Clay Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Reverend Jimmy Swaggart for his 90th birthday. Throughout his life, Reverend Swaggart has been a beacon of faith and inspiration, leaving a legacy through his preaching and ministry. Reverend Swaggart hails from humble beginnings in Ferriday, Louisiana. Early in his career in the 1950's, Swaggart preached throughout rural Louisiana, living in church basements, and homes of pastors. During this time, Reverend Swaggart received an offer to join a record label as a gospel artist but opted instead to follow his calling ``to preach the gospel.'' By 1961, Reverend Swaggart was ordained by the Assemblies of God and began reaching wider audiences through the radio. He also founded his own brick-and-mortar church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Over the following two decades, Reverend Swaggart began telecasting bible studies, Christian music, and his weekend services. 1987 was arguably Swaggart's most influential year on record. Swaggart's TV ministry reached an estimated 510 million people in 145 countries. His sermons and educational programs yielded $150 million a year to his church, bible college, and mail-older business. On a daily basis, donations averaged an astounding $500,000, and Reverend Swaggart poured every penny into delivering the word of God across the world. Reverend Swaggart's influence gained international esteem and influence over the 1990's and 2000's by spreading the Word of God through his remarkable sermons. Today, Jimmy Swaggart Ministries is comprised of the Family Worship Center, Crossfire Youth Ministries, The Evangelist Magazine, Family Christian Academy, and Jimmy Swaggart Bible College (JSBC). Swaggart's SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN) provides Christian programming 24/7 and is available around the world in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The ministries remain headquartered on 270 acres in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries has evolved into a family business with Frances, his wife of 72 years, their son Donnie, and grandson Gabriel. Frances Swaggart embodies unwavering faith, exceptional leadership, and substantial impact on the Work of God, making her a personification of the 31st Chapter of Proverbs. Donnie serves as Executive Vice-President of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and Pastor of the Family Worship Center Church. Donnie has traveled globally evangelizing and teaching from Holland to Papua New Guinea on the Holy Spirit, with his Pentecostal foundation clear in every message. Gabriel Swaggart, President of JSBC and co-pastor of Family Worship Center, has a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts, a Master's in Christian Ministries from Oral Roberts University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Strategic Leadership while managing operations at Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and SBN. At 90 years old, Reverend Jimmy Swaggart continues his dedication to spreading the message of the Bible and Jesus Christ through his ministry. His unwavering commitment to spreading Christ's love has touched the hearts of millions around the world, leading countless people to salvation. Reverend Swaggart's contributions to Christian ministry and broadcasting have left an immeasurable mark on the world of evangelism. Happy birthday to Reverend Swaggart. I greatly commend his dedication to God, to Country, and to the State of Louisiana.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate William P. Mills, III on being named a 2025 recipient of the Horatio Alger Award. Mr. Mills, the president and owner of MPW Enterprises LLC, is one of only 11 corporate, civic, and cultural leaders across the country who have been recognized with the accolade for 2025. The Horatio Alger Award is presented annually to individuals of outstanding character. The award acknowledges a commitment to higher education, charitable efforts, and the overcoming of adversity. Recipients exemplify the Association's values and mission to support young men and women as they pursue the American Dream through higher education. Mr. Mills' life is a testament to hard work and perseverance. He was industrious from a young age, working a paper route, shining shoes, mowing lawns, and bagging groceries. He graduated with degrees in Wildlife Biology and a Master's in Fisheries Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette--paying his way through school by working on Mississippi River dredges each summer. Mr. Mills went on to work in the energy industry before starting his own businesses conducting environmental research and oil and gas exploration. He expanded his business ventures to include real estate management and property development. Success was not pre-determined for Mr. Mills. It was earned through hard work. Beyond his achievements in industry and businesses, Mr. Mills has chosen to give back to his community as a philanthropist. He oversees the Mills Family Foundation, serves on the board of the Stuller Family Foundation, and funds a scholarship at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Each of these commitments provides significant public benefit to the South Louisiana community that I'm honored to represent. Mr. Speaker, Will Mills has also been a trusted friend and counselor for me personally throughout my nine years of service in Congress. His depth of understanding regarding Constitutional issues and his instinctive grasp of the complex details of legislation has been a steady guide as I've endeavored to be worthy of my own responsibility to serve We, the People. Mr. Mills is highly deserving of the 2025 Horatio Alger Award. I'm fortunate to know him and to call him a friend. I thank him for his commitment to our community, and I congratulate him on this prestigious accomplishment.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, due to circumstances outside my control leading to delays in travel, I was unable to be present for votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA Roll Call No. 28 and YEA Roll Call No. 29.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Richard Everett Ricker, a dear friend and brother. Rick Ricker was a legend in Louisiana, and he was kind enough to give me a job when I very much needed one in 1984. Rick Ricker became like a father to me through the years, and our friendship was unbreakable. Honestly Mr. Speaker, I don't believe I would be standing before you today as a Congressional servant to We the People, if Rick Ricker had not guided me through some of the darkest periods of my life. For the last forty years, Rick has always been there for me. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Rick introduced me to my wife Becca almost twenty years ago. I just cannot fully explain how much Rick has meant to me and my family. Rick Ricker was a fighter, and he waged a valiant battle to the very last minute of his life, but RIck has gone home to the Lord. Rick loved golf, and Harley Davidson motorcycles, and fast cars. He drank and laughed and loved life. Rick Ricker lived, Mr. Speaker. He lived an edge of life that most men will never understand, and I can say without doubt that he dearly loved his family. He was so, so proud of his sons and the men that they became, he gave me a thousand updates on them through the years. If pure love is a measure of a man's struggle to be a good father, Rick Ricker set a shining example, because he made it very clear how much he admired and loved his sons. When Rick's wife died, many years ago, he was injured in his heart in a way that changed him forever. Rick and I have just been through so much together. When my father died in August of 1989, I called only two men that night, and one of them was Rick. I cried with him, and he comforted me the way only a loving father can. Richard E. Wicker is survived by his two sons, Brent and Brian; four grandchildren, Amber, Isaiah, Kaleb, and Elora Rickery; three brothers, Fred, Peter, and Jim; one sister, Peggy, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. The virtue and success of his family today will forever mirror the love that Rick had for them. I will miss Rick terribly as my brother. I am prayerful that we will meet again in the kingdom. Lord Jesus, please hold Rick close and cover him with your grace.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill, to honor John Charles Traub, a veteran and postmaster who served his community with honor. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3419, which would honor John Charles Traub by naming a post office in Pennsylvania in his honor, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3419) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1765 Camp Hill Bypass in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, as the ``John Charles Traub Post Office''.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill, to honor Staff Sergeant Rolfing, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our country, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2143, which names a post office in South Dakota for Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing who served with honor. Mr. Speaker, I urge support on both sides of the aisle, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2143) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South 2nd Avenue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as the ``Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing Post Office Building''.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer), the chairman of our committee.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9597) to amend title 41, United States Code, to make changes with respect to the Federal Acquisition Security Council, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. I support the bill, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5301, I urge support across the aisle, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2274, which would name a post office in Wyoming for Dessie A. Bebout, and I encourage support from both sides of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage my House colleagues to support this bill honoring a veteran and a local postmaster, Dessie A. Bebout. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, Congress frequently falls short of the will of we the people. We know this as Representatives. We struggle to do our best. Rarely do we have an opportunity to set things right. I have worked for 8 years on the Social Security Fairness Act, and tonight, it comes to the floor for a vote. Mr. Speaker, tonight, we can repeal the unrighteous law. Tonight, men and women of this Chamber, of this honored body, can recognize the significance of their signature and can honor their own signature and cast a vote in support of H.R. 82. Mr. Speaker, I have watched Congress after Congress after Congress as this bill has been skillfully and deviously killed in every Congress by one means or another. There is an echo through the Chamber of: ``There is a better bill pending. We will get it next Congress. There is a more conservative bill in the Senate. We can't pass this bill. It won't see the light of day in the Senate.'' Mr. Speaker, we shall shine the light of the American people upon this body and upon the Senate. We demand a clean vote. This is why we have forced it. By God, we shall get it. It is totally unrighteous to state that we can use seized and stolen money to address our ledger as a nation. Mr. Speaker, we must stop the unrighteous theft. H.R. 82 has my full and vigorous support. It carries the signatures of over 300 Members of this people's House. I expect its passage tonight.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9592) to amend title 44, United States Code, to modernize the Federal Register, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9592, the Federal Register Modernization Act. Our government must be both transparent and accountable to the American people. Laws requiring proper recordkeeping are vital to both. In 1935 the Federal Register Act established the Federal Register, a daily publication of the Federal Government's activities including Presidential documents, proposed and final rules, and public notices. In other words, the Federal Register provides official notice to the public and Congress that an executive branch document exists. The Federal Register also provides the building blocks for the Code of Federal Regulations, which makes it easier for the American public to find and understand the Federal regulations governing our Nation. In 1994, the Government Publishing Office began publishing the Federal Register online with modern search tools and downloadable content. Congress has recently taken steps to make the Federal Register more efficient by passing the Federal Register Printing Savings Act in 2017. However, additional reforms are still needed to alleviate the Government Publishing Office of the 1935 law's requirement to print and distribute paper copies of the Federal Register every day. H.R. 9592 allows the Government Publishing Office to stop wasting paper and money and instead publish the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations online. The bill also streamlines the process for Federal agencies to transmit official documents to the National Archives, ensuring a more efficient process for making these important Federal documents public. Lastly, the bill provides necessary safeguards so that backup physical copies are properly stored and alternate publication systems can be established in cases of a continuity of government national crisis. Taken together, these reforms will bring the Federal Register into the 21st century and save taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense legislation. I thank my colleague Representative Gerry Connolly for partnering with me to ensure these long overdue reforms get done, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time on this bill, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 9596) to amend title 41, United States Code, and title 10, United States Code, to provide best value through the multiple award schedule program, and for other purposes.