Kat Cammack

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1520, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act. This legislation is deeply personal for many families across the United States who have experienced unimaginable pain and loss simply because their loved ones had a disability. One of those families is from my district in Ocala, Florida, Bobbi and Josh Sarmiento. Their infant son, baby Zion, was born with Down syndrome and in need of a heart transplant. At just 6 months old, Zion was denied that chance. The doctors told the parents, Bobbi and Josh, that baby Zion's life wasn't worth the heart, that it couldn't ``be wasted'' on a child with a disability. That is not just wrong, but it is inhumane. It should never ever happen again. This bill that we are considering here today is named after Charlotte Woodward, a remarkable woman with Down syndrome who received a lifesaving heart transplant over a decade ago. Charlotte's story is a living, breathing testament to the truth that we must affirm here today: Every life, regardless of disability, has value and potential. I am so pleased to announce that Charlotte is with us here today in the gallery. I recognize you, Charlotte, and thank you for all that you do. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1520 ensures that individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against in organ transplant eligibility. It gives families a mechanism for timely intervention, time that oftentimes families just don't have, through the Department of Health and Human Services, when medical decisions are clouded by bias rather than compassion and science. I am proud to work once again with my colleague and friend Congresswoman Debbie Dingell in advancing this bipartisan effort. This bill passed overwhelmingly in the last Congress, and I am confident that this body will do what is right once again. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and fight for life.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his steadfast support, and I also thank the ranking member for his support. I rise today in support of H.R. 1664, the Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that I am proud to lead alongside my colleague Representative Darren Soto. This bill is about far more than emerging technology. It is about securing America's future, economically, strategically, and technologically, in an increasingly digital world. Blockchain technology is not a passing trend. It is a foundational innovation that is reshaping how we think about security, identity, data integrity, and commerce. From supply chains and finance to healthcare and identity management, blockchain is transforming the way our systems function. Mr. Speaker, we are at a crossroads. While American entrepreneurs and technologists are ready to lead, they are operating in an environment filled with uncertainty. Too many innovators in this space face unclear rules, inconsistent Federal policies, and outdated frameworks that push investment and opportunities overseas. Meanwhile, nations like China are investing heavily in blockchain infrastructure and making it clear that their intent is to control the digital rails of the future. We cannot afford to fall behind. American values of freedom, transparency, and accountability must guide the development of the next generation of digital infrastructure. That is what this bill ensures. The Deploying American Blockchains Act takes a strategic, thoughtful approach by directing the Commerce Department to lead the Federal Government's blockchain effort. The Department will advise the President, establish a Blockchain Deployment Program, and ensure that the United States remains competitive in the development and application of this critical technology. Importantly, this bill affirms that blockchain is not just a buzzword. It is the backbone of next-generation innovations in areas like supply chain security, smart contracts, digital identity, and fraud prevention. These applications aren't just theoretical. They are being deployed right now across sectors of the entire American economy. If we fail to lead, others will step in to define the rules of the road. This bill sends a powerful message to our allies and adversaries alike: America intends to lead. We will lead. We will build, not just consume. We intend to shape the global standards for digital trust and transparency, and we will not allow authoritarian regimes to do so in our absence. This bill is about leadership. It is about economic opportunity, and it is about protecting our American interests and ensuring that our technological edge continues to serve the people, our values, and our future. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this commonsense legislation. Together, we can keep America at the forefront of innovation and ensure that our digital future is one defined by liberty, accountability, and American leadership.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Guthrie for his leadership on this bill and on this issue. I have a hard time listening to opposition to this bill. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle for the last 4 years have continuously voted against the HALT Fentanyl Act and have stood in opposition to any effort to curb the opioid crisis in this country, which up until recently was killing 100,000 people every single year. That is why, today, I rise to urge passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 because this ongoing addiction crisis, fueled in large part by fentanyl, is still killing Americans. This legislation builds on the hard work that Republicans started back in 2018 under President Trump. Guess what? That work has made a difference. Instead of studying something over and over, this bill, along with other legislation, has directed resources to the ground where it is intended. Overdose deaths have dropped by nearly 30,000 last year. That is not just a number. That is moms, dads, sons, and daughters who are still with us today as a result of Congress stepping up. This reauthorization keeps the momentum going, and it makes sure that first responders--first responders like my husband, Matt, who is a paramedic and a SWAT medic/firefighter--have the resources that they need to save lives in the field. It doesn't stop there. This bill supports a full range of evidence- based treatment options, from emergency overdose reversal to long-term recovery tools, like medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and peer support. The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 has the backing of more than 160 different organizations dedicated to substance abuse disorder treatment and recovery, and it expands care for pregnant and postpartum women, strengthens prescription drug monitoring, and helps individuals in recovery reenter the workforce and rebuild their lives. That is what real solutions look like, not another study. Stop playing politics with people's lives, please. We need to support prevention, treatment, and recovery at every single level. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Guthrie again for leading on this issue, and I urge every single one of my colleagues to support this bill. Let's get it done.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Florida's Third Congressional District, we wish Ms. Elsa Lewis a very happy 100th birthday. Elizabeth Marie Kretzschmar better known as ``Elsa,'' is the youngest of three children born to German immigrant, Fritz Kretzschmar and Austrian immigrant, Josie Wittescheck Kretzschmar on June 6, 1925 in San Gabriel, California. During World War II, she met and married a Navy sailor by the name of Wesley Inman Lewis and moved to Gainesville, Florida while he attended the University of Florida. Upon graduation, they moved to Thomasville, GA and resided on Miilpond Plantation where Inman was the forestry supervisor for the many acres of the plantation. During their residency in Thomasville, Elsa was a homemaker and gave birth to three children, a girl and two boys. In the 1960s the family moved back to Inman's hometown, Alachua, Florida, to open a fertilizer plant and farm one of the largest tobacco farms in the area. Elsa had been a bookkeeper before her children arrived and became the bookkeeper for the fertilizer plant they owned and operated in Alachua. She has spent her remaining years here in Alachua after retiring from bookkeeping when the fertilizer plant was sold. All three of her children and their families live close by as well as seven grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is fondly known to her great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren as ``GiGi.'' Even though she is approaching 100 years loved, she is still dependent and lives on her own with children and grandchildren keeping her busy. Congratulations to Ms. Elsa on 100 amazing years.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize and cerebrate the legacy of a group of individuals whose passion for the game of baseball helped lay the foundation for college athletics at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. In the 1970-71 academic year, at what was then known as Santa Fe Junior College (SFJC), a group of players formed a baseball club--one of the earliest steps, along with other club sports, that would eventually lead to the college becoming a recognized National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) member in 1973. They were known as the ``Gainesville Nine.'' The baseball club, which predates the Northwest Campus, the largest of Santa Fe's seven locations across Alachua and Bradford counties, played other club and college teams from across the North Florida region. The bonds formed among the players showed that athletic participation and physical activity not only enrich the campus experience, but also foster a sense of perseverance and belonging that support a college-going culture. Santa Fe College's Athletic programs have since grown in stature both regionally and nationally. The Northwest Campus gymnasium was built in the late 1970s and the baseball and softball fields were added in the early 1980s. Over the college's illustrious history, multiple NJCAA sports were offered including track, cross country, tennis, and slow pitch softball. Currently, the college offers five sanctioned intercollegiate teams in volleyball, men's and women's basketball, softball, and baseball. Today, we honor the legacy of the 1970-71 SFJC club baseball team, the ``Gainesville Nine'' and celebrate their place in the rich history of Santa Fe College and its athletic programs.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 2025 men's basketball NCAA national champions, the Florida Gators. On Monday night, the Gators defeated the University of Houston in the national championship game to become the three-time national champions, winning the first title since the 2006-2007 season. Led by Coach Todd Golden, the Gators were one of four tournament one- seeds, advancing through the rounds of 64 and 32 before dancing their way through the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four. After winning the title this week, the Gators ended the season with a 36-4 record making Gainesville, a/k/a Titletown, incredibly proud. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Coach Golden, the entire team, and, of course, the Gator nation. These guys are absolutely incredible. As always, it is so great and sweet to be a Florida Gator. Go Gators.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. The point is, is that Americans around this country are sick and tired of the fear-mongering tactics that they have been subjected to by the left for decades. We need to ensure the integrity of our elections. It has been demanded by the American people, and we are making good on that promise today. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the SAVE Act.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution as a woman and as the chairwoman of the Republican Women's Caucus, not only for election integrity but clearly literacy because Democrats have not read the resolution. That much is clear. This resolution is very simple. It ensures that only American citizens can vote in our Federal elections. This isn't hard. Eighty- seven percent of Americans agree that only Americans should vote in our elections. Mr. Speaker, it makes me wonder why my friends on the other side of the aisle are always and consistently looking for ways to ensure that illegals can vote in our elections. It is almost as though they have an ulterior motive. You have to show an ID to board a plane, to buy alcohol, to cash a check. You have to show an ID to buy cold medicine for God's sakes. Why should people not have to verify their citizenship to register to vote? I say to register because my friend over here keeps pointing out that women in every single congressional district will have to provide proof of their name change in order to vote. I ask my colleagues across the aisle to read the bill, page 14. If you are registering to vote, there is a process by which the States establish. If you are already registered to vote, you are fine. Read the bill. Stop insulting women. I am sick and tired and I know women across this country are sick and tired of being talked down to and being insulted repeatedly with the fear-mongering tactics of the left. It is disingenuous for them to stand there and to continue to say that women will not be eligible to vote. This is about protecting one of our most sacred rights that we have as Americans, and I am so proud to stand here as a woman, as a married woman, and, again, as the chair of the Republican Women's Caucus in safeguarding and ensuring the integrity of our elections. The Speaker pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Representative De La Cruz, for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, it is such an honor to be here today as we recognize the incredible contributions of women throughout American history. Many of us grew up reading about the courageous women who shaped our Nation, women like Abigail Adams, Harriet Tubman, and Clara Barton. Their stories weren't just words in a textbook. They were testaments to the power of perseverance, patriotism, and principle. History is not just simply about the past. It is about what we pass on to the next generation. That is why the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum is such an important project. It ensures that these stories are not only preserved and honored but shared with all Americans. Our daughters and granddaughters should be able to walk into this museum and see firsthand how women have helped shape this Nation, not as passive observers but as leaders, innovators, and changemakers. This museum tells the stories of the women who built businesses, defended our freedoms, and served their communities, all through the lens of hard work, personal responsibility, and faith in the American Dream. This commitment to empowering women isn't just about history. It is about the present and the future. That is why I am so proud to be here this evening to celebrate the recent launch of the Republican Women's Caucus, a group that I am so proud to chair, which is dedicated to amplifying the voices of strong, principled women serving today in Congress. Conservative women are making history every day, championing policies that promote freedom, opportunity, and the values that have made this Nation great. Women's History Month is a time to reflect on our progress and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every American, regardless of their background, has the chance to achieve their full potential. That is the legacy that we honor, and it is the one future that we are building together. May we always celebrate the remarkable women who have made our country stronger, and I am so grateful for the leadership of my fellow colleagues.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Florida's Third Congressional District, we thank Mr. Jeffrey Askew for his storied career in Marion County. A native of Auburn, Alabama, Jeffrey joined the U.S. Navy in July 1977 after completing his high school studies. He completed his basic training in San Diego, California and his first duty station was Naval Air Station Pensacola where he worked as a plane captain for A-4s and T-2s. While there he qualified for the A-4 back seat rider before transferring in 1980 to the USS Coral Sea CV-43 which was stationed in Alameda, California. While on the Coral Sea he visited the Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and a host of other countries. He says his most rewarding job on the ship was the Primary Fly Control Tower Supervisor. Jeffrey participated in the Iran Hostage rescue where he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He also participated in Operation Desert Shield and the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, earning 12 medals in his 22-year tenure, including four Navy Achievement Medals and two Navy Commendation Medals. His duty stations include USS O'Bannon (DD-987), USS Lexington (CVT-16), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and various Shore Commands. His final duty station was Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Detachment Astor, located in the Ocala National Forest. He served as an operations officer where he conducted training with 50 air squadrons in various air to land operations. Retiring in 1999 as a Navy Chief, Mr. Askew went on to serve as Marion County's Veterans Services Director and the Administrator of the Ocala/Marion Veterans Memorial Park. He and his staff were awarded the ``Service Office of the Year'' in 2009 and 2012, making Marion County the only county to have received the award twice from the Department of Florida and the VFW. I congratulate him on an incredible career and thank him for his service. We wish him the best as he moves on from Marion County and continues to make a tremendous difference in the lives of our heroes.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr Speaker, on behalf of Florida's Third Congressional District, we wish Mr. Joseph Salonia a very happy 100th birthday. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on February 17, 2025, Joseph moved to Connecticut as a young man where he grew up during the Great Depression, He attended school until the eighth grade before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. While in the Army, he served at Fort Hood, Texas for weapons and M-10 tank training before serving in Oregon and Alaska prior to joining the Second World War effort in Italy. For his service in World War II, Mr Salonia received two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart for his combat wounds. After healing from his injuries, Joseph entered Army intelligence, serving in France, before being discharged from the Army and returning to his home in Connecticut. For decades, Joseph worked as a construction labor iron worker, a tin knocker, and a real estate agent in Connecticut. He married his bride Margaret and had two daughters, Chris and Brooke. He celebrates 100 incredible years at his Chiefland, Florida home in Florida's Third Congiessional District, Happy birthday to Mr, Joseph Salonia.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Florida's Third Congressional District, we thank Mark Kaplan, the University of Florida's Vice President of Government and Community Relations and wish him the best in what comes next. Kaplan, a Gator Grad, has served the University in this role since 2018. Calling it his dream job, Kaplan has built countless relationships and developed strong ties for the university at the local, state, and federal levels. The university community has benefited from his wisdom, collaborative spirit, calm, steady approach to his work, and ability to get things done. Telling Florida Politics, Kaplan said, ``We talk about UF being among the most comprehensive universities in the country, with one of the few places in the country that has a vet school and a pharmacy school and a medical school and a law school. And one of the things that comes from all of that is it adds to the scope of things that you're paying attention to and issues that you get to work on.'' Kaplan worked as Governor Jeb Bush's chief of staff, special counsel for the Speaker of Florida's House of Representatives, and a judicial clerk to a member of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He also worked as the executive director for the Florida Housing Finance Corp. and as global head of public affairs at Mosaic Company. We wish Mark and his wife Sherry a wonderful next chapter. I thank him for his service and Go Gators.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague and friend from the great State of Tennessee for yielding to me. Tonight we gather to honor and bid farewell to an extraordinary leader and friend, Energy and Commerce Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. Tonight we say good-bye, as she concludes her remarkable tenure in Congress. Serving under her leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee has truly been a privilege and an honor. I first met Cathy when I was a chief of staff. It was 2013, and I came to meet with her as she was the Conference chair at the time. I was shaking I was so intimidated, and I just remember she exuded a cool calmness, an openness, and, most importantly, a warmth that was immediately putting me at ease. As someone who was brand new to the Hill, someone who was a very young woman at the time who didn't know much of anything, she still made me feel like my opinion mattered. That is one of her many gifts. Fast forward as a Member of Congress with the honor and privilege to serve here, I will never forget the night that I was in the Cloakroom and Cathy comes up to me and says, Kat, I think you would be good for the Energy and Commerce Committee. I am shaking and intimidated like, holy crap, the chairwoman is asking me to serve on the best damn committee in Congress. It was her faith in me that really gave me an insight into how she would be as a leader, as someone who we would look to as we navigated some of the toughest pieces of legislation and controversial issues. I later recall, after having joined the committee, attending a speech where she was asked by the moderator to give her life story. Any Member of Congress will start spouting off that I was born here, I did this, and I am that. No. Cathy stopped, and she said, I will give you my life story and who I am in 10 words. She used the following words to describe her commitment to service, who she was, who she is: a pioneer, trailblazer, leader, working mom of three, wife, ability advocate, and trust builder. In my time serving with her, I have learned that not only does she embrace these words, but she lives them every single day. As a pioneer and trailblazer, she is the first woman to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee, paving the way for many others to follow. She has forged paths in policy areas that were complex, controversial, tough, but, most importantly, critical to saving our Nation's future. As a leader, she was a unifying force and continues to unify within the Energy and Commerce Committee. She has an exceptional ability to bring together Members with diverse viewpoints--which as we know here in Congress, there are many--ensuring that everyone has that feeling of being valued and also being heard. As a wife and mother, she has balanced the responsibilities of public service and motherhood, which we all know is no easy task. She has managed it with grace and unwavering dedication. As an ability advocate, she has been an unwavering voice for those with disabilities, advocating for policies that promote inclusion and opportunity, knowing the experience firsthand. We expect to see Cole on this House floor in many, many more years to come. He is going to be here. As a trust builder, her honesty, transparency, and commitment to doing what is right have earned her respect in every single room that she has entered. Chairwoman Rodgers' legacy in Congress will continue to inspire us all. I thank her for her service, her leadership, and her example. We wish her every success and happiness in the future.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Baby Zion deserved the same chance at life as any other American, but he was denied a heart transplant by the same doctors because he had Down syndrome, and they ``couldn't waste a heart.'' The tragic story of baby Zion and the courage of his parents, Josh and Bobbi, along with the drive of so many incredible advocates, have led us today to H.R. 2706, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act, which would prohibit healthcare providers and other entities from denying or restricting an individual's access to organ transplants solely based on an individual's disability. The bill would require expedited review of discrimination claims at the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services. No family should have to wait or be denied. I thank Charlotte Woodward, Bobbi and Josh, and all of the advocates who have worked so hard to get this bill where it is today. We would not be here without your tireless work to educate and advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities across the country. I also want to thank my colleague, Debbie Dingell, for her partnership and work on this bill. It was truly an honor to work with the gentlewoman on important issues like this. I also acknowledge my Senate counterpart, Senator Rubio, for championing this issue in the Senate. Lastly, I thank Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers for her work and support on this issue. Her leadership in Energy and Commerce on this issue and the multitude of important issues that we deal with in the committee cannot be overstated. Not only is the gentlewoman a trailblazer and an ability advocate, but a force of nature. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Bucshon, for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to stand here today and debate H.R. 2706, the Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act. Of course, I don't think there is a whole lot of debate that is going to happen here today because I hope it will be unanimous. For Members who don't know, this bill is named after Charlotte Woodward, an adult woman with Down syndrome who received a lifesaving heart transplant over 12 years ago. Sadly, as has been mentioned, not all individuals with disabilities have that same opportunity. That is why we are here to consider this bill today, to ensure that all Americans, regardless of the disability they may have, have the same opportunity to receive a lifesaving organ transplant. When I first learned of this issue, I could not believe that this practice was happening here in our country. However, after learning more about the issue and hearing stories from advocates, including Charlotte herself, they were advocating for change. I was shocked and horrified to learn that there were no protections for these individuals. According to a 2019 report from the National Council on Disability, which is the agency that advises the legislative and executive branch on disability policy issues, people with disabilities have been routinely denied due to subjective judgments about the value of a human who happens to have a disability, subjective assumptions about their quality of life, and misconceptions about their ability to comply with postoperative care. Even more, that same report found that some organ transplant programs have policies that exclude, rather than include, people with disabilities as candidates for transplant. In 2021, as a freshman Member of Congress, I met Bobbi and Josh Sarmiento. They are from Ocala, Florida, in my district. These constituents reached out and wanted to share the story of their son, baby Zion. I spent time learning about their journey and couldn't help being moved to action as I left them that day. I couldn't possibly do justice in recounting their story. Instead, I will read an excerpt from baby Zion's mom, Bobbi, in her own words, their story and experience with the organ transplant system that she provided to a congressional panel just last year. In Bobbi's words, she said: We learned at 10 weeks gestation that our son, Zion, had Down syndrome, and at his 20-week anatomy scan, he had a heart defect called a complete AVSD, or also called a complete AV canal defect. Simply put, we have four chambers in our heart. Zion had a large hole in the center separating those chambers from forming. This is a common heart defect those with Down syndrome have. Our beautiful boy was born on June 15, 2021. We spent 40 days in the NICU before being discharged to go home. We have some of the best memories of our time at home before his open-heart surgery was scheduled for September of 2021. We did all the research and asked all the questions. We never knew we would end up being the worst-case scenario. To make a long story short, Zion had 5 open-heart surgeries in a matter of 12 days. He was such a warrior through each one. After the fifth surgery didn't work as planned, we were told that he would need a heart transplant. The hospital we were at did not do transplants, so we were left with three options in Florida. To qualify, we were told his other organs had to be working, which they were, and we have the autopsy to prove this. Our first option told us that they had never done a successful heart transplant on someone with Down syndrome. I asked how many they had tried. No response. Through my own research and digging that moms do to get answers, I have since learned that the answer was zero. Our second option said that they didn't feel their team could do a successful heart transplant for Zion, and the third option kept us waiting. Finally, they came back and said that, because baby Zion was on ECMO life support three times through the five surgeries, he couldn't have brain activity. I would like to note that Zion came off ECMO after the second and fifth surgery, which we knew upfront was vital to being accepted for the heart transplant list. They wanted a brain activity test run and sent to them for their final decision. We were told before it was sent that the test was perfect. With nothing to disqualify him, we thought that we would be on our way to the next step. They came back and told us that after much deliberation, they concluded that they just couldn't waste a heart. Wow, that is hard to read. Our son was worth the same chance at life as anyone else. With no options left, we had to make the decision to remove the machines. On October 8, 2021, our son left our arms and ran into the arms of Jesus.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my outstanding colleague from the great State of Arizona (Mr. Biggs) and also from the great State of Texas (Mr. Babin) for hosting this Special Order this evening. It is time to call a spade a spade. The wide-open border policy of the Biden-Harris regime is quite literally killing Americans across the country, and there is no denying this. I myself have been to the border nine times, and I have ridden along with our agents through their shifts for hours seeing firsthand the horror, the trafficking, the crime, the gang members, and the abuse of women and children. I have seen the hundreds of thousands of wristbands littering the ground along the riverbanks. The wristbands that the cartels force people to wear to show which cartel they belong to, how much they have been paid, and, of course, what number they are. It is such a big operation that the cartels have created the most efficient means possible to move people into the country illegally. What is worse, the American government, Biden and Harris, are helping the cartels do it. How, you might ask? Well, it is by taking away critical resources from our Border Patrol agents, by not enforcing the current laws on the books, and by taking away policies that stop the flow of illegals, not by legislative action but through executive action, of course. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that Biden and his border czar, Kamala Harris, don't care about the law. When it gets in their way, they subvert it. It is clear they have zero regard for the American people, despite nearly 300 people a day dying of the trafficked fentanyl that comes across the border or the thousands who have fallen victim to violent crime by illegals. They just simply ignore us and pretend like it doesn't happen and it doesn't exist. Now, while the Vice President, a/k/a border czar, pretends to care now all of a sudden about our southern border, I have a few questions for her. Madam Vice President, do you know how many Americans have been harmed by criminal illegal aliens? Do you know how many lives have been forever changed by the violence perpetrated against them by the people who broke our laws, who you invited here, you flew here, who have crossed our border and harmed our citizens? As if every town in America wasn't already a border town, I ask this: What about the hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied minors trafficked into this country for whom the Federal Government knows nothing of their whereabouts? The 325,000 kids that have been lost under her watch, what has she done about that? Do their lives not matter? These children have been forced into child labor situations, sex trafficking, and abuse. What has been done about that? It happened on her watch. House Republicans have been correcting the record and shining a spotlight on the disastrous crisis at our southern border for 4 years now, sounding the alarm of the failures of this administration and particularly border czar Harris. She is not fooling the American people by pretending to care all of a sudden. She is not fooling this Chamber. She is certainly not fooling the angel families who have lost loved ones due to the reckless policies that she and President Biden have put forth. We need a real Commander in Chief, not a czar, not someone who is cackling, laughing, and making jokes. It is not a laughing matter. We certainly don't need a trafficker in chief. That is what we have now. We need a real Commander in Chief, and November is coming.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, it is laid out pretty simply. If we are to really restore the people's voice in this Chamber, we have to adopt this amendment. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to join me in putting the American people first, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would restrict taxpayer funds from being used to finalize any rule or regulation that has resulted in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more at the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Under the Biden-Harris regime, the regulatory landscape has never been worse. Regulatory agencies within the Department of the Interior have exerted an extraordinary amount of power with very limited oversight. My amendment seeks to change this dynamic by requiring that any major rule or regulation proposed by these agencies must be approved by Congress before it can take effect. This means that the elected Representatives of the American people would have a direct say in the regulations that govern our natural resources and public lands. It means that the individuals who are closest to their constituents, who understand the needs and concerns of their communities, will be at the forefront of decisionmaking. I, of course, believe that commonsense Americans would be incensed to know that in 2023 alone, the Biden-Harris regime ended the year by adding nearly 91,000 pages to the Federal Register of regulations. Why should Americans care about that? Because those 91,000 pages of regulations just cost every American family over $15,000 annually. That is right. American families now pay $15,000 more every single year for the exact same goods and services thanks to these onerous regulations, but it gets worse. Who do these hardworking families turn to to fight these new costs, these new rules, these new regulations that are dictating every aspect of our lives? Not their elected officials, no. These expensive and expansive rules and regulations housed in those 91,000 pages, those are the doing of the nameless, faceless bureaucrats that dwell in basements all over Washington, D.C., who, by the way, are not elected. Quite frankly, Mr. Chair, that should piss off every single American. It is a slap in the face that we the people have no recourse, which is why my amendment reining in these rules and regulations is so very important. You can and should be able to fire your elected officials. In the case of these all too powerful bureaucrats, you can't even find them, let alone stop them. This is where our amendment, the REINS Act, comes in and is so important. Under the Biden-Harris regime, regulations cost more than the entire Federal discretionary budget. Let me repeat that. Under the Biden- Harris regime, they have added more in regulatory costs that add up to more than the entire Federal discretionary budget. As a point of reference, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which funded government, came in at a price tag of $1.7 trillion. The Biden- Harris regime's price tag on their regulations was over $2 trillion with a t. It is not just the cost that is insane. It is the unachievable nature of these regulations. Take, for instance, the proposed greenhouse gas emission standards. There are no vehicles that exist today that can do the job and make the grade on the standard. Your leaf blower and lawnmower at home, under the Biden-Harris regime, need to be zero emission. Good luck buying that in Biden's economy. Permitting requirements for livestock emissions are unachievable because of, well, science. Shocking, I know. What sounded good on paper is quite literally unfeasible in real life. Government is supposed to serve the people, not make their life harder, and quite frankly, that is all these regulations are doing, making life harder and more expensive. Mr. Speaker, there has never been a better time to rein in spending. We need to rein in these frivolous rules and regulations and rein in the true swamp creatures called bureaucrats. If you believe in the principle that significant regulatory decisions should not be made behind closed doors but rather in the open Halls of Congress where the voices of the American people can be heard, you will support this amendment. If you believe that the American people should be at the center of the decision-making process, you will support this amendment. If you believe in government transparency and accountability, you will support this amendment. It is time that this body starts asserting its constitutional Article I authority and adopt this amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chairman, in response to the notion that there is actually someone over there in the basement of these Federal agencies listening to the American people who weigh in via comment on these proposed rules and regulations, that is laughable. In some cases, we have seen agencies take in more than 250,000 comments, different letters, and petitions from concerned citizens, associations, and organizations. They have fallen on deaf ears. In the case of DHS, they have worked tirelessly to put things up for a proposed rule, things like asylum eligibility and public health. One would think that Members of the people's House would be the ones in charge of dictating asylum process. One would think that it would be Members of Congress who would actually be looking to develop legislation that would cover the modernization of H-2A programs or refugee appearances and interviews or the modernization regulations of nonimmigrant workers. I could provide hundreds of examples of different proposed rules and regulations that have bypassed Congress, bypassed the people's House, and effectively silenced the American people's voice because we now have unelected, nameless, faceless bureaucrats and a hyperpoliticized administration shoving their political agenda down our throat. If we are going to restore our Article I authority, it starts here, and it starts now. I encourage all of my colleagues to adopt this amendment. It is common sense. It is good for all parties involved. I don't care what side of the aisle you are on. The facts are exactly the same. We are elected Representatives for the people and by the people. We need their voice here now more than ever. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would restrict funds at the Department of Homeland Security from being used to finalize any rule or regulation that has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. Some might know this language commonly as REINS, Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny. It is no secret that the regulatory agencies today are out of control. Under the Biden administration, we have seen hundreds of billions, with a b, of dollars in regulatory costs fall on the shoulders of average Americans without any input from their elected Representatives in Congress. My amendment seeks to restore congressional oversight and the people's voice over these regulations by requiring that any major rule proposed by these agencies must be approved by Congress, a/k/a the people's House, before they go into effect. By including my amendment in this bill, we restore Congress' Article I authorities by bringing significant regulatory decisions back to the body that is closest to the will of the people. We will no longer allow unelected, nameless, faceless bureaucrats to impose regulatory costs behind closed doors, but, rather, commit ourselves to open, transparent governance. We have already seen the Biden administration's outrageous border crisis having allowed more illegal immigrants into the country than the population of 43 U.S. States. Nearly 1,400 pounds of deadly fentanyl has been seized at the border in just a single month, and 367 known suspected terrorists on the international terrorist watch list have crossed the border under the Biden administration. This administration has waged war against the immigration system of the United States, and the results speak for themselves. It is a total failure. This commonsense amendment is a core part of our mission to reintroduce government accountability and to restore the elected Representatives' voice in the process. By requiring congressional approval for major regulations, this amendment forces a thorough examination of the potential costs and benefits of proposed rules. This scrutiny is to prevent regulatory overreach, ensuring that regulations are grounded in sound science, economic reasoning, and the overall well-being of the American people, regardless of political affiliation. Oftentimes, these regulations serve as a mechanism for agencies to sidestep congressional authority in crucial policy decisions. As the core legislative body, it is crucial for us to reaffirm our constitutional role and prevent any unwarranted expansion of regulatory powers. All in all, my amendment restores the people's voice in these significant Federal agency decisions that impact our everyday lives. Our Nation needs major regulatory reform, and incorporating our amendment is a crucial step forward to a more transparent and accountable government for all Americans. I encourage and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and standing up for our strongly held belief in a democratic government by the people, for the people, in our constitutional Republic. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Florida's Third Congressional District, we commend the Korean Baptist Church of Gainesville, Florida for its 2024 Korean War Veterans Event on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Following the Korean War, the American people and Korean people have formed a strong, admirable friendship that has stood the test of time for decades. It is important to continue this relationship for years to come and I am grateful for the efforts of the Korean Baptist Church of Gainesville to foster these bonds. I congratulate them on another great event. We look forward to seeing the fruits of this labor in our North Central Florida community.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Madam Chair, I would like to clarify the scope of the prohibitions in Division D of H.R. 8038. As I understand it, Division D of H.R. 8038 would prevent TikTok from obtaining distribution through app stores and online marketplaces in the U.S. and deprive them of obtaining Internet-hosting infrastructure and services provided by U.S. entities, unless and until it is divested from ByteDance within 270 days of enactment. When acting in their capacity of providing access to the Internet, Internet service providers (ISPs) do not engage in the activities that would be restricted by operation of Section 2(a)(1). In providing their customers access to the Internet and connectivity to web sites and online service, ISPs are not engaging in distribution activities prohibited under subparagraph (A). And in providing access or connectivity to web sites or online services at the request and direction of their customers, ISPs are not engaged in providing any Internet hosting services restricted under subparagraph (B).