Michelle Fischbach

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Glencoe- Silver Lake FFA chapter for being named the 2025 National Model of Excellence winner. Glencoe-Silver Lake was selected for this award out of nearly 10,000 chapters. This is the highest honor a chapter can achieve, marking them the gold standard for leadership, community impact, and innovation. By fostering student-led initiatives that strengthen our rural economy and prepare the next generation of leaders, these students have proven that the future of American farming is in excellent hands. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the students, advisers, and the entire Glencoe-Silver Lake community on this prestigious award. I congratulate the Glencoe-Silver Lake FFA on being the best in the Nation. Commemorating National FFA Week

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Chris Tungseth from Fergus Falls, Minnesota, on earning a golden ticket to Hollywood on ``American Idol.'' Chris proved that the American spirit is built on more than just hard work. It is built on resilience, faith, and the power of song. Chris' journey to the golden ticket was not an easy one. He spoke of his family's battles with illness, his mother's diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and the loss of his father, whom Chris called his Superman. When Chris stood before the judges and performed his original song, ``Lonely Road,'' he was not just singing for a TV show. He was singing to honor his father's legacy and his family's strength. His performance earned him a unanimous ``yes'' to advance to Hollywood. On behalf of Fergus Falls and all of Minnesota, I wish Chris the best of luck in the next round. Glencoe-Silver Lake FFA Named 2025 National Model of Excellence Winner

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Brock Nelson from Warroad, Minnesota, on his selection to the 2026 U.S. Olympic men's ice hockey team. Throughout his career, Brock has defined himself through quiet leadership and an unwavering work ethic. Whether on the ice for the Avalanche or representing the Stars and Stripes, he carries the spirit of the state of hockey with him. Mr. Speaker, the Nation, and especially the folks back home in Warroad, are rooting for him. We look forward to watching him lead Team USA to victory.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding educator and mentor, Dave Blanchard, who was recently honored by the Prairie Conference for 27 years of dedicated service to the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle School community. For nearly three decades, Dave has been the definition of stepping up whenever needed. In addition to being a cornerstone of LPGE's English department, he has served as a coach for football, volleyball, and baseball, and as the National Honor Society and One Act Play adviser. As the LPGE director recently noted, Dave's positive presence and willingness to serve have made a lasting impact on generations of students and staff. He is a reminder that the success of our school depends not just on what happens in the classroom but on the selfless dedication of those who support our students in every area of their lives. Congratulating Brock Nelson

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ellen Lampton of Perham on her National Service Honor award. This prestigious award, presented by Helper Helper, is reserved for individuals who embody the very best of civic responsibility. Since 2022 alone, Ellen has dedicated over 1,000 hours of service across nearly 300 separate volunteer commitments. Whether she is volunteering at the Perham Living gift shop, assisting with local bake sales, or spending countless hours calling bingo games for residents, Ellen's presence is a constant source of joy and stability. Ellen's service goes far beyond mere numbers. It is defined by what her neighbors describe as a spirit of generosity, leadership, and deep compassion. Mr. Speaker, as her colleagues at Perham Health and Perham Living can attest, volunteers like Ellen are the heartbeat of our rural communities. Her dedication reminds us all of the difference one person can make when they lead with heart and faith. Honoring Dave Blanchard

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for his comments.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman so much for his comments, but the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) has done so much by leading us through this. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heart full of gratitude, not only for the privilege of serving the people of western Minnesota but for the significant step the House took yesterday of passing the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. This is more than just a legislative win. This is a victory for every woman who has ever felt alone during a pregnancy. It is a victory for every father who wants to provide for their child, and it is a victory for the thousands of pregnancy resource centers across our Nation that offer a hand to hold when an uncertain path is faced. We didn't just vote for a policy. We voted for hope. For me, the pro- life movement has never been just a political platform or a set of talking points. It is personal. As a mother and a grandmother, I have seen the miracle of life at every stage, from that first grainy image on an ultrasound that everyone clings to, to the incredible moment of feeling a child's first kick, and then that moment when you get to meet that child face to face for the first time. Those memories drive me to ensure that every woman in this country has the support that she needs to experience those same miracles with confidence rather than fear. My journey in public service has been shaped by these moments. From my time in the Minnesota State Senate to my role as the co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, my mission has been simple: To ensure that our laws reflect the beauty and the value of every human life. Being pro-life means so much more than being anti-abortion. To be truly pro-life is to be pro-woman and profamily. We must acknowledge that, for many women, an unexpected pregnancy comes with fear, uncertainty, and financial strain. Our response as a movement and as a government must be one of clear and tangible support. We need to be able to tell mothers that they are not alone. The pro- life movement is a positive one, a movement that surrounds women and their children with hope and support. I have fought to advance policies to make it easier to raise a family, whether it was expanding the child tax credit, supporting maternal healthcare, or streamlining the adoption process. Our goal is to create a culture where every mother feels empowered to choose life because she knows that she has the resources to flourish. I have stood firmly for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act because every child who enters this world deserves the same medical care regardless of the circumstances of their birth. I have advocated for the Hyde amendment, ensuring that the conscious rights of millions of Americans are respected and that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund the destruction of human life. These are not extreme positions. They are compassionate positions. They are positions rooted in the belief that a society is measured by how it treats those who have no power, no vote, and no voice. My goal is to build a country where every child is welcomed in life and protected by law. Tomorrow, thousands of Americans, many of them young students and family, will descend on our Nation's Capital and across the country at State marches in every corner of the country. In my home State of Minnesota, they gathered today at the State capitol, even in the extreme cold. They will march, determined to build a culture of life, a culture that supports a father who wants to be present, a mother who is finishing her education, and a child who is waiting to take their first breath. The pro-life movement is often characterized by what they are against, but with the passage of the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, we have shown what we are for. We are for the mother. We are for the baby. We are for the family. As the marchers arrive in Washington tonight and tomorrow morning, let them know that their voices have been heard in these Halls. Let them know that we will not stop working until our laws reflect the beautiful truth that every life is a gift from God. I am proud of the work we have done, and I am even more hopeful for the work we will do tomorrow and into the future.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I have known Representative Smith for many years through the pro-life movement. He and his wife, Marie, have dedicated so much time, energy, and effort to promote the culture of life and making sure that women, their families, and their babies are cared for and supported. I thank Representative Smith and his lovely wife, Marie, for all that they have done. He is an inspiration in this movement and this fight to make sure that babies are protected.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the opportunity to speak. I am so proud to rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 6945, the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act. For too long, previous Democrat administrations have weaponized the Department of Health and Human Services against pregnancy resource centers by attempting to cut off their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, funding. This bill puts a definitive stop to that harassment. It clarifies that these centers fundamentally meet the statutory purposes of TANF by providing essential assistance to children and expectant mothers. The TANF block grant is built on four specific statutory goals, and States have broad authority to pursue them all. Let's look at the second goal: to ``end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage.'' Cash assistance alone does not end dependence. It often merely just manages it. Pregnancy resource centers offer the best hope of achieving this goal by providing parenting classes and life skills training to help that mother move from a crisis to self-sufficiency. Pregnancy centers are the backbone of community-based support. The impact of their work is undeniable. In 2024 alone, over 2,700 centers aided nearly 3.8 million women, children, and families. These centers provided over $452 million in total medical care, education, and material goods. As Democrats continue to attack pregnancy care centers, I have asked them repeatedly if they have ever visited a center, ever bothered to go and see what they are talking about because if they had, they would see the compassion, the support, and love that are present in these facilities. These centers are staffed by trained men and women who guide and support mothers, fathers, children, and families. They are for the families from pregnancy through childbirth and beyond with parenting classes and assistance such as formula, diapers, and whatever else that family may need. The attempt to strip TANF funding from these centers was never about fiscal responsibility. It was a targeted, ideological attack on organizations that provide a real alternative to abortion. Democrats say choice, choice, choice over and over, but they try to deny women the choice to choose life. H.R. 6945 codifies the operations of TANF to ensure this funding stream remains focused on its mission, helping needy families and children, rather than serving as a tool for ideological gatekeeping. I am incredibly proud of this bill, which protects the most vulnerable among us and ensures that every woman facing adversity has the options, resources, and support she deserves.

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, I am so happy to get back to actually addressing the rules and the bills that are before us, instead of listening to Democrat talking points over and over. I have listened to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle during this debate. It seems that they are once again choosing to prioritize Federal bureaucracy and woke social agendas over the actual needs of the American worker. They claim to be the party of the worker. Yet, they oppose H.R. 2262, which simply increases opportunities for hourly employees to voluntarily take training classes to better their careers. They claim to support families. Yet, they oppose H.R. 2270, a bill that makes it easier for small businesses to offer childcare benefits. The American people are tired of a government that treats every voluntary interaction between an employer and employee as a potential crime. They are tired of the 80-20 rules that make it harder for small businesses. They are tired of joint employer standards that were designated by union lawyers in Washington to destroy the franchise model that has provided a path for the American Dream for millions. With H.R. 4366, the Save Local Businesses Act, we are finally bringing stability back to our Main Streets. We are telling the small business owners in my district and across the country that if they do not have direct, actual control over the worker, the Federal Government is not going to pretend they do just to satisfy a political agenda. We cannot ignore the retirement security of our constituents. H.R. 2988 is a commonsense safeguard. When an American worker hands over their hard-earned paycheck to a fiduciary, they expect that money to be invested to maximize their return and not to fund a political experiment or a green energy fantasy. This bill ensures that pecuniary factors are the only things driving retirement investments. The legislation in this package represents a fundamental shift back to the principles that made our country and our economy strong, which are clarity, flexibility, and individual opportunity. We are removing regulatory hurdles that have stifled upward mobility for far too long. Mr. Speaker, it is time to put the interests of the American worker, the small business owner, and the retiree ahead of the interests of Washington bureaucrats. I am proud to support this rule, and I am glad that I was able to speak about the rule and about the bills, instead of talking points. I urge my colleagues to do the same. The material previously referred to by Ms. Leger Fernandez is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 988 Offered by Ms. Leger Fernandez of New Mexico At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 5. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 20) to amend the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, and the Labor- Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Workforce or their respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit. Sec. 6. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX and clause 8 of rule XX shall not apply to the consideration of H.R. 20. Sec. 7. The Clerk shall transmit to the Senate a message that the House has passed H.R. 20 no later than three calendar days after passage.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I will clear up some of the rhetoric on H.R. 2270. It is called the Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act, but just to make it clear, this bill makes it easier for employers to provide childcare benefits for their employees. It excludes childcare and eldercare benefits from the regular rate calculation for overtime, so we remove a major financial barrier for some small business owners who want to help their employees actually balance work and family life. It would be a helpful thing for those employers and employees to help provide childcare. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, not to belabor the point, but I feel like I need to repeat myself and remind others about what ICE is actually doing in Minnesota. They have arrested a registered sex offender from Somalia with 17 prior convictions, including domestic violence and threatening terrorist acts, and convicted murderers from Mexico, Sudan, Burma, Laos, Guatemala, and Somalia. I wish I didn't have to continue to repeat myself about what ICE is really doing. What ICE is about is making sure that our streets are safer. As for the claim about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act not doing what it is supposed to and only giving tax cuts to billionaires, I had mentioned, I had explained what actually happened in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and I would ask the other side, I would just ponder or wonder out loud why they didn't do it in their Inflation Reduction Act. If it was that important, when they were in control and they passed the Inflation Reduction Act, why didn't they do all of these things that they talk about being so important right now? It is a little confusing when they continue to repeat. They believe that if they just continue to say the same thing over and over and over and over, it makes it true, and it does not, if you take a look at the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what ICE is doing in Minnesota. I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to clarify a few things, one in particular about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The narrative that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act only gives tax cuts to billionaires is just false. The bill cuts taxes for working-class families who need it most. As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the top 1 percent will pay more in Federal taxes than they did before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. It ends $500 billion in Biden-era tax breaks and special interest giveaways to wealthy individuals and large corporations. It stops a Biden-era $1,700 tax increase. Working families making between $15,000 and $30,000 will have their taxes cut by 21 percent under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Mr. Speaker, 66 percent of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's tax cuts benefit families making less than $500,000. Just because they keep saying it doesn't make it true. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act does help working families. Mr. Speaker, I do have to address, because my colleague has decided to bring ICE into this debate, or this discussion, regarding small businesses and help that we may be able to give small businesses. I just want to give a few examples of what ICE is actually doing in Minnesota, because I am someone who is here from Minnesota. They have arrested a registered sex offender from Somalia with 17 prior convictions, including domestic violence and threatening terroristic acts. They have arrested an illegal El Salvadoran alien convicted of sexual assault on a child. They have arrested an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of selling cocaine and methamphetamine and multiple illegal aliens from Laos convicted of rape, assault, kidnapping, and sodomy of children under the age of 13 and domestic violence. They have arrested convicted murderers from Mexico, Sudan, Burma, Laos, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Somalia, and El Salvador. That is what ICE is doing in Minnesota. They are making it safer for everyday people. I ask my colleague to simply allow the investigation to take place over what happened last week and to stop the inflammatory rhetoric that is unnecessary at this point. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to debate the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2262, the Flexibility for Workers Education Act; H.R. 2270, the Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act; H.R. 2312, the Tipped Employee Protection Act; H.R. 4366, the Save Local Business Act, under a closed rule; and H.R. 2988, the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act, under a structured rule. One hour of debate each for H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312, H.R. 2988, and H.R. 4366 shall be equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce, or their designees. The rule provides for a motion to recommit for all five bills. Mr. Speaker, the bills before us today are about one thing: getting the Federal Government out of the way of the American worker. For too long, outdated definitions and woke regulatory overreach have stifled opportunities and created a paperwork trap for the job creators on our Main Streets. Today, we take a stand for common sense and economic growth. We begin with H.R. 2262, the Flexibility for Workers Education Act. Under current law, many nonexempt workers, the very people who could benefit most from upskilling, are often excluded from voluntary training because the Fair Labor Standards Act treats those sessions as hours worked. This creates massive inconvenience for employers, who ultimately choose not to offer the training at all. This bill levels the playing field, allowing workers to pursue voluntary professional development outside of regular hours without triggering burdensome overtime costs for their employers. In the same spirit of support, H.R. 2270, the Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act, addresses the childcare crunch facing so many families. By excluding childcare and eldercare benefits from the regular rate calculation for overtime, we remove a major financial barrier for some small business owners who want to help their employees balance work and family life. This is a pro-family, pro- worker solution that requires no new Federal spending. We must also protect the flexibility that makes the service industry so vital. H.R. 2312, the Tipped Employee Protection Act, clears the regulatory fog that has long surrounded tipped workers. The Biden administration attempted to micromanage every minute of a server's day through the unworkable 80/20 rule, a standard that is virtually impossible to monitor or enforce. This bill provides a clear and simple definition for tipped employees, an employee who receives tips plus other cash wages that meet or exceed the Federal minimum wage for a work period. This provides stability for restaurant owners and protects the hiring potential of our servers and bartenders. Similarly, H.R. 4366, the Save Local Business Act, restores the joint employer standard that served our economy for decades. The Obama and Biden administrations weaponized the National Labor Relations Board to target the franchise model, creating a scheme that cost the franchising sector an estimated $33 billion annually. By codifying that an employer must exercise direct, actual, and immediate control over workers, we restore the certainty that small business owners, contractors, and franchisees need to grow and hire more. Finally, we must protect the hard-earned savings of the American people. H.R. 2988, the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act, ensures that Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, fiduciaries are focused on one thing, the financial bottom line. We cannot allow woke fiduciaries to gamble with a worker's pension to satisfy a political agenda. This bill reinforces the duties of loyalty and ensures that investment decisions are based solely on maximizing returns for the benefit of the retiree and not a social experiment. Mr. Speaker, the American people are tired of the regulatory noise coming out of Washington. They want a government that works for them, not against them. These five bills deliver on our promise to cut red tape, empower families, and protect the American Dream. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation, and 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 gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), 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 988 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jilian Schoenfeld and Brayden VanDyke from Russell-Tyler-Ruthton High School for their first-place finishes at the FFA Winter Leadership Summit. Jilian placed first in the employment skills competition, and Brayden placed first in the English creed speaking event. Their hard work and commitment are a credit to their school and community. I congratulate Jilian and Brayden on their victories.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a distinguished member of the Minnesota agricultural community. I congratulate Dick Pesek of Taunton, Minnesota, who has been named the Minnesota 2025 Cattleman of the Year. This honor is well-deserved recognition for his decades of hard work, dedication to the livestock industry, and deep commitment to his community. We commend Mr. Pesek for upholding the best traditions of American agriculture. Recognizing Jilian Schoenfeld and Brayden VanDyke

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize the distinguished career of Mary Krinkie. For 25 years, Mary has served as the vice president of government relations at the Minnesota Hospital Association. She is widely regarded as one of the most persuasive voices for Minnesota's healthcare systems and patient care. I have had the honor to work with her on various issues, both here in Congress and in the Minnesota State Senate. Her dedication to the healthcare community has left a permanent mark on Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mary for her decades of service, and I wish her a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement. Recognizing Richard ``Dick'' Pesek

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize and honor the life and legacy of Bradley Schenck, a devoted husband, father, marine, master sergeant in the Air National Guard, and law enforcement officer. Brad served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Air National Guard and dedicated 16 years to law enforcement, including a decade on the Red River Valley SWAT Team. His colleagues knew him for his courage, integrity, and commitment to keeping his community safe. Nine years ago, Brad faced brain cancer with extraordinary resilience. He turned his struggle into inspiration, sharing his journey in his memoir ``No Easy Way Out.'' Above all, Brad was a family man. He leaves behind his wife, Sara; their three children, Colby, Bentley, and Mackenzie; his parents and siblings; and his entire military and law enforcement families who carry on his legacy of strength and hope. Brad's life was defined by service, resilience, and joy. I honor his memory today and extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and community. Honoring Ed De La Hunt

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Ed De La Hunt, a pioneering broadcaster whose voice and vision shaped northern Minnesota for nearly seven decades. Ed and his wife, Carol, founded KPRM Radio in Park Rapids in 1962. His familiar voice on the program ``Coffee Time'' and his Sunday night music shows became part of daily life for countless listeners. Beyond the microphone, Ed was an engineer, mentor, and builder. He trained and inspired generations of broadcasters. His dedication to local radio, his commitment to technical excellence, and his belief in the power of community storytelling left an incredible mark on Minnesota broadcasting. Ed leaves behind a legacy of service through the airways and through his family. Today, I honor his career and the joy he brought to listeners across Minnesota. Congratulating Hawley Nuggets Girls' Volleyball