Kat Cammack

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. CAMMACK

Ms. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, let me just begin by saying the feeling is mutual. I have tremendous respect and admiration for my colleague from the Sunshine State. I hear loud and clear the critical elements of this bill that have been deemed necessary. Heck, I deem them necessary. The American people and the Representatives in this Chamber demand accountability and transparency. However, there are multiple poison pills within this text that the American people and certainly my constituents back home don't support. For example, there is $300 million for international narcotics control and law enforcement, but what about the 100,000-plus people every single year in America who are being poisoned by fentanyl? Where is the funding to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States? What about the $25 million for transition initiatives? What about the $60 million for diplomatic programs? I noticed that my colleague--again, who I deeply respect--mentioned that part of that is for security, but what about the rest? Or the $481 million for refugee and entrance assistance when we have a border crisis that has resulted in some of the most egregious public health, public safety, humanitarian, and national security crises in American history. We are approaching over 10 million illegals crossing into our country and being paroled, which is a fancy way of saying catch and release, into the United States. We are approaching 2 million got-aways. We have a massive crisis here at home, and if America is not safe and secure here at home, we cannot help our partners abroad. Mr. Chair, I urge, respectfully, that my colleagues put America first and adopt this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 8035, which would eliminate all nonmilitary funding in this Ukrainian aid package. Breaking this down a bit, that would mean cutting nearly $10.5 billion, with a b, from this whopping $60 billion Ukrainian bill. To date, American taxpayers have already given $113 billion to Ukraine since Russia's invasion. This new spending, $60 billion, is designated as emergency spending, meaning it goes straight to our national debt, a national debt that grows every single second to the tune of $8 billion every single day. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, there has been robust debate in Congress, in this Chamber, about the United States' role in the war. While we here in this Chamber disagree on the role that we should play, there is one thing that I hope we can agree on: We as United States Representatives should not--I repeat, should not--forsake our own national security in favor of another nation. We should not secure the borders of nations abroad while simultaneously ignoring the very real and very dangerous border crisis in our own country. While we should debate the merits of providing funds for weapons and equipment to defeat Russia in this conflict, funds that fall outside of immediate, narrow, and lethal aid should not warrant the same urgency or consideration. All told, sections of this bill that are not lethal aid come to about $10.5 billion, with the bulk of it going to support the Ukrainian economy--not the American economy, the Ukrainian economy. Anyone who is living under Biden's economic plan right now knows that it sucks. We need to be clear. This is emergency spending, again, going straight to our national debt, full stop. Again, we are borrowing $8 billion a day. Over the past 20 years, Congress has designated $12 trillion in emergency spending. With these funds in the bill that are not designated for military purposes, the American people are resigned once again to absorbing another $10.5 billion to support Ukraine and their economy, while simultaneously adding the debt to our $34.7 trillion national debt. That is simply unacceptable. We are robbing Peter to pay Paul, and the American people are once again left holding the bag. You cannot stand here on this Chamber's floor as a Representative of the American people in the people's House and sincerely say that you have done everything possible to look out for American national security and American economic security if we don't narrow the focus of this bill. We have to adopt this amendment. By the way, while I was speaking, we have added another $5.5 million to the national debt. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Florida's Third Congressional District, I wish Ms. Carol Couch a very happy 100th birthday. Carol has always been known for her confident and strong personality. Carol joined the U.S. Army in April 1942 and was assigned to 1612th SCU Sta Comp WAC Det in Washington, D.C. While there, Carol worked to decode enemy messages which was then a top-secret job. After World War II, Carol and her husband Edgar Cox were honorably discharged, and they packed all their belongings, including three young children, into a truck to move to Florida. After opening a collections bureau, her plans changed and Carol drew up plans to build a million-dollar building providing office space to professionals, including doctors and dentists. Her husband thought her plans too ambitious and attempted to stop her, but Carol went to the courthouse and had herself declared separate from her husband so she could continue without his permission. A woman of many interests, Carol became partner in a road construction company, oversaw the construction of her home, worked with doctorate students to form their thesis papers at the University of Florida, and maintained a multitude of hobbies. She even worked for 15 years at the University of Florida as a typist with an incredible speed of 120 correct words per minute. In her later years, Carol worked for the Census Bureau and volunteered at Grace United Methodist Church, Friends of the Library, and several other organizations. Carol gradually bowed out of these responsibilities and gave up driving in her early 90s. Of all she accomplished, however, being a veteran was her favorite accomplishment, and she always drove with an American flag in the back windshield. For the last several decades, Carol has made her home in North Central Florida, and has been a treasured member of several veterans' groups. I am honored to wish her a happy 100th birthday on May 22, 2024, and to thank her for her dutiful service to our Nation. I Congratulate her on this milestone. I am elated to celebrate with her.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank The Villages' Woodworkers Club. For over a decade, these carpenters have been working to provide their community with handcrafted toys and other wooden products, including urns for our veterans. What began as a small group of people making Christmas toys for children in Florida's Third Congressional District grew into what is now an organization of more than 1,400 people making more than 6,000 toys a year. While these woodworkers deliver Christmas joy throughout the holiday season, they also play an important role during other times of the year out of respect for our veterans in need of a dignified burial. All too often our veterans are forgotten when they return home, and this, sadly, is no different when they pass away. Inspired to provide beautifully made urns for veterans who do not have family or the financial means to afford funeral costs, our Village carpenters give veterans a beautiful--and a final--resting place. The Villages' Woodworkers Club works closely with six cemeteries in north central Florida to ensure that each cemetery always has 10 urns on hand. They have also donated 50 urns to the Missing in America Project. These patriots have selflessly given their time, expertise, and craftsmanship to ensure that our veterans are remembered and respected. I thank them for taking care of our own. We certainly are grateful for their service. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the bravery and heroism of downed K9 deputy K9 Leo, a beloved member of the Marion County Sheriff's Office. K9 Leo was shot on Saturday, February 17, and died from his injuries on Tuesday, February 20. K9 Leo and his handler were responding to a battery and strangulation call when the suspect at the scene fired shots at K9 Leo and other law enforcement officers. The Marion County Sheriff's Office transported Leo to the University of Florida's emergency veterinary clinic where he was treated, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Paying the ultimate price, K9 Leo did exactly what he was trained to do: serve and protect. My thoughts and prayers are with his handler, Corporal Justin Tortora, the Marion County Sheriff's Office, and the Ocala and Marion County communities. K9 Leo won't soon be forgotten, and we know that his legacy and superior training will be passed on to the next generation of law enforcement K9s in Marion County and in the Sunshine State. Rest in peace, K9 Leo. We have got the watch. The Villages Wood Shop

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Hawthorne Hornets on their State championship title in the 2023 Class 1R. With a 22-13 defeat of Madison County, the Hornets took home the top spot in the class. The Hornets' varsity football team won 13 games in their season before going on to the State tournament where they won for a second year in a row. Their coach, Cornelius Ingram, a previous football player for the University of Florida and the NFL, turned the program around for the past few years and has led his student athletes to a series of impressive wins. In the wise words of Vince Lombardi: ``The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.'' These young men gave it their absolute best and have made their high school, their community, and our Congressional District so incredibly proud over these past 2 years. Congratulations to the Hawthorne Hornets and to Coach Ingram for taking home the football State championship. Go Hornets. Bradford High School Football Team

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chris and Ania Wakeman, the owners of Blackwater Restaurant in Yankeetown, Florida. Now, for those unfamiliar, Yankeetown is a very small town on the banks of the Withlacoochee River in north Florida. It is pretty rural. While it is just a small town to some, the Yankeetown community has always rallied in ways that many cannot imagine during times of need. Hurricane Idalia was no different. Last August, when power was still not yet restored and residents were working to pick up the pieces and survey the damage to their homes and businesses--heck, while many of their homes and businesses were still underwater--Chris and Ania opened their restaurant to anyone who needed a meal or a place to spend time over the next couple days. While they were in no way obligated to serve their community, they stepped up to support their neighbors out of the kindness of their hearts, expecting nothing in return. They demonstrate the best of Florida's Third Congressional District and remind me why I am so terribly proud of our region and our district, especially our resiliency in the face of a natural disaster of this magnitude. On behalf of Florida's Third Congressional District, I thank the Wakemans for embodying the spirit of service that we all strive to represent. We are grateful for everything that you do and the example that you set for others in the Sunshine State. Hawthorne High School Football Team

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life and memory of Mr. Roger West, who passed away peacefully at home last month. He fought against a recent reoccurrence of lung cancer with great courage. Roger would say that he was a cattle rancher his entire life, learning about raising cattle from his grandfather in Polk County, Florida. He was the first in his family to attend college at the University of Florida, where he focused his studies on the cattle industry and agri-science research. While at UF, he met fellow Gator Ellen from Miami, who would later become his wife. Roger earned a bachelor's and master of science in animal science and later moved his young family to College Station, Texas, to attend Texas A&M University for his PhD in meat science and muscle biology. The West family then returned to Gainesville and UF shortly thereafter where Roger taught and did research before becoming a professor in 1983. After 20 years on the UF faculty, Roger retired as a professor emeritus in 2003 and spent his retirement doing what he loved most: spending time with his family and developing his cattle ranch. Roger served the ag community in Florida with gusto, serving with the American Meat Association, the USDA, NCBA, the Florida Cattlemen's Association, and the Florida Farm Bureau. He proudly supported FFA and young students interested in ranching and agriculture in the Sunshine State. Dr. West was an amazing husband, father, and friend to so many. I certainly considered him a friend of mine. His legacy will certainly live on in those who had the honor of knowing and working alongside him. He will be missed. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a titan in conservative politics and thought in north-central Florida, Mr. Ward Scott. Ward graduated with a bachelor's of arts in English in 1966 and a master's of education in 1969 from the University of Florida. After his studies, he became a long-time Santa Fe College English instructor, from 1969 until 2007. He served as president of the college senate for multiple years in the early 2000s. He returned to Santa Fe as a professor emeritus in 2008 and received the Santa Fe Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Ward served the public in a variety of ways over the years, including on the city of Alachua's Affordable Housing Committee, the Economic Advisory Committee, and the Weed and Seed Grant Committee. He also served on the Alachua County Rural Concerns Advisory Committee and, in 2009, as the city of Archer's interim city manager. He was an avid tennis player, skier, and supporter of the arts. Most recently, in his retirement, Ward hosted the ``Ward Scott Files,'' a podcast/live show that he broadcast on Facebook to discuss local, State, and national issues. I was honored to join his show on a number of occasions after my election to Congress, and it was always wonderful to talk with him and hear his passion for our country and the issues that mattered the most to him. His loss is one that we will feel for a long time in our Gainesville community, and we send our condolences to Ward's wife, Barbara, and his family. His legacy will surely live on with those who had the honor of knowing him. Rest in peace, Ward. We will miss you. Honoring the Life and Memory of Roger West

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Scott Angle, the University of Florida's newest provost, appointed by President Ben Sasse. An author of over 300 scientific publications and holder of seven patents, Dr. Angle's knowledge is unparalleled. During his time as a professor with UF/IFAS, Dr. Angle's areas of expertise included management of natural resources, food sciences, soil sciences, and more. He most recently served as the senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources before transitioning to his role as current provost. As vice president of IFAS, he undoubtedly made the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences a center of excellence and actively strived to improve the education of each and every student. In this role, he promised an immersive education, and he certainly delivered. His mentorship and example encouraged students to immerse themselves in internships, study abroad experiences, professional internships, competitive teams, leadership development, the ambassador's program, and the Leadership Institute. Of course, a first-rate university like UF would only have a first- rate leader such as Dr. Scott Angle in the position of leadership to guide the next few years of this top five public university. Congratulations on your new and exciting role at the University of Florida, Dr. Angle. It is such an honor to know you and to have worked with you over the years. I have no doubt that you will continue to do amazing things. As always, it is great to be a Florida Gator. Honoring the Life of Ward Scott

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and memory of Joseph Eugene Fricks of Ocala, Florida, who passed away in December 2023. Joe was a gifted aviator and a treasured family man. During his life, Joe had the honor of serving on the flight deck and transporting the Presidential press corps during the Presidencies of Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton. Later in life, Joe proudly flew countless American troops home from the Middle East while transporting critical equipment and supplies. Whether it was fundraising by piloting airplanes at local air shows, transporting the Presidential press corps, or volunteering to clean the bathrooms every Sunday after Mass at Ocala's Blessed Trinity Church, he continued giving until the very end. He was considered an expert and an authority among his peers, a smiling face to his neighbors, a daddy to his children, and a loving pa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family, friends, and community miss him dearly. Joe, you will be sincerely missed. Thank you for your service. Recognizing UF Provost Scott Angle

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate my friend Susan Crowley on her retirement from the University of Florida. Ms. Crowley retired in January from her role as assistant vice president for community relations after an impressive 17 years serving the Gator Nation. Her efforts to connect Alachua County and the university were felt across the last two decades and will undoubtedly impact future Gators. She has fostered a community of service and connection through her two signature programs, ``Discovery Breakfasts,'' of which I have attended many, and ``Gators Volunteer,'' also a program I have been a part of. These programs have educated, connected, and served our neighbors in the greater Gainesville area, connecting UF students with surrounding communities. Susan also served as a point of contact and liaison between the University of Florida, local chambers of commerce, and local governments, and has spearheaded fundraisers for keystone organizations. She has helped raise millions of dollars for organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida, Florida Wildlife Care, and the Lupus Foundation of America. She has also spearheaded the UF Campaign for Charities, an annual $1 million giving effort. Susan, your impact has been monumental in bettering the lives of our neighbors in north-central Florida. Thank you for everything that you have done, and we hope that you enjoy your well-earned retirement. Of course, Go Gators. Honoring the Life of Joseph Fricks

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Bradford Tornadoes on their State qualifying football team. This varsity football team coached by Jamie Rogers won 14 games before going on to the State tournament where they played their absolute best and showed their school spirit. Bradford High School and the surrounding community is so proud of this football team and their hard work. I know I am. Congratulations again to this amazing team of talented young men on an outstanding season. Go Tornadoes. K9 Leo

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a beloved and invaluable neighbor who will always be remembered in our community for his servant leadership, selflessness, and good will to all. Charles Chestnut III was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army and attended Bethune-Cookman University and the Eckels School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia. After returning home to Gainesville, he was elected to the Alachua County school board and worked for 16 years to represent all students and families. He was the first Black Alachua County school board member and went on to become a commissioner for the Board of Alachua County Commissioners. He was also recognized as a talented businessman, operating Chestnut Funeral Home for over six decades. In addition to his impressive career, he led the Alachua County NAACP Youth Council and was an active member in the Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church of Gainesville. He was a staunch advocate of civil rights, a believer in education, and a friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him. Mr. Chestnut was married to Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut for more than 45 years and was the father to six children: Alachua County Commissioner Charles ``Chuck'' Chestnut IV, local businessman and attorney Christopher Chestnut, and daughters Pamela, Janice, Tia, and Candace. I thank him for his service to our country and our community. I am so grateful for the example that he set for generations to come. He will be missed. Congratulating Susan Crowley

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge an extraordinary student and scholar with ties to Florida's Third Congressional District, the Gator Nation, Mr. Caleb Apperson. Caleb is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois and a current Fulbright Scholar at the National Chengchi University, also known as NCCU. For his undergraduate degree, he majored in East Asian languages and culture, minored in political science, and earned a critical language scholarship through the Department of State. Studying in Mandarin, he is earning his graduate degree in international law and business to deepen his understanding of the cultural, religious, political, and historical identity of Taiwan. He dreams of becoming a language analyst with our national security agencies to facilitate productive conversations between the United States and Taiwan on the global stage. Caleb is using his skills and education to become a diplomatic problem-solver in our ever-modernizing and complicated world. We are especially proud of his work to continue the great relationship between the United States and Taiwan, one of our strongest allies in Asia. We will need skilled young men like him to serve as leaders, and I am proud to have someone with his intellectual curiosity and caliber willing to take on the challenge. Congratulations on your scholarship, Caleb, and we look forward to seeing all that is ahead in your career of public service. Remembering Charles Chestnut III

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize two constituents of mine, Rodney and Loretta Tyre, the owners of T&T BBQ and Southern Home Cooking in Jasper, Florida. As Hurricane Idalia made its way across north-central Florida, thousands of Floridians were left without power for days. The small community of Jasper, located just a few miles south of the Georgia border, is a tight-knit community, and, quite frankly, when disaster struck, they sprang into action. The owners of T&T BBQ worked to serve the community using a standby generator, providing fresh meals to all those whose homes and businesses had been damaged or lost in the storm. They worked out of the kindness of their hearts during a time of need for many. It is folks like the Tyree family who make north-central Florida the best place to live, work, play, and raise a family. Thank you, Rodney and Loretta, for everything that you do for our community. Honoring Fulbright Scholar Caleb Apperson

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Olajuwon White, Florida's Third Congressional District Veteran of the Year for 2023. Mr. White currently serves as the director of veteran services for Levy County, Florida. In this role, he works to help veterans with casework related to compensation, pension, burial benefits, educational assistance, and so much more. His career began as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy. He certified as an independent duty corpsman and surgical technician. Following his military service, Ollie, as we like to call him, worked with Alachua County as a senior veterans claims counselor, working with hundreds of veterans to file claims and leading educational sessions for our local veterans and their dependents. He also has experience working with the VA as a field examiner in Tampa. Outside of his professional capacity, Mr. White works hard to engage veterans in Levy County and the surrounding area, turning what was once a quiet area for our heroes into a vibrant community where veterans know that they will receive the attention and support that they need at the Federal and local levels. It was an honor to recognize Ollie in our Gainesville district office in January for all of his hard work leading to this honor. He is a treasured member of our district veteran community and an irreplaceable leader in Levy County. Congratulations, Ollie. Recognizing Rodney and Loretta Tyre

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of Gator Nation's very own Dr. Juan Gilbert. A professor from the University of Florida, Dr. Gilbert has his Ph.D. in and teaches computer science. On campus, he leads the Computing for Social Good Lab, dedicates time to the National Society of Black Engineers, and mentors students. Additionally, he has 17 publications and 40 awards and distinctions. It is impressive. His entire career is decorated with outstanding and admirable works, but today, there is one milestone in particular that I would like to recognize. Dr. Gilbert was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest honor given only to trailblazers who have made technological advancements for the betterment of our Nation and fellow Americans. Applauded for his expertise in human-centered computing, he is the inventor of a universal voting system that revolutionized the accessibility and reliability of elections around the world. This honor is a tremendous one, not just for Mr. Gilbert but for the entire University of Florida community. Go Gators. I have never been shy about the accomplishments of our beloved university and the incredible talent that it brings to Gainesville and certainly the world. This is no exception. Thank you, Dr. Gilbert, for your commitment to serving our country. Go Gators. Honoring Olajuwon White

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a beloved and invaluable neighbor who will be remembered by our community for years to come. His name was Alphonso Lee Gordon, Sr., affectionately known as Mr. Al. Mr. Al passed away unexpectedly last year. He was an institution at the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and a proud Army veteran. He loved hosting annual banquets, bringing in cupcakes for coworkers and providing radio correspondence for emergency telecommunicators and public safety agencies during emergencies, including hurricanes and severe storms, of which Florida is no stranger. He was a friend to all who knew him, as he gave so much of himself every single day. He was a true public servant, and his loss came as a shock to everyone who treasured his friendship. Several members of our team worked closely with him in Marion County and remember him fondly for his smile and his helping hand. Thank you, Mr. Al, for having served our community. The lives you touched won't forget and can never repay your hand of friendship. Honoring Dr. Juan Gilbert

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to submit extraneous material.

Mrs. CAMMACK

Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, today, we take a stand against the Chinese Communist Party and their efforts to turn content creators in America into foot soldiers for the CCP. We aren't banning a company, as the highest paid lobbyist for ByteDance, which is owned by China, would lead you to believe. We aren't infringing on constitutionally protected speech or growing the size of government. All we are saying is break up with the Chinese Communist Party. As a constitutional conservative, I don't want my government or Big Tech to have unfettered access to my private data, so why in the hell would we want and allow the Chinese Communist Party to have access to our private data? The CCP is an adversary of the United States, and this legislation narrowly, thoughtfully, and directly addresses the national security threat and protects Americans' data and, by extension, their First Amendment rights, because let us not pretend for one second that TikTok is not infringing on our First Amendment rights. I would say, as Representative Roy from Texas said, this bill is about conduct, not content.

Mrs. CAMMACK. There is no restriction mentioned on content in this bill.