Michelle Fischbach

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 398 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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, I urge all of my colleagues not to make excuses about this legislation, not to say that it doesn't have this, it has this, or you changed this because they are playing word games. The public is watching, and law enforcement officers are watching. Today, with your ``yes'' vote on this legislation, you can show your support for law enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Reschenthaler).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I have to mention again, we have legislation in front of us that will honor our law enforcement officers. When we go off on tangents and talk about what words are there and what words are not there, the simple fact is, a ``yes'' vote on this legislation will show our support for law enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I have a much easier way for the other side to deal with the debt ceiling. Instead of the procedural antics we are going through, maybe what they should do is encourage the President and the Senate leaders to get to the table and negotiate. The House Republicans did their job. We passed a debt ceiling bill with spending cuts and an increase off of this floor. We have done our job. I think the real message here is National Police Week. That is what we are talking about. We are talking about the support and respect for our law enforcement officers. I just want to maybe bring it back to what we are really talking about. I, unfortunately, have had the unfortunate honor to have three officers lost in the line of duty in my area, and so I would remember those names: Officer Brian Klinefelter, Officer Tommy Decker, and Officer Josh Owen. Officer Owen was just a few weeks ago. Present in the Capitol yesterday was Officer Arik Matson, who was shot 3 years ago in the line of duty and survived. Let's talk about that. Let's talk about the officers that we are honoring. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman).

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

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

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

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I am honored to be here today to support this rule and this legislation to make sure we honor our law enforcement and that we are moving forward. This is a completely different agenda from the legislation that my Democratic colleagues were advancing at this time in the 117th Congress last year. By this time 2 years ago, Democrats had already passed legislation that would have removed qualified immunity for police officers acting in good faith, voted to restrict policing methods that keep officers safe, and supported investigations into departments that insinuated that police officers are racists and white supremacists. Today, House Republicans are changing the narrative and standing up for law and order and for those who enforce it. If my Democratic colleagues don't think this matters, then they clearly are still not listening to what the law enforcement community needs. Today, they have the opportunity to show their support for law enforcement. The defund the police movement has been disastrous in the areas that have tried it, emboldening criminals. Cities like Minneapolis and San Francisco have seen dramatic increases in crime, and residents and businesses alike are fleeing in droves. Crime is skyrocketing throughout the country, and the lack of respect for law enforcement in this country also means fewer people are willing to enter the profession. This needs to change, and we in Congress can pass legislation like the bills today that support our police officers and show them their sacrifices and services are appreciated. It is time for leaders to stand up for law enforcement and stop the anti-police rhetoric. I ask my colleagues on the other side to join with us in supporting and honoring law enforcement by voting for this rule today and supporting the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I support the underlying legislation, and I urge all Members to do so.

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

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday night, Pope County Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen was tragically shot and killed in the line of duty. He and two other law enforcement officers were responding to a domestic violence call in Cyrus, Minnesota, when the suspect opened fire. It was his 44th birthday. Deputy Owen spent nearly 12 years with the sheriff's office and recently received a Distinguished Service Award for his actions responding to a house fire. He is pictured here with his K9 partner, Karma. He was also a military veteran serving with the Minnesota National Guard and deploying to Iraq for 22 months. Josh leaves behind a wife, Shannon, and a 10-year-old son, Rylan. Those of us with ties to law enforcement, who see loved ones risking their lives every day to protect and serve others, share their pain. Josh's colleagues placed a squad car on the front lawn of the sheriff's office on Sunday, and the community has made it into a memorial to pay their respects to this outstanding member of the community and show his family how loved he was. Yesterday, there was a procession to bring his body home. Law enforcement agencies from across the State turned out to honor their fallen brother. This is a devastating, heartbreaking reminder that our men and women of law enforcement put their communities above all else every single day. I am praying for Deputy Owen's family and for Pope County and Minnesota law enforcement communities as they mourn the loss of this hero and continue to serve and protect us every day.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, over the weekend, while responding to a domestic violence call, Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen of Pope County was tragically shot and killed. It was his 44th birthday. Deputy Owen spent nearly 12 years with the sheriff's office and recently received a Distinguished Service Award. He was also a military veteran, serving with the Minnesota National Guard and deploying to Iraq for 22 months. He leaves behind a wife and son. This is a devastating, heartbreaking reminder that our men and women in law enforcement put their communities above all else every single day. We are praying for Josh's family and for the Pope County community as they mourn the loss of a local hero. I ask now that we have a moment of silence in honor of Pope County Deputy Sheriff Josh Owen.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time. He is new to the Rules Committee, and we have really enjoyed having him there so far. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution providing for consideration of three important bills. H.J. Res. 24 and 26 would repeal two recent actions by the D.C. Council that would have drastic negative consequences nationwide. The first would give illegal immigrants the right to vote in local elections. By pursuing this effort, D.C. leftists would dilute every lawful vote, which would have profound implications on all of our elections. The second would further promote the left's soft-on-crime agenda. According to the Major Cities Chiefs Association, cities across the country have experienced increases in homicides by nearly 50 percent and aggravated assaults by over a third. The so-called Revised Criminal Code Act would only accelerate these crime rates by eliminating mandatory minimums, reduce penalties for violent crimes, and bottle up local courts that are paid for by the Federal Government--Federal tax dollars from across the country. Under the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973, Congress retains the ultimate say over affairs within the seat of our Federal Government. The authority is derived under Article I of the Constitution, which grants Congress the authority over D.C., in ``all cases whatsoever.'' Congress has voted to overturn various D.C. efforts throughout the years, as recently as 2014. Western Minnesotans know these efforts will not simply remain in Washington. Radical leftists in the Twin Cities are pursuing similar efforts. Recently, it was claimed at the Minnesota State Capitol that illegal immigrants are voting in droves. Western Minnesotans know that the Twin Cities' liberals will not be outdone by D.C. in promoting soft-on-crime policies. My constituents know that if we do not take a stand, these radical ideas will continue to spread across the country. Finally, I appreciate that Representative Massie's legislation to repeal the vaccine mandate for air travel is also included in this rule. We still face issues at the land ports of entry in my district and across the northern border. It is my sincere hope that we also repeal a similar restriction on travel between the U.S. and Canada at land ports of entry in the coming weeks.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for all of his work. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Clyde), who reintroduced the Protect the UNBORN Act last week to prohibit the implementation of and funding for President Biden's pro-abortion executive orders.

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

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Abortion is one of the greatest tragedies in our Nation, and Roe v. Wade opened the door for abortions on demand until birth. Over the last five decades, more than 60 million unborn lives have been taken and a tragic, irreversible mark has been left on countless mothers, fathers, and families. While there is still so much work to be done, I stand here hopeful. The pro-life community is stronger than ever. With last year's Dobbs v. Jackson decision, this country is beginning to move in the right direction to defend the defenseless and support life. We are changing hearts and minds. Of course, we still have a long way to go in this fight, and I am proud that one of the first things that we voted on in this Congress was the born-alive act to protect babies who have survived an attempted abortion. I am also proud to have introduced two bills to help protect the unborn, women, and taxpayers: the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, which I was asked to carry by former Congresswoman Vickie Hartzler who carried the bill in the last Congress, and the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act. We know that Americans across the country value the lives of the precious unborn babies, and it is just wrong to force them to spend their tax dollars on something that goes against their most closely held values. This evening, I am pleased to be joined by so many champions of the unborn to celebrate the victories, with many more to come. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cloud), who is championing the efforts with Chairman Bost to end taxpayer-funded abortions at the VA. He has been a lead sponsor of the Women's Public Health and Safety Act, which gives States the authority to exclude abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid funds.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman), who will be reintroducing the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act which would compel States to report both the number of abortions and the number of infants born alive after an abortion attempt.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I know that we will all continue to be a voice for the voiceless. It is so important, and our work is not done. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), another defender of life.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Lamborn), who is looking forward to reintroducing the Second Chance at Life Act, which would require abortion facilities to provide information at least 24 hours in advance that explains that the chemical abortion process may be reversed before taking the second of the two drugs required.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his pro-life leadership. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin), who is a great defender of life.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his commitment. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Ogles), who is a freshman and a great pro-lifer.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his commitment to the unborn and for those wonderful words. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford), who is a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather committed to fighting for life.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida for his remarks. He mentioned the culture of death, but we are working and we are succeeding in turning back into the culture of life and changing hearts and minds. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), who is my great friend. My colleague from Minnesota is a true champion of life.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for sharing his personal story and that strong and true support for life. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly), who introduced the Heartbeat Protection Act which would prohibit abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected with the exceptions of rape, incest, and life of the mother, when necessary.