Clay Higgins

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor five members of the Lafayette Police Department (LPD) for heroic actions in the line of duty. For their united display of valor, Corporal Adam Bradford, Corporal Maverick Morvant, Officer Hali Bradford, Officer Alan Cortez, and Officer Raynard Ford have earned their designation as 2024 recipients of the National Association of Police Organizations' ``TOP COP'' award. In the early morning of August 5, 2023, LPD Officers Bradford, Cortez, and Ford responded to a ``Disturbance in Progress'' call. As they arrived on scene, the officers heard a woman cry for help from within the residence. While attempting entry, the perpetrator forced the door shut. Officer Ford promptly breached the door, discovering a young woman and two children, who the officers quickly evacuated. The perpetrator, who had retreated deeper into the residence, reappeared and opened fire on the officers without warning. Officer Bradford was targeted by the perpetrator, incurring injuries that left her paralyzed from the waist-down. Officers Cortez and Ford immediately returned fire with their service weapons, striking the perpetrator multiple times. Meanwhile, Officer Cortez stepped forward to draw fire from Officer Bradford, sustaining gunshot wounds in the process. While bleeding heavily and fighting to remain conscious, Officer Bradford dutifully withdrew from the line of fire, drew her service weapon, and communicated her condition to her colleagues. Still under fire, Officer Ford left cover and rushed to Officer Bradford's aid, dragging her further to safety. LPD Corporal Bradford and Corporal Morvant then arrived on scene, assuming aid of Officer Bradford. With a determination that she could not wait for an ambulance, they placed Officer Bradford in a service vehicle. As Corporal Morvant drove, Corporal Bradford administered first aid. They reached a nearby hospital in just three minutes, where she underwent lifesaving surgery. This lifesaving outcome, despite extraordinarily adverse circumstances, is a credit to the heroism, professionalism, and teamwork of these five police officers. Scripture tells us, ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' Without hesitation, these officers demonstrated such a commitment, in defense of our community and one other. This is emblematic of the very finest of the Thin Blue Line. On behalf of Louisiana's 3rd District, I ask the blessings of our Lord upon Corporal Bradford, Corporal Morvant, Officer Bradford, Officer Cortez, and Officer Ford for their service and sacrifice. God bless them one and all.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Maryland stated that this bill is perhaps unconstitutional. Under our Constitution, he has every right to lead an article III challenge to the constitutionality of this bill, which I expect that they will. My Democrat colleagues love to sue Americans and pursue legislation through the courts. This is actual legislation presented by conservative Republicans to correct a horrible wrong. I rise in support of H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act. While this bill will continue to count every person in the United States, it adds a simple question to the Census: Are you a United States citizen? While the decennial Census must count every person in the United States, which I agree with, Mr. Speaker, the problem is the level of illegal persons that now live in our country because of President Biden's failures at the southern border. It took 240 years to accumulate 30 million illegals living in the United States. In 4 short years, President Biden, under his policies, will have added 15 million. We are talking about 45 million illegal persons living in the United States. That is the equivalent to 60 congressional seats. Now, most of those illegal aliens will be drawn to live primarily in sanctuary states and cities. This thwarts the fair representation of American citizens in the House of Representatives, foundationally altering our representative Republic. This important piece of legislation enables us to fairly and accurately apportion congressional districts based upon equal representation of American citizens. I urge my colleagues to seek the truth and to support this bill.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Myers family of Lafayette, this year's University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) Alumni Association Spring Gala honorees. Mr. Keith Myers and Mrs. Ginger Myers have served as health care industry leaders for decades. In 1994, they co-founded LHC Group in order to address the health care needs of Lafayette's aging rural community. The Myers grew a freestanding single home health agency into a publicly traded company of almost 30,000 employees, now operating in 38 states and the District of Columbia. LHC Group's success, along with its significant mission, must be attributed to the Myers' own virtue. As LHC Group's first nurse, Mrs. Myers established the company's service-based culture. She has worked in a range of nursing and administrative roles in St. Landry Parish; served on LHC Group's board of directors; and helped to establish one of Louisiana's first rural health clinics. She was chair of the Opelousas Woman's Club board; a committee member for the St. Landry/Evangeline American Heart Association Heart Gala; and on the executive committee for Go Red for Women, an American Heart Association fundraiser. For his part, Mr. Myers served as LHC Group's chairman and chief executive officer from the company's inception, up to its merger with Optum. He is currently senior adviser for Optum and chairman and CEO emeritus for LHC Group. Mr. Myers is a co-founder, board member, and current chairman of the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare in Washington, D.C. He is also a co-founder and former board member of the Alliance for Home Health Quality and Innovation. He has served as a CEO member of both the Healthcare Leadership Council and the American Hospital Association. Despite LHC Group's national expansion, the Myers have maintained their dedication to South Louisiana. LHC Group's headquarters are still firmly rooted in Lafayette. The Myers' longstanding commitment to health care and community is exemplified by LHC Group's recent commitment of $20 million, over 10 years, to ULL's College of Nursing & Health Sciences. This investment will bring endowments, scholarships, research initiatives and capital enhancements for nursing and health sciences. On behalf of Louisiana's 3rd District, I commend Keith and Ginger Myers for their generous work, and I thank them for their devotion to South Louisiana.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kansas for yielding. I appreciate the commentary of my friend and colleague, the ranking member of the Oversight and Accountability Committee, Representative Raskin. It may interest you to know, Mr. Speaker, that Representative Raskin and I have worked in the spirit of mutual respect and camaraderie for 8 years now. We have enjoyed many vigorous debates in this body, and I find it encouraging that he has risen enthusiastically now twice in support of my bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7528, the Comment Integrity and Management Act. This bill is essential in the digital age where our constituents engage with us more and more through electronic means. It seeks to safeguard citizens' First Amendment right to participate in the Federal rulemaking process. This participation includes the invaluable process of submitting public comments on proposed Federal rules and regulations, comments that help shape the very fabric of our government. With the advent of digital technology and the rise of artificial intelligence being of increasing import, the channels for such participation have expanded providing broader access but also introducing new challenges. These challenges include computer-generated comments which can obscure genuine public input and hinder our agencies' ability to gauge public sentiment effectively. The cornerstone of this bill is its commitment to ensuring that every comment submitted by electronic means comes from a real person, not an automated program. By requiring human verification, we are taking a significant step towards preserving the authenticity of public input. Furthermore, the Comment Integrity and Management Act equips our agencies with the flexibility and tools necessary to efficiently manage the comments they receive. This includes the authority to identify and process computer-generated and mass comments, ensuring that they are handled transparently and effectively. Additionally, the legislation directs the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on best practices for managing electronic comments and mandates a report for the United States Government Accountability Office on the prevalence and impact of computer- generated comments. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize the importance of adapting our processes to the realities of the 21st century. It is imperative that we ensure every American is heard and that genuine public input is not drowned out by the noise of automation. This bill represents a good government approach to embracing technological advancements while safeguarding the principles of public participation and transparency in the rulemaking process. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to salute the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana for making the administrative rulemaking process up-to-date, rapid, transparent, and effective for all of us so we can keep it going. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding time. I had prepared remarks, but let me just speak from my heart. It is a beautiful gesture that this body can name a post office after our friend and colleague, Luke Letlow, in honor of his service and his dedication to his State and his community and his country, to children of God across the world. Luke was a very special man. It is a gesture to the American families from sea to shining sea, which has suffered loss, including my own. Today, we stand in support of the love of family, and we extend the heart of our Nation by naming one of our oldest institutions, a microcosm of what America is, the Postal Service. To name a post office after Luke is to honor not just his family and his wife, our colleague, Julia, but it is to honor all American families. I thank my brothers and sisters of this august body for allowing this moment where we cherish what it is to be an American, to serve our country and our fellow man, to be part of a family, and to remember those that we have lost.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, as the underlying bill was being developed, those of us on both sides of the aisle were concerned about constitutional protections, the preservation of our representative Republic, and the core principles of individual rights, liberties, freedoms, and privacies that our representative Republic relies upon and our citizenry anticipates and expects, rightfully so, that their Congress shall protect. As the underlying bill was being developed, there were concerns communicated from law enforcement and citizens across the country, at the local level especially, and there began an effort, a very good- faith effort, across the spectrum politically here in this body to address those concerns. That is what my amendment does. The Fourth Amendment specifically calls for probable cause to be necessary for a warrant particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. My amendment seeks to address the concerns of law enforcement. We have sworn an oath to protect our Constitution, but we are bound by duty to protect the communities that we serve. Therefore, legitimate investigations are required. Consistent with that ethic, I propose my amendment to not include as a covered record the following items to ensure that law enforcement has the clarity to know that they will continue to have the tools they need to succeed: Records made available to the general public on social media. This remains available to law enforcement, as clarified by my amendment. Records made lawfully available through government records or widely distributed media. This remains available to local law enforcement and is clarified in my amendment. Records wherein consent has been given by the citizen or the business for the government to access for a background check. This remains undisturbed and is clarified by my amendment. Records generated by public or private ALPRs, automated license plate recognition systems. This is a very important consideration that law enforcement was concerned about. Again, my amendment clarifies and addresses the fact that this right for legitimate investigation through ALPR remains undisturbed. I encourage full support of my amendment from my colleagues. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Nehls), my friend and colleague of the Thin Blue Line.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time is remaining.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, 15 seconds, for a gentleman from Louisiana, is just about enough time to say thank you. Mr. Chair, I encourage support of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Alvin Joseph Picard, a son of South Louisiana who by nature of his service in World War II has been recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal--the highest expression of national appreciation through Congress. Mr. Picard was a native of Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, born on December 9, 1919. He grew up amid the Depression and reached adulthood at a time of national crisis. When America entered the Second World War, Mr. Picard enlisted in the United States Army. He held the rank of Technician Fifth Grade with Signal Company of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. This top-secret unit is now known fondly as the ``Ghost Army.'' The 1,100-man unit was assigned a critical task: to mask and misrepresent the whereabouts, trajectory, and strength of Allied forces in Nazi-occupied France. Operating in the European theater, the Ghost Army was engaged in battlefield operations beginning in June of 1944. The unit's deception strategies were critical to many Allied victories across Europe, including the D-Day landings. As a Cryptographic Technician in Signal Company, Mr. Picard employed ``spoof radio'' to confuse Axis forces and conceal the movements of other Allied troops. His efforts and those of others in the Ghost Army saved countless American lives. Thirty years after the war, a U.S. Army report noted: ``rarely, if ever, has there existed a group of such few men, which had so great an influence on the outcome of a major military campaign.'' While aiding the victory in Europe, the Ghost Army also laid the foundation for modern defense strategies, on which our national security depends. As we confront present threats in psychological, cyber, and information warfare, the legacy of the Ghost Army and soldiers like Mr. Picard endures. Although the Congressional Gold Medal reaches Mr. Picard posthumously, he is survived by a grateful family, community, and country. On behalf of Louisiana's 3rd District, I thank Mr. Picard for his service. May God bless his family and his Veteran Brothers of the Ghost Army.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address the disaster at our southern border. The grief that has been brought upon the American people in the past 3 years is unspeakable. It was brought on strictly by policy change. It is the exact same 1,954 miles of border that we had under President Trump. We have the same equipment, the same men, the same women. We are spending more money. We spent $20 billion more last year than we did 3 years ago. It is not about money. It is not about men or equipment. There is no enhanced desire by the cartels to make money. They traffic human beings and drugs. They have been doing it quite successfully for a long time. We had backed the cartels up very effectively by the time we hit 2019 and 2020 under the Trump administration, under Trump policies. President Biden, once inaugurated, immediately began flipping those policies. This is what has happened. This is why you have had 12 million illegal crossings in 3 years. This is why you have 300,000 Americans dead, from opioids smuggled into our country across the southern border in the past 3 years. It is the number one cause of death for Americans 18-45 years old. We have never had that in the history of our country. It is drug poisoning. Our sovereignty has disintegrated at the southern border. This body, the people's House, acted last year. H.R. 2, the strongest border security measure in the history of Congress, was passed in May of last year with Republican votes and delivered to the Senate. There it gathers dust. What we demand of our colleagues in the Senate that are run by the Democratic Party, what we demand from the Democratic- controlled White House is a clean vote on H.R. 2, the border security bill that was passed by the people's House in May of last year, delivered to the Senate in May of last year. We demand a clean vote. Let America see where does the Senate stand on border security. H.R. 2 is the answer for the crisis that we face, the heartache, wave upon wave of human misery that our Nation has suffered for the last 3 years at the southern border. I appreciate this opportunity to address this ongoing disaster, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, due to flight delays and cancellations from my home state of Louisiana, I was unable to be in attendance for votes on the evening of March 11, 2024. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 79 and NAY on Roll Call No. 80.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Arizona for yielding. Mr. Speaker, we truly live in an interesting time in our country when Americans watch this and they see two lone conservative Republicans, two members of the House Freedom Caucus, standing in an empty Chamber discussing some of the most challenging threats we have ever faced as a nation and what might we do. So I think the answer lies in the simple acknowledgment of the fact that this is not our House. This House belongs to the people, and the people are always present because the people are watching. Americans are quick to forgive and hesitant to condemn. It is in our nature. It is in our DNA. Conservative Americans, particularly, find it difficult to believe that our own Federal Government has, in many instances and across several agencies and departments, become quite weaponized against the people in a regular course of events. Every day, Americans read the headlines about the FBI violation of laws, a DOJ persecution of Americans that does not seem to comply with judicial righteousness. They see our former President's home raided by the FBI, they have friends and neighbors who are raided by the IRS and the ATF or the DOL or the EPA. Americans see this and acknowledge it, but we have been slow to condemn, again, because it is in our nature to be understanding and forgiving, compassionate, and supportive, certainly of some of the most historically admired agencies in the history of our country, like the FBI. So although we, as a nation, as we look at men like Congressman Biggs and myself, we oppose--how dare we--but we oppose the expansion of police state surveillance. This echoes across the land where gradually America is waking up, and it is certainly time to wake up because we don't have too much time left. We could lose this thing if we don't respond now and act now to protect American individual rights, liberties, and freedoms from an ever-encroaching oppressive government. If we don't act, we will lose this thing. Men like Andy Biggs and I know that. That is why we are here alone, Mr. Speaker. That is why we cry out on behalf of the Nation that we love. The moment is coming when Americans across the land from sea to shining sea will say: I understand what is happening, and I condemn it. That moment is coming when Americans will realize that everything we have stored in the cloud is already in the possession of our FBI, DOJ, NSA, and CIA. That moment of awareness is coming, and conservative constitutionalist Republicans like me and my colleagues in the Freedom Caucus are standing in this moment of time not in opposition to Americans who disagree with us, but in support and love for the Americans whom we swore an oath to, to the freedom and the constitutional rights, the civil liberties, the protected right to travel the land and be secure in our persons, our effects, our papers, and our homes as stated by our Founders. We stand for that right, and we are not going to allow American freedoms to be run over by out-of-control, rogue operatives within our Federal Government. So I thank my colleague and friend, Representative Biggs, for allowing me to speak on the floor this day. I support this vigorous debate, and I am confident that America will land on the right side of this thing, so that we can preserve and protect the freedoms that we enjoy in our Republic.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I respect my colleagues across the aisle who have voiced their opposition. It is important that we clarify the legacy that some of us would condemn by impeaching the Secretary responsible for this legacy; and, by contrast, the legacy that my colleagues who oppose the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas will support: 300,000 Americans dead from cartel drugs; 100,000 teenage girls and boys missing, lost by the Mayorkas system into the unspeakable horror of sex slavery networks across the filthiest corners of criminal organizations in our cities; American sovereignty disintegrated, American soil lost to cartel human and drug trafficking bases; Millions of single military-aged men from over 100 countries unvetted, released into our country, creeping into every corner of American society, every city, every town; Our schools overrun by illegals granted free access to American education infrastructure in hundreds of reports with no room left for our children; Hundreds of thousands of violent criminals released into our Nation, despite Federal law stating that DHS shall detain known criminals who enter America illegally; A thousand or more known or suspected terrorists allowed to pass freely into the heart of our Nation, into my State, into yours. This is the legacy of Alejandro Mayorkas. By our oath, we must impeach this man who has presented an arrogant, defiant tone of denial and lies to Congress for 3 years, seemingly content or even proud to destroy America day by day. So it is that on this day, it shall be written in the historical record of the people's House that Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, has been impeached. So shall it be written, so shall it be done.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 8. Stated against:

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, silence your heart and look into the eyes of this young American. Tomorrow he would have been 101 years old. On December 8, 1941, for his 19th birthday, he got World War II. Like millions of other young men across the country, when the attack on Pearl Harbor was announced the following day after that fateful morning on December 7, this young man stood up, went and joined the Navy. The Navy sent him to flight school. He served his country as a pilot in World War II. He died many years later as I held his hand. This man is my father, George Joseph Higgins. Happy birthday, Dad.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, many times in the course of my life as a military police officer and civilian police officer, I have had occasion to say: Calm down, son. I have heard your argument. I feel your passion. I understand your position, but you are about to go too far. Just calm down and step back. This is what I advise my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do. One of my brothers here, whom I love and respect, he is the man seated here, is making a mistake. Mr. Speaker, one of the gentleman said we should be held to a higher standard. We are talking about the removal of a Member of Congress. Do we want the American people to believe that the opinions of Congressmen is a higher standard than the deliberate vote of the American people? Is a report from a committee a higher standard than the 2-year election cycle as established by our Founding Fathers and enshrined in our Constitution? Let's calm down. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken for 7 years to this body here, and very rarely have I had a prepared statement, nor do I today, but I am going to read a letter that I distributed to my Republican colleagues for the benefit of my Democratic colleagues that did not receive a copy of the letter. Perhaps, I am wrong for that. I considered sending you all this letter. I did not, and I apologize for that. The media has gotten it. It is out there. It reads as follows: ``Although I completely respect the work of our colleagues on the Ethics Committee, I have serious concerns about the way this particular case is being handled, and I'll oppose the George Santos expulsion. ``In the 7 years I've been a Member of Congress, many Members have been subject to campaign expenditure ethics investigations. To my recollection, Members have always had the opportunity to settle the matter by restitution, even if they disagreed with the Ethics Committee conclusions. Further, in many prior instances of allegations of misconduct, I recall no massive media release from the Ethics Committee. After a bit of a whispered brush fire, the matter just went away. Maybe the Member left Congress, maybe the Member didn't leave Congress, but they weren't publicly crucified and expelled. The very fact that we have all read the `investigative report' indicates a level of public character assassination that I have not witnessed through four terms of congressional service. It's troubling to me, that a Republican-led Ethics Committee would present itself as so judgmental. Previous Ethics Committee investigations have always been conducted quietly, reflective of our constitutional standards of innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Reports of similar allegations of campaign finance violations like family vacations overseas and cosmetic dental procedures and sexual adventures of every sort have not historically been released to the public. This particular Ethics Committee investigation seems to be quite public, and I am not seeing any allowance for the Member to make restitution of alleged campaign finance violations. Full media disclosure, combined with intention to move straight to expulsion, appears weaponized to me. ``Colleagues, you can believe what you like, but the 56-page `Investigative Subcommittee Report' is most certainly not written within the parameters normally found in an unbiased, impartial investigative report. It's filled with conjecture, opinion, and pejorative language that no professional investigative report should include, no experienced cop would present to a D.A., and no impartial D.A. would ever present to a court as unbiased. You may accept this report as grounds for expulsion from Congress, but I say no. It's not right, the totality of circumstance appears biased, it stinks of politics, and I'll oppose this action in every way. Perhaps my colleagues should step back from expulsion, look in the mirror, reflect upon the long established historical record of congressional behavior, consider the Founders' intent, and let we the people of New York determine their Representative. This report is posing as an objective presentation of fact, yet it is most certainly written with notable disregard for professional objectivity, and it is wrapped in a media incensed public disclosure that any reasonable man can see is the congressional equivalent of a public crucifixion. I'm stunned that Members would cheer for this public shaming and expulsion. It's like witnessing an otherwise fair and compassionate village gather to celebrate the burning of an alleged witch. ``Since the Civil War, only two Members of Congress have been expelled, and both had been convicted in court of Federal crimes. That's the standard, and the House of Representatives should not deviate from that standard. I'm a solid no on expulsion, and I encourage every Member to carefully consider what kind of precedent we are setting.'' Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to encourage my colleagues sincerely on both sides of the aisle to step back from this expulsion.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, what I ask of my colleagues, again, very respectfully on both sides of the aisle, is to just step back from this moment and reflect upon the sacred right of the American people to determine their representation in our representative Republic. This is not a right that has been enumerated for this Congress. The American people run this thing. I believe the people of the Third District of New York are quite capable of removing Representative Santos if they choose to do so. In the history of our Nation, we have never done what we are poised to do. Since the Civil War, two Members of Congress have been removed by expulsion, both having been convicted of Federal crimes. The people of these United States own the sacred right to remove their Representative. This is reflective of our oath. I say this sincerely to my beloved colleagues, to step back from this egregious act that you have threatened. Reflect upon the American people that we serve, the oath that we have sworn, and allow the people of New York to cast their vote as they see fit. Mr. Speaker, I am prayerful that righteousness will, indeed, touch the heart of every Member of Congress in this consideration, just as I am prayerful that righteousness touches the heart as voting Americans across the country determine who their Representative will be. I have faith that this anointed Nation, touched by the hand of God as our Constitution was debated and developed and the writ thereof was determined, I have faith in that document, and I am prayerful that my colleagues Republican and my colleagues Democrat will grant that sacred right as determined by our Constitution to the people to whom it belongs--in this case, the people of the Third District of New York. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to oppose the expulsion of Representative George Santos.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Chair, I rise in support of amendment No. 112, which reduces the salary of Mr. Christopher Williamson, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Administration, to $1. This measure reflects our concern over the leadership under which questionable enforcement actions occurred. This is a call for accountability at the highest levels. Madam Chair, I encourage my passionate and brilliant colleague from Connecticut to consider my words. This Chamber was built to reflect the highest ideals of individual rights and freedoms. The birth of our Nation, as envisioned by our Founders, included the balance of powers built throughout our government. This Chamber where we stand in the people's House is one- half of a bicameral Congress. We are the legislative branch. We are held accountable by elections and, in extreme cases, by censure or ejection from Congress. Our judicial branch is filled with judges who are appointed, reviewed, and confirmed by our Senate and held to the highest standards. Our executive branch at the highest levels is accountable by election and, in egregious or extreme circumstances, by impeachment. However, the bureaucrats, Madam Chair, and I say it to my colleague across the aisle respectfully, the bureaucrats of the executive branch are hardly accountable, save for by action through the power of the purse by Congress. We have the right to exercise the power of the purse to do things like contract the salary of a rogue executive employee who has abused their authority and thwarted the will of the people. We have not only the right to do so, but we have the obligation to do so. Reducing the salary of a bureaucrat regulator who has abused their authority is a shot across the bow of oppression. I have listened respectfully to my colleague oppose every amendment of the Republican majority, and I ask her to respectfully consider how else, Madam Chair, we might control oppressive actions of rogue and abusive bureaucrats from within the executive branch. They are implanted within our government. They are an army of bureaucrats who are virtually unreachable by standard business procedures. They are very difficult to fire or dismiss. They are insulated by many layers and levels of civil protection. Reducing the salary of a regulatory agent employee of the executive branch is an effective and constitutionally sound mechanism to control oppression. Madam Chair, I rise in support of amendment No. 112, and I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chairman, over the past few months a salt mine in my district, Morton Salt's Weeks Island Mine, a salt mine that has been in operation for many, many years, has been unrighteously targeted by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, MSHA. In particular, there is a singular MSHA inspector who appears to have a personal vendetta. These concerns have been brought to my attention and MSHA's leadership has also been advised. This has been an ongoing issue between MSHA and Morton Salt. These are justified concerns, yet they have fallen on deaf ears at MSHA. MSHA's handling of this matter isn't just about one company or one mine, I would say to my colleague across the aisle. It is about the integrity of our regulatory institutions and the protection of due process rights. In this case, the evidence has been brought to me that shows a concerning pattern where enforcement actions may have been influenced by conflicts of interest and retaliatory motives, specifically involving MSHA Inspector Brandon Olivier. These allegations are not just troubling, they indicate a potential breach of trust. This trust is placed in Congress for the oversight role of our regulatory bodies. Furthermore, when Morton Salt raised these valid concerns to MSHA's district manager, Mr. William O'Dell, their grievances were seemingly ignored, contributing to a breakdown in the fair and impartial resolution process that should be a cornerstone of our regulatory system. I am sure my colleagues on both sides of the aisle would agree with that general premise. In response to these findings and to ensure accountability within MSHA, I am proposing several amendments. These are not just punitive measures. They are essential steps toward restoring trust and ensuring that such lapses in judgment and responsibility do not recur. Amendment No. 2 that we are currently discussing will be reducing MSHA's salary and expense account and redirecting funds to the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General account. Mr. Chair, I rise in favor of amendment No. 2. With the cuts in salary that I have offered in amendments 112 and 113, this amendment would reduce MSHA's salary and expense account by $1 million and reallocate it to the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, which reflects Congress' commitment to accountability, given issues that have arisen in the Morton Salt case. Congress should demand ethical enforcement from our agencies. Failures, as in this case, must have oversight and consequences. This reallocation strengthens oversight, enhancing the Inspector General's capacity to investigate and ensure fair, unbiased regulatory actions. This measure shows Congress' dedication to integrity in Federal institutions, ensuring regulatory bodies like MSHA maintain high standards of conduct. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Chair, I respect the gentlewoman's opposition, but I take exception to the nature of the gentlewoman's opposition. My amendment specifically addresses the health and safety of the American workers within that mine because the health and safety of every American family begins with economic security. To have their jobs threatened by the targeted and vindictive actions and the abused authority of one regulator, and for Congress not to act when this has been brought to our attention, would be truly shameful. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully submit to the gentlewoman that I am using the mechanisms of Congress constitutionally, specifically to address the health and welfare of the American citizens whom I serve. Mr. Chairman, I urge full support of my amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.