Eric Burlison

Mr. BURLISON

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

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important governmentwide procurement reform bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support the Value Over Cost Act, H.R. 1118, which modernizes the General Services Administration's governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program. GSA's Multiple Award Schedule program is the Federal Government's most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services. Federal agencies rely on the Multiple Award Schedule to purchase the best commercial products, services, and solutions at the best price. Currently, GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative'' when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule. This requires a burdensome process that can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden administrative or ongoing support costs along to the Federal Government. This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative. This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies. This bill will maximize the Federal Government's ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Byron Donalds and Jared Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1118) to amend title 41, United States Code, and title 10, United States Code, to provide best value through the multiple award schedule program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. BURLISON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this government procurement reform bill that will lessen administrative burdens for Federal agencies and companies doing business with the government, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon).

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Ensuring Federal Purchasing Efficiency Act is a simple, commonsense reform to government procurement. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council is required to adjust certain dollar thresholds, such as the simplified acquisition threshold, every 5 years. However, everyone has seen how quickly the value of money can move in just 5 years. This bill would simply require these thresholds to be updated every 3 years instead of every 5 years. These dollar thresholds define the applicability of different policies, procedures, and restrictions to the procurement of property or services needed by Federal agencies to achieve their missions. Raising these dollar thresholds more frequently saves taxpayer dollars on administrative costs and increases competition to do business with the government, especially for small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important government efficiency reform legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7283) to amend title 41, United States Code, to amend the time period for certain acquisition-related dollar thresholds.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Steven Lampley, a devoted husband, loving father, faithful servant of God, and tireless advocate for the people of southwest Missouri. Steve was a genuinely good man. He loved his wife, Kathy. He loved his children, William, Rachel, and Hailey. Nothing made him happier than spending time with them, whether hunting, fishing, camping, or just being together. More than anything else, that is how I know Steve would want to be remembered. The values that guided Steve at home were the same values that guided his service to our community. A lot of people complain about the state of our government, but Steve believed the answer wasn't just to complain. It was to get involved, and, boy, did he do that. Through his work with the Greene County Republican Central Committee and the Missouri Republican Assembly, he devoted countless hours to strengthening the grassroots and serving his fellow Missourians, spending his own time and money driving to Jefferson City, advocating for legislation, and getting bills that protected people's constitutional rights across the finish line. If you knew Steve, you knew he never asked someone else to do something he wasn't willing to do himself. He stepped up when leadership was needed, treated everyone with dignity and respect, and quietly went about doing what he believed was right. My prayers are with Kathy, William, Rachel, Hailey, and everyone who loved Steve. May God comfort them in these days ahead, and may they always find peace in the life and legacy that he lived and the example that he leaves behind. May he rest in peace.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Brian Weiler, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who has served as the Director of Aviation at the Springfield-Branson National Airport since 2011. Prior to his time at the airport, Brian worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for 15 years. Before that, he managed airports in Kansas and Florida. Brian held progressively higher leadership roles in state, county, and city governments for more than 30 years and is a member of the City of Springfield's leadership team. His accomplishments include negotiating with American Airlines to finance and construct a new maintenance base at Springfield's airport, partnering with Ozarks Tech to start a flight school that tripled enrollment in its first five years, and transforming an unprofitable 100,000-square-foot former airline terminal into a significant non-aeronautical revenue source and regional economic asset with 100-percent occupancy and more than 1,000 employees. The Springfield-Branson National Airport is the hub I use to fly to Washington, D.C., and back each week, and I am most thankful for Brian's oversight of the airport. It is an important economic driver to Missouri's 7th Congressional District, and I am so appreciative that he is a constituent. I wish him the best in his retirement and the next chapter of his life.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to honor my good friend Tim. William F. Buckley, Jr., once said that a conservative is someone who ``stands athwart history, yelling `stop,' at a time when no one is inclined to do so, or to have much patience with those who so urge it.'' Tim has been the executive director during my entire time here in the Freedom Caucus. His hard work and dedication have left a lasting mark on this body. Just think about the changes to the rules that occurred just 3\1/2\ short years ago, those rules that every Member of this Congress benefits from today. It was an effort that was monumental, but shepherded and strategized by Tim, to give back power, which is normally inclined to consolidate to one or a small group. For once in recent history, we have seen an effort to actually disseminate power from leadership back to the individual Members. We couldn't have done it without the work and strategy that Tim provided during those difficult times. Tim is the kind of guy who you don't always see, but his impact is felt with every victory that we have had. Behind the scenes, he has been instrumental in advancing our mission to fight for freedom and to serve the American people. Mr. Speaker, there are few people who come to Congress, who enter this crazy circus, and give up and sacrifice so many other opportunities because they are driven to actually save this country. Tim is one of those. The members of the Freedom Caucus are those. It is a group, a band of brothers and sisters, that I am extremely proud to be a part of. They are people who pray. When everyone else in this town is going out to fancy dinners on fly-in nights, having steak or lobster or whatever, this is a group of men and women who sit and eat Chick-fil-A in a boardroom with a whiteboard and strategize about how we can continue to make this country better and how we can stop the steady decay of this great Nation. Whether it is having negotiations at 3 o'clock in the morning or strategy sessions on weekends ahead of critical votes, Tim has always been there, putting in the hours, fighting in the arena with us to save this Nation, but not taking the spotlight. Tim, your tireless work and your unwavering dedication have made you an invaluable part of this team and a game changer in the Halls of Congress. You will be deeply missed on this team, no doubt. Yet, you will continue to fight for conservative principles, I am certain.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support my bill, the Smart Space Act of 2026, legislation that modernizes how the Federal Government manages its real estate portfolio. Today, the Federal Government holds billions of dollars in underutilized and outdated Federal buildings, while hardworking American taxpayers are left to cover the costs of their repair, upkeep, and maintenance. If Congress is serious about being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, then Congress must also be serious about how the Federal Government manages its real estate. This is exactly what the Smart Space Act is designed to do. The Smart Space Act requires the General Services Administration to convene real estate experts to identify alternative financing solutions for acquisition of or disposal of Federal properties through leveraging public-private partnership. These partnerships have been used successfully by both the private sector and State governments for years to modernize infrastructure while keeping costs at bay. Public-private partnerships are proven to lower long-run costs, minimize taxpayer exposure, and deliver reliable infrastructure more efficiently than traditional Federal procurement methods. Importantly, this legislation does not mandate any new construction or spend a single taxpayer dollar. Instead, it creates a framework for disciplined decisionmaking while retaining full congressional and Presidential oversight. It also encourages the Federal Government to engage in public-private partnerships, which is both a practical and responsible step toward modernizing our Federal infrastructure while ensuring fiscal discipline. The Smart Space Act is about doing more with less, respecting the taxpayer, and bringing common sense to how the Federal Government finances its core assets. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Graves for his leadership and commitment to advancing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the reigning Miss Teen USA, Mailyn Marsh of Ozark, Missouri. Mailyn is a 17-year-old junior at Ozark High School. She was crowned Miss Teen USA 2025 in Reno, Nevada. Mailyn is a driven student leader and community advocate, who is consistently recognized for her poise, purpose, and passion for creating meaningful change. She is known for her academic excellence and for being heavily involved as a student mentor. Mailyn has served as president of the Kindness Club, vice president in the Health Occupations Students of America organization, and is an active member of Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Key Club, and Educators Rising. She is the Educators Rising State Champion, demonstrating her commitment to education, sustainability, and future healthcare leadership. Beyond academics and advocacy, Mailyn is an accomplished equestrian and has a deep love of horses. She is a young woman grounded in faith, kindness, and integrity. With aspirations of becoming a board-certified dermatologist, she hopes to merge her love of science, wellness, and empowerment to help others feel confident in their own skin. Mailyn is proud to be only the third young woman from Missouri in history to take the coveted Miss Teen USA title. She is honored to advance her advocacy on a national stage, using her platform to inspire the next generation to lead with compassion, pursue excellence with confidence, and create meaningful impact within their communities and beyond. I am proud to have her as a constituent.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of Deputy Michael Hislope and Deputy Gabriel Ramirez of the Christian County Sheriff's Office who yesterday were killed in the line of duty while serving the people of southwest Missouri. Deputy Ramirez was murdered during a traffic stop while doing what law enforcement officers across this country do every day: protecting the public and enforcing the law. He was a United States Army veteran who continued his service at home, serving nearly 1 year as a deputy. What followed was a dangerous manhunt that stretched through the night and ended near Reeds Spring where Deputy Hislope was killed while helping bring the violence to an end. Deputy Hislope was also a United States Army veteran and had served his country as a deputy for more than 6 years. Two other deputies were also shot, and countless officers placed themselves in harm's way to protect others. Their courage and sacrifice stand in stark contrast to the evil they confronted. Today, we grieve for two families who have lost sons, husbands, and brothers, and we honor the public servants who answered the call to stand between danger and their neighbors. Please join me in praying for their families, the injured officers, and the entire law enforcement community as they carry this profound loss on their hearts. I ask for a moment of silence, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of a remarkable constituent and dedicated Missourian, Sam Coryell, whose impact on Springfield and southwest Missouri will be remembered for generations. Sam started his career as a teacher, serving for 30 years as a college music professor at Evangel University before focusing his talents on entrepreneurship. In 1988 Sam cofounded TLC Properties, helping oversee the development and management of thousands of residential units across southwest Missouri. What began as a local venture grew into a family of businesses rooted in service, integrity, and community that created homes and opportunity for countless families in Missouri's Seventh District. Those who knew Sam described him as a visionary leader who believed in helping others, always doing the right thing, and serving the community. His personality and flair will be missed, but his impact will be felt for generations. While he is welcomed into the glory and presence of our Lord and Savior, we who remain get to benefit from the amazing and lasting legacy that he leaves behind. May you rest in peace, Sam. We look forward to our reunion in Heaven.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this amendment that ends Federal funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, a program that Elon Musk, while leading DOGE, publicly said was a scam, that it was rife with corruption and an evil organization that should be dissolved. President Trump and his administration attempted to do that, and yet here we are trying to fund it. This program was sold to the American people as a force for advancing freedom, but instead it has become a foreign slush fund. Let me be clear: Americans should not be forced to finance political outcomes in countries where they have no voice, no vote, or no oversight. This is not America First but a scam under the disguise of foreign policy. Under no circumstances should Congress put foreign governments ahead of those that we were elected to serve. The United States must lead by example. This means not managing the political affairs of the rest of the world on the backs of the American taxpayer.

Mr. BURLISON

Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding, and I thank him for his passion and leadership on this topic and many others. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to address one of the most urgent issues facing the American family today, which is healthcare affordability. Under the Biden administration, inflation surged to levels that we haven't seen in decades, in generations, and healthcare costs rose right along with it, driving premiums, deductibles. Out-of-pocket expenses became higher and higher for families across this country. Whether you are in an employer-sponsored plan or an individual market, it doesn't matter. The entire thing has been destroyed by the Democratic Party and their schemes. For years, Washington has told the American people that if we just spend more, if we just mandate more, if we just regulate more, then healthcare will somehow become cheaper. It will become simpler and more humane. That promise clearly has failed in a spectacular way. We are watching it fail and go down in flames as we speak. The Affordable Care Act was sold as a solution. It has locked families instead into a system where premiums keep rising and deductibles keep climbing, networks shrink, and patients are left with coverage that they can't even use and bills that they can't even predict. There is no transparency in the costs of the healthcare that they are receiving. Let's be honest about where we are right now. Healthcare now consumes one-fifth of our entire economy. Hospital prices have risen three times faster than the awful inflation that we have been experiencing as a mean. Insurance premiums have soared, yet patients still struggle to see their doctor. They still wait weeks, if not months, for an appointment. They still face surprise bills even when they follow all the rules. This didn't happen by accident. Washington inflated the demand with subsidies and mandates while simultaneously choking off the supply through regulation, licensing barriers, and protection of entrenched interests. When government pours taxpayer dollars into a system that restricts competition, prices rise, efficiency collapses, and accountability disappears. Through it all, the one group that was systematically excluded from decisionmaking is the patients themselves. That is the fundamental flaw of this current system. Americans are not allowed to control their own healthcare dollars. Instead, those dollars are routed through insurers, employers, and Federal agencies that never feel the pain of the cost and never face the consequences or have to deal with the time restraints. Mr. Speaker, when you don't control the money, you don't control the choices. Contrary to the claim that, as my colleague from Texas has mentioned, we don't have any ideas, that is not at all the case. There have been multiple bills that have been sponsored year after year by thought leaders like the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy), yet they haven't come to the floor for a vote. They haven't been given ample opportunity. I am glad to see that now there is an appetite for this discussion because this House is already filled with serious, actionable reforms that give Americans real options beyond ObamaCare. I recently cosigned a letter by Representative Biggs that highlighted 14 distinct healthcare reform bills that are out there, all of which present much better, more affordable solutions than the current disaster that we are facing with ObamaCare. That is why I am promoting a new framework that is called MAHA, Make America Healthy Again, a patient-centered alternative that restores choice, transparency, and affordability without expanding government control or forcing anyone to give up their current coverage. MAHA is built on two simple ideas. First, MAHA accounts are modern, flexible, tax-free health accounts that put individuals and families back in charge of their healthcare spending. In essence, this is following through on the things that our President has truthed. Stop giving the money to the insurance companies. Give the money to the people. These accounts allow for Americans to save and spend their own money on the care that they actually choose, the insurance premiums that they want to pay, the direct primary care, long-term care, and wellness expenses like healthy food and fitness. Imagine encouraging Americans to take their pretax dollars and go buy the healthy food that will sustain their families. The unused funds roll over. Contributions will grow tax-free within these accounts. Families can even help a neighbor in need through direct, tax-advantaged charitable support. This isn't about micromanagement from Washington. It is about restoring personal responsibility and real purchasing power. The second part of MAHA is the insurance, which will be a new, affordable insurance option that is paired with these accounts that emphasize transparency, competition, and catastrophic protection, rather than all the bloated mandates. These plans eliminate unnecessary requirements that have been proven to fail and drive up costs in ObamaCare. It will cap excessive provider pricing, expand access to telehealth and workforce reforms, and guarantee coverage without annual or lifetime limits. Together, the MAHA accounts and MAHA insurance offer something that the Affordable Care Act never did: a real alternative. Let's be clear: This does not force anyone to abandon their current coverage. If you like the crappy ACA ObamaCare plan that you currently have, you can keep it, but Americans deserve another option, one that treats them like an adult, not line items in a Federal spreadsheet. Mr. Speaker, the American people are tired of being told that confusion is inevitable, that high costs are unavoidable, and that Washington knows better than they do. They are tired of a system that protects insurers, institutions, and lobbyists while families struggle to make ends meet. Give the people control over their healthcare dollars. It is not a radical concept. It is how markets work. It is how innovation happens. It is how costs come down. The choice is simple. We can continue doubling down on a failing system that promises coverage but little care, or we can offer Americans a new path, one grounded in freedom, responsibility, and trust in the people that we serve. I want to make this very clear, Mr. Speaker: The American people don't want Republicans to do half measures or to tinker around the edges. They don't want excuses. They want leadership, and they want bold action. They want politicians to stop writing blank checks for a broken system and finally deliver the kind of transformative healthcare solutions that this country and these people deserve. Anything less borders on political malfeasance. I thank my colleague from Texas for allowing me this time to speak.

Mr. BURLISON. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BURLISON. Right.

Mr. BURLISON. Absolutely. Any kind of reform that we are looking at, if it doesn't include that as the core engine, we are not getting anywhere.

Mr. BURLISON. Absolutely. I mean, when you give the choice back to the people, suddenly the doctors are going to start paying attention, as well.

Mr. BURLISON. They are going to--when people ask, what does this cost? They are going to have to answer for it right then and there. If they can't answer for it, guess what? When you have the choice, you can walk away. You can go to the next doctor. You can go down the street until people start providing the pricing. That will force transparency.