Mike Bost

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 970, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 970 offered by my colleague from Washington (Ms. Strickland). H.R. 970 would require the VA to regularly review and compare the maximum coverage for VA life insurance programs to keep them in line with the average cost-of-living changes. The maximum coverage of these programs is provided by law and under current law does not automatically adjust for changes in cost of living. Any increases in the maximum coverage for these programs require congressional action. We must ensure that we have all the data we need to make an informed decision on whether the maximum coverage has kept pace with the cost of living. The bill would help us do that by ensuring that the VA sends Congress the results of the VA review so that we can decide whether to adjust the maximum coverage for VA life insurance programs. We are duty bound to ensure that the families of our veterans are taken care of after their loved one passes away. This commonsense bill would provide us with the data to help Congress do just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 970, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 970.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 970) to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to periodically review the automatic maximum coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program and the Veterans' Group Life Insurance program, and for other purposes.

Mr. BOST

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

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Judy Repking of Effingham County, Illinois, my special guest for President Trump's Joint Address to Congress this evening. Judy and her husband, Paul, have been tireless advocates for the cause of innocent, unborn babies for more than 20 years. Judy rose to the level of chairman of the Bishop's Pro-Life Committee in 2016, where she kept her community informed on key legislative and policy issues. Since 2018, she has served on the board of Effingham Area Right to Life, leading efforts to educate the public, organize events, and oppose policies that threaten innocent life. Since 2010, Judy and Paul have traveled to regional parades with Effingham Area Right to Life's float and helped run the pro-life booth at the Effingham County Fair. Judy also plays a key role organizing the Annual Pro-Life Fundraising Breakfast, raising critical funds for organizations supporting moms, families, and unborn children. She has attended the annual March for Life in Springfield, Illinois, and organized major pro-life events, including the Illinois Right to Life Advocacy Update and the Prayer for America event at the Cross at the Crossroads in Effingham. Due to her steadfast leadership on a cause that is near and dear to my heart, I knew Judy would be an ideal guest to join us for President Trump's historic first address to Congress of his second term. Please join me in welcoming Judy and Paul Repking to the People's House for this very special occasion. She has inspired many with her work educating, inspiring, and mobilizing her community in defense of life.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls), the chief sponsor of this legislation.

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

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. 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. 695, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 695, offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls). This bill would increase the rate of special monthly pension for Medal of Honor recipients and their surviving spouses. The Medal of Honor is our Nation's highest military award. It is reserved for servicemembers who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice in combat. The Medal of Honor special pension is intended to repay part of the debt that our Nation owes them. The Medal of Honor pension is separate from the compensation that a veteran receives when they are unable to work due to service-related disabilities. Today, there are just 63 Medal of Honor recipients who currently receive less than $2,000 in special pension payments per month. Their stories of service, without question, should be honored and remembered and told. However, the current pension offered does not cover the cost of travel to speak at events that inspire future generations and tell their fellow Americans about their service in defense of our freedom. It is time we increase the Medal of Honor recipients' pension in recognition of their heroic military service and their continued service to our Nation. The bill is fully offset by using a bipartisan offset related to older veterans and pensions, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 695, as amended. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 695) to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the rate of the special pension payable to Medal of Honor recipients, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of S. 3938, a bill that designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lynchburg, Virginia, as the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic. Desmond T. Doss was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1919 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1944, he took part in both the Battle of Guam and the Battle of the Philippines, serving as a medic in the 77th Infantry Division. While serving in those battles, he earned two Bronze Stars for exceptional valor in assisting wounded soldiers while under fire. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, PFC Doss saved an estimated 75 wounded men atop the infamous Hacksaw Ridge. For his heroism, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman. After the war, he raised a son with his wife, Dorothy, on a small farm in Georgia. PFC Doss remains a testament to the American spirit and an example of going above and beyond to answer the call of duty. By naming the VA clinic after him, his story of service will be told for generations of Americans. I thank the sponsor of the bill, Senator Warner, as well as the entire Virginia delegation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 3938, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3938) to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lynchburg, Virginia, as the ``Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic''.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4955.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4955, a bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the Henry Parham VA Clinic. Henry Parham was born in 1921 in Greenville, Virginia, and was drafted into World War II in 1942. In June of 1944, he took part in the D-day landing in France, serving in the 320th Very Low Altitude Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion. His unit was responsible for downing dozens of enemy aircraft. After the war, he returned home. In his spare time, he kept serving his community by volunteering with his wife in their local VA. He was also the last surviving African American who took part in the D-day landings when he passed away in 2021. Henry Parham is a great example of what it means to live a life of service, and I am proud to name this VA clinic after him to continue to tell the story of service and inspire future generations. I thank the sponsor of the bill, Representative Lee, as well as the entire Pennsylvania delegation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, H.R. 4955, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4955) to name the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, as the ``Henry Parham VA Clinic''.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2513) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. BOST

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

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage all Members to support this legislation. It is life-changing legislation for our Nation's veterans. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks for S. 141.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 5314) to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on S. 5314.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 5314, a bill to designate the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center. Senator James Inhofe was born in 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and served until 1958. After serving in Oklahoma State politics and serving as the mayor of Tulsa, Senator Inhofe was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing Oklahoma's First District. Senator Inhofe then represented the State of Oklahoma in the United States Senate from 1994 until 2023. Senator Inhofe chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee, and was instrumental in passing legislation which ensures our Nation's defense and the well-being of our servicemembers. Senator Inhofe will be remembered for his long legacy of public service, from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Senate, and I am proud to name this VA medical center after him. Anyone who knew Senator Inhofe knew how much he cared for our Nation's men and women in uniform. I thank the sponsor of this bill, Senator Lankford, as well as the entire Oklahoma delegation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 5314, and I reserve the balance of my time.