Michelle Fischbach

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, when fraud is exposed, there are several ways people respond. They can attack it and cover it up, minimize it, or like we have seen today, just simply talk about something else over and over. For years, State officials tasked with managing Federal funds minimized fraud, looked the other way, and allowed Federal taxpayers' dollars to be stolen. I do hear about the fraud and the theft every single day from people. As this fraud has come to light, House Republicans have led the charge to root out waste, fraud, and abuse from our Federal programs. We passed the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act, the Stop Child Care Scams Act, the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act, and we passed the Stop Fraudulent Payments Act. I have personally fought this fight on the House Oversight Committee, waiving on to get answers from State officials about how billion-dollar fraud networks were allowed to operate unchecked in Minnesota. I have introduced legislation to protect whistleblowers who expose corruption from retaliation and legislation to stop benefit dollars meant to help vulnerable families at home from being sent overseas. While executive branch actions and temporary task forces provide important support, they are not enough on their own. Congress must step up and deliver permanent solutions that ensure future State and Federal administrations properly oversee Federal funds. That is why the bills before us today under this rule are so critical. By passing the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act, we codify a permanent, dedicated division with the Department of Justice to ensure investigating and prosecuting fraud remains a long-term priority. Through the PROOF Act, we fix the bottleneck in these investigations by removing State-level resistance and mandating data sharing so Federal agents can clean up Federal programs. We have shown we will not allow State officials to ignore basic enforcement checks. Every single dollar stolen by fraudsters is a dollar taken away from vulnerable families. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this rule.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate the other side does not recognize the cost of fraud. It costs us taxpayer dollars, hard- earned tax dollars. Stopping fraud helps everyone. It helps the American people save tax dollars and then potentially we will not have to tax them as much. It also helps those children and those people counting on those programs that are being robbed blind by fraudsters. Stopping it is critical, and it is important to every American citizen. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Finstad).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are here to debate the rule that provides for consideration of five measures: H.J. Res. 210, the CRA relating to California State nonroad engine pollution control standards and ocean- going vessels at-berth; H.J. Res. 213, the CRA relating to California State nonroad engine pollution control standards and commercial harbor craft regulations; H.R. 9576, the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026; H.R. 10326, the PROOF Act; and a motion that the House concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 210 and H.J. Res. 213 under closed rules, with 1 hour of debate each, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee or their designees, and provides each one motion to recommit. Additionally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9576 and H.R. 10326 under closed rules, with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chairs and ranking members of the Judiciary Committee or their designees and provides each one motion to recommit. The rule also makes in order a motion offered by the chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs that the House concur in the Senate amendments to H.R. 5334. The rule provides for 1 hour of debate on the motion, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee or their designees. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this rule, which accomplishes two vital needs: Protecting American economic integrity and stopping domestic fraud. By passing sanctions legislation, we strengthen our national security posturing against foreign aggression, and by passing H.J. Res. 210 and H.J. Res. 213, we are stopping California's radical maritime mandates from interrupting supply chains at our ports and driving up the cost of everyday goods for consumers. However, keeping America safe and prosperous also means addressing a domestic threat: the scale of fraud in our country. For 4 years under the previous administration, weak leadership, poor oversight, and open border policies turned public programs into piggy banks for bad actors, cartels, and organized criminal rings. Nowhere has this rot been more devastating than in my home State of Minnesota, where fraud is now estimated at a staggering $9 billion. We saw the tip of the iceberg with the infamous Feeding our Future scam, the largest pandemic-era fraud in the Nation, where 70 individuals and counting have been charged for stealing $250 million intended to feed hungry children and help vulnerable families. However, the rot did not stop there. Those same circles of corruption have infected other State-run, federally funded programs. Federal prosecutors recently unveiled the Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown, charging 15 individuals in connection with over $90 million in loss across childcare, Medicare, and autism care programs. In one of the scams involving autism care, bad actors paid illegal kickbacks to parents, gave false diagnoses, and billed over $46 million for services that were never actually provided, robbing the actual children with autism of the care that they needed. In another program meant to help adults with brain injuries live independently in their own homes, bad actors bought housing assets, stole Medicaid beneficiary information, and collected millions in unrendered services. In one tragic case, a Medicaid recipient was found deceased a day after scammers submitted claims for 24-hour care he never received. This is the brutal reality of unchecked fraud. When scammers rob Federal programs, vulnerable people suffer, and in the worst case, lives are lost. Yet, when Federal authorities attempt to uncover this rot, State bureaucracies resist. They withhold critical data and protect bad actors instead of defending the public trust. When Federal agencies asked Minnesota State leadership for attendance records and program data to investigate suspected childcare and SNAP fraud, State officials repeatedly refused to cooperate. If you refuse to look at the evidence and hand it over to Federal investigators, you are either grossly incompetent or knowingly complicit. That is why the legislation before us today ends this culture of obstruction and gives Federal law enforcement the tools to find, prosecute, and eradicate fraud. The National Fraud Enforcement Division Act codifies the Department of Justice's special fraud division. This legislation gives Federal law enforcement a permanent, dedicated mandate to target, investigate, and dismantle complex international and domestic fraud networks. The PROOF Act directly addresses the State-level stonewalling we have witnessed in Minnesota and across the country. It standardizes Federal access to State program data, including Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, childcare, and emergency relief funds during legitimate fraud investigations. The States will no longer be allowed to hide or conceal records while billions of dollars are funneled away from families. Importantly, the bill includes strict privacy protections to ensure law-abiding citizens' personal information remains safe during these investigations. The American people are sick and tired of watching criminals steal their hard-earned tax dollars. The fraud ends now. We have a duty to secure these programs, protect vulnerable families, and restore public trust. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1530 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the vice chair for putting together this important Special Order to commemorate the historic Dobbs v. Jackson decision. I also thank the other Members, the pro-life Members who took the time tonight to come here and talk about this incredibly critical issue of making sure that we are taking care of mothers and children. On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled: ``The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.'' That decision was a tremendous step to protect the valuable right to life. It overturned the unconstitutional Roe v. Wade, which created a false right to abortion for almost 50 years. This decision was a victory for the unborn, a victory for families, and a victory for our entire Nation. Most importantly, Dobbs has been a victory for life itself. In the 4 years since that landmark day, countless children are alive today who might not otherwise be. Families have been made whole, and the beating hearts of ultrasounds are now running, laughing, and bringing joy to households across America. For me, the pro-life movement is personal. As a mother and a grandmother, I have been blessed to see the miracles of life at every stage. Those personal milestones drive my work in the pro-life movement because I believe every woman in this country should be allowed to experience those same miracles with confidence and support. To be truly pro-life means so much more than just being opposed to abortion. It means being prowoman and profamily. When a woman faces an unexpected pregnancy, our response as a community must be to surround her with hope. We must be able to look at every mother and say: You are not alone. We continue to build on this culture of life through meaningful action. Months ago, this House took a step forward by passing the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act to protect the pregnancy resource centers that serve on the front lines. I have also reintroduced the MOMS Act to provide comprehensive critical support to new mothers during and after pregnancy, ensuring that they have medical, financial, and the emotional tools to raise happy, healthy babies. As we reflect on the momentous Dobbs decision, I hope that we can take inspiration from the dedication of the pro-life community and support mothers with love, hope, and the right to choose life.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Enoch Horton, a rising senior at Wadena-Deer Creek High School, who recently represented Minnesota on the national stage. Enoch became his school's first finalist for the prestigious NASA HUNCH program. Out of thousands of students across 34 States, Enoch advanced to the final design reviews at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Enoch designed and presented an AI-powered satellite project aimed at improving orbital sustainability and expanding access to space research. Enoch's achievement is a testament to his hard work and ingenuity. He has proven that big ideas and groundbreaking innovation can come from any corner of our great Nation. Congratulations to Enoch on a remarkable achievement.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Darrell Carter of Granite Falls, Minnesota, on receiving the National Rural Health Association's 2026 Outstanding Educator Award. For over 50 years, Dr. Carter has served as a cornerstone of rural medicine in Avera Granite Falls Health Center, but his impact goes far beyond the local community. In 1993 he cofounded the Comprehensive Advanced Life Support Program. Today, nearly all of Minnesota's designated trauma hospitals rely on the CALS Program to train medical personnel for life-threatening emergencies. Dr. Carter's decades of clinical excellence, innovation, and educational leadership have saved countless lives and transformed emergency care across rural America. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Carter for 54 years of dedicated service to his community. Celebrating Enoch Horton, Finalist for NASA'S HUNCH Program

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Schiefelbein family on being the Meeker County 2026 Farm Family of the Year. Big Frank and Frosty began this family legacy in 1955. I had the honor to know them both and call many, many members of this wonderful family friends. It is truly a family farm with so many members of the family actively working on the farm. The Schiefelbein farm sells about 500 head of cattle and calve about 1,000 registered Angus cows annually. They also operate a feeder calf operation where they feed over 30,000 calves across the U.S. Their outstanding production of cattle and cows across the U.S. is no small feat. The Schiefelbein family's dedication to their farm shows just how Minnesotans are feeding America. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Schiefelbein family. Congratulating Dr. Darrell Carter of Granite Falls, Minnesota

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and celebrate the Redwood Falls Woman's Club on their 125th anniversary. Founded in 1901, this organization has been a pillar of the Redwood Falls community. Through generations of leadership and the dedication of its members, these women have left a lasting impression on the area. Their longevity is a testament to the power of civic duty and community service. I extend my gratitude and congratulations to the members of the Redwood Falls Woman's Club, past and present, thanking them for 125 years of service, leadership, and dedication to making Redwood Falls a wonderful place to live.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero from Ivanhoe, Minnesota: Lois Widmark. At 104 years old, Lois recently received well-deserved recognition for her extraordinary service during World War II. Serving in the Navy WAVES, Lois was stationed in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a code breaker, utilizing complex machinery to decrypt enemy information. Lois joined the service because she wanted to do more for our Nation. Her vital, top-secret work contributed to the Allied victory and helped to protect the freedoms that we hold so dear. Last week, in a special ceremony at her home, Lois was presented with the Minnesota World War II Memorial Dedication Medal. It is a privilege to recognize Lois for her patriotism and her legacy. On behalf of Minnesota's Seventh District, I thank Lois for her service to our country. We are honored to have such a remarkable veteran in our community. Recognizing Redwood Falls Woman's Club

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the success of the Tracy FFA Chapter at the 2026 Minnesota State Convention. They had a great showing, including their livestock team taking first place. The winning team consisted of Carson Lanoue, Melaina Ankrum, Lawton Verlinde, Nolan Verlinde, and Callie Johns. These students dedicated hours to practices, reviewing data, and mastering the professional reasoning required for judging livestock. Their hard work paid off, and they will now advance to compete at the national level in Indianapolis. I am proud of these students for their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to excellence. They are shining examples of what our students in western Minnesota can achieve. Please join me in congratulating Tracy FFA on their historic performance, and I wish them good luck in Indianapolis this fall. Recognizing Lois Widmark

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jordyn Olson and Summer Funkhouser from Fergus Falls. They were recently awarded the prestigious Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. This award requires dedication, teamwork, and a true commitment to creating lasting change in the community. These bright young ladies partnered with the Fergus Falls Community Food Shelf to create accessible, kid-friendly meal options for local families. Together, they designed a ``by kids, for kids'' recipe brochure featuring meals and snacks made entirely from items commonly found in a weekly food distribution box. These brochures are now being distributed directly to local families. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Summer and Jordyn on their achievement. Celebrating the Tracy FFA Chapter

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, let's be honest. We are here to move the E15 legislation forward. That is what we are here to do today. It is interesting that the good gentleman from Massachusetts used his time to talk about almost everything except E15. I was happy to yield time to my colleagues to talk about E15 and the benefits and the advantages and what it could do for our farmers and energy independence. I rise today to close this debate because the choice before us is clear. Do we continue with the status quo of emergency waivers, or do we finally provide permanent certainty that American families and farmers deserve? We have spent decades hiding behind outdated regulations that do nothing but hike summertime fuel prices. Every single year, this country is forced to hit a pause button on American-grown energy. It makes no sense and, frankly, Mr. Speaker, I am tired of it. H.R. 1346 is about two things: lower costs and market stability. When families pull up to the pump, they should not be forced to pay more just because of what month it is on the calendar. This is about providing real, permanent relief for hardworking Americans who are tired of seeing their pocketbooks take the fall for outdated red tape. This vote represents a choice between foreign oil and American energy independence. It is a vote for our corn growers across the country who are ready to fuel this country. There is zero reason to rely on foreign countries for our energy needs when we can support American workers and strengthen our national security. We are done with the era of temporary fixes that only create market instability. Our refiners, our retailers, and our rural communities deserve certainty. E15 is cleaner. It is cheaper, and it is grown right here at home. Let's stop the games. It is time to pass a permanent, nationwide solution that provides for our growers, puts American families first, and reinforces our commitment to American-made energy. Mr. Speaker, that is why we are here today. That is the issue in front of us, to move E15 year-round forward.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close on E15, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nunn), another great E15 leader.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Feenstra), the great E15 leader.