Chuck Fleischmann

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. Let me begin by stating a straightforward fact: The Federal Government spends excessively, and much of these funds are wasted. The Bonuses for Cost- Cutters and Fraud Preventers Act of 2026 offers a practical solution to ensure that taxpayers' hard-earned dollars are wisely managed and efficiently. This legislation takes our existing Federal rewards program, a program that already rewards employees who identify fraud, waste, and mismanagement, and expands it. Under this legislation, any Federal employee who identifies wasteful operational expenses that an agency itself determines are not required for its stated purpose can bring that information forward. The agency will then be required to propose those funds for rescission. On top of that, we double the maximum cash award available to employees who identify wasteful spending. Federal employees are often the first to recognize when funds are allocated to outdated programs or when bureaucratic practices prioritize institutional interests over those of taxpayers. For too long, there has been no incentive to speak up, and in some cases real disincentives have existed. This bill addresses that issue. Tennessee's Third District, my district, is home to thousands of dedicated Federal employees at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and other Federal sites throughout our region. These hard-working public servants take their responsibility to taxpayers seriously. H.R. 428 honors their commitment by giving them a meaningful role in eliminating waste and rewarding them for delivering results to the people who fund our government. We are taking these steps at a critical moment. The American people have given us a clear mandate to rein in spending. This administration is actively working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across the Federal Government. The efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency reflect the same mandate, and H.R. 428 supports that mission by establishing a permanent statutory framework that will endure beyond any one administration. It is also important to emphasize that this is not a partisan bill. Taxpayers in Tennessee, and across the Nation, regardless of party, do not want their money wasted. They expect a government that is accountable, efficient, and worthy of their trust. I have worked on this legislation for years, and I am proud that the Oversight Committee has advanced it. Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, this is a commonsense, fiscally responsible, pro-taxpayer bill. I urge everyone to support it.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. The Benton MacKaye Trail runs approximately 287 miles from Springer Mountain in north Georgia through east Tennessee and western North Carolina into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ending in Big Creek in the northeast corner of the park. The Benton MacKaye Trail provides numerous opportunities for easy, moderate, and challenging day hikes, many routes for multiday backpacking and camping, and of course, for the most serious hikers, end-to-end hikes. More than 200 volunteers do maintenance work on the trail each year, generating approximately 8,000 hours of volunteer maintenance annually. It offers quite an alternative to the heavily used section of the Appalachian Trail from north Georgia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Congress has not designated a new National Scenic Trail since 2009. This trail is long overdue for that recognition. The feasibility study is the next step. It is a low-cost, low- footprint measure. The trail is already on Federal land for about 95 percent of its length and would be administered by the Forest Service. This is bipartisan legislation that passed committee with unanimous consent. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this great bill.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Dwight Murphy of Winfield, Tennessee. Dwight will officially retire on June 9, 2026, from his position as President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology--Oneida/Huntsville. Dwight Murphy became President of TCAT--Onieda/Huntsville in January 2006. For the past 20 years he has focused on creating a workforce pipeline to fill local jobs and support local industries while allowing the next generation of residents of Scott County to remain in this community and raise their children there. He has grown the programs offered on campus from fewer than ten to 20 full-time programs. Under his tenure, the school has also created pathways to college with transferable credits that can be applied to degree programs. Also under his guidance, TCAT--Oneida/Huntsville students have a 96 percent licensure exam pass rate and 86 percent graduation rate. Dwight has been a lifelong educator. Before becoming President of TCAT--Oneida/Huntsville, Dwight taught first at Winfield Elementary School, then at Scott High School, and spent time as an adjunct professor at Roane State Community College. Dwight's commitment to this community is evidenced by his public service. He served two terms as a Scott County Commissioner before serving four terms as Scott County Mayor. Dwight is a founding member of the Boys & Girls Club of Scott County, serving on the Elgin Foundation, the Scott County Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Board of Scott County and the Industrial Board of Winfield County, the East Tennessee Development Board, the East Tennessee Resource Board, and the Mountain People's Health Board. Dwight has also served as President of the TCAT Presidents Association and as President of the County Mayors Association. Dwight is a Decon in the Winfield Baptist Church, where he has been active in the children's ministry programs, served as a Sunday School teacher, as organist, as a church bus driver, Vacation Bible School Director, and within the church's food ministries programs. Dwight and his loving wife, Terri Phillips Murphy, have been married for 48 years. Together they have been blessed with three children, Jordan, Blake, and Cole, and seven beloved grandchildren. His daughter, Jordan, summed up Dwight in this way, ``I can say that dad's life reflects a deep commitment to faith, family, education, and public service, with a lasting impact on Scott County and the surrounding region.'' Dwight is a friend who has helped me gain valuable insights into Scott County, Tennessee, and its people during my time as their Representative. He has truly made a difference in all that he has done for this region. I have enjoyed our conversations over the years and wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the River City Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee on its 40th Anniversary. River City Company is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the economic vitality and vibrancy of downtown Chattanooga. Since its founding in 1986, River City Company has worked alongside public, private, and philanthropic partners to attract investment, support local businesses, and create engaging public spaces that strengthen the heart of the Scenic City. Through strategic initiatives, regular event programming, and community-driven development, the organization plays a leading role in the neverending work of building a vibrant urban core that serves Chattanooga's citizens and visitors. From the fulfillment of the initial recommendations of the Moccasin Bend Task Force for the development of the Tennessee Riverwalk, to the development of the Tennessee Aquarium, the redevelopment of the Kirkman High School site, fulfillment of the 21st Century Waterfront Plan, the Majestic Theater, The Block and Miller Park, River City Company has been most successful as a public purpose development company. River City Company also plays a major role in the future planning of Downtown Chattanooga along with strategic animation and programming of Downtown spaces. River City works with the community to create opportunities for Chattanoogans that celebrate the vitality of the city. It helps promote the people, places and culture that make the Scenic City special, and in doing so attracts visitors and new residents. It also helps create the infrastructure that attracts and enables new businesses in Chattanooga's downtown and helps ensure that Chattanooga's renaissance will continue for generations to come. As a business owner and now as a Member of Congress, I have witnessed the vital role that River City Company has filled over the past 40 years to revitalize Downtown Chattanooga. I congratulate them on their numerous successes and look forward to their next 40 years partnering with this community to make Chattanooga the gem of the Tennessee Valley.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6938. As chairman of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I worked hard to ensure this bill includes many House Republican priorities. The bill provides a total of $58 billion to advance our national security, strengthen our economy, and unleash American energy dominance. The bill delivers strong support for our national defense and provides $25.4 billion for the National Nuclear Security Administration, prioritizing the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and the United States Navy nuclear fleet. The bill strengthens our Nation's energy security by advancing American leadership in deploying new nuclear technologies and supporting the administration's efforts to make full use of our Nation's vast fossil fuel resources. The bill will reduce reliance on foreign materials and secure the full supply chain of critical minerals. The bill furthers our Nation's scientific and technological leadership, including a strong focus on laying the groundwork for AI and quantum efforts, by providing $8.4 billion for the Department of Energy's Office of Science. At the same time, the bill reduces funding by over 29 percent across numerous other Department programs, including the applied energy technology offices, to ensure taxpayer resources are focused on the highest priority research and development projects. The bill also strengthens our economy and promotes public safety, providing $10.3 billion for the great Army Corps of Engineers, including full funding of harbor maintenance and over $2 billion for flood and storm damage reduction, and continued support for the highest priority, ongoing construction projects on the inland waterways system. Additionally, the bill prioritizes funding for the Bureau of Reclamation for projects that increase water supply and support drought resilience. Mr. Speaker, there are many other important provisions in the Energy and Water bill, but before I conclude, I will specifically congratulate and thank Chairman Cole for being an outstanding chairman of the full committee. He has let the cardinals do their work. He has worked with Members in the minority and the majority. He has worked with Members of the Senate and the House. Mr. Speaker, I also thank Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur and our colleagues across the Capitol. This is a strong bipartisan bill. It addresses America's needs and is a great bill, and it should get bipartisan support. This is a strong bill for America. Mr. Speaker, I also thank the staff, and I do not say this lightly: My staff, Republican and Democratic staff, worked up and through Christmas and after Christmas to get this done. These men and women are outstanding. They do a great job. Let's pass this great bill for America.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 100th Birthday of twin brothers Keith and Kenneth Palm on October 11, 2025. Keith and Kenneth are the youngest of 10 children born to Swedish immigrants Alfred and Sigrid Palm. Both are World War II veterans having served in the European Theater with the 103rd Infantry Division. Both Keith and Kenneth are Purple Heart recipients. Following their military service, both Keith and Kenneth enrolled at the University of Illinois, graduating with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Chemistry. Upon their graduation, both remained in Chicago working for Swift and Company in the edible oil refinery inside the Chicago stockyard. In 1974, Keith and his wife, Patricia, relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since arriving in Chattanooga, Keith has been very active with his local church assisting Patricia, his wife of 67 years, teaching Sunday School. Keith has said that one of his deepest joys was the opportunity to teach Sunday School to his grandchildren. Keith has dedicated many years of service to various positions in his church. For many years, he drove kids to a Christian camp in Clemson, South Carolina. Today, Keith and his wife have two children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Keith continues to be the foundation of a strong family unit striving to serve others. I am honored to stand today and congratulate Keith and Kenneth on their 100th birthday. I encourage all to thank them for their service to our country, for being part of the Greatest Generation and to thank Keith for serving tirelessly within our community.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend and a great patriot, Benny Ray Adkins. Mr. Speaker, over my 15 years of service in this wonderful Chamber, I have given many speeches. I have eulogized and talked about many great people. Today is a very special speech for me and for our great Nation. I knew Benny Ray Adkins back when I practiced law. He worked for the Hamilton County Courts. He worked for the Sunshine Biscuit Company for years, and Ray was my friend. When I got elected to Congress, Ray Adkins really stood out to me not only as a mentor but as someone who loves his country. Ray loved the United States Army. He was Army proud. He was a lieutenant colonel. He served 36 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve. Time and time again, when I needed Ray, whether it was to get advice on active military, veterans affairs, and the like, he was there. Now, the largest city in my district is Chattanooga, and Ray was from a part of Chattanooga called Lookout Valley, Tiftonia. It is on the western side of Chattanooga. Ray was always there whether it was Wreaths Across America, Memorial Day, or Veterans Day. He was omnipresent. He was always there for the veterans. It didn't matter if it was World War II, Korea, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, he was always there. He would show up in his uniform. For the past decade or so, Mr. Speaker, he struggled health-wise, but he would always show up in his uniform. He would always show up Army proud, and he participated in so many different things. We had a situation where we put together a Military Advisory Board, and I had people from all branches. Ray was so well-respected by everyone, whether it was the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or the Marines. In that room, he was Ray, the great colonel. He loved the Army. He loved our country. He loved our veterans. He was a member of the VFW. He was a member of The American Legion. He was named Veteran of the Year in Chattanooga in 2017 and received the Hometown Patriot Award in 2018. This man was so well revered in Chattanooga and rightfully so. He was honored with the Ray Adkins Interchange by the Tennessee General Assembly, our State assembly in 2021. I drive past that on occasion. Mr. Speaker, I will end by saying this: I thank Ray for his friendship. I thank him for his service to our great Nation, and I thank him for being a great American. America is a greater nation because of him.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate and recognize Mr. Bruce Hartmann on his retirement. Mr. Hartmann began his career with the Baltimore Sun in Maryland, where he spent his first six years in the newspaper business. He also held management positions at the Lowell Sun in Massachusetts and the Nashua Telegraph in New Hampshire. Bruce spent 26 years with the E.W. Scripps Company in several roles. He would become the youngest President and Publisher in Scripps history at the age of 36. While in this role, he oversaw the construction of the news headquarters for the Knoxville News Sentinel, founded the KNS Media Group, and launched numerous community-focused initiatives. For the past eight years, Bruce has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Community Relations Officer for the University of Tennessee Medical Center. He has secured more than $60 million in various grants to expand the facilities and services that the UT Medical Center officers to our community. Bruce played a key role in establishing the Fentress County Emergency Department in 2023 and the Orthopedic Institute at Cherokee Farm in Jamestown, Tennessee, allowing UT Medical Center to expand into communities with health care needs. It was in his role with E.W. Scripps that I met and became friends with Bruce. Bruce has been an outstanding citizen and philanthropist. His infinite kindness and professionalism have been an inspiration to me as a member of Congress. Bruce has been an active volunteer in our community as well. He has served as the Past Chair of the Tennessee Theatre Foundation and has been part of many great organizations, including the East Tennessee Foundation, the United Way Campaign, In Leadership Knoxville, the Knoxville Chamber Partnership, the Board of South College, and Tenn Path. Additionally, he has also served on the boards of Friends of the Smokies and the Bijou Theatre, and currently serves on the boards for South College, the UT School of Nursing, the East Tennessee Foundation, Cherokee Country Club, and Leadership Tennessee. He has left a legacy throughout East Tennessee, and his service to this community will be greatly missed. Bruce has been married to his wife, Tami, for 44 years and has three children and eight grandchildren. Another testament to them both, their entire family remains close-knit, and all live within the same community. I am honored to recognize Bruce for his many years of service and congratulate him on his retirement.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon on Monday next for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, while I commend my colleague and friend, who actually was elected in that great class of 2010 with me--I remember that year vividly--I thank him for his motion, and I applaud his dedication to fiscal conservatism. However, with all due respect to my colleague, this amendment undermines the full bill's central aim to promote national security, energy security, and economic prosperity. Reducing this bill by $37 billion, or by 65 percent, will make America less safe, less secure, and less prosperous, in my view. The amendment includes a $16 billion cut to defense funding. Again, for my colleagues and for those watching, it is in the Energy and Water Development appropriations bill that we fund the National Nuclear Security Administration. This is our country's nuclear weapons activities. This would be cut by almost $9 billion, roughly 50 percent, causing, in my view, irreparable harm to our Nation's nuclear deterrent by halting critical weapons and modernization programs. This amendment would also reduce naval reactors by over $1 billion, again, almost a 50 percent reduction of the account, creating cascading impacts to America's most lethal and capable naval assets, our submarines and aircraft carriers. These are only but two examples of the 54 account reductions proposed by the amendment. For these reasons, I respectfully must oppose the amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I share some of my distinguished colleague's concerns about EERE, but let me, for the record, lay some things out. I am a strong supporter of EERE. EERE received over $16 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, of which there were billions in unobligated balances remaining. In other words, they got a ton of money in these big largesse bills that were passed by the last administration. They got $16 billion, and they can't spend it all. That is why, in the House bill, we have reduced funding to EERE by $1.6 billion below the fiscal 2025 level. They had money they couldn't even get to spend. Again, I am a strong, strong supporter of EERE. I have seen the work they do. They do a tremendous job, but they got all of that money in those largesse spending bills. This reduces EERE spending to 2013 levels. I respectfully think my colleague's amendment goes too far in eliminating this program. Again, things that EERE does well: geothermal technologies, advanced manufacturing, and industrial efficiency improvements. It also includes essential work on critical materials that will lay out the groundwork for technologies that will reduce our reliance on foreign supplies. I think EERE is an issue that we all can support. The reductions are there. I think this strikes a very good balance. For these reasons, I must respectfully oppose my colleague's motion. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I move the committee do rise.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, this amendment would effectively eliminate the administrative expenses for the loan guarantee program. That would do two things: First, it would prevent any new loans for nuclear projects. Second, it would remove the Department's ability-- this is very important--to conduct oversight for the existing loan portfolio. That is moneys that have already been loaned. As the Chair may know and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle know, I am a champion for nuclear energy in this great Nation of ours, and I am so proud of the way that we are moving forward. This program is so critically important to the development of our new nuclear technologies. The administration is counting on the Department's loan programs to revitalize the nuclear industry and deliver advanced reactors to the electric grid for years to come. Nuclear energy represents our best option to meet our energy demands for the future in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective way. This loan program will be an important part of that strategy. In addition, eliminating the loan program's administrative expenses would jeopardize the government's ability, again, to receive loan payments and ensure the financial health of the existing portfolio. We must ensure proper oversight of taxpayer funding. Madam Chair, for these reasons, I must respectfully oppose the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, my colleague's amendment would eliminate the Advanced Research Projects Agency, or ARPA-E. ARPA-E's mission is to fund projects that are not yet addressed in the private sector but can bring about a transformational shift in current energy technologies. Nearly 75 percent of ARPA-E awards go to small businesses and academia. ARPA-E projects have led to over 1,200 patents being issued and have attracted more than $14 billion in followup funding from the private sector. I have actually witnessed this with many companies, Mr. Chair, and this has been a very successful program. Perhaps to ease my colleague's concerns and his great desire to reduce funding, the bill already includes a 24 percent reduction from fiscal year 2025 to ARPA-E funding. Therefore, I must respectfully oppose the amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.