Mike Ezell

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 248 is long overdue. It provides help for American families traveling with young children. It simply makes sense for Amtrak to comply with ADA requirements, especially as a recipient of Federal funding. I was glad to see the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure favorably report this measure, and I look forward to the House doing so, as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1182) to require the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate regulations relating to the approval of foreign manufacturers of cylinders, and for other purposes.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 1182.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in recent years, foreign-produced gas cylinders from countries like China have entered the United States market despite failing to meet Department of Transportation safety standards and specifications. In addition to threatening public safety, these dangerous imported cylinders take market share from the gas cylinder manufacturers in the United States. H.R. 1182 is bipartisan legislation that will improve safety while also providing a level playing field for American cylinder manufacturers. Importantly, this legislation will apply the same safety standards to foreign-produced cylinders as those manufactured in the United States. Finally, the bill will increase the capacity of PHMSA to conduct foreign inspections without cost to the United States taxpayers by allowing for more adequate cost recovery from applicants. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson).

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1182 will better protect the public from the dangers of poorly manufactured and mislabeled compressed gas cylinders. This legislation will also better ensure fair competition for American manufacturers and workers. Further, H.R. 1182 improves transparency by requiring all applications to be subject to public review and input. It ensures that the United States regulators have access to any and all pertinent information regarding applicants. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Balderson) for leading this important bipartisan effort. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1373) to require certain meetings of the Tennessee Valley Authority to be transparent and open to the public, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 1373, as amended.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressmen Burchett and Cohen for their continued work in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to make the Tennessee Valley Authority transparent for its customers. This bill is the latest in those efforts. Specifically, this bill puts into law practices that make more meetings open to the public and ensures that minutes from those meetings are publicly available after the fact. The bill also contains limited exceptions for meetings involving sensitive information in order to protect TVA's competitiveness and ability to carry out its mission for its customers. Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Burchett).

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1373, the TVA Transparency Act is a commonsense bill that makes Tennessee Valley Authority more transparent while ensuring it can serve its customers effectively. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1948) to authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 1948, as amended.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1948 would allow the United States section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC, to receive additional funding from other Federal and non-Federal partners to support water and wastewater infrastructure. The IBWC is already authorized to receive funds from the Environmental Protection Agency, but this bill will allow the IBWC to partner with other agencies and entities, such as the Department of Homeland Security, to address the maintenance backlog for critical water infrastructure. This legislation will allow the IBWC to access more funding sources so it can maintain these assets and, in turn, help provide cleaner water for our warfighters to train in and strengthen our security posture along our southern border. Enacting the bill would help advance the Trump administration's priorities as outlined in the President's fiscal year 2026 budget request. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1948 is a strong, bipartisan bill that advances the Trump administration's priorities that helps the IBWC effectively manage critical water infrastructure along the southern border. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 252) to amend title 46, United States Code, to prohibit certain contracts for port operations and management, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 252, as amended.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 252 takes important steps to strengthen the security of our supply chains by limiting the ability of the Chinese, Russian, North Korean, or Iranian state-owned entities to own, lease, or operate port terminals in this country. This legislation will ensure that our ports remain safe from both cyber and physical threats, which increases our national security posture. I commend my colleague from California (Mr. Calvert) for leading on this issue and working to strengthen our Nation's posture against our adversaries. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this bill creates a vital safeguard for some of our Nation's most critical infrastructure. H.R. 252 prevents certain foreign entities from entering into contracts for the ownership, leasing, or operation of port facilities that are subject to security plans. This, in turn, reduces vulnerabilities at our ports and bolsters national security. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the life and legacy of a great Mississippian, A.E. ``Peter'' Pierce of Helena, who went home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of May 24. Peter was the best to everyone. He was a devoted husband to his beloved, Grace, for 69 years; a U.S. Army veteran; a hardworking father; grandfather; and public servant. He was a man whose quiet faith was lived out in everyday acts of service. From the shipyards of Pascagoula to the halls of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, from coaching Little League to mowing the church lawn, even after his diagnosis, Peter gave his time, his energy, and his heart to others. He was a faithful member of Escatawpa Assembly of God, a friend to the forgotten, and a kind man who cooked Christmas breakfast for his grandkids, always reminding them he was the most blessed man on Earth. We grieve his loss, but we celebrate a life well lived, and we thank God for the example he gave us.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a great Mississippian, A.E. ``Peter'' Pierce of Helena, who went home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of May 24th. Peter was the very best of us--a devoted husband to his beloved Grace for nearly 69 years, a U.S. Army veteran, a hardworking father, grandfather, and public servant, and a man whose quiet faith was lived out in every act of service. From the shipyards of Pascagoula to the halls of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, from coaching little league to mowing the church lawn even after his diagnosis--Peter gave his time, his energy, and his heart to others. He was a faithful member of Escatawpa Assembly of God, a friend to the forgotten, and the kind of man who cooked Christmas breakfast for a house full of grandkids, always reminding them: he was the most blessed man on earth. We grieve his loss, but we celebrate a life well-lived, and we thank God for the example he gave us.

Mr. EZELL

Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, this year, the First Baptist Church of Biloxi celebrates 150 incredible years of ministry and service. Since 1875, this church has stood as a beacon of faith, hope, and love--guiding generations through times of challenge and celebration. Their commitment to spreading the Gospel, serving the Gulf Coast community, and nurturing spiritual growth has made a lasting impact. This milestone is not just about looking back--it's a powerful reminder of the faithfulness of God and the strength of a community rooted in Him. I thank Pastor Gibson, the leadership team, and every member of this congregation for their dedication, their prayers, and their service. May God continue to bless them as they move forward into the next chapter of this remarkable journey. Congratulations, and happy 150th anniversary.