Jack Bergman

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Traverse City Library for 25 years of service to the Traverse City community. Since 1999, the Main Library on Woodmere has hosted hundreds of positive initiatives, charity events, and educational opportunities for the community. Originally founded by the Ladies Library Association in 1869, the Main Library was housed in numerous locations before finding its current home. Along with the Main Library on Woodmere, the library system has grown to include the East Bay Branch Library, Kingsley Branch Library, and three member libraries: Fife Lake Public Library, Interlochen Public Library, and Peninsula Community Library. For 155 years, the city library has served as an integral space in the Traverse City community. The Traverse Area District Library (TADL) was established in 1983, when voters ratified its establishment and approved an operational millage. It's thanks to the people of Traverse City who voted to establish TADL in the 1980s that Traverse City has its current main branch library building on Woodmere Avenue. The library has spaces for all occasions--from reading on the spacious front porch or curling up with a novel by the cozy stone fireplace. Visitors can also utilize the vast multimedia space and learn from the library's local history collection. For the younger audiences, the library has a dedicated children's section and many educational events. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate the Woodmere Branch of TADL for an immensely successful 25 years of service. I wish the library and its staff all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Mr. William ``Bill'' Shepler for his years of service to the Mackinaw City community and retirement as President of the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum Board of Directors. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, our country assumed heavy demands on the war materials industry. In order to sustain these increased production needs, the United States Coast Guard icebreaker, Cutter Mackinaw WAGB-83, was authorized for construction on December 17, 1941. Until decommissioning, The Mackinaw proved to be an essential facet of the Great Lakes' economy, colloquially becoming known as ``The Queen of the Great Lakes.'' The Mackinaw was essential to the maintenance of the shipping lanes of the Lakes, becoming responsible for over 100 trapped ships being freed from ice blockages or buildups. Following a long and successful career, the ship began its decommissioning process and the City of Cheboygan attempted to find a suitable home for The Mackinaw. In August of 2004, Mr. Shepler, along with Dick Moehl and Sandy Planisek, founded the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum in order to keep the ship in the Great Lakes. Following its successful development, the renowned icebreaker was decommissioned on July 10, 2006, and was moored at its permanent berth on July 21, 2006. With gratitude to the IMMM board of directors under the direction of Bill Shepler, the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum welcomed its first visitors in the spring of 2007. Visitors can now explore the ship's 62-year history, making their way around the Mess Deck, Engine Room, Captain's Quarters, Sick Bay, Galley, Navigation Room and more. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the dedicated efforts of Mr. Bill Shepler in preserving our history, and I congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement. I'd like to wish Bill and the IMMM all the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Traverse City Central Coach Lisa Taylor for her incredible career and upcoming retirement. Coach Taylor is leaving behind an illustrious legacy from her 30 years as a coach at Traverse City Central High School for their track and cross-country programs. Throughout her tenure as Head Coach, Lisa Taylor amassed an impressive list of accolades. Coach Taylor led the Trojans to 16 Regional Titles, 20 Conference Championships, and qualified for 28 State Championship meets. She also led the students to one Michigan State Championship and five runner-up finishes. As a testament to her character, Coach Taylor has been nominated for the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coach Association's Coach of the Year an historic 13 times, winning the award in 2008. She was also a finalist in the National High School Coaches Association's Coach of the Year awards. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Coach Lisa Taylor as she embarks on her new journey in retirement. I'd like to congratulate her on decades of success and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3581) to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the family caregiver program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to include services related to mental health and neurological disorders, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Kiggans), an esteemed colleague, distinguished naval officer, and nurse practitioner.

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

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3581, as amended, the Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement Act, or COPE Act. Representative Kiggans' COPE Act would allow for grant awards expanding access to mental health counseling, treatment, or support to caregivers of veterans participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. VA's caregiver program provides caregivers of seriously ill or injured veterans with resources and services to help them with the important role they play in their veterans' lives. Becoming a veteran caregiver is a noble undertaking and caregivers often put their entire lives aside in pursuit of caring for their loved ones. Mental health support is an important component of the caregiver program, but too often caregivers are reluctant to seek care at VA. Whether it is because of stigma, not wanting to take provider resources away from veteran care, or the fear that seeking mental health care may in some way jeopardize their standing as a caregiver, caregivers should have access to every option without barriers. The 3-year pilot program the COPE Act would create would expand caregiver mental health access to outside of VA. Ensuring caregiver wellness is critical to ensuring the highest quality of care for the veterans caregivers serve. This new pilot program is an important next step in continuing to meet caregiver needs. Representative Kiggans' bill would also allow VA to assist local and State authorities with funding help for the mitigation of flood risk on non-VA property that may be adjacent to VA facilities. Many VA medical facilities are at least 60 years old. Some of these facilities have, over the years and due to locations in low- lying areas, been subject to flooding that impact veteran and staff access or even threatens building function. Flood preparedness is a prudent focus for all VA facilities that are historically at risk of flooding from storms or from water encroachment. It is important that VA has the means to work with local authorities on issues that impact the operation of its facilities. Finally, this bill would require a review and report to Congress on the security environment at VA facilities. We know that crime has been increasing at VA campuses, and while VA claims it has reworked its policing structure and hired a record number of officers, our committee lacks the data needed for proper oversight. Veterans and the staff that support them need to be confident that the facilities they use are safe places to receive care and seek benefits. This review will go a long way toward identifying ways to enhance safety and improve security within the Veterans Administration buildings and campuses. I thank Representatives Kiggans and Mace, both members of the committee, for their work on the various elements of this bill and for their unwavering commitment to the veterans we serve. Additionally, to maintain our commitment to fiscal responsibility, we have identified an offset and fully funded this bill to ensure the best possible outcome for our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3581, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN. 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. 3581, as amended.

Mr. BERGMAN

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

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 542) to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve certain programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs for home- and community-based services for veterans, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 542, the Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023, or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023, as amended. The bill is a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at transforming the landscape of long-term care for our Nation's veterans. I commend Representative Brownley for her bipartisan work with me on it. Veterans, like all Americans, are living longer. This requires the Veterans Administration to adapt to this evolving veteran population to ensure that eligible veterans entering their later years have access to long-term care that meets their needs. As of fiscal year 2022, approximately 3.1 million veterans, roughly half of VA's active patient population, were 65 years or older. These veterans, often older, sicker, and poorer than the general population, and often residing in rural areas, demand a tailored approach to healthcare. Veterans want to remain at home for care, avoiding admission to long- term care facilities. This preference is not only understandable but becomes imperative given the current challenges with long-term care facilities and limited admissions nationwide. By expanding VA's noninstitutional long-term care services through Representative Brownley's and my bill, we would allow aging and disabled veterans the option of staying in their homes. Institutional care can be reserved for veterans who truly need intensive round-the- clock care and services. While many States have shifted investments from institutional to home- and community-based care, VA has not kept pace. The lack of a statutory mandate has led to inconsistent availability of home- and community-based services, leaving many veterans underserved simply based on where they live. That is unacceptable. Veterans and veteran service organizations have consistently urged VA to focus on expanding access to home- and community-based services to allow veterans to age comfortably and safely in place. The Veterans' Affairs Committee answered these demands head-on, and we held numerous hearings on the issue and focused on equitable long- term care access. Our bill would also rightfully eliminate the annual cap on noninstitutional care to include greater flexibility in meeting the needs of veterans living with ALS or spinal cord injuries, for example. Under current law, these veterans are often forced into institutional care simply because funding cannot be provided for home care. This bill would ensure availability of all programs, such as veteran-directed care, homemaker home health aide, home-based primary care, and purchased skilled home care at all VA medical centers. In addition to expanding access, the Dole Act urges the VA to take a more active role in helping veterans and their caregivers navigate the multiple options that may be available to them as they consider long- term care. It is no secret that the Nation is facing a shortage of qualified professionals capable of taking on the tasks required by home- or community-based care. Representative Brownley's and my bill would create a pilot program to bring in more professionals to serve veterans through homemaker and home health services. Finally, I want to emphasize that we are committed to fiscal responsibility and have identified an offset to fully fund these programs that will ultimately address the pressing needs of America's aging veteran population. The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023 is a pledge to ensure veterans receive the care they deserve, preserving their dignity and independence, whether they are catastrophically disabled or in the twilight of their lives. Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank Representative Brownley for her dedication to this issue and her bipartisan work with me on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a letter from 46 organizations, including all of the major veterans service organizations, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and many other groups, and I thank them for their dedication to caring for and serving veterans.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, while we are considering this bill today, I would remind my colleagues that this legislation is also a part of a comprehensive veterans package being negotiated between the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the days ahead to collectively advance not only this legislation, but many other proposals that support the interests and the well-being of all veterans. Finally, I thank the numerous veteran service organization partners who have worked with us. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 542, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Landsman) as he provides his statement.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have remaining?

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials for the Record.

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, the State of Qatar poses the gravest and most profound threat to the national security interest of the United States in the Middle East. This was true before October 7, but it is now undeniable in the aftermath of the unspeakable horrors of that day, where at least 32 Americans were brutally murdered, and another 12 Americans were taken hostage. Qatar poses a threat to the U.S. not through its military. Nor does Qatar threaten the U.S. by training and directly equipping terrorist groups the same way that the Ayatollah and the mullahs from Iran do. Qatar threatens the U.S. even though it does not call Israel the Little Satan, nor does it call the United States the Great Satan. It is true that Qatar does not loudly proclaim that it wants to wipe Israel off the map, just as it does not publicly chant ``death to America.'' But it is precisely because Qatar does not espouse extremism so boldly and brazenly that this tiny but wealthy emirate is so dangerous to our national security interests. The nature of this threat is best understood by comparing and contrasting the two main state sponsors of Hamas--Qatar and Iran. Qatar has access to the corridors of power and the ability to mingle with world elites. Iran, on the other hand, simply does not have the ability to influence our glad-hand Western leaders. Iran does not get involved and invited to the G20. Qatar does. Iran does not attend Davos. Qatar does. Iran does not host the forward headquarters of CENTCOM, Central Command. Qatar does. The Iranian Ayatollah can't simply get President Biden on the phone for a friendly call, but the Qatari Emir can, and does. The Islamic Republic of Iran in its current form run by the mullahs would never be designated as a major non-NATO ally. Yet just last year, President Biden bestowed this prestigious designation on the State of Qatar. Qatar has used its enormous influence with the West to help terrorist groups, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Taliban. Qatar's singularly unique support for Hamas has proved invaluable for the bloodthirsty terrorist group. Hamas leaders not only planned the unprecedented error campaign from luxury villas and penthouse suites in Doha, provided to them by the State of Qatar, but they have been allowed to promote blood libels daily since October 7 on Al Jazeera, the propaganda outlet owned and ultimately controlled by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. For years and continuing to this day, Qatar has promoted and whitewashed Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Taliban, among other terrorist groups, including with fawning coverage on Al Jazeera. Qatar also effectively serves as the diplomatic arm for these terrorist groups, including when they claim to act as mediators with the terrorists from the West. And, of course, Qatar also funds these and other terrorist groups, sometimes overtly and sometimes quietly. But Qatar has also provided direct and material support to Hamas here in the United States, such as aggressively protecting the terrorist group by successfully killing legislation that was to enact harsh sanctions on the state sponsors of Hamas. As I will soon explain in more detail, the State of Qatar was single- handedly responsible for killing the Hamas Sanctions Bill, which was first introduced in 2017 by my friend and colleague, Congressman Brian Mast. The State of Qatar not only killed the Hamas Sanctions Bill in the 115th Congress, but after it was reintroduced in 2019, the emirate once again killed the legislation in the 116th Congress. While it is impossible to know for sure, it is distinctly possible that if Qatar had not gone to such extraordinary lengths to protect Hamas from sanctions, that the atrocities of October 7 might never have happened. Almost the entire Beltway foreign policy establishment, not just Democrats but also Republicans, have gotten Qatar wrong for the past 25-plus years. The establishment's conventional wisdom is that although almost all outward indicators show that Qatar is firmly aligned with Iran, Islamists, and jihadists, the supposed truth is that they are secretly moderate and pro-America. Unfortunately, our foreign policy elites have chosen to cling to the illusion of who the Qataris privately claim to be, while ignoring the harsh reality of who they actually are. It is simply not true that Qataris are reluctantly close with Iran, Islamists, and jihadists, engaging with these malign actors out of necessity or to help the United States and the West. The overwhelming evidence shows that, in fact, the Qataris are true believers. Qatar's apologists claim that the emirate only has dealings with Iran because they jointly own the North Field, the world's largest natural gas reserve. Yet time and again, Qatar acts in sync with Iran across the Middle East, where both regimes just so happen to try and destabilize the same governments, especially those that are strong allies of the United States. And Qatar and Iran both sponsor some of the same terrorist groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. There is no support for Ambassador Al Thani's allegation. The most generous interpretation for the emirate is that Qatar wanted to serve as the home for Hamas headquarters and its leaders, and that it convinced the Obama administration to allow them to become joined at the hip with this bloodthirsty terrorist group. Similarly, Qatar is also no reluctant supporter of Hamas. Qatar's Ambassador to America, Meshal Al Thani, implied in a Wall Street Journal op-ed earlier this month that the United States essentially requested Doha to host Hamas' world headquarters and to provide sanctuary to the terrorist group's leaders. The best evidence that Qatar genuinely supports Hamas and generally shares the same world view and goals as the terrorist organization is what you see when Hamas leaders, such as Ismail Haniyeh or Khaled Mashaal, meet with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. As you can see in photos of their meetings, the Emir warmly embraces Mashaal, terrorists with blood on their hands, and the Emir clearly demonstrates with his smile and body language that he considers these Hamas thugs to be his close, personal friends. There are two other powerful indicators that Qatar agrees with the radicals who hate America. The first is the ruling Al Thani family's close relationship with the longtime spiritual leader of the International Muslim brotherhood, Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. The other is something available for anyone to see for themselves, the stomach-turning content of Al Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned propaganda outlet. Until Yusuf Al-Qaradawi died last year at the age of 96, he was not only the top religious cleric for the Muslim Brotherhood, but also for the ruling Al Thani family. The Qatar Foundation, which is actually a private company owned by the Emir of Qatar and his parents, worked closely with Qaradawi for decades, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to export and promote Qaradawi's deranged brand of Islam. To understand just how much of an extremist Qaradawi was, all you would have to do is watch the old broadcasts of his show on Al Jazeera. Over the years, Qaradawi used his platform to endorse violent jihad against the West, and he specifically advocated for terrorist attacks on Israel, as well as attacks on U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Qaradawi also praised the Holocaust and repeatedly used his show to promote the mass murder of Jews. On his Al Jazeera show in 2011, Qaradawi proclaimed that Allah used Adolf Hitler to wreak the Holocaust upon the Jews as divine punishment, and he praised Hitler for putting Jews in their place. Qaradawi was also well known for praising Hamas during the Al Jazeera broadcasts. Unfortunately, the entirety of Al Jazeera is now well known for praising Hamas. Al Jazeera has served as an unabashed cheerleader for Hamas for years, and especially since October 7. The broadcasts of state-owned Al Jazeera have been rife with explicit cheerleading for Hamas and spreading blood libels about the Jewish State. Not only does Al Jazeera reveal its repugnant biases in hailing Hamas as the resistance and casting Israel as the occupiers, but among its earliest reporting on Hamas' October 7 terrorist attack was a story praising the brutal kidnapping as ``humanitarian,'' under the headline, ``Activists praise the resistance's humanitarian treatment of an Israeli woman and her children.'' In the time since, Qatar's propaganda outlet has continued to interview top Hamas leaders, often in-studio in Doha, allowing them to promote dangerous falsehoods designed to incite viewers against not just Israel, but also America and the West. For years, Hamas has tried to sell the West a fiction, the idea that there is an armed wing and a political wing of the terrorist organization. Well, it is safe to say that since October 7, Al Jazeera has become the media wing of Hamas. If someone wants to know about Qatar's true foreign policy positions, all they need to do is check out Al Jazeera's Arabic language coverage. That way, it wouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on October 7 that holds Israel solely responsible for the mass murder of 1,200 innocents and the kidnapping of another 200-plus. Earlier this month, at a Gulf Cooperation Council gathering, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani doubled down on this position when he had the audacity to condemn the world for allowing Israel supposedly to be above the law, as if a nation should not be allowed to defend itself from mass murders at its border, even as the Emir himself very much treats the Hamas leaders as above the law by refusing to arrest them. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles).

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, time is finite because once a minute is gone, it is lost forever. I have countless examples here of how Qatar's influence is so deep in Washington, D.C. That includes hacking. That includes targeting committee chairmen. Most importantly, the biggest example that is read, The Gray Lady, The New York Times, is a business partner, to an extent, with Hamas. It is time that we stop treating Hamas' benefactors and the government as an ally. The time is now for the U.S. to force Qatar to choose between the U.S. and Hamas. They cannot embrace both. If they choose to continue embracing Hamas, we must treat them as we treat any other state sponsor of terrorist groups that murder Americans. Mr. Speaker, the State of Qatar poses the gravest and most profound threat to the national security interests of the United States in the Middle East. This was true before October 7th, but it is now undeniable in the aftermath of the unspeakable horrors of that day--where at least 32 Americans were brutally murdered and another 12 Americans were taken hostage. Qatar poses a threat to the U.S. not through its military. Nor does Qatar threaten the U.S. by training and directly equipping terrorist groups the same way that the Ayatollah and the Mullahs from Iran do. Qatar threatens the U.S., even though it does nor call Israel the Little Satan, nor does it call the United States the Great Satan. And it is true that Qatar does not loudly proclaim that it wants to wipe Israel ``off the map,'' just as it does not publicly chant, ``Death to America.'' But it is precisely because Qatar does not espouse extremism so boldly and brazenly that this tiny but wealthy emirate is so dangerous to our national security interests. The nature of this threat is best understood by comparing and contrasting the two main state sponsors of Hamas--Qatar and Iran. Qatar has access to the corridors of power and the ability to mingle with world elites. Iran, on the other hand, simply does not have the ability to influence or glad-hand Western leaders. Iran does not get invited to the G-20--Qatar does. Iran does not attend Davos--Qatar does. Iran does not host the forward headquarters of CENTCOM--Qatar does. The Iranian Ayatollah can't simply get President Biden on the phone for a friendly call. But the Qatari Emir can--and does. The Islamic Republic of Iran in its current form run by the mullahs would never be designated as a ``Major Non-NATO Ally.'' Yet just last year, President Biden bestowed this prestigious designation on the State of Qatar. Qatar has used its enormous influence with the West to help terrorist groups, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Taliban. Qatar's singularly unique support for Hamas has proved invaluable for the bloodthirsty terrorist group. Hamas leaders not only planned the unprecedented terror campaign from luxury villas and penthouse suites in Doha--provided to them by the State of Qatar--but they have been allowed to promote blood libels daily since October 7th on Al Jazeera, the propaganda outlet owned and ultimately controlled by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamnad Al Thani. For years and continuing to this day, Qatar has promoted and whitewashed Hamas, Hezbollah and the Taliban--among other terrorist groups--including with fawning coverage on Al Jazeera. Qatar also effectively serves as the diplomatic arm for these terrorist groups, including when they claim to act as ``mediators'' with the terrorists for the West. And of course, Qatar also funds these and other terrorist groups, sometimes overtly and sometimes quietly. But Qatar has also provided direct and material support to Hamas here in the United States, such as aggressively protecting the terrorist group by successfully killing legislation that was intended to enact harsh sanctions on state sponsors of Hamas. As I will soon explain in more detail, the State of Qatar was single- handedly responsible for killing the Hamas Sanctions Bill, which was first introduced in 2017, by my friend and colleague, Congressman Brian Mast. The State of Qatar not only killed the Hamas Sanctions Bill in the 115th Congress, but after it was reintroduced in 2019, the emirate once again killed the legislation in the 116th Congress. And while it is impossible to know for sure, it is distinctly possible that if Qatar had not gone to such extraordinary lengths to protect Hamas from sanctions, that the atrocities of October 7th might never have happened. Almost the entire Beltway foreign policy establishment--not just Democrats, but also Republicans--have gotten Qatar wrong for the past 25-plus years. The establishment's conventional wisdom is that although almost all outward indicators show that Qatar is firmly aligned with Iran, Islamists and jihadists, the supposed ``truth'' is that they are secretly moderate and pro-America. Unfortunately, our foreign policy elites have chosen to cling to the illusion of who the Qataris privately claim to be, while ignoring the harsh reality of who they actually are. It is simply nor true that the Qataris are ``reluctantly'' close with Iran, Islamists and jihadists, engaging with these malign actors out of necessity or to ``help'' the United States and the West. The overwhelming evidence shows that, in fact, the Qataris are true believers. Qatar's apologists claim that the emirate only has dealings with Iran because they jointly own the North Field, the world's largest natural gas reserve. Yet time and again, Qatar acts in sync with Iran across the Middle East, where both regimes just so happen to try and destabilize the same governments--especially those that are strong allies of the United States. And Qatar and Iran both sponsor some of the same terrorist groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah. But there is no support for Ambassador Al Thani's allegation. The most generous interpretation for the emirate is that Qatar wanted to serve as the home for Hamas headquarters and its leaders, and that it convinced the Obama Administration to allow them to become joined at the hip with the bloodthirsty terrorist group. Similarly, Qatar is also no ``reluctant'' supporter of Hamas. Qatar's Ambassador to America, Meshal Al Thani, implied in a Wall Street Journal op-ed earlier this month that that the United States essentially requested Doha to host Hamas' world headquarters and to provide sanctuary to the terrorist group's leaders. The best evidence that Qatar genuinely supports Hamas and shares the same worldview and goals as the terrorist organization is what you see when Hamas leaders, such as Ismail Haniyeh or Khaled Mashaal, meet with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamnad Al Thani. As you can see in photos of their meetings, the Emir warmly embraces Haniyeh and Mashaal--terrorists with blood on their hands--and the Emir clearly demonstrates with his smile and body language that he considers these Hamas thugs to be his close, personal friends. There are two other powerful indicators that Qatar agrees with the radicals who hate America. The first is the ruling Al Thani family's close relationship with the longtime ``spiritual leader'' of the International Muslim Brotherhood, Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. The other is something available for anyone to see for themselves-- the stomach-turning content of Al Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned propaganda outlet. Until Yusuf Al-Qaradawi died last year at age 96, he was not only the top religious cleric for the Muslim Brotherhood, but also for the ruling Al Thani family. The Qatar Foundation, which is actually a private company owned by the Emir of Qatar and his parents, worked closely with Qaradawi for decades, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to export and promote Qaradawi's deranged brand of Islam. To understand just how much of an extremist that Qaradawi was, all you would have to do is watch the old broadcasts of his show on Al Jazeera. Over the years, Qaradawi used his Al Jazeera platform to endorse violent jihad against the West, and he specifically advocated for terrorist attacks on Israel, as well as attacks on U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Qaradawi also praised the Holocaust, and repeatedly used his show to promote the mass murder of Jews. On his Al Jazeera show in 2011, Qaradawi proclaimed that ``Allah'' used Adolf Hitler to wreak the Holocaust upon the Jews as ``divine punishment,'' and he praised Hitler for ``putting (Jews) in their place.'' Qaradawi was well-known for praising Hamas during his Al Jazeera broadcasts. Unfortunately, the entirety of Al Jazeera is now also well- known for praising Hamas. Al Jazeera has served as an unabashed cheerleader for Hamas for years, and especially since October 7th. The broadcasts of state-owned Al Jazeera have been rife with explicit cheerleading for Hamas and spreading blood libels about the Jewish state. Not only does Al Jazeera reveal its repugnant biases in hailing Hamas as the ``resistance'' and casting Israel as the ``occupiers,'' but among its earliest reporting on Hamas' October 7th terrorist attack was a story praising the brutal kidnappings as ``humanitarian,'' under the headline, ``Activists praise the resistance's humanitarian treatment of an Israeli woman and her children.'' In the time since, Qatar's propaganda outlet has continued to interview top Hamas leaders, often in-studio in Doha--allowing them to promote dangerous falsehoods designed to incite viewers against not just Israel, but also America and the West. For years, Hamas has tried to sell to the West a fiction, the idea that there is an ``armed wing'' and a ``political wing'' of the terrorist organization. Well, it is safe to say that since October 7th, Al Jazeera has become the media wing of Hamas. If someone wants to know about Qatar's true foreign policy positions, all they need to do is check out Al Jazeera's Arabic language coverage. That way, it wouldn't be a surprise to anyone that Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on October 7th that it holds ``Israel solely responsible'' for the mass murder of 1,200 innocents and the kidnapping of another 200-plus. Earlier this month at a Gulf Cooperation Council gathering, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani doubled down on this position, when he had the audacity to condemn the world for allowing Israel supposedly to be ``above the law''--as if a nation should not be allowed to defend itself from mass murderers at its border--even as the Emir himself very much treats the Hamas leaders as ``above the law'' by refusing to arrest them. Qatar has been able to hoodwink the State Department and the foreign policy ``elites'' for years through a two-tiered, carrot-and-stick approach. They lavish money in all directions to purchase ``friends'' and supporters. And when they encounter the principled few who can't be bought off, Qatar has used its considerable espionage capabilities to target those critics it views as harmful to their interests. In short, Qatar's influence strategy can be summed up in three words--buy or destroy. The ``visible'' portion of Qatar's strategy has been to spread billions and billions of dollars across the U.S. Here's a srnall sampling of Qatar's largesse inside the U.S.: A total of $6 billion given to our universities, which doesn't include the millions it gives to radical, anti-American campus groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine. An unknown dollar amount, but probably hundreds of millions of dollars in total, to think tanks. Millions and millions of dollars to The New York Times--yes, the ``Gray Lady''--in the form of co-hosting dubious ``Art for Tomorrow'' conferences in Doha, as well as sponsoring other New York Times junkets, such as its ``Oil and Money'' conferences. Since 2017, Qatar has engaged at least 75 lobbying and PR firms, according to the FARA website, and it has paid these firms approximately $225 million, for an average of $3 million paid to each registered FARA agent. And most recently, Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority, or QIA, ``invested'' $200 million dollars to purchase 5 percent of Monumental Sports Entertainment, founded and run by Ted Leonsis, and which is the parent company of the NBA and NHL franchises right here in Washington, D.C., the Wizards and the Capitals. Qatar's lavish spending habits on lobbyists and now for sportswashing have garnered at least some media attention. But the dirty secret is that it is the darker side of Qatar's ``buy-or-destroy'' approach that has probably been even more effective. Qatar has engaged in hacking operations to intercept the communications of Americans whom the wealthy emirate believes to be harmful to its interests, reportedly by hiring firms such as Global Risk Advisors, founded and owned by former CIA agent Kevin Chalker, to plan and orchestrate these so called ``hack-and leak'' operations. In recent years, Qatari espionage activities have used hacked materials to smear a long list of powerful and influential figures, including both former and current U.S. government offIcials. Here are a few examples of the American critics of Qatar that the emirate went after through targeted dissemination of hacked materials to friendly media outlets: the former Homeland Security Advisor to the President, Fran Townsend; a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mark Wallace; the former Deputy National Security Advisor, Elliott Abrams; the former acting head of the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Morell: and the then-sitting Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce. The decision to target Chairman Royce is as stunning as it was brazen. But here is the cold, hard reality: a foreign government that sponsors numerous terrorist organizations used American citizens and others to intimidate and neutralize one of the most powerful U.S. government officials in matters of foreign policy, who at that time was the Chairman of this body's Foreign Affairs Committee. Although Qatar has never publicly stated why they unleashed their espionage forces on Chairman Royce, the reason seems obvious. It was to protect Hamas. In late 2017, Chairman Royce's committee unanimously passed the Hamas Sanctions Bill, whose findings mentioned two state sponsors of Hamas-- Iran and Qatar. It was no secret at that time that Qatar's top priority was killing the legislation, and Qatari lobbyists were swarming Capitol Hill, desperately attempting to halt the bill. Just a few months later, in early 2018, Qatar's high-priced PR agents worked in cahoots with media outlets, including The New York Times, to smear Chairman Royce--a good man, known and loved by many in this body--with splashy ``news'' stories that created false narratives through the use of hacked materials. What makes the whole operation to smear Chairman Royce even more outrageous is the very significant ethical conflict of the primary media outlet that relied on hacked materials to do Qatar's bidding--The New York Times. What the ``Gray Lady'' did not mention in any of the many stories it published based on emails hacked by Qatar is that The New York Times was in business with Qatar. In fact, Qatar and Brookfield had reached an agreement to purchase 42 percent of the New York Times Building in Times Square by January 2018. The New York Times also neglected to mention in these stories placed by Qatar's Intelligence services that Qatar had been lining the pockets of The New York Times for at least several years by this time, with untold millions of dollars for ``sponsoring'' junkets hosted by The New York Times. So when the tiny but wealthy emirate needed to ``teach a lesson'' to any other Congressman or Senator thinking of criticizing Qatar--or even Hamas--the State of Qatar turned for help to its own business partner, The New York Times, which dutifully published a hit piece smearing the then-current Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The hit pieces that Qatar generated had the desired effect. Even though the Hamas Sanctions Bill, H.R. 2712, had been unanimously passed by the Foreign Affairs Committee in November 2017 and was expected to easily pass a Floor vote in this body. But after the Qataris successfully weaponized hacked materials to smear Chairman Royce, the Hamas Sanctions bill died a quiet death, never even making it to a Floor vote. Could anyone imagine the Chairman Royce scenario playing out the same way, but with different countries or a different target? For example, if Russia had targeted a Democratic Congressman or Senator that same way, does anyone doubt that the media and foreign policy ``elites'' would have been up in arms? Or if it had been Iran smearing a Democratic Congressman or Senator with hacked materials? This is yet another example of the unique threat posed by Qatar. There's no other nation that would be so daring as to intercept the communications of prominent Americans--let alone high-ranking U.S. government officials--that also has a cozy relationship with top media outlets or that has financial ties to a wide array of prominent and influential Americans. Who in academia would dare step up to criticize Qatar for openly targeting American critics, including U.S. government officials? Not likely someone affiliated with Harvard, which has received at least $17 million from Qatar. Probably not anyone affiliated with Northwestern University, which has raked in over $600 million from Qatar. The same goes for anyone affiliated with Georgetown University--which has received over $800 million in Qatari cash--or Cornell University, which Qatar has paid a staggering $2 billion. The top ranks of the think tank world are also surprisingly reluctant to criticize Qatar--which is no surprise given the millions upon millions of dollars that Qatar spreads to think tanks. And in case you might think that major law firms would be outraged at a foreign government hacking the communications of its American critics and then weaponizing those hacked materials, that has certainly not happened with Qatar. Among the law firms retained by Qatar is Covington, a law firm that acts as personal counsel to President Biden. Three Covington partners serve as the trustees of Biden's Vice Presidential Archives. Covington partner Dana Remus was the first White House Counsel in this Administration, and before that, she was the general counsel for the Biden 2020 Presidential campaign. Another Covington partner, Robert Lenhard, served as the lead outside counsel for the Biden 2020 Presidential campaign. And Lenhard's wife, Viveca Novak, was an editor at McClatchy News when that outlet was publishing stories based on materials hacked by Qatar in 2017-2018. Even with its tentacles everywhere in American society, the State of Qatar is looking to extend its influence operations into one of the last areas in the U.S. that has been immune from foreign influence-- American professional sports. The Qatar Investment Authority has purchased 5 percent of Monumental Sports Entertainment, the parent company of the NBA and NHL franchises right here in Washington, D.C.--the Wizards and the Capitals. Over the past month, I have sent multiple letters about QIA's proposed investment to the NBA, the NHL, and Monumental Sports. All three of them responded to my initial letters with dismissive replies, and then the NBA and Monumental ignored my following-up letters sent two weeks ago, which included straightforward questions that would shed light on some of the basic details regarding this business deal that is obviously of significant importance to the American public. There should be no doubt that Qatar's sole motivation for its investment into the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals is to give it a uniquely powerful tool for further cementing its death grip on our Nation's capital. Congress must investigate this business arrangement. And because Monumental's President, Ted Leonsis, is seeking $600 million in taxpayer money to pair with Qatar's $200 million ``investment'' in order to renovate the Verizon Center, Congress has a duty to investigate. As my time comes to a close, let me conclude by saying that it is of paramount importance that the United States immediately begin to reassess its relationship with the State of Qatar. The only path forward is to pressure Qatar. It is unconscionable that Hamas is holding as hostages nine Americans and almost 200 others, while Hamas leaders live freely--and luxuriously--in Doha, just miles from the United States Air Base at Al Udeid. We owe it to the memory of the 32 Americans murdered on October 7. And we owe it to the American people, whose government should not be treating Hamas' benefactors as an ``ally.'' The time is now for the U.S. to force Qatar to choose between the U.S. and Hamas. They cannot embrace both. And if they choose to continue embracing Hamas, we must treat them as we treat any other state sponsor of terrorist groups that murder Americans. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERGMAN

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

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Kingsley High School Varsity Football team for their recent victory in the Division 6 State Championship. With a 38-24 victory over Almont High School, the Kingsley Stags charged on to the school's first ever State Championship. Head Coach Time Wooer's unique approach led them to a dominant 12-2 season and an ultimate State Championship victory. In the team's exemplary win, the Stags were led by elusive running back Eli Graves. Finishing the game with 210 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 two- point conversions, Graves is the first running back in Michigan Football State Championship history to account for 30 points in a championship game. Coach Wooer aptly summed up the spirit and composition of his team to the Detroit Free Press after the game, stating, ``the one characteristic when you get a team of this caliber is the character, and the morals and the ethics and just the leadership.'' The Kingsley High School Varsity Football team did indeed exude immense talent, teamwork, and dedication which secured them the State Championship. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate the Kingsley High School Varsity Football team for their well-deserved State Championship. I wish the team, families, and staff all the best in their future endeavors. Go Stags.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is so interesting to walk in and wonder if you have walked into the middle of something. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman for yielding, and I am honored to join my colleagues today in highlighting the accomplishments and ongoing challenges facing high-quality healthcare access in rural and remote parts of our country. Believe me, it covers a lot of our geography. Healthcare providers in areas like Michigan's First District face unique struggles in maintaining financial stability while providing the best possible care, struggles unlike anything facing those in urban or suburban regions. As a result, we have seen a significant increase in rural clinic and hospital closures over the past decade, and many of those still operating today are doing so at the razor's edge. A single provider closing their doors could result in patients having to travel hundreds of miles farther to receive any kind of care. While the situation remains serious, we have seen promising improvements for rural health, especially when it comes to telemedicine. The pandemic underscored the need for and the efficacy of telehealth, especially for those in rural areas who would otherwise be forced to travel multiple hours just to receive a routine checkup or consult with their doctor. Congress must act to permanently extend pandemic telehealth flexibilities, help providers and their patients get the tools they need to utilize telemedicine, and continue to reduce government-imposed barriers. Let me also highlight the importance of the 340B drug pricing program, which provides discounted pharmaceutical products to providers that care for a disproportionate share of uninsured and at-risk patients. In my district alone, we have 20 340B hospitals helping to care for our most vulnerable populations. These hospitals provide the best care available. The 340B program has been a critical component of healthcare for so many Michiganders since its inception, and I hope to continue to work with my colleagues to ensure its lasting success, especially as the program faces new challenges that threaten its integrity. I know our rural and remote providers will continue to do everything in their power to provide top-of-the-line care to their patients. In turn, Congress must continue to address rural health priorities and remove the barriers to their success.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Benzie Area Christian Neighbors (BACN) for 40 years of dedicated service and charity. BACN serves as an inspiration to the community, standing by their mission of improving the quality of life for others and lending a hand to those in need. Founded in 1983, BACN has since performed an integral role in the Benzie Area. The group provides direct, needs-based assistance to those in the area who desperately require it. If BACN can't provide the support necessary themselves, they always assist with a referral to those who can. Over the years as BACN grew, it began to transform from a growing charity to a vibrant organization of faithful people working to better our society. For 40 years, the list of services that BACN offers has expanded substantially. Today, BACN is proud to provide a stocked food pantry, a large clothing center, adult education opportunities, financial assistance and so much more. BACN also partners with larger philanthropic entities in order to extend the best possible services to the Northern Michigan community. Through their collaborative efforts, no one who seeks help is turned away empty handed. The spirit of selflessness and compassion which characterizes BACN is what makes it special. Dedicated volunteers fill many crucial roles within the BACN network, serving as coordinators, organizers, and staff in all of the different locales of service. Their commitment and support have kept BACN running efficiently these past 40 years. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate the Benzie Area Christian Neighbors for 40 outstanding years of service to the Benzie community. I'd like to thank BACN for their continued outreach and charitable programs, and I wish them the best in their future endeavors.

Mr. BERGMAN

Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the Ogemaw County Veteran of the Year, Mr. Charlie D. Puzjak of West Branch, Michigan. Charlie's dedication to supporting his community is an inspiration to Veterans and makes him a deserving recipient of this recognition. The Ogemaw County Veterans Alliance, a nonprofit organization representing all Veterans of Ogemaw County, annually honors a hero for their outstanding service to the United States and their continued activism in their community post-service. This year, the Veterans Alliance has chosen Mr. Charlie D. Puzjak to receive the highest honor the organization can bestow. Charlie served honorably for 18 and a half years in the United States Army as a MOS H63. In December of 2004, he answered the nation's call once again, this time for deployment to Iraq. After completing his training in El Paso, Texas, Mr. Puzjak was deployed to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and subsequently served at 12 other bases in the Middle East. Following an unfortunate accident in 2005, he received an honorable medical discharge. Despite this, Mr. Puzjak maintains that he would re- enlist in a heartbeat. Mr. Puzjak's commitment to service extends beyond his military career. After his honorable medical discharge, Charlie immediately began advocating for other Michigan Veterans. Since 2005, Charlie has served as the Director of the Ogemaw County Veterans Museum, founder of the nonprofit ``A Soldiers First Aid from Home'', and organizer of many other Veterans' fundraisers and community events. It is incredibly heartening to see how Mr. Puzjak consistently puts others before himself. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate Mr. Charlie Puzjak on this well-deserved award. I extend to him my gratitude for his continuous efforts to uplift Veterans in his community and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.