James Comer

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Davidson).

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Massie).

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 reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, Juneteenth is an important day, and remembering and celebrating the emancipation of African Americans in the United States is certainly worthy of commemoration. All Americans should celebrate our fight for freedom. It is a fitting tribute first celebrated in the State of Texas to commemorate the day in 1865, when President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was recognized in that State. I do plan to vote in favor of this bill that passed unanimously in the Senate yesterday. However, I would be remiss if I did not discuss the procedure leading up to consideration of this legislation. Just a few mere hours ago, the Committee on Oversight and Reform, which has jurisdiction over Federal holidays in the Federal workforce, learned that this legislation would be taken up today. Our committee's job is to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the executive branch agencies. Unfortunately, we have not had ample time to consider the effects of granting the entire Federal workforce another day off work. And we do not know what effect, if any, this bill will have on Federal programs and missions that our government delivers to the American taxpayer each day. For instance, due to the rushed process, we do not yet have an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office of how much this bill will cost. I know my friends on the other side of the aisle have never really been concerned about the cost of a government program, but the people on this side of the aisle and the American taxpayers have a concern about the cost of legislation that we pass on the floor of the House of Representatives. According to a 2014 analysis by President Obama's Office of Management and Budget, it cost Federal taxpayers $660 million in payroll and holiday premium costs when Federal employees were given an extra holiday on the day after Christmas that year by executive order. Because we are not following regular order, which would have included a legislative hearing and committee markup, we do not fully understand the impacts of this new Federal holiday and the true costs of lost productivity. Nevertheless, I thank my colleagues for the time to speak on this historical legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

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

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

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I join my House colleagues in recognizing the significance of Juneteenth as a national holiday. This is significant legislation. The vast majority of States already recognize the day as a holiday, or observe it, and establishing a Federal holiday mostly impacts the Federal workforce. I, therefore, support moving forward to designate this new Federal holiday. It is a day worthy of all Americans' support. I want to congratulate those who have worked so hard to make this happen. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to stand with the people of Israel and their right to defend themselves against the Iranian-funded terrorist groups, Hamas and Hezbollah. Last week, these terrorists began firing missiles into Israel and killing Israeli citizens. Since these unjustified attacks started, we have seen Members of Congress and the media rush to declare a moral equivalence between Israel and its attackers. Let me be very clear: There is no moral equivalence between the State of Israel and terrorists who shield themselves with children, target civilian centers for missile attacks, and openly desire to destroy the Jewish people. Israel is a sovereign, democratic Nation and is entitled to defend itself. The indiscriminate violence against Israeli citizens must end. Time and time again, Israel has proven itself to be America's strongest ally, and we must have Israel's back in their time of need. I urge my fellow Members of Congress and the Biden administration to stand firm with Israel against those who seek its destruction.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Lindsey Wilson College football team of Columbia, Kentucky, for winning the 2020 NAIA National Football Championship. The Lindsey Wilson football team finished their undefeated season as national champs Monday night, beating Northwestern College from Iowa 45-13, adding another championship to their season after already winning the Mid-South Conference. Even more impressively, the Blue Raiders dominated opponents every game during the regular season, outscoring them by an average of 32 points a game. Lindsey Wilson College did not have a football team from 1935 to 2009. Football was reintroduced to campus in 2010, after an 86-year absence, and it has not taken long for the Blue Raiders to reach the pinnacle of NAIA football. I commend Athletic Director Willis Pooler and Head Coach Chris Oliver for building a championship-caliber program in just over a decade. This accomplishment is also a testament to every player's hard work and dedication during an unprecedented year. Once again, congratulations to the national champion Lindsey Wilson College football team on this outstanding achievement.

Mr. COMER

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson).

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger).

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). (Mr. SESSIONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I must admit, I am a little disappointed in the remarks of the majority leader. When I saw him approach the podium, I thought he was going to give us a detailed explanation as to why he voted against this very bill in 1993. Instead, he lectures us on having the exact same position today that he had in 1993. Hypocrisy runs deep. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Ms. Mace).

Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).