Charles (Chuck) Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Senators Fischer and Padilla for their leadership on the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act. I was happy to introduce the House version of this very important bill, H.R. 2830, and I look forward to the benefit this language will add on our veterans' quality of life once it becomes law. Every day, brave men and women join our military to fight for the American Dream so that each of us can live in a country where we have the opportunity to succeed and are free to pursue a better way of life. However, all too often when our servicemembers are transitioning to civilian life, our government fails in their pursuit of achieving the American Dream. A 2016 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation found that 53 percent of all veterans were unemployed for at least 4 months after leaving the military. These are our country's strongest citizens, yet we repeatedly fail to sufficiently support them as they make the biggest transition in their life, from servicemember to civilian. S. 656 and H.R. 2830 make a much-needed change to the veteran educational assistance programs, expanding job opportunities for the brave men and women who serve our great Nation. The VA CDL Act will increase veteran access to timely, quality commercial driver license training, reduce veteran unemployment or underemployment, and reduce the strain on our Nation's supply chain by increasing the truck driver workforce pool. Currently, roughly 8,400 commercial driving programs are approved for use by eligible veterans under the GI Bill, but a bureaucratic 2-year rule prevents these training facilities from accepting GI benefits at secondary locations for 2 years. This burdensome red tape has excluded many veterans from attending closer secondary branch training and dissuaded servicemembers from joining the trucking industry. Who better knows how to drive big stuff than our veterans? Due to this rule, veterans must decide between finding a new career path, waiting 2 years to pursue their commercial driver's license, or in some cases traveling hundreds of miles away from their home for immediate training. S. 656 and H.R. 2830 fix that issue by exempting new branches of preapproved training facilities located in the same State from the statutory 2-year wait to accept veterans' benefits. It is high time that we take meaningful steps toward better supporting a veteran's transition into the civilian workforce. Too many arbitrary rules are impeding a veteran's ability to achieve the very American Dream that they are fighting for others to pursue, but the VA CDL Act helps to eliminate one of those barriers. Ultimately, this is a commonsense reform bill that will reduce unnecessary roadblocks to veteran training and workforce opportunities, and I urge all my colleagues to support it.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding foreign policy, border security and small businesses. Dear Friend, Three years ago, 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed in the Abbey Gate terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the final days of the Afghanistan withdrawal. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs recently released the report on its investigation of during and after the rushed withdrawal, ``Willful Blindness: An Assessment of the Biden-Harris Administration's Withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Chaos that Followed.'' The committee found that the Biden-Harris administration was determined to withdraw from Afghanistan no matter the costs, prioritizing the optics of the withdrawal over the security of U.S. personnel and failing to plan for all contingencies. The administration's hasty decisions and disregard for U.S. personnel on the ground during the withdrawal led to the deaths of 13 of our military members by a terrorist attack on Aug. 26, 2021, the deadliest day for our military in Afghanistan since 2012. This catastrophic withdrawal not only resulted in the deaths of our servicemembers, it has also weakened U.S. national security, with Afghanistan once again becoming a haven for terrorists, and has damaged U.S. credibility on the world stage after abandoning our Afghan allies to Taliban revenge killings. This tragedy was preventable, and the Biden-Harris administration has yet to take accountability for its failures or even meet with the Gold Star families of our fallen soldiers. Americans will never forget the ultimate sacrifice made in defense of our nation by: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, from Salt Lake City, Utah Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, from Lawrence, Massachusetts Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, from Sacramento, California Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, from Indio, California Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, from Omaha, Nebraska Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, from Logansport, Indiana Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, from Rio Bravo, Texas Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, from St. Charles, Missouri Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, from Jackson, Wyoming Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, from Rancho Cucamonga, California Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, from Norco, California Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, from Berlin Heights, Ohio Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, from Corryton, Tennessee Standing up to Communist China The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) represents the greatest threat to American values and national security in our lifetime, and we must counter the CCP's efforts to gain leverage over our nation and beyond. President Xi Jinping has gone so far as to say that he will do whatever it takes to bring Taiwan under his control, including through military force. From securing our supply chains and protecting American technology to defending American biosecurity and drug manufacturing, the nearly three dozen bills that the House advanced are a step toward reducing China's leverage over the U.S. and strengthening U.S. dominance. Just one of the bills that I am co-sponsoring and voted for that would directly affect Western North Carolina is the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to be included on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for agriculture-related issues. It also requires CFIUS to review and potentially block purchases of farmland by foreign adversaries that pose a national security risk. We cannot allow enemies of the U.S. to buy up America's farmland, which poses a food and national security threat, and I will continue to work with the House to combat the CCP's aggression here at home and overseas. Biden-Harris administration's ``America Last'' foreign policy Over the past three and a half years, the Biden-Harris administration's policies have put Americans last, diminishing our national security and draining hard-working Western North Carolinians' hard-earned savings. This administration's failed policies have caused sky-high inflation, record-high gas prices and an unprecedented invasion of our borders. During my district work period, constituent after constituent--including many small-business owners--have shared about the effects of high prices on running a business. Meanwhile, thousands of illegal immigrants continue to flood our borders, endangering the safety and well-being of every American. The radical, sanctuary-city policies are incentivizing illegal immigration, and your hard-earned tax dollars should not be used to serve illegal immigrants and further signal to the world that America's borders are open. To reverse such harmful policies that are rewarding illegal immigration and to protect women from sex offenders and abusers, I voted for the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act and the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act and will continue to push for policies that serve the best interests of our citizens and nation. Championing Main Street businesses The National Federation of Independent Business is a voice for small businesses across our nation, and I'm grateful to have been selected for this year's Small Business Guardian Award. As someone whose background is in business, I understand the challenges that Main Street faces, including heavy-handed government regulations. We need more pro-growth, pro-small- business policies so that small businesses can thrive and create jobs. Welcoming WNC Chamber members to DC It was a privilege to welcome members of WNC Chambers of Commerce for their retreat during which they focused on problem-solving and opportunities to improve workforce development and local economies. America's risk takers and job creators have long been under attack from Washington, and I'm striving to reduce regulations, create a better tax climate, and help develop a workforce that provides opportunity and fuels our economy by fixing how Washington works. With my warmest regards, Chad Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents in western North Carolina to highlight the dire situation at our southern border and to advocate for the enforcement of our Nation's immigration laws. During his time in office, the Biden administration continues to break records but not in a good way. Last month, Customs and Border Protection seized close to 1,700 pounds of fentanyl at the border, a 30 percent increase from just July. Over 200,000 Americans have now died from illegal drugs being smuggled across the southern border, and this number only continues to increase. This also comes after 3 years of broken border records and overwhelmed Border Patrol agents. Some of the first executive actions taken by President Biden undid the Trump administration's attempts to get the situation under control. Biden threw open the border. Whether he did it for political reasons or through sheer incompetence, it is costing Americans half a trillion dollars every year. Now, we have fentanyl flowing across the border, courtesy of the Mexican cartels, tearing apart families and the very fabric of our communities in the North Carolina mountains. Our border is being overrun with lawbreaking migrants, overpowered by drugs, and overwhelmed by what this is costing our Nation. By conservative estimates, more than 2 million illegal immigrants have been turned loose and are now unaccounted for in America, and that doesn't include those who managed to give Border Patrol agents the slip or the millions who have been living here illegally for years. These are not small numbers, Mr. Speaker. This is mass migration into our country, facilitated by our very own President. What is the Biden-Harris solution? How does President Biden and his appointed border czar plan to solve a problem that they manufactured? Last month, a DHS report found nearly 530,000 individuals were flown in and paroled by the Biden administration under the error-plagued mass parole program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, a program that was previously paused due to mass fraud and abuse. You can't make this up, folks. During my time in Congress, I have written, cosponsored, and helped pass legislation in the House to secure the southern border and end this administration's radical and dangerous border policies. I was proud to have cosponsored and voted for H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which is the strongest border security package passed by the House in American history. Senate Democrats and President Biden could take real, concrete steps to solve this migration crisis, and address everything from court backlogs to the trafficking of unaccompanied children if they would just get behind H.R. 2. Why are the Democrats so adamantly opposed to commonsense legislation to protect Americans and close the southern border, you might ask? One of my Democratic colleagues apparently said the quiet part out loud. In no uncertain terms, she said that she wanted more illegal immigrants to come into our country to give liberal sanctuary cities a higher population for congressional districting and the electoral college. She said: ``I need more people in my district just for redistricting purposes,'' in reference to illegal immigrants coming in droves to New York. To solve the problem once and for all, I introduced H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act, which allows a very basic question to be asked in the U.S. Census: Are you a U.S. citizen? Given all the other information the government collects during a census, this is a very reasonable thing that we should know, especially as the census count determines congressional apportionment, and only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote. My bill prohibits anyone who is not a United States citizen from counting toward population totals that determine the number of seats each State has in the U.S. House of Representatives. This would go an incredibly long way to helping us determine who is actually in our country, which is not an unreasonable thing to want to know. Knowing who is in our Nation and keeping out those who are trying to break our laws and brazenly waltz across our borders is basic national security. Our own President is failing at the task of keeping this Nation safe and secure. I ask my colleagues from across the aisle, and this administration, to work with Republicans to pass this commonsense legislation that actually goes to fix the problem.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding inflation, officer safety and small businesses. Dear Friend, The Carl Sandburg Home, a national historic site nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, preserves the home and legacy of American poet Carl Sandburg. I'm pleased to share that after convening members of the National Park Service and stakeholders who are in support of a project to improve access to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site last year, as of a result of this and others' efforts, more than $1 million will be available for Front Lake dam repairs. Due to erosion around the Front Lake bridge, the Carl Sandburg Home had to rely on the help of donations from the local community to buy a bus to transport folks through a back entrance as they understood the importance of the site to the local tourism economy. This project will make necessary repairs to once again open the trail for easier access for visitors. Kamalanomics continues to fail hard-working Western North Carolinians For the past three and a half years, Western North Carolinians have suffered from sky-high prices and plummeting wages. Kamala Harris has repeatedly cast the deciding vote in the U.S. Senate to approve trillions of dollars in excessive government spending as part of the Biden-Harris administration's failing economic policies. Her policies have led to higher costs for Americans and her price-fixing scheme would only make things worse. When the federal government overspends, Western North Carolinians pay more to get less. As a member of the House Appropriations and Budget Committees, my goal is to fix how Washington works so that hardworking folks in our mountains can keep more of their hard-earned money. Improving officer safety in Yancey County After I secured the funding last year in the annual appropriations process, the $100,000 is making its way to the hands of the Yancey County Sheriff's Office to enhance officer safety in the field. WNC law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect our citizens and communities, and it is critical that they have the tools to do their jobs safely and effectively. This grant will provide funding for the Yancey County Sheriff's Office to acquire portable substance analyzer capability, which will improve officer safety in the field and provide a cost-efficient method of identifying potentially deadly substances, such as fentanyl. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will be continuing to advocate for the necessary and responsible funding of projects back home in North Carolina's 11th District. Supporting WNC's Main Street businesses During the district work period, I've had the pleasure of visiting local businesses in downtown Bryson City, Dillsboro, Franklin and Marion. A common theme heard from small business owners during my visits was concerns about keeping up with rising costs in this economy. Entrepreneurs in our mountains contribute to our local economy and enrich our communities. To allow them to create jobs and grow our economy, I'm working to fix how Washington works by getting big government out of the way and rolling back excessive regulations. Stay informed on NC-11 news Federal rules will require congressional offices to enter a communication blackout 60 days before an election. This means I'll be restricted in how I can share updates and information with you starting early September. To stay informed during this period, I encourage you to sign up for my official newsletter by visiting edwards.house.gov/ newsletter. By doing so, you'll receive important updates directly in your email inbox highlighting what I'm doing in Congress to advocate for Western North Carolina. I know how important it is to keep you informed about the issues affecting our mountains, from new bills that I'm introducing to local grants and more. By signing up for the newsletter, you won't miss a beat as we continue working together for North Carolina's 11th District. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Alice Wood, for her work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this summer. Alice is a student at Wake Forest University, where she is majoring in political science and double minoring in Spanish and English studies. After graduation, Alice wants to continue her education by attending law school. Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. Alice was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation with her positive attitude and impressive work ethic. It was a pleasure to work with Alice, and I am so proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. She exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that our Nation has to offer. Congratulations to Alice on this successful completion of her internship, and on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I thank her.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Lillie Connet, for her work as an intern serving in my district office, located in her hometown of Hendersonville, North Carolina. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this summer. Lillie is a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is studying human development and family studies and political science. She aspires to share her passion for knowledge as she pursues a career in education. Wherever she finds herself, Lillie selflessly volunteers her time and effort to those around her and is a dedicated member of the Western North Carolina community. Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. Lillie was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation with her positive attitude and impressive work ethic. It was a pleasure to work with Lillie, and I am so proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Lillie exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that our Nation has to offer. Congratulations to Lillie on this successful completion of her internship, and on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I thank her.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding spending bills, healthcare consolidation, and government regulations. Dear Friend, I'm disappointed that the Do Our Job Act, the bill I introduced to keep us in DC until our budget work is completed, did not get the support it needed and deserved to make it to a committee hearing. But I've learned that many ideas need to be introduced many times before they get traction. Fixing how Washington works will not be easy, so I am undeterred, and I'll continue to push for this reform. While I enjoy time in the district with my constituents, I would rather be in DC passing the rest of our appropriations bills and avoiding the threat of another government shutdown or continuing resolution. The Do Our Job Act would have made sure that Congress did not leave for this district work period unless the House passed all 12 annual appropriations bills. While the House Appropriations Committee, which I am a member of, passed all 12 spending bills to be considered by the House, the House has only passed five of these 12 spending bills. In the nearly five decades that our current appropriations process has been in place, Congress has only passed all 12 bills four times. Four times in almost 50 years. Western North Carolinians and the American people deserve better than an 8 percent success rate for funding our government. The American people have been far too generous with us, and it is high time that we fix how Washington works. increased health costs, decreased quality of care Western North Carolina is no stranger to high healthcare costs, and as a member of the House Budget Committee, I want to share what we learned from the committee hearing that evaluated the budgetary effects of healthcare consolidation. The hearing discussed the unsustainable trajectory of federal health spending and policy opportunities to combat consolidation and enhance free market competition; or to put it simply, how to make health care more affordable and more accessible for the American people. The U.S. is seeing a surge in hospital mergers, resulting in increased federal health spending and higher patient costs. Simultaneously, patients have been experiencing lower quality of care, which is a less easily quantifiable but arguably worse consequence than dealing with high costs. This is the reality right here in our mountains following the Mission HCA Healthcare acquisition in 2019. That is why I have demanded the Federal Trade Commission, the agency responsible for all acquisitions and mergers, re-review the Mission/HCA deal and take action to overturn the acquisition if malfeasance is found. It is my mission as a member of the House Budget Committee and House Appropriations Committee to promote policies and funding that deter consolidation and promote greater choice, affordability, and quality of care for the citizens of NC-11 and beyond. revitalizing communities in wnc During my time in our mountains, I continuously hear from constituents who are interested in developing environmentally challenged properties in Western North Carolina but decide not to because of the significant cleanup, redevelopment costs and time delays that are often required from environmental contamination. The Economic Opportunity for Distressed Communities Act that I introduced would provide a tax incentive for those who decide to redevelop Superfund and brownfield areas by designating such environmentally challenged properties as Opportunity Zones. By incentivizing cleanup and development of brownfield and Superfund sites, we can create jobs, business opportunities and increase property values for Western North Carolina and nationwide. regulations backed by science As a small business owner, I have experienced the real-life consequences of new government regulations imposed by Washington bureaucrats who do not understand the implications of their misguided rules. The Show Me the Science Act that I introduced would require federal agencies to publish the data that they use to inform decisions behind new rules. If a federal agency cannot prove that the benefits of a new rule outweigh the costs, then we should not burden the American people and Main Street businesses with unnecessary regulations. Federal agencies make legally binding requirements on the public, often with an inability or unwillingness to share the information that they use to form the basis of their rules and fail to calculate the costs and benefits of those rules for American taxpayers. We need to fix how Washington works by requiring more transparency in federal rulemaking and improving congressional and public oversight of the rulemaking process. ``unplugged'' town hall series is coming to macon county Join my next in-person town hall in Macon County on Thursday, August 15. The town hall will take place from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Robert C. Carpenter Community Building, 1288 Georgia Rd., Franklin, NC. I'm looking forward to sharing an update about the latest legislative opportunities and challenges in Congress and answering questions about the issues that matter to you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow Western North Carolinians who care deeply about our district and nation. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding the attempted Trump assassination and Israel: Dear Friend, I voted in favor of H. Res. 1367, Establishing the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, which would fully examine all actions related to the attempted assassination. Our nation was shaken by the assassination attempt on President Trump, which tragically took the life of Corey Comperatore. It has become clear since then that numerous security flaws and failures made it possible for the gunman to open file on President Trump. The American people deserve transparency and accountability. We must make sure that what happened at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania does not happen again. Kimberly Cheatle, who just resigned as director of the United States Secret Service, refused to voluntarily provide answers that would allow us to figure out what went wrong. The United States Secret Service has a no-fail mission, but it failed when the shooter attempted to assassinate President Trump, took the life of an innocent victim and harmed others. A comprehensive investigation is necessary to understand what went wrong that day so we can learn how to prevent this from happening in the future. While obvious security gaps were present, I commend the bravery of the individual Secret Service agents, local law enforcement, and Emergency Medical Services, who took immediate action to protect and care for President Trump. America stands with Israel As Israel continues to fight for its right to exist, I remain committed to supporting one of our staunchest Middle Eastern allies. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint meeting of Congress where he eloquently and directly addressed the world on why Israel has the right and must defend itself and what the implications are for world peace and stability. While the House of Representatives has stood with Israel, many on the radical left have turned their back on Israel. They have chosen to withhold critical military aid that is necessary for Israel to defend itself and defeat the terrorist organization, Hamas, and have instead sided with pro-Hamas leftists. As an embarrassment to the traditions of joint sessions of Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris skipped Netanyahu's at a time when it has never been more critical to show the world that America stands firmly with our ally. Some of the major bills I helped pass in support of Israel following the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7 include measures to: Provide an additional $14.1 billion in emergency appropriations in support of Israel's efforts to defend itself against Iran and Iran's terrorist proxies, and to replenish U.S. defense assets in the region. Strengthen U S sanctions against Iran. Condemn the International Criminal Court's decision to file applications for arrest warrants against Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Create a legal definition of antisemitism to protect Jewish people and students on college campuses facing discrimination. U.S.-Israel relations are not only vital to providing stability in perhaps the most volatile region of the world, but our principles and values are closely aligned, and the U.S. must not waver in our ironclad support for Israel. WNC wins in WRDA 2024 Even more positive news for our district: The House passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes two of my bills, the National Dam Safety Program Amendment Act and the Low-Head Dam Inventory Act. The passage of this legislation benefits Western North Carolina by strengthening dam safety for the more than 750 dams in out district and providing funding to improve water and wastewater infrastructure. The following projects are included in WRDA 2024: Authorization of $41 million for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management in Canton Authorization of more than $3 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Robbinsville Authorization of $4 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Weaverville Authorization of $1.5 million for water and wastewater infrastructure, including water supply in Murphy Army Corps of Engineers study on flood risk management, including riverbank stabilization, along the Catawba River in Marion Army Corps of Engineers study on flood risk management along the Pigeon River in Clyde and Canton Military Veteran Stand Down Celebration Veterans have made great sacrifices to defend our freedom, and it is only right that we now serve them by supporting their transition to civilian life. I was blown away by the turnout and involvement of everyone who participated in the Military Veteran Stand Down Celebration that I hosted with Henderson County. More than 130 folks attended the event, and 21 resource vendors were available to share how they can assist veterans. I appreciate all who showed up for our veterans and military families who have made great sacrifices to serve and protect us. Attention: Military Service Academy Day is on August 17 My office will be hosting a Military Service Academy Day on August 17 in Haywood County for WNC high school students to learn about the application and nomination process for military service academies. I look forward to meeting students who are interested in learning how they can advance their academic and professional careers while serving our great nation. Representatives from the service academies and members of my team will be at the event to answer any questions. Visit my website for more information here. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted AYE on Roll Call No. 392.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hendrix. A lifelong resident of Western North Carolina, Ryan dedicated his life to the service of his county, his community, and his cherished family. Ryan was born in Asheville on December 9, 1985, the son of Donald and Heidi Hendrix. As a Christian, Ryan faithfully served his Lord by regularly attending Grace Blue Ridge Church with Pastor Chas Morris. He graduated from Hendersonville Christian School in 2004. Through the school's mission trip program, Ryan cultivated the passion for service he demonstrated throughout his life. Ryan went on mission trips to border towns in Mexico and worked to better the lives of children. At 19 years old, Ryan enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps. He trained at Parris Island where he was a squad leader and a sharpshooter. He graduated as a Lance Corporal Marine in 2005 and served in the Marine Reserves for five years. In 2006, Ryan volunteered to serve a tour of duty in Iraq. Ryan began his career with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office as a detention officer in June 2012. In May 2015, Ryan became a patrol deputy upon completing Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), and he later became a field training officer. He was an active member of the SWAT team and served the Henderson County Sheriff's Office for a total of eight years. Ryan loved his work and serving the local community. Ryan excelled in sports, especially baseball and soccer, and enjoyed being outdoors. On his days off, he would often go fishing, hunting, biking, and camping. While Ryan's dedication to serving his community and others is beyond dispute, he reserved the largest piece of his heart for his two children, Elloree and Merritt. He spent all his days off with his children and continuously shared his passion for being outdoors with them. They, along with their mother, Emily, Ryan's fiancee, were the love of his life and always his greatest priority. On September 10, 2020, Deputy Hendrix tragically lost his life in the line of duty. The loss of Ryan has left a hole in many hearts of those who love him and whose lives he touched. Today, we honor Ryan with the renaming of the U.S. 64 bridge over Interstate 26 as the ``Deputy Ryan P. Hendrix Bridge.'' Ryan's life and his legacy--his courage, his bravery, and his dedication to service--shall forever serve as a reminder to North Carolinians that freedom isn't free.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Maggie Valley's incorporation as a municipality in North Carolina. Home to about 1,800 North Carolinians, Maggie Valley's rich history predates the town's official incorporation by many years. Located in Haywood County, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians occupied this region prior to the first White settlers. In the early 1800s, mountain settlers began to move into the valley and brought with them the characteristics that still define Maggie Valley--self- sufficiency, resourcefulness, independence and free-thinking. In 1890, one of the valley's residents, Jack Setzer, became fed up with having to pay someone to take and pick up mail from the nearest post office located five miles away. Setzer began contacting officials with the United States Postal Service to establish a post office in his area that everyone in the valley could use. When the U.S. postmaster general approved the creation of the post office, authorities requested that Setzer submit three potential names. He gave them the names of his three daughters: Cora, Mettie, and Maggie Mae. On May 10, 1904, Jack received a letter from the U.S. Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock that postal authorities had decided on a name: Maggie, North Carolina. In 1974, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to approve Maggie Valley as an official municipality and approved the town's formation of a local government, consisting of a mayor and a five-member board of aldermen. Maggie Valley serves as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The town's proximity to these two attractions allows thousands of visitors to experience the beauty of Maggie Valley each year. This year commemorates Maggie Valley's five decades as an official town. As residents celebrate the 50th anniversary this week, they honor the virtues and traditions that have defined Maggie Valley for half a century and look to carry those forward for 50 more years.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor the life of Leslie Kenneth Champney in recognition of his service in the United States Navy Reserve during the Second World War. Seaman First Class Leslie Champney served his country from September 1, 1943 to May 25, 1946. While in enlisted in the US Navy Reserve, Mr. Champney served overseas as a security officer aboard the SS Charles J. Folger and the USS Barber for a total of twenty-three months, experiencing both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of the war. Once while on a ship in the North Atlantic, Mr. Champney and his shipmates encountered a majestic whale, a memory he would often share with his children. Upon his return from service, Mr. Champney fathered seven children and worked hard as an automotive mechanic, primarily focused on diesel vehicles. Although he did not often speak of his time in the military, he deserves our gratitude and proper recognition for his contribution to the Allied victory in World War II. Today, we present the late Mr. Champney's son, Kenn, with the five medals his father earned through his service during World War II.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding our NATO partners and election integrity. Dear Friend: As a member of the House Appropriations State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I recently traveled with a small delegation to the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, then Poland. There we met with those nations' top military and political leaders and diplomats. Throughout this trip I was constantly reminded of the evil that has reigned our earth for centuries. In the U.S. we are somewhat isolated geographically. In this volatile region they live under the constant reminder of their struggles for freedom and despicable acts of centuries of occupation, depopulation, repopulation, and genocide. Daily, these critical NATO allies are exposed to Putin's verbal threats as well as living in the fear of regular cyber and terrorist attacks. More importantly, those in the Baltics are watching the reality of Russian aggression, cruelty, and massacres play out in their own backyard today. They saw the barbaric act of Putin bombing a children's hospital. They saw that over 20,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped and moved to Russia as part of their history's reputation for depopulating those they dominate. The leaders in this region talked with me because of their close proximity to Russia and Belarus about their constant fear that they could be annihilated within seconds, and might never see it coming. They know that Putin is ruthless enough and has the thirst for power and land to do it. We don't see these pressures from our secure vantage point in the U.S., outside of our new threats created by Joe Biden's lackadaisical policies over our own border. However, these European partners feel a daily struggle to cling to their democracy and freedom. Each of these vulnerable countries are doing their part. Each of them contributes well over 2 percent of their GDP toward their own defense, knowing they'll likely have to face another Russian invasion of their homeland some day. Additionally, they are contributing to the military and humanitarian needs in Ukraine. But one thing became very clear to me on this trip. None of them have the size, the economy, nor the military capability to preserve freedom and democracy on their own. Their existence is dependent on all of our NATO partners. Only U.S. citizens should have influence on U.S. elections. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act that I co-sponsored and helped the House pass protects and preserves the right of American citizens to vote. This legislation would require states to obtain proof of citizenship in person when registering an individual to vote in federal elections and requires states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls. Foreign election interference is made possible because of our lax voter registration laws that allow noncitizens to register and vote in federal elections. With the ongoing crisis at our southern border, this piece of legislation is essential to safeguard the integrity of American elections. The SAVE Act will close the loopholes that allow noncitizen registration, and thereby voting, to improve election security, minimize the risk of foreign interference and restore Americans' confidence in U.S. elections. ``Unplugged'' Town Hall in Yancey County Reminder: Join my next in-person town hall in Yancey County on Tuesday, July 16. The town hall will take place from 6:00- 7:30 p.m. at the Yancey County Courthouse, 110 Town Sq., Burnsville, NC. I'm looking forward to sharing an update about the latest legislative opportunities and challenges in Congress and answering questions about the issues that matter to you. DC office's first Green Thumb Award winner Congratulations, Jessie Frank, for winning our DC office's first ever Green Thumb Award. These DC Longworth building offices are drab. To add a little life, spirit, and ambiance to our office, for the past 90 days our team was challenged to keep the area around their workspace green and vibrant. I appreciate my entire team's enthusiasm and light-hearted competition to make our office green and alive. Jessie received the award, but we all benefited with a more pleasant place to work. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding military readiness, national security, and the appropriations process. Dear Friend: The United States is facing unprecedented threats from those who want to do us harm, so the House is prioritizing policies that strengthen our nation's security and borders. The House recently passed H.R. 8070, the Servicemembers Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25, which is focused on improving our servicemembers' lives while restoring our military's focus on warfighting. I'm excited to share that this bill also included three of my amendments. The fist requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to complete a survey of the 15 counties in North Carolina's 11th District as potential locations for future defense facilities. Western North Carolina's topography is much like that of many of our adversaries, including China's, and would be advantageous for military training. Another of my amendments requires the DOD to submit an annual report to the General Services Administration about office space occupancy data so that taxpayer dollars are not being thrown away on unused office space by the federal government. The third amendment would revoke the security clearances of retired or active members of the armed forces or Defense Department civilian employees who support or participate in demonstrations in support of a designated foreign terrorist organization. It should be a no-brainer that someone who supports a terrorist organization should not have access to classified security information. This year's NDAA took an important step in getting our military away from wokeness and back to its mission of protecting and defending America, and I was glad to support it. Open borders put American lives at risk. Protecting the long-term success of our nation and Americans require defending our border. Since President Biden has taken office, there have been more than 9.6 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide, with more than 7.9 million of them just at our southern border. Over the past three years, the left's failed border policies have made every community in America a border community, and the president's latest executive order does nothing to actually address the crisis at out southern border. Recent news of Americans murdered by illegal immigrants makes it clear that we must secure our borders to keep our citizens safe. We cannot protect Americans if we don't secure our border. That's why I helped pass the strongest border security bill in history, H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which would put an end to this administration's border crisis that is putting Americans' lives at risk. Appropriations season is upon us The House Appropriations Committee continues to fulfill our Article I responsibility by moving 12 bills that fund the federal government through the committee and the House floor in regular order with robust debate on spending. A common theme that marks these appropriations bills is a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and American values. One of the funding bills I helped pass as a member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee is nearly 20 percent less than the president's budget request and nearly 10 percent less than the spending level in FY24. Notably, this bill prioritizes agencies and programs that combat terrorism financing, maintain the integrity of our financial markets, spur small business growth, support the judicial branch and target opioid abuse. After the Appropriations Committee's passage of the Defense, Homeland Security, and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bills, the House also advanced these bills, putting our nation a step closer to increasing the safety and security of the American people. Some of the highlights in these bills that strengthen our national security include the following: The Defense bill refocuses the DOD on its core mission preparing combat-ready military forces to deter war and safeguard our national security. The measure includes targeting funding to counter China and related adversaries, supporting innovation to develop modernized weapons and capabilities, and supporting our servicemembers and their families, including giving a pay raise to all military personnel. It also reduces waste by cutting $18 billion from the president's budget request and eliminating the use of taxpayer dollars that would have gone to fund the radical left's woke agenda. The Homeland Security bill takes steps toward securing our southern border and makes sure that the Department of Homeland Security upholds federal law. The measure includes providing $600 million for constructing the southern border wall, sustained finding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents, and prohibits the transportation of illegal immigrants into the interior of the United States for purposes other than enforcement. The State and Foreign Operations bill prioritizes agencies and programs that protect our national security while safeguarding our global economic interests, supporting our allies, targeting our enemies and promoting freedom and democracy abroad in a fiscally responsible manner, cutting overall funding by 11 percent. The measure includes about S2 billion for U.S. national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and to counter influence by our adversaries, and more than $3 billion for Israel to defend itself against terrorist attacks. The bill also stops funding for the United Nations' regular budget, terminates more than 18 unnecessary programs and eliminates 33 special envoys and special representatives at the Department of State. This administration's America Last foreign policy approach has weakened the United States' standing on the world stage, emboldened our adversaries such as China, Iran and Russia, abandoned our allies and placed American servicemembers' lives at risk. As the House Appropriations Committee continues to work through our process of funding the government, you can follow along on Facebook or X for ongoing updates. If Congress does not do our job, we do not go home Every year since 1996, Congress has failed to pass our annual spending bills on time, and yet once August rolls around, Congress goes home, despite work still left to be done in DC. We cannot continue putting funding our federal government on the backburner. The Constitution gives the power of the purse in Congress, yet we cannot seem to get our single most important job done in a timely manner. I'm introducing the Do Our Job Act because if our work is not done, we should not go home. The American people cannot afford Congress not funding our government on time. The way Congress runs is broken, and this bill is one of the ways that I'm waking to fix how Washington works. Standing up for life The second anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark Dobbs decision is a celebratory reminder that the Constitution does not grant a right to abortion. This ruling was a major step toward protecting unborn life. I'll continue to stand up for the most vulnerable through legislative actions and advocating for expecting mothers and families so that they feel empowered to choose life. Coming to WNC soon: New Army Reserve facility The Department of the Army is funding a $32 million project in Asheville for the construction of a U.S. Army Reserve center, vehicle maintenance facility and organizational storage building in the Asheville vicinity, to be completed by June 2026. I'm pleased that the Department of the Army has agreed with the approach taken by my House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment, which requires the Department of Defense to complete a survey of the 15 counties in North Carolina's 11th District as potential locations for future defense facilities and report to Congress on its findings. The new construction will not only benefit our Army reservists, but it is also an opportunity for military leaders to explore additional avenues for WNC to uniquely contribute to doing our part to support our military and reservists. ``Unplugged'' Town Hall in Yancey County Mark your calendars for Tuesday, July 16 to join my next in-person town hall in Yancey County. The town hall will take place from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Yancey County Courthouse, 110 Town Sq., Burnsville, NC. I'm looking forward to sharing an update about the latest legislative opportunities and challenges in Congress and answering questions about the issues that matter to you. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the New Manna Christian School baseball team for winning their second straight North Carolina Christian School Association's 1A title. The WIND won a shutout victory of 10-0 in the quarterfinals, then went on to win the State championship 5-3. This win continues a dominant run for New Manna's baseball program with their fourth consecutive year of double-figure wins, back-to-back State titles, and their third State championship in the past 4 years. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate New Manna WIND. They have again made North Carolina proud, as well as Marion, North Carolina.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Nate Worley, for his work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions he has made to the office this summer. Nate is from Leicester, North Carolina and is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he studied economics. Nate is active in local politics and is a dedicated member of the Western North Carolina Community. Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District. Nate was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation with his positive attitude and impressive work ethic. It was a pleasure to work with Nate, and I am so proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Nate exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that our Nation has to offer. I congratulate Nate on this successful completion of his internship, and on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina, I thank him.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of former Representative Trudi Walend, a leader and a fierce advocate for her community, for Transylvania County, and for North Carolina. Trudi held a great many titles in her 80 years of life: Daughter, wife, mother, businessowner, county commissioner, and to the pride of her family and friends, North Carolina State Representative. After arriving in 1998, she was appointed to seven House committees, and she once described her mindset as she set foot in the House for the first time, ``I arrived with the objective of being as effective as I could be,'' and effective she was. As we honor Trudi's many contributions to western North Carolina and a life well lived, I hope all of us serving in the people's House follow her example as we go forth in service of our constituents. I applaud and commemorate Representative Trudi Walend's service to improve the lives of the citizens that she so passionately represented.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, the American people don't go home before their job is done, so why should Congress? In the nearly five decades that our current appropriations process has been in place, Congress has passed all 12 appropriations bills only four times--four times in almost 50 years. The American people have been far too generous with us, and their patience is wearing thin. We are here to represent their interests and to keep this government running. It is high time that we take our responsibilities seriously, put our heads down, and get to work passing appropriations bills each year. Congress is broken, and I intend to fix how Washington works. Today, I am introducing the Do Our Job Act. If our appropriations work is not done, we don't go home. Simple as that. The American people deserve better than an 8 percent success rate for funding our government.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to point out how, once again, the Biden administration is failing America. When emergency strikes, who answers the call? Well, I can tell you in western North Carolina that it is usually the brave men and women who serve in our rural volunteer fire departments. It is these unpaid local heroes who save American lives and protect our property. Volunteer fire departments are struggling to keep up. Recruitment is down, call volume is up, and there is little money to replace old equipment. Now, to add insult to injury, OSHA is proposing a rule that will effectively obliterate these critical organizations serving the majority of America. This rule will add complex operating and reporting requirements, as well as costly and unrealistic equipment replacement requirements. The rule for these volunteer departments doesn't consider that they do not have the resources to continue to spend money on bureaucracy. Yet, this OSHA rule would be detrimental to American public safety and the volunteer fire model that serves us today. I urge the Biden administration to reconsider its proposal.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, today, I rise on behalf of my constituents in western North Carolina to demand accountability for the Biden administration's continued inaction at our southern border. After more than 7.9 million illegal immigrant encounters in only 3\1/ 2\ years, the American people are wondering when will enough be enough for the Biden administration to finally stand up and stop this disaster at our border, a disaster that Joe Biden's policies have directly caused. Tuesday, June 3, Joe Biden issued an executive order that claimed to finally restrict migrants' ability to seek asylum if they crossed into the country illegally, but if you look at that executive order closely, you will realize this is just more smoke and mirrors. The executive order is nothing more than a desperate political stunt to stabilize his election numbers and does nothing to actually restore order or secure our border. The executive order continues to allow at least 2,500 illegal crossings per day, giving the green light to nearly 1 million new illegal crossings every year. While 1 million crossings may not be Joe Biden's personal best, it is still a record high number of crossings per year across past administrations. Worst of all, the executive order exempts unaccompanied children from the tally so human traffickers and parents are just going to continue to smuggle minors illegally across the border. Need us forget that for the last 3 years, Biden has insisted that there is no border crisis. Suddenly, 5 months before the general election, Joe Biden admits that there is a crisis and suddenly has a solution. I encourage the American people to take a real hard look at the supposed solution because it is a sham. It is time Biden take accountability for what he has caused at our southern border and actually take meaningful action to fix this mess. Despite making no real progress on securing our border, if this executive order made anything clear, it is that his hands are not tied. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, we witnessed this week a remarkable baseball contest. In the Congressional Baseball Game, the Republicans defeated the Democrats 31-10, but, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize some real baseball talent. I rise today to congratulate the T.C. Roberson Rams baseball team for winning North Carolina's High School Athletic Association's 4A State title for the second year in a row. The Rams finished the season with a 14-game winning streak, and the team won a decisive 8-1 shutout victory. The Rams are now the third 4A school in North Carolina to win back- to-back championships and the first to do so in two decades. Coach Eric Filipek has mentored this group of young men for more than 13 years, and his dedication has guided them to be better players and better leaders. Hopefully, one day, some of these great athletes will also join our congressional baseball team. I congratulate the Rams for, again, making western North Carolina proud.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents to bring awareness to issues surrounding the federal spending process, standing with Israel, and supporting our men and women in blue. Dear Friend: Washington is broken. If we're going to change what Washington does, we must fix how it works. That's my goal as your representative. As a member of the House Appropriations and Budget committees, I am now in the thick of the federal spending process, which provides opportunities to reinforce our support for veterans and those currently serving to defend our freedoms. In setting the spending allocations for each of the 12 subcommittees for the coming fiscal year, the House Appropriations Committee adhered to the caps established under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. These caps are projected by the Congressional Budget Office to reduce discretionary spending by $246 billion for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. This is proof that we can exercise fiscal restraint while still advancing critical priorities, as funding for our national security will increase by nearly $9 billion, and veterans' medical care and benefits will be fully funded. Non-defense programs will be reduced by six percent, with cuts distributed in a measured and thoughtful way. Years of overspending have led us to this point, but I am helping to flip the script on how the federal government spends hard- earned tax dollars. Under the previous House majority, you would most often see the annual appropriations process end with an omnibus spending package, rushed through usually right before Christmas and with little time for Members to know what they were voting on. Here again, House conservatives are flipping the script. We avoided an omnibus last year, and I am optimistic that the Appropriations Committee, which is returning the House to ``regular order'' by marking up each subcommittee's bill and passing them individually on the House floor, will be able to do the same for FY25. Prioritizing America's strength and safety The House took up the first in a series of appropriations bills, the FY25 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill reflects and is a product of the committee's commitment to our service members both during active duty and as they become veterans, and addresses critical national security challenges in the Pacific. This legislation would honor our commitment to veterans, bolster our national security, focus the executive branch on its core responsibilities, and support American values and principles. Some of the specifics of the bill, including conservative wins, are: Fully funding veterans' health care programs, veterans' benefits, and VA programs. Blocking the administration from using funds to promote or advance critical race theory. Prohibiting the implementation, administration or enforcement of the administration's executive orders on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives. Banning taxpayer dollars from being used for abortion. To no one's surprise, the president already issued a Statement of Administration Policy on the funding bill, threatening to veto this legislation that would fully fund the health care and benefits of our veterans that they have earned. This sends a terrible message by prioritizing radical and woke policies over the safety and well-being of the men and women in uniform--past and present--who have served our country. The president's priorities are changing the focus of our military, weakening our readiness and failing to keep promises made to our veterans, and we must reverse course before it is too late. The House Appropriations Committee's military construction and veterans affairs bill would deliver on our commitment to America by prioritizing our nation's strength and safety, and keeping the promises made to our veterans. I urge the White House to reconsider its hasty and misguided decision. Stopping the ICC's illegitimate cases against our ally Israel The International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to file applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, while ignoring the atrocities committed by Iran and the Hamas terrorists, is unacceptable. The United States does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, and from the very beginning refused to join a body that could, and has, conducted politically motivated prosecutions against U.S. citizens and allies. The House passed H.R. 8282 with my support to impose sanctions on the ICC to protect our nation and allies by deterring the ICC from pursuing these illegitimate cases where they have no jurisdiction. Make no mistake: If the ICC pursues the arrest of Israeli officials, it would set a dangerous precedent that is a risk to the U.S., given the ICC's ongoing investigation regarding Afghanistan. Bring down inflation to lower the cost of living Since the president took office, inflation has risen newly 20%. With high rates of inflation, American families--especially those on federal food assistance--are struggling to maintain their standard of living. Hard-working Americans should not have to bear the brunt of Washington's reckless spending and regulation, and from my seats on the House Appopriations and Budget committees, I'm continuing to push to fix how Washington works by reining in out-of-control spending and driving down costs for all Americans. Investigating the weaponization of government against the American people Last week, history was made. Should anyone be surprised that Donald Trump would not get a fair and unbiased trial in New York, where prosecutors and their families were contributing to leftist candidates? The Manhattan court's verdict showed the world just how politicized our judicial system has become, with the left weaponizing our Justice system. I do not believe the verdict will hold up to a fair and truly impartial appeal. Meanwhile, U.S. House committees continue to investigate examples of weaponization of government against our people. Supporting our men and women in blue Backing the blue is essential at all levels of government to keep our citizens safe, and I applaud the City of Asheville for putting forth a proclamation in support of the Asheville Police Department. The proclamation provided opportunities for folks across the city to commemorate National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day by showing our gratitude for the men and women in blue who risk their own lives to protect our communities. On the federal level, I'm doing my part to support the Asheville Police Department by requesting funding needed to implement a Real-Time Intelligence Center in the City of Asheville. This capability would provide data in a centralized location, which would help Asheville police officers more efficiently gather, analyze, and investigate intelligence to enhance emergency response tactics and services. Reminder ``Congressman Chuck Edwards: Unplugged'' Town Hall Series If you haven't already, please mark your calendars for Thursday, June 20, to join my next in-person town hall in Graham County. The town hall will take place from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Graham County Courthouse, 12 N. Main St., Robbinsville, NC. I'm looking forward to sharing an update about legislative priorities in Congress and answering questions about the issues that matter to you. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, every year since 1996, Congress has failed to pass our annual spending bills on time. Every year since 1996, despite work still left to be done, August rolls around and Congress goes home, kicking the can down the road and leaving funding for our Federal Government to another day. Mr. Speaker, let's fix how Washington works and remain in D.C. until our budget work is done and completed this year. We must fix how Washington works. That is why I am introducing the Do Our Job Act. If our work is not done, we must not go home in August. Let's show the American people that we are serious about reducing our debt and keeping our government running.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, today, I was unavoidably detained due to a flight delay, but below is how I would have voted. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 233 and YEA on Roll Call No. 234. personal explanation

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents to bring awareness to issues surrounding the border and fentanyl crises, antisemitism and Americans' financial privacy. Dear Friend, It's been more than a year since the House passed H.R. 2. the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security bill in history. H.R. 2 would reimplement President Trump's effective border policies and end this administration's border crisis, which continues to jeopardize our national security and sovereignty. In fact, a record-breaking number of nationals from our adversary, China, are illegally crossing our border. In April, the Customs and Border Patrol found that in this fiscal year alone, they have encountered 27,583 Chinese nationals, a nearly 8,000 percent increase from fiscal year 2021. With the rising threat of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), border security is paramount to national security and I will not relent in the fight to secure America's borders. I recently spoke on the House floor about how the fentanyl pouring in through our borders has taken lives in our own communities in the mountains and urged that this administration put the American people first and close our southern border once and for all. The U.S. must stand with Israel As our ally, Israel, is defending itself from terrorist organizations, it is critical that we continue to stand with and support Israel. The president recently announced he would stop military aid to Israel at a time when this aid is needed to target Hamas terrorists and avoid more civilian casualties in what looks like an attempt to appease the growing pro-Hamas sentiment among the left. In light of this administration's misguided decision to halt military aid to Israel, a bipartisan group of colleagues and I demanded that the president provide answers on his decision to withhold shipments to Israel. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued baseless arrest warrants for Israeli officials, equating them to the terrorists who committed the horrific attacks of Oct. 7. The ICC's decision is great news to terrorists around the globe and is a slap in the face to the only free-standing democracy in the Middle East. If I have my way, the United States will never abandon Israel, especially not while it is fighting for the right to exist and the rights of Jewish people everywhere, and no country should recognize any legitimacy of a pro-terrorist international court. Protecting Americans' right to financial privacy President Biden released a framework to evaluate the establishment of a central bank digital currency (CBDC), which can be used as a surveillance tool and weaponized against the American people. In China, the Communist Party has been using a CBDC to track the spending habits of its citizens and we cannot allow this level of financial surveillance in America. That's why I cast NC-11's vote for the CBDC Anti- Surveillance State Act. This bill protects Americans' right to financial privacy by halting unelected bureaucrats from issuing a CBDC and is the first anti-central bank digital currency legislative effort ever introduced in Congress. WNC Backs the Blue During the past three years, the Defund the Police movement and anti-police policies have led to a surge in violent crime across the country. In the U.S. House of Representatives, we recently celebrated National Police Week and honored America's law enforcement heroes by passing legislation to support our men and women in blue. Some of the bills that I voted for to support our police officers include bills that would: Require ICE to detain illegal immigrants who are arrested, charged or convicted with assaulting a law enforcement officer or other first responder. Make sure officers can protect themselves and others by allowing concealed weapon possession in more areas open to the public. Direct the attorney general to report to Congress on how the border crisis affects law enforcement at various levels. Make sure there is adequate data collection to address the rise of attacks on police officers. While this year's police week might be over, I will continue to back policies that support America's law enforcement officers who risk their own lives to protect and serve citizens day after day. House committee investigates China's role in the fentanyl crisis Following a months-long bipartisan investigation, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) revealed its findings of the CCP's role in the deadly fentanyl epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. The fentanyl crisis is one of the most devastating disasters that our nation has faced and has made its way to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Fentanyl kills more than 200 Americans daily on average, which is the equivalent to a packed Boeing 737 crashing every single day. After all, the amount of fentanyl that is considered a potentially deadly dose is as small as the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil. This dangerous drug is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-49 and has led to millions more suffering from addiction while continuing to destroy families and communities. The fentanyl crisis is not just limited to the United States, as fentanyl and other mass-produced synthetic narcotics from the People's Republic of China (PRC) are devastating nations around the world. This is why the U.S. must swiftly act on the following findings from the select committee's investigation to address the root cause of this global crisis. The select committee's investigation found that the PRC government, under the control of the CCP: Directly subsidizes the manufacturing and export of illicit fentanyl materials and other synthetic narcotics through tax rebates. Gave monetary grants and awards to companies openly trafficking illicit fentanyl materials and other synthetic narcotics. Holds ownership interest in several PRC companies tied to drug trafficking. Fails to prosecute fentanyl and precursor manufacturers. Allows the open sale of fentanyl precursors and other illicit materials on the extensively monitored and controlled PRC internet. Censors content about domestic drug sales but leaves export-focused narcotics content untouched. Strategically and economically benefits from the fentanyl crisis. The takeaways from these findings are that the U.S. needs to take the following decisive actions to address the fentanyl crisis: establish a Joint Task Force--Counter Opioids; provide law enforcement and intelligence officials with the authorities, tools and resources they need; strengthen U.S. sanctions authorities; enact and use trade and customs enforcement measures and close regulatory and enforcement gaps. Inflation continues to wreak havoc on Western North Carolinians' way of life Our economy continues to suffer due to this administration's fiscal policies. Inflation was at 1.4 percent when Biden took office and has risen nearly 20 percent since then. High prices are forcing Americans to spend more than $12,000 more a year to afford the same basics compared to three years ago. From my seats on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees, I am pushing to change how Washington works so that we can restore fiscal responsibility in our government, improve America's economic outlook and allow Western North Carolinians to keep more of their hard-earned dollars in their wallets. WNC's latest service academy acceptances One of the most important duties and greatest honors of representing the 11th district of North Carolina is selecting nominees among those who are seeking appointments to our nation's military service academies. I had the great pleasure and excitement of hosting an event to celebrate the following students whose exceptional leadership, hard work and patriotism made them stand out from a competitive pool of applicants and were accepted into their respective service academies. Cedric Gordon, alumnus of Asheville High School: U.S. Air Force Academy William ``Liam'' Lawing, student at Nesbitt Discovery Academy: U.S. Air Force Academy Joshua Morgan, alumnus of Asheville Christian Academy: U.S. Air Force Academy Michael Puzerewski, student at Holy Innocence Academy: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Anita Zavyalova, student at A.C. Reynolds High School: U.S. Naval Academy These students represent the best of America, and I want to extend my congratulations once again for this life-changing achievement. Congressman Chuck Edwards: Unplugged Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 20 to join my next in-person town hall in Graham County. The town hall will take place from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at the Graham County Courthouse, 12 N. Main St., Robbinsville, NC. I'm looking forward to sharing an update about legislative priorities in Congress and answering questions about the issues that matter to you. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.