Julie Fedorchak

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great milestone in North Dakota's history and our Nation's future in space. Earlier this summer, the University of North Dakota launched our State's first-ever satellites into orbit, a bold step forward in satellite operations and a powerful example of homegrown innovation. These low Earth orbit satellites, developed in partnership with the AVS US, are operated from my alma mater, Odegard Hall in Grand Forks. The mission, known as ROADS, is about more than technology. It is about inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and leaders in space. North Dakota has long led in agriculture, energy, defense, and aviation. Now, we are expanding that leadership into space. I am proud of the students, faculty, and innovators who made this mission possible.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Westerman, the chairman, for his leadership on this issue and all energy-related issues. He is providing a great service to our Conference and to the country. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my resolution to repeal the Biden administration's Bureau of Land Management Resource Management Plan for North Dakota. First, let me respond briefly to my colleague from Colorado's comments about energy costs. His constituents, the dear people of Colorado, and many other constituents in blue States, like New York and California, probably are paying record prices for electricity and other energy products. That is because of their very own States' unrealistic and radical energy policies. I promise, in North Dakota, citizens are not paying record prices. In fact, they are paying the lowest prices of any other State for electricity. I know this because, for the last 12 years, I helped set those policies. Changing these policies so that the rest of America could also pay lower energy prices was one of the driving forces of my running for this office. In my State, energy production isn't a political debate. It is our way of life. It provides paychecks that feed our families, revenue that funds our schools, and power that keeps America moving forward. Unfortunately, President Biden, in his very last week of office, chose to put special interests above all of that. Mr. Speaker, North Dakotans saw the Biden administration's plan for exactly what it was. It was a backdoor attempt to shut down fossil fuels in our State. That is why our State immediately filed a lawsuit against the previous administration. As our filing made clear: ``The amended RMP is not only unlawful and unwise but it is also emblematic of everything that was wrong with the prior administration's approach to cooperative federalism.'' Amen. That is exactly why we are here. The truth is because of the checkerboard nature of Federal land and minerals across our State, this plan would close vast amounts of North Dakota to oil, gas, and coal leases for future development. In fact, it would lock up nearly 99 percent of North Dakota's Federal coal acreage. That is more than 4 million acres. It would also block nearly half of our federally owned oil and gas acreage. That is nearly 213,000 acres. This is absolutely the wrong direction. As demand for energy reaches record highs and Americans want to pay less for everything, we should unleash American energy, not shut it down. North Dakota does have a very clear vision for energy development. We have proven that responsible energy development and environmental stewardship actually go hand in hand. We have invested billions in clean and emissions-controlled technology. We have reclaimed our lands and maintained some of the strongest air quality records in the Nation. We can grow the economy, power the country, and steward the environment all at once. That is the American Way, and that is certainly the North Dakota way. The Biden administration failed to recognize that and completely ignored all of my State's concerns with the plan. If we want to talk about intellectual dishonesty, that is the definition of it. So is so much of the Democrat's energy policy that ignores current technical realities at the peril of our American citizens. Mr. Speaker, that is why my resolution is so important. It reverses the Biden administration's plan that ignored my State's serious concerns, restores true cooperation between the State and Federal Government, and gets North Dakota energy back on track.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. At its core, this is about more than North Dakota. If Washington can override State expertise here, it sets a dangerous precedent for every energy-producing State in the U.S. Congress must reassert its role to prevent unelected bureaucrats from locking up resources, raising costs, and undermining our energy security. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Stand with innovation. Stand with American workers. Stand with the families who power this Nation. This resolution puts States like North Dakota back in the driver's seat where they belong.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, this microphone isn't picking up that well, but I thank the gentlewoman for this opportunity. I had a really hard time deciding what to talk about tonight because there are so many great things about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Should I talk about student loan reform and the impact that is going to have on driving down the costs of education and minimizing the amount of loan debt that people have when they graduate from college, or investments in the air traffic control system? Maybe we should talk about the death tax increases and how we doubled the value that businessowners and farmers can pass down to the next generation after they have already paid tax on all of that income before they invested it, or I could talk about farm bill investments or bonus depreciation. There are so many amazing things about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that it is hard to keep track of them, and it is hard to decide what to lead with. Today, I am going to talk about something that I think has been largely overlooked, and that is the lowering of the taxes on interest on car loans for American-made cars. I recently had the chance to visit with Dan McGee. This is Dan right here. He is the general manager of M.J. McGuire Auto Dealership and also a farmer in Rugby, North Dakota. With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act now law, Americans can take advantage of a new interest deduction when purchasing an American-made vehicle. This provision can really help small-town car dealers like M.J. McGuire. For a family buying a $50,000 vehicle, Dan explained to me what this would mean. He said the interest in just the first year might run about $3,500. Under this new law, that interest is now deductible, a huge savings for hardworking American families. This isn't just relief for companies or big corporations, like many of the Democrats are claiming. It is for everyday North Dakotans and everyday Americans across the Nation. Dan also pointed out the broader benefits in the bill, like the expansion of the 199A small-business deduction, tax relief that allows entrepreneurs like him to reinvest in their businesses, or raising the death tax exemption so farmers like him can grow and pass on their land to the next generation. Dan said it best: There are so many good things in this bill that it is hard to keep track of them all. That is what this law is all about: real, practical help for hardworking Americans.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a notable North Dakotan, Linda Kvasager, who recently retired after 50 years of dedicated service at Valley Senior Living. Linda began her career in elder care as a high school student at the age of just 15 and devoted five decades to helping seniors stay active, healthy, and connected. Her work as a restorative aide supported not only the physical well- being of her residents but their dignity and independence. Colleagues describe her as a compassionate, reliable, and deeply committed person, a steady presence in a field where continuity makes the difference. Mr. Speaker, 50 years in a role is rare, and 50 years of meaningful care is extraordinary. Linda's legacy is a testament to the power of faithful service. She has touched countless lives, and she has made her community proud. I congratulate Linda.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kennedy for yielding and for leading this important Special Order tonight to talk about all the wins in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an important promise President Trump made to the American people that the one big, beautiful bill fulfills. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers a long list of wins for families, seniors, small businesses, farmers, energy producers, and our military. It prevents the largest tax increase in U.S. history, putting $4.5 trillion in Americans' pockets instead of in the government's coffers. It delivers permanent tax relief, begins to rein in Washington's out-of-control spending, makes historic investments in border security and national defense, and restores the kind of commonsense priorities people in my State of North Dakota live by every single day. There are so many wins in this bill that we need to break them apart and highlight them separately. Today, I will focus on a provision that many think is too good to be true. In fact, in talking to people, they think, ``How can this actually happen?'' but it will, and that is no tax on tips and overtime. During my time back home recently, I visited with folks across North Dakota, including those working in construction, law enforcement, and service industries. This bill is great news for them and the hundreds of professions that regularly put in overtime to get the job done. In fact, around 30 percent of all employees in North Dakota regularly work overtime and could benefit from the no tax on overtime provision in this bill. According to the Council of Economic Advisers, an even larger 65 percent of workers in North Dakota are in occupations that are likely eligible for overtime and could also benefit. We cut taxes on up to $12,500 of overtime pay for more than 80 million hourly workers. This is estimated to increase yearly take-home pay by more than $1,400. The bill also eliminates Federal taxes on up to $25,000 of tips for America's 4 million tipped workers. As a former waitress, I know how valuable this provision would be. This applies to all tips, whether they are tips that are cash or on credit. All tips qualify for the no tax on tips. This is estimated to boost incomes by an average of $1,300 per year. With these policies, we are rewarding everyday Americans' hard work, and we are not waiting. These provisions are retroactive, meaning that people will see the benefits of no taxes on tips and overtime this year, even for hours worked prior to this bill passing. I was very proud to join my colleagues in delivering on this commitment to the American people, and I can't wait to see how it benefits them all.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the national security investments in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, investments that reaffirm President Trump's commitment to peace through strength. This bill delivers $25 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system, our answer to hypersonic and NextGen threats from adversaries like China and Iran. It expands our naval fleet, restocks our munitions, modernizes our nuclear deterrent, and accelerates the delivery of Next Generation aircraft and autonomous systems. Just as important, it puts our troops first, with $8.5 billion to improve barracks, housing, healthcare, childcare, and career support for military families. At a time when global threats are growing, this bill ensures America leads from a position of strength, not weakness. It is a generational investment in the safety of our country, the security of our allies, and the brave men and women who defend our freedom. Let's get this bill to President Trump's desk.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cheryl Peterson of Carrington, North Dakota, as she wraps up a 30-yearlong chapter at the local pasta plant. Since 1984, Cheryl's morning routine has included packing her lunch and driving across town to the pasta plant where she has clocked in 5 days a week. Cheryl is deaf, but that hasn't stopped her from being a steady and trusted employee committed to helping others out. In the words of her production manager, Cheryl is a reliable employee with a positive attitude who is willing to help with anything. She never sought the spotlight. She just showed up, did the work, and made a difference. North Dakota is great because of people like Cheryl: humble, hardworking, and full of heart. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Cheryl Peterson's remarkable career and wishing her a joyful and well-earned retirement. Recognizing Dave Flohr

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dave Flohr for his outstanding service to North Dakota. For more than four decades, Dave has dedicated his career to strengthening communities through safe, stable, and affordable housing. His leadership at the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, especially these past 5 years as executive director, has helped thousands of families in North Dakota achieve the dream of homeownership. Dave's deep knowledge, steady guidance, and passion for serving others have left a lasting effect on our State. He built partnerships, created solutions, and made homeownership possible for so many North Dakotans. On behalf of our State, I thank Dave for a lifetime of meaningful service. I wish him all the best in retirement, though I know his influence will be felt for years to come. Congratulations. Congratulating Doug Darling on His Retirement

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize President Doug Darling for his extraordinary 36-year career at Lake Region State College. From his early days as a marketing instructor to his decade of leadership as president, Dr. Darling has poured his heart into this institution. He has been a mentor, a builder, and a steady hand, helping shape Lake Region into a place where students from all walks of life can find opportunity and purpose. Dr. Darling's legacy is measured not just in programs launched or buildings improved, but in the thousands of lives changed under his leadership. His belief in the power of education has left a permanent mark in North Dakota. As he steps into retirement, I join many across our State in thanking him for his service and in wishing him well in his next chapter. I thank Dr. Darling. Celebrating Community Spirit

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate two remarkable North Dakota festivals that earned national recognition in Cenex' Hometown Throwdown. Hazen Chalkfest won second place and a $20,000 prize thanks to its stunning 3D artwork and more than 600 local participants. Just look at that. Wahpeton's Borderline Chalkfest claimed third, with a $15,000 award for its imaginative perspective art, like the chalk s'more that had folks saying: ``That looks delicious.'' These awards aren't just about art. They reflect strong community spirit, hometown pride, and the creativity that thrives across our beautiful North Dakota. Our small towns are doing big things, earning national attention, drawing families together, and inspiring joy. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of what Hazen and Wahpeton have accomplished. Please join me in congratulating them for showing the rest of the country just how vibrant and innovative North Dakota communities are. Congratulating Randy Hedberg

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Randy Hedberg of Parshall on his induction into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. Randy is a true North Dakota success story, an all-sport college athlete at Minot State, an NFL quarterback, and a legendary coach who never forgot where he came from. His coaching career spanned 45 years, including 11 years at North Dakota State University, where he helped lead the Bison to not one, not two, not three, but--count it--seven national championships. He also mentored future NFL stars like Carson Wentz and Trey Lance. What sets Randy apart isn't just his record but his character, humility, and deep commitment to his players and our State. He represents the best of North Dakota. Mr. Speaker, I ask this body to join me in celebrating Randy Hedberg's remarkable legacy and thanking him for inspiring generations of athletes.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight 10 provisions in the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 10 commonsense reforms that too often get overlooked. One, the bill modernizes our air traffic control system; Two, it reforms student loans to reduce student loan debt and debt burdens; Three, it helps farmers by increasing reference prices and strengthening crop insurance; Four, it ensures EV drivers pay their fair share for the roads because everyone who uses roads should help pay for them; Five, it reopens Federal lands for energy and mineral development, restoring American energy leadership; Six, it unlocks spectrum for auction so we can roll out faster 5G; Seven, it restocks our military, delivering peace through strength; Eight, it invests $10 billion in border security or more; Nine, it eliminates the $200 Federal tax on suppressors; and, Ten, last but not least, it ends Federal subsidies for wind and solar.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Smith for his leadership and for spearheading this Special Order today on this very important subject. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a pro-life mom of three. Today marks 3 years since the Supreme Court made history with the Dobbs decision. This was a really important moment that returned the power to protect life back to the people through their elected representatives in each State. That is where these decisions belong. As we mark this anniversary, I am filled with hope that we can continue building a culture where life is honored, women are supported, and families are strengthened. It is my heartfelt belief that abortion should never be anyone's first or only option. Every woman deserves to know that there is help, hope, and a path forward, a beautiful path forward that supports life. The Dobbs decision was more than a legal victory. It was a renewed call to answer the greatest human rights question of our time. Every life, born and unborn, has value and dignity. I was very touched 2 weeks ago when one of my constituents, Jay Reinke from Lutherans for Life--he lives in Rugby, North Dakota-- visited my office right here in D.C. He left me with a very simple, fun, but poignant reminder about the pro-life movement, and it really sums it up very well and simply. This is Horton from ``Horton Hears a Who!'' Horton's main philosophy was this: ``A person is a person, no matter how small.'' For America to be a perfect Union, our lives must reflect that. Let's keep standing together to build a country where no woman feels alone, no child is unwanted, and every life is seen as a gift.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the retirement of Nancy Johnson, the longtime executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Association. For over two decades, Nancy has been a driving force in advancing North Dakota's soybean industry. Her leadership, strategic insight, and tireless advocacy have strengthened not only our State's agriculture economy but also the national voice of soybean producers. She brought people together, farmers, researchers, and policymakers, to promote innovation and sustainability in agriculture. Nancy's dedication has left a lasting mark on rural communities across our State. On behalf of North Dakota, I thank Nancy for her remarkable service. Her legacy will live on in the fields she fought for and the people she empowered. We wish her all the best in her retirement.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a significant milestone in America's push for critical mineral independence. Last week, I joined Talon Metals to celebrate the new Beulah Minerals Processing Facility, which will process high-grade nickel and copper, just like this, from Talon's high-tech, environmentally friendly mine in Minnesota. They will turn it into materials for our defense, aerospace, and energy industries, all while reducing our reliance on adversaries like China and Russia. North Dakota has been abundantly blessed with natural resources, but our greatest resource is our mentality. We build, innovate, and solve problems. This project is another great example of that. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Talon Metals and the Beulah community for this amazing project.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the leadership of both Mr. Moore and Mr. Arrington. Both of them are great mentors to me as a new Member. I hope I can aspire to be as strong as they are someday. Working-class families, seniors on fixed incomes, farmers growing our food, restaurant waitresses working double shifts, law enforcement officers putting in overtime, manufacturers keeping the lights on, and border communities shouldering a burden Washington created are who the one big, beautiful bill is going to help. Who are these people? These aren't the millionaires and billionaires. These are everyday Americans. Despite what we hear from the Democrats and the media over and over again, this bill isn't tax cuts for the rich. It is not about eliminating healthcare for people who need it. This big, beautiful bill is pro-family, pro-business and workers, pro-American energy and agriculture, pro-border and national security. Above all, it is pro-growth and pro-common sense. Let me spend a few minutes talking about what that all means. Let's talk first about pro-family. My husband, Mike, and I have three children. Raising a family is one of life's greatest blessings and biggest responsibilities. Government should not make it even harder. That is why the tax relief is a top priority for Republicans in Washington and is the centerpiece of the one big, beautiful bill. This bill includes a commonsense tax package that extends existing tax policy, avoiding the highest tax increase in U.S. history. That is right. This bill just extends existing tax policy, improves it, and avoids the highest tax increase in history. It also enhances tax relief for working families. This one big, beautiful bill lets North Dakotans and Americans keep more of their hard-earned money. A few key provisions include increasing the child tax credit to $2,500 per child; raising the standard deduction for all filers; establishing savings accounts for newborns; and creating a new deduction on Social Security benefits for senior citizens. For the average family of four in North Dakota, this package will help save an estimated $1,600 in taxes. That buys about 8 weeks of groceries. This is American money staying with the American family, which is exactly where it belongs. This bill is also pro-business. The one big, beautiful bill also includes a long list of reforms and investments that will make America, including our small businesses, stronger and more competitive. Our goal is to reward entrepreneurship, to reward hard work, and to grow the economy. For small businesses, we permanently increased the small business deduction to 23 percent. This will impact 67,000 North Dakota businesses. This bill will allow 100 percent immediate expensing for equipment and facility upgrades and raise the death tax exemption, helping families pass down their farm or ranch to the next generation. For workers, the one big, beautiful bill significantly reduces taxes on tips and overtime. This lets servers, bartenders, and hourly workers keep more of their money. This means that waitresses working late and the factory worker picking up an extra shift will finally keep more of what they earned. It is time to bring common sense and competitiveness back to our economy, which is exactly what this bill does. I will talk a bit about energy and agriculture, big industries for my State in North Dakota. We are slamming the breaks on the Biden administration's radical energy agenda. The one big, beautiful bill repeals over $500 billion in the style of Green New Deal spending and boosts mineral development to reduce our reliance on China for critical materials. It ends electric vehicle mandates and subsidies funded by taxpayers for wind and solar. This is a provision I have been working hard on since I arrived in Congress. I am especially excited by the provisions in the one big, beautiful bill that support our North Dakota farmers and ranchers. In addition to the tax provisions in the bill, which are very important for our farmers and ranchers, this bill significantly improves the core safety net and risk management tools by increasing reference prices and improving crop insurance. It expands flexibility for family farms to reinvest in equipment, inputs, and labor. It renews 100 percent expensing for capital purchases so producers can write off the cost of new machinery, infrastructure improvements, or production facilities right away. The bill also delivers on President Trump's promise to secure the border and enhance national security. This bill includes the largest investment in border security in over a generation. There is nearly $150 billion to secure the border and deport criminal illegal aliens. We are restoring order at the border and restocking our military. We increase pay, housing, and healthcare for our servicemembers. We rebuild our naval fleet, modernize our air traffic control system, and restock the munitions America needs to defend itself. Finally, this bill is pro-common sense. There are no more student loan bailouts, no more tax dollars for abortions or transgender surgeries on minors, and no more benefits for illegal immigrants who break our laws. We are making universities pay more from their endowments, and we are taxing nonprofits that support terrorism. We even impose a small fee on electric vehicles because they use our roads, too, and should help fund the highway trust fund. It provides tax relief to Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights for the first time in history. I was proud to help move this legislation forward because North Dakotans and all Americans are tired of waste and overreach, and they are ready for real results from Washington. This is about more than fixing broken policies. It is about turning the page on the last 4 years of dysfunction, division, and decline and writing a new chapter where government once again serves the people, where families can afford to grow, small businesses can afford to hire, and rural communities can thrive without interference from Washington. It is about restoring common sense, restoring accountability, and rebuilding an America where people aren't just getting by. They are getting ahead. This bill puts working families first. It reins in bureaucracy. It returns power to the people where it belongs. Most importantly, this bill is just the beginning. What an exciting time. I couldn't be happier to be here working with these great leaders and bringing forward important legislation just like this to make things better for America and the American people.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my resolution to repeal the Biden administration's eleventh hour reinstatement of the ``once in, always in'' rule and to counter some of the misinformation being shared on this rule by my colleagues on the other side. I am a mom of three. When my kids were growing up, they woke up every Saturday morning to a job list, and they couldn't get their allowance until they completed the jobs on the list. They were motivated to get their jobs done by that allowance, and I would have had very little luck incentivizing them to do their jobs if they never received their promised reward. This is a law of human nature. People respond to incentives and rewards, which underscores the main problem with the ``once in, always in'' rule. There is no incentive to invest. This misguided regulation permanently classifies certain industrial facilities as major sources, major sources of hazardous air pollutants even after they have made significant investments to reduce the emissions below the Federal threshold. Mr. Speaker, think about that for a minute. They invest millions of dollars to modernize their operations, improve efficiency, and reduce emissions only for the Federal Government to permanently classify their business as a major source, stuck with the same costly regulations. That is not smart policy. That is counterproductive. By refusing to let businesses reclassify after making progress, after meeting the standards, this rule removes any real incentive to invest in cleaner technologies. Our energy producers in North Dakota have invested $2 billion in emissions control technology. They have done this because they care about our communities and environment. In fact, North Dakota exports thousands of megawatts of electricity every year. We are the third largest oil- and gas-producing State in the Nation, and we are one of only four States in the Nation that has never violated Federal air quality standards. That is not an accident. That is the result of smart investments, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to responsible energy production. North Dakota is proof that we can grow the economy, power the country, and protect the environment at the same time. This bureaucratic rule ignores these successful efforts. It removes the incentive to innovate and locks facilities into restrictive regulations, even when they are trying to reduce emissions and operate more efficiently. It is not just a problem for North Dakota. This rule affects manufacturers, energy producers, and small businesses all over the country. This approach raises costs, discourages innovation, and forces companies to think twice before making long-term investments in cleaner technologies. This is not how to build a stronger economy or a cleaner future, and it is not how to make things more affordable for Americans. Our Nation's energy future should be driven by innovation. American technological innovation have allowed us to reduce emissions more than any other Nation since 2005, all while achieving record energy production. We need a regulatory framework that incentivizes innovation and rewards it when it happens. That means eliminating one-size-fits-all regulations like the ``once in, always in'' rule. Supporting this resolution means supporting American energy jobs, lower prices, and fostering a regulatory environment where businesses can thrive while safeguarding the environment. I want to underscore that this resolution is not about allowing facilities to maintain high pollutant levels. It is about incentivizing them to reduce emissions and rewarding them when they do. That is how we both expand energy production and protect our environment. I thank Senator John Curtis of Utah for his leadership on this resolution in the Senate, and I urge my colleagues in the House to support this resolution.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on behalf of these people and thousands of others like them. They are not millionaires or billionaires. They are family farmers. Brent and Stephanie Baldwin farm wheat, sugar beets, edible beans, and soybeans in St. Thomas, North Dakota. They have three kids. They are fourth-generation farmers. Unless Congress acts, the tax relief they depend on, the 199A deduction, will expire at the end of this year. Our bill will permanently expand this and increase this deduction for passthrough businesses like the Baldwins'. In 2020 alone, 67,000 taxpayers in my State, including many farmers, claimed the 199A deduction, putting $682 million in their pockets. That is real money for working-class Americans. Our bill also eliminates the death tax for family-owned businesses. We can't have the big, bloated Federal Government stealing their hard work and wasting it on fraud and abuse. For our family farmers and producers, the backbone of rural America, this is urgent. Let's make these tax cuts permanent and pass this bill.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize WDAY Chief Meteorologist John Wheeler. On May 16, tomorrow, John will deliver his final forecast, sunsetting a memorable 40-year broadcasting career. John joined WDAY in 1985 as the station's first on-air meteorologist. Since then, he has weathered it all, guiding North Dakotans through blizzards, floods, and drought, always with steady insight, clear instructions, and a partly sunny optimism, even on the coldest North Dakota days. Let's be honest: Being a weatherman in North Dakota, in my State, is no easy task. While our weather is reliably unpredictable, John was always a high-pressure system of calm and confidence, helping farmers, families, and everyone in between plan for a smooth day ahead. As John enters retirement, the forecast looks great. I see clear skies ahead, wind at his back, and hopefully an extended period of sunshine. I thank John for helping us weather so many storms, and I wish him the very best in this new season of life.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an incredible athlete and a historic moment for North Dakota. Reece Barnhardt of Bismarck has made history as the first NCAA Division II national champion in the University of Mary's wrestling program. With a dominant 10-4 victory, Reece showed the Nation what we in North Dakota have long known. His toughness, work ethic, and determination set him apart. Success like this takes years of discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. I have had the privilege of watching Reece compete long before he stepped onto the national wrestling stage. He played football with both my sons at St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck, and I loved watching him fly down the field with reckless abandon. He was fearless then, and he is fearless now. Reece's journey is an inspiration to young athletes across our State. His hometown, his school, and all of North Dakota are proud of him. We congratulate Reece on this well-earned and well-deserved national title.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Moore for yielding. I never get tired of that joke. Mr. Speaker, as we consider the critical reforms in the reconciliation process, I rise today to make the case for why we must eliminate the generous Federal subsidies for wind and solar energy paid for by taxpayers. By continuing to incentivize these intermittent energy sources with generous tax credits, we are distorting energy markets, sending the absolute wrong signal to investors, and spending hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer money. We must stop providing generous incentives that run contrary to the types of energy resources we need, and tonight I want to highlight 10 reasons why. Yes, you heard me right. There are 10 good reasons to eliminate these incentives. First, the cost to taxpayers is enormous. Over the next decade, these subsidies are projected to cost up to $900 billion. Second, these subsidies are driving instability in our power grid. Right now two-thirds of the country is at risk of not having enough power to meet demand. That is not a few years from now. That is not a near, long-term problem. That is today. Keep in mind, the power needed for AI is also growing exponentially, further creating a more difficult problem for us. Third, grid operators are asking for dispatchable resources, such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear. Yet, we continue to incentivize the opposite. These reliable resources are being prematurely retired, and we are not replacing them with the technologies we can count on around the clock. This is not a political statement. It is simply a matter of physics. We don't need to imagine the consequences of retiring these baseload energy resources. Spain, just a few weeks ago, experienced nationwide blackouts, and their economy came to a grinding halt. Spain relied on wind and solar for 80 percent of its power, which is ultimately what jeopardized their grid. This should be a wake-up call for policymakers everywhere. That brings me to reason number four. Despite the warning signs and the cries from grid operators, 95 percent of the projects waiting to connect to our grid in the U.S. are wind and solar; 95 percent. That is not because of market demand for wind and solar. It is because of the very generous subsidies that this body and the rest of Washington continues to provide for these resources. This artificial growth is making it harder for reliable baseload generation to connect to the grid. Number five, the incentives. These same incentives are distorting the market. Eliminating these subsidies would allow private investment to go toward other technologies that are more in line with what our grid actually needs. As I mentioned earlier, with the rise of AI, we are going to need a lot more power. We should be sending the right market signals to bring the power on that will actually meet the demand that we need for the future. Number six, wind and solar are no longer emerging technologies. They are mature. They are widely developed. Wind and solar now account for 17 percent of our electric generation. The cost of these technologies has also dropped dramatically, and this is the seventh reason to phase them out. Wind and solar technologies have less overhead, longer lifespans, and higher profits than they did when these credits were introduced nearly 30 years ago in the 1990s. For example, the cost of solar has decreased more than 80 percent since 2010. Truly, the market is more than capable of supporting continued growth without subsidies. As if that isn't compelling enough, there are yet more reasons to phase out these subsidies. Number eight, their efficiency has increased substantially. Today's wind turbines and solar panels are far more productive than they were even a decade ago. When I first started permitting these projects 12 years ago, the capacity factor for wind was around 25 percent. Today that average capacity factor is up to 40 percent and in some places even 50 percent. Clearly, these are proven technologies. Number nine, the true cost of installing wind and solar is often misrepresented. Advocates routinely leave out the cost of the massive transmission infrastructure needed to connect remote wind and solar projects to population centers. They also ignore the cost of backup generation needed to keep the lights on at night or when the wind isn't blowing. The low-cost claims don't account for these expenses, but, rest assured, utility customers still pay for them. And last, but not least, eliminating these subsidies is fully consistent with an all-of-the-above energy strategy. I believe in competition. Wind and solar are viable, market proven, widely available technologies. Mr. Speaker, it is time to let them compete and succeed without the help of Federal taxpayers. Phasing out these tax credits will save taxpayers billions of dollars, help restore reliability to our power grid, and help deliver on the promise of one big, beautiful bill to make America stronger, safer, and more competitive. Let's retire these subsidies permanently.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minot, North Dakota, my husband's hometown, named one of the 2025 Great American Defense Communities. Only three cities across the Nation received this honor, reflecting the remarkable commitment the people of Minot have shown to the men and women stationed at the Minot Air Force Base. Through events like the Prairie Warrior Auction and efforts by local leaders and initiatives led by the Minot Area Chamber, this community goes above and beyond to welcome airmen and support their families. Whether it is raising funds to send airmen home for the holidays or educating the Nation on nuclear deterrence, Minot leads with pride and purpose. Their motto sums it up best: Only the Best Come North. Again, congratulations to the city of Minot on this well-earned recognition, and thanks to this amazing community for standing behind our military every day.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.J. Res. 24, legislation led by my friend Representative Stephanie Bice. This reverses yet another burdensome Biden administration mandate that will add senseless costs for families and small businesses for no real benefit. The Biden Department of Energy's rule on walk-in refrigerator equipment is a textbook example of government overreach. This rule imposes sweeping, unrealistic energy standards that demand massive energy reductions, but this isn't just about energy policy. It is about the reality facing restaurant owners, grocery stores, and convenience stores in North Dakota and across the country. These businesses have battled through 4 years of inflation, supply chain disruptions, and workforce challenges. Washington bureaucrats are now telling them to replace perfectly good refrigeration equipment at a nationwide cost of nearly $1 billion just to meet an arbitrary, one- size-fits-all efficiency target. To comply with these standards, manufacturers will have to increase prices on already expensive equipment. These costs will land squarely on the businesses and, ultimately, the American people. Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of the food and drink retailers impacted by this rule are small businesses. These are businesses that are critical to the U.S. economy, employing millions of Americans and contributing more than $200 billion annually. This rule is not economically justified. It is Washington at its worst. It is no wonder that before President Trump took office, 75 percent of the country thought that we were headed in the wrong direction. It is rules just like this that they know about. This is a bad rule. It is bad for business, and it is bad for customers. Let's stop this misguided regulation before it does more real damage to the small businesses that drive our economy. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to put common sense over bureaucratic overreach and support H.J. Res. 24.

Mrs. FEDORCHAK

Mrs. FEDORCHAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary North Dakota woman, Else Rike. She celebrated her 101st birthday today. Instead of taking the day off, she was no doubt right where she has been for more than 70 years, at her desk in Grand Forks, North Dakota, preparing tax returns by hand with a calculator and typewriter. Else's work ethic is unmatched and recently landed her a page 1 feature story in The Wall Street Journal. While tax preparers today rely on software, Else relies on decades of experience and a deep knowledge of the tax code. This beautiful woman, shown right here, is proof that hard work and sharp thinking never go out of style. On behalf of all North Dakotans, I thank Else for living our values and for showing us what true dedication looks like. Most importantly, happy 101st birthday, Else.