Angie Craig

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, too many American families know the immense heartbreak of losing a loved one to an overdose, but overdose deaths are preventable, and we have a responsibility to do everything we can in this body to save lives. That is why I introduced my bill, the bipartisan RECONNECTIONS Act, to get overdose education and prevention tools like naloxone into the hands of all of those who need it and to ensure that the opioid crisis is treated like the public health crisis it truly is. I am proud that my colleagues have recognized the urgent need to expand access to these lifesaving overdose prevention resources, but we must continue our bipartisan work to keep our community safe. Mr. Speaker, I thank so much my mental health and substance use advisory council, a group of law enforcement officers, educators, parents and community members who I work with regularly to find ways to address the opioid crisis in our home communities and across this great country. Your stories, and especially the memories of your loved ones, that you have shared with me over the years have truly touched my heart. It is these stories and memories that have informed the policies that we champion here and are at the top of my mind as this bill stands on the House floor today. Thank you for your tireless drive and dedication. You are helping to make our community safer. We have so much more work ahead of us as a community in Minnesota 2 and as a Nation. If it helps to save just one life, it is worth doing the work. Thank you to the Members who are coming together on both sides of the aisle today to support this important bill.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, on October 23, 1983, the United States of America suffered an unspeakable loss as 220 Marines, 18 Navy sailors, and 3 Army soldiers were killed in a horrific act of violence in the Marine barracks at the Beirut airport. My heart is with every American grieving the loss of a loved one. Each of those 241 Americans represents the best of our country: brave, selfless, and dedicated. We must recommit ourselves to working to defend democracy at home and around the world. That is how we rightfully honor the legacy of the 241 heroes we lost that day. That is what we owe all of the servicemembers, family members, and loved ones whose lives were changed forever those 40 years ago.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome our guest chaplain, Reverend John Matthews. I thank Reverend Matthews for that beautiful and hopeful prayer at the conclusion of a tumultuous time in this Chamber. Reverend Matthews has served as a United States Army chaplain and as a police chaplain. He has been a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, and Memorial Lutheran Church in Afton. Finally, he has pastored over me and my family at Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. John built bridges across religions during his career, as well as assisting in the drafting of ``A Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the Jewish Community,'' which is now part of the permanent display on anti-Semitism at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. It is my honor to represent Reverend Matthews and his family, and I thank him for his contributions to our community.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to congratulate Shakopee Brewhall--Taproom & Coffeehouse as the Midwest regional finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's America's Top Small Business Award. Shakopee Brewhall was selected as one of seven finalists out of a total of over 15,000 small business applicants for the annual Top Small Business Award. At its inception in 2018, the brewhall operated modestly with a nine-member team, opening its doors for just 41 hours across five days each week. During that time, the team focused on brewing and, as demand grew, distributing its unique beers. Today, they employ 27 workers, with over half of the original staff still remaining on the team and have grown their customer base and expanded their offerings to include morning coffee and espresso over 86 hours every week. I'm grateful for co-founders, Ryan Lindquist and Damon Schuler's role in the revitalization of downtown Shakopee by turning their historic space into Scott County's first taproom and coffeehouse. Their leadership of the brewhall showcased necessary innovation when pivoting to distribution during the pandemic and working with other local small businesses. I've also appreciated their ``Share More Than A Beer Day,'' which creates awareness and financial support for partnering organizations and has led to more than $50,000 in donations to local non-profits. It was a special honor to join Shakopee Brewhall's Caitlin Drayna at the Chamber's Awards Gala on October 19th. It is my privilege to represent Shakopee Brewhall in Congress and I look forward to sharing a beer together soon.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bill and Wendy Wustenberg and Windswept Hill Farm & Studio as the 2023 Dakota County, Minnesota Family Farm of the Year. Bill and Wendy Wustenberg spent the last 33 years restoring 12 acres of fallow pastures into a productive place to raise kids, invest in sustainable living, and grow Bill's medical device consulting business, Mycroft Medical, LLC. A key partnership with Northfield Wi-Fi solved rural internet access problems and allowed the business to stay home- based and expand internationally with flexibility for family and community involvement. Their farm is designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and just ended a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Sustainable Ag Demonstration Farm grant. They are home to a flock of Leicester Longwool Sheep, produce USDA-processed chicken and lamb, have a hydroponic GroShed to produce vegetables, herbs, and microgreens year-round, and produce solar energy under a co-generation contract with Dakota Electric. It is truly an honor to represent the Wustenberg family and I'm thankful for their advocacy for conservation and sustainable agriculture.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of Conservation Beyond Borders and support their mission to combat illegal poaching. Their work helps to also combat other illicit activities including the trafficking of humans, arms, and narcotics across the globe. I am proud that this important organization is led by an outstanding Minnesotan, Dr. Nicole Benjamin-Fink. I'm especially grateful for the approach Conservation Beyond Borders and Dr. Benjamin-Fink take to incorporate rural communities that live alongside wildlife into their work. I commend Conservation Beyond Borders for their tireless work and advocacy to ensure wildlife across the world have the opportunity to flourish. I look forward to continuing to work with Conservation Beyond Borders and Dr. Nicole Benjamin-Fink.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work of the Regional Leadership Council. My colleagues and I just got back to D.C. after an extended work period in our districts. It was a busy, busy time in the south metro of Minnesota but also across the Midwest. To me, being busy is a really good thing. Busy means things are happening, small businesses are opening roundtable discussions, ribbon cuttings, shovels in dirt, townhalls, and, yes, a whole lot of harvesting is about to be happening across the Midwest, including corn and soybeans across my congressional district. However, this work period was busy for a very particular reason. We passed the 1-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, and we were able to celebrate the benefits that this legislation has already brought home, and, in particular, to rural communities. I am going to take a minute and put this legislation into perspective about what it has already done and what it will continue to do for Midwest communities. Let me start with the Inflation Reduction Act's historic investment in homegrown biofuels infrastructure, the largest this Nation has ever made. E-15 and biofuel production are key for our ag communities and environments. They expand markets for family farmers and support economic growth in rural communities. They are a solution that we have available today to help us address climate change. Across Region 3, these credits are providing family farmers and producers with the support and resources that they need to sustain and grow their operations, enabling them to continue feeding and fueling our country. Earlier this summer, the Department of Agriculture awarded their first awardees for the IRA's Higher Blend Fuels Infrastructure Program. Half of the awards went to States in Region 3 alone. The signing of the Inflation Reduction Act also signaled a historic investment in our Nation's infrastructure. Infrastructure investments are a win-win for America's workers, businesses, and communities. They just make sense. Here in Minnesota, we have received $3.8 billion in infrastructure and clean energy investments, including Federal dollars to make our roads, our bridges, public transits, and airports safer, deploy clean water projects, and provide broadband funding to make sure our rural communities can access the high-speed internet they deserve. These are investments we are building on right here in Region 3. We have about $1 billion heading to Wisconsin. If you know anything about Minnesota, we are very competitive with Wisconsin, but as a Region 3 representative, I am so proud to say that those dollars are going to the Midwest through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program to provide high-speed internet to 253,000 homes and small businesses; $73 million heading to Michigan through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge Investment Program to replace the 85-year- old Lafayette Avenue Bridge, which serves as a critical passage point in the State's economy, and the list, of course, goes on. Each of these infrastructure projects will play a critical role in building a safer, stronger America. I personally cannot wait to see every single one of them come to life. Mr. Speaker, I will end with a personal privilege. I spent about 20 years working in the medtech industry, and since entering Congress, working to lower healthcare costs have been one of my highest priorities. Given that, I thought I would just end my remarks by sharing a story of a constituent of mine, a man named Bob Miller. Bob relies on Medicare, and for years, about a decade, he has relied on a prescription drug to treat his debilitating MS flare-ups. For over a decade, Bob has seen the price of his drug skyrocket and was ultimately forced to stop taking the drug that he relies on because even with insurance, the price of that drug was just too expensive. Bob's story is heartbreaking but unsurprising. We all know people across America who have to make those same critical decisions each and every day. Because here in the richest country in the world, people like Bob have been forced to make the decision to forego life- sustaining medications because it is just too expensive. When we passed the Inflation Reduction Act, we allowed Medicare the power to start negotiating drug prices across our country; good old- fashioned competition to help lower drug costs for our seniors. I don't understand for the life of me how my colleagues cannot be in favor of good old-fashioned competition. Many American seniors are now and will be able to live happier, healthier lives as a result of this legislation. That, Mr. Speaker, deserves to be celebrated. I look forward to continuing to see the benefits of all of these important pieces of legislation, and I thank the gentleman from Maryland for convening us.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, today's debate is perhaps one of the most dangerous games to be perpetrated in my time in Congress by the radical right. This bill risks our economy, our Nation's credit rating, American jobs, retirement savings, and healthcare access. Mr. Speaker, there is a proposal on the table, raise the debt ceiling, full stop, just like we did under the former President. Then let's have a robust debate about spending in a budget debate and in the appropriations process. But that is not what the radical right has put on the floor today. I cannot support a bill that would cut funding for our Nation's veterans, would cut funding to Minnesota public schools, would cost jobs, and economists say would increase the likelihood of a recession. This is not a serious bill from the radical right, and there is no more serious issue facing our country right now than the prospect of defaulting on our debt. This is a dangerous game my colleagues are playing, and it needs to be cut out.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, this Friday is International Transgender Day of Visibility, a time each year when we uplift and recognize the strength and resilience of the trans community. The United States is home to 1.6 million trans youth and adults--1.6 million siblings, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends, coworkers, and loved ones. At a moment when trans-Americans are under direct attack in States across our Nation and in this body, I am here today to honor and celebrate each of these courageous, inspiring human beings just trying to live and be treated with dignity and respect. I am here to say to each of you, no matter what you are hearing in your communities or from some Members of this body, you are loved, you are valued, and you are worthy. Over the past 40 years, our country has made progress, but this is a moment and a critical reminder that we still have work to do. As we mark International Trans Day of Visibility, we also remember that we must never take our feet off the gas pedal when it comes to this critical fight. Please know I am always in your corner.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Madam Chair, like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle here today, I believe we need an all-of-the-above energy approach in this country. As a Member of Congress representing a district that is 65 percent covered in corn and soybeans every single summer, that all-of-the-above approach includes strong support for biofuels. When prices at the gas pump were rising last year, I worked across the aisle to pass legislation allowing for the year-round sales of E15 through this House. This was the first time a bill like this passed this body. Renewable fuels like E15 are made with a higher ethanol blend than regular gasoline and can sell for up to 40 cents less per gallon in Minnesota. Investments in E15 and biofuels mean new markets for our family farmers growing corn and soybeans in my district, and it means giving our domestic energy supply security and reinforcement as we work to increase U.S. energy independence. I am proud to have worked last summer to pass the largest investment in biofuels in our Nation's history through the Inflation Reduction Act. This is a game changer for corn growers and soybean farmers in my district, and it is a commonsense way to help protect our environment, strengthen our energy independence, and lower costs for Americans. The Inflation Reduction Act included many more investments in renewable energy and important reforms to our oil and gas leasing practices. Today, House Republicans are putting forth hyperpartisan legislation to roll back the climate progress we made in the last Congress, gutting clean air and drinking water protections and giving handouts to polluters. Their so-called all-of-the-above energy bill does not contain even a discussion of biofuels. There were amendments offered by my colleague in Iowa to include biofuels in this legislation. Republicans blocked them.

Ms. CRAIG. Madam Chair, it is one thing to say you support an all-of- the-above energy approach. It is entirely another thing to actually do it. I will work with anyone to lower costs for my constituents and to support Minnesota farmers, but this bill is a handout to Big Oil and a slap in the face to family farmers.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Maria Ferrara for four years and two plus Congresses as my Director of Operations. Maria has been with my office since the early days of my first term starting first as my scheduler and elevating to the absolutely vital role of Director of Operations. For years, Maria has truly kept our office running and functioning at a high capacity. She's fielded countless meeting requests, hearings and speaking engagements, helped operationalize our office's remote work policies during the pandemic and constantly sought out ways to improve our processes. And she's got the best advice on D.C. restaurants of anyone I know. I've appreciated Maria's advice and counsel in various roles over the years and wish her the best in her new adventure off the Hill. I'll miss her greatly on my team--and wish her best of luck as she continues on in her career.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Chair, let's leave the power to decide what is best for students at the local level. Mr. Chair, I support parents' rights, but this bill has nothing to do with that. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record a letter from the National Association of School Psychologists expressing serious concern with this legislation. National Association of School Psychologists, Bethesda, MD, March 7, 2023. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Chair, House Committee Education and the Workforce. Hon. Bobby Scott, Ranking Member, House Committee Education and the Workforce. Re: Markup of Parents Bill of Rights and Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 Dear Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott: On behalf of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and our 25,000+ members, I write to express significant concerns regarding the harmful impact of the Parents Bill of Rights Act (H.R. 5) and the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 (H.R. 734). School psychologists work with families, educators, administrators, and community members to collectively meet the academic, social emotional, and mental and behavioral health needs of students. We are committed to ensuring that every child: has access to well-rounded, comprehensive, and inclusive curricula; receives the comprehensive learning supports they need to be successful and; attends a school with a safe, supportive learning environment free of bullying, harassment, and discrimination for all students. Importantly, we work to foster effective partnerships between families and educators, who share equally the responsibility for the learning and success of all students. School psychologists work with school leaders to create equitable and accessible family engagement systems in which the diverse perspectives of all families are actively sought out, acknowledged, and valued. Collectively, elements of H.R. 5 and H.R. 734 undermine these commitments by: prioritizing the voices and perspectives of a small subset of families; condoning discrimination; limiting curricula; and preventing schools from ensuring physical and psychological safety. Further, elements of these bills will significantly exacerbate the current youth mental health crisis, particularly for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized youth. Parents Bill of Rights (H.R. 5) Title I--Amendments to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 Sec 101 and Sec 103. State and Local Educational Agency Plan Assurances NASP supports efforts to increase transparency and access to information about school curricula. Existing provisions in FERPA and PPRA clearly articulate the rights of parents to review school curricula and materials as well as opt their child out of specific lessons or survey administration. It is critical that parents and families know what is happening in their child's classroom so that they may engage with their children about what they are learning, and even offer differing viewpoints and helping their children think critically. Requirements to make this information publicly available to all creates an unnecessary burden on the SEA and LEA which is unattainable and will further impede already strained local and state education systems. Despite our belief that Sec 101 and Sec 103 are redundant, we offer the following edits to ensure that all information is accessible to all families: families and other persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English: Sec 101 State Plan Assurances (O)(i)(I) ``posts on a publicly accessible website of the agency, in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English, such curriculum; (O)(i)(II) if such agency does not operate a website, widely disseminates to the public in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English such curriculum; (O)(ii)(I) ``posts on a publicly accessible website of the agency, in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English: (O)(ii)(II) ``if such agency does not operate a website, widely disseminates to the public, in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English, such curriculum;'' (P) ``in the case of any revisions . . . the State educational agency will post to the homepage of its website, and widely disseminate to the public, in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English,'' Sec 103 Local Plan Assurances (9) ``post on a publicly accessible website of the local educational agency or, if the local educational agency does not operate a website, widely disseminate to the public, in a manner that is accessible to persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English, the plan . . .'' We also request clarification as to the definition of 'curriculum.' Teachers routinely alter lesson plans or planned pace of curriculum based on students' progress and needs. Teachers must maintain the ability to differentiate instruction and to develop lessons, aligned with state academic standards, that meet the needs of their students. Many students receive interventions, specific modifications, or specially designed instruction (as part of a child's Individualized Education Program) to ensure access to the general curriculum and state academic standards. We strongly caution against considering these instructional materials 'curriculum' as it could inadvertently violate the privacy of students and their families, especially in smaller communities where identification is easier. Sec 104 Parent's Right to Know We support that parents should have the right to see what materials are available in the school, to be well informed about potential changes to state academic standards or key programmatic offerings (not limited to the elimination of gifted and talented programs), and to voice their opinion regarding school and school district policy. This information must be accessible to all families, and we request the following revision: (1) ``Notice of Rights''--A local education agency . . . posts, in a manner accessible to persons with disabilities and those who speak a language other than English,'' However, the ``right to review'' outlined in this section must not be synonymous with the right to demand removal or alteration of specific books or other material available to all students. We remain increasingly alarmed at continued reports of the removal of material highlighting the diversity of our society and our schools. Restricting access to accurate information and removing evidence-based practices that promote inclusivity and cultural responsiveness is fundamentally handcuffing schools and school staff, and it is harming children. Public schools exist to prepare young people to live in a global society and be contributing citizens. Therefore, schools must have resources and curricula which is reflective of the world they live in. We have heard from many school psychologists that parents are frustrated by the removal of certain books and/or materials from classrooms and/or curriculum, and they are angry that their opposition to these removals has been ignored as it is placing unwanted limitation on their child's exposure to diversity and excludes specific identities from curricula. This legislation must clearly articulate that the ``right to review'' does not give one the legal right to demand removal. Educators, schools, and districts must be empowered to make decisions based on empirical evidence and the needs of the school community, including the unique needs of specific groups of students without fear of reprisal. Title II--Amendments to FERPA and PPRA Many of the rights articulated in H.R. 5, including the right to inspect instructional material and surveys that may be administered or distributed by the school, and the right to opt their child out of participation in specific activities are statutorily afforded to parents via FERPA and PPRA. NASP does not object to more stringent requirements to ensure proper protection of student data and to prohibit the sale of student information for commercial purposes or financial gain. However, we have significant concerns that, collectively, Sec 201 (n) `Disclosure of Information'; Sec 202(b); Sec 202 (c)(2)(D)(i), and the proposed definition of `Medical Examination or Screening' will significantly impede schools' ability to support student well-being and mental health and prevent school violence. Sec 201(n) would require schools to share with parents, upon request, an individual students' response to any survey. Implementation of this provision would prove impossible in many scenarios as the vast majority of surveys are anonymous by design and identified data is less likely to be valid. Many school- administered surveys are intended to provide critical information necessary to: examine and respond to the global physical and mental health needs of young people; guide school and community violence prevention efforts; inform school safety and school climate initiatives; and guide efforts to reduce substance use and misuse. These data are critical to identifying potential risks to children and youth, and to evaluate system wide efforts to address specific concerns. Parents maintain the right to exclude their child from participating in these valuable data collection efforts, but students must be empowered to be honest without fear of consequence, punishment, or the unwanted disclosure of personal information without their permission. As such, we request the following revision: ``(n) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.--An educational agency or institution or authorized representative of such agency or institution shall; (1) upon request from a parent of a student disclose to such parent the identity of any individual or entity with whom information is shared from the education record; (2) upon request from a parent of a student disclose to such parent any response of the student to a survey if (A) information to accurately identify individual students was collected as part of the survey, as designed, and (B) the student consents to the disclosure of such information (3) inform students, prior to their participation in a survey in which identifying information is collected, that their individual responses may be disclosed to a parent upon request.'' Current law reflects the requirement for parental consent prior to student participation in specific school administered surveys, rendering Sec 202 (c)(2)(D)(i) redundant, and when considered in conjunction with the proposed definition of `Medical Examination or Screening, highly concerning. Revision of the current legal definition of `physical examination' to `Medical Examination or Screening', which explicitly includes a mental health or substance use disorder screening, combined with parental consent requirements will undoubtedly exacerbate the youth mental health crisis and undermine efforts to improve school safety. The term `mental health screening' could be interpreted in a manner that results in significant harm to school communities. A mental health screening is not synonymous with a standardized measure or survey intended to gather personal information about an individual for diagnostic use. While those tools may be utilized as part of a holistic approach to identifying and addressing student need, mental health screening is a process by which educators, in collaboration with school psychologists or school mental health professionals, and families, identify students who may need support. School mental health professionals will not engage in a therapeutic intervention with a student without active parental consent. However, students must be allowed to seek out a trusted adult or mental health professional, including school psychologists, at school and these professionals must be able to assess student well-being and (as part of their responsibility as a mandatory reporter) immediately assess if there is concern regarding risk of harm to self or others. As currently written, H.R 5 would require parental consent prior to any contact with a school mental health professional and could result in unnecessary and preventable harm to self or others. Parents are already notified of reported risk after an assessment is completed and inability to reach a parent for consent to do an assessment can have lethal consequences. We offer the following suggested revision and would welcome the opportunity to collaborate on statutory language that ensures availability of comprehensive school mental and behavioral health services and balances schools' obligation to support student learning and well-being and maintain a safe school environment with efforts to improve family engagement in all aspects of the education system. MEDICAL EXAMINATION OR SCREENING.--The term `medical examination or screening' means any medical examination or screening that involves the exposure of private body parts, or any act during such examination or screening that includes incision, insertion, or injection into the body, or a mental health or substance use disorder screening, except that such term does not include: (i) a hearing, vision, or scoliosis screening; (ii) an observational screening carried out to comply with child find obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).'' (iii) Informal observation screening, or short term consultation, of non-therapeutic nature, with a school based mental health services provider; (iv) a process to assess and mitigate the risk of inflicted harm to self or others, provided that parental notification of such screening occurs as soon as is feasibly possible unless there is reasonable evidence that parent notification will result in harm to the child. Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 (H.R. 734) NASP believes, and courts have established, that the civil rights of transgender students are protected as part of U.S. public schools' obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. These rights include honoring a person's right to express gender identity, and the right to modify gender expression when necessary for individual well-being, and to have their gender identify affirmed and acknowledged, the right to explore and question their gender identity, and the right to participate in activities, including sports, that correspond with one's gender identity. We vehemently oppose any effort, including the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, to define sex based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth, while this legislation, on its face, is narrowly focused on the issue of athletics, it is legally tenuous to assume that Title IX allows for multiple, context specific, definitions of sex. This definition would most certainly be applied across all educational activities and programs and amounts to an assault on the existence and civil rights of transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex children, adolescents, and adults in our communities. Further, H.R. 734 places unfair burden on school administrators, who are not medical providers, to examine and police a student's body. Administrators and the National Association of Secondary School Principals have expressed concern and frustration over individual state's laws which violate Title IX. This legislation is a ``solution'' in search of a problem. The policies of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), among others have longstanding guidelines regarding participation on competitive sports teams. The IOC first allowed transgender participation in the Olympic Games beginning in 2004 and the NCAA has done so since 2011. Both the IOC and the NCAA have refined their policy to better align with scientific fact and empirical research; and both organizations, as well as numerous high school athletic associations and professional and amateur sports leagues, currently to allow transgender athletes to compete on teams and in events aligned with their gender identity. Inclusive sports participation benefits all students and ensures equitable opportunities for collegiate sports attainment, collegiate scholarships, and opportunities to compete in professional sports. There is absolutely no evidence that cisgender athletes, or women's athletics in general, are harmed by these policies. For almost two decades, transgender athletes in the United States have been allowed to participate in some of the most elite national and international competitions as their authentic selves. Yet, it was not until 2020, out of concern for the future of women's athletics, that policy makers sought to prohibit transgender people, particularly transgender women, from participating in sports teams that aligned with their gender identity. This legislation is not about protecting women. This legislation is a thinly veiled attempt at codifying a harmful and discriminatory definition of `sex' under the guise of ``protecting women'' from discrimination in sports. This legislation is not about sports, it is about further erasing transgender people from public life. We adamantly oppose this legislation and urge you to do the same. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate on legislation that promotes effective family engagement, ensures access to a well-rounded and inclusive curriculum, supports student well-being, and affirms the rights and identities of all students. Please contact NASP Director of Policy and Advocacy, Dr. Kelly Vaillancourt with questions, concerns, or opportunities to promote a public education system that works for all students. Sincerely, Kathleen Minke, PhD, NCSP, Executive Director.

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Chairman, I support parents' rights, and I am proud to live in the State of Minnesota where parents have a right to remove their child from a class assignment if they are not comfortable with the subject matter. That is State law today in Minnesota. I hear from parents across Minnesota's Second District every day who are worried about their children. And I hear from teachers every day who need more support and resources for their students. Mr. Chair, there are more than 800,000 public school students in Minnesota. I don't think Washington politicians, the people standing here on the House floor today, should mandate which books are in their school libraries. I don't think Washington politicians should mandate their parent- teacher conference schedules. I don't think Washington politicians should mandate whether these 800,000 kids get the mental health support they need. Let's be real about what this bill is actually about. This is about MAGA Republicans who want to start a fake culture war targeting some of the most vulnerable kids in America in our kids' classrooms. Shame on you. If you want to support parents, let's fully fund our public schools and sharpen our focus on special education programs. Let's figure out how we recruit and retain talented teachers. Let's get our kids and educators the mental health resources they desperately need.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I am here to recognize the Farmington High School Robotics Team, an impressive group of students, known as the Rogue Robotics, who exemplify the spirit of giving in Farmington. About 5 years ago, the team received a message from Cillian Jackson's father. Cillian is a young boy living in Farmington, Minnesota, who was born with a genetic condition that makes it hard for him to get around. His father reached out to the team to see if they would be interested in building a custom wheelchair for him. This talented robotics team took on the challenge and built a wheelchair for Cillian. Over the past 5 years, they have built six more custom wheelchairs free of charge for children with disabilities across our community. Each member of the Rogue Robotics team has used their talents and expertise to serve our community, and I am tremendously impressed by their talent, hard work, and dedication. Our future in Minnesota is strong with these kids. I thank them for showing us what selfless service looks like.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank and congratulate Will Mitchell for 4 years and 2 Congresses as my Legislative Director. Will has been a dedicated public servant and legislative staffer to the state of Minnesota for a decade now, previously serving for Congressman Rick Nolan for Will's own hometown district and Duluth, Minnesota. His expertise on energy and environmental policy helped us enact the Local Water Protection Act during the 117th Congress. He has been instrumental in forming my office as a first-term Member to now a returning Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Not only that, Will has been a jack of all trades, working in areas of Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Tax, Financial Services and so many different policies. I am grateful for Will's tireless advocacy for local communities in my district, spearheading our offices efforts to secure over $40 million in funding for Community Projects. He helped navigate my legislative portfolio through the pandemic, but also constantly stay on top of the issues impacting working families in Minnesota's Second District. It has also been a joy watching Will and Sacha's family grow--with 2 young boys, Cal and Charlie, joining us all during his time in my office. I've appreciated Will's advice and counsel over the years and wish him the best in his new adventure off the Hill.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Prior Lake Police Chief Steve Frazer and his 34 years of public service and congratulate him on his retirement. Chief Frazer's dedication to public safety and community service has been vital to Minnesota's Second Congressional District. His law enforcement record spans decades and multiple departments including the St. Paul Police Department, Roseville Police Department, Ramsey County Sheriffs Office, and Prior Lake Police Department. Chief Frazer retired after three and a half years as the Prior Lake Police Chief. He oversaw a plan to bring the department to full staffing levels and increase officer morale. Chief Frazer also formalized officer training with a focus on de-escalation. It is an honor to have worked with Chief Frazer and I wish him well in his retirement.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was proud to watch the House pass my bill naming the South St. Paul, Minnesota Post Office after fallen South St. Paul police officer Leo Pavlak. In 1933, after only 4 months on the force and at just 38 years old, Officer Pavlak was shot and killed by the notorious Barker-Karpis gang while assisting in a payroll delivery. To this day, he is the only South St. Paul officer to have been killed in the line of duty. In the 89 years since his death, Leo's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have continued building the impressive Pavlak legacy in law enforcement in our community. Leo's son, Robert Leo Pavlak, Sr. was a St. Paul police officer. One of his grandsons, Robert, was a Ramsey County deputy, while another grandson, David, worked in St. Paul as a police officer. And now Leo's great-grandson, Ryan, is following in those very footsteps. So today, I applaud my colleagues in passing this bill to honor not only Leo's dedication and service but that of the entire Pavlak family. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Senate colleagues to pass this bill in a timely manner.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, my wife, Cheryl, and I were married 14 years ago when one of the first States in our country allowed us to do so. It took years and a Supreme Court ruling to acknowledge and grant the legal protections that come with marriage across this great land. In the ensuing years, we raised our four sons, and we expanded our family of six to nine, adding two daughters-in-law and a grandson to that mix. I am standing here today because in the year 2022, families like mine are, once again, concerned that an activist, out-of-step Supreme Court is going to take those rights away. Just so we are clear, that Supreme Court and the Members in opposition of this legislation today are out of step with the American people. Today, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that takes the longstanding and overdue step of repealing DOMA and ensures that same-sex and interracial marriage is recognized in every State, no matter who is sitting on the Supreme Court. We have made progress. Mr. Speaker, let's not go back.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Maureen Scallen Failor on a successful five-year tenure as President of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce as she wraps up her impressive run on December 16. Maureen is an incredible advocate for her small business members across Dakota County. Throughout her time as President, she successfully navigated her membership through the pandemic, oversaw membership growth throughout the region and increased DCRC's presence within the community. Maureen's input on pandemic related legislation and advocacy to ensure Chambers received PPP loans was vital to Minnesota's Second District. I'll always appreciate our coffee and conversations and am thankful for her willingness to moderate many of my monthly town halls. Small business leaders like Maureen and chambers like DCRC are vital to our local Main Street economies. I'm grateful for the numerous opportunities I had to work with Maureen and wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Madam Speaker, today is the day that we deliver on many of our promises to the American people. We are going to lower the cost of healthcare for millions of Americans. We are going to invest in American energy independence and reduce carbon emissions. We are going to do this in a responsible way, as we reduce the deficit in the process. The Inflation Reduction Act takes historic strides to make healthcare more affordable by capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month for those on Medicare. Capping out-of-pocket drug costs for our Nation's seniors at $2,000 a year, and empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices for our seniors. We also extend the ACA tax credit, ensuring that we continue along the path of these historic rates of uninsured in our Nation. We are going to make the largest investment in clean energy in our Nation's history, reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent this decade, and invest in biofuels infrastructure for Minnesota's family farmers. Madam Speaker, I say to my colleagues, today, the will of our constituents will prevail over special interests--at least on this side of the aisle. Madam Speaker, this legislation will make a real difference in reducing costs for working families. I am proud to support it, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Madam Speaker, to tell you the truth, I am disappointed to be here today, too, supporting the very idea and the very notion that we have to be here today exerting and codifying the right for women to make their own healthcare and family planning decisions. It is 2022, and we are standing here today with Roe overturned and with 77 percent of this extreme GOP caucus voting against marriage equality, so you had better bet, Madam Speaker, that we are here because the Supreme Court has attacked reproductive rights. It is absolutely necessary that we take action today. For most of our lives, women across our country, including most in this room, have relied on birth control to exert control over their own futures. Yet, today, in the year 2022, many of those women are wondering if they will see that control disappear. Make no mistake about it, Madam Speaker, this is actually about control. An extreme GOP and extreme Supreme Court want to take away your freedom and your control over your own lives. Quite frankly, it is tragic. My colleague is right. The idea that we are even standing here today having to consider legislation that would codify Americans' right to contraception, birth control, and IUDs--and I can't believe the gentlewoman mentioned Trojan in her opening remarks. We are here because we are in an absurd time where an extremist GOP wants to take control. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation today.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Madam Speaker, I intended to vote Yea on Roll Call No. 320, Mr. Foster's amendment (No. 18) to H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act, which repeals the restriction on funding for the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear--Test-Ban Treaty Organization. I inadvertently voted Nay when it was my sincere intention to vote Yea. Mr. Foster's amendment is a welcome addition to this bill and it has my support.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Madam Speaker, exactly 3 weeks ago, five Justices on an activist, extremist Supreme Court handed down a decision that upended nearly 50 years of precedent and rolled back fundamental rights for millions of Americans. In the weeks since, I have watched in horror as State after State has triggered laws that now prevent a woman or a girl from accessing an abortion even in the case of rape and incest. These events have been shocking to Americans, not only for millions of women across the country but for the country as a whole. You call yourselves conservative. We are talking about 50 years of precedent in our Nation. Because no Government has a place interfering in the decisions between a woman and her doctor, criminalizing abortion, or restricting women's healthcare options. This is not a controversial position to the American people. A strong majority of my constituents believe that the right to an abortion should be protected by law. This is a freedom and a privacy issue, and the government--not politicians in this room and not politicians in any State in our Nation--should not have any part in this conversation at all. This is a very personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her faith. Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' to protect Roe today.

Ms. CRAIG

Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, Americans across the country are justifiably frustrated by the higher prices they are experiencing at the pump, in the grocery store, and across the board. Right now, working families in every district across this country are crying out for relief. They are tired of political games, and they are tired of partisan attacks. Our constituents don't want Congress in a food fight. They want compromise, and they want solutions. My friends, today, we have a bipartisan, commonsense solution at our fingertips. The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will lift up our constituents by lowering prices at the grocery store aisle and at the pump and creating a situation where we are seen as acting together. My provision, the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, will allow for the year-round sale of homegrown biofuels, which can sell for as much as 40 cents less per gallon than traditional gasoline. Why would we deny that low-cost alternative to working families who are so desperate for savings? My Strengthening the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Act will help lower prices at the grocery store by getting products from ships to shelves faster and shoring up our food supply chain for future generations. My friends, why would we deny these critical savings to our constituents who are simply trying to put food on the table? The American people want action. They are calling for us to use every tool at our disposal to fight inflation and lower costs. We must respond to their call. I appreciate the support of this package from my Democratic colleagues and many of my Republican colleagues, and I encourage all of you to vote ``yes.''