Ted Budd

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to call up Senate amendment No. 134 and ask that it be reported by number.

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, on March 13 of 2020, the Federal Government declared a national emergency concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 3 years later, on May 11, 2023, that declaration ended. And yet, to this day, billions of COVID dollars throughout the Federal Government remain unspent. So let's be clear. Each and every one of those dollars came from a hard-working taxpayer, from a working family's budget. That is why my amendment would rescind an additional $17 billion of unspent COVID money. If we really want the Fiscal Responsibility Act to live up to its name, the least we can do is to rescind the taxpayer dollars that remain to fight a pandemic that everyone knows is over. Every taxpayer dollar is sacred and should be treated that way. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, any remaining time?

Mr. BUDD. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, it is my honor to rise today to speak on behalf of the citizens of the great State of North Carolina. I wouldn't be here today without some very special people: the love of my life, Amy Kate; our three kids, Joshua, Kathryn, and Macy; and my wonderful parents, Richard and Sylvia Budd. I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today without all of your love, your support, and your strength. I also want to thank the dedicated members of my team, both my official staff and campaign staff, who have helped me along this journey. As this voyage unfolded, I was always grateful for my fellow Senators, whose presence was a constant source of encouragement and advice. I want to thank Senator Richard Burr and Senator Thom Tillis for their service to this institution and to our State. I was also inspired by the Senators who are no longer with us, whose lasting imprints are signatures in these desks. As I open this desk, I see the signature of the late, great Senator Jesse Helms. He was one of our State's most legendary leaders, and I can only hope to be as fine a Senator for North Carolina as he was. I also look to Senator James Broyhill, whom we lost just this year. He was a great friend to our family for decades, and his commitment to public service is one that I am going to try to emulate for as long as I hold this office. As someone who was born and raised in North Carolina, I want you to know that it is a part of me. It is in my bones. But you really don't know your State until you have visited every corner of it. Our State has 100 counties, and during our campaign, I visited each and every one of those counties, some of them multiple times, and not just the ones with the high populations or the ones with the big TV markets. It was that 100-county tour that helped me fall deeper in love with my home State, and I am going to be a better Senator for having done it. But of all North Carolina's counties, one is near and dear to my heart, and that is Davie County. I was told a while back that I was the first U.S. Senator to come from Davie County. I owe a lot to the place that I call home. It is the values of small North Carolina counties like mine that are my values too, and those aren't just another set of policy issues. North Carolina values are about how somebody goes about their daily life. It is about faith. It is about loyalty to our family and to your friends. It is about being a man of your word. It is about being honest. It is about being reliable. It is about working hard. And it is about serving others. Our State's motto is ``esse quam videri,'' or, in English, ``to be rather than to seem.'' To put it another way, we tend to walk the walk more than talk the talk, and that is the sort of spirit that I want to endeavor with me during my time here in office. In the relatively short time here in the Senate, I have been to 11 countries. I have met with ambassadors and with foreign leaders, and I have been able to visit and thank American troops stationed overseas. One of the big lessons I learned is this: For as much importance as we place on our international standing--and, believe me, we should-- what is most important is that we don't lose our way here at home. We need to be an America that is worth defending, and everything we do here should be about creating a strong Nation. But we should not seek strength without purpose, and our purpose is clearly laid out in our founding documents. And it has been taught the hard way, through nearly 250 years of lived history, witnessing what works and what doesn't. Winston Churchill once famously observed that ``Americans will always do the right thing, only after they have tried everything else.'' In the last few years it seems like, well, we tried everything else-- a lot of bad ideas, and there are some big things that aren't working. We live in a culture that, unfortunately, extenuates all the ways each and every one of us is different, instead of all the things we have in common. And it is these differences that are used by some to drive us apart, drawing lines based on race, gender, or bank accounts. In recent years, far too many members of America's next generation are being indoctrinated with a sense of victimhood and despair instead of being encouraged with vision and with hope. That indoctrination has real-world consequences, and we have seen it borne out in disturbing national trends. Less than 40 percent of our country says they are extremely proud to be an American. The rate of churchgoing and a belief in God now sits at historic lows. One in 10 Americans suffers from depression, and depression among young adults is particularly acute. One CDC study revealed that 42 percent of high school students felt so sad or hopeless in the last few weeks that they could not go about their daily business. Among young adults, substance abuse is at an alltime high. Rates of suicide have increased, and more than one in five high school students has seriously considered attempting suicide. These numbers should shock our national consequence, and it should serve as a wake-up call for change. Despite these discouraging statistics, we don't have to reinvent the wheel to know how to get back on the right track. Instead of teaching the next generation of Americans to wallow in all the things that their country has done wrong, we need to be celebrating. We need to be learning and building on all the things that we have done right. Simply put, we need to teach our kids to love our country, not to hate it; to have a spirit of gratitude and not one of disdain. Great nations succeed when their citizens not only have a focus on what makes them great but also when we collectively keep our eyes on what creates prosperity and human flourishing. But when we give our government too much power, the less freedom each individual has over their own life. Less freedom means you have less money and less opportunity to achieve your God-given destiny. When the government stops us from responsibly producing energy, for instance, and then attempts to dictate our consumption habits, it makes life harder and more difficult for hard-working citizens, and it stifles our Nation's strength. You know, the Apostle Paul, when he wrote to young Timothy, warned him to watch out for the love of money, for it is the root of all sorts of evil. But in this town, the root of all sorts of evil seems to be modern and monetary theory, the supposition that the national debt doesn't matter and that government spending should be the driving force behind the economy instead of individuals and private businesses. But the problem with this is that a bigger government with endless spending creates economic stagnation. It convinces people to accept financial mediocrity, instead of incentivizing innovative and creative members of society to take risks, to fail, and to get back up and try again for a better tomorrow. We need to be creating an economy that rewards risk-taking and allows people to be working toward their American dream. But it is government that too often stands in the way of that dream. It was the trillions of pandemic spending that caused the inflation that now eats away at the buying power of each and every consumer, and it was the limitless spending of the last quarter century that has created a Federal budget so out of whack that the basic goal of balancing our country's checkbook, well, it is politically toxic to consider. Looking to government as our economic savior is simply not the solution. Capitalism, open markets, a free and moral people--that is the formula for success, success that our country saw not too long ago. And we could surely recreate it if we have the right leadership that lightens the regulatory burden on America's job creators. The stronger that we are here at home, the more leadership that we can exert on the world stage. That is what is missing today, a strong and a confident America. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August of 2021 was nothing short of a national tragedy and disgrace. Not only did it result in the devastating loss of 13 servicemembers and the abandonment of countless citizens, but it put American weakness on full display. We were seen by our enemy as hapless, shortsighted, and not willing to change course when the facts on the ground called for a change. In speaking with allies and international leaders, I heard over and over again that it was the Afghanistan debacle that caused our allies to wonder if they can even count on us anymore. They wonder if, when the going gets tough, we would be more likely to cut and run than stand by their side, as they have stood with us. That undercuts America's standing in the world. As we see the results of weakness across the globe, a Russian dictator is blatantly invading its neighbor or unleashing unspeakable chaos and suffering on innocent civilians, or we see China, led by a brutal communist government, growing more aggressive not only toward Taiwan but blatantly launching spy crafts over the U.S. mainland, buying up critical infrastructure inside the United States and stealing the intellectual property of U.S. citizens. Iran and North Korea are spinning up their centrifuges, cracking down on their own people, and making threats to the security of their respective regions. At our own southern border right now, we have a historic humanitarian and national security crisis. But instead of pursuing what used to be a nonpartisan imperative to secure the border, the current administration is retreating from their responsibility to protect and defend this country. All of this chaos is the result of America being a diminished country, all too willing to cede the stage and to let others lead. That is not the way that the world will find peace and security. Peace is achieved through American strength, and it is American weakness, instead, that provokes evil. Our country must return to the principles of clarity and purpose, a willingness to act when the situation calls for it, and the strength to follow through when we face obstacles. As a country, we can have anything that we want, as long as we act with wisdom and conviction. And, ladies and gentlemen, we know what works. We have done it before, and you can bet that we can do it again. Despite all the things that are broken right now, none of them can overshadow the uniquely American ability to overcome a challenge. Each and every day, I am filled with a tremendous sense of gratitude that I live in the United States of America, and I believe that millions of people out there, they feel the exact same way. In the final analysis, it is our shores that welcome 1 million legal immigrants every year. It is our country that is viewed by millions as a place where they can shed an old life and they can start again. People vote with their feet. In the United States of America, we are still the last and best beacon of hope on this planet. All we have to do is keep it that way. At the end of the day, we must seek to be a nation that empowers every citizen, ensures human flourishing, and preserves freedom for each and every individual to pursue their American dream. I am going to leave you with this. My No. 1 goal during my time in the U.S. Senate is to create a strong nation, to build strong families, and to be of service to others; to make other people's lives better, to do just what I said that I was going to do. That is how I have lived throughout my life, and that is the kind of Senator I want to be. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I rise today to support Senator Vance's resolution of disapproval for the District of Columbia's anti-police law. When lives are on the line, when seconds count, members of law enforcement are there putting their lives on the line to protect and serve their communities. Backing the blue is especially important now, as rogue prosecutors and activist judges undercut those who are out there fighting crime. We see big cities implement policies that make the already difficult job of crime-fighting that much harder. Consequently, crime in our country has risen. Our streets are less safe. Our citizens' safety is under constant threat. A prime example of this overreach is right here in Washington, DC. Last year, the DC City Council passed a so-called comprehensive policing and justice reform package. The package contains provision after provision that hamstrings the police in this city. It limits the tactics they can use to control unruly crowds and riots, and it buries them in paperwork before they can even execute a constitutional search. It strips cops of the power to review body cam evidence, and it allows for their names to be released to the media before an investigation can even begin. And what has happened since this act went into effect? Well, in the first full year that this law was in effect, DC's homicide rate reached nearly a 20-year high. In just the first 4 months of 2023, there have been over 250 carjackings and an increase in robberies throughout the city. DC's chief of police recently reported that the average homicide suspect is arrested 11 times before committing murder. Now, it is striking that DC is making it harder to arrest these criminals before they commit such heinous acts. And, at the same time, the District's police union has reported that the department ``has lost over 1,200 police officers while only replacing 700.'' The force is poised to be at its lowest number of officers since the 1970s. Congress has the authority and the responsibility to ensure public safety in the District; and, furthermore, the symbol of our Nation's Capital under siege from crime is one our country cannot and should not tolerate. As politicians in this city push anti-police laws, it is incumbent upon our country's national leaders to stand up to these legislative attacks on law enforcement. Now is the time for elected officials to express their full and complete support for the police. We need to fund them; we need to back them; and we need to push back against false narratives. Strong nations support law enforcement because these are the men and women who stand on that thin blue line between safety and chaos. For the sake of law and order in our Nation's Capital, I stand in support of Senator Vance's resolution. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I rise today to highlight the desperate need to cut redtape and to get America building again. When I go all around North Carolina and I meet with builders and contractors, I am told by them that it is too hard to build and to complete critical projects in the United States and in North Carolina right now. We are struggling to build the infrastructure we need to achieve energy dominance, to bridge the digital divide, and to attract good- paying, reliable manufacturing jobs back to our shores. The primary stumbling block in this effort is one of our government's own making. Radical environment groups are going well beyond what is necessary to ensure a clean environment. They are weaponizing the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, to indefinitely delay critical projects by filing frivolous lawsuits. Now, I hail from a State that cares deeply about the environment: clean air, clean water, a livable planet. I believe Americans of all political stripes share that goal. However, the changing dynamics of global commerce and the global threat environment require Congress to make it easier to secure our energy security, to export our vast energy resources to keep our allies' energy safe, and to give our industries a chance to compete against China. What Congress must do is to add a ``shot clock,'' if you will, to NEPA reviews and limit opportunities for repetitive lawsuits that cause these very important projects to sit idle. We should follow the example of our House colleagues and pass legislation focused on unleashing American gas and oil production, expanding our capacity to export liquefied natural gas, and easing the path for other forms of energy like nuclear to come online and to keep America competitive in the 21st Century global economy. I stand ready to work with all of my colleagues on solutions to get America back in the business of building large projects and tackling large problems. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, I rise today to support Senator Tuberville's Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. For more than half a century, title IX has expanded opportunities for women and girls from the classroom to the playing field. According to the Women's Sports Foundation, our country went from a ratio of 1 in 27 girls playing sports in 1972 to 1 in 5 today. We went from fewer than 30,000 female collegiate athletes in 1972 to nearly 230,000 female athletes today. That is progress that should be celebrated. However, women's sports are fundamentally undermined when biological males are allowed to compete against them. There are biological differences between men and women. If we ignore those differences, we threaten future opportunities for female athletes and the entire notion of women's sports. It is unfair, it is unsafe, and it is unacceptable. That is why Senator Tuberville's bill is so important. It simply ensures that title IX protections are clearly defined by a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth. The bottom line: Female athletes should compete against other female athletes. It is that simple. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam President, our country is in the midst of the worst border crisis in our history. Since President Biden took office, there has been more than 5 million illegal crossings at the southern border. I have been to the border multiple times, and I have seen this crisis firsthand. In fact, the last time I was there, I was touring a heavily trafficked sector with off-duty Border Patrol officers. As we were driving along, the officers spotted a couple of cartel members. One of the officers turned to me, and he apologized. He said: I am sorry, but I am going to have to go on duty now. He went over and he apprehended and he arrested the cartel members there, right on the spot. This is just a small taste of what they have to face each and every day. We have to keep these men and these women in our prayers, and we must give them all the tools that they need to keep our homeland safe. Beyond the rampant lawlessness, the crime, the human trafficking, one of the worst aspects of this crisis is the devastating amount of drugs that are pouring into our country. The last annual numbers showed that over 100,000 Americans died just last year from drug-related overdose, and about 90 percent of those were related to fentanyl. This crisis has gotten so bad that fentanyl-driven overdose deaths are now the leading cause of deaths for those who are between 18 and 45 years old. And this is perhaps the worst statistic: Children under 14 years old are dying of fentanyl poisoning faster than any other age group. The drugs that come through the border cause unspeakable harm back in communities in North Carolina. To many, they are only one or two degrees away from a personal tragedy with a name having to do with illegal drugs. I routinely talk to sheriffs all over the State. I recently went to all 100 counties, and I talked to a lot of those sheriffs. Many of them told me that every single county in North Carolina is now a border county because of President Biden's policies. In fact, a recent drug bust in Iredell County, just north of Charlotte, uncovered enough fentanyl to kill 250,000 individuals. That is poison from just one traffic stop in North Carolina. It begs the questions: How did we get here, and what can be done? We got here at precisely the moment that President Biden stopped enforcing the law at the southern border. President Biden stopped building the border wall on his first day in office. He has reversed policies to quickly deport criminal illegal aliens. He refused to get tough on sanctuary cities that don't obey Federal law. He ended the ``Remain in Mexico'' policy. And next month, he will end title 42 with no plan on how to manage the impending surge. The story of President Biden's border crisis is one of preventable tragedies compounding day in and day out. And if the White House won't act to stop it, then Congress should. The very first bill I introduced as a U.S. Senator is called the Build the Wall Now Act. It requires border wall construction to restart immediately, it removes all legal roadblocks to construction, and it unlocks $2.1 billion in unspent funding. I have seen for myself the idle heavy equipment just sitting there, the concrete and the steel that have sat unused since January 20 of 2021. My bill simply orders the Biden administration to use those supplies and finish the job. When I spoke to those border agents, they told me that they really need a wall and, yeah, they need funding but that what they really need is an administration that has their back. And right now, they don't have that. Securing the border used to be a bipartisan issue. So I would call on President Biden to stop ignoring the border crisis, suspend any partisanship that is stopping him from doing what we know would stop this suffering, and for the sake of our law enforcement, for our parents, for our children, we need this administration to change course so that we can save lives. Madam President, I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. BUDD. Mr. President, taxpayers should not be forced to fund the taking of unborn life. That is why I voted in favor of Senator Tuberville's resolution to overturn the Biden administration's rule that allows the VA to perform abortions up until birth. Using taxpayer- funded VA facilities to perform abortions is a clear violation of Federal and State law, and it is a clear abuse of Executive power. The American people may have different views on abortion, but the majority of Americans agree: Their hard-earned tax dollars should not be used to pay for it. All told, the VA admitted that this rule will allow at least 1,000 taxpayer-funded abortions each and every year. That is unacceptable, and that is why this rule must be overturned. I yield the floor.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the life of my fellow North Carolinian, Paul E. Fisher. Mr. Fisher was the driving force behind F&M Financial Corporation and F&M Bank for almost 60 years. He was a tireless community leader and volunteer until his passing on October 30, 2020. As Chairman and CEO of F&M Bank, Mr. Fisher believed that community banking offered an opportunity to improve the quality of life for all his clients and the communities he was privileged to serve. He volunteered on the NC Banking Commission for a decade and was President and Treasurer of the NC Banking Association, in addition to serving two terms as Dean of the NC School of Banking. Forever tied to the success of F&M Bank, Mr. Fisher was better known for his warm heart and decades of local fundraising efforts to build the Saleeby-Fisher YMCA, The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce's Gateway Building, the Rowan Helping Ministries homeless shelter, the Rowan Educational Foundation, the Bell Tower Green Park, as well as a myriad of other facilities and causes ranging from the arts, healthcare, human needs, and youth. He always wanted to leave the world a little better than he found it. His drive to plant a tree under whose shade he will never sit was his most telling attribute. Over his nearly 83 years, Mr. Fisher had a very simple recipe for life: show up, find a way to be useful, and love with all your heart. He was grateful for the friendship and love shown to him by the people of Rowan County, the State of North Carolina, and all those who helped him along life's path. Madam Speaker, I am proud to commend Mr. Paul E. Fisher of F&M Bank and Salisbury, North Carolina for a lifetime of service to his community.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Davidson County for celebrating its 200th anniversary. Geographically located in central North Carolina, Davidson County's residents have had an immense impact on the state's development throughout the years. Nestled in the Yadkin River Valley, it was established in 1822 when historic Rowan County was divided along the banks of the Yadkin. The new county was named after Revolutionary War Brigadier General William Lee Davidson, a patriot who was killed at the Battle of Cowan's Ford fighting for our nation's independence. In the centuries both before and since, the land has been the home of other American icons, from legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone to NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress. The people of Davidson County are fortunate to have a proud history of agriculture and textiles that formed the bedrock of their economy. Known as the ``Barbeque Capital of the World'', Davidson hosts the annual Lexington Barbeque Festival which attracts as many as 200,000 visitors to the area each year. The County is also now home to robust sectors in modern manufacturing and is well-positioned for future success. Communities like Davidson County are what makes the Old North State the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the people of Davidson County on their bicentennial anniversary. It is my sincere hope that the county will continue to prosper over the next two centuries and beyond.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember North Carolina state Senator Stan Bingham, and to recognize his many years of faithful service to the residents of Davidson, Davie, and Guilford counties. Born in Winston-Salem in 1945, Stan Bingham was a remarkable figure exemplifying much of what it means to be a resident of the Old North State. After earning a degree in forestry from North Carolina State University, he founded the Bingham Lumber Co. in 1979 in his adopted hometown of Denton. Stan was a fierce proponent of Davidson County and its residents. From 1990 until 1994, he served his community on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners, and in 1995, he formed the weekly local newspaper, the Denton Orator. In 2000, while still working as a businessowner and publisher, Stan was elected to the North Carolina Senate. Serving eight terms in the state senate, Stan was a giant in North Carolina's legislature. He was a problem-solver, an individual who was convicted in his beliefs yet willing to work across the aisle to accomplish what was best for his constituents. He was instrumental in the successful effort to amend the state constitution to prohibit convicted felons from running for Sheriff, and he proposed the state's Good Samaritan Law to ensure overdose victims receive the medical care they need. Thanks to his help, the Davidson County communities of Wallburg and Midway have become incorporated townships. Stan was a friend to everyone, and he was always eager to help in any way he could. Madam Speaker, please join me in a moment of silence for state Senator Bingham, in recognition of his many years of service to the people of North Carolina.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Clemmons Fire Chief Jerry Brooks on his upcoming retirement from an incredible career protecting the residents of Clemmons, North Carolina. After returning home from serving his country in the United States Army, Chief Brooks joined the Clemmons Fire Department in 1971 as a volunteer fireman. He quickly proved his mettle and cool head under pressure, and for the next eight years, he advanced through the ranks until eventuaJly being appointed Chief in 1979. For more than 50 years--over 40 of which as Fire Chief--Chief Brooks has faithfully kept watch at his post, standing by to respond at a moment's notice to cries for help across his community. He guided his department in its transition from a largely rural force to an operation serving more than four times as many residents in less than half the space. He has also left an indelible impact on firefighting across the state as President of many professional organizations, including the NC State Firemen's Association, the Forsyth County Firefighter and Chiefs Association, and the Piedmont Firefighters Association. Despite having been honored numerous times for his exemplary service, including as the 2015 Chief of the Year, the residents of Clemmons fondly recognize Chief Brooks's humble demeanor. From escorting a World War II Honor Flight, to organizing the village's annual 9/11 memorial, it seems as though everything Chief Brooks does is a way to give back to his community. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Fire Chief Jerry Brooks for his many years of service to the people of Clemmons. May we all share his courage and sense of duty. I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Carolyn Barger on her upcoming retirement from a remarkable career of public service in Rowan County. Carolyn's career in local government began in 1994 in the Town of Cleveland as a part-time clerk. Due to her strong work ethic and heart for serving the community, she was soon hired as a deputy clerk for Rowan County in 1999. Within just a few years, she was promoted to Clerk to the Rowan County Board of Commissioners in 2005. As Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, Carolyn played an essential role in local government. She officially recorded all documents, ordinances, leases, resolutions, and contracts considered or adopted by the Board. From dutifully preparing agendas and attending Board meetings, to ensuring full and accurate accounts of all actions taken by the governing body were recorded, Carolyn guaranteed the operations of Rowan County ran smoothly for over two decades. To better serve both the Board of Commissioners and the citizens of Rowan County, Carolyn earned many professional certifications during her career. In 2010, she received the designation of North Carolina Certified County Clerk through the North Carolina School of Government. Four years later, she received the professional designation of Master Municipal Clerk as conferred by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Finally, in January 2016, the UNG School of Government bestowed upon her the designation of Master County Clerk, the highest certification a county clerk can achieve. Beyond her work in Rowan County, Ms. Barger has been active statewide in the North Carolina Association of County Clerks. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Association. In each of these roles, she has worked tirelessly to help clerks across the state support their elected officials. In recognition of her many contributions to Rowan County and the North Carolina Association of County Clerks, Ms. Barger was awarded the Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award in 2014. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing Carolyn Barger for her many years of service to Rowan County.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to attend some votes in this series due to my flight's schedule. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 441 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 442. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Baird (Bucshon) Bass (Correa) Boebert (Gaetz) Chu (Beyer) Conway (Valadao) Garcia (IL) (Correa) Gomez (Evans) Gottheimer (Neguse) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Jones (Beyer) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Lamb (Pallone) Lawrence (Stevens) McEachin (Beyer) McHenry (Donalds) Meng (Escobar) Napolitano (Correa) Newman (Beyer) Palazzo (Fleischmann) Ruiz (Correa) Rush (Bowman) Ryan (OH) (Correa) Sanchez (Pallone) Soto (Wasserman Schultz) Swalwell (Correa) Vargas (Correa) Waltz (Gimenez)

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 443, I mistakenly voted ``nay'' when I intended to vote ``yea.'' members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress Baird (Bucshon) Bass (Correa) Boebert (Gaetz) Chu (Beyer) Conway (Valadao) Garcia (IL) (Correa) Gomez (Evans) Gottheimer (Neguse) Johnson (TX) (Jeffries) Jones (Beyer) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Lamb (Pallone) Lawrence (Stevens) McEachin (Beyer) McHenry (Donalds) Meng (Escobar) Napolitano (Correa) Newman (Beyer) Palazzo (Fleischmann) Ruiz (Correa) Rush (Bowman) Ryan (OH) (Correa) Sanchez (Pallone) Soto (Wasserman Schultz) Swalwell (Correa) Vargas (Correa) Waltz (Gimenez)

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, on Roll Call No. 397, I mistakenly voted Nay when I intended to vote Yea.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the much-needed pay raise for our military, passed yesterday in a bill that provides critical resources to confront the national security threats from China and from Russia. I would also like to highlight one of my amendments. Simply put, my amendment provides funding to help veterans pursue careers in education--as teachers and as school resource officers. The House passage of this amendment is a win for everyone: For veterans who want to pursue a career in education. For schools who need more qualified teachers and resource officers. And for students who will be able to learn from worthy role models about service, sacrifice and patriotism. The Veterans-to-Classrooms program will be an excellent opportunity for veterans to continue to serve our country.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, in the month of June, I asked a poll question on one of my telephone town halls. I asked: Has your family noticed a sharp rise in prices? And 94 percent of them said: Yes. The crazy part of this is that I am not talking about this June, I am talking about last June. The average family will be spending $5,200 more this year because of Joe Biden's inflation. We are not debating solutions to this crisis today, we are debating economic justice. But for most Americans, the most economically just thing that we can do right now is to lower gas prices for everyone, and to help seniors on fixed incomes afford their groceries. This crisis is real. It is not transitory. It is not a so-called high-class problem. It is a tax and a burden on every citizen in our country. And as long as the Democrat majority in this Congress remains plagued by denial and distraction, the harder life will become for American families.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Caswell County for celebrating its 245th anniversary. Caswell County has a rich history, and a celebration of the county is a celebration of the people who made the region home. Established on June 1, 1777, during the Revolutionary War, the county was named in honor of Richard Caswell, one of North Carolina's delegates to the Continental Congress and the state's first non-colonial governor. Throughout the years, Caswell County has left an indelible mark on the trajectory of the Old North State. It was the birthplace of many distinguished North Carolinians such as our ``Father of Education'' Archibald Murphy, and it was the home of acclaimed furnituremaker Thomas Day. The county's farmers developed the land into an agricultural powerhouse for over two centuries, and they gained international renown for discovering the region's distinct ``bright leaf'' flue-cured tobacco. Caswell County is fortunate to continue to have residents and community leaders who are proactively engaged on the top issues facing the county and are always looking to improve the quality of life for its citizens. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating the people of Caswell County for celebrating this momentous anniversary. It is my sincere hope that the county will continue to prosper over the next two centuries and beyond.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exceptional public service provided by Officers of the Asheboro, North Carolina Police Department. On March 2, 2022, one of my constituents was scheduled for an important medical procedure. As his wife was driving him to his appointment, she suddenly began experiencing serious medical symptoms. This forced the couple to make an emergency stop at a local convenience store. Dismayed, my constituent believed he would miss the appointment for his critical operation. Upon observing the distress of a total stranger, a good Samaritan called 9-1-1. Officers Olivia Hicks and Courtney Crisco were nearby, and they were quickly dispatched to the convenience store. Although Officer Crisco was in training that day, both she and Officer Hicks sprang into action. As the EMTs cared for the gentleman's wife, the officers personally drove my constituent to his appointment. Not content to merely ensure he had transportation for his trip home, the officers also arranged for the man to have a caretaker until the effects of the anesthesia had subsided. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Officers Olivia Hicks and Courtney Crisco, along with the entire Asheboro Police Department, for admirably responding to the call to protect and serve their community. Through their actions, these officers demonstrated their genuine concern for those they serve. At a time when some have called for the defunding of police departments, residents across Asheboro should be proud of such exemplars of policing and public service.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stan Kelly of Winston-Salem and congratulate him on his upcoming retirement as CEO of the Piedmont Triad Partnership. With his departure from this position, he leaves the entire Piedmont region revitalized and ripe for North Carolina's next chapter in modern industry. Stan began his distinguished career as a personal banker with Wachovia National Bank, a North Carolina-based financial institution. His industrious work ethic, charismatic personality, and keen intellect propelled him to the position of President of Wachovia's wealth management division in 2001. When Wachovia was acquired by Wells Fargo & Company in 2008, Stan was selected as the bank's regional president for the Carolinas. In this role, he ensured the brand transition from Wachovia to Wells Fargo was seamless for employees and clients, alike. His region of more than 450 branches consistently overperformed company expectations in customer service ratings, employee retention, and market share. Stan retired from Wells Fargo in 2014, leaving the company well-positioned for future success in the region. In 2015, however, Stan was called out of retirement when the Piedmont Triad Partnership selected him as its President and CEO. For over 30 years, the Piedmont Triad Partnership has served as the region's umbrella organization for economic development and has worked arduously to promote transformational commercial growth and success in the heart of North Carolina. The Partnership has been instrumental in building upon the Piedmont's proud history of agriculture, textiles, and furniture to facilitate new, robust sectors of industry including aviation and automotive manufacturing, as well as the emerging sector of regenerative medicine. As President and CEO of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, Stan again proved himself a remarkable leader. Under his direction, the Partnership launched the Carolina Core brand, a regional initiative to highlight existing infrastructure and develop industrial potential along the future 1-685 corridor. Regional leaders have united with Stan in promoting this economic engine capable of powering the Piedmont into the future. Stan's efforts in developing the Carolina Core have already been instrumental in attracting over 30 thousand new jobs in just five years. Stan's other accomplishments extend far beyond financial services and economic development. Through various roles, such as Chair of the Board of Trustees of North Carolina State University and the Winston-Salem Foundation, he has studiously worked to give back to his local community and state. Earlier this month, he was honored with North Carolina's most prestigious civic award: The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Despite all of Stan's accomplishments, however, he is undoubtedly most proud of his loving family: his wife, their daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Stan Kelly for his invaluable contributions to the Piedmont Triad region and the state of North Carolina. I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. BUDD

Mr. BUDD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Karen Alexander of Salisbury, North Carolina, for her leadership to both the City of Salisbury and the North Carolina League of Municipalities. For over a century, the North Carolina League of Municipalities has worked tirelessly to advance the interests of member cities and towns across the state. This past year, the League tasked Mayor Alexander with leading its 35-member Board of Directors as their President. Public service and leadership are nothing new to Mayor Alexander. Ever since she was elected a Salisbury City Councilwoman in 2013, she has been a pervasive force in her hometown's municipal government. In her roles on the city council, Mayor Alexander has responsibly pursued revitalization efforts to prepare the historic town for future challenges while simultaneously leaning into its rich heritage. Her efforts to attract new businesses, restore downtown building facades, and incentivize urban revitalization have fostered a renaissance of local pride and community cohesion throughout the city. I personally have had the immense pleasure of working alongside Mayor Alexander. In witnessing her work, I have been impressed by her sharp mind, perceptive instincts, and enormous heart. During her tenure as League President, Mayor Alexander has been instrumental in developing new and creative ways for the League to advocate for North Carolina's cities and towns. Under her direction during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the League has witnessed record-high event attendance thanks to Mayor Alexander's leadership in rolling out expanded online tools and webinars. Other contributions Mayor Alexander has made to the League are more tangible. As an architect by trade, Mayor Alexander was uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the League's office space. Following a devastating fire in 2017 that consumed their longtime office buildings in Raleigh, the League tapped Mayor Alexander to serve on their building committee. Under her guidance as President, plans are being set in motion to develop a new facility to ensure North Carolina's cities and towns have a permanent home for extraordinary advocacy. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking Mayor Karen Alexander for her generous spirit and invaluable management. Both the City of Salisbury and the North Carolina League of Municipalities have benefited immensely from her years of impactful service. I am sure they both will be blessed by the fruits of her leadership for years to come.