Michelle Fischbach

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Mike LeDoux on his retirement after spending over 30 years with the Minnesota State Patrol. During his many years of service, Sergeant LeDoux has conducted over 40,000 traffic stops, made 1,000 DUI arrests, and has not missed a day of work since 1998. For Sergeant LeDoux, joining law enforcement was truly a calling. He comes from a long line of law enforcement dating back to his great- grandfather, and he has proudly carried on this family tradition. He also served as president of the Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association. In his capacity as president, I worked with him at the State legislature, and he has become a good friend. I once again congratulate Mike on over 30 years of service to the State of Minnesota, and I thank his wife, Melissa, for her help and support of Mike and for putting up with a dining room table buried in papers. Congratulations to both of them on a well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Pierz Lakers in winning the Minnesota Baseball Association's amateur State championship. The Lakers fought valiantly through the Class C tournament, defeating the Le Sueur Braves 11-1 to win their first-ever State championship. It is great to see the tradition of town ball alive and well in Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Pierz Lakers on their victory.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I am sad to say that I rise today to pay respects to my friend, a colleague, a man I served with for many years in the Minnesota legislature, and a kind and good man, Senator Bruce Anderson. He passed away unexpectedly leaving Minnesota and his family to mourn the loss of a great man. A Navy veteran of the Vietnam war, he was an advocate for veterans and for rural communities and a man I was honored to serve with. He will be deeply missed by so many of us, and I send my deepest condolences to his family and all of those who knew him. I will keep them all and him in my prayers. extending sympathy to the welu family of milroy

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my sympathy to the Welu family of Milroy following the tragic loss of Melvin in a farming accident. Melvin was born and raised in Milroy, a third-generation farmer, a lifelong active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, and an amateur historian. He loved his Milroy community, reviving the Milroy Fun Fest and following the local sports teams closely. He loved spending time with his children and taking his grandchildren on tractor rides around the farm. He loved his wife, Bev, and their Saturday night dates. I send my deepest condolences to the Welu family as they navigate through this difficult time. I will be keeping Melvin, his family, and the community of Milroy in my prayers.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Joe Jensen on a successful 50-year career serving as a 911 dispatcher. Joe started his career at the Marshall Police Department as a dispatcher and is wrapping it up with Lyon County. His calm voice put people at ease, even during one of the scariest times of their lives. Mr. Speaker, I thank Joe for his courage, positivity, and service throughout the years. The community will miss him, but they are grateful to him for making it a better place. May he enjoy his well- deserved retirement and the next chapter of his life. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Joe. Congratulating Officer Sara VanLeeuwe

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Officer Sara VanLeeuwe on a successful 30-year career at the Marshall Police Force. From the time she was a teenager, Sara knew she wanted to be a police officer, starting her career as a part-time officer. Over her 30 years, Officer VanLeeuwe has had a huge impact throughout her community and especially loved the work she did in the schools. She taught antidrug classes to hundreds of students and served for 19 years as the Marshall School resource officer. Mr. Speaker, I thank Sara for her courage, compassion, and service. I know Marshall will miss her presence on the force. May she enjoy her well-deserved retirement. Congratulating 2025 Meeker County Farm Family of the Year

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the 2025 Meeker County Farm Family of the Year: the Ahlgrens. Along with their six children and a few part-time employees, Rick and Sarah Ahlgren run the Ahlgren Dairy. The farm milks 220 cows and raises replacement heifers in Ellsworth Township. While the farm has been in the family for generations, since Rick and Sarah purchased the operation in 2018, the family has invested in new robotic equipment, cover cropping, and a new heifer barn. The family is also active in their community, participating in educational events and even hosting a live nativity scene for the public each December. I am proud to have a family so committed to both responsible agriculture and their community. It is because of family like theirs that our rural communities thrive.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Comer for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 519. The events of June 14 were truly horrifying. Those events shocked Minnesota, and they shocked the country. We mourn the loss of Minnesota Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. We pray for the swift recovery of my friend, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette. I was honored to serve with both of them in the Minnesota Legislature. We are still processing this senseless act, and I stand with my colleagues today as we say that there is no place for politically motivated violence in this country. These victims committed themselves to public service and believed that they were working to make their State a better place. There is no scenario in which that dedication to public service should have cost them their lives. We stand with John and Yvette and their family as they continue to recover from the horrible attack. I know that the friends and family of Mark and Melissa are proud of the legacy they left, and they have left a strong legacy for all of us. I hope their friends and family know that the Minnesota community is here for them. Finally, I thank the men and women of law enforcement who worked tirelessly to apprehend this deranged killer and bring the episode to a close.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Nathan Lund of Starbuck, Minnesota, on receiving Minnesota's Agriculture in the Classroom 2025 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award. This award is given to K-12 educators who can creatively incorporate agriculture concepts into their teaching. Nathan has taught fifth and sixth grade students at Glacial Hills Elementary School since 2001. His students have been able to grow their appreciation for agriculture through hands-on learning experiences, like maintaining a school garden and hosting food-making contests. Community members have been grateful for Nathan's work in the classroom, as he has inspired many students and helped them build important life skills. I congratulate Nathan on this amazing achievement, and I wish him the best of luck as he continues his fantastic career. Congratulating Dominique Claseman and Ahren Jurgensen

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Dominique Claseman and Ahren Jurgensen of Olivia, Minnesota, on raising nearly $120,000 for a veterans memorial in their hometown. Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago, Dominique raised over $77,000 to construct a memorial for veterans. Since then, he has enlisted in the U.S. Army and is currently completing his basic training. In less than a year, his younger brother, Ahren, who also intends to join the military after high school, raised $40,000 to expand on the memorial, installing additional plaques, benches, flags, and pavers. I congratulate Dominique and Ahren on their amazing achievements, and I thank them for their service to their community and to their country. Celebrating Lawrence Weinrich's 100th Birthday

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Lawrence Weinrich of Ottertail, Minnesota, on turning 100 years old last Friday, May 30. Lawrence was born in Fergus Falls and grew up during the drought in the 1930s. He was one of the first drafted for the Korean war, serving 13 years. When he returned, he went to work for a lumber company and only quit chopping wood a couple of years ago. Today, Lawrence is an avid dancer who goes out dancing at least five times a month in the winter and even more during the summer. Lawrence credits his agility and dance ability to his active lifestyle as he walks frequently and has had several successful deer hunts. Reaching the century milestone is a testament to his strength, wisdom, and many lives he has touched over the years. I wish Lawrence a happy birthday and congratulate him on 100 amazing years.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 458 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 ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I are here today to debate the rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2931, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act; H.R. 2966, the American Entrepreneurs First Act; H.R. 2987, the CEASE Act, which will be considered under a closed rule; and H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act to be considered under a structured rule. One hour of debate each for H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966, and H.R. 2987 shall be equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Small Business Committee, or their designees. One hour of debate will also be provided for H.R. 2483 and shall be equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, or their designees. The rule provides a motion to recommit for all four bills. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues are here to deliver on the Trump administration's agenda and solidify his executive actions with commonsense legislation. With Congresswoman Van Duyne's American Entrepreneurs First Act, my colleagues are going to help codify the work that the Small Business Administration is doing to ensure that businesses receiving Federal benefits are 100 percent owned by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and businesses that employ illegal immigrants are ineligible for these funds. This is part of our ongoing effort to stop subsidizing previous open-border policies. It makes sense that only law-abiding American citizens should have access to programs that American taxpayer dollars go towards. SBA offices are being located out of sanctuary cities and into places that do not limit their cooperation with Federal agencies that are charged with immigration enforcement. The SBA Administrator announced that the agency would be relocating offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle, and moving them to less costly and more accessible locations to better serve the mission and comply with Federal immigration law. With Congressman Finstad's bill, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, Republicans are supporting this plan with legislation, giving the SBA 120 days to deliver on this commitment and relocate those offices. Sanctuary cities need to be held accountable and need to see the consequences of their disregard for Federal law. With Mr. Bresnahan's CEASE Act, it is strengthening SBA's programs by limiting the number of nonprofit small business lending companies licensed by the SBA to 16. This will allow the agency to provide the necessary oversight to ensure that they are effectively serving the small businesses that Congress intended. Finally, my colleagues are here to debate the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. I thank Mr. Guthrie for introducing this important legislation. This bill reauthorizes the 2018 legislation President Trump signed into law and strengthens it. I am glad to say that across the country we are seeing a decline in overdose deaths. Of course, the work is not over. My colleagues are making sure we are investing in overdose prevention and equipping communities to counter substance abuse disorders. The Energy and Commerce Committee has taken a hard look at what worked best from the 2018 law and built off its success by continuing to provide resources for prevention, education, treatment, recovery, workforce, and law enforcement to help patients struggling with substance use disorder. It ensures first responders are able to administer lifesaving drugs, ensures HHS cannot require States to use one specific vendor over another, clarifies that Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's State and Tribal Opioid Response Grants can be used for test strips, and requires that Administration to identify and address serious mental illness. This bill is part of President Trump's and the Congressional Republicans' promise to stop the flow of fentanyl by securing our borders and then combat the crisis caused by these drugs in our communities. President Trump has done his part to secure our border, and Republicans will supply him with more resources to do so in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Through the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, we will combat the existing opioid crisis in our communities. I am proud to stand in support of these bills. I look forward to this debate, and I hope my colleagues can stay focused on the topic in front of us today as we discuss these proposals that are important to American families and taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am just a little confused. My colleague mentioned ``whiplash,'' and I am feeling a little whiplash over here because Democrats liked Elon Musk. Then, the minority hated Elon Musk. Now, my Democratic colleagues like him again? I am just a bit confused and ask that maybe someone can clear that up for me because it goes back and forth, and I feel like there is lots of whiplash going on.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it sure does feel like Democrats are going back and forth on him, and there is lots of whiplash going on, so my colleagues on the other side of the aisle need to make it clear because now Democrats are quoting him on the floor. What is embarrassing really, truly, is that the Democrats adhere to their talking points and repeat them and repeat them, and this is a perfect example of where Democrats are spreading misinformation. The minority wants the public to believe that Republicans are cutting Medicaid, and we are not. We are making sure it goes to those people who need it and that we use every taxpayer dollar wisely. That means we are making sure that American tax dollars go to American citizens. That means strengthening the system so care can get to those who need it most and that we weed out waste, fraud, and abuse. Individuals who are suffering from substance addiction, like those we are working to help with the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, are not subject to the work requirements in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Mr. Speaker, 11 Democrats voted for the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act coming out of committee. I think that we need to make sure that we are sticking to the facts instead of Democratic talking points. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Finstad).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I was just thinking about what we are talking about. The notion that my colleagues are really considering voting against the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act is baffling to me. Really, I think it all shows that they hate President Trump so much that they are willing to vote against legislation that would help communities combat opioid abuse. They want to stick to their anti-Trump, anti-Republican talking points and avoid talking about the bills that are in front of us. I would like them to try taking that message, the message that they refuse to provide resources to their communities to combat opioid abuse, back to their constituents. This bill brings resources to our constituents to combat opioid abuse. That is what we are talking about. It is that simple. They can hate the President, or they don't have to, but don't let these people facing substance addiction and our communities suffer for their talking points. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues on the other side have been using the same anti-Trump, anti-Republican talking points for months and months, and I understand that they don't like what the House Republicans are doing and don't like what the President is doing, but the American people do. Poll after poll is showing that an increasing number of people now believe this country is heading in the right direction. A Rasmussen Reports survey shows that this is the first time in 20 years that the majority of respondents have felt that way. Go ahead and vote against these things that will increase work to stop the opioid crisis, curb wasteful spending of the American taxpayer dollar, and address illegal immigration, but know that it will be a vote against the will of the American people. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), another colleague of mine.

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

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will clarify some things. My colleague continues to talk about the tax bill, which is not actually in front of us right now. We are talking about different things. I do feel the need to address that in that tax bill that he is talking about, in the reconciliation bill that he trashes and says that it is tax breaks for billionaires. I will just use my district as an example. In my district, in the Seventh District of Minnesota, the reconciliation bill that he opposes would prevent a 25 percent tax hike for most people in my district where the average income is $70,000, not billionaires, $70,000. It also increases the standard deduction. It increases the child tax credit. It helps small businesses through the 199A deduction. This is a solid tax bill. We looked at what we can do to help the average citizen in the country, and we made sure that it was a solid tax bill. I just wanted to make sure that we are correcting some of the talking points that the Democrats are using because this does provide tax breaks for the middle income. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, again, I always have to take the opportunity to correct things. What we are doing in the reconciliation bill--because this bill in front of us is not what they are talking about because they have digressed into Democrat anti-Trump, anti-Republican talking points, but I do have to make a few things clear. In the reconciliation bill for Medicaid, we have for able-bodied individuals without dependents, there is a work requirement. That work requirement could also be schooling or it can be community engagement. We will be removing illegal immigrants who should not be on Medicaid. We also are looking at that waste, fraud, and abuse. The people that will be removed should not have been on Medicaid in the first place. They shouldn't have been on the rolls. We are not removing people that need Medicaid because those people who need it will be getting it. It is that work requirement, the illegal immigrants, and those who should not have been on it in the first place. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will take an unorthodox step and associate myself with the remarks of one of my Democrat colleagues from New Mexico in the Rules Committee last night. What is astonishing is that my Democrat colleague finally admitted what we have been telling the American people for weeks. As I mentioned, we are talking about the illegal immigrants in light of the CBO score that 1.4 million illegal immigrants are, indeed, on the rolls of State healthcare systems. Now, our colleague tried to take us down a rabbit hole, and she ended up twisting herself in knots to find the terminology to aid her in the talking points. The latest argument, apparently, to hide the fact that illegal immigrants are accessing Medicaid is that they are only accessing State health systems, not the Medicaid program. I will point out in a news flash that Medicaid is a State administered program that supports State health systems. Mr. Speaker, don't take it from me. Let me quote the Congressional Research Service: ``Medicaid is a joint Federal-State program . . . The Federal Government requires States to cover certain mandatory populations and services,'' but ``allows States to cover other optional populations and services.'' Due to this flexibility, there is substantial State variation in ``factors such as Medicaid eligibility, covered benefits, and provider payment rates.'' In addition, several waivers and demonstration authorities and statutes ``allow States to operate their Medicaid programs outside of [certain] Federal rules.'' Now, even Democrats are admitting that Medicaid dollars are being used to benefit illegal immigrants and that is what we are trying to stop, the draining of this program of funds that are intended to help American citizens in need. Mr. Speaker, as expected, my colleagues are unable to focus on the task at hand. Instead, they want to continue their fear-mongering and falsehoods about what is in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. For the record, again: It does not cut Medicaid for any U.S. citizen who needs it. It does strengthen the system and makes sure it benefits the people who really need it. We need to be responsible to the taxpayers, and we are going after waste, fraud, and abuse. I will say it, again: Anyone who needs Medicaid will have it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.