Kevin Hern

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, the Biden administration has put themselves on the side of Big Government, big taxes, and big bureaucracy. To paraphrase the great President Ronald Reagan, he said: You can't be for Big Government and still fight for the little guy. Our budget is a clear outline for middle and working-class Americans that their government hasn't left them behind. We have a plan and it will benefit all Americans. I am proud of the budget we put together this year, and I am ready to defend it in front of any committee and any Member of this House. We have spent the last hour talking about conservative principles. Well, I want to make it clear that this budget is not just for conservatives. It is not just for Republicans. It is a budget for all Americans. It doesn't matter if your children grow up to be Republicans or Democrats. They will be paying for our debts regardless, long after we are gone. That is why it is important to have leaders who are thinking about our grandchildren and great-grandchildren's future. It is clear that Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer would rather auction off that future in order to pay for an unpopular radical agenda. The American people need to know that we are the captains of this ship and we will not let economic doomsday destroy America's future. Fiscal responsibility does not have to be partisan, which is why I am calling on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help us bring this budget to the floor for a vote. I thank everyone who supported this budget tonight and to everyone who helped us put it together. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to give voice to the concern of millions of Americans, the crisis at our southern border. I saw it for myself. Not only are our facilities packed to 10 times beyond capacity, but the influx is growing. Biden revoked Trump's effective border policies and put nothing in place to make up for it, creating the current crisis that is spiraling out of control. We need to send immediate aid to our Border Patrol. They need it. But here is what Congress is doing instead: We are voting to provide legal welfare services to people illegally in our country while millions of Americans are denied help. We are voting on D.C. statehood, a violation of the constitutional function of our Capital City. The Speaker pushed 16 bills together in an en bloc last night, preventing Members of Congress from voting on separate pieces of legislation. The American people are watching what we do here. They see unserious people doing unserious work. It is why our approval rating is so poor. It is time to stop letting them down and do something real.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's April Veteran of the Month, Willie Braggs. Willie Braggs is a retired Air Force officer and Vice Wing Commander of the 138th Fighter Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. His service included two combat tours in the Middle East. Colonel Braggs faithfully served our country for over thirty years and continues to give back to his community and fellow veterans. He is involved with the Jenks Public School System as their assistant webmaster and varsity photographer for their athletic department. As the father of two Jenks graduates, he is a long-time parent volunteer. Colonel Braggs currently sits on the board of directors for the Coffee Bunker, a non-profit organization that helps service members transition to civilian life. He is a man of impeccable integrity who has dedicated his life to serving others. He answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. It is my honor to recognize Willie Braggs as the first Congressional District of Oklahoma's April Veteran of the Month.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from Texas for yielding. I appreciate him leading this Special Order on such an important issue in our great country. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to shed light on a situation that is getting worse by the minute. The longer Joe Biden and his White House ignore the crisis on our border, the more challenging it becomes to get it under control. But one would have to wonder: Is that what he wants by allowing this to continue on? Under President Trump, border security was a top priority. He was ridiculed for that top priority of securing our Nation, the sovereignty of our Nation. Illegal entries plummeted under President Trump, and over 450 miles of border wall were built at the fighting and scratching every single way against our Democrat colleagues' desires. Mr. Speaker, Biden's trend has been to reverse and dismantle anything and everything that President Trump touched over the last 4 years, no matter who it may hurt. On day one of his Presidency, he unconstitutionally halted congressionally appropriated funds meant to secure and strengthen our southern border. He indicated a complete reversal on border policies, refusing to condemn Democrats who call for open borders. This led to thousands of immigrants to believe our borders were open and they could enter with no consequences. They even had shirts promoting the idea that Biden should let them in. Mr. Speaker, it has been less than 2 months since Biden took office and already the situation at our southern border has reached unprecedented levels, levels like we haven't seen in 20 years. Border agents are reporting the number of illegal entries, especially children, is higher than we have seen in decades. Detainment facilities--what the Democrats have now called reception centers and concentration camps; that is what they called them under President Trump--are over capacity. Children are being sent to Dallas, hundreds of miles away from the border, to be held at the convention center. Americans returning from abroad are required to take COVID tests before reentering our own country, but Biden is allowing thousands of migrants into the country without even testing them for COVID, packing facilities way over capacity. Hypocrisy is nothing new to this administration. In spite of everything I have already said, Biden refuses to call it a crisis. CNN is even calling it a crisis, but Biden doesn't want to label it. He doesn't want to own it, calling it an inherited mess from the Trump administration. Every single person in America knows that is not true. To make it worse, House Democrats rejected any amendments on their partisan immigration bills this week. My amendments asked that known gang members not be eligible for amnesty. How could you not allow that to be added to this bill? That we create a tax credit for employers who want to do the right thing and implement E-Verify in their companies to make sure they are hiring legal American workers, and that illegal immigrants who have committed crimes in our country not be eligible for amnesty. Now, everywhere--except for in Congress--any good American would want those in the bill. But not here, not my Democrat colleagues. These are all commonsense ideas that a vast majority of Americans support, but Democrats would rather have open borders with no consequences for those who break the laws in our country. Just this week, four people on the terrorist watch list were caught attempting to illegally entered our country. If we lower the standards and restrictions on our border, we know we never would have caught them. We wouldn't have even known that they were here. That should scare us all to death. Mr. Speaker, I and many of my Republican colleagues have been to the border to see this terrible situation firsthand. I would encourage every Member of Congress to go see it. And for that, I thank my colleagues for standing up here tonight at this hour, for speaking up on this crisis. It is so important to the American people and the sovereignty of our Nation.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Mr. Speaker, last year, I stood right here and argued against the many concerns I have with the PRO Act. Thirteen months later, nothing has been done to address those concerns or earn bipartisan support. The PRO Act is a dangerous example of power for union leaders without necessary protections for union members. One of the biggest glaring failures of this legislation is taking away employee choice, effectively repeating right-to-work laws across the country, like in my home State of Oklahoma, where we choose to empower employees and employers alike. Where workers have previously had the freedom to choose whether or not to pay fees and join unions, they will now be forced to pay membership fees or lose their job. American workers and American ingenuity made our country what it is today. If my colleagues insist on moving forward with legislation that empowers union bosses and strips independence from our workers, we will lose to countries like China, who profit from sweatshops and child labor. Many of the ideas in this bill have already been rejected in the court system, making this bill pointless and a waste of time.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, unfortunately, due to the frequent changes to the Congressional schedule, I missed the votes on March 8, 2021. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 63, and NAY on Roll Call No. 64.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Mr. Speaker, last year, every single COVID relief package passed with bipartisan support and bipartisan input. This is not happening today because the majority has chosen to abandon their calls for unity without even making an effort. Sadly, it is the American people who will bear the burden of this decision. Components of this package were shoved through committees on strictly partisan lines. One of my amendments asking that we prohibit taxpayer dollars from going to people illegally in our country passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support, but was rejected without a single Democratic vote in our committee. I know from experience that a hard-earned paycheck is infinitely more valuable than anything from the unemployment office. We need to put Americans back to work, make America tired again. That means we cannot incentivize workers to stay out of the workforce. Let's not waste any more taxpayer dollars than we have to. Getting our students back in the classrooms should be a top priority for everyone here. Not only does this bill not help return students to the classroom, most of the education funds are not even allocated until 2022. There is a lot we can do together, but I fear a one-sided process will leave millions of Americans unaccounted for in this relief package.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's February Veteran of the Month, Col. Weydan Flax, USMC (Ret). An artillery and communications officer in the United States Marine Corps, Col. Weydan Flax honorably served our nation for 30 years. He served in Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. After his retirement, he has faithfully served his fellow veterans and community through his volunteer work with the VFW, and Marine Corps League. In addition to volunteering with veteran organizations, Flax is an active board member for The Center for Individuals with Physical Disabilities. He answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. It is my honor to recognize Col. Flax as the First Congressional District of Oklahoma's February Veteran of the Month.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's January Veteran of the Month, Terry Hill. A Medical Evacuation Pilot in the United States Army, Terry Hill honorably served our nation for thirteen years. Upon returning home from service, Terry started Rapid Application Group, an Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Company centered around Additive Manufacturing Technology. During his service in the United States Army, Hill was involved with several life saving missions and led his fellow soldiers diligently. He is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, Order of Saint Michael, and he is a recipient of the General McArthur Award for Leadership Representative. In addition, his company is a two-time recipient of the AAAA Aviation Maintenance Company of the Year award. Through his service, he demonstrated the highest levels of integrity, moral character, and servant leadership. In addition to starting Rapid Application Groupd, Hill founded the RAG Friday Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers veterans support and job training to help the transition into civilian life. He answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. It is my honor to recognize Terry Hill as the 1st Congressional District of Oklahoma's January Veteran of the Month.

Mr. HERN

Mr. HERN. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's December Veteran of the Month, Mitch Reed. He served in an armored personnel carrier in the United States Army, Mitch Reed honorably served our nation. Mitch continues to serve his fellow veterans through his volunteer work with the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Military History Center in Broken Arrow. Mitch Reed served in the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of two Purple Hearts among other awards. He continues to serve veterans in our community and advocate for programs to honor them through the Military Order of the Purple Heart. His efforts led to the designation of Broken Arrow as a Purple Heart City and Tulsa County as a Purple Heart County. A designation that shows our community's gratitude to our veterans and those currently serving in our military. He answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. It is my honor to recognize Mitch Reed as the 1st Congressional District of Oklahoma's December Veteran of the Month.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 1966. This legislation was first brought to my attention by my constituent, Carla Prothro, who is fighting cancer. We talked about the way clinical trials impact the treatments available for cancer patients. The trials very rarely reflect the population of cancer patients. When women and minorities are underrepresented in clinical trials, it negatively impacts the results. About one in five cancer trials fail because of a lack of participation. This bill addresses that by studying the barriers to participation for underrepresented groups. We need to find ways to reduce those barriers and enroll more patients from diverse backgrounds. My niece, Juniper, is 3 years old and fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma. She is just a little kid, but her short life has already had so much pain. She has spent a third of her life in the hospital. Juniper is a fighter, though, and she has so many people who love her and are praying for her. Bills like this help Juniper and Carla and millions of cancer patients around the world. Every step forward in cancer research is important. Every bit of progress gets us closer to a better world. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 1966 today.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, Tulsa Community College celebrated 50 years in the Tulsa community this September. In 1970, Tulsa Junior College opened, helping educate workers to fill the expanding Tulsa aerospace industry. Their first class consisted of 2,796 students, 50 classrooms, and over 150 instructors. Today, Tulsa Community College enrolls about 17,000 students per semester and has over 800 full and part-time faculty members. TCC has served nearly 450,000 students and awarded more than 70,000 degrees and certificates over the last 50 years. No matter your background, goals, or schedule, students at TCC have found an accessible and affordable education. Congratulations to TCC on an incredible 50 years in our community. I'm looking forward to 50 more.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute, and to revise and extend my remarks. I rise today in honor of National Spina Bifida Awareness Month to pay tribute to the numerous individuals and their families across our country living with this condition. Spina Bifida is a condition I am very familiar with. My sister and my niece both suffer from spina bifida. I know how it can impact a family. Spina Bifida is the nation's most common permanently disabling birth defect compatible with life. Because Spina Bifida stems from a hole in the spinal cord, a condition known as a neural tube defect, as the spinal column fails to close properly during development in the womb, it impacts virtually every major organ system. Children born with Spina Bifida typically undergo dozens of surgeries before they become adults. Adults living with Spina Bifida face myriad physical health, mental health, and other challenges, such as unemployment and limited access to quality primary and specialty care. There are currently an estimated 166,000 individuals in the United States living with Spina Bifida, approximately 65 percent of whom are adults. This disease is now witnessing its first generation of adults, an incredible milestone, considering that the original designation of Spina Bifida as a childhood condition meant that the vast majority did not experience life beyond youth. We have taken tremendous steps forward in recent years due to dedicated medical research, but there is so much we still don't know. Unfortunately, funding for Spina Bifida is limited. The only place in the federal government that is specifically studying this complex condition for children and adults is the Spina Bifida Program at the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the CDC through the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry and the Spina Bifida Collaborative Care Network People with Spina Bifida deserve no less than the rest of us as we age. We must ensure that adults with Spina Bifida can receive high- quality medical care, and that researchers have the funds necessary to continue the development of treatments for spina bifida.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 8265 to extend the Paycheck Protection Program to keep millions of employees on the payroll of America's small businesses.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I urge defeat of the previous question so that we can immediately move to debate and pass H.R. 8265 and stop playing politics with American businesses and jobs. We all can name at least one favorite establishment that is now an economic casualty of coronavirus. Many small businesses are hurting, and they need our help. We came together in an incredible bipartisan way this spring to create the Paycheck Protection Program, but the fallout of these shutdowns is lasting longer than any of us dared believe, and our communities are now in need of swift action. That is exactly why we need a vote on H.R. 8265, which Democratic leadership is currently preventing. There are over $135 billion still sitting in the funds that are authorized and appropriated. This bill gives small businesses with 25 percent revenue losses and under 300 employees the opportunity for a second cut at the PPP loan. It sets aside $25 billion specifically for mom-and-pop businesses with less than 10 employees, and it simplifies the forgiveness process for loans under $150,000. Do it today. Do it today. We have plenty of time. To make it simple: Passing this bill saves jobs, but doing nothing sends those same people to the unemployment lines. The bills we are voting on today will never become law. Messaging bills can wait; extending this program cannot. I know that many of my colleagues across the aisle are frustrated with the lack of action on this issue. They like this bill and know it would help our communities. I know this because many have told me personally. If half of the Democrats who have privately told me they supported this legislation would vote for it, it would pass overwhelmingly and would be law quickly. So I call on them today to stand up and do what is right. Their communities need them in this moment. America needs us all in this moment. Mr. Speaker, I ask the Democrat leaders to stop playing politics with American businesses and jobs. I urge defeat of the previous question and immediate consideration of H.R. 8265.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's August Veteran of the Month, Major Rob Miller. An Artillery Officer in the United States Marine Corps, Major Rob Miller honorably served our nation from 1983 to 1995. Major Miller is a combat veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm. Upon returning home from service, Major Miller followed his passion for service and has dedicated his life to public education. Major Miller is currently serving as the Superintendent of Bixby Public Schools. Previously, Rob Miller served at Sand Springs Public Schools and Jenks Public Schools. Throughout his twenty-eight years in education, Rob Miller has earned numerous awards. In 2015, he was the Oklahoma Middle School Principal of the Year. He is also a National Association of Secondary School Principals National Finalist. Rob Miller's remarkable commitment to serving the students and families in our district is commendable. In addition to working as the Superintendent of Bixby Public Schools, Miller is involved with the local veteran community. He has hosted ceremonies honoring veterans for many consecutive years on Veterans Day, and he has regularly participated in marathons honoring veterans. Miller is active in his community, where he is involved with his local church and is a member of the Bixby Rotary Club. Rob Miller answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. He continues to serve our country, community, and his fellow veterans. It is my honor to recognize Major Rob Miller as the First Congressional District of Oklahoma's August Veteran of the Month.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the veterans of the First District of Oklahoma, who served in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War, in remembrance of Victory over Japan Day, commonly known as V-J Day. Following the surrender of Japanese forces on August 15, 1945, President Harry Truman proclaimed, ``This is a victory of more than arms alone. This is a victory of liberty over tyranny.'' The dark years of fighting had finally come to an end, through the bravery and sacrifice of a generation of Americans. As we stand here seventy-five years later, their legacy reminds us of God's grace, the true meaning of honor, and the unimaginable blessing bestowed on each and every one of us to live in the United States of America. Today, I honor some of the bravest warriors on the face of the earth--heroes who were willing to venture into unknown territories to meet an uncertain fate, who weathered unimaginable circumstances. When their nation called, men and women left their families, spouses, and children to go to a foreign place stricken with war and savagery, all because they knew the United States of America was the last great hope on earth. Those who served not only saved our nation and our world from tyranny, but they changed the course of history forever. As the news of the war ending spread around the world, we can only now imagine the thrill of emotions that spread like fire through country sides and city squares across America. Millions of people took to the streets, many of which were covered with blizzards of confetti, and citizens crowded into churches to thank God for this victory and for the beginning of a new era of peace. Yet, seventy-five years later, we are still reminded of the true cost of that peace. Our current generation has also witnessed the sacrifice of American lives in the name of freedom. While our nation always attempts to protect American lives through any diplomatic tools available, human history reveals the sad reality that sometimes the liberty of all must be defended by a brave few. As Winston Churchill is often attributed as stating, ``We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.'' As a society, we must remember and educate our children to ensure that future generations never forget the heroes that saved our world from tyranny and destruction. Americans gather on V-J day to do just that: celebrate the greatest generation--those who came back home and those who laid down their lives on the field of battle. With the utmost humility, l recognize and honor those who served in the Second World War throughout the Pacific Theater and beyond. It is the greatest honor to live in a country with such valiant men and women, much less to represent so many of them in Congress. Victory over Japan Day is a necessary reminder of not only the enormous sacrifice and triumph of American warfighters over tyrannical empires, but ultimately, it exhibits the capacity of the American spirit to overcome all obstacles in order to complete the task at hand. I pray that we now, as Americans, face today's tests and trials with the same resolve, unity, and honor as those brave patriots who shed their blood from the beaches of Normandy to the islands of Okinawa. May we, too, find victory in our day.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Bishop for his work on this issue. Mr. Speaker, in the wake of a global pandemic unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime, we have spent unprecedented amounts of money this year. We have already saddled the next generation with unthinkable debt. Digging our way out of this hole is going to take time and targeted effort. We cannot continue to spend as if our debts don't exist. This legislation needlessly increases the deficit. The Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is already incredibly well-funded, does not need an additional $900 million a year in perpetuity. With immediate health needs and economic recovery our top priorities, increasing the Federal real estate holding shouldn't be on anyone's to-do list. A recent report showed that 40 percent of LWCF funds went to projects that failed to advance any agency objectives. The oversight and accountability of the fund is laughable, but this bill seeks to exacerbate the lack of transparency by removing elected officials from the situation altogether and handing unilateral power to political appointees and unelected bureaucrats. There are more productive ways that we should spend our time this week, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's July Veteran of the Month, Major Ralph Wilson. A pilot in the United States Air Force, Major Ralph Wilson honorably served our nation for twenty years. Upon returning home from service, Ralph continued to serve at the Tinker Air Force Base for twenty years. Major Ralph Wilson served in both World War II and the Korean War. He flew sixty-nine missions in World War II and fifty in the Korean War. Major Wilson flew unarmed reconnaissance missions in Korea. He is the recipient of numerous awards and is a decorated airman. When asked about his service by the Tulsa World, he explained, ``I never considered myself a hero, I just did my part.'' Major Ralph Wilson served his country selflessly, and he now carries himself with dignity and humility in his community. He is certainly part of the ``Greatest Generation.'' In addition to working at the Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Wilson developed a hobby of woodworking and volunteered with local schools helping children build projects. He answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. It is my honor to recognize Major Ralph Wilson as the 1st Congressional District of Oklahoma's July Veteran of the Month.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the First District of Oklahoma's June Veteran of the Month, Sergeant William Parker. An infantryman in the United States Army, Sergeant William Parker honorably served our nation for two years. During this time, Sergeant Parker was stationed at Fort Sill and sent to basic training at Camp Walters. While at Camp Walters, Sergeant William Parker was trained in Infantry. His training included education on a variety of military machinery. Following Camp Walters, Sergeant William Parker was sent to England to train for the infamous D-Day invasion. Sergeant Parker was part of the first fleet to enter Omaha Beach on D-Day. Sergeant William Parker received two Purple Hearts, one Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Ribbon and Sharp Shooter Ribbon. He answered the call to defend freedom across the globe and sacrificed whatever was necessary in the name of that noble cause. He continues to serve our country, community, and his fellow World War II veterans. It is my honor to recognize Sergeant William Parker as the 1st Congressional District of Oklahoma's June Veteran of the Month.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise with a broken heart today. On Monday, two of our police officers were shot during a routine stop. Sergeant Craig Johnson was a leader in Tulsa, serving on the police force for over 15 years. Sergeant Johnson had a strong relationship with local leaders and took pride in keeping the community he loves safe. He was a strong friend to fellow officers and a compassionate leader with a servant's heart. Sergeant Johnson died from his wounds earlier today. Officer Aurash Zarkeshan remains in critical condition. Craig and Aurash are examples of the remarkable men and women who choose to put themselves in harm's way to protect us every day. The best sound a police officer's spouse can hear is the sound of the Velcro of the officer's vest coming off at the end of the shift. Instead of that sound, Sergeant Johnson's wife had to get the worst call a spouse can get. Madam Speaker, Black lives matter and so do those who wear the blue. My prayers are with his wife, Krysta, his two children, and the many ones he left behind.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, on May 28, 2020 I was not present for the final vote on the Motion to Go to Conference on H.R. 6172--USA Freedom Authorization Act. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 115.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of Republic Day in Azerbaijan, which recognizes the establishment of the first independent, secular democracy in the Middle East in 1918. While they spent much of the 20th century under Soviet control, their undying faith in democracy was rewarded in 1991 when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic reclaimed its independence after the collapse of the USSR. The United States swiftly established diplomatic relations in 1992. A reliable American ally, Azerbaijani troops have fought side-by-side with Americans against international terrorism in Afghanistan, Balkans, and Iraq. They help secure international energy security of our allies through their support of Southern Gas Corridor and the diversification of energy routes. A friend of Israel, they provide 40 percent of Israel's oil consumption. Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim-majority country dedicated to religious pluralism and home to thriving Christian and Jewish communities. As an Oklahoman and member of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, I am proud that Azerbaijan's friendship with the United States is celebrated in my home state through the Oklahoma-Azerbaijan National Guard Partnership. I once again wish to extend my sincere congratulations to our partners in Azerbaijan on this worthy day.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Oklahoma for doing a great job today. Mr. Speaker, when I look at the so-called HEROES Act, I don't see legislation honoring heroes. I see an 1,800-page bill that takes 40 hours to read, written with zero bipartisan input. I see socialist fantasies from previously rejected bills. I see a mortgage on our children's future, financed by China, the very foreign adversary responsible for the crisis in the first place. This bill was formed outside the collaborative nature of the House of Representatives. It was proposed without going through committee or the amendment process, and no one, including the Democrats, knows what is in it. Passing a $3 trillion spending bill written behind closed doors in the Speaker's office sets a dangerous precedent that will have generational consequences. This is nothing more than a publicity stunt. This bill shows no bipartisan strategy for economic recovery. We should keep the House in session until we craft real bipartisan legislation that gets our country back up and running.

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma

Mr. KEVIN HERN of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that this bill was delayed in pursuit of certain wasteful provisions that have nothing to do with the coronavirus. With that said, I am thankful that the vast majority of this bill rightly focuses on the needs of Americans. It will save small businesses in my district, provide much-needed funds to the hospitals on the front lines of this fight, and provide the safety net for people who lose their jobs due to no fault of their own. America is hurting. The American people need us now more than ever. Thanks to Leader McCarthy and President Trump and the Members involved for their unrelenting work on this. To the American people, it is much later than anyone wanted, but help is on the way. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote. May God bless us all.