Buddy Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Anne Hodnett, a loving mother, wife, and dedicated volunteer in her community. A native of Henry County, Virginia, Anne grew up during the Great Depression, the youngest of eight children. Anne later married Roy K. Hodnett, a veteran of World War II. In 1968, the Hodnetts moved to St. Simons Island where Anne was an active volunteer throughout her community. Anne used her many talents, such as cooking and organizing, to cultivate a thriving community. She volunteered at St. Simons United Methodist Church, The Gathering Place, Manna House, MAP International, Amity House, and the Island Players, where she was a ``life member.'' Another passion Anne had was for the stage. She acted in more than 30 plays and produced nearly 50 of her own. Anne operated her own dinner theater for several years, entertaining tour groups with light comedies and Lowcountry boils on their visits to the island. Anne will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tina Tyus Shaw, who is going to be inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame this month. Those who watch WSAV-TV in Savannah know that Ms. Shaw has been a key part of our local news coverage since 1992. Her 30 years of service have brought reliable news coverage to homes in Georgia's First District on a consistent basis. Ms. Shaw is certainly not a stranger to winning awards for her work in local news either. She has won dozens of awards for broadcasting, including the National Murrow Award for Best Newscast. In addition to her regular broadcasting duties, Ms. Shaw is a key player in the fight against breast cancer. She created the ``Buddy Check 3,'' a breast cancer detection program, which has saved many lives thanks to early detection. Ms. Shaw's commitment to her local community and her State are a testament to her character. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of being inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Celebrating the Life of Sandra Martin

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Sandra Martin, a loving mother, wife, and leader from the great State of Georgia. A native of Cuthbert, Georgia, Sandra was the class valedictorian at Randolph Junior/Senior High School in 1971. Sandra met and married the love of her life, John F. Martin, Sr., of Flemington, more than 50 years ago. She would go on to work at the Heritage Bank for 40 years and held many titles, including vice president. In addition to her career at Heritage Bank, she was a dedicated public servant. Sandra was elected to the Flemington City Council in 1981 and later served as mayor of Flemington from 1997 to 2017. Sandra loved traveling, spending time with her family, and was a committed member of Flemington Presbyterian Church. A lifelong servant to her community, Sandra's impact on the State of Georgia will be felt for generations to come. She will be dearly missed. Recognizing Trace Carter

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Savannah Regional Film Commission Director Erin Fraser. Erin was born in New York City in 1969. She graduated at the top of her class at Sleepy Hollow High School in Tarrytown, New York. After high school, she attended Oxford College of Emory University. Erin's storybook career in the entertainment production industry began as a senior assistant to ``Saturday Night Live's'' Lorne Michaels. With Lorne, she helped in the development and launch of Conan O'Brien's ``Late Night'' show, as well as working on ``Wayne's World 2,'' ``Tommy Boy,'' and ``Black Sheep.'' Erin was named Savannah Regional Film Commission executive director on December 13, 2022. During her time as executive director, she made a tremendous impact on the office and the entertainment production community. Erin married her husband Jay in September of 1997. They have three children, all of whom are either alumni or current students at Emory University. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Judge Frances Seckinger, who passed away on March 2. I might also note that it is appropriate on International Women's Day to honor a great judge. Judge Seckinger served in the judicial system when she was elected as a probate judge in Effingham County in 1977. That election sparked the beginning of a long and fruitful career in public service until her retirement in 2008. It is also important to note that Judge Seckinger's election made her the first female to hold an elected position in the Effingham County Judicial System. Outside of her public service, Judge Seckinger was a faithful attendee of Springfield United Methodist Church, and she enjoyed hobbies such as crocheting blankets for friends and family. Judge Seckinger's selfless career of community service and her love for family and others should serve as an inspiration for all of us. My condolences go out to Judge Seckinger's family, and I hope they know how grateful I am for her years of service.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor George Schwarz, who was chosen to be the grand marshal for this year's Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade. Mr. Schwarz, a graduate of Jenkins High School, has spent his entire life living in and serving Savannah. His dedication to his hometown is matched by his pride in his Irish heritage. Mr. Schwarz has served on the parade council for almost 40 years; a council that his father and grandfather served on as well. Being chosen to be the grand marshal for this parade is the highest honor for any Savannahian with Irish blood, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving than Mr. Schwarz. To be a grand marshal is no small honor. It is a recognition of years of hard work. He knows this parade so well that I have even heard that if he is given a random parade float number, he can tell you exactly what floats will come before and after that one. I know that Mr. Schwarz will make a great grand marshal, and I look forward to seeing the parade he puts on.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Darien Councilman Morris Butler who passed away last month. Mr. Butler served on the Darien City Council for 3 years where he will be remembered as a kind man and as a man who would always fight for what he thought was right. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Debra, his five daughters, and his 10 grandchildren. Mayor ``Bubba'' Hodge remembered Councilman Butler for his warm smile, his love for his family, and his love for people in general. The mayor said that he always felt warmth when he was around Councilman Butler and now feels a void without his presence. This is a trying time for the people of Darien as this is the second councilmember that they have lost due to death in the last month, but I know that the memory and the legacy of both of these councilmembers, especially of Morris Butler, will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Butler and his family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the hard work of law enforcement officials who participated in Operation Ghost Busted. Law enforcement officials planned for more than 2 years to bust the drug trafficking network. This multidepartment operation led to the indictment of 76 individuals who planned to move a large amount of illegal drugs into south Georgia. The criminals planned to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and alprazolam. Law enforcement officials also seized 43 firearms and over $53,000 in cash. As we all know, the fentanyl crisis is devastating communities all across our country. Now more than ever, it is important for our law enforcement to get these dangerous narcotics off of our streets. Luckily, because of the hard work of our law enforcement officials, south Georgians can sleep well at night. Thank you again to the work of all law enforcement personnel involved.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Major General John F. King from the Georgia National Guard. Major General King has been a member of the Georgia National Guard for over 30 years. During his time with the guard, he has served abroad in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan, he served as the military adviser to the Deputy Minister of Interior for Security for Afghanistan who oversaw an agency of over 96,000 police officers. Major General King has won many awards for military and public services, including the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Meritorious Service Medal, and a NATO award for his service in both Bosnia and Afghanistan, among many others. For his entire career, Major General King has put his country and his State before himself. He is a true example of what it means to be a public servant. I hope that he enjoys his retirement from the Georgia National Guard, and I look forward to seeing the great things he does as Georgia's insurance commissioner. Recognizing Marshes of Glynn Libraries

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marshes of Glynn Libraries for being recognized as the Georgia Public Library of the Year. The single-county library system serves a population of 85,000 in Glynn County, Georgia, through two branches: The Brunswick-Glynn County Library and the St. Simons Island Public Library. This honor was given for the library's efforts to strengthen community partnerships, diversify its funding portfolio, and expand services to meet the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of Glynn County residents. Marshes of Glynn Libraries received nomination letters from local partners, business leaders, and patrons who each highlighted the impact the library has made in the community. One of the library's many initiatives includes the Take 5 program, which is helping reestablish early literacy outreach following the impacts of COVID-19 on family engagement with schools and public libraries. I congratulate and thank everyone at Marshes of Glynn Libraries for their incredible work to provide such a vital resource for our community. Operation Ghost Busted

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Lucy Greene for being awarded the Defense Community Champion Award by the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Greene has spent her entire career giving back to the community and our education system. After serving for 31 years as an educator, she became a strong advocate in the fight to keep Moody Air Force Base open. Dr. Greene was instrumental in successfully advocating for the base to remain open. For her hard work, she was awarded the Defense Community Champion Award by the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce. She also devoted her time to the Moody support group for Moody Air Force Base in 1991, where her husband, Parker, was named executive director. I commend Dr. Lucy Greene for her tireless efforts as an educator and advocate for our Nation's servicemen and -women. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Greene for everything she does.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the Imperial Sugar Refinery explosion in my hometown of Port Wentworth, Georgia, in 2008. Mr. Speaker, 15 years ago, 14 lives were tragically taken, and several others were severely injured. I want to honor the victims of this tragedy, as well as the first responders and doctors who worked bravely to save lives. After the explosion, emergency vehicles quickly lined the access road leading out to the refinery. In total, there were around 60 first responders on the scene after the accident, working around the clock. After survivors were transferred to the Burn Center in Augusta, doctors worked diligently to save lives. Some patients were covered with burns on upwards of 90 percent of their bodies. If it had not been for the heroic work of everyone involved, the death toll could have been much higher. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families of those whom we lost and with those who were injured. Thank you to our first responders and medical experts for this lifesaving care they gave to all of those involved.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 107.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legendary college football coach Mark Richt for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Mark Richt coached the Bulldogs for 15 seasons and amassed a 145-51 record. He went on to win two SEC championships and multiple division titles. His lengthy tenure saw numerous iconic moments in Georgia football history. After leaving the University of Georgia, Rick became the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes. He coached there for three seasons, which included an Orange Bowl appearance. Mark Richt has been known for his off-the-field work just as much as for his on-the-field work. He has partnered with numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the years. In 2021, Coach Richt revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He has faced that challenge as he has with all in his life, with courage and a deep-abiding faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Congratulations to Coach Richt for his storybook career. He has forever changed the lives of many young men, UGA athletics, and college football.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legendary college football coach Paul Johnson for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Utilizing his patented spread offense, Johnson compiled a career record of 189-99 in 22 seasons. In 11 seasons at Georgia Tech, he had a record of 82-60. His 82 wins are fourth-most in Tech history. Johnson is responsible for two 10-win seasons and one 11-win season at Tech. He led the Jackets to nine bowl appearances and three Atlantic Coast Conference Championship games. Johnson received ACC Coach of the Year honors three times in his career and National Coach of the Year honors twice. When he stepped down at Tech at the end of the 2018 season, his 189 career victories ranked fourth among NCAA Division I FBS head coaches. While I may be a Georgia Bulldog, I want to congratulate Coach Johnson for his legendary career and his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Recognizing Olympia Cafe

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hinesville, Georgia, for being a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Recently, Hinesville was erroneously named as one of the most miserable places to live in all of the State of Georgia. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Hinesville is not only one of the best cities in the First District of Georgia, but it is arguably one of the best cities in all of the State. Hinesville is one of the fastest growing cities in all of southeast Georgia. It is home to Fort Stewart and the 3rd Infantry Division, the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River. Across the city, Spanish moss gracefully drapes from the magnificent oak trees. There is a farmers market every Thursday and countless festivals throughout the year. Hinesville is a wonderful community, full of southern hospitality and a relaxed way of life. The only thing miserable about this city are the attitudes of people who won't give it a fair shake. I am proud of Hinesville. It is a great city. Honoring Coach Paul Johnson

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Olympia Cafe located in Savannah, Georgia. The Olympia Cafe has been ranked in the top 10 percent of restaurants worldwide by a popular online travel company. Owner Nick Pappas started the restaurant in Savannah over 30 years ago. Before opening in the city, he had been told numerous times that Savannah was not the best place to open a cafe. However, those people were wrong. Pappas has found the perfect location. Olympia Cafe regularly hosts famous movie celebrities and worldwide travelers. He is proud of the restaurant's award because it relies on customer reviews, which reflects the cafe's hard work. I would like to congratulate Pappas and everyone at the Olympia Cafe for winning this wonderful award.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tragic passing of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy of the University of Georgia. Following the Georgia football national championship parade, Devin and Chandler were in a tragic accident that claimed their lives. Devin played offensive line for the Bulldogs and was a key part of their national championship run this past season. Devin will be remembered by all as a kind soul that loved his family, the game of football, and his teammates. Chandler graduated from the University of Georgia in 2020 with a master's degree and then went on to work as a recruiting analyst for the Bulldogs. Members of the Georgia football staff spoke about her passion for Georgia athletics and how she always went above and beyond in her work. Her warm spirit and love for her beloved Bulldogs will be remembered by all. I know that I speak for the entire First District, for the State of Georgia, and for the Bulldog Nation when I say that we will miss Devin and Chandler, but I know that their legacy will live on. Recognizing Hinesville, Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Marcy Goodyear. Marcy was born in 1971 in East Point, Georgia. She moved to Albany in 1974, where she attended Westover High School. In 2009, after living in Albany for many years, Marcy found her way to Darien, Georgia, located in the First Congressional District of Georgia. Marcy loved traveling and spending time with friends and family. She enjoyed working at Skippers' Fish Camp with her family as well as her time as a city councilwoman with the city of Darien. Marcy's smile was infectious, and she never met a stranger. She will be dearly missed by all of those who knew her. On behalf of myself and everyone in the First Congressional District, our thoughts and prayers are with Marcy's family and friends.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of my friend, my fellow mayor, Richard Davis. Richard was first elected to Richmond Hill City Council in 1979. He served there for 10 years. He then went on to be elected mayor in 1989, and he served honorably for 31 years. During his tenure as city councilman and mayor, the city grew at a tremendous rate. When he first joined the city council, there were around 1,800 people living in Richmond Hill. Today, there are almost 12,000. Richard made invaluable contributions to his home city through his passion for and commitment to public service. He is credited with helping start the Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival and the building of the J.F. Gregory Recreational Park. Richard's name will always be synonymous with Richmond Hill, and our district will forever be indebted to Richard for his leadership and public service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 382, the Pandemic is Over Act. Mr. Speaker, to quote President Biden, ``the COVID-19 pandemic is over.'' This is one of the few times I have agreed with him from this Chamber. Now that the House is finally voting to end the public health emergency, President Biden has suddenly decided to end it in May. It is past time for us to act. That is why I will be voting for the Pandemic is Over Act, and I urge my colleagues to do the same thing. This is not just a symbolic gesture. It is critically important that we vote to end the so-called emergency once and for all. Mr. Speaker, this administration has maintained the emergency declaration for 3 years. Americans have moved on from the pandemic. Georgians in my district went back to work and back to school over 2 years ago, so why is our country still under a public health emergency? The reason why is because it is the vehicle this administration has used to implement mask mandates and other leftist policies. It is nothing more than an excuse for Federal overreach that prohibits States from making decisions for their constituents. It is time to make it official. Let's end this COVID-19 public health emergency and focus on reviving our economy. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Guthrie and Chairwoman Rodgers for working together on this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act. When President Biden, Mr. Speaker, admitted that there is no Federal solution to COVID-19, he admitted that these vaccine mandates are not about public health. They are about control. Nowhere in America, especially in Georgia's First Congressional District, should workers have to choose between a vaccine and their job. As a pharmacist, I trust patients to work with medical professionals and their families to make the vaccine decision that works best for them and their health. Listen, Mr. Speaker, I chose to participate in the trials, in the vaccine trials. I volunteered to do that because I trust the process. But that was my decision, and no one else's, as it should be. A decision to receive a vaccine is a personal one and should only be done in consultation with a trusted healthcare professional. This mandate has also exacerbated our healthcare worker shortages and could cost patients' lives instead of saving them. We need policies that empower workers to work, businessowners to innovate, and patients to foster relationships with their healthcare professionals, not one-size-fits-all mandates that are nothing short of government overreach in its most tyrannical form. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Duncan and Chairman Rodgers for working together on this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the life of Dick Flood, or as many residents of the First District knew him, ``Okefenokee Joe.'' Flood was a singer, songwriter, entertainer, environmentalist, and in the south of Georgia, a local legend. Okefenokee Joe lived in the Okefenokee Swamp for 10 years, learning firsthand about plants and animals in the area. He was well known to Georgia public broadcast viewers for his 1988 documentary, ``The Joy of Snakes.'' Flood also hosted the Emmy Award-winning Georgia Public Broadcast Television documentary, ``Swampwise.'' In the 1950s and 1960s, he wrote numerous songs for popular country music musicians. This loss will be felt by all of us in the First District, and particularly for those that live in and around the Okefenokee Swamp. On a personal note, when I was dating my wife, we went to see Okefenokee Joe at the Okefenokee Swamp, and I will never forget that. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Flood's family.

Mr. CARTER of Georgia

Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his service to our country and for his interest in this subject. It is extremely important, and we appreciate his leadership. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to share with you some of the comments that we have gotten in our office. From Rick P: My neighborhood pharmacy is 5 minutes away and is the only one in town. But now, with changes, I have to go 30 minutes to and from the nearest pharmacy in the next town. That is not right. I have been going to the same pharmacy for 22 years, and they know my medical problems and prescriptions I take. This is the way we are going to treat our veterans. This is the way we are going to treat our veterans' families. From Bob S. In Gainesville: I am retired Air Force. My wife and I live in Gainesville, Georgia. We currently use Express Scripts mail order pharmacy, or VA mail order when possible. My wife has insurance through her employer which makes her ineligible for Express Scripts mail order. It also means she can only use three pharmacies that accept both insurance. We find-- Listen to this, Mr. Speaker. We find ourselves driving 3 hours one way so we do not have to pay $2,000 out of pocket each month for her medications. Now, with fewer pharmacies accepting TRICARE, we will probably have to make the trip more often. Wow, what a promise we are keeping to these veterans. We are promising them that we are going to give them quality healthcare for their sacrifice, for their service to our country; and we are making them drive 3 hours, one way, so that they can save on the co-payment and won't have to pay $2,000 out of pocket. Ridiculous. Another concerned citizen. I called to have a prescription refilled 2 weeks before I was out of my medication. However, my medication never came. I called Express Scripts to inquire about its status, and they told me that I had no refills. So I currently am out of medication, and per Express Scripts, I cannot get my medication for 2 to 3 weeks. How is this right? I have served my country for 30 years, and I cannot get my medication for 2 to 3 weeks? What are we supposed to tell these people? What are we supposed to tell our veterans? Mr. Speaker, this is not acceptable. You don't want this. I don't want this. No Member of Congress wants to see this. So why is it that the Department of Defense is not addressing this? Why aren't they responding to my letters? Why aren't they accepting my invitations to come to their office and talk to them about this? Another concerned citizen. We live across the street from a locally run independent pharmacy. We strongly believe in supporting local businesses and having the choice of where we get our medical needs. Isn't that what America is supposed to be about? Please do whatever possible to keep our local pharmacy in the network. Local businesses, small businesses, are important to our communities. Another concerned citizen: We live in a small town with only one pharmacy, which Express Scripts has quit doing business with. Our only other alternatives are pharmacies that are either 20 miles away or 10 miles away. With the price of gas, this just adds another expense to the already high cost of medication. Bob P. writes: They removed our local pharmacy that was walking distance from our home. We now need to travel several miles for the next pharmacy on the very limited list. This was a surprise when they deleted so many pharmacies off the list. On and on and on; all of these messages sent to our office. Why were they sent to our office? Because, obviously, they know I am a pharmacist. Obviously, they know I am working on this issue. Mr. Speaker, this is despicable. No one should--no American should have to suffer through this, but especially our veterans who sacrificed for our country. You see the comments back here. We depend on the Coast Guard to do search and rescue. They should be able to obtain their medications from their local pharmacy and pharmacist. It is like the years of service I gave to this country are no longer appreciated. It is like us veterans are unimportant to this Nation. Is that the message we want to send? No. They will no longer have access to our free deliver service or access to a live pharmacist in a timely manner. It is sad, it is dishonest, and greedy on the part of Express Scripts for agreeing to this. One last letter that we received. Our local independent pharmacy has expertly provided for us and have become like family. Our local neighborhood businesses are very important to community strength and solidarity and cutting them out further weakens the ties that help to keep communities strong and viable. Please strengthen families and communities by reinstating local and independent pharmacies. That is why, currently, as we speak, the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, is looking into the impact that the PBMs are having on local independent pharmacies; something that I asked them to do 8 years ago when I first entered Congress. The first thing I did when I got to Washington, D.C., was to call the FTC and ask them to look at the vertical integration that exists in the drug pricing scenario, where the insurance company owns the PBM that owns the pharmacy. That is right. Aetna owns Caremark, which owns CVS. Cigna owns Express Scripts PBM, which owns Express Scripts mail order. Then you have United--same thing. Thank goodness, last summer, the FTC agreed to look at this vertical integration that has caused the prices of prescription drugs to go so high. There was a study done by the Berkeley Research Group last year. It showed, Mr. Speaker, that only 37 percent of the price of a medication goes to the pharmacy manufacturer, which begs the question: Where does the other 63 percent go? Guess where it goes? It goes to the PBM, the middleman, to Express Scripts, those types of companies. That is where it goes. Now, look, I am not opposed to anybody making money, but at the same time, tell me the value they are bringing to healthcare. They are not bringing any value to healthcare. The egregious policies of the PBMs are what are causing prescription drug prices to go up, and now they are cutting out the local independent pharmacies, and now they are penalizing our veterans, causing them to have to drive miles and miles and do without their medication and pay higher prices all to make more profit. Mr. Speaker, this is why we are here today. It is because of the patients. It is because of our veterans and their families. They are the ones that are suffering. They are the ones that need the Biden administration, who can do something about this and who should do something about this. They are the ones who need them to step up. These stories should not be our brave servicemembers' reality. We can and must do better. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.