Troy Balderson

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for American energy leadership. Yet, with the President's most recent announcement banning new American LNG exports, he will singlehandedly undermine our energy sector and endanger our allies overseas. Rather than holding countries like China and Russia accountable, President Biden would rather play politics and appease the radical climate activists. Here are the facts. Increasing LNG exports would add over $70 billion to the U.S. economy and create over 400,000 American jobs by 2040. American LNG is more than 40 percent cleaner than Russian LNG. Also, since we have increased our LNG exports, domestic natural gas prices have remained affordable and stable despite record inflation. I thank August Pfluger for his work here, and I also thank our former colleague and my good friend, Bill Johnson, for leading on this legislation and the LNG export issues for many years.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, Congressman Joyce for leading the Special Order this evening. Mr. Speaker, over the last 3 years, we have seen the Biden administration oppose American energy production at every turn. Biden's most recent announcement not only undermines our energy sector, but also endangers our allies overseas. Since Putin began his invasion of Ukraine, our European allies have raced to transition away from Russian energy by importing clean American LNG. The administration's shortsighted, dangerous decision accomplishes one thing and one thing only: empowering Russia. Claiming that this decision is based solely on protecting the environment is just absurd. Because of natural gas, the United States has reduced its own emissions more than any country in the world over the last 20 years. The President's ban on new LNG export projects is not an environmental decision, it is a political decision. Rather than holding countries like China and Russia accountable, President Biden would rather appease climate activists who are determined to ban fossil fuels at all costs. This latest announcement hurts producers here in America, in Ohio, the thousands of men and women working to keep our lights on every day, and throttles investment in clean American energy. Simply put, by freezing LNG export permits, the President is putting election year politics ahead of the interests of American workers, consumers, and allies abroad.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good friend and fellow Ohioan, Bill Johnson, as he steps away from Congress to serve the students, staff, and faculty of Youngstown State University. I have had the honor to work alongside Bill for a number of years, and one thing I have learned is that he is passionate about public service. I met Bill in 2010 during his first campaign for Congress where he was faced with the tall task of unseating an incumbent. As we all know, Bill never shies away from a challenge, and he came out from the other side victorious thanks to his relentless work ethic and dedication to serving the communities of eastern Ohio. He provided guidance and support to me when I decided to run for Congress, and he was an important resource for me when I worked to earn a spot alongside him on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the greatest committee on Capitol Hill. We will certainly miss having Bill here in Washington, and I wish him; his wife, LeeAnn; and his son, Nathan, the best in this exciting new chapter of their lives.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4468, the CARS Act. President Biden has made it clear since day one that he will use the full weight and power of his office to push a radical climate agenda at the expense of consumer choice and American energy security. His rush-to-green agenda, drawn up and enforced by Washington bureaucrats, pushes for a one-size-fits-all approach to vehicle purchases. The Biden administration's standards would mandate that two-thirds of all new vehicles sold by 2032 be electric. The standards strong-arm manufacturers into building cars that simply do not reflect market demand. In fact, last month nearly 4,000 car dealers from all 50 States joined a letter to President Biden urging him to slow down the EPA's proposed rule. Just last week, Consumer Reports released a survey showing that electric vehicles proved far less reliable than internal combustion engine counterparts. The survey found that EV model years 2021 through 2023 encountered nearly 80 percent more problems compared to the conventional vehicles. It is no wonder Ford and GM recently announced they are cutting back investments in EV production and reassessing their EV production goals for the first half of 2024. The American people just aren't buying them. Furthermore, the EPA's rule, if implemented, will increase the strain on our electric grid at a time when misguided State and Federal energy policies are already driving power plants to retirement. With the passage of this legislation today, we can reaffirm our support of the free market and consumer choice. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote in support of the CARES Act today.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Michael Schoen, who recently became the first individual to raise over $1 million for cancer research through the Pelotonia bike ride. Pelotonia is a two-day event where participants bike hundreds of miles through Central Ohio, raising money for cancer research at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center--the James.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride and admiration to celebrate David Scheffler, a member of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2023. This distinct honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to his community in the years following his military service. David's journey of public service began in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. Afterwards, he returned home to Lancaster and embarked on a career in finance. He passed the CPA examination and eventually retired as a highly respected partner at Plante Moran, a national certified public accounting and business advisory firm. David has long been a pillar of his community. He has served as the Mayor of Lancaster since 2017, a position he continues to hold with honor. His dedication has extended to various state and local boards and committees, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Destination Downtown Lancaster, the Ohio Mayor's Alliance, the Mid-Ohio Planning Commission, the Ohio Small Business Council, and the Fairfield County Airport Authority. As Mayor, David has steered Lancaster through challenging times, including economic uncertainty arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. His decisive leadership was instrumental as he navigated his city through financial crises and fostered economic development. At the age of 75, David Scheffler's continued dedication and contributions to his community inspire us all. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to David Scheffler as one of the newest members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, and I thank him for his service to this country.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Madam Chair for that great introduction. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act. We are here today because lawmakers in California want to outright ban the sale of new vehicles with an internal combustion engine. They are fed up with the pace of the free market and want to force their consumers to switch to more expensive electric vehicles. This bill would simply prevent President Biden's EPA from granting California the waiver needed to approve this ban. If the California waiver is approved, over a dozen other States could adopt identical standards to ban the internal combustion engine. House Republicans believe that Americans should be able to purchase the vehicle that meets their needs. The fact of the matter is that consumers across America are wary of making the shift to electric vehicles. As Cox Automotive experts pointed out in July, the unsold inventory of EVs across the Nation swelled nearly 350 percent this year. There are 92,000 EVs currently sitting unsold on dealer lots. As shown during the Secretary of Energy's recent EV road trip, there are still major problems with owning and charging an EV in America outside of big cities. Regardless of whether you want to buy an EV or a traditional internal combustion vehicle, House Republicans believe that you should have the choice to purchase the vehicle that is best for you and your family. This bill will do just that. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this commonsense bill.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 352, I mistakenly voted No when I intended to vote Aye.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to my dear friend, Delaware County Sheriff Russ Martin, who officially retired this week from his post as Delaware County Sheriff after nearly 34 years of dedicated public service in law enforcement. Sheriff Martin first began his career in law enforcement as a dispatcher while attending Bowling Green State University. He later became a police officer for the city of Delaware and then served 8 years as the city's chief of police. In 2012, he was first appointed to the Delaware County Sheriff. As Delaware County Sheriff, he added police body cameras, restored the department's cold case unit, and advocated for life-saving equipment to empower citizens and to support first responders. Fitting for a man who teaches courses on leadership and ethics, Sheriff Martin's own legacy is one marked by compassion, integrity, and devotion. On behalf of Ohio's 12th Congressional District, I wish Sheriff Martin the very best as he embarks on new adventures, alongside his loving family as a grandfather, father, husband, volunteer, and champion for law enforcement.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. The American people deserve reliable, secure, and affordable energy to power our homes and businesses, fuel our vehicles, and sustain our way of life. In this country we are blessed with an abundance of clean and affordable energy resources capable of meeting our energy needs for many generations to come. Today, we have an opportunity to end our reliance on bad actors, lower prices for families hurting under sky-high inflation, and finally unleashing American energy dominance. H.R. 1 is about ensuring a secure energy future for America. Just recently, PJM Interconnection, one of the Nation's largest grid operators, released an alarming report about the long-term reliability of America's power grid. The report shows that America's growing power demand, coupled with the retirement of existing power generation, far outweighs renewable sources' capacity to keep up. Simply put, the Biden administration's rush to green is putting us on a dangerous collision course toward power outages and energy insecurity. To see the consequences of the rush to green, just take a look at the energy crisis that unfolded when much of Europe shut off nuclear and fossil fuel power generation without a means to meet their power needs. We cannot allow ourselves to fall victim to the same fate. H.R. 1 embraces the abundant resources at our disposal and rejects the false notion that a cleaner environment can only be achieved at the peril of the United States' energy security and independence. This commonsense bill reforms the outdated permitting process, increases domestic energy production, and repeals President Biden's disastrous natural gas tax. Mr. Chair, when the American people flip on the light switch, they should have confidence that the lights will actually come on. I am proud to join my colleagues in delivering on our commitment to America by restoring American energy dominance. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting America's energy future with the passage of H.R. 1.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to the late State representative, Kris Jordan of Delaware County, who passed away unexpectedly this weekend. Kris and I both entered the Ohio House of Representatives--in the minority--on the same day in 2009. Kris and I both moved over to the Ohio Senate in 2011, where he would eventually serve as my vice chairman on the Ohio Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee. Kris will be remembered as a public servant of strong convictions. He was also a relentless campaigner, going door-to-door year-round, even when he was uncontested. This earned him the respect and admiration of a loyal following in Delaware County, a community he served faithfully in various roles for virtually all of his adult life. Our prayers continue to be with the many loved ones that Kris leaves behind, including his three young children, Macy, David, and Everly.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Guthrie for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 382, the Pandemic is Over Act. As Representatives of the American people, we owe it to them to assess our country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and look to better prepare for future pandemics. Most importantly, the American people deserve honesty and normalcy. The pandemic is over. Even President Biden said as much last September. That level of honesty from the President is a step in the right direction, but after the President publicly declared the pandemic over, he extended the public health emergency not just once, but two more times. Today marks 3 years since the original public health emergency declaration. Our country has been through a lot in the last 3 years but it is time to get back to normal. It is time to give power back to the people. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 382.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act, led by our Energy and Commerce Committee Chair McMorris Rodgers. I am proud to cosponsor and support this bill, which holds the Biden administration and future administrations accountable for misusing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Under President Biden's watch, the stockpile has been depleted by an alarming 40 percent, falling to its lowest level since 1984. Established in 1975, the SPR was intended to respond to national emergencies and to address severe supply disruptions, not to manipulate gas prices. This bill is quite simple. It requires the Secretary of Energy to submit a plan to increase domestic energy production with any nonemergency drawdown of the SPR. Despite falsehoods from the members of the President's own Cabinet, this legislation provides clear exceptions for legitimate energy supply interruptions and only applies to nonemergency sales. The American people want affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for America, not short-term political gimmicks. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 21.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise today to pay tribute to the memory of a Zanesville, Ohio legend, Coach Ed Bowman. Born in 1928, Coach Bowman served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and returned home to a 36-year career with the United States Postal Service as a beloved local mail carrier. Ed coached the St Thomas 7th and 8th Grade Boys Basketball for over 40 years, mentoring hundreds--if not thousands--of players during his tenure. In recognition of his service, Coach Bowman was inducted into the Rosecrans Athletic Boosters Hall of Fame, Zanesville Daybreak Rotary Club Community Service Award in 2015 and is a Member of ``Forever Dads Legacy of Fatherhood'' Class of 2018. Coach Bowman leaves behind a lasting legacy in the Zanesville community.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I am honored and blessed to be able to serve with you. Instead of supporting American energy producers and reversing their disastrous energy policies, the Biden administration decided to drain our energy reserves to the lowest levels since 1983. So who benefited from this decision to drain these reserves? The Chinese Communist Party now has the largest government-controlled petroleum reserve in the world. In fact, this administration transferred 900,000 barrels from our stockpile to a subsidy of the Chinese Communist Party-owned China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. H.R. 22, sponsored by Madam Chair McMorris Rodgers, bars the Secretary of Energy from selling any of America's petroleum reserves to an entity affiliated with the CCP or any entity that intends to export it to China. Energy security is national security. House Republicans are fighting to ensure one of our greatest geopolitical challengers, China, does not benefit from this administration's misguided energy policies. I urge passage of H.R. 22, the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our colleague and my dear friend, the Representative from Ohio's Seventh Congressional District, Congressman Bob Gibbs. Throughout his more than 20 years of public service in both the Ohio legislature and Congress, Bob has been a steady and strong advocate for his constituents and a trusted voice on agriculture and waterway issues. While we will miss seeing him here on Capitol Hill, I know he is looking forward to many new adventures and time spent with his grandkids back on the farm. To his bride, Jody, get that honey-do list updated. He is all yours now.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5376. Today, we are voting on a bill that achieves the exact opposite of what its name implies. Here is what is in their $745 billion inflation reduction plan. It raises taxes on businesses in the midst of a recession. It forces us into a socialist drug-pricing scheme, leading to fewer lifesaving cures, higher costs, and less hope. It hires 87,000 more IRS agents to spy on you. It makes it more expensive to heat your home with a new tax on American natural gas. It wastes $27 billion on the EPA climate bank charged with handing out all of your tax dollars to woke energy corporations. They are throwing your hard-earned money at their Green New Deal dreams while carrying out their misguided threats to eliminate fossil fuels. Just look at Europe's energy crisis to see the true cost of the rush-to-green agenda. Rather than unleashing America's abundant energy resources, this legislation raises taxes on energy production and imposes restrictions on local producers in my district and in Ohio. Instead of helping bring down prices at the pump for hardworking Americans, this bill gives away $7,500 tax credits for the wealthy to buy and upgrade their electric vehicles. What does all of this mean for Ohioans? Higher prices, energy insecurity, and tax hikes. Madam Speaker, this bill only makes matters worse. I urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 5376.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4622 to designate the Roseville, Ohio, post office as the Ronald E. Rosser Post Office. The second oldest of 17 siblings, Ron Rosser had a sense of duty to his family and country. First enlisting in the United States Army in 1946, Mr. Rosser served as a paratrooper for 3 years before returning home to Ohio to work as a coal miner. In February of 1951, he learned that his brother, Richard Rosser, was killed while fighting in the Korean war and immediately reenlisted to avenge his death. In Korea, Rosser served as a forward observer, attached to an infantry division in the area known as the Iron Triangle. At 20 degrees below zero, they were sent on a mission to raid a Chinese Communist- held mountaintop outpost and to dismantle their winter apparatus. Tragically, the operation went south, as Mr. Rosser's group was met with fierce enemy fire. Heavily outnumbered, Rosser charged up the mountain with just a rifle and one grenade. He was able to suppress hundreds of enemy soldiers and returned to the bottom of the hill to advise the captain to withdraw. Despite his wounds, he scaled the mountain--directly into opposing fire--several more times to rescue fellow soldiers. His actions that day were the embodiment of courage, valor, and patriotism. Upon his return home, Rosser was awarded the Medal of Honor in a White House Rose Garden ceremony by President Harry S. Truman. Rosser worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service, advocated for veterans, and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Sadly, Mr. Rosser passed away at the age of 90 in August of 2020. Army Sergeant 1st Class Ronald E. Rosser was an American war hero and a Muskingum County icon who saved countless American lives during the Korean war and serves as an inspiration for us today and will for many generations to come. It was an honor and a blessing for me to personally know Mr. Rosser. I thank Chairwoman Maloney and Mr. Keller for their support in moving this bill forward. I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 4622.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Rodgers for this work. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act. Lockdowns, isolations, economic instability, disruptions to learning and daily routines. For well over a year, school closures, mask mandates, and online learning became the new normal for far too many young Americans. As a result, a new crisis is afoot in our country, one with potentially dire consequences for our future, a mental health crisis among younger Americans. Today, nearly 7 in 10 parents of young children in Ohio are worried about their kids' mental or emotional health. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death of Americans ages 18 to 45. Our kids are counting on us, and we are counting on them. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 7666.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, this year marks the 175th anniversary of Otterbein University--a regionally accredited private liberal arts university located in Ohio's 12th Congressional District. Founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, the university has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to preparing its students for success in their careers and in life. I rise today to commemorate this momentous occasion for Otterbein University and recognize a record of excellence in higher education. Since its inception, Otterbein University has firmly established itself upon the principles of lifelong learning and opening doors of opportunity for its students. A pioneer in a time of societal inequality, Otterbein was one of the nation's first universities to enroll both women and people of color, Today, Otterbein University has an enrollment of approximately 2,600 undergraduate students, and 400 graduate students working toward one of its several master's degree programs. Reaching near and far, Otterbein boasts a vast network of over 25,000 alumni scattered all across the world. Otterbein maintains a strong commitment to its core values of opportunity, diversity, equality, and lifelong learning. Reflected in its long list of honors and awards, Otterbein takes great pride in its dedication to community service. In 2015, Otterbein earned the distinguished Carnegie Community Service Classification--a leading national designation for institutional commitment to service. The future of Otterbein University is bright as it continues to provide opportunities in higher education for generations to come. To this day, Otterbein embodies its core values which have guided the university since the beginning. I am proud to join Otterbein University's faculty, students and staff in celebrating this remarkable milestone. After 175 years in higher education, Otterbein has much to be proud of. Congratulations.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act. The United States is one of the few Nations in the world experiencing a rise in pregnancy-related deaths, claiming the lives of hundreds of moms each year. Behind each of these cases are stories of heartbreak and devastation for families and communities. We must do more to improve health outcomes for moms and babies across this country, and telehealth services will play a critical role in doing so. This bill would instruct the FCC to work with the CDC to incorporate publicly available data on severe maternal morbidity and mortality into its Mapping Broadband Health in America platform. Using this data, we can more accurately identify the communities with high maternal morbidity and mortality rates that lack broadband connectivity. This will allow for the government to better target areas with critical telehealth services and, ultimately, pave the way for better health outcomes for new and expecting mothers. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2501, the Spectrum Coordination Act. Spectrum is a finite and high-demand resource that, when allocated correctly, fuels innovation. The industries that use spectrum are rapidly evolving, and Federal coordination of spectrum should evolve with it. That is why I am proud to support the Spectrum Coordination Act, sponsored by my friend, Congressman Bilirakis. While the industries that use spectrum continue to modernize at an accelerating pace, the memorandum of understanding between the NTIA and the FCC on spectrum coordination has not been updated since 2003. This commonsense bill would instruct the NTIA and FCC to update their nearly 20-year-old MOU, ensuring that they work together seamlessly to resolve disputes while ensuring spectrum is allocated as efficiently as possible. I strongly urge all my colleagues to support the Spectrum Coordination Act.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in support of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act, which ensures that the dedicated men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard are adequately trained and equipped to fulfill their critical mission of securing America's coastlines. It has been an honor for me, as a 3-year Member of Congress, to serve alongside Don Young and always sit behind him and hear him.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I thank my neighbor in Pennsylvania for hosting this Special Order this evening. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of restoring American energy independence to combat skyrocketing prices at the pump, which just yesterday soared past all-time highs. Last month, President Biden pledged to use every tool at our disposal to limit the effects of rising gas prices on American consumers and bolster energy supplies to our European allies. Sadly, this commitment and the actions of this administration remain grossly misaligned. Examples of these destructive decisions include: canceling the Keystone XL pipeline; halting new leases on Federal lands; greenlighting Russia's Nord Stream 2 project, while weakening our energy infrastructure here at home; begging OPEC to boost output and tapping into our Nation's emergency stockpile, all while refusing to take steps to boost domestic production; and proposing new punitive taxes and fees on producers. Recently, the administration signaled its desire to increase imports from Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to offset the ban on Russian energy. Stopping the flow of energy from one authoritarian regime while opening the door to others does not strengthen America's energy security. We must recommit the United States to energy independence. We must end the war against America's energy producers. And we must protect our energy infrastructure. I join my colleagues in calling on the Biden administration to reverse course on the failed policies that are driving up costs for consumers, weakening America's energy security, and empowering our adversaries.