Virginia Foxx

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Members on both sides of the aisle want more transparency and accountability in postsecondary education, but that is not what this amendment accomplishes. This amendment is a Trojan horse for violating privacy rights of students through colleges and universities. Many of my colleagues who support this amendment are not completely informed or have not thought through the implications of some of its provisions. This amendment would direct the Federal Government to create a data system that tracks every college student in America through their adult lives without their consent and without giving them the ability to opt out. This sounds more like a scheme the Chinese Communist Party would manufacture than a bipartisan amendment to a bill meant to combat Chinese influence. Don't be fooled. This amendment might use words like ``security,'' but in reality, it puts the privacy of Americans at risk. Some of these Federal agencies have already been hacked by Russian intelligence and fraudsters. Who is to say it won't happen again? I don't trust foxes in my henhouse, and I surely don't trust Washington bureaucrats with a database of the personal and private information of my children and grandchildren, or yours. And what will the Biden administration do with the tax records, Social Security information, and the private data of Americans? The answer is simply, exert more control. This amendment isn't about transparency or accountability, but about giving Washington bureaucrats the ability to choose winners and losers among institutions of postsecondary education. For example, the Pell grant provisions herd Americans looking for alternative career pathways into the same colleges and universities that failed them in the first place while blocking them from pursuing programs offered by career- focused schools simply based on their tax status--even if these institutions can meet the 11 pages of arbitrary and prescriptive guardrails the amendment puts in place. This amendment does nothing to improve our broken system of postsecondary education. Instead, it exacerbates our skills gap and labor shortage and forces Americans to concede their privacy to an administration that looks more and more like the authoritarian regime we are supposedly trying to combat. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller).

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Miller).

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, giving this same administration that weaponized the Federal Government against concerned parents the power to collect sensitive information about all college students, whether they accept financial aid or not is unacceptable. I am not surprised that Democrats are trying to use this amendment to overhaul postsecondary education without holding a single legislative hearing or markup. Democrats have a track record of bypassing the legislative process when it suits their ends. We must resist the Democrats' egregious power grab. Madam Speaker, this is a moral issue. I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the Levin amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, it has been a year since Joe Biden took office, and the southern border has all but collapsed. A year has passed, and he still cannot find the elusive root cause of his self-inflicted border crisis. Since he is clearly having some trouble finding the cause, I will save him some time. Joe Biden is the root cause of the border crisis. The number of illegal crossings at the border has escalated at a faster rate under him than at any time in recent history. Since Joe Biden took office, nearly 2 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the southern border. But wait, there is more. More illegal immigrants have crossed the southern border in the last 3 months than in all of fiscal year 2020. And now, we have learned that illegals are being funneled to cities across the United States in the dead of night. That is right. While Americans are asleep, this administration is trying to cover up its own failures. Some of these illegals are known to have criminal records, yet they are being given a free pass. Across the world, people are watching this unfold. Across the world, people are getting the message that you can waltz into this country illegally with no consequences. Consider the fact that people from 160 different countries are coming to the southern border. It is clear that the message is the wrong one to be sending. In December, a Saudi Arabian national with ties to known Yemeni terrorists was arrested after he crossed the border wearing a fake paramedic uniform. If he were released into the United States, the consequences would have been disastrous. Mr. Speaker, instead of securing the southern border and protecting the integrity of our national security, this administration has doubled down on its own failures. Because of this worsening crisis, every State has now become a border State. Border security is national security. And thanks to Joe Biden and congressional Democrats' open border policies, America has neither.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats' China bill will weaken the United States on the world stage. This legislation isn't about competing with China. This bill is about appeasing China. This is a bill without teeth, and it does too little to confront the Chinese Communist Party while simultaneously curbing the success and opportunities of American job creators and workers. Contrary to my colleague's statements just now, this bill is not positive for our workforce. By further centralizing apprenticeship programs and giving unions unfair advantage over small businesses, this bill closes pathways to success for many American workers. This legislation also fails to curb the CCP's influence at our universities and workplaces. Where there should be action, Democrats promote inaction. Where there should be strength, Democrats show weakness. Where there should be security, Democrats make our country more vulnerable. This is not the America COMPETES Act. This is the America concedes act.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, let me make one thing clear: Israel has never been and will never be an apartheid state. Amnesty International's latest report that labels Israel as an apartheid state is nothing short of an outright denial of the Jewish State's right to exist. This report should be condemned immediately. It is the textbook definition of anti-Semitism. Instead of peddling these falsehoods and baseless allegations, Amnesty International would do well to focus on the human rights violations of the Chinese Communist Party. America has stood side by side with Israel since its creation, and our shared values remain the keystone of our strategic partnership. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with Israel and the Jewish community. They deserve our unwavering support.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, Washington Democrats have become desperate to shield their slim majorities in the House and Senate; so desperate, in fact, that they are willing to silence millions of Americans by orchestrating a Federal takeover of elections. Look no further than H.R. 1 and H.R. 4. These pieces of legislation are the ones Americans should be concerned about. Madam Speaker, all Washington Democrats have done is operate off their own manufactured hysteria. Thanks to ranking member Rodney Davis of the Committee on House Administration, we have the facts on why the Democrats' narrative is wrong. 2020 saw the highest voter turnout in 120 years, and according to Pew, 94 percent said it is easy to vote. There is clearly no widespread ``voter suppression'' issue in this country. Georgia's new ``voter suppression law'' has more days of early in- person voting than New York. Texas' ``voter suppression law'' ends pandemic exceptions like universal drive-thru voting and 24-hour voting. Neither existed in Texas before 2020. Neither widely exists even in blue States. When it comes to abolishing the filibuster, there are even more facts. The filibuster prevents Federal laws swinging wildly with every election. If the filibuster is taken away, millions of citizens and entire States would be silenced. Senator Schumer's push is not a response to the 2020 election or new State laws. As early as 2019 and August 2020, Senator Schumer was already discussing abolishing the filibuster, but only if he won control. If the filibuster is wiped clean off the map, imagine what will be done next: Packing the Supreme Court; ramming through the Green New Deal; defunding the police, and every other misguided item that Washington Democrats have in their political playbook. The consequences would be disastrous for America. Madam Speaker, Americans do not want the one-party rule agenda of Washington Democrats, the anniversary of which is tomorrow. They do not want to see their own country become even more bankrupted by the failed policies under this administration and razor-thin majority. Republicans will continue to stand firm against this far-left agenda, and we will not sit on the sidelines. It is vital that Americans know what these election bills will do and the consequences that will affect this great country if they are passed. Thank you again to Ranking Member Rodney Davis and his staff for their continued hard work and diligence on this issue.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, for a year, the Biden administration has struck out on every jobs report. If this were a baseball game, this administration would have been benched long ago. Economists predicted that 450,000 new jobs would be added in the month of December. But what was the result? A dismal 199,000 jobs were added, the worst report of Joe Biden's Presidency. Mr. Speaker, with these kinds of numbers, America's economy and workforce will never recover. No matter how this administration spins these failures, one thing is abundantly clear: You cannot swing, miss, and then claim you have hit a home run.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, recently the Taylorsville Times, a historic newspaper in North Carolina's Fifth District, celebrated its 100th anniversary. I cannot overstate how much of an institution this newspaper is within the community. A century of production is a testament to the value that this newspaper creates for its dedicated readers. Like clockwork, it continues to carry on in the Alexander County community. Congratulations to Lee Sharpe, the publisher of the Taylorsville Times, and his family for achieving this tremendous accomplishment. Thanks to the diligence and hard work of Lee and his family, the citizens of Alexander County continue to have access to an invaluable resource. Here is to another prosperous 100 years of service.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Indiana for holding this Special Order tonight and calling attention to the problems of the past year. I could use many words to describe President Biden's first full year in office, but the one that comes to mind immediately is incompetence. There is a blueprint for the economic and societal ruin that has stabbed America in its back for a year. This administration is the architect of that blueprint. Inflation has skyrocketed to its highest level in 40 years. Job creators have faced innumerable setbacks that have threatened their livelihoods. The ever-growing Federal bureaucracy has metastasized like a cancer. Parents have been targeted by the FBI and DOJ in what can only be described as a wave of new-age McCarthyism that has been spun by this administration. The southern border has all but collapsed due to gross mismanagement. The list goes on and on. Simply put, the policies and actions of this administration mirror the agenda of political arsonists. No matter how ambitious or forward-thinking the Biden administration tries to bill itself as, it cannot shake the stench of incompetence that surrounds every initiative it heads up. Socialism is no longer an ominous shadow on the horizon. This administration has brought it to our doorstep. This great country must be saved from the ruin that this administration has created. Republicans will be the ones to save it. Republicans will be the ones to safeguard the values and freedoms that have always defined America. Republicans will be the ones to turn this country around and deliver for the American people. When we retake the House of Representatives and the Senate this year, that is precisely what we will do. Americans demand it, and we will act.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, there is no substitute for conducting the business of the American people in person. On Monday, 80 members of the majority voted ``present'' by proxy. This is one of the most asinine things that has become commonplace under one-party rule by the majority. Have House Democrats become so averse to work that they now believe voting from their couches is a viable option? Mr. Speaker, it is time to end proxy voting once and for all. It is one of the many blemishes that have been put on this great body under one-party rule. If the current majority won't end proxy voting, Republicans will snuff it out entirely when we take back the House. It is past time to get back to work.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, against science and common sense, many traditional government schools continue to shut children out of the classroom. The Biden administration has repeatedly put the political agenda of teachers' unions above the needs of children. Throughout this pandemic, the Biden administration has ignored the concerns of parents and has, instead, crafted its COVID-19 school guidelines in accord with the demands of union bosses. The Biden administration's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consulted American Federation of Teachers, AFT, President Randi Weingarten for help in shaping guidance on school reopening. Entrusting a union boss and major campaign donor to make public health decisions is completely unacceptable. Teachers' unions took full advantage of the pandemic. They bullied and coerced the Biden administration until they got almost everything they asked for. Anytime the Biden administration resisted their demands, these unions had a meltdown, publicly shaming the administration, staging sick-outs, and making their demands even more elaborate and unreasonable. According to CDC guidance, schools can safely stay open. The data proves that schools are not and have never been a major vector of spread. Yet, even with all the scientific data, teachers' unions are holding their ground at the cost of students' well-being. This pandemic has taken a major toll on young people. Children, who are at the lowest risk of being made seriously ill by COVID-19, have been forced out of the classrooms by the demands of teachers' unions. Forcing students to learn behind a screen has led to devastating consequences. According to a report by Curriculum Associates, the number of students testing at two or more grade levels below their own grade has significantly increased since the pandemic. The numbers are worse for students who are already at risk. For example, 49 percent of third graders who come from low-income areas are now two or more grade levels behind in reading and math. This is an increase of 10 to 12 percent since before the pandemic began. Because of school closures, many students have also been suffering from isolation, depression, and anxiety. It was alarming to read that the number of ER visits for suspected suicide attempts by teenage girls rose from early 2019 to early 2021 by 51 percent. This is a public health crisis in and of itself yet one that is being ignored by many of the decisionmakers at both the national and local level in favor of special interest groups like the AFT. That is why Republicans at the Education and Labor Committee have been fighting so hard to keep schools open. We know the stakes are high. This pandemic has made it abundantly clear that teachers' unions, as well as the education establishment, have too much power. Neither union bosses nor bureaucrats in Washington should be able to keep our children from the classroom. Access to education is an important right in this country, one that teachers' unions are belittling with their outrageous demands. What has the outsized influence of teachers' unions produced? Less school choice, falling education standards, explicit material in school libraries, critical race theory-inspired curriculum, and years of learning loss. Teachers' unions have become far less about protecting teachers or students and far more about promoting a left-wing political agenda. This was made clear when the teachers' unions in several major cities joined forces with the Democratic Socialists of America to demand an eviction moratorium and an end to voucher programs as conditions for reopening schools. The longer we let these union bosses take advantage of this pandemic, the worse off our students will be. Students should no longer take a back seat to politics or special interests. It is time to stop catering to teachers' unions and to start serving the needs of students.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Trooper John Horton of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. On January 3, he passed away in a tragic accident in the line of duty. He was a 15-year veteran of the unit and was assigned to Rutherford County. His two younger siblings, James and Joe, served alongside him at one point in the Highway Patrol. They were the first and only trio of siblings to ever work simultaneously in the Highway Patrol in North Carolina's history. My prayers go out to Trooper Horton's family, his wife, and six children. May his memory and service to his community serve as an inspiration for future generations of law enforcement officers to come.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, today I rise to salute a dedicated public servant and friend. After working for a series of Members of the House, including Rep. Bill Goodling, Rob Green first served the Education and Workforce Committee from 1995 to 2001. Rob rejoined the Committee four years ago and has been an invaluable leader of the GOP workforce team ever since. As Director of Workforce Policy, Rob has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of workers and employers alike. He has dedicated years of his life to fighting for free market principles and to seeing that our country stays a self-governed Republic. Whether we have been in the majority or in the minority, Rob has made addressing federal overreach a top priority and has never been afraid to hold federal agencies accountable. Rob's consummate professionalism when working with Members of Congress as well as with Democrat staff has allowed us to pass bipartisan bills such as the Retirement Improvement and Savings Enhancement Act (RISE), which will help many Americans prepare for a more secure future. Rob's work was also pivotal in helping us pass a ban on surprise billing. This fight for transparency in our medical system has been a passion of Rob's and will help millions of struggling Americans. Rob's influence has also extended beyond the Committee. GOP leadership has relied on Rob to shape policy in the labor arena, ensuring that the American worker's voice gets heard. His relationship with lawmakers and staff throughout the House has allowed the Committee to flourish and accomplish a tremendous amount. Too often populist lobbies have an out-sized influence over politics in Washington. Rob's work on this Committee ensured that the voices of job creators and small business owners were heard. I, myself, have relied on Rob's expertise and keen eye for strategy to further this Committee's mission, and I will miss his support. Thankfully, his expertise will live on in the team that he has led and mentored for four years. I commend Rob for his many accomplishments and for his selfless service to this country. It is because of dedicated public servants like Rob, standing in the gap and defending our Republic, that we have a chance at reclaiming the vision our Founding Fathers had for this Nation. I truly congratulate Rob on his retirement, he has earned it.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding time. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my two amendments in this en bloc package. The alleged purpose of this bill is to ``protect our democracy by preventing abuses of Presidential power, restoring checks and balances and accountability and transparency in government.'' My amendments, in fact, do exactly that and would create an office of inspector general, IG, at the Office of Management and Budget, OMB. Pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, this independent, nonpartisan inspector general would prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse at OMB. The underlying bill is a Democrat attempt to relitigate yesterday's issues. But today, Americans are being assailed from all sides. They are facing a Democrat President on a spending binge that is tearing this country apart. Inflation sits at a 30-year high. Gas prices are skyrocketing out of control, and now an even more reckless socialist and amnesty agenda is in the works. My two amendments will truly bring accountability and transparency to the executive branch and protect the statutory authorities of Congress. Last week, news broke that 40 percent or more of the $700 billion spent on unemployment benefits for COVID-19 relief went to fraud. That is nearly the size of the defense budget. An IG at OMB would be able to root out this kind of fraud, waste, and abuse and save taxpayers' dollars. The Biden administration should welcome having an OMB inspector general with the same enthusiasm they talk about transparency and accountability. My second amendment will help protect the rights of the minority and allow the Oversight and Reform Committee to easily acquire documents from the executive branch so that we can uphold true oversight. I look forward to working with the majority to obtain the information required by law from the administration pursuant to these Rule of 7 requests. I appreciate that Democrats agree on some level that we need rigorous oversight of the executive branch. My only question is: Where have they been for the last 11 months? I am also profoundly disappointed that Democrats chose to load up this en bloc package with amendments that entrench bureaucracy, hamstring Presidential appointments, and micromanage Presidential powers. This bill is supposed to restore transparency and accountability, but many of the amendments in this package move it in the opposite direction.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, the Federal Government cannot be given the ability to police innovators who create lifesaving products. Top-down, government-imposed drug pricing would eliminate consumer choices, jeopardize future cures, and ultimately lead to socialized medicine. The United States invents approximately two-thirds of the world's new medicines. Our system encourages private investments which spur innovation. This is something we should be proud of and encourage, not curtail. But under the Democrats' radical Build Back Better Act, new drugs and cures for diseases like cancer and diabetes would be reduced. Price controls will lead to reduced access for patients and will set a dangerous precedent. If the Federal Government has the authority to dictate the cost of prescription drugs, what else will it decide to set prices for?

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, the attempt to stifle free speech at colleges and universities continues to be a major problem. Too many universities are more committed to liberal indoctrination than to providing an education. One of the primary reasons students attend college is to foster intellectual curiosity, yet this is no longer allowed at many universities. Too many students and faculty alike are being intimidated into silence, or even worse, punished for speaking out about their religious or political beliefs. Universities should encourage a diverse set of viewpoints and open dialogue; not stifle the expression of ideas they may oppose. Students should not feel like they must be on the frontlines of a culture war just to obtain a degree. All Americans should have their First Amendment freedoms protected, regardless of their point of view. Students on college campuses should be no different.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Oklahoma for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can bring up H.R. 6056, the Parents Bill of Rights Act. There has been a push to silence parents around the country. Powerful teachers unions, several school boards, Democrat politicians, and the Biden Justice Department have all voiced opposition to the rights of parents to have a say in their child's education. We will not stand for this kind of intimidation, and we will not tolerate the left's attempt to push parents out of the decisionmaking process when it comes to their child's education. That is why we have introduced the Parents Bill of Rights. This legislation will protect rights parents already have but that are now under attack. I can't imagine why anyone would oppose the Parents Bill of Rights Act. Making school spending and curriculum transparent should already be the norm. After all, what do schools have to hide? This bill will also ensure that schools do not share or sell private student data or attempt to administer health examinations without parental consent. These are extremely important decisions that belong to parents, not bureaucrats or school administrators. The left's assault on parental rights is outrageous. To claim that parents are akin to domestic terrorists just because they don't agree with the left's agenda is beyond the pale. Yet, it is these very attacks that have shown Americans all around the country just how important it is to stand up to the left. We cannot let our fundamental rights be stripped from us, especially the right to raise our children. This bill is ushering in a new era of education, one where parents won't take a back seat to the system. One thing is certain, our children and the country will be better off for having the Parents Bill of Rights.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, middle- and lower-income households across the country are getting the short end of the stick under the so-called Build Back Better Act. For months, House Republicans have exposed radical provisions in this bill that do nothing to help the American people or the country. One such provision is the raising of State and local tax deductions, commonly referred to as SALT. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a $10,000 cap was placed on SALT deductions. This meant that taxpayers who itemized their returns could deduct up to $10,000 in certain taxes that are paid to State and local governments. Under the so-called Build Back Better Act, the cap would be set at $80,000. That is a $70,000 increase in tax deductions for high-income households in America. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that raising the SALT cap to $80,000 equates to a gift of $625 billion in perpetuity to wealthy Americans. Speaker Pelosi was quoted as saying that raising SALT deductions is ``about which States get the revenue they need in order to meet the needs of the people.'' Mr. Speaker, that claim may sound appeasing to some, but not all Members of the Democrat Party are sold. Jason Furman, the former chair of former President Obama's Council of Economic Advisers and current Harvard economist, calls this giveaway obscene. Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, who voted against the so-called Build Back Better Act, said he was concerned about tax giveaways to millionaires. Even Senator Bernie Sanders came out in staunch opposition to these proposed changes for the SALT cap. Noticing a pattern here? Consider who will be the people reaping these benefits. Here is a hint: it is not hardworking American families. With the tax deduction cap set at $80,000, the households with the highest income would be saving $25,900 more than they do under the current law. The Tax Policy Center found that this $80,000 cap would directly benefit the top 1 percent of households. Middle- and lower-income households will be left behind. With only 5.4 percent of the households earning more than $200,000 per year in North Carolina, few people would receive this handout. Higher-income States such as California, New York, and New Jersey have historically benefitted from SALT cap deductions--with North Carolina being far removed from the conversation. Mr. Speaker, economic experts, Republicans, and even Democrat Members of Congress agree that Washington has too much SALT in its diet. If the majority believes upping SALT deductions and leaving both middle- and lower-income Americans behind is a viable route to take, the consequences would be a lot more than they bargained for. The Senate should kill the so-called Build Back Better Act immediately.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I stand in strong opposition to the Department of Labor's attack on religious freedom. The Department of Labor's proposal to rescind protections for religious Federal contractors demonstrates how hostile the Biden administration is to the free exercise of religion when it bucks up against progressive priorities. Prior to President Trump's rule clarifying the rights and obligations of religious Federal contractors, religious organizations were reluctant to seek Federal contracts. If the rule is rescinded, religious organizations will, once again, be dissuaded from competing for these contracts. This will lead to less competition for Federal contracts, meaning the American people will pay a higher price for Federal projects. Religious organizations should be able to compete for contracts on a level playing field without having to compromise their faith. The Biden administration apparently disagrees. It is of the utmost importance to protect our very first right--the religious freedom of all Americans-- including Federal contractors.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, President Biden's energy crisis is the Christmas gift that nobody asked for. The national average for a gallon of gas reached $3.39 as of last Friday, the most Americans have paid at the pump since the Obama-Biden administration. Home heating costs are projected to rise as much as 54 percent for some households this winter. House Democrats are even pushing a ``heat your home tax'' just in time for the holidays. If Americans thought Thanksgiving cost an arm and a leg, just wait until President Biden's failed policies torpedo Christmas entirely. At this rate, the only things Americans will find under their Christmas trees and in their stockings are more bills, not presents. Mr. Speaker, this lunacy must end.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Democrats' spending bill is not about building back better, it is about building up a bureaucracy that will expand the reach of the Federal Government, especially over education. This bill will impose Federal control over pre-K, limit parental choice, increase the cost of childcare, punish job creators, reward far-left special interests, and deepen our debt crisis. This bill recklessly sets aside $400 billion for universal pre-K and childcare but, in reality, there is no telling how much this provision will cost the American people. Subsidizing the childcare of wealthy families isn't building back better, it is building back bankrupt. This legislation is wrong for our country and wrong for our children. Education is best when run locally and when parents are involved. The bill also includes dangerous provisions from the PRO Union Bosses Act, which kneecap business owners while putting a target on job creators' backs with outrageously inflated Labor Department fines. Democrats keep saying this legislation is transformational. Well, let me tell them something: The American people do not want this country to be transformed in the way they want to transform it. It is time to make protecting the future of this Nation, our children, a priority, not empowering teachers unions, burdening job creators, or centralizing control in the hands of unelected, unaccountable Washington bureaucrats.

Ms. FOXX

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle who believe that the Build Back Better Act is going to make this country better are trying to sell snake oil to the American people. There is an old saying, Mr. Speaker: You can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. Frankly, the American people--some of them--have seen the light, and they understand that Build Back Better is going to bankrupt this country and that is not the way most Americans want to go. So we will see if the people who vote for Build Back Better have the real support of the American people next year if that bill passes. Mr. Speaker, this is National Apprenticeship Week, and it is fitting that as the lead Republican on the Education and Labor Committee that we talk about the importance of apprenticeships. As we know, apprenticeships have been around since the beginning of time and they have been much more used in other countries. They were much used in our country for a long, long time. Then the numbers of them decreased. However, in recent years more and more Americans have found that apprenticeship programs are an effective option to help achieve their career goals. I have had people in my family go through apprenticeship programs, and I know for a fact how valuable they are. These earn-and-learn programs offer students and workers a viable path toward the American Dream, and it is very fitting that we should celebrate National Apprenticeship Week and highlight the apprenticeship programs across the country. However, unfortunately, the Biden administration is proposing to end the program dedicated to expanding apprenticeships, cutting off this important pathway to sustainable and rewarding careers. By ending Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs, or IRAP, President Biden is hurting workers and businesses nationwide. This decision moves our country backward and will keep many Americans from being able to prepare for their future. Instead of ending IRAPs, we should be working to inject innovation and flexibility into the apprenticeship model so that more Americans can get back to work and achieve the American Dream, no putting roadblocks in their way. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more clear with every action of the Biden administration that the American worker is always going to take a backseat in President Biden's America.