterally spent $1.5 trillion on over 800 executive actions. My colleagues want to quote the former President. Let me quote President Biden; a direct quote from 2012. He said securing a deal with Republicans was a ``great honor.'' He hasn't bothered to come to the negotiating table, Mr. Speaker. What has changed? The three main pillars of this legislation will benefit hardworking Americans by limiting Federal spending, saving taxpayer dollars, and growing the economy. I am especially pleased to see key energy provisions included in this package. The best way to lower prices is to cut spending and unleash American energy, allowing States like Oklahoma to power our Nation. Cutting bureaucratic red tape is especially important for energy producers who have dealt with stifling regulations at the hands of President Biden.

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, America is $31 trillion in debt, and the American people are demanding solutions. The White House says, show me your proposal, and we can negotiate. Well, Mr. President, it is time to come to the table and do so in good faith. We must get this done. I urge all of my colleagues to support this effort.

Mrs. BICE

Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 28th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, a horrific event that took the lives of 168 individuals. This day is forever ingrained in our lives. We continue to pray for those who were senselessly lost and the lives that were changed forever. Through all this, Oklahomans remain resilient and stood together. They rallied and have shown the Nation what it means to be strong, focusing on a message built on hope and love, creating what we know as the Oklahoma standard. I will always be grateful for the courage and dedication of our first responders and the outpouring of support from citizens across the country and world. The work done at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum is important in ensuring that we treat each other with respect and dignity. Mr. Speaker, at the ceremony today in Oklahoma City, this verse was referenced, and I find it very fitting: Micah 6:8, And what does the Lord require of you? To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.