Valerie Foushee

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Orange County Commissioner Jamezetta Bedford, a devoted public servant whose leadership and compassion left an enduring mark on the community she loved. For more than two decades, Commissioner Bedford served Orange County with integrity and purpose. She believed people deserve better, and she worked tirelessly to strengthen public education, expand opportunity, and ensure every family had a voice in local government. She was a steadfast advocate for people with autism and developmental disabilities, helping families navigate complex systems and secure the support that they needed. I will remember Jamezetta as a trusted colleague and dear friend who led with kindness and never lost sight of the people she served. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family, her loved ones, and the entire Orange County community. She will be deeply missed, but her example of selfless service will not be forgotten.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a bipartisan effort to designate today, May 20, as National Women in Aerospace Day, honoring the extraordinary women whose talent, courage, and innovation have shaped America's leadership in aviation and space exploration. May 20 marks the anniversary of Amelia Earhart's solo historic transatlantic flight, a defining moment that inspired generations of women to pursue careers once thought beyond reach. From the engineers and scientists behind America's greatest achievements to astronauts leading the next era of exploration, women have long since been essential to the success of our aerospace enterprise. This resolution recognizes not only the women who made history but also the young women and girls who will shape the future of aerospace innovation and discovery. As ranking member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, I am proud to help lead this bipartisan resolution, and I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in aerospace.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my constituent, Ms. Kaye Gantt, on her retirement from the National Institute of Minority Economic Development after 17 years of distinguished service. For nearly two decades, Ms. Gantt dedicated herself to advancing economic opportunity and supporting minority entrepreneurs across North Carolina. Through her leadership and unwavering commitment, she helped strengthen an organization whose mission is vital to expanding access to capital, resources, and opportunity for underserved communities. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Gantt provided operational leadership for a relief initiative that helped the institute's CDFI affiliate deliver more than $20 million in grants to over 2,000 historically underutilized businesses, helping countless small businesses survive an extraordinarily difficult time. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for Ms. Kaye Gantt's service and lasting impact and wish her a joyful and well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for anchoring this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my colleagues in opposition to the all-out assault on Black Americans' right to vote in the wake of Trump's Supreme Court's choice to gut the Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act was a piece of legislation that was won in blood. Though we can see the racism and hatred still present in our Nation, the passage of the Voting Rights Act was a line in the sand: that we would protect and include Black voices in our democracy. In the nearly 200 years between the establishment of this country and the passage of the Voting Rights Act, millions of Black Americans died fighting for this right. It wasn't a right that we achieved just through a protest in Selma, where they attacked hundreds of our brothers and sisters. It wasn't a right that we achieved just through a march to the Capitol alongside hundreds of thousands of people across our communities. It was a right that we achieved also through the struggle of the millions of Black Americans whose stories were never told and whose voices were never heard by our government. The millions of Black Americans throughout our history organized and fought, without the recognition that they deserved, to lay the groundwork for people like me to have the opportunity to represent the very congressional districts where we once attended segregated elementary schools. The passage of the Voting Rights Act was that hope that, finally, we would no longer go without our voices being heard and that none of us would have to die for that right ever again. Now, as if we needed any confirmation of the rationale behind the senseless Supreme Court ruling, Republican statehouses nationwide are now mobilizing in an effort to target Black Members of Congress and Black majority districts. In Tennessee, they ignored Black representatives locked in arms on the floor of the State legislature as they dismantled the only Black majority district in a State where the Clinton 12 once marched for their right to attend integrated schools. In Alabama, they stared on as my colleague, Congressman Figures, pleaded with them to stop redrawing the court-mandated congressional map that gave Alabama, the State at the epicenter of the modern civil rights movement, two Black Members of Congress for the first time in its history. In Virginia, they overthrew a referendum that would help balance the power in Congress, the same State that once approved a referendum by white supremacists to rewrite the State constitution in order to disenfranchise Black voters. In my State, North Carolina, we have seen this playbook carried out with the redrawing of congressional maps to eliminate the seats of three Democrats and the redrawing of that congressional map just a few years later in a concerted effort to attack Black lawmakers. I consider myself incredibly lucky to still be here in the Halls of Congress while many of our fellow Black lawmakers have not been as fortunate. As one of the few Members of Congress left who experienced the systemic segregation put in place across the South firsthand as a young girl in an all-Black elementary school, I stand here with this message: We will not go back. We deserve more than to have our government stomp on our voices, our representation, and our votes. Just as I deserved access to the same elementary school as the White boys and girls, our ancestors fought, bled, and died for the right to vote and the right to have our voices heard by Congress. As we feel their pain with every step back that this government forces upon us, rest assured that we will always come back stronger. Your cheating of our electoral systems through gerrymandering and voter disenfranchisement is an admission that your leadership has failed the American people. We see through you. We will not rest, and we will continue to honor the work of our ancestors with action.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, today marks 16 years since the Supreme Court handed down its disastrous Citizens United decision, a ruling that opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate money in our elections and fundamentally distorted our democracy. By discarding decades of precedent, the Supreme Court declared that unlimited spending in elections poses no threat to our democratic system and that corporations are entitled to the same political rights as the people whose lives are governed by the outcomes of those elections. What emerged from this transfer of power was an election system that no longer depends primarily on voters but rather on outside entities whose sole purpose is to spend unlimited money, often without public accountability, to influence who holds power and how that power is used. Since Citizens United, we have watched a parallel political system take shape, one dominated by super-PACs and dark money organizations that can raise and spend unlimited sums and operate with fewer rules, less transparency, and the ability to determine election outcomes long before voters cast a ballot. A small number of wealthy donors now wield influence far out of proportion to the voters they seek to affect. This concentration of power has consequences for how this institution functions. When unlimited outside spending can be deployed against a single vote, it shapes the decisions lawmakers can take. It narrows the range of feasibility policy. It rewards delay and protects entrenched interests, often at the expense of the public's priorities. Meanwhile, Americans face one of the most pressing affordability crises in decades. Healthcare, housing, childcare, energy, and grocery costs are all rising, yet policies that could provide immediate relief are repeatedly stalled. At the same time, industries that benefit from higher costs or weaker enforcement continue to earn record profits and protect their advantage with unlimited political spending. Although Citizens United did not create these problems, it enabled them to persist and grow. While the long-term goal must be to overturn Citizens United through a constitutional amendment, Congress has the power and the responsibility to act immediately to limit its damage. The American people deserve a government that answers to them. Sixteen years of Citizens United is long enough. We must restore accountability, strengthen transparency, and defend the voice of every voter.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for organizing this Special Order hour and for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in reflecting on the life, legacy, and enduring moral leadership of the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose vision of justice and equality continues to shape our Nation's conscience. Dr. King's work reminds us that progress in this country has never been inevitable and that the rights and freedoms that we cherish have always required vigilance, courage, and sustained commitment. Today, that lesson is as urgent as ever. Across our country, communities are feeling the weight of an administration that governs through extremism, division, punishment, and exclusion. We see it in attacks on our voting rights, in efforts to criminalize protests, in targeting immigrants and asylum seekers, in the rollback of civil rights protections, and in policies that deepen economic inequality while shielding the powerful from accountability. Dr. King did not believe justice was self-executed. He understood that progress is never handed down. It is demanded. He warned us, as you heard from our chairwoman, that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Silence, Mr. Speaker, is exactly what this moment does not allow. Progress is never achieved without persistence, and justice is never advanced without those willing to confront complacency and demand accountability. The Congressional Black Caucus will not be silent while families are pushed deeper into poverty, while communities of color are targeted by discriminatory policies, and while the promise of our democracy is narrowed to serve the few instead of the many. We refuse to accept the vision of America where cruelty is policy and inequality is the goal. Instead, we stand in the tradition of Dr. King, committed to dignity, equity, and justice for all. We will continue to speak out, to act, and to fight until the promise of this Nation is fully realized.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank our distinguished leaders for this opportunity. Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago, our Nation witnessed an unthinkable assault on American democracy when a violent crowd breached the U.S. Capitol with one purpose: to overturn a lawful election and hold onto power by force. Law enforcement officers stood between that mob and the Constitution. More than 140 brave officers were injured, and several lost their lives defending this institution. Their courage deserves not just remembrance but that we remain vigilant in upholding the rule of law. The attack on January 6 was the result of a President who chose division over truth, grievance over governance, and chaos over accountability. That choice continues to threaten our democracy today, as Donald Trump practices deliberate deception and escalating extremism. Democracy is fragile, and it demands our constant defense. It can only survive when we act to protect it each and every day.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to Trump's rescission package, which includes an unfathomable $8.2 billion cut to USAID funding. My home State of North Carolina is the fourth largest recipient of USAID funding, which invests roughly $194 million into our State economy. Gutting this support threatens local jobs, weakens our research institutions, and undermines the economic stability of communities across my State. In my district alone, the damaging effects of the administration's cuts to USAID are already being felt. Thousands of talented professionals have lost their jobs, and vital partnerships with our local universities have been terminated. These devastating cuts are not only costing people their livelihoods here at home but are also putting lives at risk around the world. USAID is a cornerstone of our national security, advancing global health, powering research across the country, and reinforcing America's leadership on the world stage. Slashing this funding will be disastrous for our allies, destabilize vulnerable regions, and hurt communities. We cannot stand for it.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to the life of a dedicated public servant and civil rights champion, former Mayor Horace Johnson, Sr., of Hillsborough, North Carolina. Mayor Johnson was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. As the first Black mayor of Hillsborough, his election marked a historic moment not just for the town but for the broader movement toward equity and representation in government, inspiring generations of future leaders. Mayor Johnson's legacy reaches far beyond his title. He was a lifelong advocate for civil rights, school integration, and voting access, values that he upheld not only in word but in action. Mayor Johnson understood that government could be a force for good, and he always lived with integrity, wisdom, and compassion. Throughout his many years of public service and leadership, the town of Hillsborough became not just more inclusive but more forward-thinking, more resilient, and more just. Mr. Speaker, I join the town of Hillsborough in mourning the loss of a true pillar of our community, and I offer my deepest condolences to Mayor Johnson's family, loved ones, and the entire community during this difficult time.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman McClellan and Congressman Carter for anchoring this Special Order hour to bring attention to one of the most pressing and pervasive challenges confronting our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with urgency, grief, and determination during National Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time for us to recognize the heartbreaking toll that gun violence continues to take on communities across the country. I am deeply saddened that this past Sunday in my home State of North Carolina, there was a mass shooting where at least 80 shots were fired, killing 1 person and injuring 11 others. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Gun violence is a public health epidemic that affects Americans and ravages communities in every ZIP Code in every State. Yet, year after year, we see the same devastating trend: Black Americans are dying from gun violence at nearly three times the rate of White Americans. Each year, more than 13,000 Black lives are lost to this epidemic. They are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors whose futures are stolen, whose communities are left grieving, and whose absence is deeply felt every single day. Tragically, the violence does not end there. For years, Black Americans have faced a persistent and disproportionate risk of being killed in police encounters involving firearms. Let me be clear: No one in America should have to fear for their lives in our schools, our stores, our places of worship, our streets, or anywhere in our communities. Yet, while this crisis and disparity continues to grow across the country, some in Congress are moving in the wrong direction. Again, my colleagues just shared that, just a couple of weeks ago House Republicans voted along party lines to pass the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included a provision to deregulate silencers. Due to the dangers they pose, these devices have been highly regulated for nearly 100 years, and this provision would make it easier for individuals to use firearms with less risk of detection, further endangering our communities already suffering from gun violence. This is not the type of comprehensive gun reform legislation that the American people need or deserve. A majority of Americans support universal background checks, closing loopholes in gun sales, red flag laws, and safe storage legislation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: What are we waiting for? The oath of office that all Members of Congress took demands that we protect the American people. Yet, every day that we delay, lives are lost. I urge my Republican colleagues to join House Democrats, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in advancing meaningful, commonsense reforms that will save lives, reduce violence, and protect all Americans.

Ms. FOUSHEE

Ms. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleagues for organizing this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, I rise in solidarity with my colleagues to stand up and speak out against the proposed budget and demonization of science and the science community. America is where we are today because of what we create. Whether it is manufacturing, innovation, scientific and medical research, or technology transfer, all these fields require science and the millions of researchers and innovators who push American STEM in our Nation's workforce to the forefront. These efforts are critical to my district, which includes the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Durham and Wake Technical Community Colleges, and so many new up-and-coming industry leaders in STEM. However, in total, the Trump administration has canceled nearly $20 million in NSF research grants to North Carolina as a whole. Take, for instance, an NSF-funded grant that was recently canceled in my district, North Carolina's Fourth, that was aimed at addressing the lack of diversity in the engineering doctoral workforce and promoting the retention of students from underrepresented groups. Recent doctoral engineering attrition rates revealed a disproportionately high loss of students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM, like women, minorities, and people from rural areas. Researchers in my district were working to help us address this critical gap, funded by NSF, now canceled under the guise of being so- called woke. Still, the majority continues to conflate the need to bolster manufacturing with the destruction of our scientific institutions. We need to make things here at home. Does America really win if China does all the innovation? I like the idea of an America that supports domestic manufacturing and is a leader in innovation, not an America that does China's manufacturing work. Right now, because of the senseless cuts to NSF, NIH, and scientific institutions across the board, we are, instead, taking steps toward losing a generation of innovators and helping China lead global STEM innovation, not us.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, which has been at the forefront of advancing the heritage of the historic Hayti and the African-American experience. Through dance, music, and culture, this center has continued to uplift and enrich the vibrancy and spirit of our city in immeasurable ways. The history of Durham cannot be separated from the history of Durham's Black Wall Street and Hayti, a thriving cultural and business hub for Black Americans. The Hayti Heritage Center's steadfast commitment to preserving this rich heritage is a profound gift to our community. Now more than ever, as we see efforts to rewrite our Nation's past, the work of centers like these, which promote cultural understanding through community events, are more critical than ever. It is truly an honor to represent a district that is home to such a remarkable institution. Madam Speaker, the impact that the center has had on generations of our community cannot be understated. I congratulate the center on this tremendous milestone, and I look forward to seeing them all and the meaningful work and achievements that lie ahead.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Women's History Month on this last day of March. Every year during this month, we celebrate the countless contributions that women have made throughout America's history. This includes women of color, immigrant women, women with disabilities, lesbian and trans women, and others, who have led the charge in pushing America forward and advancing the ideals of equity and justice for all. However, since Trump has taken office, women in my district and across the country are being targeted by harmful orders and policies and are feeling the direct impacts of this administration's extreme actions. Republicans also recently passed a budget which includes billions in cuts for community projects in districts across the country, many of which were intended for domestic violence shelters, youth community centers, and childcare centers. The same bill also directed that the Energy and Commerce Committee make at least $880 billion in cuts. This would require deep cuts to Medicaid specifically, which helps provide coverage for over 40 percent of births in the United States. This administration can try to erase the word ``women'' from government, but it will not erase us.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1534, the bipartisan Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act, or the IMPACT Act, which will strengthen the competitiveness of American manufacturing through innovation and development of technologies to decarbonize and improve the efficiency of cement, concrete, and asphalt production. U.S. producers are leading the way in the innovation of critical building materials production, and we have a real opportunity in front of us to bolster our Nation's infrastructure while making significant strides to reduce global emissions. The climate crisis remains one of the most pressing issues of our lifetime, and it is vital that we take action now by investing in clean technologies and creating pathways here at home to accelerate and commercialize these new opportunities to reduce harmful emissions. Globally, cement manufacturing accounts for nearly 8 percent of all carbon emissions, and we have a unique opportunity to reduce pollution in industrial emissions by creating new manufacturing opportunities here at home that can take the place of aging processes based on fossil fuels. This bill will enable partnerships between industry, innovators, and the U.S. Government that will enhance existing production methods, unlock new and innovative techniques, and offer technical assistance to entities seeking to promote the application of low-emission cement, concrete, and asphalt. Together, the IMPACT Act--alongside IMPACT Act 2.0, introduced in the House earlier this month by Congressman Miller and me, and the Senate's Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act, led by Senators Coons and Tillis-- will bolster U.S.-led efforts to deploy clean technologies in the industrial sector while enhancing the global competitiveness of American innovation. The United States is leading the way into the 21st century, and this can be seen in my own district, North Carolina's Fourth, where local startup Biomason is revolutionizing the cement industry through its use of biotechnology to manufacture low-carbon concrete. With global demand for building materials set to rise through this century, we must prioritize investments in advanced materials science and scale-up domestic manufacturing by fostering an innovation pipeline that creates jobs and enhances our competitiveness on the world stage. This bill does just that. With this commonsense piece of legislation, everyone wins. It will help us achieve measurable and meaningful emissions reductions, modernize manufacturing, and improve workers' health and public health, all while creating good-paying jobs across America. I am proud to join Representative Max Miller in introducing the IMPACT Act, which passed the House last Congress and through the House Science Committee unanimously. It has received strong and bicameral support from industry and industry partners, innovators, climate organizations, manufacturing, and trade associations nationwide. I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan and commonsense legislation, which will unlock innovation and clean manufacturing in the United States, create domestic job opportunities, and protect our planet.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Black History Month and to highlight the importance of our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This month is a time to reflect on and recognize the immense sacrifice and contributions that Black Americans have made throughout our Nation's history. Today, we are witnessing blatant attempts to stifle DEI efforts, which were designed to promote fairness and provide resources to communities that have systemically been left behind. These initiatives, in tandem with our Nation's rich web of HBCUs, have allowed for culturally relevant and supportive environments for Black Americans, making higher education more accessible to students of color, many of whom are first-generation college students and are producing top talent in a wide variety of fields. These efforts are about supporting those in our community with the resources and education they need to thrive, and these policies help close the racial wealth gap and create more opportunities for upward mobility. There is still much work to be done to properly support the Black community, and I am committed to eliminating discrimination in all forms and continuing to uplift the invaluable contributions of Black Americans to this country.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Representative of North Carolina's Fourth Congressional District, and the home of the Research Triangle Park, to share the story of a Federal scientist, in their own words, who was fired by President Trump and Elon Musk. I worked for the Department of Health and Human Services. I was responsible for leading technical oversight over the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network in order to ensure patient safety, maximal usage of donated organs, continued confidence in the donor system, efficient spending of taxpayer dollars, and a secure, modern technology infrastructure. These aggressive and sweeping mass firings of hundreds of thousands of Federal employees will have profound and devastating consequences across the country. Our dedicated civil servants work tirelessly each day to deliver essential services, conduct critical scientific research, and ensure the safety of our communities. They deserve better.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to the life and service of Captain Rebecca Lobach, an accomplished U.S. Army aviation officer who was aboard the Black Hawk helicopter during the tragic accident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. A native of Durham, North Carolina, and a distinguished military graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Captain Lobach excelled in every aspect of her military career. From her rigorous flight training to her role as a White House social aide, her dedication to excellence, coupled with her remarkable leadership skills, earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and superiors alike. During her service, Captain Lobach was awarded several honors, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. She was a dedicated officer with a bright future, and her service to our country will not be forgotten. I offer my deepest condolences to Captain Lobach's family and loved ones and to all those affected by this devastating national tragedy.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. E. Lavonia Allison, a fierce civil rights activist, accomplished educator, and esteemed political leader. As a lifelong resident of Durham, North Carolina, Dr. Allison's impact was profound and multifaceted. From her time serving as first vice chair of the Durham County Democratic Party to her leadership as chair of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, she worked tirelessly to uplift the African-American community and ensure that their voices were heard and represented in local politics. She was quite literally the personification of Ella Baker. Her steadfast focus on civic engagement in the City of Durham has been a catalyst for over 60 years, connecting our civil rights past to our hopeful present through the power of the ballot box. Her lessons will echo across the campus of North Carolina Central University and the State for years to come, and her legacy will live through the life of young people that she trained and mentored throughout her dynamic life. Mr. Speaker, I will miss her as a trusted adviser and supportive colleague and a dear friend. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, and the entire community during this difficult time.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of The Beta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for their outstanding service, leadership, and brotherhood. Since its chartering in 1924, the Beta Phi Chapter has been a beacon of excellence, making significant contributions to NCCU and the Durham community by upholding the high standards of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Over the past century, the Beta Phi Chapter has achieved numerous milestones and accolades, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the fraternity's cardinal principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. The chapter has been instrumental in fostering academic excellence, providing scholarships to deserving students, and supporting various educational initiatives. In addition to its support and countless contributions to NCCU, the Beta Phi Chapter has been a pillar of community service. Members have dedicated countless hours mentoring youth, organizing health and wellness programs, and participating in civic engagement activities. The chapter's efforts have positively impacted countless lives, reinforcing the fraternity's mission to uplift the community. There are many buildings and structures named after Omega men on campus and in Durham to include: Buildings On NCCU Campus Named in Honor of Omega Men: Farrison-Newton Communications Building (William E. Farrison); H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education Building (Henry McKinley ``Mickey'' Michaux); Dr. LeRoy T. Walker Physical Education Complex (Dr. LeRoy T. Walker Sr.); McLendon- McDougald Arena (John B. McLendon); W.G. Pearson Dining Hall (William Gaston Pearson); William Jones Building (J. William Jones); A. Leon Stanback Jr. Legal Clinic Conference Room in Turner Law Building (A. Leon Stanback Jr.). Buildings in Durham Named in Honor of Omega Men: William Daniel (W.D.) Hill Recreation Community Center; Rencher Nicholas Harris Elementary School; Charles Clinton Spaulding Elementary School; Lucas Middle School (John Harding Lucas, Sr., and House Senator Jennie Lucas); John H. Wheeler Federal Courthouse; Lowell Siler Administration Building II Lobby; Carl Dubois Hodges, Sr. Durham County Cooperative Extension; Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity (Duke University); Dr. J. Randaldo Lawson Community Bench at Hillandale Golf Course; McDougald Terrace, Durham, North Carolina (Richard L. McDougald); A. Leon Stanback, Sr. Middle School, Hillsborough, North Carolina. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we reflect on the rich history and legacy of the Beta Phi Chapter. We honor the trailblazers who laid the foundation for our success and the current members who continue to uphold the fraternity's values with pride and dedication. On behalf of North Carolina Central University, we proudly recognize the Beta Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity as our Centennial Partner.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024. I thank the chairman of the Science Committee, Mr. Lucas, for his leadership of this bipartisan bill, of which I am an original cosponsor. I am pleased that we are able to continue our committee's long history of bipartisanship when it comes to supporting NASA and our Nation's preeminent science and technology enterprise. I also thank the many members of the Science Committee for their constructive contributions and amendments that made needed improvements to this legislation. While not perfect, this is a good bill that builds on the NASA Authorization Act of 2022 that was enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act. H.R. 8958 reaffirms America's commitment to science exploration, Earth and space science, aeronautics, innovation, education, and inspiration. Through NASA's triumphs, our Nation has demonstrated to the world what can be achieved when great minds work together. There are countless technologies and services originated in the science program that benefit the everyday lives of Americans. Our investment in civil space has and will continue making remarkable contributions to innovation and economic prosperity here on Earth. However, many of the dividends that NASA pays are immeasurable. NASA's science and human spaceflight missions have inspired generations of Americans and NASA's outreach and STEM programming have set countless young people on a path to degrees and careers in STEM. Just last week, we were finally able to honor NASA's hidden figures with their Congressional Gold Medals. We have these women to thank for the success of our space program. Throughout their careers, they faced the unjust cruelties of racism and sexism, and still they persevered. It is with the legacies of Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and all the women computers, mathematicians, and engineers at NASA and NACA during the space race in mind that we ensure NASA and the rest of our Federal science enterprise help lead the way in building STEM opportunities for all. Put simply, we can only lead in science and technology with a STEM workforce that represents the rich diversity of our Nation. It is with the legacies of these trailblazing women in mind that this legislation supports NASA's STEM education portfolio, including the Minority University Research and Education Project. I am pleased this bill provides continuity of policy and purpose for human exploration, the Moon to Mars program, and provides for NASA's continued use of low-Earth orbit to advance science and reduce exploration risks. The bill directs NASA to both prepare for the safe deorbiting of the International Space Station at the end of its operational life while also planning for a robust and resilient architecture for the future of low-Earth orbit. This legislation also supports NASA's science and aeronautics portfolios under which essential work is done. For example, NASA's Earth science satellites and research are critical to understanding and responding to global climate change. Under this bill, we will also improve our ability to detect large methane emission events and monitor greenhouse gases. Close to home for me, the NASA Ames Research Center does important aeronautical work to improve aerial responses to wildfires, including by developing and testing drone technology and aerial operations for wildland fire response. I appreciate and commend the constructive input of NASA and the space and aerospace community as this bill came together. I thank Chairmen Lucas and Babin and their staffs for their hard work, cooperation, and consideration of our recommendations. I give special thanks to Ranking Member Sorensen for his leadership on the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee and to Pam Whitney and Ashlee Wilkins on the Democratic staff of the committee. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and pass the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2024. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time to speak on this bill, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 8958, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of the ASCEND Act, which is sponsored by Representatives Kean and Bonamici. Their bill would codify the existing program, the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition program, after NASA successfully demonstrated the viability of purchasing commercial small-satellite data to support NASA's Earth system science programs. During evaluation of the initial pilot project, the data acquisitions were shown to complement the suite of Earth observations taken by NASA's fleet of satellites and instruments. NASA has continued the activities as the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program. This bill capitalizes on the accomplishments of the initial pilot by authorizing the program. It also authorizes the Administrator, in carrying out the program, to procure commercial Earth remote sensing data and imagery from commercial vendors and to establish or modify end-use license terms and conditions to allow for the use of the procured data and imagery by individuals other than NASA-funded users. The bill includes measures to support data publication and transparency, reporting to Congress on the program, and the widest possible use of the data procured under the program consistent with program goals. Mr. Speaker, I thank the bill's sponsors for their work on the ASCEND Act, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers to speak on this bill, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7685, the bipartisan Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act, or the IMPACT Act, which will boost the competitiveness of American manufacturing through innovation and development of technologies to decarbonize and improve the efficiency of cement, concrete, and asphalt production. The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our lifetime, and it is critical that we continue to take significant strides to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors. Globally, we know that concrete accounts for 8 percent of all carbon emissions, but we can reduce pollution in the cement and concrete production process right now by creating new innovation and manufacturing opportunities here at home that can take the place of aging processes based on fossil fuels. This bill marks a critical step forward to innovate and decarbonize America's concrete and asphalt sectors, and it will enable partnerships between industry, innovators, and the U.S. Government to enhance existing production methods, unlock new and innovative techniques, and offer technical assistance to entities seeking to promote the application of low-emissions cement, concrete, and asphalt. The United States is leading the way into the 21st century, where we know that our Nation is poised to play a critical role in reducing industrial emissions through modernizing our manufacturing processes and implementing clean technology strategies. This can be seen in my own district, North Carolina's Fourth, where local startup Biomason is helping lead the way in advancing low-carbon concrete and asphalt production. Just earlier this year, I was proud to join the first-ever White House Concrete Innovation Summit, with innovators, researchers, startups, industry, and leaders from across the country, to further build consensus on our path forward for a more sustainable future. As we consider the future of American R&D, we must prioritize investments and advancement in materials, science, and manufacturing by fostering and building out an innovation pipeline that creates good- paying, clean American jobs and enhances our competitiveness on the world stage, and this bill does just that. This bill will also help to achieve measurable and meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions, improve public health, and modernize the current manufacturing processes of sustainable building materials that are essential for our Nation's infrastructure. I am glad to join Representative Max Miller in sponsoring the IMPACT Act, which passed through the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology unanimously. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, which will prioritize innovation in clean manufacturing and production to improve public health and protect our planet.