James Comer

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis).

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, wow, I heard Donald Trump's name mentioned at least a dozen times by my colleagues across the aisle. I am sincerely glad that the Democrats spent so much time investigating the President for wrongdoing. I am glad that they issued subpoenas investigating the President for wrongdoing. I am very happy that, in all the investigations conducted by the Intelligence Committee and Oversight and Reform Committee, they did not find one ounce of wrongdoing committed by President Trump. I am also happy that they investigated President Trump's children. I think that is fair game. I can promise the American people that very soon there will be that type of oversight for the Biden administration and the President's son, Hunter, who is in the news almost on a daily basis for things that just don't add up. They just don't look good. That oversight is coming. The American people can count on that. Madam Speaker, after nearly a year in power, it is time for Democrats to actually start governing and abandon their obsession with Donald Trump. H.R. 5314 is full of bad policy that diminishes the power of the executive branch and entrenches Washington bureaucrats making law based on false conspiracy theories of the bill's sponsor. The bill has not proceeded through regular order and is a Frankenstein's monster stitched together from various committees' jurisdictions, while other whole portions have never undergone committee review at all. There has been no attempt to seriously vet these substantial changes, minimal cooperation with the minority, and no apparent path for the bill in the Senate. In other words, Madam Speaker, H.R. 5314 is a messaging bill to bolster the fundraising efforts of Democrat Members in preparation for the 2022 midterms. The Democratic Party should try governing instead. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and oppose this reckless legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, they say this bill is not about President Trump, but every speaker mentioned President Trump multiple times. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. C. Scott Franklin).

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the amendments en bloc. This protecting the swamp act is full of bad policy and disregards regular order. H.R. 5314 is designed purely for Democrats to talk about all of their failed conspiracy theories about the former President. In fact, this bill looks more like a fundraising campaign than an effort to provide legislative solutions. My Democratic colleagues should be working with Republicans to address and solve the problems President Biden and his administration have created for the American people, not pushing through hyperpartisan legislation. While this en bloc package of amendments has several legitimate, good ideas, there are too many that make this bad bill worse. While commonsense proposals such as strengthening minority rights for Oversight and Reform Committee members, Freedom of Information Act reform, and an inspector general for the Office of Management and Budget are perfectly reasonable solutions for the House to consider, most of the amendments in this bloc make a very bad bill much worse. Overall, these amendments entrench and slow down the Federal bureaucracy, intrude on the executive branch's powers, and strip a duly elected President of the ability to effectively manage the executive branch. I am not sure if Democrats' distrust of the executive branch is because of their hatred for the former President or their lack of faith in the current President. Either way, Republicans should not support attempts to degrade the Office of the President. The few good amendments in this bloc proposed by Republicans are simply drowned out by bad policy. If Democrats were serious about engaging with Republicans, then they should have worked with us through the normal legislative process during which we could have effectively vetted these measures in the committees of jurisdiction. Americans are struggling with the highest inflation in 30 years, worried about the safety of their communities, and eager to get their children back to school. The majority is flatly ignoring the American people to instead talk about former President Trump. These amendments offered by Democrats in this package only move this bill further away from addressing the immediate concerns of Americans. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), who is the ranking member of the Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan), who is the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against this resolution.

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, during Democrat's leadership of the House, we have seen an unprecedented exercise of authority that only a Democrat could wield due to the authoritarian nature of the actions. Democrat leadership has fined Republican Members for not masking, installed metal detectors, stripped another Republican of committee assignments, issued and sought to enforce sweeping subpoenas against the former President and his top advisers, and I am not just talking about subpoenas related to the events of January 6. Democrats on the Oversight Committee are chilling, if not infringing, the First Amendment rights of advocacy groups, corporations, and individuals. They have asked for communications between certain nonprofit organizations and certain Members' offices. These communications fall squarely within the right to petition and freely associate. And today, we are debating a resolution to censure Dr. Gosar for something he posted to his Twitter account. While Republicans certainly do not condone violence and extreme behavior, my question for this body is: When will we exact punishment in an equitable--that is one of the favorite words of my Democrat colleagues--equitable manner? Madam Speaker, we have Democrat colleagues who routinely call for violence in the streets, make anti-Semitic comments on Twitter, launch obscenities at our elected officials, and engage in inappropriate relationships with Chinese operatives. Yet, Madam Speaker, these Democrats maintain even their leadership positions on prestigious and sensitive committees like the Intelligence Committee. The last time we took this extraordinary step to censure a member of this House it was Congressman Rangel, and that was after a thorough Ethics Committee investigation into tax evasion, improper use of official resources, and other improper benefits. Instead of solving America's crises--drugs flowing across the southern border, rising gas prices and grocery prices, and this ongoing pandemic--we are here on the floor debating the censure of Dr. Gosar.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate my friend and constituent, Mallory White, of Union County, Kentucky, on her recent election as a national FFA officer. Mallory is coming off a term as Kentucky State FFA president, a position I was honored to hold back in the day. In this role, Mallory put her leadership skills to good use in serving as an outstanding ambassador for Union County and Kentucky agriculture. But never one to stop climbing the ladder of success, Mallory didn't stop there. In successfully seeking a national FFA office, Mallory demonstrated that she has all the qualities to be a successful leader for years to come. With this impressive achievement, Mallory personified the positive difference that FFA makes in young people's lives. This extraordinary achievement makes Union County and the entire First Congressional District of Kentucky proud. Mr. Speaker, I am eager to see what Mallory White accomplishes in the years to come.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my continued concern and opposition to the efforts from the Democrat majority to pass another $3.5 trillion worth of unnecessary spending. If you ask any American right now what the biggest challenge they face is, it is inflation. We have inflation today primarily because of the last unnecessary spending that was passed in this House, and that was the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill that Democrats passed on a partisan basis in this House. That has led to inflation. We have more inflation than we have had in my adult lifetime. Yet, this body wants to continue to pass more unnecessary spending that will lead to more inflation. Enough is enough. We need to move on from this bill and take care of the business that the American people deserve Congress to address.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my continued opposition to Elizabeth Warren and House Democratic efforts to expand the IRS to spy on everyday Americans' bank accounts with transactions over $600. I know there has been talk of raising that to $10,000. I am opposed to all of this. Madam Speaker, the banks already have mechanisms in place to catch suspicious activity. Those are called SARs or specific activity reports. We don't need additional tools by the IRS to harass everyday working Americans who are struggling to pay their bills. If the intention by the Democrats is to go after people who are billionaires and multimillionaires who are not paying their taxes, then spying on average Americans' bank accounts with over $600 transactions is not going to do it. We have to do things in a better way. We have to focus the IRS' time to where it is best served, and that is to focus on tax cheats, not everyday, average working Americans. I urge opposition to this infringement of our rights.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mayor Kevin Cotton from Madisonville, Kentucky, for being named a 2021 Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. The Angels in Adoption program seeks to honor individuals and organizations that focus on adoption, permanency, and child welfare issues. Mayor Cotton and his wife, Donna Cotton, consistently give back to the community by fostering children in their home. Throughout the years, they have provided love and care to 46 children, three of which they adopted. Those who know Mayor Cotton know him best for his love of children, passion for foster care, and desire to make a lasting impact in the community through his business and public service. I appreciate the profound contributions the Cottons have made and am grateful for their dedication to the gift and treasure of adoption. The nomination is symbolic of their devotion to children as well as an ambitious, caring vision for the lives of others. I am proud to recognize Mayor Kevin Cotton and his wife, Donna, for their incredible work in the child welfare arena. On behalf of all my constituents, I congratulate them on their efforts to make the dream of a family a reality for children in need.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in opposition to certain PFAS-related provisions that are included in the National Defense Authorization Act. While it is important to provide funding for cleanup, it is also critical that efforts to regulate PFAS do so in a way that defines the chemicals consistently, adequately, and properly as supported by sound science. In this current version of the NDAA, what is defined as PFAS is left open to interpretation or defined under an extremely broad definition. Broad definition risks subjecting thousands of chemicals to unnecessary restrictions and create regulatory uncertainty for numerous products. A few products that could fall under this overly broad definition include lithium ion batteries, semiconductors, refrigerants, and medical devices. These products that could be impacted, provide critical benefits to our military and our broader society and should be manufactured in the United States. In the NDAA and with all legislation it is essential that we properly define PFAS up front so that implementing regulations can focus on materials such as PFOA and PFOS where there is scientific consensus for regulation. Throughout bicameral negotiations, I urge the careful consideration of drafting PFAS definitions that are properly focused, targeted, and supported by sound science.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rick Shanklin on his retirement from the National Weather Service at the end of this month. His impressive thirty-seven-year career has spanned across multiple states and saved countless lives from natural disasters. Rick has accomplished many unique feats during his career. He is the only meteorologist to serve in all three NWS offices in Kentucky, as well as pioneering the Kentucky Mesonet. He also is a national expert for rating tornadoes EF3 or stronger and surveyed six EF4 tornadoes. Rick helped NWS Paducah earn Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals from the Department of Commerce. Both the Governors of Kentucky and Missouri have recognized him for his expertise as well. I want to thank Rick Shanklin for his service to the First District of Kentucky and the United States over his career. It is an honor to represent him in Congress and I wish him a happy retirement.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 272, the Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act. This bill is a timely and important reform to ensure Congress and the public can review all Federal spending. This bipartisan legislation make it possible for the public and every member of Congress to readily find and compare the annual budget justification and supporting materials that each agency prepares and sends to Congress. This detailed review is critical to ensuring that our tax dollars are spent properly. This reform is also needed now more than ever. Last year alone, the Federal Government spent more than $6.8 trillion. Unfortunately, this trend in massive government spending does not seem to be slowing down any time soon. The Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act will require all agencies to make their budget justification materials available online in plain language. In doing so, this legislation will empower Congress' ability to conduct oversight of Federal agencies' use of taxpayer dollars by consolidating agency data. It will also provide much-needed transparency to the American people. Requiring each agency to provide detailed plain language explanations of how they intend to spend taxpayer dollars ensures Americans can review those decisions at any time. I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Mike Quigley, for working with me on H.R. 22 which we were able to pass through the House back on January 5 of this year. I was glad to see the Senate's recent action advancing this much-needed reform bill through Congress. This legislation illustrates the importance of working across the aisle to improve congressional oversight to ensure American tax dollars are spent efficiently and effectively. Today the House sends the Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act to the President's desk. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working on many more bipartisan government accountability bills and encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act, which I have worked on along with my House Oversight and Reform Committee colleague, Congressman Mike Quigley. This bill will help modernize Congress and expand the legislative branch's oversight over the executive branch. Every year, Federal agencies prepare and submit thousands of in-depth reports to various congressional committees. These reports cover topics such as the implementation status of new agency programs or legal requirements in recently passed laws. They also cover the ongoing effort of the Federal Government to address waste, fraud, and abuse as well as policy priorities like our Nation's financial stability, cybersecurity, homeland security, and public health readiness. In short, congressionally mandated reports are a key part of how the United States Congress fulfills its Article I oversight duties over the executive branch. Beyond holding hearings and passing laws, the legislative branch mandates that executive branch agencies report to the House and Senate on their activities and compliance with the law. As representatives in the House, we have an obligation to the American people to maintain constant visibility into the executive branch. And congressionally mandated reports are one of our most useful, daily oversight tools. However, there is a problem. Congress lacks a central inventory of the reports we require Federal agencies to send us. This makes it hard to know for certain if agencies are fulfilling their legal reporting obligations or for new congressional Members and staff to find reports from previous years. Additionally, the American public has little to no access to these valuable reports, which contain key insights into agency programs and missions that directly affect them. H.R. 2485 is the solution we need. With the bill's establishment of a single website at the Government Publishing Office we will be able to find the reports we need when we need them. A fully searchable inventory of these reports makes complete sense in the modern world. This new portal will enable each and every House Member and staffer to do their job on behalf of the American people they represent. After all, American taxpayer dollars are funding the preparation of these reports as well as the agency activities they report on. And for sensitive reports containing classified information, there are protections to ensure that only the proper congressional committees will be able to access such reports. Again, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Mike Quigley, for working with me to improve and reintroduce this government-wide transparency bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2485.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the PFAS Action Act. As the ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, I have participated in many hours of hearings during the previous Congress where we explored issues involving PFAS materials and heard from witnesses spanning many perspectives on this important issue. As legislation and regulations are advanced to address PFAS issues, it is critical that we ensure that these efforts define the chemicals of concern consistently, adequately, and properly as supported by sound science. In the current bill, however, what is ultimately classified as a PFAS material is either left open to interpretation by EPA or broadly defined. Using either approach risks subjecting potentially thousands of chemicals to unnecessary regulation or restriction. As we have heard previously in the House Oversight and Reform Committee, and as we have heard on the floor this week during debate on various amendments, a broad definition of PFAS could subject such key products as lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, refrigerants, and medical devices, to name just a few, to regulation and restriction. All these products provide important benefits, and some, in the case of batteries and semiconductors, have been specifically highlighted by President Biden as part of his efforts to review and reshore critical supply chains. It is, therefore, essential that we properly define PFAS, so that implementing regulations can focus on those materials, such as PFOA and PFOS, where there is scientific consensus for regulation, while also ensuring that unnecessary regulations are not placed on key uses of PFAS. I urge my colleagues to carefully consider the definitions and criteria that are being put forward as the basis for PFAS regulation and to take steps to ensure that these classifications are carefully tailored and supported by sound science.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. James Otis Catlin of Sebree, Kentucky, who passed away earlier this month-- July 9, 2021--at the age of 90. James was a hard worker throughout his life. He was a proud Korean War veteran, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. His love for our country and servicemembers continued after his military career, and he joined the Austin Collins American Legion Post 243 in 1952, eventually becoming its oldest member. James was a dedicated servant of the Lord and an active member of Sebree General Baptist Church. His humble service touched many in Webster County and all of Kentucky's First Congressional District. I will always be grateful for the sacrifice of our Nation's heroes. I was proud to represent James in Congress, and his enduring legacy of service and faith will live on through his family, friends, and all those he impacted. Honoring Mark and Lori Wilson

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, for 141 years, on the first Saturday in August, people from all over Kentucky make their way to the small community of Fancy Farm in far Western Kentucky for the annual Fancy Farm picnic, hosted by St. Jerome Catholic Church in Graves County. Thousands gather to enjoy good food, good people, and good old- fashioned political stump speaking. Over 19,500 pounds of pork and mutton are served, along with hundreds of pounds of fresh home-cooked vegetables and homemade pies and cakes. All funds raised benefit St. Jerome Catholic Church for charitable endeavors. Additionally, the Fancy Farm picnic is entirely a community effort made up of local volunteers. Madam Speaker, today, I would like to honor two of those volunteers-- Mark and Lori Wilson--for their 15 years of service as chairs of the picnic-speaking committee. Mark and Lori have dedicated countless hours to make the Fancy Farm picnic a great success. I was especially honored when Mark and Lori asked me to serve as master of ceremonies at the 2012 Fancy Farm picnic when I was Kentucky's commissioner of agriculture. Their efforts to create a successful picnic every year are invaluable. Mark and Lori Wilson will be stepping aside and paving the way for new community leaders to step up and fill this role. However, I know that Mark and Lori will continue to be an active presence not only on the Fancy Farm stage, but in their proud Graves County community. I personally appreciate not only their years of service, but also their friendship.