Paul Gosar

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, on the vote on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, I intended to vote ``Yea.'' Unfortunately, due to a malfunction of my electronic voting card, my vote was not recorded. This was an unusual occurrence, as my electronic voting card successfully registered my vote on the immediately preceding vote. By the time the malfunction was discovered, the vote had closed and the period for recording votes had expired, preventing my vote from being officially recorded. I strongly support the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Had my voting card functioned properly, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 224.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Rutherford for putting this on with due respect for the men and women in blue. During National Police Week, I rise to honor the brave law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting you, our communities, and defending the rule of law. This year, 363 American law enforcement heroes are being honored at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Among them are two courageous Arizona officers, Officer Gabriel Facio of the Apache Junction Police Department and Deputy Shawn Braaten of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. These heroes wore the badge with honor and gave their lives in service to others. At a time when politicians on the left and radical activists continue pushing soft-on-crime policies and demonizing police officers, we must be crystal clear: America is safer because of our law enforcement. The anti-police rhetoric coming from the left has emboldened criminals, weakened public safety, and made an already dangerous profession even harder. I unapologetically stand with the men and women in blue. I stand with the officers who run toward danger while others run away. I stand with the deputies patrolling our neighborhoods, the border agents defending our sovereignty, and every law enforcement officer who risks their life to protect innocent Americans. To the families of Officer Facio, Deputy Braaten, and all our fallen officers across our Nation, we will never forget their sacrifice. Their courage and service represent the very best in America. That is all you can ask. May God bless our fallen heroes and their families, and may God bless the United States of America.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7567 the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and in particular, my amendment No. 15, to ensure Arizona farmers are not left behind. The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the desert southwest. In my State, it sustains families, small agricultural businesses, and entire rural communities. Yet, today, the lifeline is under growing strain, not just from drought, but from broken commitments. Under the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the United States. The deadline passed in October of 2025, and once again, Mexico failed to meet its obligation. Meanwhile, Arizona continues to deliver water in good faith. That imbalance has real consequences. It means lost crops, lost income, and increased uncertainty for hardworking producers already operating on razor-thin margins. My amendment is straightforward. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide Congress with a full accounting of the tools and programs available to assist Arizona producers impacted by those losses, just as this base bill already does for Texas. If we are going to address the consequences of treating noncompliance, we must do it comprehensively and fairly. This is about accountability. It is about preparedness. It is about standing with American farmers when they are forced to shoulder burdens not of their own making. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment No. 15 and pass the farm bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, if the gentlewoman would have known, Arizona is the terminal ending out of Mexico of getting--they have to take the cuts. We have taken several cuts, and there are plenty members from the other basin States, but they can actually look at those as well. This is about the State of Arizona taking terminal ending of that Colorado River, taking cuts. I would ask everybody to vote for my amendment and to vote for the farm bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and in strong support of my amendment No. 16 to restore fairness for ranchers in Arizona and across the Southwest. For years, ranchers have lived with the realities of predation from the Mexican wolf. They have understood the balance between conservation and livelihoods, but what they cannot accept is a Federal standard that makes it nearly impossible to receive compensation when their cattle are killed. Under current guidance issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, ranchers must prove depredation primarily through subcutaneous hemorrhaging, which is blood that forms under the skin. In the harsh desert climate, where heat and scavengers can quickly degrade a carcass, that standard is often unrealistic and unworkable. Before 2023, Federal policy allowed multiple forms of evidence to confirm depredation. My amendment simply restores that commonsense approach. It ensures that ranchers are not denied reimbursement because of overly narrow and impractical rules. This is about fairness. It is about recognizing real-world conditions on the ground. It is about standing with men and women who feed this country. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, No. 16, and pass the farm bill. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I will address the gentlewoman first. Obviously, the previous standards were used from 2004 to 2022 by George W. Bush and Obama and at the beginning of Biden's term. If the Democrats disagreed, did they disagree with Obama's agricultural policy, as well? Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the full committee chairman.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, once again, I am only asking for fairness because what we see on the ground is that there were other ways of looking at this. They are not asking for handouts. They are just wanting to be treated fairly. Mr. Chair, I ask for my amendment to be adopted as well as the farm bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and in support of my amendment No. 18. This bipartisan, commonsense amendment puts guardrails on taxpayer dollars by restricting USDA funding for animal research conducted in adversarial nations like China and Russia, countries that pose clear risks to our national security. In recent years, Americans have seen the consequences of risky, unaccountable research conducted overseas. Despite these lessons, Federal dollars are continuing to flow to foreign labs, including collaborations tied to entities associated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. My amendment ensures that does not happen without serious consequences or justification. It prohibits USDA funding for such research unless there is a compelling national security or public and animal health need and requires Congress to be notified in advance. This is about accountability. It is about safeguarding taxpayer dollars. It is about ensuring American resources are not used in frivolous ways that could undermine our own safety. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment No. 18 and pass the farm bill. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, obviously the gentlewoman is not understanding the amendment. My amendment ensures that it does not happen without serious justification. Yes, you can share information, but you also have to have the parameters. I am a dentist, so I understand these things. You have to have the parameters and safety aspects, which were not followed in the Wuhan COVID-19 situation. Mr. Chair, with that, you need the proper protocols and the proper aspects. It still allows for the public financing of doing that, but it has to be justified. That is what we want: accountability and transparency. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson), the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, once again, affording this type of legislation is about affording COVID or the Wuhan virus or anything else that may come about this, so we have to make sure that we are accountable to the scientific methodology, to the patients, to the public, and to the citizens of this country. This is about fairness, and it is also about transparency and accountability. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, we have heard this song and dance over and over again: No mining. That is big key because my State of Arizona has taken the brunt of this. This CRA needs to be done away with because we have to have that ability. The predecessor of the gentleman across the way advocated no mining. In fact, he used a national monument, disgracefully, to actually bring in a tin-silver mine. Yes, that is bad, but we can have our cake and eat it too. That is technology. Mr. Speaker, if you look at the Boundary Waters that everyone is debating, we have Canada actually doing gold mining up here with more toxic chemicals. Have they had a break? I don't think so. I am wondering what makes the difference here. It is not in my backyard. I sit on the Natural Resources Committee. We kept asking the other side, the opposition: Where would you like to have it? Have you been to a mine? Yes. Guardians actually made that comment. I said: Which mine did you go to? They actually said: Resolution Copper. I said: Really? How did you like the information and the precautions that you have to take going down in the pit that takes 20 minutes on an elevator? Obviously, they had to rescind it because they didn't go down there. There have been problems from way past, but that has been 100 years ago. We have technology like this I am holding in my hand that will actually take away any oil and anything that comes out. That is where our future is, but to bind this up where you don't have a future is the wrong answer. This CRA needs to go back and get serious about mining.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today like every other person with a heavy heart to honor the life of my dear friend and colleague, the gentleman, the giant from California, Doug LaMalfa. Doug was a devoted public servant, a fierce advocate for rural America and the West, and a man who deeply loved his country and the people that he was honored to represent. As a lifelong resident of northern California, he understood the land, the communities, and the values of his district in a way that cannot be taught, only lived. He fought tirelessly for the farmers, the ranchers, and the communities too often ignored by the coastal elites, and he did so with candor and conviction and a sense of humor that made even the hardest days feel better. Doug was more than a colleague. He was a friend. He was a brother. His leadership, his wisdom, and his heart for service will be deeply missed. Doug's legacy of faith and service and love endures. Lord, accept this gentle giant, this dedicated giant, Doug LaMalfa. May his family have the goodwill to know that he lies in your comfort.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Magistrate Jeffrey Singer and the ten-year anniversary of the Kingman Veterans Treatment Court--a model of justice, accountability, and compassion for those who have served our Nation. Founded on December 9, 2015, Judge Singer's vision created a specialized court that confronts the challenges many veterans face when returning to civilian life, including mental health struggles, addiction, and the lingering wounds of combat. Instead of allowing these challenges to lead to a cycle of punishment, the Kingman Veterans Treatment Court offers structured treatment, peer mentorship, and a path toward stability and dignity. The results speak for themselves. Over the past decade, 130 veterans have graduated from the program, gaining access to critical resources such as mental health care, substance use treatment, housing support, and employment assistance. Recidivism has dropped, families have been strengthened, and the community has benefited from veterans who return not only as productive citizens, but often as mentors guiding others through the same journey. Most importantly, this court embodies a fundamental principle: we do not abandon those who served our country. Judge Singer's leadership, along with the dedication of the court's team and volunteer mentors, has transformed lives and reaffirmed our community's commitment to every veteran who needs a second chance. On this milestone anniversary, I offer my sincere appreciation to Magistrate Singer and all who make the Kingman Veterans Treatment Court a success. Their work honors our veterans, strengthens our community, and sets a lasting example of what justice can achieve when it leads with both accountability and compassion.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, energy security is national security. As the 119th Congress works to protect and strengthen America's energy backbone, we have a responsibility to ensure our decisions are informed, transparent, and grounded in vigorous oversight. The American people expect us to safeguard the systems that power their homes, businesses, and daily lives. My amendment is straightforward and common sense. It directs the Secretary of Energy to identify any vulnerabilities to our domestic energy grid that may arise from noncitizens' access to U.S. facilities that generate or transmit electricity. That is it. It creates no prohibition, no hiring restrictions, and no burdens on industry. It simply asks for information, information Congress needs to do its job. The numbers alone underscore the importance of this issue. According to the report, the Department of Energy's 2024 Energy Employment by State report, my great State of Arizona employs more than 135,000 energy workers, including 25,000 in power generation and another 25,000 in transmission. Comparably, in Texas, 1 million Americans work in the energy sector. These are enormous workforces operating critical infrastructure that keeps our country moving. Under Article I, Section 8, Congress has clear constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate and interregional commerce. Electricity, the last time I looked, doesn't stop at State lines. Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 3062, the Proposing Cross- Border Energy Infrastructure Act, to streamline energy transmission across our international borders. As we take steps to expand and modernize our energy systems, we must ensure our oversight keeps pace. By requiring the Secretary of Energy to periodically review access to critical facilities and notify Congress if any of these vulnerabilities are found, my amendment enhances that oversight. If risks exist, we address them. If they don't, the Department of Energy can focus its efforts on more pressing threats from our adversaries like China and Russia. Mr. Chair, this is responsible governance. It strengthens transparency, fortifies national security, and ensures Congress remains fully informed about potential threats to the grid. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Chair, I think the gentleman is suffering from power phobia, but this is a report. That is all it is, a report. I think the old wives' tale actually says it best: ``An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'' This is a report. It has nothing to do with immigration or immigration-like actions. It is a simple report. If you do your oversight right, you better be following these reports. You better be finding where those little glitches may be, and this is one of those aspects. Mr. Chair, I ask that everyone vote for this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 133) requesting the Secretary of the Interior to authorize unique and one-time arrangements for displays on the National Mall and the Washington Monument during the period beginning on December 31, 2025, and ending on January 5, 2026, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to congratulate our newest colleague and our fellow Arizonan on her swearing in as the Representative for Arizona's Seventh Congressional District, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva. Congresswoman Grijalva has concentrated her career on issues advocating for students and supporting families. As she follows in her late father's footsteps--and, boy, those are some footsteps, especially with those bolo ties, wow--I have no doubt she will bring to the Halls of Congress the same energy that has defined her years of public service. As dean of the Arizona congressional delegation, I wish to congratulate Congresswoman Grijalva and welcome her to the United States House of Representatives. I now yield to the gentleman from Mr. Arizona (Mr. Stanton), my friend.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 719, Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charles ``Charlie'' James Kirk. Charlie Kirk was a patriot, a Christian, and a tireless activist who traveled America engaging young people in civil discourse. Charlie was doing what he loved: building a platform to share his faith in Jesus Christ and welcoming peaceful political dialogue and public debate before his life was cut short by a radicalized monster. Charlie considered Arizona his home, but he poured his heart and soul into America, a country he so loved. He was a force of nature. He changed the course and direction of this country. Charlie was also my friend. Words cannot describe the loss that we feel. His voice, conviction, and friendship will be dearly missed. America will never be the same. We owe Charlie this honor. As he had asked, and this resolution helps to ensure, Charlie will be forever remembered by his courage and faith in Jesus Christ. Godspeed, my friend.

Mr. GOSAR

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 131) to make certain modifications to the repayment for the Arkansas Valley Conduit in the State of Colorado, as amended.