Ben Cline

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable American hero, Major Frank T. Brandon, on his 104th birthday yesterday. From New York to Virginia, Major Brandon's legacy is woven into the fabric of our Nation through his service in the Army Air Corps during World War II and his 54 years of serving our country. During World War II as a member of the Army Air Corps, he showcased extraordinary heroism as a glider pilot in the treacherous skies of Operation Market Garden fought in German-occupied Netherlands. After his aircraft was shot down and captured by enemy forces, Major Brandon endured captivity until the tide of liberation turned with General Patton's forces. After the war, he continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force, which used to be the U.S. Army Air Corps until June 1966. He retired with the rank of major. His strength and inspiration did not go unrecognized. He has received many awards and accolades for his years of meritorious service, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, POW Award, Air Award, and personal recognition from President George Bush and President Bill Clinton, as well as a citation from Secretary Dick Cheney in commemoration of his 50 years of government service. He now resides in Bentonville, Virginia. As we celebrate his remarkable century-plus 4, we salute Major Brandon not only for his wartime sacrifices but also for his lifelong service to our Commonwealth and country. Madam Speaker, I wish Major Brandon a happy birthday. On behalf of Virginia's Sixth, I extend our deepest gratitude and best wishes.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 17th annual Brent Berry Food Drive in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Named the Brent Berry Food Drive in honor of their son, Brent, the family took the initiative to help those in need. This year, the food drive was the largest food drive in the event's history, breaking its record in 2022. Members of the community donated $100,000 worth of food, enough to fill six schoolbuses and two trailers. With the help of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Salvation Army, this food was distributed to thousands of individuals across the city. Buck Berry, the lead organizer of this food drive, grew up not knowing where his next meal would come from. His family received help from the Salvation Army so they wouldn't go hungry, and that stuck with him into adulthood, and he felt motivated to provide that same goodness to his community. This self-sacrifice shown by the Berry family has impacted the lives of so many in the Sixth District for 17 years, and I commend them for their dedication to community service. Recognizing Kool Kids Diggity Dogs

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize a local hot dog business in my district, the Kool Kids Diggity Dogs, for their giving back tailgate at the Roanoke Rescue Mission during the Super Bowl on Sunday. The goal of the event was to provide a great meal for the big game for the homeless population in Roanoke, and they did just that. The employees of the hot dog business served up free hot dogs, chips, and drinks to those in need. In addition to the plate of food, the employees went above and beyond and provided clothing and hygiene products. The display of community spirit by the Kool Kids Diggity Dogs stands as a testament to the civic spirit of the town and as an example of Jesus' instructions to us in his sermon on the mount: ``And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.'' I want to thank Melvin Ward, the owner of the business, and the rest of the volunteers for their selfless service and wish them much success with their business in the future. Recognizing Harrisonburg High School Electric Vehicle Team

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Harrisonburg High School Electric Vehicle Team for being invited to compete in the 2024 UAE Electric Vehicle Grand Prix. The Harrisonburg High School Electric Vehicle Team has been competing in the Electric Vehicle Grand Prix as this competition empowers each constructor to use their knowledge and design and build a car that can race the most laps within the time span of an hour. The Harrisonburg car is unique, as it is equipped with built-in data collection so the team can get feedback in real time to improve technique. After 2 years of hard work and dedication to build the most efficient car, these young engineers were selected to be one of six teams representing the United States in the International EV Competition in Abu Dhabi. The engineers of this car include: Jack Rocker, Joshua Nafziger, Johanna Mayfield, Monica Espinoza Martinez, Colin Snider, Peter Johnson, and Davis Bert. As these young engineers enjoy life in the fast lane, I join all Americans in expressing our support and hope that we see them standing at the top of the podium in Abu Dhabi as winners of the Grand Prix. Secretary Mayorkas has Failed

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, this weekend while Americans were preparing for the Super Bowl, Secretary Mayorkas appeared on NBC's ``Meet the Press'' and claimed that the Department of Homeland Security did not bear responsibility for the broken immigration system in this country. The Department of Homeland Security website states that the job of the Secretary is to: counter terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage our borders, enforce and administer our immigration laws, and provide essential support for national security. The Homeland Security Committee outlined for the House how he has failed in every single category. I commend my colleagues for taking action yesterday to impeach Secretary Mayorkas and hold him accountable for his failures. Let me give an example for each one. He has failed in his responsibility to stop the influx of terrorists into this country. Last year, there were 169 people whose names appear on the terrorist watch list who were stopped trying to cross the southern border--a record. He has failed to secure and manage our borders. There have been over 7 million illegal crossings of our southern border, 1.7 million known got-aways who evaded U.S. Border Patrol, and has empowered and emboldened ruthless criminal cartels to control our southern border and poison our communities with enough fentanyl to kill every American. In 2023, CBP seized a record of over 27,000 pounds of fentanyl at the southwest border. He has failed to enforce and administer our immigration laws. On day one, Joe Biden and Secretary Mayorkas ended the Trump-era remain in Mexico policies, the strongest border security laws implemented in generations. He also has the authority to use the current laws in place to secure our border but has neglected any law in the book and this has led to the crisis that has engulfed this country. He has failed to provide essential support for national security. Border Patrol agents have apprehended individuals from more than 160 countries since January of 2021, including from countries that sponsor terrorism or major U.S. adversaries. Additionally, between October 2022 and August 2023, CBP recorded nearly 75,000 encounters of aliens who represent a potential threat to national security. He has failed. It is time to remove him from office.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for hosting this Special Order and for his leadership. Madam Speaker, I want to talk about a subject that is in the news right now: the crisis that has been created by this administration on the border and the intentional encouragement of millions of migrants to make a dangerous journey from across the globe to the United States. Crossing the border illegally, often seeking a better life, but declaring asylum when they have crossed the border illegally is not the solution. Yesterday, we had a vote to impeach Secretary Mayorkas. That vote failed by a single vote. I thank the gentleman for his leadership in switching his vote to be with the prevailing side, so that he can perform the parliamentary maneuver and bring it back for a vote when we do have all of the supporters of impeachment in the House Chamber ready to vote. Hopefully, we will see that next week. Madam Speaker, for over 2 years, the Biden administration has stood by their policies and watched as the worst border crisis in history continues to worsen. The results of these open-border policies speak for themselves. There have been over 1 million illegal migrant encounters since October, including 302,000 in December alone and 19 individuals on the terrorist watch list. These policies have fueled a national fentanyl epidemic, put more money in the hands of cartels and human traffickers, opened the border to national security threats, and prevented ICE from deporting most of those here illegally, even convicted violent criminals and gang members. What is extremely tragic about this crisis that we find ourselves in today is that most of this could have been prevented. The Biden administration assumed office with strong border security policies in place, and, yet, instead of taking responsibility and maintaining sound policies that would fix these issues and enforce our immigration laws, President Biden and the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, dismantled our border security. We have given this administration all the tools that they need to do their job and secure the border. There are laws on the books that basically spell out exactly how to secure the border, how to detain those coming across the border illegally, and how to prevent those from coming across the border illegally, but this administration has actively worked to find every loophole and do just the opposite. We, all 435 Members of this body, swore to defend the Constitution, yet the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, who took a similar oath, has the audacity to come before Congress, the Judiciary Committee on which I am proud to serve, and lie under oath saying that we have operational control of the border. Secretary Mayorkas has the audacity to neglect his oath to safeguard the American people and our community, and this body must hold him accountable. It is our duty to hold those accountable who neglect their duty, regardless of their position. Secretary Mayorkas has purposely and knowingly disregarded the rights and security of this country's citizens and failed in his responsibility to protect our homeland. The American people rightfully deserve action. It is imperative that we, as Representatives of the people, ensure that those in positions of power are held to the highest standards of accountability. That is why I will continue to fight on behalf of my constituents, whom I am proud to serve every day, to continue to ensure their safety and hold Alejandro Mayorkas accountable for his dereliction of duty. It is long past time we restore our Nation's rule of law and sovereignty. We must impeach Secretary Mayorkas, and it is my hope that we do so next week. The American people deserve better.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, since President Biden took office, his administration has waged an unprecedented war on American energy and continuously pushed this country into adopting the Green New Deal agenda. These policies pushed by the global elites have caused energy prices to skyrocket, as well as allow for our energy security to be exposed before our greatest adversaries, such as China and Iran. Two weeks ago, Joe Biden's Department of Energy announced that they would freeze permits for liquefied gas exports, forcing hardworking Americans to spend more on residential uses for natural gas, including cooking and heating homes. Furthermore, this decision will hurt our farmers as it would force them to spend more on fertilizer. The last thing Virginians want is more burdensome regulations pushed by the Biden administration, including by their two climate czars, John Kerry and John Podesta. These are two individuals who are among the Democratic elite and are simply out of touch with everyday Americans. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 987 so the American people aren't further burdened with climate change policies that we have seen fail throughout the world. House Republicans will continue to fight for American energy independence on behalf of the American people.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I begin my remarks by stating that this body stands in support of the Nation of Israel, the only democratically- elected Nation in the Middle East. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Ed Clark of the Wildlife Center of Virginia on his retirement after four decades. Ed began the Wildlife Center of Virginia in 1981. Since then, the center has provided world-class care of wildlife, outstanding educational outreach, and dedicated professional training. Over the years, the center has gained recognition for several achievements, including developing the first comprehensive national wildlife health database for the real-time monitoring of emerging diseases in wildlife. The center also provides professional training for more than 1,000 veterinary students and professionals, including undergraduate students, fourth-year veterinary students, postdoctoral interns, fellows, and residents from every veterinary school in the United States, Canada, and nearly 40 other countries. Under Ed Clark's leadership, the center has grown from a small, local wildlife rehabilitation facility to a professionally staffed, internationally recognized training and research center deep in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Ed Clark on his many years of success. I wish him a well-deserved retirement. Recognizing Snowbusters of Winchester, Virginia

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the snowbusters in Winchester, Virginia, for their excellent work during the recent snowstorms. The snowbusters is a volunteer network created by the city of Winchester that is dedicated to removing snow and ice at no charge from walkways in front of the homes of senior citizens and people with disabilities who live in Winchester. Thirteen snowbuster volunteers were called into service to homes within walking distance to reduce the need for volunteers driving to an assignment. Once enrolled, the city gives volunteers a snow shovel and tells them to be ready whenever winter weather is in the forecast. The program's only goal is to clear sidewalks in front of the homes of people who sign up for the service, but in several cases, the volunteers went even further and shoveled driveways as well. The initiative was a huge success and very rewarding, and the community received it well. The snowbusters displayed the true testament of neighbors coming together to help neighbors and make a difference, and I commend them for their dedication to community service. Recognizing Waynesboro Police Department on 125 Years of Service

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Waynesboro Police Department for 125 years of dedicated service and sacrifice to keeping the city of Waynesboro safe. 1898 was the first year of the Waynesboro Police Department, when the city was much smaller and only a few officers were needed to patrol on foot. Today, with a bustling city of more than 22,000 people and growing, patrol officers grapple with everything from cybercrime to drug crime and everything in between. However, the job of the law enforcement officers remains true now as it did then: an increasingly difficult but utterly essential one of enforcing our laws and serving on the front lines of justice. Throughout the years, the Waynesboro police chiefs and officers have been pushed, both mentally and physically, and have been willing to lay their lives on the line for others. They have represented their community well and the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers across this great country. For that, they are all heroes. Mr. Speaker, I thank all the retired and current officers for their efforts to make the city of Waynesboro a better and safer place, and I wish the Waynesboro Police Department another 125 years of success. Recognizing Coach Brad Lutz of William Byrd High School

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Coach Brad Lutz of William Byrd High School in Roanoke, Virginia, for being nominated by the Washington Commanders for the Don Shula National Football League High School Coach of the Year. After leading the William Byrd Terriers to their first-ever football regional title and State semifinal appearance this past season, the Washington Commanders took notice of the teams' accomplishments and nominated Coach Lutz for this prestigious award. The NFL will select two winners from each conference that the league comprises, and the Commanders are members of the NFC Conference. The award winners will be announced in the week before the Super Bowl and each winner will receive $15,000 for their school and money as a personal award. The remaining 30 nominees each will receive $1,000 courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nike. This nomination demonstrates the drive and dedication required to come together as a team and accomplish outstanding achievements. Congratulations, again, to Coach Brad Lutz and the William Byrd football team players on this nomination and I wish them many more years of success. The American People Deserve Nothing Less Than a Safe and Secure Border

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, wherever you go across this country, citizens are very aware of the border crisis that President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas have created and are demanding that the Senate take immediate action on H.R. 2, the border security legislation we passed nearly a year ago, in addition to this House taking action to impeach Secretary Mayorkas. In December, there were 300,000 illegal migrant encounters at our southern border. The month prior, there were 250,000 illegal migrant encounters. During his trip to Eagle Pass in Texas recently, Secretary Mayorkas admitted that the current release rate for migrants caught crossing the border illegally is more than 85 percent. Make no mistake, Secretary Mayorkas has neglected his constitutional duty to protect the homeland and enforce our immigration laws. I urge this House to take action to impeach Secretary Mayorkas due to his incompetence, but also increase pressure on the Senate to quit wasting time and take up H.R. 2, which finishes the construction of our wall, fights the cartels, and keeps our communities safe.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Annette Lewis of Total Action for Progress on her retirement after 35 years of service. Annette began her career with TAP as a summer youth counselor and quickly rose to eventually become president of the organization with which she started. Since TAP's inception, Annette, with the help of donors and volunteers, has improved countless lives in our community, serving several cities in the Sixth District of Virginia. The organization focuses on helping the most vulnerable citizens and families achieve sustainable and equitable economic and personal independence through education, employment, affordable housing, and safe and healthy environments. Because of her outstanding work, many folks in the Shenandoah Valley have been assisted by the organization and are now thriving both personally and financially. I congratulate Annette Lewis on her many years of success, and I wish her a wonderful retirement.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Hot Springs Volunteer Rescue Squad for 60 years of serving the people of Bath County. Since 1963, the Hot Springs Rescue Squad has provided emergency medical services to its citizens including cardiac care, cave rescue, vehicle rescue, search and rescue, and water rescue, along with treatment and transport for medical and trauma patients. With 1 paramedic, 3 intermediate, 6 advanced, 5 drivers, and 20 basic providers, the squad responds to multiple calls for service weekly, and each one of the team members conducts their job professionally and swiftly. Throughout its history, the Hot Springs Rescue Squad and its members have been nominated and received multiple awards, including the first- place trophy at the State EMT competition in Roanoke. The Squad's longevity stands as a testament to the civic spirit of the town and an example we should all follow: to always lend a helping hand. I congratulate again the Hot Springs Volunteer Rescue Squad on their 60th anniversary, and I wish them many more years of success.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 922, I call up the bill (H.R. 357) to require the head of an agency to issue and sign any rule issued by that agency, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 357.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 357, the Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act. This bill will increase the accountability of policymakers in the executive branch. It is a matter of good governance that will benefit the American people. This bill should not be controversial. Madam Speaker, 3,168 is the number of final rules enacted by Federal agencies in 2022. During that same year, Congress passed just 247 laws. This statistic helps to illustrate just how much Federal law comes from unelected officials in the administrative state and not from Congress. Moreover, under current law, some of the bureaucrats who initiate, enact, and enforce regulations lack direct political accountability. For example, according to one analysis, between 2001 and 2017, more than 70 percent of the rules issued by the Department of Health and Human Services were issued by career employees. That number is more than 98 percent for the Food and Drug Administration over the same period. Ninety-eight percent of the rules issued by the FDA are issued by career employees and not by elected officials or by officials who were confirmed by the Senate. Nonetheless, they impose binding legal obligations on Americans. This is not representative government working as it should. President Trump had a solution for reining in the rulemaking power of career bureaucrats. Executive order 13979 generally required notice-and- comment rules to be initiated and signed by executive branch officials who were politically accountable, not career civil servants. President Biden, however, revoked this policy within weeks of taking office. H.R. 357, the Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act, would remedy this mistake. The bill generally requires that only politically accountable officials and not career bureaucrats initiate and issue regulations. By codifying this limitation on agency rulemaking authority, H.R. 357 helps to restore the accountability of the administrative state. The bill will increase political accountability for Federal policymaking and restore the right of the American people to choose who governs them. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from New York talked about the Senate having to waste its time confirming individuals to positions so that they can address these regulations, but the Senate needs to do their job. They need to advise and consent on the nominees from the administration. The Senate has a means by which to address whatever challenges the gentleman raises, and the President also has the means by which to address these concerns through the process of recess appointments. Now that is not a very commonly used solution anymore, but the President does have that power. So there are ways to address the gentleman's concerns. In addition, there is an exception to these requirements in the bill. If the head of an agency determines that compliance would impede public safety or security, all that needs to happen is for them to submit a notification disclosing the reasons for the exemption to the OIRA administrator in publishing the notification in the Federal Register. Finally, I would state that the $14,684 figure is the amount per U.S. household each year that agency rules cost American families. That $14,000 is an amount that not a lot of families have right now thanks to the inflation that has been caused by the massive spending of the last Congress and the Biden administration. To my recollection, 17 percent over the course of the Biden administration has been the cumulative inflation rate over the last 3 years. This amount of money has hit especially hard, and we would do well to address that and keep that in mind as we seek to reduce the number of regulations that these bureaucracies are promulgating each and every day. We need to try and think of the American people first as we seek to legislate on their behalf here in the House of Representatives. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks. I want to point out that when she talks about water, we are all concerned about safe water, and that would qualify as an exemption under this bill if the head of the agency determined that compliance would impede public safety or security. They would only need to submit that notification and publish it in the Record. I say that this bill does actually consider that circumstance. I also state that the letter the gentlewoman put into the Record is coming from an association of government employees who are the very bureaucrats having their powers removed by this bill. It makes sense that those who are being removed from the status quo would oppose the bill. It makes sense that those whose powers are being taken away to promulgate these regulations and impose these costs on American businesses and families would oppose this bill. I would be surprised if they didn't oppose the bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the words of the gentleman and agree we are seeking to find common ground, even though I would oppose the motion to recommit. I would state that when the ranking member of the committee mentioned that the rules have to be promulgated by the senior appointee who has to be confirmed by the Senate, the initiation of the regulation need only be done by the senior appointee regardless as to whether they have been approved by the Senate. It is only before the actual rule would be prevented does the nominee have to be confirmed by the Senate. The process can begin by a senior appointee who has not yet been confirmed by the Senate, which would address some of the concerns about holding up nominees in the Senate. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 357, the Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act. As stated, this bill requires that only politically accountable officials, not career bureaucrats, initiate and issue regulations, the cost of which is hurting families across this country even as it seeks to help them through regulations. The regulations often are meant to address health and safety concerns. Those would be given an exemption, but those other regulations that put costs on families, put costs on small businesses would be curbed unless they are signed off on by a senior official who has been appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. This will increase political accountability for Federal policymaking and restore the rights of American people to choose exactly who governs them. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, the Sixth District is blessed to be among those congressional districts with the highest number of colleges and universities among all the 435 House districts, but Joe Biden's weakness on the global stage has allowed America's foreign adversaries to target our Nation's college students. From pushing propaganda to stealing critical research to censoring free speech, America's colleges and universities are now on the battleground of foreign interference. Regimes like the Chinese Communist Party have expanded their influence by bribing American academic institutions with funding opportunities. According to a Senate report from 2019, 70 percent of all institutions failed to comply with the enforcement tool that is used to protect against threats by foreign adversaries. All of this is unacceptable and dangerous, as it poses a threat to our national security, research and intellectual property, and our students and academic freedom. That is why this Congress must pass the DETERRENT Act, which provides transparency, accountability, and clarity to foreign gift reporting requirements for colleges and universities across the country. House Republicans remain committed to delivering a future that is built on freedom for the American people, and that starts with preventing our adversaries from indoctrinating our students with their propaganda and stealing the research of our colleges and universities across this country. Congratulating the James Wood Volleyball Team on Winning the Class 4 State Title

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the James Wood women's volleyball team for winning the class 4 State title, the program's second straight State championship. After working hard all season, the Colonels left it all on the floor and dominated the Hanover Hawks for their sixth 3-0 win in six postseason matches. These talented student athletes include Kennedy Spaid, Ashlynn Spence, Alexys Taylor, Adeline Pitcock, Kyla Wilhelm, Tenley Mattison, Hannah McCullough, Paige Ahakuelo, Brenna Corbin, and Claire Keefer. Throughout each set, the Colonels focused on working together as a team and doing what was necessary to get the job done, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and impeccable skills. Under the leadership and encouragement of Head Coach Adrienne Patrick, the Colonels were on a mission all season to repeat history, and it ended with them once again as State champions. Again, I congratulate the James Wood women's volleyball team, Head Coach Adrienne Patrick, parents, faculty, and staff on this incredible achievement.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Salem Rescue Squad for being awarded the 2023 Volunteer EMS Service of the Year Award. For the past 90 years, the Salem Rescue Squad has displayed selfless service to the city of Salem. Today, under the leadership of Chief Glen Gray and Captain Darlene Gee, the Salem Rescue Squad is the second oldest all-volunteer rescue squad in the United States. Operating out of one station, the squad responds to approximately 2,000 calls per year and provides standby coverage for large events in addition to responding to any disaster in the area. Recruitment and retention for a small volunteer service can often be a challenge, but due to aggressive efforts, the squad has successfully doubled its staff over the last 2 years and has 29 active members. The volunteers serve as paramedics and offer prehospital care, giving up their time and energy to help others in the community. Congratulations again to Chief Gray, Captain Gee, and the entire Salem Rescue Squad on receiving this incredible award.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3571) to make technical amendments to update statutory references to certain provisions classified to title 2, United States Code, title 50, United States Code, and title 52, United States Code, and to correct related technical errors.