J. Hill

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. I encourage my colleagues to support S. 450. I thank my friend, Mr. Davis of Parkdale, Arkansas, for his testimony. Parkdale is a great city in our southeast corner of Arkansas. I thank Chairwoman Waters for her passionate support of this bill. This is a bill that has the universal support of people on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 450, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 450, a bill that will award, long overdue, the Congressional Gold Medal to Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. It is a pleasure to be on the House floor with Chair Waters to speak in favor of this bill and its strong bipartisan support. On August 28, 1955, a 14-year-old African-American boy was brutally murdered while visiting family in Money, Mississippi, based on nothing more than an accusation, an accusation that he had flirted with a White woman 4 days earlier. This boy's name was Emmett Till. The way Emmett was murdered by the woman's husband and brother are far too gruesome to describe here or in the findings of this bill, but they left a scar on America's history in a way that we will never forget. When Till's body was found, it was so badly disfigured it was nearly unrecognizable, even to Emmett's own family. The only clue they had to identify him was an initialed signet ring. As it happened far too often during this period in our history, authorities tried to expedite his burial to try to make the incident go away. Yet, Emmett's mother, as so eloquently described by Chair Waters, Mamie Bradley insisted that her son's body be sent home to Chicago where he could be properly memorialized. She knew that it was only through her son's mutilated body that the world could truly understand the evil that was perpetrated on her son. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this decision was for her at that time and with those feelings. But it was this decision that prompted Jet Magazine to publish the photo of Emmett; and it was this decision that ultimately led mainstream media to shine a light on the story. I wish I could say that those who murdered Emmett Till were brought to justice but, sadly, and most unjustly, less than 2 weeks after Emmett's body was buried, an all-White jury deliberated for less than an hour and issued a not guilty verdict; this, despite the fact that there was ample eyewitness evidence to the contrary. Despite a lack of immediate justice for this brutal murder, Emmett's mother, Mamie, never stopped drawing attention to her son's murder. As demonstrated by all of us here today, the Till trial brought to light the brutality of the Jim Crow South. Mr. Speaker, S. 450 will honor Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley for the injustice that they suffered, and the bravery shown in the aftermath of this terrible incident in American history. Mr. Speaker, I support S. 450, and I urge my colleagues to support it as well. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Koontz Electric signing day for students committing to the Koontz Promise. The Koontz Promise provides Arkansas River Valley High School students with an immediate career following graduation from a Koontz- operated skilled trade program. Trade programs available for students include construction technology, industrial mechanics, maintenance technology, and welding. The Koontz Electric Company of Morrilton, Arkansas, is a diversified heavy industrial electrical contractor that has noticed a skills gap between the generations. Immediately, they saw an opportunity to set up and train the next generation of young leaders to lessen the skills gap and highlight the opportunities of skilled trades immediately upon high school graduation. On top of guaranteeing prospective students a career, the Koontz Promise also guarantees coverage of all expenses not covered by another funding source. To celebrate and welcome the students who committed to the Koontz Promise, a signing day was held this past September. I applaud Koontz Electric for their initiative in educating the next generation of leaders in the skilled trades, and I look forward to seeing these students achieve great careers in the future.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, as we enter the final weeks of the 117th Congress, it is important that we acknowledge the work that we have done as a body to limit the financial capabilities of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 6899, the Russia and Belarus SDR Exchange Prohibition Act, which passed with bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, and was signed into law by President Biden in October. This bill closes a loophole around Western sanctions by freezing Russia and Belarus out of future International Monetary Fund financing by preventing them from using special drawing rights, known as SDRs, to fund their nefarious activities: The war in Ukraine. We must stay vigilant of the aggressive tendencies of other nations, such as Russia and Belarus, and make sure they are not able to pledge or transfer, that is, cash in those SDRs to fund their terror. It is important that we continue to work together in the new Congress to make sure that aggression is not rewarded and that we are working to limit the financial capabilities of countries who demonstrate their aggression toward another sovereign nation. halting the spread of captagon

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I stand today to recognize the outstanding career of Walter Hussman, Jr., the publisher of the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette. Recently, Walter announced that he will retire from the publication at the end of 2022. Walter's career began with him placing comics in the Camden News for 25 cents an hour all the way to restructuring the Arkansas Democrat, buying the Arkansas Gazette and crafting the State's largest newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Over his career as a publisher, he oversaw many changes, including bringing the Democrat-Gazette into the digital age, for which he was recognized with national attention. During his announcement of retirement, Walter shared that it is time now for the next generation. Walter is an example of the American Dream, how hard work and dedication to your craft can lead to a long, prosperous career. Congratulations, Mr. Hussman, on your outstanding career, your evidence as a mentor and a role model, and I wish you a well-deserved retirement. Nigeria Country of Particular Concern

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise to applaud the inclusion of the CAPTAGON Act in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. The production and sale of the dangerous narcotic Captagon is being used as a major revenue source, fueling the regime and the war machine of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. It is this illicit activity that has allowed them to ignore U.S. sanctions and continue to oppress the people of Syria and export terror. By using an interagency task force, including the Department of Defense and the Drug Enforcement Administration, our CAPTAGON Act will design a strategy to be able to disrupt and dismantle the trafficking networks that are fueling terror in Syria and across the region. While both the State Department and the White House have failed to include Syria in their list of major illicit drug-producing countries for FY 2023, I applaud this Congress for taking this key step in making sure more illegal drugs are not able to make it through Europe, through the Middle East, or even into the United States by working toward halting the spread of Captagon around the world. Retirement Wishes for Walter Hussman, Jr.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge the President and our Secretary of State to rectify their mistake of not designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern as it relates to religious liberty. Having the ability to practice religion without fear is one of our most basic principles needed to create a strong and stable nation. Under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the President is required to review the status of religious freedom in every country of the world. Any country that is seen to have consistently and violently violating their citizens' religious freedom must be labeled a Country of Particular Concern. Over the last 2 years, Nigeria is a nation which hits every troubled benchmark listed in this act. And yet, Madam Speaker, it has been left off the list. Over the past 2 years, violence targeted against Christians has steadily increased. So labeling Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is a vital step in working toward stability in Nigeria, better partnerships with the United States, and a step toward international religious liberty for all. Congratulating Leslee Tell--Fulbright Fellowship Award

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Governor Asa Hutchinson and recognize his accomplishments as the 46th Governor of my home State of Arkansas. Governor Hutchinson began his career in service when President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the position of U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Afterwards, he went on to serve three successful terms in this Chamber, representing the fine citizens of Arkansas' Third Congressional District. During his third term in Congress, President George W. Bush appointed him as Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration and later as an Under Secretary in the newly created Department of Homeland Security. Governor Hutchinson has been instrumental in aiding our families by cutting taxes by over $250 million and signing into law legislation that exempts the retirement pay of veterans from State income tax. Governor Hutchinson has been a great advocate toward enhancing computer science education in our State. His leadership led Arkansas to be the first State in the Nation to pass legislation requiring every public school to teach computer science courses. This has further encouraged our students to pursue pathways and become innovators. He has also served as an advocate for our Little Rock Venture Center, entrepreneurship, and enhancing venture and startup ecosystems across our State. During his time as Governor, he has enhanced Arkansas' reputation as a business-friendly State, which has attracted companies to make the Natural State their latest location and existing companies to expand their business, creating more career opportunities for our citizens. Over the past 8 years, the Governor and I have partnered on many projects that have benefited the constituents of the Second District of Arkansas. Governor, I am grateful for your steady hand during the COVID-19 pandemic and for your dedication to our State. Governor Hutchinson is a true public servant who worked every day to make our State a better place. Asa, your leadership will be missed, and your hard work not forgotten. Martha and I send our very best wishes to you and Susan for that next chapter. congress must work to limit aggression by countries

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Leslee Tell, of Conway High School, who has recently been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship for the spring of 2023. Mrs. Tell has taught in Conway schools since 2006 where she originally taught students home economics, eventually moving on to her current subject, a broader one, family consumer sciences. The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program offers educators the opportunity to teach abroad for a semester. In just a few months, Mrs. Tell will be on her way to Vietnam where she will be teaching home economics at a local public high school. I visited with Leslee and her colleagues, and she is so excited about this opportunity, not only the impact on her but her impact on those students. I look forward to learning about her journey, the positive impact that she will make and what she learns from those kids in her class. Congratulations, Leslee. We look forward to following your time in Vietnam and sharing your success. Crisis at the Border

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, as we end this calendar year, I rise once again to bring attention to the crisis at our southwest border. In 2022, over 2 million migrants were encountered at our southwest border; the highest number in American history. Just 2 months ago, there were over 230,000 migrant encounters at our border. On top of this number, it is estimated that roughly 64,000 illegal immigrants evaded apprehension in October, and 70,000 evaded in November. For over a year and a half now, there have been over 150,000 illegal border crossings each month. Those numbers are higher than ever. Madam Speaker, 98 individuals on the Terrorist Screening Database were apprehended at the southern border; more than the last 5 years combined. Over the last 2 years, the Biden administration has repeatedly repealed effective Trump-era policies that kept our border and our Nation more secure. Despite claims from Secretary Mayorkas saying otherwise, the Biden administration does not have operational control over our border. During a recent visit to Arizona, President Biden claimed that there were ``more important'' things to do than visit the southern border. Madam Speaker, the President is in Arizona. What is more important than a morale-boosting visit to our men and women at Customs and Border Patrol? What is more important than keeping our border secure? Well, apparently, the President's 49 trips to Delaware, or maybe the President's 8 trips to go get ice cream were more important. Madam Speaker, I urge this President to take a trip to our southwest border, see for himself, meet with our agents working on the border, and see the reality of the crisis that his administration has created. Opioid Crisis Impacting America

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the opioid crisis impacting all Americans. Opioids, such as illicit fentanyl, are flooding across our open borders and sweeping across our Nation and into every town and city. In fiscal year 2022, 14,700 pounds of illicit fentanyl were confiscated at our southern border. How much came across that wasn't confiscated? Over 75,000 Americans lost their lives last year to opioid overdoses, many of them accidental. To help combat this, I introduced the Preventing Overdoses and Saving Lives Act this year, alongside my friend and colleague, Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan. This legislation was inspired by my home State of Arkansas, which currently encourages prescribers of opioids to also co-prescribe an opioid overdose reversal medication, such as naloxone. This summer, that legislation passed the House in a bipartisan mental health package. Madam Speaker, I am hopeful my colleagues in the Senate will work to move this valuable piece of legislation forward because the data is clear--co-prescribing helps save lives. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, as inflation continues to wreak havoc on the wallets of our hardworking families, I rise today to urge the Federal Reserve to stay the course and win the fight against this insidious inflation. Our economy is in this troubling situation of coping with a four- decade high in prices due to three core reasons: First, the Biden administration's wasteful spending, pouring an avalanche of loose money into an economy struggling with getting folks back to work and supply chain woes. Madam Speaker, our fiscal 2023 spending is running 25 percent greater than just before the pandemic; 25 percent more on an annual basis. If you include all President Biden's new spending spree, it is running $1.3 trillion higher per year. I wish Chairman Powell back in 2021 had agreed with former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and opposed this massive, unfunded fiscal stimulus. Next, the Biden administration's war on energy and employment has made it harder to get people back to work and harder to find and produce the badly needed oil and gas, get it out of the ground and on its way to heat our homes, fuel our communities, and support our allies in Europe. Finally, the Federal Reserve itself kept interest rates too low for too long while also purchasing trillions of dollars in government securities. Now the Fed is left playing catch-up in the hopes of beating inflation in the short run without damaging our economy in the long run. Madam Speaker, I have a better approach. Earlier this year, alongside the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds), my friend and colleague, I introduced H.R. 7209, the Price Stability Act. This legislation would ensure that our central bank focuses exclusively on its principal mandate of price stability. This bill repeals the 1970s so-called dual mandate whereby the Fed is conflicted, supposedly focused on price stability but also maintaining a growing economy. Madam Speaker, the legislative branch and the executive branch should have that responsibility for policies that promote economic growth and a well-trained workforce with more job opportunities. The Fed should focus exclusively on price stability. Now, I welcome the Federal Reserve's current efforts to mitigate inflation, and I urge Chairman Powell and his colleagues to avoid distraction and ensure their efforts are successful. Inflation is a thief, and it hurts our hardworking families, our seniors, and those on fixed incomes. It is vital that the Federal Reserve focus on containing inflation and steer clear of economic policy fads. recognizing arkansas governor asa hutchinson

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I, too, thank my friend from Texas for his inspirational recitations of these outstanding young people who seek an appointment to the military academy. There is no more optimistic and positive aspect of being a Member of Congress than making those appointments. I thank him for his service. I also want to echo our thanks from both sides of the aisle to the Chaplain, the Clerk of the House, the Sergeant at Arms, the minority and majority cloakrooms, and our brave stenographers who sit here for hours taking down every inspirational word. We thank them for their service in this Congress. Madam Speaker, in October, as the first frost touched Ukraine, Vladimir Putin turned 70 years old. That week, Russian chess champion and activist Garry Kasparov spoke at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, the scene of Churchill's famous ``Iron Curtain'' speech. Garry Kasparov declared: Thirty years of making concessions that were intended to keep the peace have only postponed the war. Appeasement, Madam Speaker, never works. Kasparov went on to say: The price of stopping a dictator always goes up. It may seem expensive today, but it is only going to be more tomorrow. It is critically important that we build a consensus to support the Ukrainian people and their government in their valiant efforts to reject Putin's rapacious invading Army. This illegal invasion and Putin's wanton war crimes have been rejected by the world. This is evidenced by votes in the General Assembly of the United Nations and the ejection of Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council. It is evidenced by Sweden and Finland petitioning to join NATO. It has been evidenced by a global coalition of nations supporting the Ukrainian people with humanitarian assistance and military aid. But in order to maintain and enhance that global coalition of citizens and their elected representatives, it is critical that we provide a great deal more information and oversight to that humanitarian and military assistance. Only together can we help Ukraine eject the bully and free its people. I support the idea of a special inspector general to oversee U.S. military and humanitarian assistance, coordinating with the very active and existing inspector general programs at the Department of Defense and Department of State. This is common sense. American taxpayers need to ensure full transparency and accountability for our financial support. Likewise, in my view, the Biden administration has done a poor job explaining to Congress the over 100 billion euros in support of Ukraine from all the countries of the world, including the United States. That is, they should provide Congress detailed assessments of what funding has been provided to Ukraine, both military and humanitarian, from the European Commission, individual member states of the European Union, and other nations from around the world, such as our great friend and ally, Japan. It is important for us, in assessing our own contributions to freedom in Ukraine, to assess and encourage our friends, allies, and partners to do as much as they can, maybe more, and as effectively as possible. We are all in the boat pulling mightily in the same direction, but we need that detail and transparency. Madam Speaker, in that regard, I was reflecting on my prior government service as a Treasury Department official during the administration of George H. W. Bush. On August 1, 1990, Iraq was invaded by Kuwait and within 12 hours was in full control of that country. President Bush denounced the invasion and stated clear and effective principles: First, to seek the immediate, unconditional, and complete withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait; next, to restore Kuwait's legitimate government; and, finally, to remain committed to the security and stability of the Persian Gulf region. Backed by a Security Council resolution at the U.N., the Bush administration set about to carry out those objectives. It is important to note the extraordinary leadership of then Secretary of State Jim Baker, Secretary of Treasury Nick Brady, Deputy Secretary of State Larry Eagleburger, and the Undersecretary of Treasury David Mulford. They all worked as a team and built an extraordinary coalition to raise the financing for this global effort to stop Saddam Hussein and his illegal invasion. U.S. forces ultimately deployed over 600,000 military personnel alongside more than 200,000 troops from our allies. Secretaries Baker and Brady and their teams visited selected countries and developed the financial resources to effectively fund Kuwait's liberation. More than 90 percent, Madam Speaker, of the United States' incremental costs were reimbursed by our allies. This work was inspirational then and now. I call on Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Yellen to craft an active and effective campaign to globally bring forward even more diverse, comprehensive financial resources to support Ukraine and their valiant fight to inject the invader. This campaign will be essential to see the financial burden shared widely among all peace-loving countries of the world. The Federal Reserve and Price Stability

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise to mourn the loss of my good friend, Dr. Terry Yamauchi, who passed away last month. As a young boy growing up during the Second World War, he and his mother were interned at a Japanese relocation camp in Idaho. Following this, he and his family moved frequently for his father's career, including a 2-year stint in Japan while his father was a U.S. Treasury representative. Dr. Yamauchi graduated from the University of Oregon Medical School in 1967 and completed his post-doctoral training at the UCLA School of Medicine. After a few years at UCLA, the doctor joined UAMS, the University of Arkansas Medical School, and Arkansas Children's Hospital, where he practiced for over 40 years. Throughout his distinguished career, he authored over 300 medical papers and book chapters over pediatric and infectious disease. He served as the director of the Department of Human Services for Governor Bill Clinton. Terry's service to our community will not be forgotten. My prayers are with his wife of 55 years, Alison, his children, and grandchildren.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the educators of central Arkansas who have been named finalists for Arkansas Teacher of the Year for 2023. This year, Amber Leaton of Bryant High School and Capri Salaam of North Little Rock Middle School were recognized for extraordinary commitment to their students and enhancing the quality of education across central Arkansas. These educators have demonstrated their dedication to the success and well-being of their students by teaching with innovation while promoting character education and civic engagement in the classroom. Our educators are vital to the preparation of our future generation. I thank these teachers for their exemplary example and profound impact in the lives of hundreds of students. Later this fall, after classroom visits, the selection committee will name the next Teacher of the Year. I wish Amber and Capri well and look forward to the long-lasting impressions that they make on their students.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Mr. Hice, and the chairwoman for this time. Mr. Speaker, I do indeed rise today in support of H.R. 6080, the bill to designate the U.S. Post Office at 5420 Kavanaugh Boulevard in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the Ronald A. Robinson Post Office. Ron, as he was known, was truly larger than life. Ron was born on April 3, 1943, and he passed away August 14, 2018, at 75 years old. Ron lived an extraordinary life that included serving with distinction as an Air Force captain, communications professional, and an avid stamp collector. Ron attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he earned his degree in journalism. While studying journalism, he was a sportswriter covering the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Arkansas Gazette. He was also editor of the University of Arkansas newspaper, The Arkansas Traveler. In 1966, Ron attended the Boston University Graduate School of Public Communications to study public relations. Ron joined the Air Force, and he served as an officer for nearly 5 years. During his time in the Air Force, he rose to the rank of captain. His assignments included being the head of internal information for the nationwide Air Force ROTC program. He was also chief of combat news and the director of information for the Defense Intelligence Agency's Aeronautical Chart and Information Center. Ron earned a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam. He also earned the Air Force Commendation Medal for his support of 1969 Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. After his career as a sportswriter and Air Force captain, Ron became a PR expert at Cranford, Johnson. Out of his public relations career, Ron was an avid collector of Arkansas political and historical memorabilia, U.S. postage stamps, and vintage movie posters. His house was literally a museum. Ron began collecting stamps as a boy. He loved history and pop culture. Stamps were able to connect both of these interests for Ron Robinson. In 1993, Ron was appointed to the U.S. Postal Service's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee by the U.S. Postmaster General. The U.S. Postal Service's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee recommends new postage stamps to the Postmaster General. Serving on that committee was the role of a lifetime for Ron Robinson. It was an incredible honor for him, and he treasured every moment of his 15 years. He served as chair of the committee from 2005 to 2008, when, as noted, over that period of time he was involved in the creation and development of 1,750 postage stamps. Some of Ron's favorites are here with us: 1996 Fulbright Scholarship stamp; the 2001 Hattie Caraway, the first woman elected to the United States Senate; and the 2005 Little Rock Central High School civil rights stamp. Ron was able to use his influence to ensure that Arkansas was the subject of many newly issued postage stamps. Ron's work and love for stamps made him an influential figure in the city of Little Rock and our State of Arkansas. He was a father, mentor, and good friend to many, including me. Ron was well-known for being a prolific writer, and he would write hundreds of handwritten thank you notes and cards to his friends for encouragement throughout his life. He enjoyed writing those notes and placing the postage stamp on the envelope himself. Ron's love for postage stamps and his work on the Postal Service's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee makes him the ideal citizen--as my friend, Mr. Hice, noted--to lend his name to his neighborhood post office after recognition of his lifetime of service to Arkansas and the United States. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, and I thank my friends on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my two friends from New Jersey for managing the floor, and I thank my good friend, the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Brendan F. Boyle) for working with me on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I do rise in support of H.R. 6265, the CAPTAGON Act. I really appreciate Chairman Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul shepherding this legislation through the committee and now to the House floor. As I said, Congressman Boyle and I worked collectively on this over the past year, and I appreciate his leadership on our Friends of Syria Caucus. The decade of destruction and deteriorating human rights situation in Syria is well known. But just look at the poster next to me for a snippet of the headlines coming out of the region as it relates to this poison, this drug, Captagon. In addition to regularly committing war crimes against his own people, the Assad regime in Syria has now become a narco state. Narcotic production and trafficking in Syria and its neighbors have become more expansive and more widespread. The current epicenter of the drug trade is in territory controlled by the Assad regime. This has been well known now for at least 2 years. Yet despite that, just last week the State Department and White House failed to include Syria in their required determinations of major drug transit and major illicit drug producing countries. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter dated July 15, 2022, from Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, Representative Brendan Boyle, and myself to Secretary Blinken urging that Syria be added to this determination. Washington, DC, July 15, 2022. Hon. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, Department of State. Dear Mr. Secretary: We are writing to respectfully request that your administration review and determine whether Syria meets the criteria of a ``major illicit drug producing country'' or ``major drug-transit country'' as defined in sections 481(e)(2) and 481(e)(5) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. Sec. 2291(e)(2) and Sec. 2291(e)(5)). Elements of the Assad regime and regime-affiliated networks have reportedly engaged in state-sponsored amphetamine production and trafficking. We have seen a troubling increase in Captagon exports from Assad regime-affiliated networks relying on a robust pharmaceutical sector and smuggling routes between Syria and neighboring countries. This uptick has also coincided with increased Assad-affiliated Captagon seizures globally. Not only is this trade a potential source of revenue for elements of the Assad regime and its affiliates, but the industrial-scale amphetamine production represents a security threat to the region itself, particularly as Captagon production can become methamphetamine with a few changes to the production process. In response, the House of Representatives designed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 to encourage your administration to develop a multi-agency strategy to disrupt and dismantle these networks. The Joint Explanatory Statement for the FY2022 NDAA noted that ``the Captagon trade is a cause of instability in the Middle East that has negative implications for the national security of the United States and its allies and partners. We support development of a strategy to guide appropriate action against narcotics production and trafficking and affiliated networks linked to the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.'' As you know, section 706 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (P.L. 107-228) requires that the President submit an annual report no later than September 15 of each year that identifies each country determined by the President to be a major drug transit country or major illicit drug-producing country. In its most recent report, the White House did not list Syria among the 22 countries identified as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries. If a country is designated as having ``failed demonstrably'' in its counternarcotics commitments, the United States must cease providing certain categories of foreign assistance (as defined in section 481(e)(4) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; 22 U.S.C. Sec. 2291(e)(4)) to such country unless the President determines that the provision of such assistance is vital to U.S. national interests or that the country, at any time after the President's initial report to Congress, has made ``substantial efforts'' to comply with the counternarcotics conditions in the legislation. This prohibition does not affect narcotics-related assistance and humanitarian assistance (i.e., disaster relief assistance, assistance involving the provision of food or medicine, and assistance for refugees). We, therefore, request that you determine whether the Government of Syria meets the criteria for designation as a major drug transit country or major illicit drug-producing country. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. We look forward to receiving your expeditious response. Sincerely, Roger Marshall, United States Senator. Brendan Boyle, Member of Congress. French Hill, Member of Congress.

Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, this recent omission tracks with the administration's diplomacy disconnect from our American values. First, earlier this year, State erred and did not include Nigeria, leaving them off as a country of particular concern for religious freedom. And now it is Syria left off as a major drug-producing country. Mr. Speaker, this is why this bill is so critical and important at this time. We need an all-of-Government approach to addressing the Assad regime's drug production and trafficking. Captagon has already reached Europe, and it is only a matter of time before it reaches our shores. If we do not work with our like-minded partners to first hinder the narcotics trade and replace it with a working system of institutions that serve the Syrian people, then Assad will, in fact, add the title drug kingpin to his recognized global status as a leading mass murderer. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this important bill.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition of what I call the Inflation ``Production'' Act. There are obvious problems of increasing taxes in a recession, expanding Obamacare, innovation killing price controls on drugs, and its attacks on American energy. Hard working families, farmers, and small business owners in central Arkansas are going to bear the brunt of citizens being audited at the highest rates due to more than doubling the size of the IRS and it's increase in funding. What do we think the IRS is going to do with this increase in staff and $45 billion in new enforcement funding? No agency needs six times its current funding to answer phone calls and improve customer service. I have seen claims that as long as you don't cheat on your taxes then you have nothing to worry about. Clearly, they have never faced the harassment and excruciating process of an IRS audit. We must defeat this legislation.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work of the artists who make up the North Central Arkansas Artist League. The league recently debuted a new art exhibit, currently on display at the Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton through August 17th. The exhibit is made up of 43 original pieces of art, created by local artists inspired by ``Summer Fun''. Subjects include landscapes, florals, wildlife, and portraits. All artwork is made from oils, acrylics, watercolors, and charcoal. I commend the North Central Arkansas Artist League on another successful exhibit, and I encourage all to spend an evening in Clinton, admiring the work of our local artists.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 8589 to prohibit the Securities and Exchange Commission from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing its proposed climate rule. Now, Madam Speaker, it is the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is not the securities and environment commission. Last night, we had the pleasure of playing baseball. I am glad to see my colleagues up early this morning to be on the House floor. It was a great game. I was proud to see the right team won, but we are once again back on the floor talking between Republicans and Democrats, Republicans being the party for growth, opportunity, and liberty, and the House majority, the Democrats, doubling down, Madam Speaker, on dumb in the midst of inflation, runaway spending, failed energy policy, and open borders. Today, as the winds of recession and stagflation blow, House Democrats are here to talk about higher taxes and higher crippling regulations on job creators. There is no evidence that there is any lack of knowledge in public companies that they have an obligation under the existing securities laws to disclose material impact from anything to do with climate change, and there is zero evidence that they are unaware of climate change and are not talking about it on a regular basis with their shareholders, their boards, and their employees. Now, the Securities and Exchange Commission has three mandates: investor protection, maintaining orderly markets, and capital formation. But rather than focus on those three missions, Gary Gensler, the chairman of the SEC, is typical of this administration: a Big Government, nanny state supervisor who is going beyond his statutory authority and delving in and trying to become, as I argue, a climate czar. His proposal has been met with significant substantive rejection. Ninety-one advocacy groups just last week, including the Farm Bureau, community bankers in every State of the country, and the Job Creators Network wrote the Small Business Committee chairman and ranking member their opposition to this proposal, and that it should be withdrawn. Alfredo Ortiz, the president of Job Creators Network, said: The SEC's proposed rule would be an unnecessary and costly burden on America's small businesses, at a time when we are dealing with ``Bideninflation'', higher interest rates, and a supply chain crisis. Now, Madam Speaker, Gary Gensler, the chairman, argues that this proposal is the right thing to do. We argue it is not, that it shouldn't be implemented, and we shouldn't spend any money there to do it. Let me tell you what Nasdaq, the National Association of Securities Dealers--the market system for the growth of our country--wrote Gary Gensler. Now, these people are not anti-climate. They are not climate deniers. They run the Nasdaq marketplace. They wrote: The proposal creates additional disclosure obligations outside of existing frameworks. The proposed timeline for reporting is unreasonable. Prescriptive disclosures are too costly. The Commission itself says this will triple the cost to be a public company. Huh? Triple the cost to be a public company? We don't have enough public companies as there are. The materiality standards deviate from the law. The prescriptive disclosures do not facilitate meaningful comparisons. The prescriptive disclosures create disincentives for companies. And they say that scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions disclosure requirements could harm small private suppliers. Finally, they say that the proposal's timing and scope could harm the initial public offering market. This is an economy that has half the public companies we had in 1980, and this administration and their SEC want to make that even worse and more costly. Let me remind you, the Commission itself tripled the cost to be a public company. Madam Speaker, we have people who are private companies now because they cannot afford to be public. And if we don't have public companies, then we don't have investments in labor union pension plans, we don't have opportunities for investment in our 401(k) plans, we hurt this economy, and we hurt job creators if this proposal is implemented. So it is very easy for me to stand here and argue against it. Finally, I would say that this is part of a longstanding practice of this administration to use every tool they have in the regulatory space to do something that is the prerogative, as my good friend from Pennsylvania said, of Congress.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I want to reiterate this point. This is the responsibility of Congress if we are going to set environment and energy regulatory policy. It is not the purpose of our independent regulatory commissions. Aren't we clear now that the Supreme Court agrees with that position? Just in the last few days they ruled in a case called West Virginia v. EPA which basically says: hey, independent regulatory agencies, stay in your lane. Stay in your lane. Listen to what Congress has written in the statute. And Congress has not written this in a statute, which is why the SEC is way out of line with this proposal, while the Nasdaq market system rejects it, while small businesses reject it, while public company CEOs reject it, and why the Farm Bureau rejects it. As I say, this administration came to power with an idea that this was their number one issue, and you can tell it because the people who worked on the task force to propose this rule are the Chief of Staff at the Treasury Department, the head of the National Economic Council, and the White House staff. All came to Congress with an idea to propose this rule. So I urge my colleagues to support Republicans' efforts to not see this rule implemented and to not fund it. I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for yielding to me.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, listening to the other side, and listening to my friend from Pennsylvania, I hear a lot about uncertainty; that we are not sure what we are here for; we are not sure what we are going to bring up on the House floor. Well, I will tell you what: We are certain that inflation is hurting American families. We are certain that people don't know how to fill up their car; what that is going to cost; what they are going to sacrifice; moving from beef to chicken; working on prescriptions this week, maybe gas next week. So we are certain the American people have inflation, top concern. This bill proposed today will help attack inflation by reducing the costs that will be imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in this act. And I will read, Madam Speaker, from the Task Force on Climate- Related Financial Disclosures, the Bloomberg Commission, and it says: All these efforts must be cost-effective, reliable. They must be comparable across countries, across industries, within industries. And the proposal of SEC does not do that. So I hope that we will be successful in H.R. 8589, which will save the government money. And if we are looking for bills to bring up, I say to my friend from Pennsylvania, I recommend H.R. 7209, which is the Price Stability Act, which will focus the Federal Reserve solely on fighting inflation; not fighting climate change; not fighting socioeconomic disparities, focused on inflation because inflation is a thief. That is what we should be on this floor debating.

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I really don't understand this debate, talking about the PACT Act, my friend from Massachusetts. That has passed the House. Let the Senate do its work. We supported it here. Let's be serious here. I voted for the bill. The Senate is working out some concern they had. They changed the bill. They made the bill that is controversial over there. Let them figure it out. In the Senate, they don't even know that revenue bills originate in the House. It was blue-slipped. They don't really know what they are doing over in the upper Chamber. We know we have the advantage over them on that, but what we are talking about today are bills being considered today. The Speaker is leaving on some foreign trip tonight, so we are rushing around. We don't know why we are here today, and the people deserve to know in advance what we are voting on so we can prepare our arguments. So, it is not about some bill over in the Senate. It is about what bills will be on the floor of the House today.

Mr. HILL

Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the winners of the 2022 Arkansas PBS KIDS Writers Contest. This competition was created to assist in advancing the literacy skills of young children by way of hands-on, active learning. The criteria for which these young authors were judged included originality, creative expression, storytelling, and integration of text and illustrations. Ninety-three students between kindergarten and 3rd grade submitted entries for this year's competition. Submissions were divided by grade, with 3 winners for each group. First place winners from Arkansas Second Congressional District include Abigail Wharton of Conway and Elijah Smith of Benton. Beginning July 6th, all students who entered the competition were given the opportunity to read their stories during a summer learning broadcast series, produced by Arkansas PBS. Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Arkansas PBS KIDS Writers Contest, and I commend all who submitted stories.