Ben Cline

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago, the White House press secretary said that President Biden has ``done more to secure the border . . . than anybody else.'' She could not be more wrong. The Biden administration's open border policies have created the worst illegal immigration crisis in our Nation's history, and it is making our communities less safe while the Mexican cartels thrive. Deadly fentanyl has poured across our southern border in record-high amounts, endangering countless American lives. Criminal cartels are now making $13 billion a year smuggling illegal immigrants into our interior. Even more troubling, the Department of Homeland Security has admitted that 40 percent of illegal migrants caught and released into our communities have disappeared, with no way to track them. A secure nation requires a secure border, which is why earlier this year House Republicans passed H.R. 2, Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security legislation that Congress has ever considered. While President Biden and DHS Secretary Mayorkas have no plans to get this chaos under control, we are fighting to stop it. It is far past time the Senate stops stalling and passes our critical bill to restore the rule of law in our Nation. To help them act, we should make border security a condition of any continuing resolution when the fiscal year ends on September 30. The American people demand and deserve nothing less. Congratulating the Northside High School Softball Team on Winning Class 3 State Title

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Northside High School softball team for winning the Class 3 State title, the program's first State championship victory since 2010 and their second in program history. After working hard all season, the Vikings left it all on the diamond and beat the York Falcons 3 to 1. These talented student athletes include Baylee Compton, McKenzie Taylor, Leila Aguilar, Sydney Jordan, Karlee Austin, Zoe Mason, Chloey Lafon, Shelby Ellis, Maddelena Shepher, Bonnie Ellis, Carsyn Michaels, and Abbie Caldwell. Northside senior Baylee Compton pitched a five-hitter for the Vikings, striking out 16 and walking 1. In the top of the fifth, the Vikings scored twice and grabbed a 2 to 1 lead. Then in the final inning, Sydney Jordan hit an RBI signal, scoring the championship winning run. Congratulations, again, to the Northside High School softball team, Head Coach Kassie Brammer, parents, faculty, and staff on this incredible achievement.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 387.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Northside High School Women's Softball team on winning the class 3 State championship, the program's first State title since 2010 and its second win in history. Beating the York Falcons by 3-1, the Vikings delivered strong performances needed to win. These talented athletes include Baylee Compton, McKenzie Taylor, Leila Aguilar, Sydney Jordan, Karlee Austin, and Abbie Caldwell. Baylee pitched a five-hitter for the Vikings, striking out 16 of the Falcons' players and walking one. The Vikings scored twice in the top of the fifth to grab a 2-1 lead. In the seventh inning, the ladies scored another run, then held strong on defense to prevent the Falcons from catching up. Mr. Speaker, all of these young ladies are a true testament that with hard work and determination, you can achieve your dreams. We congratulate, again, all of the players, Coach Kassie Brammer, their families, as well as the Northside faculty and staff. Virginia's Sixth Congressional District is incredibly proud of their accomplishment.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Chairman, years of out-of-control government spending has fueled inflation and skyrocketed our Federal debt. It is far past time we prioritize those most important core functions of government as intended by our Founders in the Constitution. The fiscal year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill does just that. It prioritizes programs for those most important: our Nation's veterans, and facilities for our men and women defending our country. My, my, my, what do we hear from the other side? Complaints about not being able to fly certain flags at military bases, complaints about not being able to fund climate change bureaucracies in our veterans' facilities, complaints about actually not being able to use taxpayer dollars to fund abortion services. This bill focuses on core government functions. It fully funds veterans' healthcare, veterans' benefits and VA programs. It ensures our veterans get the medical treatment and benefits they deserve. It provides funds to the agencies that ensure our military and veterans are appropriately honored in our cemeteries and battle monuments, and it prioritizes our Nation's Active Duty servicemembers and their families by providing nearly $800 million above the President's budget request for military construction and family housing. Let me repeat that: $800 million above the President's budget request. We can and we must support our Nation's heroes who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and protect our homeland. That is why we must pass this strong legislation and make clear that we stand with our brave men and women in uniform.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, the Biden administration's radical open border policies have turned every community into a border community. Since President Biden took office, CBP officials have encountered a record high of 5.5 million illegal immigrants at the southern border, and nearly 2 million of those have been released into our Nation. Unfortunately, to deal with this crisis, liberal cities such as New York City are planning to house migrants in public schools--setting a dangerous precedent. This brings an unnecessary problem that administrators are simply not equipped to handle, nor should they have to. That is unacceptable, which is why I am proud to join my colleagues in passing the Schools Not Shelters Act. This legislation would ban the use of taxpayer-funded schools as shelters for illegal migrants. America's schools should be focused on providing the best opportunities for students, not be forced to deal with the repercussions of President Biden's failure to secure the border.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, for years, Americans have watched their televisions or read their newspapers and seen the FBI constantly in the headlines--and not for the good. Under Director Christopher Wray's leadership, the FBI has become weaponized, and the American people's trust in the institution has been severely damaged. We have seen the agency launch an entirely unwarranted investigation against Donald Trump to prove nonexistent collusion with Russia. We have seen the agency use the Steele dossier to abuse the FISA process and spy on conservatives. We have seen the agency label parents concerned about what their children are learning in schools in Northern Virginia as domestic terrorists. We have seen the agency target whistleblowers who expose corrupt behavior and political bias. We have seen the agency target Catholics in Richmond, Virginia, who are simply exercising their First Amendment right to express their faith. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee is demanding that Director Wray accept responsibility for the agency's abusive overreach of power, and the Appropriations Committee is taking action, using the power of the purse to rein in the abuses that have occurred in this agency. There is no place for politics within the FBI, and we will not stop working to bring an end to this weaponization of our law enforcement agencies and the use of these agencies against law-abiding Americans. Congratulations to Glenvar High School Men's Tennis Team

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Glenvar High School men's tennis team for winning the Class 2 State title. This victory marks the program's first championship since 1996. By training hard to ensure that they are at their best and by encouraging each other, the Highlanders left it all on the courts and dominated the Bruton Panthers. These talented young men include Blaine Bishop, Alec McIlwain, Marco Gustafson, Logan Garner, Beckett Wilkinson, and Ian Kelley. Leaving the singles match, the Highlanders were out to a strong 4-2 lead, needing just one more win to get the State title. Blaine Bishop, alongside his doubles partner Alec McIlwain, clinched the championship after Bishop dominated the Panthers' doubles team, securing the championship for the Highlanders. For the last three seasons, Head Coach Bob Haynie has brought the team together, becoming not just teammates but a family they can rely on both on and off the court. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Glenvar High School men's tennis team and the parents, faculty, and staff on this incredible achievement.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, since our country's founding, the United States Constitution has granted Congress the legislative authority to decide major questions of nationwide policy. Yet, since President Biden took office, his administration has continued his assault on America's economy with costly Federal regulations and executive overreach of power to advance his radical agenda. In its first year alone, the Biden administration finalized liberal regulations that added more than $200 billion in new regulatory costs. The Biden administration has acted unilaterally on several occasions to circumvent congressional approval to pass policies that advance its far-left agenda. We saw this in the Biden administration's attempt to pass the unconstitutional student loan giveaway plan, putting taxpayers on the hook for others' heavy college debt. We saw this in the Biden administration's cancelation of pending oil and gas lease sales, hiking up energy costs for hardworking families. We saw this in the Biden administration's proposed ESG investment rule that would put seniors' hard-earned retirement savings at risk. This is all unacceptable. American taxpayers deserve to know just how much the administration's executive orders will cost them before they go into effect. As our Nation faces $31 trillion in debt, Congress must pass the REINS Act. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, in keeping with my office policy of giving a floor speech for every State high school champion in the Sixth District of Virginia, I rise to congratulate the Strasburg High School women's track and field team for winning the Class 2 State championship, the program's first State title since 1993. Finishing with a total of 68 points, the Rams delivered strong performances needed to win. These talented athletes include Macy Smith, Claire Keefe, Paige Hiserman, Toni Rhodes, Megan Martin, Maddy Dofermire, Neila Coughenour, Willow Musterman, and Amanie Hogan. Junior sprinter and jumper Macy placed in all five of her events, even winning a State title in the long jump with an impressive leap of 17 feet, 7\1/2\ inches. Senior hurdler and jumper Maddy also placed in four events, winning second place in the high jump. Taking home the State title in the 4 x 800-meter relay were Claire, Toni, Paige, and Megan, beating the runner-up by over 12 seconds. Each one of these ladies serves as an inspiration not only to their peers but to the entire Sixth District, proving that hard work and dedication can yield tangible results. Congratulations again to the Strasburg High School women's track and field team on this incredible accomplishment. Recognizing North Cross High School's Division II State Championships

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize North Cross High School men's lacrosse, tennis, and track and field teams for each winning their Division II State championships. The men's lacrosse team secured its third consecutive title with an outstanding 15-6 final score, making this their fourth championship win in 5 years. The lacrosse win was propelled by senior Joe Mason's six goals, as well as by the sticks of seniors Caleb Thompson and Ian Cann, each of whom added three goals to the tally. Over on the tennis courts, the Raiders men's team captured its second State title since 2016 with a 5-4 victory. The tennis team's historic performance was led by sophomore Henry Lugar, who dominated the court with a 10-0 win in his championship singles match and finished the season with a perfect 20-0 record in singles matches. Junior Alessandro Perin and Jacob Juneau won their doubles match by an outstanding 10-2 score. The Raiders men's track and field team won their State championship with 93 points. Freshman Jace Rhodes won first place in the triple jump. On the track, Rhodes was joined by senior Rhone Burton, junior Moritz Mittendorfer, and junior Xavier Mitchell in the 4 x 100-meter relay, taking the title with a sprint time of 43.97 seconds. Congratulations to all these student athletes, parents, coaches, and staff on their incredible achievements. They are all champions and have proven that with hard work and dedication, anything can be accomplished.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, the communities throughout the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia and, in fact, every community across our Nation are now border communities because of the deadly fentanyl pouring through our open borders under the failed leadership of President Joe Biden and Secretary Mayorkas. Since October, Customs and Border Patrol agents have seized over 14,000 pounds of fentanyl, enough to kill over 3.1 billion people. Even in western Virginia, drug cartels have been caught smuggling rainbow- colored fentanyl with the intent of targeting our children. Just last year, roughly 75,000 people died of drug overdoses from synthetic opioids, largely illicit fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances. That is why, today, the House will be voting for the HALT Fentanyl Act because enough is enough. This legislation would raise penalties for fentanyl traffickers under the Controlled Substances Act, support research to understand the devastating mental health effects of fentanyl-related substances, and supply law enforcement with the resources needed to keep this drug off our streets. While our President has no plans to fix open borders or stop deadly fentanyl from being smuggled into our interior, the House will take action today to protect innocent lives by passing this important legislation.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Strasburg High School wrestling team for their Class 2 State championship victory, the Rams' second State title in a row. The four individual State champions who led this victory include junior Heath Burks with 126 points and his third State title, senior Ethan Asher with 138 points and his third State title, junior David Burks with 150 points and his second State title, and senior Chuck Fake with 215 points and his second State title. Additional top Strasburg Rams performers were Conner Miller placing sixth, Jadon Shanholtz placing third, Donovan Burks placing sixth, Braden Stern placing fifth, and Hutson Conrad placing third. This was a remarkable performance by the whole team, and I wish the best of luck to the seniors on the team in their future endeavors. Congratulations again to all these talented athletes, parents, coaches, and staff on this well-deserved victory.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, America's law enforcement officers are the best among us. As we celebrate National Police Week this week, I am proud to join my colleagues and millions of Americans in saying thank you to the brave men and women who wear the badge. Every day, law enforcement officers courageously save innocent lives, stop criminals, and help our communities. Yet tragically, since 1776, more than 26,000 police officers and sheriff's deputies have made the ultimate sacrifice, and in just the last 3 years alone, we have lost 1,397 officers in the line of duty. That is 26,000 too many. Despite the countless sacrifices that our police officers and sheriff's deputies across the Nation make every day, the far left has pushed to defund the police for far too long, and our police and sheriff's officers have been under relentless attack. With crime running rampant in communities across the country, defunding and demoralizing our law enforcement has only made communities less safe. Unfortunately, instead of taking action to give law enforcement more resources and support, liberal politicians have doubled down on soft-on-crime policies that have gotten us into this mess. Despite this, local law enforcement officers in communities across Virginia's Sixth District and across our Nation go to work every day to protect each and every one of us, and we cannot convey our gratitude enough. This week, House Republicans will be voting on a resolution that expresses our continued support for law enforcement officers and condemns the far left's efforts to defund the police. We will also be voting on H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act, which will make assault on a law enforcement officer by an alien a deportable offense and important legislation that establishes a program for Federal law enforcement officers to purchase retired handguns at fair market value. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans will continue to proudly back the brave men and women who wear the brown and the blue across America. As we honor National Police Week, I urge all of my colleagues to join us in support by passing these bills. John Handley High School 100th Anniversary

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 100th anniversary of Winchester, Virginia's, own John Handley High School, an endowed public school located in the heart of Shenandoah Valley. The school's funding was launched by an 1895 grant from Judge John Handley--hence the school mascot, the ``Judges,'' because of Handley's love of the town and its people that grew through his friends and acquaintances--and construction followed beginning in 1922. Despite never having lived in Winchester, Judge Handley's generosity made it possible for generations of students to enhance their knowledge. More importantly, it created an environment, a culture of support, and appreciation for public education. With state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge academics, a dedicated athletic program, and an award-winning fine arts program, the John Handley High School truly sets itself apart. The school was even recently named the most beautiful high school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today, under the leadership of principal Susan Braithwaite, John Handley High School's thriving active student body and dedicated staff truly embody the meaning of Handley Pride. Congratulations to John Handley High School and all the students, alumni, teachers, and staff, past and present, on this incredible milestone, and I wish the school another 100 years of success. Debt Ceiling

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, the greatest threat to America's economy is our debt crisis. Even according to former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Mike Mullen, the most significant threat to America's security is our national debt. Our financial instability today has spiraled out of control because of President Biden and the Democrats' reckless spending to fund their radical agenda. Now our Nation faces an unsustainable $31.7 trillion in debt. Earlier last week, President Biden met with Speaker McCarthy and congressional leadership to discuss legislation to raise the debt ceiling, and to no one's surprise, Biden and Senate Democrats continued to avoid their responsibilities to negotiate. House Republicans have already worked toward a deal by passing a sensible debt ceiling bill that will limit government spending, grow the economy, save taxpayer dollars, and protect vital benefits. We have also done our job to stop the chaos at our southern border by passing H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. The security of our border is inextricably linked to the fiscal security of our Nation. A recent cost estimate of the Secure the Border Act by the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that Federal taxpayers are spending tens of billions of dollars on benefits for illegal immigrants like health care, nutrition, and refundable child tax credits due to Biden's current border policies. Taking into account costs at the State and local level, American taxpayers pay $182 billion annually for services and benefits to illegal immigrants. At the end of the day, blank government checks got us into this debt crisis, and a no-strings-attached debt ceiling increase will only serve to push our already fragile economy off the fiscal cliff. Mr. Speaker, it is time to act, and I urge the President to join us at the table.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, since his first day in office, President Biden has actively worked to weaken our southern border through radical open border policies that have resulted in the worst border crisis in our Nation's history, turning every community--including mine, the Sixth District of Virginia--into a border community. Despite the President's and Secretary Mayorkas' desperate attempts to downplay the crisis and tell Americans to deal with it, the facts don't lie. Under Biden's failed leadership, Border Patrol officials have encountered a record high of more than 5 million illegal immigrants at our southern border, and nearly 2 million of them have been released in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security. At the same time, over 1.5 million known got-aways have illegally crossed the border undetected. From halting construction of the border wall to reinstituting Obama- era catch-and-release policies and deciding to halt title 42, President Biden has willingly and knowingly failed to protect the southern border and uphold the rule of law. Now our Border Patrol is underresourced, our national security is jeopardized, and drug cartels are empowered to smuggle deadly fentanyl into our interior. In fact, Virginia communities are being overrun. According to the Virginia Department of Health, in 2021, Virginia had a 15 percent increase in overdoses from 2020, with synthetic fentanyl being the leading cause of those 2,033 deaths. This is an invasion, and it must be stopped. House Republicans know that border security is national security, which is why we have brought to the floor H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. The Judiciary Committee played a leading role in crafting this legislation, and I am proud of the work we have done to make this the strongest border security package that Congress has ever considered. However, we must get it enacted. H.R. 2 will secure America's borders by improving the asylum system, deploying urgent resources to the southern and northern borders-- including walls, manpower, and technologies--and ending incentives for illegal immigration. Mr. Speaker, innocent lives are at stake. Our Nation's sovereignty is at stake. We owe it to the American people to tackle Biden's disastrous border crisis. That starts with passing this legislation, and I urge every one of my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill to address this national crisis. Congratulating State Champions Glenvar High School Boys Indoor Track and Field Team

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Glenvar High School Boys Indoor Track and Field Team on winning the combined class \1/2\ State championship held at Liberty University. The Glenvar Highlanders won the trophy at the 2-day meet with a score of 58 points, a 9-point victory over the runners-up. Glenvar's senior Heath Bowker dominated the meet, winning the boys 500-meter dash in 1:08:20. Highlanders Jackson Swanson, Zach Curfiss, Avone Noel, and Heath Bowker joined forces to win the 4x200 relay in 1:33:25. Another Highlanders squad of Heath Bowker, Caeden Bowker, Colby Thompson, and Zach Curfiss won the 4x400 relay in 3:29:88. Congratulations to all these athletes, including Marshall Berryman, Caeden Bowker, Zach Curfiss, Tyler Davis, Charlie Horrell, Bryce King, Nathaniel King, Aldin Smith, Colby Thompson, Aiden Woodie, Josh Woods, and seniors Heath Bowker, Avone Noel, Davis Norman, and Jackson Swanson. The team is led by head coach Bekka Loder and assistant Madison Bourne. Congratulations again to these athletes, parents, coaches, and staff on an incredible season and well-deserved victory. Congratulating Northside High School State Championship Boys Basketball Team

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Northside High School boys basketball team on winning the Virginia Class 3 Basketball State Championship held at the VCU Siegel Center. The win marked the second basketball State championship in school history and the first since 2019. Northside came out strong, leading by 17 in the first quarter. As the game entered the final minutes, Northside was down by 4, but this squad dug deep to come out with the trophy and pull out the 58-52 victory against Hopewell. The Vikings' final push was led by double-digit scorers, Lawrence Cole, Cy Hardy, and Mykell Harvey, a trio that combined for the 53 of the Vikings' 58 points. I extend congratulations to all the players, including Cy Hardy, Xavier Garrison, Nick Crawford, David Via, Mykell Harvey, Michael Pankey, Kai Logan, Jamareay Lavender, Javin Gibson, Will Smith, Kavon Brown, along with special recognition to seniors Ja'Chan Anthony, Lawrence Cole, Jayden Smith, Elijah Trigg. Congratulations also to the head coach, Billy Pope, and assistants Jake Paysour and Josh Malave. Congratulations again to all the players, coaches, parents, and staff on a historic season.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, Joe Biden and House Democrats should listen to what former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had to say about debt ceiling negotiations back in 2019, according to The Washington Post: ``Pelosi, the California Democrat, said the idea of raising the debt ceiling on its own and not in conjunction with a budget agreement was not `acceptable to our Caucus' and, therefore, did not stand a chance of passage in the House of Representatives.'' Debt ceiling negotiations are nothing new. President Biden has a long history of engaging in and supporting negotiations over the debt limit, as do other House Democrats. House Republicans are committed to a reasonable, responsible, and sensible solution to our Nation's debt crisis that would limit Washington's irresponsible spending, save taxpayer dollars, and grow the American economy. President Biden and the extreme Democrats' inflationary spending spree has worked to increase our national debt to unsustainable levels, over $31.6 trillion, with annual deficits of $1.5 trillion. While Joe Biden has no plan to avoid debt default, House Republicans are committed to sensible debt ceiling negotiations. Congratulating Stuarts Draft FFA Team

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Stuarts Draft High School team for winning the Virginia State Future Farmers of America forestry championship at the Mountain Gateway Community College in Clifton Forge. These outstanding students exemplify leadership and are model representatives of the organization. The forestry competition included being able to identify tree types and disorders, pinpoint wood products, as well as pass a knowledge exam and identify and navigate maps. Led by Coach William Monroel, as well as advised by agriculture teacher Lindsey Baber, these champions include freshman Kelli Weaver and seniors Anna Grace Henderson, Will Monroe, and Steven Ramsey. As Virginia's Sixth District is the number one agriculture district in the Commonwealth, I am always proud to see the next generation of agriculture leaders participating, excelling, and winning in competitions like this one. Congratulations to the Stuarts Draft students, Coach Monroel, parents, and staff on this well-deserved victory. Recognizing Clarke County High School Girls' Basketball Team

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Clarke County High School girls' basketball team for their Virginia Class 2 State championship victory. These impressive young ladies stepped up big and beat the defending State champs, Central High School of Wise County, 45-41, for their second State title in the program's history. Junior guard Selene Good cemented the Eagles' lead by nailing a dramatic 3-pointer to put the team up by 5. In the final minutes, the Eagles knocked down 10 of 12 free throws that helped seal the victory. These champions include: Selene Good, Kayia Williams, Emma Nelson, Devin Simmons-McDonald, Keira Rohrbach, Willow Oliver, Alainah McKavish, Bailey Beard, Hailey Evans, and Emily Emmart, led by head Coach Regina Downing and assistant Shadd McCaw. Congratulations to all of these talented athletes, coaches, staff, and parents on this well-deserved State championship.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, last fall the American people voted for a Republican-led House majority to reverse course from the failures of the Pelosi-led House of the 117th Congress. In just the first 100 days, House Republicans have kept our promises by passing the Parents Bill of Rights and the REIN IN Inflation Act, repealing funding for Biden's IRS army, and unleashing American energy with H.R. 1, while preserving our SPR and protecting it from China. We have also restored the people's House back to its rightful owners and ensured our colleagues show up for work by ending proxy voting, held the government accountable, defended life, and forced the President to end the COVID National Emergency once and for all. As a catalyst for these results and continued victories, we have secured the most transparent, open, and Member-driven rules package in the House's history. Change has come to the people's House, and it is here to stay.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, Americans have been hit hard by the high fuel prices caused by the Biden administration's anti-energy policies. Today, Virginia families are paying $3.30 a gallon at the pump for regular gasoline, over a dollar more than when President Biden took office. That is why we are bringing to the floor H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. This legislation will reduce costs by increasing domestic energy production, cutting burdensome red tape, and reforming the permitting process. Folks, it is evident that Joe Biden has waged war on America's energy independence. That war ends today. House Republicans are working to put America back in the driver's seat of energy production by voting for the Lower Energy Costs Act so families can keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. I urge every one of my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. CLINE

Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Salem High School forensics team for winning its 17th consecutive State championship. The team won 5 of the 10 categories, while also finishing runner-up and third place in another 2 events. These champions include Kade Lakin and Grayson Mitchell for serious duo, Emma Snead for impromptu speaking, Ryan Long for original oratory, Connor Smythers for humorous interpretation, and Courtney Bowen for serious prose. Ben Hathaway and Kyra Netting finished second in the humorous duo category, and Colton Easter placed third in the prose category. Since becoming coach in 2001, Coach Mark Ingerson has instilled in the students to work for and help each other as a team, bolstering their success. With public speaking skills, the future is bright for all of these students, no matter the path they choose. Congratulations to the participants, parents, coaches, and staff for making this milestone possible.