Mike Bost

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4136, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community- based outpatient clinic in Plano, Texas, as the ``U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic.'' Sam Johnson, a legend and an American hero, was born October 11, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas. At the age of 20, Sam began a 29-year decorated career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a full bird colonel. He flew nearly 100 combat missions with the Thunderbird demonstration team, as a fighter pilot in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, and as a commander of a tactical fighter wing. Later, Sam Johnson went on to serve as the director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School. On his 25th combat mission over Vietnam, Sam's plane was shot down, and he was captured by North Vietnamese forces. Sam would then go on to spend the next 7 grueling years as a prisoner of war, more than 3 years of that time in solitary confinement. As Sam put it: The solitary confinement did not shake his fighting spirit. He was so resistant in captivity that he earned himself a windowless 3-by-9-foot concrete cell at the infamous ``Hanoi Hilton,'' where he was then released from in 1973. A decade later, his right hand permanently disabled and left with a limp for the rest of his life, Sam Johnson continued his service in the Texas House of Representatives where he served a total of 7 years, but Sam wasn't done yet. He ran for Congress in 1991, where he served our great Nation once again for 27 years and left an undeniable mark on this institution. His fight for freedom and defending individual liberties never wavered, and American families are better off today because of Sam's service. Congressman Johnson served honorably as a pilot, a decorated war hero, and a statesman. It goes without saying that there is no one more fitting to name a VA clinic in Texas after than Congressman Sam Johnson. Now, I know there are some that will raise concerns that this bill does not meet the committee's rule for naming VA facilities. That is correct, and it is only because a small minority of the Texas delegation has not signed onto a letter expressing their support. I am not one to bend or break committee rules, but in this case, we simply can't wait any longer. Sam toiled in a prison camp for 7 years serving our country, and we should not wait another second to honor his service. I thank the sponsor of this bill, Representative Self, for leading this effort, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4136. Mr. Speaker, 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. 4136.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3249) to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas, as the ``Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic''.

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. 3249.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3249, a bill to designate the outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs at Wyandotte County, Kansas, the Captain Elwin Shopteese VA Clinic. A son of Kansas, Elwin ``Al'' Shopteese enlisted in the Kansas National Guard after high school and joined the 137th Infantry Regiment. While in the Army, he deployed to Europe during World War II and fought on Omaha Beach and as part of the Battle of the Bulge. After fighting at Normandy, he received a battlefield commission, receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his heroic action. He then went on to volunteer to serve in the Korean war. After two wars, Captain Shopteese wasn't done serving yet. After Korea, Al dedicated his life to community service, advocating for Native Americans and becoming a councilmember for his Tribal nation. Al was also directly involved in the creation of the Indian Community Alcoholism Resources Expeditors Recovery Home, or the I.C.A.R.E. Recovery Home, which provides lifesaving treatment, care, and support to people fighting alcohol abuse. He served as the executive director of the home until he passed away on June 25, 1992. Al's service to our Nation, veterans, and Native Americans will not be forgotten. He stands as a great example of what it means to dedicate your life to serving others. I thank the sponsor of this bill, my friend from Kansas and the ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Moran, as well as the entire Kansas delegation. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3249, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a fallen hero: Corporal Matthew Wyatt of Millstadt, Illinois. Matthew was a marine serving in Iraq's Al Anbar Province when a suicide bomber approached his base in a truck loaded with explosives. Matt and another marine took quick action to stop the attempted breach. An explosion killed both servicemembers instantly. Matt was just 1 week from his 22nd birthday. Matt's commitment to our military service came from his father, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Alan Wyatt, and his two grandfathers--one Army, and one Navy. Matt enlisted during his senior year at Belleville West High School. When his mother, Verlene, asked if he was willing to go to war, without hesitation Matt instantly answered: Yes. Matt cared deeply for those he served with--so much so that he gave his life protecting them. For his bravery, Matt was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. His commanding officer personally traveled to Millstadt, Illinois, to present the family with his medals. To honor his sacrifice today, I am introducing legislation to rename the United States Post Office in Millstadt in his name. I thank all Members of our Illinois delegation--Republicans and Democrats--for cosponsoring the bill. I thank my colleagues from North Carolina for their support and Representative Manning for cosponsoring, as well. This is a small but meaningful tribute to a small-town southern Illinoisan who made a big difference for his country. It has been 20 years since we lost Matt, but his legacy burns bright. In a local news interview years after the loss, Matt's father, Alan, the marine gunnery sergeant said: ``I do think of him every day. I still love and miss you, son.'' It is a love that also carries on in the hearts of his mother, Verlene; stepmother, Lauren; grandmother, Millie; aunts; uncles; numerous cousins; and dear friends. It has been said that one of life's greatest gifts is to be remembered. Corporal Matthew Wyatt will be remembered, and that is never going to change. Semper fi, marine.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable career of Len Novara, who retired on May 21 after 35 years in education, including serving as athletic director at Murphysboro High School since 2001. Born and raised in Murphysboro, Len was a three-sport athlete in Murphysboro High, earning eight varsity letters and the record for yards passed in southern Illinois. He graduated in 1984 and continued his athletic career at Millikin University in Decatur, playing football and baseball. After earning his bachelor's degree in 1988, Len returned to his hometown and pursued a master's degree at Southern Illinois University, which is where he developed his love for coaching. Len's dedication to coaching and education took him to several schools, including Unity Point and Edwards County High School. Over two decades ago, he returned to Murphysboro High School as athletic director, a role he excelled in. Under Len's leadership, Murphysboro's Red Devils amassed 77 Southern Illinois River to River Conference Championships, 39 regional championships, and several State final appearances, but Len's commitment went beyond titles and trophies. He was a fixture at community events, supporting local athletes and ensuring every game was a memorable experience. His planning and passion for sports created an electric atmosphere, making every event special for players and fans alike. Beyond his professional life, Len is a devoted family man. He and his wife, Cindy, his high school sweetheart, raised two children, Drew and Emily. Len's pride in watching them compete as Red Devils is a testament to his love for both family and community. Len left an undeniable mark on Murphysboro High and our community. I am proud to call him my friend. Though Len is retiring, his legacy will live on. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Len Novara on his retirement and a job well done. As Len always said: ``Once a Red Devil, always a Red Devil.''

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I want to make sure that the people understand that this amendment is not an act to try to privatize our VA. It is an act to try to make sure that our veterans actually receive the services that they need. As a veteran, and as the many veterans that actually serve in this body, it is vitally important that that issue is taken care of; not to protect the bureaucracy at VA, but that we protect and serve the veterans that we were sent here to serve. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to the fiscal year 2025 MILCON-VA appropriations bill. My amendment would rightfully prevent any VA funds from being used to enforce a provision that excludes mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs from the wait time and drive time access standards as authorized by the MISSION Act. The VA's Mental Health Residential Rehab Treatment Program is a crucial program that provides lifesaving treatment to veterans with mental health and substance use disorders. Right now, veterans are restricted by where they can get their treatment due to the Biden administration's misguided view of the MISSION Act access standards. As a result, veterans are being forced to wait months to receive this care. We are losing 17 veterans a day to suicide. For VA to not do everything possible to ensure veterans are getting into these treatment programs as quickly as possible is dangerous and wrong. Madam Chair, this administration knows that there are not enough available beds in VA facilities to meet veterans' demand for them and that is when the community providers step in, in partnership with the VA. Getting veterans the help and support they need is the VA's top clinical priority, as well as ensuring the mental health needs of veterans are met without any delays. It goes without saying that a veteran in crisis who needs treatment should be eligible for community care without proof that they live far from a VA, or their local facility is overbooked. This is what the MISSION Act was designed to help with, but under the administration they want proof. I am proud to have introduced my amendment to prohibit VA from excluding these vitally important treatment programs from wait time and drive time access standards for VA community care programs. There should be no closed door when it comes to lifesaving care for veterans in crisis. Madam Chair, I encourage all of my colleagues to support this, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the 2024 farm bill. The farm bill touches the lives of every person in this country no matter who you are or where you are from--rural, urban, or suburban. That is why it is such an honor to be the southern Illinois voice on the House Agriculture Committee. I have been given the opportunity to build an incredible relationship with our farmers across my district, and I have sought their input in traveling around to meet with them where they are at. Their feedback has been critical in this process. For me, this farm bill is a partnership with my people. Farmers and producers in my district understand the positive impact the farm bill has on rural communities. In southern Illinois, agriculture is our second largest employer, just behind Scott Air Force Base. I am proud to serve the 10,000 producers in one of the most diverse agricultural districts in this United States. In addition to growing staples like corn and soybeans, we are also home to a variety of specialty crops, livestock, and dairy. While each one might be different, they all share the same goal: a strong farm safety net. Our farmers produce the food, fuel, and fiber that this Nation runs on. They play an essential role in our communities. It is only right that we support them and have their backs in times of need. That is why the farm bill exists. It is not just written for good times. It is also written for the bad. When your crops fail, the farm bill provides a safety net. When you need a loan to save a family farm, the farm bill ensures access to credit. When your community needs an updated water system, the farm bill secures that funding. When your rural home lacks internet access, the farm bill bridges that gap for broadband service. When you need help feeding your family, the farm bill supports healthy nutrition programs to make sure Americans don't go to bed hungry. The farm bill has always been a top priority for me. By reinforcing crop insurance and boosting commodity reference prices, we are supporting the agricultural industries on their worst days and investing in tomorrow. This is vitally important. Another key priority of mine is ensuring farmers not only feed folks at home but around the world. My district is blessed to be located between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. We are strategically placed to export our commodities abroad. In 2022, Illinois exports for corn and soybean totaled over $3.5 billion. The MAP and FMD programs play a critical role in moving commodities from farmers' fields to foreign markets. However, these programs are often oversubscribed and underfunded, leaving producers at a competitive disadvantage on the global market. We need to bolster these programs, expand into new markets, and strengthen our trade relations. Lastly, we need to establish guidelines for large solar panel projects that are eating up acre after acre of prime farmland. My constituents have had enough. We must give local communities a say in the approval process. That is why I am pleased that my bill, the SOLAR Act, has been included in this legislation. We are giving producers the flexibility to use solar energy on their farms while setting guidelines for large projects. Mr. Speaker, I would like to restate my support for the farm bill. The bill is a big win for our farmers. It will have a big impact across the country, and I urge my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee to support this bill as it moves through the markup process tomorrow. I hope it will receive strong support on the House floor, as well.

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. 5914, 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. 5914, as amended, offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), my friend and colleague. This bill, as amended, would improve the information schools are required to give individuals regarding their GI Bill benefits. Right now, schools are required to give an estimated cost of education to anyone using the GI Bill. However, there are cases where the school cannot accurately estimate the tuition and expenses for that year. This could cause veterans to pick a school based off incorrect information that might harm them financially in the future. Now, I support getting veterans all the information they need to make the right decision about their education. I do not support schools being forced to give a favorable financial estimate before the student enrolls. This bill would also ensure that schools have a central place to find information to train their staff in charge of helping student veterans use their benefits. Finally, this bill, as amended, would improve opportunities for veterans wanting to get commercial driver's licenses. I thank my colleague from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards), as well for his work on key provisions of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5914, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, once again, I encourage Members to support this legislation and to help our veterans get the most out of their GI Bill benefits. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Van Orden), the sponsor of this legislation. I appreciate the fine job he has done coming forward with this.

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4016) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the repayment by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of benefits misused by a fiduciary.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 4016.

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4016 as offered by Representative Connolly. This bill would ensure that VA's fiduciary program is managed effectively so that our Nation's most vulnerable veterans receive the benefits they earned. The VA appoints fiduciaries for veterans who are unable to manage their VA benefits. A fiduciary misuses a veteran's VA benefit when they spend a veteran's benefit on anything other than the veteran's care and welfare. However, before a veteran who is a victim of misuse can be made financially whole, the VA is required to determine whether the misuse was as a result of VA negligence, but VA does not monitor whether these negligence determinations are being made in a timely way. This bureaucratic red tape has resulted in long wait times for veterans to recoup their misused benefits. Some veterans have passed away before recouping their misused benefits. We must ensure the VA promptly makes whole any veteran who was a victim of misuse by a fiduciary. H.R. 4016 would ensure just that. It would prohibit VA from withholding repayment of misused benefits because the VA is still working on a negligence determination. It would also require the VA to establish methods to ensure that negligence determinations are made in a timely way. Veterans deserve to receive their benefits without bureaucratic hurdles and unnecessary delays. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4016, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. BOST. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks).

Mr. BOST

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 3738, as amended.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3738, as amended, offered by my friend and colleague from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup). H.R. 3738, as amended, would establish a new administration called the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs. For years, the Veterans Benefits Administration has been overburdened and overwhelmed with bureaucracy and red tape. Right now, VBA simply has too many important duties to fulfill on behalf of veterans and is pulled in too many directions. Even with the PACT Act giving record funding to reduce backlogs and increase veteran benefits, this committee still sees poor performance from this part of the VA. Dr. Wenstrup's bill, as amended, would increase accountability and provide additional needed manpower for veterans and certain programs. For years, we have let the VA use their own judgment on how to handle these programs. VBA is making too many decisions without notifying veterans; putting new, burdensome requirements on schools; and creating new programs that will cost billions of taxpayer dollars. Changes are frequently made to the program with little input from Congress or stakeholders and with little recourse for schools or veterans. While the Biden administration has been especially guilty of this, it must stop, regardless of who is in the White House. This bill on the floor today is just the beginning of our efforts to improve the delivery of benefits to veterans and their families. I thank the VFW, SVA, DAV, and The American Legion for their support of this bill. I also thank my friend, Dr. Wenstrup, for continuing to be an advocate for this bill before he retires from Congress. I also thank my colleagues across the aisle for cosponsoring and supporting the legislation through the committee process. The legacy of this bill will make a difference for veterans and their families. This will match the important legacy of Dr. Wenstrup's steadfast support of veterans and servicemembers as a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3738, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this legislation to help improve the way veterans receive VA services, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BOST

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