Troy Balderson

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Guthrie for his continued leadership of the committee. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9332, the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act, which shields Americans from unnecessary costs and strengthens long-term energy reliability. Our electric grid is entering a period of historic change. We see rapid growth in demand from advanced manufacturing and electrification. These projects represent economic opportunity and investment in our communities, but they also raise important questions: How much electricity are we going to need, and where do we need it? Keeping the lights on starts with understanding changing power needs and getting the right infrastructure in place. For years, experts have warned that our grid operators face growing reliability risks as electricity demand continues to increase, which means we need to get serious about planning for the future. Getting the forecast wrong can create problems in both directions. If we underestimate demand, we risk not building enough generation and transmission to keep the lights on. If we overestimate the demand, we could end up spending billions of dollars on infrastructure for projects that never materialize, leaving American ratepayers responsible for footing the bill. The Load Forecasting Enhancement Act would bring State utility regulators and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission together through regional joint boards to identify best practices for forecasting future electricity demand. FERC would then report those findings and recommendations to Congress. The bill also requires States to consider incorporating the recommendations, greatly improving transparency and accountability in load forecasting. With this legislation, we can make sure the people responsible for planning our electric grid have the best information possible. Madam Speaker, we want America to lead the world in manufacturing and innovation. We want businesses to invest and create good-paying jobs. Most importantly, we want communities across Ohio and across this country to benefit from the growth. By passing my bill, Congress can help lower costs for consumers and ensure our grid can keep pace with the growing demand. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Menendez, for co-leading the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act with me. This bipartisan legislation was passed unanimously out of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill here today.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act. This bill codifies the principles of the President's Ratepayer Protection Pledge, ensuring that Ohio families and small businesses aren't left on the hook to pay the costs associated with generation and energy infrastructure needed to power large data centers. As demand for electricity continues to rise across Ohio and the Nation, it is critical that Congress takes action to protect our constituents from increased electric bills. Ohio has already taken strong steps to make sure large electricity users contribute appropriately to the costs they impose on the grid. The Ratepayer Protection Act builds on that commonsense approach by directing States to adopt standards that ensure these facilities pay their fair share. Importantly, this bill does not infringe on local control over the siting and permitting of these projects. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Evans for leading this bipartisan legislation and urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3747, the AADAPT Act. Alzheimer's disease is one of the most significant public health challenges facing our country today. More than 7 million Americans, including over 236,000 Ohioans, are living with this devastating disease, and those numbers continue to grow. The sooner we can identify Alzheimer's and other dementias, the sooner patients and families can begin treatment, plan for the future, and access the care and support they need. For many families, especially in rural and underserved communities, a primary care provider is the first, and often only, healthcare professional they see when memory loss or cognitive decline begins. The AADAPT Act strengthens and reauthorizes the Project ECHO program, giving those providers access to specialized training and mentoring so they can recognize the signs of a potential condition and deliver better care earlier and closer to home. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, which is a practical, bipartisan solution that strengthens our healthcare workforce and improves access to quality care for patients and families.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank a friend and valued member of my team, John Kohler, who is moving on to a new opportunity. John has been on my staff since 2018 after graduating from The Ohio State University and serving in the offices of former Congressman Pat Tiberi and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. During that time, he distinguished himself through his dedication to public service and his commitment to the people of the 12th Congressional District. He served as a trusted adviser on foreign policy, defense, telecom, tech, and oversight, and helped lead our work on consumer protection policy, contributing to the bipartisan passage of the Awning Safety Act. My team and I will greatly miss John and his beloved chocolate lab Jeb who brightened our office and welcomed every constituent who walked through our door. I am deeply grateful for his service, and I wish him continued success.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Captain Seth Koval. Captain Koval was a devoted husband and father who tragically lost his life in the line of duty in an aircraft collision over Iraq. He proudly served our Nation as a member of the Ohio National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus. For 19 years, Captain Koval answered the call to serve the only way he knew how: taking to the skies with courage, dedication, and valor. His service reflects the very best of our Armed Forces, and his loss is deeply felt across Ohio and our entire Nation. We are forever grateful for his bravery, his sacrifice, and his commitment to protecting our freedoms. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in keeping his family, his fellow servicemembers, and all who knew and loved him in their prayers. May God welcome him home, and may he rest in eternal peace.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes in order to attend the dignified transfer of six fallen U.S. Service members. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 92, AYE on Roll Call No. 93, YEA on Roll Call No. 94, and YEA on Roll Call No. 95.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. The Reliable Power Act directly responds to those concerns. First, it requires NERC, the electricity reliability organization, to conduct annual long-term assessments of the bulk power system. If NERC finds the grid is at risk of inadequate generation, it must notify FERC. FERC must then notify the Department of Energy, the EPA, and other relevant agencies. Once notified, those agencies must send the proposed rules back to FERC for review, comment, and recommendations to prevent severe impacts on grid reliability. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan, commonsense legislation to ensure that no future administration or unelected Federal bureaucrat can unilaterally jeopardize grid reliability.

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Vice Chair Weber for yielding. Mr. Speaker, America's electric grid is facing a reliability crisis, one created by heavyhanded Federal rulemakings that prioritize politics and ignore the realities of power generation and the needs of American families. That is why I rise today in support of my bill, the Reliable Power Act. Under the Biden administration, Federal agencies pushed out rapid- fire climate rules and mandates with little coordination and even less accountability. Instead of listening to grid operators, they raced to advance extreme policies that threaten our most dependable power sources with the American people paying the price. The Reliable Power Act puts an end to this by preventing Federal rules from moving forward if they threaten the ability of the grid to keep the lights on. This legislation ensures proper coordination between FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Federal agencies proposing regulations that could affect the power generation and grid reliability. It strengthens Federal accountability, streamlines communication, and puts in place commonsense guardrails needed to protect the bulk of the power system. Since introducing this bill in the spring, I have heard from energy leaders across Ohio--energy co-ops, utilities, manufacturers, and grid operators--who all say the same thing: Regulatory chaos driven by climate activists is putting grid reliability at risk and driving up costs. Just look at this map I have with me today. You can see for yourself how shortsighted policies can drive up electricity costs from one State to the next. When Democratic States sidelined reliable, conventional fuels and mandated rushed transition to renewables, consumers paid more. I don't know about New York or California, but Ohio cannot afford rolling blackouts, price spikes, or uncertainty about whether our grid can meet future demand. Earlier this year, the Department of Energy released a reliability report warning that blackouts could increase by 100 percent by 2030.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Latta for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, the Power Plant Reliability Act is a commonsense step to ensure that the power plant retirements do not undermine the reliability of our electric grid. This legislation requires power plant owners to provide 5 years' advance notice before retiring a facility, giving grid operators, regulators, and States the time that they need to plan for replacements and prevent power shortfalls. Under current law, FERC has limited authority to address reliability problems caused by plant retirements, including the ability, under certain circumstances, to order a plant to remain online. This bill enhances the authority by allowing grid operators and States to formally contest a retirement when it would threaten the reliability. In order to keep the lights on, strengthen our electric system, and help to lower Americans' electricity costs, we have to ensure that we have enough baseload power online. This legislation does just that.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act. This legislation will bring much-needed reforms to the Federal permitting process. Natural gas has become the foundation of America's energy mix, accounting for almost 40 percent of our total energy production and 43 percent of electricity generation. The shale revolution has ushered in a new era of American energy independence and revitalized communities in Ohio and across the Appalachian region as they tap into the vast natural gas reserves beneath our feet. In order to move this energy from the well pad to the customer, we need modern and reliable infrastructure. Far and away, the best way to transport natural gas from point A to B is by pipeline. It is safer, more efficient, and cheaper, and further reducing costs for consumers. Because of the outdated regulations, a lack of coordination, and political obstruction, critical pipelines that provide reliable and affordable energy for our constituents have been delayed or blocked altogether. The truth is America's power demand is surging. To meet this challenge and power the future, we need pipelines. This legislation streamlines regulatory oversight, establishes clear timelines for environmental reviews, and helps lower costs for American families by unleashing our full energy potential.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans and President Trump remain firm in our commitment to lowering costs for families and restoring American energy dominance. I am proud to represent parts of the Utica and Marcellus shale formations, where natural gas development has transformed local economies and strengthened our Nation's energy security. Boosting natural gas production in Ohio and expanding LNG exports are essential to our vision of energy dominance. Under the last administration, President Biden repeatedly undermined the domestic energy producers, including imposing a ban on new LNG export permits. This misguided action discouraged investments in American natural gas and harmed our allies abroad, who are working to reduce their dependence on Russian energy. The Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act ends political interference in the permit process and unleashes America's full energy potential. Here are the facts on LNG: 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. Since we have increased our LNG exports, domestic natural gas prices have remained affordable and stable. Under President Trump, we are restoring American energy leadership. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman August Pfluger for leading this important legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, the GRID Power Act. This legislation is critical to ensure our Nation has the dispatchable baseload power needed to meet historic demand growth and guarantee that the lights turn on when our constituents flip the switch. PJM, the largest grid operator in the Nation and sole grid operator for my home State of Ohio, has announced that they expect to lose about 40 gigawatts of generation by 2030. That is 21 percent of PJM's total capacity, and new power generation is not coming online quickly enough to offset the risk posed by retiring resources. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, PJM saw over 11,000 megawatts of generation deactivated while only adding 4,000 megawatts of new generation to the grid. It doesn't take an expert to see that retiring power plants outpacing new generation is a problem. This is especially concerning for my district and central Ohio, which has become a national hub for data center construction. These new facilities are at the heart of powering the AI revolution, but we must now figure out how we can power them while ensuring our constituents have access to reliable and affordable energy. We saw how close we were to power scarcity in Ohio over the summer, as utilities warned Ohio residents to reduce energy power during peak demand to help prevent rolling power outages. Ohio families should not have to face a power emergency for running their air conditioning. We have the natural resources needed. We have the ability to build more power generation. This is clearly a public policy failure, and we can fix it by addressing the broken interconnection process. Interconnection queues are lists maintained by transmission system operators--such as independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, or transmission providers--that track pending requests for new generation facilities to connect to the grid. Right now, our Nation's interconnection queues are buckling under their own weight. The growing backlog of projects is adding years to an already slow process and prevents shovel-ready projects from being built and connected. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, almost 2,600 gigawatts of generation projects are sitting in interconnection queues across the country. That is more than double the amount of the existing generation currently on the grid. The median wait time for projects has now stretched to 5 years. With demand growth accelerating and retirements mounting in Ohio and across the country, we cannot afford to wait 5 years or more, and we certainly cannot afford to keep delaying critical projects. The GRID Power Act addresses this by requiring FERC to develop rules that allow grid operators to fast-track critical generation needed to ensure reliability and meet demand, bypassing the years-long wait in the interconnection queue. The bill also promotes transparency by requiring that grid operators provide opportunities for public comment and stakeholder engagement before submitting proposals to FERC. Operators must also provide regular reports to FERC on the state of grid reliability and actions taken under this bill. Finally, FERC must review and, if necessary, update its regulations to ensure they remain effective in addressing evolving challenges to grid reliability and resiliency. Let me be clear: This bill is fuel-neutral. Nowhere in the text does it single out fossil fuels or renewables. Instead, it establishes a process to fast-track projects based on their ability to enhance the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid. As we face a looming electricity shortfall, we must recognize that weather-dependent, intermittent resources alone cannot meet the challenge. Grid operators across the Nation have been clear over the last several years that we need more dispatchable power to come online to protect us from rolling blackouts. If we want to keep American businesses running and ensure uninterrupted power for our constituents, we must fix the broken interconnection queue. I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense bill that equips our grid operators with the tools they need to do their job. I would like to end by thanking Chairman Guthrie, Subcommittee Chairman Latta, and the Energy and Commerce Committee staff for all their hard work in getting this bill to the floor.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bilirakis for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Awning Safety Act, which aims to enhance the safety of awnings commonly found in Ohio homes and households across the Nation. A retractable awning can serve as a valuable source of shade and a gathering spot for families and friends. However, they can pose a significant risk to consumers. This legislation directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish safety standards for fixed and freestanding awnings typically installed in homes. My Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues and I learned of the serious risks surrounding awnings when tragedy struck the family of Olivia Shields, a staff member of the committee at the time. As Ranking Member Pallone said, she and her family are in the gallery today. Her father, Michael Hnat, was carrying out a routine household task of taking down the retractable awning from the family home in Ohio. He was on the ladder when the spring-loaded arm of the awning unexpectedly shot out at him, forcing his ladder to tip and causing him to fall. Michael suffered a severe spinal cord injury, and despite efforts to save him, he tragically passed away a few days later. His passing affected his family profoundly and reverberated throughout the communities he touched. Michael was renowned for his kindness, generosity, and selflessness, often going above and beyond to help others in need. He was a devoted family man, cherished husband to Jill, and loving father to their children, Annaliese, Olivia, Abbey, Seamus, Emma; his sons-in-law; and his grandchildren. Michael's untimely death underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of household products like awnings, and by passing this legislation today, we can prevent further tragedies.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act. Mr. Speaker, for far too long, manufacturers in Ohio and across the Nation have had to compete on an unfair playing field. This bill restores fairness for American producers by cracking down on the import of counterfeit and dangerous gas cylinders into the United States. My bill also holds foreign manufacturers to the same safety and inspection standards that domestic manufacturers are already required to meet. Simply put, there is no reason that the United States Government should make it easier to manufacture these critical products abroad than it is to produce them here at home. To be sold in interstate commerce, the Department of Transportation requires compressed gas cylinders to be manufactured to specific standards and properly stamped. Currently, the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, inspects facilities in the United States at least once per year to ensure compliance with safety requirements. However, for cylinders manufactured in foreign countries and then sold and imported into the United States, PHMSA only inspects those facilities once every 5 years. Over time, certain foreign producers have deliberately evaded safety and regulatory standards to gain a competitive advantage over domestic producers, potentially jeopardizing public safety in the process. This bill ensures that PHMSA has the necessary tools to conduct more frequent inspections at foreign manufacturing facilities and to hold bad actors accountable. I thank my friend, the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, for his support in moving this bill forward. I also thank my colleague from Illinois (Mr. Krishnamoorthi), my co- lead on this legislation, for his partnership and commitment to advancing this important legislation.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Chair, communities in my district and across the country continue to feel the devastating impact of the opioid and fentanyl crisis. We all know someone who has been affected, and many of us felt that loss ourselves. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, first signed into law by President Trump in 2018, brought vital resources to those on the front lines: patients, families, first responders, and recovery providers. Since then, overdose deaths have dropped significantly, but as we all know too well in Appalachian Ohio, there is much more work to be done. Today's reauthorization builds on that progress. This bill ensures access to lifesaving medications for first responders, expands treatment for pregnant women, strengthens prescription drug monitoring, and supports recovery centers and workforce reentry programs. By continuing this critical work, we can save more lives, restore more families, and bring hope to communities hit hardest by the addiction.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Weber for yielding me time. I rise today in strong support of S.J. Res. 31. This resolution would disapprove of the Biden-era EPA's ``once in, always in'' rule, which was finalized in the final months of the previous administration. Simply put, the ``once in, always in'' policy hurts America's manufacturing and energy sectors while doing nothing to actually improve air pollution. In 2020, the Trump administration first reversed this policy, which encouraged businesses to lower their emissions and reduce pollution. My home State of Ohio ranks third in the Nation with almost 700,000 manufacturing jobs. The manufacturing sector is responsible for over 17 percent of Ohio's gross domestic product and has an annual payroll of $48 billion in the Buckeye State alone. It is critical that we support this resolution today and send it to the President's desk to deliver on our promise to unleash American manufacturing and energy. I am proud to have introduced the House companion to this CRA with the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs. Fedorchak), my good friend, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this commonsense resolution.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 88. In the final weeks of 2024, the Biden-led EPA approved a waiver allowing California to ban the sale of gas-powered diesel and even hybrid vehicles by 2035, effectively paving the way for the State to set emission standards for the entire Nation. This resolution overturns this waiver, protecting the right of every American to choose the vehicle that works best for them. For many consumers and entrepreneurs, they see conventional gas-powered cars as reliable, affordable, and able to meet the needs of their families and small businesses. Yet, the Biden administration chose to team up with radical climate activists to support the one-size-fits-all electric vehicle mandate that the market and the American people have clearly rejected. This legislation is about defending consumer choice. Let's make sure California does not dictate what the rest of America drives.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 26, the Protecting American Energy Production Act. This bill is critically important to supporting Ohio's energy producers and restoring American energy dominance long into the future. This bill supports the current framework that gives primary authority over regulating fracking to the States and prevents any future President from unilaterally banning fracking. The shale revolution has been a game changer for the Appalachian region and my congressional district. In fact, Utica shale leases have boosted central and southeastern Ohio's economy by nearly $1 billion. We all saw the rules that the Biden administration pushed out over the last 4 years, including efforts to mandate EVs for American consumers, blocking new LNG exports, and shutting down our most reliable power plants. This bill makes crystal clear that no future administration can decide to ban fracking on a whim.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, fentanyl has ravaged communities in my district and across Ohio. In 2023, our state saw more than 3,500 fentanyl overdoses, representing 98 percent of all opioid deaths. Families are being torn apart and law enforcement is fighting an uphill battle to keep this poison off our streets. That's why I proudly support the HALT Fentanyl Act, which gives law enforcement the certainty and stability they need to crack down on traffickers and prevent illicit fentanyl from entering our country. We cannot allow this crisis to continue unchecked. And we must act now to protect our communities, support law enforcement, and save lives. I urge my House colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the outgoing chairwoman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, on an extraordinary career in public service. As a leader of the most powerful committee in Congress, Cathy has stood out as a dedicated public servant and a tireless champion for the children. Under her leadership, we have advanced policies that uplift American families and inspire a new era of innovation. Her commitment to service and her vision for a brighter future have left a lasting mark on this institution. Back home in eastern Washington, she is known simply as a humble public servant and a dedicated voice for her constituents. Cathy has served the people of Washington's Fifth Congressional District with grace and dedication for 20 years, and she leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and service. As she embarks on her next chapter, I extend my best wishes to Cathy, as well and my heartfelt gratitude to her husband, Brian, and her children for their unwavering support of her and her work. Thank you, Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers, for your exceptional leadership.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the work of Dr. Richard K. Vedder, a resident of Ohio's 12th Congressional District and an exemplary figure in the fields of higher education and economics. Dr. Vedder is a Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University and the founding director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity in Washington, DC. His contributions as a member of the Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education illustrate his commitment to reforming the higher education system. His research and proposed reforms address critical issues, including the high cost of education, the suppression of free speech on campuses, and the privatization of education by giving teachers a financial stake in schools. Dr. Vedder's dedication to education goes beyond words. His fifty years of teaching experience at Ohio University, the University of Colorado, Claremont Men's College, and the MARA Institute of Technology reflect his lifelong commitment to educating others. Dr. Vedder will be deservedly recognized at the Ohio Board of Trustees Symposium later this month.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Fairfield County Commissioner Dave Levacy, who will be inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame this November. This distinguished honor recognizes Dave's exemplary service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Dave was drafted into the Army while a student at Ohio University, serving for two years between educational deferments. During his time in the military, he oversaw the development of Fort Story in Virginia. As a new inductee into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame, Dave views this recognition as an opportunity to highlight the importance of military service and to support veterans facing challenges. Dave has held many roles in his community. He has worked as an accountant, business owner, paramedic, and firefighter with the Millersport/Walnut Township Fire Department. Dave has remained deeply involved in public service, serving as a county commissioner for over a decade. As a lifelong resident of Fairfield County, his years of dedication have established him as a pillar of the community. I am honored to join in celebrating Commissioner Levacy as he is recognized by the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. I thank him for his service to our Nation and to Ohio's 12th Congressional District.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 136, which would disapprove of the EPA's radical tailpipe emission rule and EV mandate. This rule would mandate that two-thirds of the new vehicles being sold by 2032 be all electric, strong-arming auto manufacturers into building cars that simply do not reflect market needs. America is in the middle of a historic surge in power demand, yet the Biden-Harris administration has chosen to implement policies that will force the early retirement of some of our most reliable power plants. The EPA's EV mandate will put more strain on our electric grid and further undermine the grid's reliability for years to come. Simply put, increasing demand on the grid through forced electrification while reducing our power supply is a recipe for disaster. With the passage of this legislation today, we can reaffirm our support of the free market and consumer choice, and we can defend America's energy security.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Awning Safety Act, which aims to enhance the safety of awnings commonly found in Ohio homes and households across the Nation. A retractable awning can serve as a valuable source of shade and a gathering spot for family and friends. However, it can pose a significant risk if not properly handled. This legislation directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish safety standards for fixed and freestanding awnings being typically installed in homes. My Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues and I learned of the serious risk surrounding the awnings this past August when tragedy struck the family of Olivia Shields, a staff member for the committee at the time. Olivia and her mother are in the gallery as I speak. Her father, Michael Hnat, was carrying out a routine household task, taking down the retractable awning from the family home. He was on a ladder when the spring-loaded arm of the awning unexpectedly shot out at him, forcing his ladder to tip and causing him to fall. Michael suffered a severe spinal cord injury, and despite efforts to save him, he tragically passed away a few days later. His passing affected his family profoundly and reverberated throughout the communities he touched. Michael was renowned for his kindness, generosity, and selflessness, often going above and beyond to help others in need. He was a devoted family man, a cherished husband to Jill, and a loving father to their children, Annaliese, Olivia, Abbey, Seamus, Emma, his sons-in-law, and his grandchildren. Michael's untimely death underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of household products like awnings, and by passing this legislation today, we can prevent future tragedies.

Mr. BALDERSON

Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, on April 17, 2024 I inadvertently missed Roll Call vote No. 136, H.R. 4639. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 136.