Sarah Elfreth

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), the sponsor of the bill.

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2406, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025. This bill would strengthen NOAA's efforts to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and sexual assault by expanding protections, improving reporting systems, and increasing critical accountability. This legislation would help create a safer and more productive workforce for the dedicated public servants who serve the American people through their work at NOAA. Building upon existing efforts to combat sexual harassment by expanding and strengthening key safeguards, this bill would extend policy protections to personnel who work for NOAA but are not directly employed by the agency--critically, these are contractors and fishery observers--ensuring that all members of the NOAA workforce are covered by this policy. The legislation would also improve reporting options for victims and broaden NOAA's enforcement authority, ensuring the agency has comprehensive jurisdiction to investigate and address sexual harassment and assault. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of representing over 45,000 Federal employees, many of whom work for NOAA. I commend the sponsor of this bill for her leadership in helping to close loopholes and tackling this issue to protect Federal employees and Federal contractors, who often serve in some of the Nation's most remote environments, including on fishing vessels and scientific research cruises. Enacting H.R. 2406 would help foster a safer, more equitable workplace that promotes accountability and ensures every individual has the opportunity to thrive. In doing so, we would strengthen NOAA and reinforce our commitment to the Federal workforce that upholds the highest standards of professionalism and excellence while serving the American people. I thank the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for her leadership on this critical issue. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2406, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025. S. 240 would amend the Crow Tribe's existing settlement to support successful settlement implementation and extend the Tribe's authority to market hydropower to the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam in Montana. The Tribe has devoted significant time and effort to achieving and implementing this settlement, and I thank the sponsor of the bill for dedicating that time, as well. This legislation would provide additional support to ensure it is successfully carried out. This body has a responsibility to uphold our Federal trust and treaty obligations to Tribal nations, and that responsibility is especially critical when it comes to access to clean and reliable water. Every person deserves access to safe water. Yet, Tribal nations, which often hold some of the most senior water rights, have far too often been unable to access or develop their own water resources due to Federal actions and policies, leaving those water rights largely underdeveloped and unprotected. Tribal leaders have spent decades working to resolve these issues and negotiate settlements to ensure their communities have cleaner, reliable water. Negotiated settlements provide certainty for Tribes, States, the Federal Government, and other water users. They provide Tribal nations with the resources needed to deliver clean water to their communities while reducing legal, financial, and water supply uncertainty to all parties to a settlement. Mr. Speaker, while I am grateful to see this bill move forward today, I urge our Republican leadership to take action on the numerous other pending Indian water rights settlement bills, many of which have already passed the Senate by unanimous consent. Failing to advance settlement delays Tribal communities' access to clean water, prolongs uncertainty for all water users, and increases settlement costs over time. Mr. Speaker, this is not a partisan issue. We have many Republican colleagues who want to get these bills across the finish line with us. We stand ready to work with the Republican leadership to resolve any procedural concerns. I hope that S. 240 is just the beginning and that we will see more Indian water rights settlement bills before us on the floor soon, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 741, the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act, introduced by my friend and colleague from Arizona (Mr. Stanton). The Indian Health Service, or IHS, is the primary Federal agency responsible for providing healthcare to American Indians and Alaska Natives. Yet, for decades, the agency has fallen short of meeting our trust and treaty obligations as we have left IHS underfunded and underprioritized. Tribal leaders have long called for greater Federal attention to Indian health in IHS. H.R. 741 responds to their advocacy by elevating the Director of IHS to an Assistant Secretary within the Department of Health and Human Services. This simple but meaningful change would give IHS a stronger voice within the Department, ensure the healthcare needs of Tribal patients are properly represented, and elevate health disparities, including inadequate infrastructure, limited services, and staffing shortages, facing Tribal communities. It is the Federal Government's responsibility to ensure that Indian Country has the culturally competent, robust, and accessible healthcare they deserve, and H.R. 741 will help us uphold this premise. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support for the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stanton), the sponsor of the bill.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a friend, Jefferson Holland, poet laureate of Annapolis and a modern-day Chesapeake troubadour. Anyone fortunate enough to know Jeff knows that he is a pillar of our community who has dedicated his life to capturing and sharing the essence of the Chesapeake Bay through song, story, and poetry. Leading up to America's 250th anniversary, Jeff spearheaded Poets Afloat, a unique celebration featuring original poetry by locals, inspired by the rich history, characters, and spirit of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Mr. Speaker, I will leave you with Jeff's own words that capture Annapolis' role in Nation's history--words I couldn't put to paper but words I hope this entire Chamber can take to heart: Let Annapolis show the world how democracy is done with justice, not with vengeance; with the truth, not outright lies; with good sense and consensus.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment that would prohibit international students from attending our United States military academies, including the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis where I have the privilege of representing. Mr. Chair, this shortsighted, isolationist amendment would have a serious negative impact on U.S. foreign partnerships with allied and friendly forces. For decades, foreign military officers have attended the United States military service academies with strong bipartisan support. This program actually makes our military and our national security stronger. Thousands of these officers have gone on to serve as reliable military partners to their U.S. counterparts and strengthen diplomatic and military ties. Let's be clear: American students benefit just as much. They benefit from this program by gaining experience working with officers from allied nations in a controlled environment before entering a coalition operation. In fact, U.S. officers are more confident in partnering with international counterparts who graduated from the academies, as they share a common education in military strategy and doctrine. International students also only occupy a very limited number of positions. Only 1 percent of midshipmen are international students.

Ms. ELFRETH. This means these students do not impact the opportunities for qualified American counterparts. Again, the countries sending these international students foot the entire bill. This is not on U.S. taxpayers. As Russia and China actively educate foreign military officers to expand their influence, the U.S. needs to maintain this program so that partner nations don't seek an education elsewhere. Fundamentally, this amendment is misguided. It is xenophobic, and it does not understand the utility and value of educating international students. Every future allied chief of defense who trained in the U.S. is a strategic asset that would be nearly impossible to replicate through diplomacy alone. That is the true intent and value of the program.

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to this amendment.

Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, this amendment prohibits the use of funds for Ukraine security assistance. This amendment would halt all U.S. aid for Ukraine, a democratic ally, in its existential fight for freedom and sovereignty against Russia. After Russia's full-scale invasion just 4 years ago, Ukraine has far exceeded global expectations by withstanding Russia's initial invasion, integrated Western weapons systems, and becoming a leading innovator in military technology. Ukraine is fighting an effective war, and they are degrading the combat power of a major strategic competitor without the deployment of U.S. troops. Russia is losing eight soldiers for every Ukrainian casualty, a dramatic loss on the battlefield for a military that was previously ranked one of the strongest in the world just a few years ago. Madam Chair, we cannot abandon our ally at this time and give Russia and Mr. Putin exactly what they want. Russia has consistently tried to diminish Western military support to Ukraine because our assistance directly affects the battlefield and Russia's long-term military strength. When we abandon Ukraine, we abandon our global allies. It would put the U.S. on an island standing alone in abandoning Ukraine as our NATO and European allies have stepped up to answer this call pledging billions in support for Ukraine. Support for Ukraine must transcend party lines because this is not a conflict between Democrats and Republicans. It is a conflict between Democratic freedoms and autocracy. That is why I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and reaffirm our bipartisan support for Ukraine at this critical juncture in the war. Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers), who is the chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

Ms. ELFRETH. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), my colleague and member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Ms. ELFRETH. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Chair, I share with this group every time I am at a townhall or in the grocery store and people ask me how this body, how this Congress works together, I point to our remarkable bipartisan support of Ukraine as an example of something we can do well and do together. That very idea is being challenged by this amendment today. I am so grateful to the chair of the committee, to Mr. Wilson for standing up for what is right. We cannot be isolationists in this world anymore. We know where that leads us. Our support, our commitment, our words to our democratic ally in Ukraine is essential, not just to their survival but to the future of a free Europe. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Severn School sailing team. This spring, these students made history by becoming the first team ever to win both the Baker and the Mallory National Championships in the same season, but these victories did not come easily. In the Mallory competition, the Admirals made a critical comeback from third to first place, despite dicey wind conditions, to win their second title. Four graduating seniors, Alex Baker, Charlotte MacDonald, Annie Sitzmann, and Annabelle Ulak, even missed their commencement ceremony to compete in the national championships. These students' commitment to excellence, both in the classroom and on the water, is truly inspiring, and their accomplishments speak to the incredible coaches and mentors they have had along the way. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Coach Sitzmann, Coach Alexander, Coach Davids, and the entire Severn sailing team on an incredible season and this historic accomplishment.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendy Winters. Eight years ago, on June 28, 2018, a gunman killed these five members of our hometown newspaper, the Capital Gazette. Eight years later, I rise to ask my colleagues a simple question: What progress have we made so that parents don't fear for their children's lives at school dropoff, so worshipers can pray without fear, and so journalists aren't killed on the job? Congress has a responsibility to rise above thoughts and prayers. We can and we must bring action and solutions. We share a collective responsibility to ensure that not just Annapolis but every community is safe from the scourge of gun violence that has plagued our Nation for too long. Eight years later, I urge us to return to that collective responsibility.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Madam Speaker, ahead of the 82nd anniversary of D-day this Saturday, I rise to honor a distinguished Marylander, Sergeant John Polyniak, a Ranger of the 29th Division, 116th Infantry, Company C, one of the first units to land on Omaha Beach. While he didn't know it then, that day would lay the foundation for the Allied victory on the western front. But it didn't come without heavy loss. Mr. Polyniak was severely wounded and left behind as his unit moved forward. It was only hours later when he heard the voice of a medic that he thought he might make it. He would later undergo three operations and endure pain for the rest of his life. When asked if he was scared, he said that everybody was scared, but he figured that he had a job to do. To honor their extraordinary sacrifice and heroism, the Army Rangers veterans of World War II were recently awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. Mr. Polyniak's story reminds us of the unwavering bravery of our men and women in uniform, the importance of learning and preserving our past, and the undeniable strength of our global alliances like NATO.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today supporting Congressmen Deluzio and Nehls' bipartisan Railroad Retirement Fairness Act. This legislation eliminates outdated provisions of Federal law that unfairly reduce railroad retirement payments for certain retirees and spouses who continue to work in non-railroad jobs after retirement. This is really important because we shouldn't be penalizing rail workers who choose to or sometimes have to continue working after retirement. Mr. Speaker, this is also a deeply personal issue for me. My father was a proud member of BLET Local 71 out of Philadelphia and drove trains for SEPTA for decades. He provided for our family, working mostly nights and weekends, and now relies on that hard-earned railroad retirement. I know firsthand the long hours and grit these jobs take from both railroad workers and their families, which is why I support this legislation to level the playing field and ensure hardworking rail workers keep their rightfully earned retirement benefits.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2252 would allow the State of North Dakota to relinquish parcels of State land within the boundaries of a Tribal reservation in exchange for one or more parcels of unappropriated Bureau of Land Management land of substantially equivalent value. All relinquished State lands will be held in trust by the Secretary of the Interior on behalf of the Tribe whose reservation includes those lands. The process established by this legislation will help make reservations whole and fulfill obligations made to the State of North Dakota when it was entered into the Union in 1889. The chair mentioned a win-win, and I want to reemphasize that here. This bill will help fulfill our Tribal treaty responsibilities and will benefit North Dakota schools, with the land acquired managed as school trust lands. I commend and thank my friend, Representative Fedorchak, for her work on this bill, which includes updates to ensure that the land exchanges are transparent and fair. The bill also includes important safeguards for land with wilderness characteristics and other important conservation designations. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this bill is supported by the impacted Tribes, including the Spirit Lake Tribe and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ELFRETH

Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4684 would authorize the Forest Service to issue a permit authorizing the maintenance of a flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point in Utah. This peak is located near Provo, Utah, in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. It is a popular hiking destination that is used to feature the prominent flagpole displaying the American flag, which was first installed in 2000 by a Boy Scout troop. However, U.S. Forest Service regulations prohibit the construction, placing, or maintaining of any structure on National Forest System land. The initial placement of this flagpole did not receive a permit, and consequently, the agency ordered the removal of the flagpole. These agency policies are vital for the proper stewardship of our resources, and the support for this bill should in no way be seen as an attempt to undermine or weaken that very crucial standard. We must continue to promote the simple but important principle of ``leave no trace'' to continue to minimize the impact of our visits on the plants, animals, and ecosystems we all hold dear. To be clear, the agency should be able to resolve this situation on their own. The Forest Service has testified before the Committee on Natural Resources that they are working to issue the necessary permit without congressional action. However, this patriotic display, especially in our 250th year, as the chair said, is important to the local community and visitors alike. I support the moving of this legislation today to resolve this issue promptly and return the flag to Kyhv Peak. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.