C. Franklin

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I appreciate you recognizing me for a couple of moments here, a fellow friend from just up I-75 in central Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of every American taxpayer who is infuriated by the wasteful spending of our government. For many months now, Republicans like me have been taking to the floor to sound the alarm on the Biden administration's ridiculous and wasteful spending. As hardworking Americans are struggling with the highest inflation in over 30 years, President Biden wants to continue doling out taxpayer money by the billions--to things like tree equity and studies to determine the effect of climate change on lactating individuals. We have all been taught there is no such thing as a free lunch. When your government is spending money it doesn't have, like it is going out of style, you better hold on to your wallet. The Washington Times recently reported more than 40 percent of the $700 billion in COVID unemployment benefits went to fraudsters, including many connected to state sponsors in China and Russia. For context, the relief money lost to fraud could have provided $160,000 to every American family living under the poverty line or paid for an Ivy league education for every 18-year-old in the country. Instead, this money now sits in the coffers of our enemies who will surely use it against us. It is bad enough that irresponsible Democrat policies have created inflation that is hurting American families, but the lack of oversight of hundreds of billions of dollars means that we are funding our enemies. This kind of fraud, waste, and abuse should be thoroughly investigated by Congress. Unfortunately, Republicans are in the minority, for now, we don't have the authority to determine which investigations will be held. I hope my Democrat colleagues share my concern and outrage. What they do with this information will tell us all we know about how they feel about squandering hard-earned taxpayer dollars. The American people deserve answers and a solution that ensures fraud like this can never happen again.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of families who will enjoy Thanksgiving with their loved ones next week. This American tradition is an opportunity to give thanks for all our many blessings. Yet through no fault of their own, millions of hardworking families are struggling to count their blessings this year. Thanks to liberal policies enacted by the Biden administration and congressional Democrats, inflation is soaring, gas prices have spiked more than 50 percent, and supply chain disruptions are leaving store shelves empty. The cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year will be the highest in history, and it will cost more for folks to drive or fly to spend their holidays with loved ones. American families are hurting. My Democrat colleagues and their liberal elite mouthpieces in the media claim to be champions of the poor and the working class, yet an NBC correspondent claims it's a dirty little secret that Americans can afford to pay more for their groceries because they saved money when they were trapped in their homes during the COVID pandemic. She also had the audacity to say that because more than half of Americans are invested in the stock market and it has been doing well that most people are actually better off now. How out of touch can she be? First, clearly she has zero regard for the half of the country that isn't fortunate enough to have a stock portfolio. Second, good luck trying to eat your 401(k) for Thanksgiving. Those are designed for retirement so tax penalties for early withdrawals are harsh. Here is the real dirty little secret: She knows that, but she is so beholden to the left that she is willing to provide them free cover. Washington Post and Bloomberg op-ed writers are telling us we should lower our expectations and live more like Europeans by simply getting used to the idea of empty store shelves. These out-of-touch elites are channeling a let them eat cake mentality while American families are suffering. Recent elections have shown that Americans reject these attempts to fundamentally change our Nation from a prosperous environmental country into a suffering socialist regime. Inflation, intrusive government regulations, and overreaching policies have left American families with less money and limited buying power. No American should ever have to lower their expectations while living in the most prosperous country in the world. As Americans, we are blessed to live in a country where we are free to pursue economic prosperity, even during difficult times. Many of the economic challenges faced by American families today were created by the policies of an out-of-touch liberal ruling class, yet we stand on the brink of ramming through the largest and most expensive tax and spend initiative in history. It reminds me of the final scene in the movie ``Thelma and Louise'' when the lead characters drive their car off a cliff rather than face the consequences of their actions. Democrat Party leaders are willing to figuratively drive our country off the cliff if that is what it takes to pass the build back broke program in an electric car, I am sure. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I ask my Democrat colleagues and media elites to take a long, hard look at what their policies are doing to working-class Americans. Just say no.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Congresswoman Miller's efforts and leadership on this critical and vital topic. Madam Speaker, I rise today in defense of the God-given right of parents to guide and shape the education of their children. Preparing our children for the world and teaching them the skills they need to be successful adults is not only a parent's right; it is also their responsibility. Unfortunately, it is one of many of our sacred rights that my Democrat colleagues want to rip away and give to the Federal Government. Having already corrupted our higher education system with anti- American ideology, Democrats are now pushing their indoctrination program down to K-12. This may sound like partisan rhetoric, but my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are hiding their intentions. Their build back broke plan includes a $10 billion environmental justice slush fund that will be used to push the Green New Deal in universities. They are incorporating divisive, racist ideologies like critical race theory into classrooms across the country. They will try to say that is not true. But don't buy their lie. Regardless of what you name it, Madam Speaker, any curriculum that teaches kids that they are inherently racist or hopelessly victims simply because of the color of their skin is itself racist. It runs counter to the American ideal. That is not freedom of ideas. That is indoctrination. They are working actively to push parents out of every aspect of their children's education. Don't believe it. In Loudoun County, Virginia, just across the river here, any parent wanting to review the CRT components of the curriculum is required to sign a nondisclosure agreement, a legally binding document that forbids them from sharing what they find out. What is it in their curriculum that they don't want people to find out about it? And once they find out about it, why don't they want it to be shared? I come from Florida, a State where we value transparency and the sunshine. We have very strict sunshine laws. This would never fly in the State of Florida. We are not afraid of what our government is doing there. In fact, we want people to know more about it. The COVID pandemic and our country's response to it will have long- lasting effects on our Nation. Perhaps one of the most destructive of these aspects is the developmental damage inflicted on our children because their needs were placed last. If there is any silver lining at all to the pandemic, it is that parents whose children were subjected to school shutdowns were finally able to experience firsthand what they are being taught. They responded with anger and frustration at the politicians who have allowed this travesty to occur. Unfortunately, the Democrat response to this nationwide movement has been to treat concerned parents as domestic terrorists, and they have weaponized the Justice Department in an effort to get these parents to sit down and shut up. Terry McAuliffe's statement that he doesn't believe parents should tell schools what to teach was a horrifying peer into the soul of what radical progressives truly believe, that Big Brother, the Federal Government, knows best and should be given full autonomy to control our lives. But Virginians put the Democrats on notice last night. America rejects their efforts to ram through a toxic platform of cradle-to- grave government dependence. This doesn't just include Federal overreach in our education system but also in the outrageous spending programs that will destroy our economic prosperity. Democrats are trying to sell Americans a bill of goods they don't want, they can't afford, and with money the country doesn't have. During election years, we often ask the American people how they are doing compared to 4 years ago. I would ask them now: How are you doing compared to 10 months ago? Our education system is falling apart, our southern border is a disaster, violent crime has skyrocketed across the country, our botched withdrawal from Afghanistan has diminished our standing on the world stage, and inflation is running rampant. Every action the Biden administration takes is hurting our country. Americans know they are worse off, but Democrats appear to be unaware or apathetic. As I look across the aisle, where are the traditional liberals? If you are still there, it is time to come out of hiding and stand up to the radical progressives who are destroying the very fabric of the country I know you love. Stop listening to the D.C. and big city echo chambers. Those are not the voice of America. Show the American people that you are listening to them by standing against divisive rhetoric in our schools, stopping outrageous government spending, and supporting law and order. Yesterday's election should serve as a wake-up call to all who wish to save America from destruction. It is not too late.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama for yielding me time to speak on the importance of section 1033 of the military surplus program. My Democratic colleagues frequently argue the 1033 program exists to militarize our police by providing lethal equipment. They claim the program transfers weapons of war to the police. They continue to perpetuate this misleading narrative to advance their dangerous crusade against law enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken with law enforcement in my district. The 1033 program has helped them acquire a number of needed pieces of equipment, including heavy rescue vehicles. In 2015, a perpetrator in Polk County, Florida, my home district, wearing a bulletproof vest infiltrated a police line and had a shootout with our SWAT team. He had a stockpile of weapons, including AR-15s and AK-47s, and he used them to fire 93 rounds at deputies attempting to take him into custody. Sadly, John Mikula, a Polk County EMT, was shot and injured during the shootout. If not for this armored SWAT military surplus vehicle acquired through the 1033 program, more deputies might have been injured or killed. The 1033 program provides law enforcement agencies with needed heavy- duty equipment at little to no cost. It is taxpayer friendly and efficient to recycle, reuse, and extend the life of equipment bought by taxpayers. It would be wasteful to simply discard this gear. Many of the types of vehicles are also used during hurricane recovery to rescue stranded citizens. The 1033 program also provides tents, generators, and air conditioners that are used for natural disaster field facilities. Mr. Speaker, I am a military veteran and familiar with weapons of war. I have never seen rescue vehicles, tents, generators, or air conditioners used or referred to as weapons of war. Our law enforcement agencies use the 1033 program to acquire equipment that protects our officers and serves our communities. This amendment is another ridiculous amendment to defund and undermine the men and women who protect us and put their lives on the line. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Aidan O'Brien Chinn for earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 268 of Clermont, FL. Eagle Scout is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn and only four percent achieve it. This honor requires years of effort to develop the necessary leadership, service, and outdoor skills. To earn it, Aidan organized a team of 12 volunteers to restore a hurricane-damaged greenhouse that provides community food assistance. The leadership skills he has learned through the Boy Scouts already benefit our community and will continue to help in countless ways. Aidan began scouting as a Cub Scout in 2012 and recently served his troop as Senior Patrol leader. This fall, Aidan plans to continue his education at Rollins College. On behalf of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again to Aidan O'Brien Chinn for becoming an Eagle Scout. We are proud of his continued success and thank him for his dedication to making our community a better place.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, for more than 40 years, the Hyde amendment has prevented taxpayers from funding abortions through government programs. Historically, it has been included in annual spending bills by both parties. But recently, Democrats voted to eliminate Hyde amendment protections. Even President Biden previously said: ``Those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for them,'' but it would appear he and his Democrat colleagues have abandoned this critical position. With nearly 60 percent of Americans agreeing that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortion, we must stand for life. Accordingly, I support H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, and I ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, because of its great weather, beautiful beaches, and low taxes, a friend who once served as my Congressman liked to say that, for many around the country, Florida is the reward for a life well lived. As liberal States continue to run their governments into the ground and the pandemic has accelerated our ability to work remotely, it is no longer just retirees who are moving to the Sunshine State in droves. In fact, nearly 330,000 have relocated there in the past year alone. With its strategic location along central Florida's I-4 corridor, Florida's 15th Congressional District is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Our current transportation infrastructure is already inadequate. It is a problem that will only accelerate going forward unless we act now. I am sure many communities across the country can relate. Both sides of the aisle can agree that our Nation's highways, airports, water infrastructure, ports, and broadband networks are the arteries of our national commerce and worthy investments of taxpayer money. The good news is Republicans are taking the lead to meet these infrastructure needs. First, we are proposing a major overhaul of our Federal project review and permitting processes. When I formerly served on the board of the Transportation Planning Organization in my home district, we routinely had critical needs that waited years for funding. Some of those have still not been funded. So speeding up that process is a critical first step. We are also proposing a $460 billion framework that will make crucial investments in our Nation's transportation system, water infrastructure, and broadband networks. This framework represents an investment in the real infrastructure Americans need, not bizarre reinterpretations of infrastructure or partisan pet projects. Congress has talked about infrastructure investment for years. It is time to put words into action. I hope the President will continue to listen to voices on both sides of the aisle to enact a bipartisan solution that our country so desperately needs.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight because our country is facing a growing economic crisis, a crisis of the Biden administration's making. With his massive and reckless spending programs, President Biden has mortgaged our economic security. Long after this current administration has skipped town, future generations of hardworking Americans will be stuck holding the bill. It is human nature to like free stuff, I suppose, and as long as Uncle Sam is willing to dole out money to everyone and everything in sight, it is easy to understand why people are happily lining up for their fair share. It is also a universal truth that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Unchecked spending doesn't just hurt us in the future. It is also destructive in the near term. My Democrat colleagues have tried for months to convince the American people that it is only the rich who will pay for reckless spending policies, but people know better. Americans across the country are starting to feel the pinch of this unbridled spending. They are certainly noticing it back in my home State of Florida, where drivers are paying more for gas than they have in nearly a decade. They see it when they go to the grocery store, where prices on everything from a jar of peanut butter to a gallon of milk have spiked sharply. They are feeling the pain on nearly everything they buy, with consumer costs rising at the highest rate in nearly 13 years. This inflation President Biden has created is an immediate tax on workers, causing each hard-earned dollar to be worth less than it was before. At the same time, skyrocketing costs of materials are making it even harder for small business owners to reopen. With high unemployment, record job openings, and spiraling inflation, it is time for the Biden administration to acknowledge that their bad medicine is hurting the patient. Congress has the authority and the responsibility to rein in this reckless spending, and the time to act is now.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Yolanda Brown for her exemplary leadership and dedication throughout her 30-year career with the Florida Department of Corrections Inspector General's Office. Throughout her career, Ms. Brown exemplified the finest qualities associated with the law enforcement profession. She has distinguished herself as a caring leader and a generous person to all those who have had the pleasure of working alongside her. Ms. Brown's decades of service and sacrifice have undoubtedly made our community safer. On behalf of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again to Yolanda Brown for 30 distinguished years of service, becoming an Eagle Scout. It's an honor to represent dedicated Americans like Ms. Brown in Congress.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in unequivocal support of our ally Israel. As a sovereign state, Israel has every right and a duty to protect its people from the unprovoked attacks of the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas. It is painful to watch the parents and their terrified children fleeing to bomb shelters as rockets rain down indiscriminately on civilian neighborhoods. Thankfully, our Israeli friends are protected by the Iron Dome, a joint U.S.-Israeli defense initiative that has saved countless lives. It is shameful that some within our Congress choose to condemn our longtime ally for simply defending themselves. No doubt, if a similar attack took place in the U.S., these same Members would expect our military to protect their homes and communities. Sadly, we shouldn't be surprised when terrorist groups like Hamas feel emboldened to attack our allies when the Biden administration's policies signal weakness to our adversaries. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to speak up, with one voice, in support of Israel, one of our great allies.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because businesses are getting hammered by the destructive economic policies of the Biden administration. I just returned from my district in Florida, where, despite an overall strong economy, local business owners are struggling to find employees. Whether it is our local builders' association, manufacturers like Tampa Armature Works, food producers at RollinGreens, hospitals, or my favorite restaurants, this problem exists across every business sector. It defies all principles of free-market economics that we see ``help wanted'' signs in shop windows across America the same day the Biden administration posted one of the worst jobs reports in recent memory. Why is that? At a time when over 150 million Americans have received vaccinations, and we are finally emerging from the pandemic, why is the economy going in the wrong direction at an accelerating rate? It is simple. Biden administration policies are incentivizing people to remain out of the workforce. Our government should be encouraging people to work, not implementing policies that jeopardize the livelihoods of Americans.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week when America joins our law enforcement community to honor our fallen officers. Sadly, our police force faces unprecedented attack. Last year, 394 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty, nearly double the amount from 2019. In only one year in all of American history, 1930, were there more law enforcement deaths. Despite these staggering losses, some in this body are seeking to defund the police, diminishing their ability to protect and defend our communities and themselves. While we must be ever vigilant to root out the bad apples, we cannot forget the overwhelming majority who put themselves in harm's way every day and serve with honor and integrity. I am grateful for the efforts of the excellent law enforcement officials in my district. I stand with these incredible sheriffs and chiefs and the officers they lead, and I thank them for their service on behalf of the citizens of Florida.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in order to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly).

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I also rise to address the self-inflicted disaster occurring at our southern border. I, along with nine other Republicans in the House Oversight and Reform Committee, visited the border last week to see for ourselves the national security and humanitarian disaster that is wreaking havoc on our Nation. When our Border Patrol agents are pulled from their posts to deal with the swarms of children at processing facilities, the remote border is left wide-open for the really bad folks to stroll right in. These aren't people whom we see on television wearing Biden T-shirts, looking for the nearest Border Patrol agent so they can surrender to them. These are folks in full camouflage, ski masks, and usually armed, often with automatic weapons. These intruders who breach the remote parts of the border illegally are referred to as get-aways. Because our agents are outnumbered, usually all they can do is simply document these groups as they pass on by. The notation for the records is simply 20 plus, even though there are often 40, 60, or even 80 or more people. In January and February alone, there were over 61,000 reported get- aways. That is a staggering amount, but because the 20-plus documentation grossly underestimates the actual figures, agents told us the real number for the first 2 months of this year was probably closer to 120,000. Left unchecked, we are looking at 750,000 get-aways breaking into our country this year alone. Again, these are not asylum seekers surrendering at the border. They are dangerous criminals, drug smugglers, human traffickers, and terrorists who are willing to do anything to get into America and not be caught. Once they make it to Interstate 10, just a few miles north of the border, they can have easy access to any place in the country. This isn't a border State problem. It is an unfolding national disaster of unprecedented scope that must be addressed for the security of our country. Yet the Biden administration and my colleagues across the aisle refuse to even acknowledge the problem. So far, neither the President nor Vice President have bothered to visit the border. We can stop this manufactured crisis. First, we need to complete the border wall. We have construction materials laying idle in the desert. President Biden used to think the border wall was a good idea. It is time he stops cowing to the radical elements within his own party and do what he knows is right. The materials are there and the contracts to complete the work are in place, just sitting there. Just finish the job. Second, end the practice of catch and release and re-implement the Migrant Protection Protocols that proved so successful in reducing the number of border incursions. Officers shared with us that only 10 to 12 percent of people who come here seeking asylum have legitimate cases. The rest are sent back. By requiring them to remain in Mexico while their asylum requests are adjudicated, roughly 90 percent who know their cases are bogus won't risk the journey, and those who do have legitimate causes to seek asylum will have it granted more expeditiously. That would be the humane course of action. We are, indeed, a nation of immigrants. Many industries in my home State of Florida, including agriculture, hospitality, and construction, depend on a steady flow of legal immigrants in order to function. But for America to remain the world's brightest beacon of hope, we must acknowledge that a fundamental part of what makes it so attractive is our adherence to the rule of law. Honest, law-abiding citizens like the Johnsons, the Coopers, and others we met at the border asked us to tell their story. They are not confident, though, that we will. They also want our government to know that they aren't looking for special consideration. These are tough people who simply want the opportunity to live and work their land in peace and security without having to live in fear. They want to know that we will not forget about them. We promised to share their story. We must not let them down. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, due to a personal matter, I could not make votes on Thursday, April 15th, and Friday, April 16th. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 109; YEA on Roll Call No. 110; YEA on Roll Call No. 111; YEA on Roll Call No. 112; YEA on Roll Call No. 113; YEA on Roll Call No. 114; YEA on Roll Call No. 115; YEA on Roll Call No. 116; YEA on Roll Call No. 117; NAY on Roll Call No. 118; and YEA on Roll Call No. 119.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the $2\1/4\ trillion boondoggle my colleagues across the aisle are trying to pass off as an infrastructure bill. Sadly, this bill is a socialist wish list. Less than 8 percent of President Biden's infrastructure plan goes to roads, bridges, waterways, ports, and airports. What it does include is $400 billion for home-based caregivers. While that may be a good issue for review, it is not infrastructure. This comes as no surprise, considering D.C. Democrats are trying to lump a radical, progressive agenda into a so-called infrastructure bill. Still, the leftist fringe that has highjacked what used to be the Democratic Party doesn't think it goes far enough. Madam Speaker, we spent trillions of dollars on COVID recovery and unrelated measures. Now is not the time for a socialist wish list. Americans need a strong economy and real infrastructure, and they need it now.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sandee Sytsma for being named the 2020 Plant City, Florida Citizen of the Year. In its 62nd year, this award was created to highlight civic-minded Plant City-area residents who have dedicated their lives toward giving back to their community. They must be persons of noble character, a humble spirit and steeped in the virtues of Plant City. Sandee has supported a myriad of causes through the committees she serves on, including Relay for Life, Diamonds & Denim, Veterans Memorial Park and the Plant City Mural. Sandee was recognized as the Good Egg by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. She serves with her congregation at GracePoint Church, was the first woman to serve as chair of the Florida Strawberry Festival and has represented the festival and the community in countless talk shows and publications over the years. Our communities are only as strong as the people who serve them. Plant City is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family, thanks, in part, to outstanding citizens like Sandee Sytsma. On behalf of the 15th District of Florida, congratulations to Sandee Sytsma for earning this distinguished honor. Plant City thanks Sandee for her tireless dedication and service to our community.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Zachary Hamilton for earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 79 of Valrico, FL. Eagle Scout is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank. This honor requires years of effort to develop the necessary leadership, service, and outdoor skills. To earn it, Zachary's project consisted of raising funds, collecting clothes, and repairing bikes for a local homeless project. Zachary and many of his fellow Scouts then handed out these items and provided food for the homeless. The leadership skills he has learned through the Boy Scouts already benefit our community and will continue to help in countless ways. Zachary began his Scouting Career as a Tiger Cub in Second Grade. He has been active in Scouting as well as National Honor Society and Junior ROTC organizations. On behalf of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again to Zachary Hamilton for becoming an Eagle Scout. We are proud of his continued success and thank him for his dedication to making our community a better place.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a longtime friend and the biggest advocate for veterans in central Florida, retired Air Force Colonel Gary Clark. I have known Colonel Clark for 20 years as a fellow veteran and veteran's advocate. I am honored to recognize him as one of the distinguished 2020 inductees into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. This is an honor truly befitting Gary, thanks to his countless contributions to Florida's veterans. Florida is known as the most veteran-friendly State in America, with over a million vets calling the Sunshine State home. Anywhere you go in central Florida, if there is a veteran in need, you can bet that Gary is on it. Retiring from the Air Force in 1993, Gary continued his service and quickly became a distinguished advocate for veterans. Gary established the Polk County Veterans Council, developed a partnership for the Polk County School Board to support 13 Junior ROTC units, and chairs the Flight to Honor Polk, which brings senior veterans to the memorials near Washington. Gary coordinates an annual Veterans Day breakfast with the Rotary Clubs of Lakeland and has chaired the 15th Congressional District of Florida's Service Academy Nominating Committee for at least a decade, and he remains the chair for my current board. Mr. Speaker, it is simply impossible to think of veterans in central Florida without thinking of Gary Clark. On behalf of Polk County and the 15th District of Florida, we congratulate him on this honor and his induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame, and we thank him for his selfless service to our veteran community. Supporting Public Access to Capitol

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on a more somber note, I rise in support of public access to this House, the people's House. While I have only been a Member since January 3, as a former Naval aviator who had the privilege to travel to over 40 countries, I know the importance of our free and open democracy in both the figurative and the literal sense. I was on the House floor on January 6 when violence erupted. As we continue to investigate the tragedy that resulted, the military fortress erected in response is a gross overcorrection. Capitol Police have indicated there is no credible threat justifying maintaining this security posture. On March 4, facing nonspecific rumors of a potential threat, the House rushed to conclude its work the night before and did not meet. Not only was the threat unfounded, but the Senate, operating under the same security protocols as the House, was open and conducting the people's business, the same Senate that is only a few yards down the hall behind us. Speaking of the differences between the two Chambers, doesn't it seem odd that the same House impeachment managers who testified before the Senate without masks would insist that I be fined if I take my mask off right now, even though I have been vaccinated and there is no one around me? In addition to dismantling this fortress, we should begin relaxing the protocols put in place a year ago to limit the spread of COVID. Today, all House Members have been offered the vaccine, and roughly 75 percent have been vaccinated. Many of the remaining 25 percent have antibodies from being infected previously. There is no justification for this House to continue operating in a quasi-virtual state. The CDC has issued new guidelines easing masks and social distancing for the nearly 32 million people who are fully vaccinated. It is time to end the proxy voting, begin in-person committee meetings, and return to regular order. Our strength as an institution relies on personal relationships and the ability to build alliances where we find common interests. As a freshman, I have yet to meet most of my colleagues. We should be working to find common ground, and that is simply not possible in a virtual meeting. Mr. Speaker, as the new administration acts to tear down the wall at our southern border, we have a new one right here, paralyzing the seat of democracy. The hypocrisy is obvious, and it is shameful. This is no longer about safety. It is about making every effort to create disruption and hide what is really going on from the American people. It is time to take down the razor wire fencing, send the troops home, and open the people's House to the public. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Kinciade Green of Dover, FL for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle Scout is the highest honor a Boy Scout can earn. Only a small percentage of Boy Scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout. This honor requires years of effort to develop the necessary leadership, service and outdoor skills. To earn it, Kinciade's project included a flag retirement and a fire pit for use by the veterans of AMVETS post No. 26. He built five Adirondack chairs, four benches and cleared an area around the fire pit. The leadership skills he has learned through the Boy Scouts already benefit our community and will continue to help in countless ways. Kinciade began his Scouting career as a Tiger Cub in Second Grade. He has been active in Scouting as well as his High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club and Junior Air Force ROTC organizations. He will represent his District for the second time this year at State FBLA competition. On behalf of the Fifteenth Congressional District of Florida, congratulations again to Kinciade Green for becoming an Eagle Scout. We are proud of his continued success and thank him for his dedication to making our community a better place.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back into the classroom.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule and to H.R. 1319. We do need targeted relief for those hurt by this pandemic, but this is bad legislation. Republicans introduced over 250 amendments to this nearly $2 trillion bill, and Democrats only ultimately accepted one. That is not unity. This is merely socialism in sheep's clothing, redistribution of wealth through cash payouts to many who have had no financial impact whatsoever from COVID. It is also redistribution of wealth from future generations who will be stuck with the tab. The CBO predicts our economy will grow by 3.7 percent this year without any further congressional action. With over $1 trillion in unspent funds from previous packages, we can't afford to jeopardize our children's future with this socialist spending spree. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida

Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lakeland Fire Chief Doug Riley for being named the 2020 Florida Fire Chief of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association. Riley was appointed as fire chief in December 2017. He has served more than 30 years with the Lakeland Fire Department, holding just about every position there during his tenure. I was privileged to serve alongside Chief Riley as a Lakeland city commissioner and as a fellow rotarian. I have seen firsthand his effort to build better relationships with employees, staff, and the community. Doug Riley continues to go above and beyond to strengthen the fire department and its employees. On behalf of the 15th District of Florida, congratulations to Chief Doug Riley for earning this distinguished honor. The Lakeland community thanks the chief for his efforts to protect and serve us every day. Well done, Chief.