Tom Emmer

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a crisis hurting every household in America: skyrocketing prices. If you listen to the Biden administration, they will tell you that this is a ``high-class problem.'' This is a lie propagated by those who have never had to do the mental math at the grocery store to make sure the amount in their cart does not exceed the cash in their wallet. For Democrat leaders, paying 42 percent more at the pump isn't a problem. I suppose the price of gas isn't a concern if you are riding government-funded high-speed rail in Silicon Valley. More than 90 percent of my constituents reported that rising prices are impacting their household budgets. Inflation is destroying Americans' ability to save for retirement, buy a home, or build wealth. This isn't a tax on the rich. It is an enormous burden for working Americans. It is not too late to change course. I have introduced legislation to increase the transparency in government spending so that lawmakers will be forced to answer for reckless spending sprees. Moreover, my Retirement Inflation Protection Act will protect Americans from inflation-driven tax burdens right when they enter retirement. This crisis is already hitting home for millions of Americans. We must act before it financially cripples generations of Americans to come.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Minnesota for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 5586. This bill would kill a Biden administration proposal that would allow IRS agents to comb through the bank accounts of any American who spends more than $10,000 a year. To put that in perspective, $10,000 a year equates to just $28 a day, $850 a month, or half of the average Minnesota mortgage payment. In other words, the Biden administration wants the IRS to be able to spy on tens of millions of Americans. Don't be mistaken. This proposal does not just target the 1 percent, as the President sometimes likes to claim. Instead, it is pointed directly at working American families. Today, I led a letter, with more than 200 of my colleagues, urging Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to scrap this proposal to spy on American citizens. This is not China. We must protect Americans' right to privacy and stop this proposed intrusive, unnecessary Biden financial reporting requirement.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Private Nicole Burnham. Private Burnham didn't die on the battlefield. Her life was stolen by the cruelty of her fellow soldiers and the apathy of her superiors. There are several tragedies in Nicole's story. The first is the horrific sexual assault she endured at the hands of her fellow soldiers. The second is the failure of our military leadership to protect her. The third is the amount of time it took to ensure something like this never happens again. Nicole did everything right. She reported the incident and applied for a transfer. Instead, her superiors, who are capable of deploying soldiers into a war zone overnight, let her request languish for an unconscionable 82 days. During that time, she was harassed, ostracized, and assaulted a second time. A few months later, Nicole took her own life. On October 2, the Third Annual Nicole Burnham Veteran Suicide 5k will take place along the Rum River in Anoka, Minnesota, the town where Nicole grew up. We cannot forget Nicole's story, and we owe it to Nicole and her family to ensure her legacy is one that prevents injustices like she suffered from ever happening again.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Kevin Paap, who will be retiring in November. Kevin has been president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau for 16 years, during which time I and my team have been fortunate enough to work with him very closely on many occasions. In addition to being a selfless servant leader, Kevin Paap walks the walk. He and his wife, Julie, own and operate a fourth-generation family farm in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where they grow corn and soybeans. Whenever I speak to Kevin, I am impressed by his commitment and focus to improving the lives of Minnesota's farmers and advancing American agriculture. He has been the advocate that our State's farm and ranch community deserves, and we will be forever grateful for his work. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Kevin on his well-earned retirement. I look forward to seeing him and his family again soon.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Brian McDonald and his entire team at the Small Business Administration's Minnesota District Office. In May 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic, Brian took on an enormous challenge when he rose to the role of district director for the SBA's Minnesota region. Brian and his team were charged with supporting Minnesota's 500,000 small businesses and their 1.3 million employees through one of the most challenging economic crises in our Nation's history. Under Brian's leadership, the SBA's Minnesota district office team facilitated critical loans, provided valuable training, and served as true warrior advocates for businesses of all sizes during this difficult time. At the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, Brian and I hosted a joint town hall where he helped my constituents understand how they could keep their small businesses afloat. Brian's participation was crucial, and his willingness to offer guidance and expertise is characteristic of his office's impressive work throughout the crisis. Brian and his team in the SBA's Minnesota district office continue to work around the clock to help businesses in our State survive. We are grateful for all of their work, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated SBA district presence in our State. I thank them for all they do. Congratulating Minnesota Assistant Principal of the Year Angie Charboneau-Folch

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Angie Charboneau-Folch, assistant principal at Big Lake High School. In April, Angie was named this year's Minnesota Assistant Principal of the Year by the Central Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals. She received this honor after 15 years of service as a school administrator, including a decade at Big Lake. Angie has been a longtime advocate for both students and educators during her tenure. As leader of Big Lake High School's Student Targeted Instruction and Goals program, better known as STING, she has ensured that students receive the additional instruction time and support they need. She has also worked to open the channels of communication between teachers and families through her Being Your Own Champion initiative. I congratulate Angie on this remarkable achievement. I thank her for her years of dedication to the Big Lake community, and I know Minnesota students are better off because of her support. Honoring the Work and Bravery of HALO Trust Afghanistan

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the bravery and sacrifice of the HALO Trust employees who were recently attacked in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, 110 demining workers in the northeastern Afghanistan province of Baghlan were attacked. Ten HALO Trust workers lost their lives and 16 more were injured. HALO Trust staff is comprised of locals who work alongside American citizens around the world to clear the debris of war, especially landmines. Their work is vital in Afghanistan, where nearly 40 years of conflict has left the land littered with explosives and citizens living under constant threat of detonation. This forces locals to make an unimaginable choice: either let their families starve or risk their lives to farm dangerous land. Thanks to the work of HALO Trust and the entire demining community, war-torn nations across the globe are being revitalized. Within the Herat province alone, HALO Trust workers have cleared over 600 minefields and provided steady employment to 2,600 Afghan locals. This devastating attack was an act of cowardice from an organization that feeds off instability and fear. I commend the profound bravery of the workers who face down death to rebuild their communities. I hope everyone will join me in recognition of their sacrifice. Thanking Tammy Biery and Career Solutions

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Tammy Biery, the executive director of the employment agency Career Solutions. Electrolux had a long legacy in our home State, employing Minnesotans since 1946. In 1998, the plant produced 75 percent of all freezers sold in the United States. In 2018, the business was St. Cloud's eighth largest employer, with nearly 900 employees. However, a year later, Electrolux consolidated their freezer production to South Carolina. Despite our efforts and the efforts of the community urging Electrolux to reconsider, approximately 760 employees faced layoffs. To support these workers who faced separation from employment, Tammy and her employment agency, Career Solutions, went to work. After receiving an award from the State Dislocated Worker program, Career Solutions offered career counseling, on-the-job training, and interview coaching to 513 former Electrolux employees. By the end of 2020, 159 of those trainees were gainfully employed. Thanks to the work of Tammy and the Career Solutions team, St. Cloud was able to weather the largest layoff in our history. I thank Tammy for that. Teresa Bohnen: A Career of Service

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Teresa Bohnen. Teresa is retiring this year as president of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. Teresa led the chamber for the past 23 years. During that time, she has been a staunch advocate for small business. Under Teresa's leadership, the St. Cloud Area Chamber earned a five- star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the first year it became eligible and has maintained that rating ever since. I thank Teresa for her service to St. Cloud, and she should enjoy her well-earned retirement.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay`` on rollcall No. 176.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act, a partisan package of bills which threatens to limit access to credit and other financial products that Americans from all walks of life rely on. Simply put, this legislation undermines the collections process, the very system that ensures that Americans can access credit in the first place. Without a collections process, consumers' ability to obtain credit cards or other forms of credit would be restricted, and, in many cases, limited to a cash-only basis. If adopted, this bill will limit Americans' options and weaken our standard of living, a standard that every American deserves. I urge my colleagues to oppose this misguided, partisan legislation and instead support policies that expand financial inclusion, strengthen our system of credit, and support businesses that fuel our economy.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and honor the life of Lindsay Overbay. Lindsay lost her life, and several of her coworkers were injured, in a tragic and senseless attack on the Allina Health Clinic in Buffalo, Minnesota, on February 9. We continue to pray for Lindsay and her family and for the full and speedy recovery of her coworkers. Lindsay was the best Minnesota has to offer. She devoted her life to family and her community, and her career to caring for people. She was only 37 years old. She leaves behind her husband, Donnie, and two young children, Gavin and Ava. Special thanks to Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer and his deputies and the city of Buffalo Police Department for their immediate and professional response that ended the threat and prevented further loss of life. Our community must heal, and we will heal from this sad event, but we will always remember Lindsay, Donnie, Gavin, Ava, and the entire Allina family.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, many families, including my own, have been impacted by cancer. For more than 178,000 Americans diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, the Be The Match program represents hope. Founded in Minnesota, Be The Match runs the world's largest registry designed to connect patients in need of lifesaving blood or marrow transplants with a donor. In 2019, Be The Match facilitated over 6,500 transplants, giving hope to countless families around the world. Minnesota has long been a hub for this kind of medical innovation. As a co-chair of the Personalized Medicine Caucus, I urge all of my colleagues today to support the TRANSPLANT Act and reauthorize Federal partnerships like Be The Match, which have impacted the lives of millions. Connecting patients with donors and developing the next generation of regenerative medicine truly represents the best of who we are as a society. I thank Representative Matsui and the other sponsors of this legislation for their hard work. I encourage everyone to help keep hope alive by supporting this bill.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, for the second consecutive Congress, House Democrats have shown us what their priorities are. Is their top priority, H.R. 1, about improving roads and bridges? No. Is their top priority, H.R. 1, about improving access to healthcare? No. Is there top priority, H.R. 1, about ensuring that our communities are safe? Absolutely not. No, their number one priority is themselves and their elections. Instead of prioritizing these important issues, they have offered H.R. 1 to eliminate our State-based system of elections, to codify practices like ballot harvesting, and to establish a Federal match with taxpayer funds for campaign contributions. I guess Federalizing our elections becomes the only option when your ideas, the very thing our constituents should be judging us on, are defunding our police and promoting government-run healthcare. The American people have soundly rejected those ideas, but that hasn't stopped our colleagues from finding a way to work around the will of the American people. Madam Speaker, the bill we are debating today, H.R. 1, is that workaround and, if adopted, will allow our colleagues to continue bypassing the issues most important to the people while guaranteeing their reelection to Congress. The American people are smart, and they are going to remember when they step into the voting booths next November that the top priority for House Democrats was not to address the health or safety of the American people, it was to undermine our Constitution in order to win elections. Madam Speaker, I urge everyone in this Chamber to vote ``no'' on H.R. 1.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, as we begin this new session of Congress, I rise today to honor the memory and legacy of my friend, Minnesota Congressman Jim Ramstad. For nearly two decades, Jim represented the people of Minnesota's Third Congressional District. Sadly, after so many years of service to his country and community, Jim lost his fight with Parkinson's just a few months ago. Jim was a true public servant, a lawmaker whose passion for his work only made him more effective. He was a tireless champion for any person who needed his help, even if they were a stranger. He was truly a leader guided by his compassion for others. Although Jim and I never served together, he was a personal friend of my wife, Jacquie, and me for 40 years. And today, his legacy shapes my work. As a fellow Minnesotan, I am proud to continue his monumental work on addiction and mental healthcare by introducing legislation that will bring care to those who need it most. I am also happy to support a bill to name the Wayzata Post Office after Jim, a physical memorial to his work and legacy in the State and the town that he loved so much. The monument is a fitting tribute, but his lasting legacy will always be the impact he made on millions of Americans. Thank you, Jim. You will be missed, but you will never be forgotten.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Michael J. Petyo, who passed in July at the age of 91. Michael was a Minnesotan, and a resident of Belle Plaine and Coon Rapids. He proudly served as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of the Korean War. Michael and his wife of 67 years, Dorothy, raised a beautiful family with six children, sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. On July 11, Michael was interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, in a monument to his service to our state and nation. My thoughts are with the Petyo family, who have suffered a great loss: that of a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Michael's dedication to service for the public good is enshrined in his legacy and his family.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank President Dr. Mary Hinton for her service to the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph. Dr. Hinton served as President of the college since 2014 and will shortly assume a new role as the 13th President of Hollins University in Virginia. Prior to her work at the College of St. Benedict, President Hinton was a visiting faculty member for the University of Pennsylvania and Vice President for Planning and Assessment at Mount St. Mary College. President Hinton has built her career around leading and inspiring young women. During her time at St. Ben's, which enrolls 1,700 undergraduate women, she helped raise $100 million in funding and implemented $43 million in campus updates, providing our community with premier facilities for teaching, learning, and promoting women's leadership. My staff and I have greatly enjoyed working with President Hinton over the past six years, and we are grateful for her work on behalf of her students and our community. We were especially grateful to have her as a panelist on my first ever Young Women's Leadership Program in 2015. She shared her time and insights with young women from Minnesota's Sixth District and inspired us all. Congratulations to President Hinton on this exciting new role. I thank her for all she has done for our community. Minnesota will miss her.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Steve Domine, President of Minnesota Community Banking at Stearns Bank National Association. After 43 years in banking and 33 years at Stearns Bank, Steve announced his retirement in July. Steve describes his career as having served nearly every position at the bank, starting as a teller and eventually being promoted to managing several community bank locations. In his tenure with Stearns Bank, Steve has helped small businesses across our state grow and prosper. I thank Steve and wish him good luck on his next chapter.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Valerie Doze, a student at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph on receiving the Truman Scholarship. The Truman Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 to honor President Harry S. Truman's legacy of extraordinary public service. The Truman Scholarship serves as a living monument to that legacy. Each year, a diverse group of scholars receive $30,000 to pursue graduate studies and are granted priority placement at our nation's top universities, as well as internships within the federal government. Valerie is one of 62 in the 2020 class of Truman Scholars, having distinguished herself in a pool of nearly 800 candidates nominated by 316 colleges and universities across the country. Valerie will serve as the North Dakota Truman Scholar. Congratulations to Valerie on this incredible honor, and we look forward to seeing all that she accomplishes.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the very first commercial radio broadcast. From delivering lifesaving information during emergencies to playing the music, sports, and news that keep us connected, our communities rely on broadcast radio. As co-chair of the Congressional Broadcasters Caucus and a former radio show host, I know firsthand the power of local radio to connect, inform, and inspire all of us. The same wireless technology that brought us the results of the Harding-Cox presidential election in 1920 continues to keep us informed with critical information about the current outbreak, weather emergencies, and local news today. This outbreak has impacted all Americans in one way or another, and local radio stations continue to provide listeners with a valuable connection. Broadcasters are also leading the charge to collect donations for relief funds which support Americans in their time of need. I want to thank the thousands of local radio stations across the nation providing this invaluable service. I thank them for their dedication to radio, which will keep this critical information service available to all Americans for the next 100 years.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Major General Jon A. Jensen on his appointment as Director of the Army National Guard. Major General Jensen has led a dedicated life of service to our military and the American people. After graduating from the Northwest Missouri State University, he earned his commission from the United States Army Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He has served in a variety of command and staff positions in the Iowa and Minnesota Army National Guards--including commands at all levels of Minnesota's storied 34th Red Bull Infantry Division--and earned a master's degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. Following his graduate studies, Major General Jensen served in military operations around the globe, deploying to Kuwait in 2001 as a Major, and Iraq in 2007 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He also served as Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army Africa. Since returning home, Major General Jensen has delivered steadfast leadership as the 31st Adjutant General of Minnesota's National Guard. While our state will feel the loss of Major General Jensen's presence, we are fortunate to see his years of dedication and service elevate him to this prestigious post. Thank you, Major General Jensen, for your friendship and service to Minnesota. I wish you, your wife Cindy, and your entire family all the best in your new role. Our nation is safer because of you.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Sharon Erichsrud, who passed away in March at the age of 79. She was a loving mother, devoted wife, and lifelong Minnesotan. Sharon was born in 1941 in Frost, Minnesota. She attended Frost High School, where she met Butch, her husband of 60 years. After graduation, she went on to work at 3M and several banks in the Blue Earth area, eventually becoming bank manager at Albert Lea Savings and Loan. Sharon and Butch are parents of three children, Beth, Shelly, and Mark of St. Michael-Albertville, who gave them five children and four great-grandchildren. Sharon was adored by her family, who remember her as a voracious reader and a pillar of her community at Trinity Lutheran Church. Sharon was a beloved member of our Minnesota community. May her memory be a blessing.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Automotive Parts Headquarters in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on 100 years of dedicated service to their customers and their community. Owning and operating a business is never easy, and reaching this milestone is an important testament to the hardworking people they employ and the services they offer. Founded in 1920, Automotive Parts Headquarters outgrew their first shop in Minneapolis. Today, they have 125 corporate stores and 36 independent locations across the Midwest. Automotive Parts Headquarters has stayed true to its roots. In fact, President and CEO Corey Bartlett is the third generation of his family to be involved in the business. It was an honor to visit Automotive Parts Headquarters recently and learn about the great work they do in the St. Cloud area. Automotive Parts Headquarters not only supplies parts to repair shops, the company builds partnerships with their customers to help them grow. Automotive Parts Headquarters also supports the communities where they operate, contributing to charities like the American Cancer Society, Toys for Tots, and WACOSA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Automotive Parts Headquarters for their continued service to our communities and congratulate them for 100 years of incredible service in Minnesota.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, the conversation we are having here today does not need to be as divisive and destructive to hardworking Minnesotans as my Democrat colleagues from Minnesota are pushing. Today, I stand with the Representative of northern Minnesota, Pete Stauber, who is advocating for those Minnesotans who will be directly impacted by this shortsighted effort. We both firmly believe that American mining is the safest and environmentally responsible way to help America. We have been told, time and time again, not this mine, not this location. Unfortunately, the reality is, our Democrat colleagues want to ban all mining. They want to eliminate good-paying jobs in construction--labor--and allow countries like China and Russia to utilize child labor and environmentally disastrous practices to mine for the minerals our everyday items need, like cellphones and cars. This bill doesn't simply attack the future of mining. It impacts existing mines in operation today. This bill will decimate those jobs. I urge all of our colleagues to vote against this rule and the bill in order to preserve mining in our great State. It will also help secure America's mineral independence and give miners the opportunity to do what they do best, mine responsibly in our country for the benefit of all Americans.

Mr. EMMER

Mr. EMMER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Judge Richard Leo Kelly for a lifetime of distinction and service to this Nation. Born in Marshall, Minnesota, Judge Kelly is a veteran of the Navy and served on the USS Noa and USS Willard Keith. Judge Kelly attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where his role as the football team starting quarterback earned him the nickname Golden Arm. He went on to graduate in the top five of his class from the St. Paul College of Law. After practicing law for over two decades in Saint Paul and Springfield, Minnesota, he was elected to the Fifth District judgeship. He held that office for 17 years and was elected chief judge twice. Throughout his tenure on the bench, Judge Kelly was known for his fairness, consistency, and courteous nature, in keeping with the highest ideals of public service. In 1998, Governor Arne Carlson declared June 27 to be Judge Richard L. Kelly Day, a time to practice and honor the principles that Judge Kelly embodies. Judge Kelly and his wife are residents of Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District. It is an honor to serve them in Congress. They serve as a testament of dedication to service and honor, a mission that their seven children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren have carried on because of Judge Kelly and Mary's exemplary lives. Madam Speaker, I thank Judge Kelly for a lifetime of work to our State and Nation.