Brian Babin

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams, my good friend from Texas, as well, for yielding. The Small Business Innovation Research, SBIR, and Small Business Technology Transfer, STTR, programs are the Federal Government's largest source of funding for small businesses focused on early-stage technology development and commercialization. They offer small businesses an opportunity to participate in Federal research and development, facilitating the transition of federally funded R&D into innovative products and services. For this reason, these programs are often referred to as America's seed fund, as they invest in research and emerging technology ideas that may be too risky for private sector funding. These SBIR and STTR programs are funded from set-asides of the extramural research budgets at Federal agencies, providing billions of dollars in awards every year. This substantial investment by taxpayers necessitates diligent oversight by Congress to ensure that these programs are operating efficiently and are protected from theft and abuse by our adversaries, such as the Chinese Communist Party. The reauthorization Congress passed in 2022 for these programs addressed some vulnerabilities, but more work needs to be done. Both the Small Business Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committees are dedicated to addressing these issues and ensuring that taxpayer funds support American small businesses rather than being funneled to foreign adversaries. While we continue our work, it is critical that we do not allow this vital program to expire. Therefore, we have introduced this 1-year extension of SBIR and STTR programs and encourage all Members to vote ``yes'' on this bill. I look very much forward to working with Chairman Williams, Ranking Member Velazquez, Chairwoman Ernst, Ranking Member Markey, and Ranking Member Lofgren to get a full reauthorization completed and through Congress as soon as possible.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero from Southeast Texas--PFC Kate Louise Pate-Walker. Kate was part of the legendary Six Triple Eight, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. It was the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II. Their mission was clear: sort and deliver a massive backlog of mail to nearly seven million U.S. troops. Morale depended on it. They were given six months. They did it in three. The work of the Six Triple Eight went far beyond mail--it was about dignity, hope, and connection. For soldiers far from home, a letter meant everything. Kate and her fellow women knew that, and their determination lifted the spirits of our fighting forces in Europe. Kate earned multiple military honors for her service, and when the war ended, she returned home to Texas, married, raised a beautiful family, and continued a life of service to her community. Born in Vidor and raised in Sour Lake, Kate was a trailblazer in uniform and a leader at home. She lived a life defined by faith, perseverance, and love for family and country. And now--decades later--the women of the Six Triple Eight have finally received the Congressional Gold Medal. Though the recognition came late, it is highly deserved. Their bravery, sacrifice, and determination are part of our Nation's story, and Southeast Texas is proud to claim PFC Kate Pate-Walker as one of our own. Mr. Speaker, may her memory and legacy of service continue to inspire future generations of Americans to answer the call of duty with courage.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Christina Marie Henderson Blake, known to all of us as Tina, who entered her heavenly home on July 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Galveston, Tina graduated University of Texas at Austin, where she formed lifelong friendships through her beloved Kappa Kappa Gamma. She married the love of her life, Bruce, and together they raised two children, Jessica and Alex, first in Midland and later in southeast Texas in my district. Tina was a pillar of every community that she called home, leading in the Junior League, the American Cancer Society, and the Midland Symphony Guild. She helped grow her family's land in Liberty County, Texas, into a successful cattle ranching business and was a very respected leader in agriculture. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her four grandchildren. Tina brought warmth, strength, and grace to everything that she did. Roxanne and I are honored to have called her our friend. Madam Speaker, her legacy will live on in the countless lives that she touched. May God bless her family and her loved ones.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it is an anguishing thing to have to come up here and talk about some of our friends and colleagues who have gone through this. Chip has done a wonderful job here with this Fourth of July. My family and I dropped off four grandsons and a granddaughter back in May at Camp Mystic and at Camp Stewart for Boys. My history with this area goes way back, 60 years or better. I served as a counselor at Camp Stewart under Uncle Bill James, who sold that camp later on to the Ragsdale family. Kathy Ragsdale and I have been talking on the phone recently, and what a loss she sustained. She lost her daughter, Jane. Mr. Speaker, spending a couple of days out there in that beautiful country, probably the most beautiful in the entire State of Texas, with the crystal-clear, green Guadalupe River canopied by 100-plus-foot Cyprus trees, some of them 10 feet in diameter, it is just unbelievable beauty, tranquility, and peacefulness. To think that, within a span of less than 1 hour, that thing came up 30-plus feet and became a raging, raging torrent--a demon, if you will--wiping out wonderful, wonderful families, children, and turning that place into a devastating desert. I thank the first responders, our President, our Governor, Chip Roy, and a number of my colleagues for their help. I am the chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. NASA itself offered aircraft and imaging technology to come out and help in the search and rescue efforts. Quite frankly, it touched lives. My district is literally probably 250 miles away from this one, but I have to mention names. My district lost Aiden Heartfield, Joyce Badon, Ella Cahill, the whole family of John and Julia Burgess and their two little boys, Mary Grace Baker from Beaumont, and Reese Manchaca. So many others were touched by this in a way that we will never ever forget. Yet, Texas is tough. As Chip said, we are no strangers in my district to disasters. I have been in office now going on my fifth term. I think we have probably had seven disaster declarations in my district because of tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes, as well. We have a Texas spirit. It is unbreakable. Quite frankly, we are going to rise above this. We want to let these families that are out there know that they are in our prayers. We are going to do what it takes to make this place whole again, keep these camps going, and keep this wonderful tradition that we have. The cultural, patriotic--you name it--the Christian environment of these camps are going to have to be sustained, and they will. Mr. Speaker, I just say before I close how much we appreciate all of the people who absolutely sacrificed. My own son was out there the last 2 or 3 days with his chain saw. He brought his 10-year-old son out there. People were coming and stepping forward. We heard about the Luttrells; our colleague, Morgan Luttrell. They are out there finding some of these victims. This thing is turning out to be much bigger than we had thought. At first, we thought maybe there would be a couple of dozen people lost here, but we are looking at close to 300. By the time it is all done, I am just not sure how disastrous this thing is going to be. Yet, Lord, we want to thank You for Your blessings, Your love, Your mercy, and we are going to rise above this because we are Texans. We pull together, and we keep our faith in our Heavenly Father.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman, my good friend and classmate, for his services here. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1596 to rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge located in the State of Texas and in my district as the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge to forever commemorate the life of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, who was tragically killed on June 17, 2024. Jocelyn was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas, last summer. Two illegal Venezuelan aliens, both reported members of Tren de Aragua, the gang notoriously known around the country, have been charged in her killing. Naming the refuge after Jocelyn is a very fitting way to honor her love for animals and to preserve her spirit within the very landscape that she called home. I thank Chairman Westerman and Senator Cornyn for their leadership and support on these efforts. I also thank my Democratic colleague across the way for her support. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this very commonsense legislation. We can never bring back Jocelyn, but we can commemorate and memorialize her for the love of animals that she had, and her wonderful family, and have that as a fitting testimony to her short life.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of H.R. 1, President Trump's one big, beautiful bill. Here we are, despite months of our Democratic colleagues' best efforts to delay, fearmonger, and mislead the public about this bill, and we are ready to deliver for the American people. Here is the thing about fear-mongering. You can only say ``the sky is falling'' so many times before folks start waking up and seeing for themselves exactly what is going on. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act secures our border. It prevents the single largest tax increase in American history and refocuses safety net programs for those who truly need them, not the ones shamming. Then, it reinvigorates our Armed Forces, where we saw a diminution for 4 long years under the Biden administration. Mr. Speaker, it is high time that we deliver this to the President's desk for a signature. This is promises made and promises kept, and I am very proud to support this bill.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be here to support H.R. 1223, the ANCHOR Act, sponsored by my colleagues, Representatives Fong and Stevens. The ANCHOR Act tackles the critical need for improved cybersecurity across the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. This fleet of 17 vessels carries out vital research in diverse marine environments, from the Great Lakes to the polar regions. The groundbreaking research conducted aboard these vessels has largely shaped our understanding of the ocean. Scientists study ecosystems and food webs, offshore energy resources, wave dynamics, natural hazard forecasting and response, and the deep ocean floor. These scientists and technical experts operate a wide range of specialized equipment, including deep-towing systems, underwater cameras, and state-of-the-art acoustic sensors, often sailing to some of the world's most remote locations. Ensuring secure and reliable communication and data transmission systems, regardless of location, presents a unique challenge. Each vessel needs tailored cybersecurity infrastructure to safeguard its scientific equipment and protect data, both on board and during transmission to shore. Unfortunately, the fleet currently lacks the necessary infrastructure. This bill would change that. The ANCHOR Act directs the National Science Foundation to develop a plan for much-needed upgrades to the Academic Research Fleet, including cybersecurity enhancements and modernization of telecommunications equipment. This plan must consider the type of research conducted on each vessel, the location, any specialized equipment, and network bandwidth needs. It is essential to protect taxpayer-funded research conducted by the fleet from nefarious actors. We have made significant strides securing research at our agencies and university campuses. Now we must ensure the research being done off of our coasts is fully protected. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues for their efforts on this issue, and I urge my fellow Members to support this bill.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. The U.S. Academic Research Fleet enables us to use state-of-the-art equipment worldwide to conduct cutting-edge science that cannot be performed on land. This fleet is a key factor in making the U.S. research enterprise a global leader. However, our leadership is currently at risk, as it is widely recognized that our adversaries are willing to compromise, undermine, or steal our research. They aim to exploit our discoveries and surpass us as leaders in global technology. We cannot afford to let that happen. To continue making groundbreaking discoveries, we must equip our research vessels with the cybersecurity infrastructure necessary to maintain the integrity of their data and equipment. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1453) to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to require reporting regarding clean energy demonstration projects, and for other purposes.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1453, the bill which is now under consideration.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1453, the Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act of 2025, sponsored by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Carey). This sensible legislation will provide Congress with the necessary tools to effectively oversee the Department of Energy's growing number of large demonstration projects. DOE established the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, or OCED, to carry out the technology demonstration projects authorized in the Energy Act of 2020 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These projects include bipartisan initiatives like the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program and the Long-Duration Energy Storage Demonstration Initiative. This bill requires the Secretary of Energy to submit semiannual reports to Congress on all demonstration projects managed by OCED. These reports must include details on contracts, milestones, schedules, funding profiles, and cost-share agreements. Historically, DOE's applied energy offices have managed these programs, ensuring a seamless transition from basic laboratory research to applied field work. However, with the creation of OCED, these activities were placed in a new office, separating critical expertise and adding an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. At the same time, the infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act appropriated over $27 billion to OCED to fund these projects. This combination of organizational restructuring and a large influx of funding should raise concerns for every lawmaker of this institution, considering DOE's past mismanagement of demonstration projects. Since its inception, OCED has been slow to award funding and has struggled to identify unique capabilities not already addressed by the applied energy offices. Congress lacks adequate safeguards and the capacity to conduct rigorous oversight over OCED and its demonstration projects. For example, when the Science, Space, and Technology Committee sought more information on DOE's decision to waive the cost-share requirement for a multimillion-dollar project, the Department was not obliged to document or justify its rationale. Requiring DOE to submit semiannual reports will provide Congress with crucial tools to protect taxpayer dollars, hold OCED accountable, and ensure that projects are based on merit rather than crony favoritism. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Carey for his continued leadership on this issue despite no longer even sitting on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. I also thank Representative Riley for his work in advancing this bill forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Carey).

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, one of our key responsibilities in Congress is to manage taxpayer dollars wisely. I don't take that job lightly. I want to see DOE and all of our vital Federal research agencies succeed in developing revolutionary next-generation technologies. At the same time, we need to monitor the progress of these projects well before their costs balloon to multibillions of dollars and strain research budgets. H.R. 1453 allows us to do precisely that. It enhances transparency between DOE and Congress, giving both parties the necessary information and insights into the successes of Federal demonstration projects to foster further achievements. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Carey) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Riley), his cosponsor, for leading this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of National Space Day, a moment to honor the extraordinary contributions of the aerospace community to our Nation and the world. Designating May 2, 2025, as National Space Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past, recognize the advancements of today, and inspire the possibilities of tomorrow. Our Nation has long led the way in space exploration. From the Apollo missions that landed the first humans on the Moon to today's Artemis program, which will take us back to the Moon and beyond, the United States has shown what's possible when bold ideas meet determination. These milestones remind us of the pioneering spirit that defines America. Today, we see that same spirit driving innovation in every corner of the space sector. NASA's groundbreaking missions, the Space Force's contributions to national security, and the work of private companies and universities are redefining what we can achieve in space. The work being done by numerous companies in my district, such as Intuitive Machines, continues to set new milestones and push the boundaries of ingenuity, technology, and inspire the next generation. However, space exploration doesn't just inspire; it delivers real benefits to our daily lives. Our Nation's farmers utilize technologies like GPS, weather satellites, and the internet, which have allowed our producers to increase efficiencies and productivity in their operations. Beyond that, the aerospace industry supports thousands of jobs in Texas, contributing greatly to our state economy and strengthening our Nation's competitiveness. Perhaps most importantly, National Space Day reminds us to invest in the next generation. By prioritizing STEM education, we ensure that young people across Texas' Thirty-Sixth Congressional District and the country have the tools they need to dream big and meet the challenges of tomorrow head-on. The programs and work done at the Johnson Space Center are lighting the way for future scientists, engineers, and astronauts. On this National Space Day, I encourage all Americans to reflect on how space exploration shapes our lives and futures. I'm proud of my district's contributions to this great endeavor, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the years ahead.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Jerome Preston Owens, Jr., who passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 85. Jerome was born on June 28, 1939, in Jasper, Texas to Reverand Jerome Preston, Sr. and Louise Nichols Owens. He graduated as Valedictorian of his class in Jena, Louisiana, where his father was the pastor of the First Baptist Church. Upon graduating, he received a football scholarship to play for Louisiana College. Jerome then patriotically served our country in the United States Marine Corps from 1960 to 1963. His father served as pastor for the First Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas, which is where Jerome met Marilyn Fraser, the love of his life. In 1965, Jerome's father officiated their marriage and they began their lives together. Jerome and Marilyn were married for almost 60 years and were blessed with two daughters named Stacey and Sharla. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1969 from Baylor School of Law. While studying at Baylor, he was actively involved in the collegiate community, serving as a member of Alpha Chi and Senior Class President. Jerome practiced as an attorney specializing in corporate law for Coastal Corporation in Corpus Christi and Houston, Texas, where he traveled extensively. Jerome's primary devotion throughout life was for his family. His young daughter's drawing of him holding his suitcase inspired him to relocate to a smaller community to have more time with his family. He chose to move to Woodville, Texas where he established his own law practice and raised cattle with his father. Truly a man with a commitment to serve others and seeking to make a difference in the community, Jerome served as County Judge of Tyler County for 17 years. He then served as a Texas State District Judge and a Texas Senior Judge. Jerome continued to faithfully serve his community by being a deacon and trustee of the First Baptist Church of Woodville. After moving to Houston, he became a deacon at Second Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas. He received many awards recognizing his dedication to public service. Jerome was named the ``Ralph W. Steen Memorial East Texan of the Year,'' and ``Tyler County Citizen of the Year.'' For his leadership and skills, he received the ``Award for Excellence in Community Service,'' and the ``American Hometown Leadership Award.'' Jerome was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to chair the Texas State Community Development Review Committee. Additionally, he served on the board of trustees for East Texas Baptist University, board of directors for the Tyler County Hospital, served as president for Deep East Texas Council of Governments, president for Deep East Texas County Commissioners and Judges Association, the Tyler County Bar Association, and fellow at the Texas Bar Association. He was also a member of the American Legion. Jerome is remembered as ``one who loved his family and friends, for his deep commitment to God, his unwavering integrity, his eloquent speeches, deep wisdom, quick wit, humor and bellowing infectious laugh.'' Jerome was highly esteemed and adored by his family and community. His family has said, ``He was an all-around kind of man, one that loved sports, southern food, current events and a good joke. He was well versed in politics and had an answer for any question asked of him.'' He served diligently, was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Jerome was a lifetime friend and inspiration. Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Jerome Preston, Sr., and Louise Owens, and sister, Jane Owens Griffin. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Fraser Owens; daughter Stacy Owens Ekstein, son-in- law Chris Ekstein, daughter Dr. Sharla Owens Sundberg, son-in-law Dr. Eric Sundberg; grandchildren, Bella Frances Ekstein, Sophia Marilyn Ekstein, Savea Kenny Sundberg, Soren Jon Jerome Sundberg and Anders Owens Sundberg, sister, Diann Owens Dotson, brother-in-law Ray Dotson; brothers-in-law, Tom Fraser, III, and Ed Fraser, sister-in-law Jean Fraser; and many nephews and nieces. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor my dear friend, Jerome Owens, for his many years of faithful service to his community. My most sincere prayers remain with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank my very good friend (Mrs. Miller of Illinois), a very strong lady of faith, for this Special Order. We really appreciate this. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to recognize and to celebrate what we call Faith Month, a time when we proudly and openly give voice to the faith that strengthens and sustains so many of us who serve up here and all across this great Nation of ours, both here in Congress and, as I said, the United States of America that was built, as my good friend Mrs. Miller said, based on the Judeo-Christian Bible and faith that we were handed by our forefathers. America was built on this foundation, as she said, of religious liberty: the very first freedom enshrined in our Bill of Rights. Our Founders understood that faith was not just a private matter but a powerful force for good in public life. I get so weary of hearing people say: Oh, we don't want to hear about politics in church or we don't want to hear about church in Congress. Well, politics in church has become something--if it has to do with morals and good and evil, then it is not politics, folks. That is church. We will talk about this very thing. It says right there before us: ``In God We Trust.'' We know where our Forefathers stood on this issue. Without a doubt, we are going to continue this great thing called the United States of America and what we were built on. We will honor this tradition. We recognize that faith is not something to be hidden away but is something to be lived out boldly and with joy. The Scripture reminds us that we are called to be a light on a hill, not to hide this light under a basket but to let it shine for all to see. Each of us comes from very different backgrounds here and with very different traditions, but the thread of faith that is woven through the fabric of our national story, we must always remember to honor that. Our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and our Declaration of Independence are built on those principles, those Biblical principles. From prayers whispered on battlefields long ago to hymns sung in chapels, from the simple faith of farmers to the heartfelt petitions of families, faith has carried America through many, many trials, through triumphs and every moment in between, win or lose. Sometimes we profit when we lose, because we learn and we make ourselves better people that way. During this Faith Month, I am very proud to stand alongside my colleagues right here and speak of my Christian faith right on this very floor. I encourage every other Member to please join us to lift up the faith that guides us, to celebrate the freedom that protects us, and to remember that enduring truth that has been proclaimed from generation to generation: ``Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.'' May we never take our religious freedom for granted, may we steward it wisely, and may we always seek to lead, to serve, and to govern with humility, with conviction, and that unwavering faith.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I was attending the Space Symposium as a result of my duties as Chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 89, and YEA on Roll Call No. 90.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1326) to provide for Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture joint research and development activities, and for other purposes.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. 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. 1350, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 730, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1318) to amend the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to clarify the definition of foreign country for purposes of malign foreign talent recruitment restriction, and for other purposes.

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BABIN

Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1368) to provide for Department of Energy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration research and development coordination, and for other purposes.