Michael Burgess

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. McCormick), a new Member elected last November, to speak on the rule.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 75 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, last night the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 75, providing for the consideration of four measures: H.J. Res. 7, H.R. 139, H.R. 382, and H.R. 497. The rule provides for consideration of all four measures under closed rules, with 1 hour of debate each equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the committees of jurisdiction or their designees. The rule provides one motion to recommit for each measure. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule and in support of the underlying bills. Today, the Republican majority begins the long process of reversing the policy failures of President Biden and the previous Democratic majority. Madam Speaker, Republicans last week demonstrated that Republicans are committed to governing for the American people. Toward that end, Madam Speaker, House Republicans have had one of the most productive legislative weeks in recent memory. Our new governing majority has demonstrated that it is no longer a closed shop, which was business as usual in a Democratic House in the last Congress. Instead of a lethargic Congress, Republicans, in only 3 short weeks, have set a precedent that I hope subsequent Members will emulate. The new Republican majority is eager to begin the important work that America has sent us here to do. Instead of legislating for the few at the expense of the many, Republicans are making good on our commitment to America. We are dismantling the COVID surveillance state. We are protecting the conscience rights of our healthcare workers. We are demanding that government employees show up to do their jobs like the rest of America has done. We are terminating and rescinding the interminable extensions of President Bidens's public health emergency declaration. Sometimes, Madam Speaker, I almost feel as if I have been trapped in a Dickens novel. In this tale of two cities, it seems the Biden administration is clearly of two minds on the COVID pandemic, one being the best of times: the administration's policies to combat the pandemic have been a resounding success. But then, on the other hand, we are still living through a crisis that requires emergency measures that have to be prolonged indefinitely. The American people spoke in the last election, Madam Speaker. Their message was clear enough. Their message by electing Republicans was enough is enough. Now, thanks to Chairman Graves and H.J. Res. 7, the American people can be assured that President Biden's national emergency will be rescinded. Americans will finally have a government that recognizes the reality across our Nation, the very words spoken by President Biden on ``60 Minutes'' last September: ``The pandemic is over.'' Madam Speaker, nowhere is the contrast more evident between Republicans and Democrats than what is included in this rule today. The Republican majority is already hard at work passing commonsense legislation that will benefit our people, that will benefit all Americans, not just a connected few. Madam Speaker, just like you, one of the most vital services I provide to the constituents of the people of the 26th District of Texas is communicating with Federal agencies on their behalf. Through this communication, I am able to ensure timely services like passport services, Social Security benefits, Medicare enrollment, veterans' benefits, and many more. Over the past few years, I have seen that these services have been severely delayed or even halted--completely in some cases--because what do you get? No one answers the phone, or you get an out-of-office response from a Federal agency. I submit that is entirely unacceptable. In fact, last week, I introduced a bill called the REACT Act, in a bipartisan fashion, to require a timely response from executive agencies after inquiries from Members of Congress. However, in order for the agencies to fulfill their responsibilities, they first have to get back to work. H.R. 139, the SHOW UP Act, would end the unproductive telework policies to ensure that these Federal agencies are back at work for the American people. Madam Speaker, I strongly support this bill, and I urge other Members to support the underlying bill, as well as the rule. Madam Speaker, again this September, President Biden, in a candid and unguarded moment, officially admitted that the pandemic is over, and then for emphasis he repeated it. Despite this declaration, this administration just reauthorized the twelfth extension of the COVID-19 public health emergency. I think all of us who were here at the time agreed that, in March 2020, the country was very much in a public health emergency. However, now the landscape has changed, and now the American people are transitioning back to their normal routines. Today, the Biden administration's lack of transparency has, yet again, put our country in a very difficult position. Throughout the last 3 years and 12 extensions of this public health emergency, people have had ample time to seriously discuss a plan to avoid disruptions to patients and providers as we transition out of this pandemic. This new House majority has been pressing the administration to come up with a plan to make permanent the policies that work and unwind those policies that don't. While there were several successful policies and innovations that came out of the emergency declaration, not just telehealth and hospital at-home flexibilities, this administration has repeatedly failed to provide a plan. The public health emergency cannot serve as a permanent means for the Biden administration to subvert Congress to enact their radical agenda. Madam Speaker, I support Congressman Guthrie's efforts to officially end this public health emergency, and I look forward to transitioning back to regular order. Madam Speaker, our healthcare workers across America are still subject to President Biden's vaccine mandate enforced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The healthcare industry is already suffering from a severe workforce shortage that will have drastic effects on our ability to take care of patients. Republicans have been crystal clear on the issue, Madam Speaker. We never have and never will support Federal vaccine mandates. The personal health decision of whether to receive a vaccine should be left between a patient and their doctor. The Federal Government has no place in demanding what an American must do for their personal health and certainly as a condition of employment. For Texas specifically, one of our hospitals lost over 150 workers due to the Federal vaccine mandate. This decision has deepened the staffing shortages back home, especially in rural areas, leaving all of us ill- equipped to deal with day-to-day functions. Madam Speaker, I will conclude by saying that I stand in strong support of this rule and the underlying bills that they will allow to be debated. Madam Speaker, I urge my fellow Members to support the rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I disagree with everything the gentleman just said, except his kind remarks on me being named vice chair of the Rules Committee. I do think it is somewhat ironic he brings up redistricting. After all, it was Democrats' gerrymandering in the State of New York that led to the court throwing out their map. As a consequence of the court map, we elected more Republicans from New York than anyone thought possible, which delivered the majority. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy) to speak on the rule.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds for the purpose of response. First off, the Speaker has been very clear that it is not negotiable. There will be no cuts to the Social Security and Medicare. But more importantly, the only person who is cutting Medicare right now is President Biden. Ask any doctor in this country: Has your pay been cut in the last 4 years? And they will answer resoundingly in the affirmative. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Massie), to speak on this rule, another new member of the House Committee on Rules.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gosar) to speak on the rule.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In preparing for this debate today on the rule, I reflected on the iconic photograph of the sailor kissing his girlfriend on the streets of New York at the end of the Second World War. Think about that for a moment. My parents were married in 1946. My wife's parents were married in 1945. The end of the Second World War, the optimism of that couple on the streets of New York, then gave rise to basically my generation, the baby boom generation. I was thinking back to about a year ago when there was a video making the rounds on the internet of an elementary school class where the teacher said masks are no longer required and the unbridled joy of those young students as they ripped off their masks, never to have to put them on again. We are standing on the precipice of just such a moment today, and this truly is a historic moment. It is one that the American people should look back on and say this was the time. This is the time for optimism and to, without fear, embrace the future because we know the good things of which our country is capable. Now, I do need to thank some of our fellow Members; specifically, the chairwoman of my committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairwoman Rodgers, Chairman Sam Graves of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Chairman Comer of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for their hard work in delivering for the American people by bringing these bills to the floor and helping ensure that commitment to America and the future. The Republican majority has again demonstrated that our governing agenda will be devoted to improving the lives of our Nation's citizens. Our governing majority will continue to focus on the issues that matter most to our people: combating the rising energy costs, sky-high inflation, rampant crime, our porous southern border, and the fentanyl crisis. These are the issues that the American voters rightfully demand that their Representatives address. The Republican majority is committed to solving the crises that the previous Democratic majority has inflicted on our Nation.

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and exemplary public service of Assistant Police Chief Jay Powell of the Lewisville, Texas Police Department. Chief Powell passed away unexpectedly from cardiac arrest on January 6, 2023, at the age of 52. A life-long resident of Denton, Texas, Powell graduated from Denton High School and earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting from the University of North Texas, graduating in 1993. Powell began his 29-year career with the Lewisville Police Department in 1994, starting as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. He was promoted to Assistant Chief in 2014. His previous assignments included Field Training Officer, Hostage Negotiator, Recognition Program Manager, and SWAT Team Member. Powell was also a graduate of the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration's ``School of Police Supervision'' and ``Management College'' as well as a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's ``National Academy'' in 2016. As Assistant Police Chief, he competently oversaw the Support Bureau, supervising officers in Training, Traffic, Personnel, Criminal Investigations, Special Operations, Communications, SWAT, Warrants, Narcotics, and Budget Resources. Assistant Chief Powell will truly be missed, and I extend the House's profound condolences to his wife Rhonda, his parents Pat and Becky Powell, as well as to his fellow officers and colleagues in the Lewisville Police Department. He was a consummate law enforcement professional and fostered crucial community relationships. I am proud and grateful to have had someone with the character and servant heart of Chief Jay Powell serving the City of Lewisville and the North Texas community.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for yielding. I want to speak in support of Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. Mr. Speaker, the Republican majority is wasting no time in making good on our commitment to the American people to reverse this reckless agenda that the Biden administration has followed. Republicans understand that energy policy is foundational to a thriving and dynamic national economy, and for too long, we have watched as Democrats' energy policy was kind of an experiment for their radical agenda. Unfortunately, they hurt the American people in the process. Interestingly, in July 2020, Senator Cornyn and I had a bill to allow filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve while prices were at historic lows. It was blocked by the Democrats. They wouldn't even consider it. Today, we have an opportunity to protect America's resource and refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve so it can be used as it was originally intended, to protect our people at times of crisis.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, let me just say at the outset, Mr. Cole has probably had the hardest job in Washington the past 4 years. Being the ranking member of the Rules Committee is a difficult position. He has done it extremely well, so I know he is going to excel as the chairman of the Rules Committee during this term of Congress. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, the American public spoke with a clear voice. They want the Nation to go in a new direction. They want a path away from tax-and-spend politics advanced by the Democrats in the last Congress. In this rules package, we have laid out how we intend to accomplish just that. The era of legislating for the few at the expense of the many is over. This new majority today begins this serious task in ways that will make this Congress more transparent, more accountable, and more accessible to the public and the Members that serve the institution. This majority will implement voting procedures on the floor so that recorded votes can be conducted in a straightforward manner, rather than what we have seen over the past 3 years that literally strands Members of Congress on the floor for hours when they cannot do any other work in their committee or anywhere else. Mr. Speaker, I believe our friends in the previous Congress squandered their opportunity by focusing on the politics of division instead of what we were all sent here to do, and that is the people's business. Tackle inflation, tackle lawlessness, the threats abroad--these are the urgent issues that the American public demands that their Representatives address. Instead, Americans were treated to the petty and divisive agenda of the last Congress. Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, Republicans will utilize this majority. Republicans have proposed an agenda that will address these vital issues and put our Nation back on track to fiscal prosperity. With this Republican majority, we offer Americans a governing agenda that will ensure that the 21st century remains an American century.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ron Marchant, a public servant now retiring after 34 honorable years of service. Marchant's career exemplifies the best of North Texas and the heart of determination which binds all Texans. Prior to his time as an elected official, Marchant received a degree in Religious Education from Southern Nazarene University which he used to pursue a career in marketing and teaching as well as endeavors in art and music. The community of Carrollton recognized Marchant's leadership and skill by electing him to the City Council of Carrollton from 1987 to 1992. In 1993, Marchant was elected as Justice of the Peace in Precinct 6 of Denton County, where he served until 2006. Throughout those 13 years, Marchant dedicated himself to learning the problems which impacted the daily lives of the people of Denton County. He applied these years of experience to his career when he began as Precinct 2 Commissioner in Denton County in 2007. In this role, Marchant walked alongside citizens of North Texas for 16 years and assisted with many projects which transformed their lives. Marchant has successfully protected the liberties of Denton residents by maintaining low property taxes. He also dedicated himself to the expansion of mental health services and crucial resources which offer the people of Denton County food and housing. He provided comfort in times of turmoil by helping open vaccination clinics at Texas Motor Speedway which would administer over 300,000 individuals their COVID-19 vaccines. Marchant deeply values his experience in organizing the employee wellness clinic which facilitates affordable services for employees and retirees and decreases their risk of long-term illness. Marchant also served on many boards and committees, including the Metrocrest Hospital Authority, the Denton County Environmental Task Force, and the Denton County Health Advisory Board. In both his career and personal life, Marchant has dedicated himself to future generations of Texans. Starting in 2004, Merchant acted as the Carrollton Christian Academy Mock Trial coach, instructing students, and providing them access to his detailed knowledge of trial procedures and preparing them for success. He also prioritizes his time with his children and grandchildren and plans to continue his advocacy for Denton County in the interest of creating a strong and thriving community for the next generation. Marchant's advocacy for the people of Denton County has had a profound impact on the entire region and improved the quality of life for countless individuals in North Texas. I thank Ron Marchant for his years of public service and excellence in the role of Commissioner. I, along with the rest of North Texas, wish to follow his example and cultivate his legacy of selflessness and competence. I congratulate him on his retirement.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I will yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I do want to speak on the bill included within this rule, Senate amendment to H.R. 3404, the Respect for Marriage Act. Mr. Speaker, as you well know, this bill previously came before the House. Unfortunately, at the time, the legislation was a byproduct of a very truncated process, having received no committee markup and being parachuted from the Speaker's office straight to the floor. In response to the rushed House process, the Senate actually undertook a more comprehensive amendment process on the floor, giving Senators the opportunity to amend the legislation, something we did not have the opportunity to do. I am encouraged that the amended version from the Senate has tried to address some of the religious liberty concerns that myself and other Members have highlighted. Even though I can report that this bill is much improved from its original form, there are still problems with this legislation and its possible implications for religious institutions and matters of conscience. It is regrettable that certain amendments that would safeguard religious liberty, such as Senator Lee's and Congressman Roy's amendments prohibiting the government from removing a nonprofit organization's tax-exempt status based on religious beliefs, those were all blocked. Had those additional amendments received a fair hearing and as a result been adopted, we could have made significant progress toward addressing the very serious and legitimate concerns about the consequences of this legislation and its potential curtailment of a fundamental American right. Today's bill, while a better product than before, should have been better, and it is regrettable that we are at this point and this is the case. Mr. Speaker, I urge opposition to the rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), a colleague and certainly a well-spoken member of the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, if I could, I would inquire as to whether or not the gentlewoman has additional speakers.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions), a former chairman of the Rules Committee.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, if the gentlewoman is prepared to close.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. In closing, I would note that today's rule is, in fact, the product of a very rushed legislative process. The bill should have been subject to regular order so that it could be improved to address religious liberty concerns noted by my fellow Members. The very fact that we have had this discussion here on the floor to me indicates that there is some ambiguity. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy) and Chairman Sessions for coming and raising the argument. Section 6 of this bill provides protection of religious liberty, but only if you are religious enough. If you are a church, you are protected. If you are an individual or a school, you may not be, and you may be subject to that private right of action. What we are voting on today is emblematic of how this one-party Democratic rule has been enforced in Washington, D.C., over the past 2 years. I am discouraged to see the majority is still focused on passing partisan messaging bills which will not address the problems they purportedly claim to want to solve. This week, we are considering partisan bills instead of focusing our efforts on things like funding the Federal Government, maybe even the authorization for the Nation's defense, one of the requirements under the Constitution that we fulfill. Unfortunately, tonight, this is a continuation of a discouraging and regrettable trend that I hope will be revisited by a new Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.