Ben Cline

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Louisiana for yielding me the time. It is true, the wasteful spending, the tax hikes, and the excessive regulations of the Biden administration are crushing working families and small businesses across this country. In particular, I rise tonight in support of the House Joint Resolution to denounce Biden's overly ambitious rule proposed for changing the definition of the waters of the United States, also known as WOTUS. You know, agriculture is the number one industry in Virginia, and the Sixth District is proud to be home to more than 8,000 farms. Narrowly defined water regulation is key to ensure that Virginia's agriculture industry can succeed and local industries can thrive. Unfortunately, the disastrous EPA is working to regulate every pond and every puddle, every stream and small creek with their new WOTUS regulation. This new rule is going to negatively impact the vital goods and services that farmers, ranchers, and small businesses provide to the Commonwealth and across the Nation. I have heard from farmers and property owners up and down my district. One thing is clear: They do not want to be told how to use and regulate their land by Joe Biden's radical EPA. Imposing this overly broad and burdensome regulation will grant Biden's bureaucrats more arbitrary control over our rural communities, saddling folks with costly red tape. It is far past time that we rescind the administration's new WOTUS ruling and protect America's farmers from this gross overreach of government power. I thank the gentleman again for organizing this evening's Special Order.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Winchester Rescue Mission on celebrating 50 years of caring for the homeless in our community. In July of 1973, Morris Whitaker took out a $20,000 loan and bought a building to convert it into a homeless shelter for men, and the rescue mission was born. Over a decade later, the rescue mission extensively expanded its operations to help more people in need, adding a commercial kitchen, and increasing the number of beds. Most recently, the current CEO and executive director, Brandan Thomas, spearheaded the opening of a new four-bed shelter for women in a single-family home and purchased a separate building to add 15 more beds for displaced women. Brandan now has plans to convert a former restaurant into a homeless shelter later this year on Valley Avenue in Winchester. This new venture will offer even more services to help local residents without permanent housing address mental health and addiction issues, learn how to properly care for themselves, and find jobs and affordable housing. Communities all over the country face the, at times, daunting task of caring for large numbers of homeless people, but under Brandan's leadership, and the four others who led prior, the Winchester Rescue Mission has proven that with compassion, commitment, and selfless love to folks who need it most, anything is possible. Congratulations again to the Winchester Rescue Mission, and I wish them another 50 years of success.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, last night President Biden gave his interpretation of the state of our Union, but after hearing his version, one thing is clear: our President lives in an alternative reality. We all know the problems: Crippling inflation and soaring interest rates, making it harder to save money and do business; An open border with nearly 5 million illegal crossings since this administration took office; A drug and crime crisis harming our communities; and A more dangerous world with feckless leadership out of the White House, from a botched Afghanistan withdrawal to an emboldened CCP. The fact is that Americans know the real state of our Union every time they buy groceries, put gas in their tanks, can't find baby formula or medications, or lose a loved one to the fentanyl pouring over our border. That is why Americans elected House Republicans last November to bring change back to Washington. We have already got to work by passing legislation to defund 87,000 IRS agents, establishing a select committee to compete with China, halting the COVID vaccine mandate for servicemembers, and ending the national emergency and fully reopening the Capitol to the American people. We are just getting started. To use the words of President Biden: House Republicans plan to finish the job the right way for the American people.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and memory of Harvey Hotinger, who passed away recently at the age of 91. Harvey was born in Kerrs Creek outside of Lexington in 1932 and grew up on the family farm that formed the roots of not only service to his own but also a life of service to his community and country. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a focus on engineering, Hotinger joined the Army, specializing in missile systems. Following his military service, he began teaching algebra to high school students while also opening up a small business. During his career and throughout retirement, Harvey also took pride in his garden, giving his friends and neighbors thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables, as well as delicious honey, never straying far from the roots of his family farm. He continued his service as he taught Sunday school to the youth of New Monmouth Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. He also served the Kerrs Creek District on the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors for 4 years. After a well-lived life, Harvey is survived by his wife, Rhunelle, and his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His dedication and commitment to his community represent the best the valley has to offer, and he will never be forgotten.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee).

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Johnson), who is the chair of the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Subcommittee.

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Fry).

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lee).

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran).

Mr. CLINE. Amendment XVII: ``The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. ``When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. ``This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.'' Amendment XIX: ``The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. ``Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.'' Amendment XX, Section 1: ``The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.'' Section 2: ``The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.'' Section 3: ``If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.'' Section 4: ``The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.'' Section 5: ``Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.'' Section 6: ``This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.'' Amendment XXI, Section 1: ``The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.'' Section 2: ``The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.'' Section 3: ``This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.'' Amendment XXII, Section 1: ``No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.'' Section 2: ``This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.'' Amendment XXIII, Section 1: ``The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct: ``A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.'' Section 2: ``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.'' Amendment XXIV, Section 1: ``The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.'' Section 2: ``The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.'' Amendment XXV, Section 1: ``In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.'' Section 2: ``Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.'' Section 3: ``Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.'' Section 4: ``Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. ``Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty- eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.''

Mr. CLINE. Amendment XXVII: ``No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.'' Mr. Speaker, that concludes the reading of the Constitution. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may revise and extend my remarks and include omitted material in the Record during the reading of the Constitution?

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand in support of the House concurrent resolution to denounce socialism in all its forms. For decades, the embrace of socialist ideas around the world has led to evil regimes denying their people of their fundamental human rights and subjecting them to imprisonment and abuse. Countless Cubans, Venezuelans, Russians, Chinese, Cambodians, and Koreans have escaped from murderous regimes to come live a better life in America. They are all a true testament to the promise of the American Dream and the hope of prosperity. These survivors are members of our family, our friends, and our neighbors, like Pablo Cuevas from Rockingham County. Born and raised in Cuba, Pablo worked on his parents' farm, which was apparently dispossessed by the Marxists. Pablo fled Cuba in 1958 during the Cuban Revolution and resettled here in America. He served on the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors in my district for 30 years and continues to be a leader in our community. Mr. Speaker, socialism has led to painful human tragedies such as starvation, torture, and mass murder, taking more than 100 million lives around the world. As oppressive and violent regimes still exist today, this resolution reaffirms our support for freedom, democracy, and human rights. May we always ensure that dangerous socialist, un-American policies are never brought to pass here in our great country. Woodstock Fire Department Celebrating 200th Anniversary

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 200th anniversary of the all-volunteer Woodstock Fire Department. Tracing its history back to 1823, the department has served the Shenandoah Valley as one of the oldest departments in the Commonwealth and the Nation. Today, the department has 40 active volunteers who selflessly risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of their neighbors and the preservation of the community. The department is led by Captain Zach Hottel, a third-generation volunteer himself, and truly represents the spirit of service. Captain Hottel and the volunteers' dedication to serving others, who are sometimes experiencing the unimaginable, defines what it means to serve your neighbor. It is an example we should all strive to follow every day. The Woodstock Fire Department is commemorating its founding of February 8, 1823, with a bicentennial birthday bash at the Woodstock fire station. Congratulations again to the Woodstock Fire Department on this incredible milestone. I wish them another 200 years of success in serving the people of the Shenandoah Valley.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Augusta County's own Riverheads High School football team for winning the Virginia Class 1 State football championship this year. This was the Gladiators' 10th State title in the program's history. A 21-7 halftime lead helped propel the team to a resounding 49-27 victory over George Wythe High School. Riverheads has now won a notable seven consecutive State titles, and junior running back Cayden Cook- Cash, who led the team with 282 rushing yards, said: ``People had doubted us. . . . I think we proved them wrong.'' Cayden and his teammates sure did that. The Riverheads running game had been strong all season, which allowed the Gladiators to catch the George Wythe Maroons off guard with an impressive seven touchdowns, culminating in an all-around unstoppable offense. When asked how it felt to take home the title once more, Head Coach Ray Norcross said: ``Our kids played hard and played well, and we did enough to win.'' Indeed, every State championship is earned, not given, and this squad certainly earned it, finishing out the season with a 12-1 record. Congratulations to all the Riverheads players, coaches, staff, and fans on this incredible accomplishment.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, another month and another record, as the crisis at our southern border has gotten worse. Under President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas' watch, the Federal Government has completely ceded control of our border to Mexican drug cartels. Yet, time and time again, Secretary Mayorkas has repeatedly claimed that the border is secure. Well, the facts tell a different story. Late last Friday, CBP reported that December 2022 had the highest number of illegal crossings at our southern border ever recorded--over 251,000 illegal migrant encounters in just 1 month. In fiscal year 2022, we saw a record-breaking 98 people on the terrorist watch list attempt to cross the border. Since October, we are already on track to break that number, with 38 people caught trying to illegally come into the interior of our country. How many more suspected terrorists have to cross over the border for this administration to take the crisis seriously? CBP seized over 9,000 pounds of deadly fentanyl that the cartels attempted to smuggle across our border. That is enough to kill over 2 billion innocent lives. Madam Speaker, it is far past time that we hold the Biden administration accountable for its complete dereliction of duty to secure our borders. That is why I am glad that, next week, Chairman Jordan and the House Judiciary Committee will be holding the first of many hearings on this crisis. Secretary Mayorkas has completely abused his authority and ignored the United States' immigration laws. Questions are coming. I hope the Secretary clears his calendar because we have a lot, and I look forward to getting answers to those questions. Congratulating Riverheads High School Football Team

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks. I am a little bit confused, though, because it wasn't before 2002 when our previous Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor Ralph Northam, said on a radio show that if a baby was born alive that the baby would be made comfortable, that then a conversation would ensue between the doctor and the mother about whether or not and how to treat that baby; essentially saying, if you want to go ahead and kill your baby after it is born, go right ahead. That type of attitude persists, continues. If there are laws that exist to prevent it--the Governor was not aware of them, I am not aware of them--that would apply in that situation. That is why this legislation is so important, because contrary to House Democrats and the Biden administration, the American people overwhelmingly believe that babies who are born alive should be protected, that a baby born alive, even after an attempted abortion, should be afforded the same constitutional protections as every other American. I am proud to support the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would require appropriate medical care for children who survive abortion procedures. It imposes strong criminal penalties for the failure to provide such care. If a doctor like our former Governor, Dr. Northam, was engaging in the activities that he spoke about on that radio show, he would be subject to those same criminal penalties. Protecting living and breathing babies outside the womb should not be a partisan issue, it should be one around which we all should unite. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, which will work to unleash American energy dominance. In an election-year gimmick, President Biden raided oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, depleting it to its lowest level in decades and allowing it to be sold to a company affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party. Selling off American oil to the Chinese Communist Party for its own strategic use poses a direct threat to our national security. The petroleum reserve is our insurance card. It is to be used to protect our great country during national emergencies or weather events. Depleting it is dangerous, and restocking it at higher prices is foolish. Let's restore some sanity here. Protect America and end the foolish practice of sending oil to our enemies that would hate us for free. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass this important legislation this week to stop this reckless, America-last practice from happening again. Congratulating the Alleghany High School Girls' Cross-Country Team

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Alleghany High School girls' cross-country team for winning their Class 2 State championship. This victory marks the first-ever Alleghany High School girls' team to win a State title. By training hard, staying motivated, and keeping the pressure on, the Mountaineers left it all on the track, tallying a total of 65 points. These talented athletes include Kiera Lowman, Gracie Barron, Macyn Cash, Meredith Minter, Lucy Nicely, Alivia Hoover, and Bryce Leitch. Freshman Kiera Lowman blazed to the finish line with an impressive time of 18 minutes and 59 seconds, becoming the first-ever freshman to win the individual State title. Two other top-10 finishes from Alleghany High School were Gracie Barron and Macyn Cash. All of these young ladies are a true testament that with hard work and determination, you can achieve your dreams. Congratulations again to the Mountaineers. Virginia's Sixth Congressional District is incredibly proud of your accomplishment.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, it is a bright, new day. Today, we begin to deliver real results for the American people by passing legislation to block the Biden administration from unleashing 87,000 new bureaucrats and agents at the IRS on families and small businesses. Last Congress, Democrats voted to supercharge the IRS with $80 billion of taxpayer money focused on IRS enforcement and hiring more auditors to squeeze taxpayers. It is not just wealthy Americans. With that expanded audit capacity, the IRS can squeeze more money out of middle- and lower-income families and small businesses, as well. The Democrats' American Rescue Plan called for the IRS to require payment apps like Venmo and PayPal to report Americans who made over $600 in transactions. Imagine what 87,000 new agents will do. Republicans want an IRS that works for taxpayers, not targets them. That is why this bill leaves in place the IRS funding for improvements to customer service and technology. Because Americans demand and deserve a government that is accountable, not to the powerful but to the people, repealing funding for Biden's army of auditors is a great first step in the right direction.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with sorrow to honor the life and memory of the late Virginia delegate, Ronnie Campbell, who passed away following a hard-fought battle with cancer. Ronnie cared deeply for his community and for the Commonwealth and devoted his life to serving others. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates, and proudly represented all of the residents of the 24th District. He made a career in law enforcement, first as a State trooper with the Virginia State Police in Northern Virginia and then as a contractor, which gave him insight into the impact that government regulations have on small businesses. Ronnie was driven to serve both his Rockbridge community and his home county of Augusta. He represented constituents as a member of the Rockbridge County School Board and as a member of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors. Ronnie spent countless hours dedicated to public service, and he will always be remembered as a stalwart conservative voice and strong leader. Above all, he was a loyal friend and neighbor to all. Our hearts and prayers are with Ronnie's wife, Ellen, and his five children during this difficult time. May Ronnie's memory be eternal.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. Here in the waning days of one-party control, Democrats are grasping at straws to push more of their radical policy agenda on the American people. They are hoping the lameduck House will help jam through a monstrous $1.7 trillion omnibus down our throats before Christmas so incoming House Republicans can't use the budget next year to impose fiscal responsibility and check Biden's disastrous agenda. Even though voters demanded change in November, House Republicans have had no seat at the negotiating table. This one-week CR will continue funding for President Biden's policies that have created crisis after crisis. Under his watch, the Nation is experiencing a historically bad crisis at the southern border, a botched withdrawal from Afghanistan that cost American lives and created tens of thousands of refugees, his quest to provide abortion on demand, his illegal and regressive cancellation of student loan debt, his anti-energy agenda, and an inflation crisis that makes Americans poorer. The American people cannot afford another Democrat-led spending measure that would exacerbate inflation and continue to fund the very agencies waging war on their freedoms. Every Republican must reject this lameduck spending spree and let the incoming Members of the new Republican majority, who will be accountable to the voters, work to reach a more balanced agreement than this liberal spending spree. We must use every opportunity at our disposal, especially through the constitutional power of the purse, to fight for the American people and change the broken status quo in Washington. Republicans must stand strong and oppose this last-ditch power play by Democrats.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department for 75 years of service. Since its beginning in 1947, the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department has been a 100 percent volunteer organization and remains strong with 30 volunteers currently. These brave men and women play a crucial role in working alongside Botetourt County Fire and EMS services, offering critical localized emergency fire prevention and mitigation support for the people of Fincastle. The volunteers who serve as firefighters and EMTs within the department go through extensive training, giving up their time, energy, and safety to help others. Working alongside the firefighters and EMTs are support personnel who perform the vital administrative work and fundraising that keeps the station functioning. They are led by current officers Chief Dustin Ware, Deputy Chief Ben Campbell, Captain Matthew Webster, Lieutenant Kyle Setliff, Lieutenant Frank Schermer, and Lieutenant Jordan Campbell. The Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department's longevity stands as a testament to the civic spirit of the town and an example we should all follow. I thank the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department for their selfless service and wish them another 75 years of success. Recognizing Stuarts Draft Cheerleading Team

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Stuarts Draft Cougars cheer team for winning this year's Class 1 and 2 Virginia State cheerleading championship. This victory marks the program's fifth State title in 6 years. The Cougars faced numerous hurdles to reach this victory, placing second behind Fort Defiance during the first round. However, before the second round began, Coach Tammy Carter told the team to be ``the athletes they trained to be,'' and they did just that. By focusing on what they needed to improve, the Cougars left it all on the mat and increased their score by 30\1/2\ points, earning the State title. These talented athletes include Lexi Almarode, Addison Colvin, Jenna Comer, Sofia Coppola, Taylor Huffman, Zoe Mader, Zane Marshall, Abby Mikolay, Caydence Morris, Tarynn Morris, Baleigh Painter, Eiko Puckett, Olivia Puckett, Alyssa Sanner, Holly Stevens, A'mya Swats, and Natalie Thompson. For six seniors on the team, Sofia, Zoe, Zane, Abby, Caydence, and Baleigh, this was their memory of cheering together, an outpouring of emotion hoisting the State championship trophy one final time. Senior Zane Marshall said of his class' historic reign: ``To have three [State championships], I don't even know how to feel. It is crazy,'' he said. The seniors will leave their high school cheerleading careers with their heads held high, knowing their leadership and performance have left a lasting legacy on the team. Congratulations to all the talented athletes and dedicated coaches on this incredible victory. They have earned it.