Ashley Hinson

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act. The United States continues to lead the world in medical innovation, development of new cures, and cutting-edge medical technology. However, the high maternal mortality and stillbirth rate in the United States is inexcusable. Over 21,000 babies are stillborn every year, and nearly one in four of these deaths are preventable. In the last two decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible 0.4 percent. In a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States ranked 183 out of 195 countries. Our moms and our babies deserve better. The tragedy of a stillbirth, the unexpected death of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy, is devastating to mothers and fathers. Many women who endure a stillbirth have already picked out their baby's name or started decorating a nursery. The heartbreak of stillbirth leaves an unfillable void for the families that it impacts. Stillbirth disproportionately impacts minority, rural, and underserved communities, including many communities in my home State of Iowa that are designated as maternal healthcare deserts. I have heard from women in rural Iowa who drive over an hour to see their OB/GYN or visit the nearest maternal ward or hospital and struggle to receive the quality care they need throughout their pregnancy. Ensuring expecting women have access to high-quality maternal care, regardless of their ZIP Code or their income level, is critical to preventing stillbirths and improving outcomes for both moms and babies. Congress must use every tool at our disposable to end stillbirth and support stillbirth prevention, awareness, and research. That is why we are here today. My bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act would finally dedicate funds toward stillbirth prevention and research, saving the lives of mothers and babies. Throughout my work on this legislation, I have had the opportunity to sit down with stillbirth prevention advocates who have turned their pain into passion. These brave women are on a mission to ensure that no mother, father, or family ever endures the tragedy of stillbirth again. They are truly some of the strongest women I have ever met. I have been honored to fight alongside them to bring this vital legislation across the finish line, as well as with my co-lead on the bill, Congresswoman Alma Adams. She has long fought to improve stillbirth prevention, and I am proud of the work that we have done together in a bipartisan manner to support expecting moms from Iowa to North Carolina and across the country. Additionally, this bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by dozens of women's health, public health, and medical provider associations, and it has been passed by the Senate already in a similar form by unanimous consent. I was blessed to be able to spend Mother's Day with my two sons over the weekend, but my heart continues to ache for the women who were mourning the loss of a child they never got to meet. I hope my colleagues join me in bringing more wonderful babies and healthy pregnancies into this world by supporting this bill.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this simple bill. It forces TikTok to cut ties with the CCP or lose American users. The day after we introduced our bill, TikTok went into panic mode. They lied to their users saying Congress was going to ban TikTok, using young kids as political pawns. TikTok's gross stunt proved our point. What if on election day, TikTok sent out an alert saying our elections were canceled. We must act now. Today, we are sending a message to the CCP that we are going to deflate the 140 million spy balloons that they have installed on American phones. We must act and pass this bill today.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Foxx for her leadership in stewarding this bill through committee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support my bill, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. When Roe v. Wade was rightfully overturned last year, the next chapter of the pro-life movement began, and we were all given a new opportunity to strengthen our support for unborn babies and new moms. As a mom of two, this issue is personal to me. When you are pregnant, there are a million questions going through your head. From doctors' appointments to new financial responsibilities, pregnant students have so much on their plate as they work to balance school with having a healthy pregnancy. Unfortunately, many women on college campuses are pressured into having an abortion and told they must choose between having their baby and continuing their education, despite Title IX protections in place. Under Title IX, pregnant students have the right to stay in school, finish their education, and achieve their career goals. However, academic disparity exists due to the lack of resources, support, and tools for pregnant students. These women may fear institutional reprisal, a loss of athletic scholarship, or negative impacts on their academic opportunity, and standing. These fears and anxieties are not only unjust to women, but they are really a poor reflection of how our higher education institutions treat pregnant students. These institutions have a responsibility to empower all of their students to succeed, including pregnant students. There are many organizations that provide physical and emotional support for new and soon-to-be moms, and pregnant students should know about these resources on college campuses. They deserve to be treated with respect and to be surrounded with care and love. I have visited pregnancy resource centers in Iowa. I have met with those who have dedicated themselves to the cause of life, many of whom have traveled to Washington, D.C., to the March for Life this weekend. It has been inspiring to me to see the pro-life community spring into action to help expecting moms and their babies to thrive. That is what this movement is really all about: recognizing the sanctity of every life and valuing life at every stage. Pregnant students bravely balance the responsibilities of bringing a new life into this world while simultaneously continuing their pursuit of a bright future through education. It is crucial for pregnant students to know that they have people standing behind them, that they have resources available to them, and that they are entitled to accommodations on campus. Being able to complete your education as a mother is not only empowering for the student, but it is vital to ensuring that the unborn child has the best possible future ahead. The Pregnant Students' Rights Act amends the Higher Education Act to require education institutions at the higher level to distribute information about the rights of pregnant students and the resources available to them at the school via their student handbooks, via email, websites, and during orientations. It also strengthens procedures for students to be able to file complaints and pursue accountability if their rights to these accommodations are violated. It is deeply troubling to me that the Biden administration is so dug in on their pro-abortion agenda that they would oppose providing pregnant women on college campuses with resources to continue their education and have a healthy pregnancy. They don't even want them to have this information or know that they have options other than abortion. I hope my colleagues across the aisle will vote to empower pregnant women and support this vital, life-affirming legislation. There is no reason that providing additional resources and support to women who choose life should be partisan. Every woman who chooses to complete her studies through her pregnancy is another American citizen doubly contributing to our families, to our communities, to our workforce, and should be an inspiration to us all. This bill, the Pregnant Students' Rights Act, is a step in the right direction to creating a culture of life in our society and a step that we must take as we continue to pursue policies that will help our families grow and thrive. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 9, H.R. 839 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 10, H.J. Res. 98.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 4. Motion to Reconsider H. Res. 947, ``aye'' on rollcall No. 5, H. Res. 947, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 6, Motion to Recommit, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 7, H.R. 788 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 8, S.J. Res. 35. personal explanation

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor U.S. Air Force veteran and Marion police officer, Corporal Ron Slagle for his 25 years spent protecting our Iowa communities. Last month, Corporal Slagle signed off on his last shift with the Marion Police Department, my hometown, with a final 10-42 alongside his family and friends. From his time in the Air Force to his dedication to the Marion Police Department, and his advocacy to ensure that law enforcement officers, first responders, and veterans have access to mental health care resources, Corporal Slagle embodies what it means to be a public servant. It is no surprise that he has instilled the value of service in his children, who have also embraced careers to help others. He has a true servant's heart, and I wish him all the best in his retirement. I congratulate Ron.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize two outstanding Iowans: John Ockenfels and Peter Teahen. Between May 5 and July 30, these two lifelong friends embarked on a journey to fly around the world. Taking off from Cedar Rapids in a single-engine plane, John and Peter flew more than 25,000 miles to complete one mission: eradicating polio. Only 700 pilots have ever flown around the world, and fewer than 300 of them are alive today. I am so proud to say that John and Peter are among their ranks, having accomplished this feat to help save children all over the world. Iowans are so proud of John and Peter for this accomplishment and for their service to such a worthy cause.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Chair, I think this really hits the mark in investing in the priorities I continue to hear about from my constituents. It is why I am proud to support it.

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding me the time to speak on this very important piece of legislation today and for his leadership on this bill. It is tough to craft a bill that funds the priorities of the American people in a way that is targeted and respects taxpayers, and I appreciate the gentleman's approach to do that in a very meaningful way. Mr. Chair, it is why I am supporting this bill here today, the fiscal year 2024 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. This bill delivers on the promises that we have made to the American people. We are reining in out-of-control spending and regulation. We are restoring accountability for taxpayers. We are deweaponizing the Federal Government. Additionally, as the chairman mentioned, we are prioritizing national security against our foreign adversaries, both in dealing with the border and also in dealing with adversaries like China. This bill promotes a Federal Government that works for the American people. We are ensuring that bureaucrats who have been abusing the COVID-19 telework policies and are still working from home actually go back to work and get back in the office like America is. They need to start putting in 100 percent effort for the taxpayers that pay their salary. I am not sure how many of my colleagues here in the Chamber, Mr. Chair, are aware of the GAO report that came out over the summer, but it flagged that 17 of 24 Federal agencies here in Washington, D.C., were only using, on average, about 25 percent of their office space. Taxpayers fund the bill for these offices. It is $7 billion a year. The lights were on, but no one was home. We need to make sure that they are putting 100 percent effort in for the taxpayers that pay their salary. I am sure all of our offices are getting the same calls mine are about reductions in government services, and we need to make sure they are giving 100 percent. This bill also restores accountability by reining in rogue overreaching agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that will now be subject to congressional oversight and will answer to the American taxpayer rather than being able to pursue a partisan agenda that hurts our small businesses. This bill also protects American families and small businesses by rescinding funding for President Biden's proposals to supercharge an army of IRS agents, while maintaining those very important taxpayer service operations. We don't want to see a reduction in services for our taxpayers, and when they are calling, they should not be getting a dial tone. Our bill also protects Iowa farmers from onerous regulations like the SEC's climate disclosure rule and the expansive Scope 3 emissions disclosure requirement. This would be disastrous for producers not only in my district but around the country. It would bury our hardworking farmers, who feed and fuel the world, in paperwork and compliance costs. We are also taking strong steps to ensure that we are bolstering national security against threats from our adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party. I also serve on the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. I think this is of utmost importance, Mr. Chair. We need to protect taxpayer resources from supporting the Wuhan Institute of Virology or any other laboratory operated by the CCP. Finally, this includes my language to require the GSA to investigate the status of Chinese surveillance equipment on Federal property. It supports efforts to remove that telecom equipment from U.S. networks.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our Speaker, Kevin McCarthy. Let's be very clear here. We would not have a House Republican majority without the relentless efforts of this man, our Speaker. Under his leadership, Joe Biden's policies have had a check and balance. His policies have created a horrific border crisis--10,000 illegal immigrants a day surging across our border. Under Speaker McCarthy, Republicans have passed legislation to secure our border. Joe Biden has done everything to squash American energy, selling our oil reserves to China. Under Speaker McCarthy, Republicans have passed legislation to unleash American energy dominance. Joe Biden has spent taxpayer dollars like there is no tomorrow. Under Speaker McCarthy, we have returned to passing single-subject appropriations bills and ending the status quo of omnibus spending. One of the most valuable pieces of advice that I received was from Kevin McCarthy when I got here to D.C. He told me to separate the signal from the noise. The noise is those who are causing chaos for their own personal benefit while ignoring the needs of their constituents and this country, grinding our work here to a halt. The signal is the many accomplishments that we have delivered for the American people with Speaker McCarthy at the helm. The signal is the failures coming out of the White House time and time again. The signal is the work that we must do today and going forward to save our country for my kids and yours. My colleagues here today have a choice: Be a chaos agent or get back to work. I call on my colleagues: Let's separate the signal from the noise. Let's support our Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, so we can get back to work for the American people.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the fiscal year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill that will help to secure our border. Since President Biden took office, there have been over 6 million illegal immigrant encounters at our southern border, and because of President Biden's open-border policies, we have seen countless illegal immigrants, including known people on the terror watch list, violent gang members and sex offenders released into the homeland. With this bill, we are finally doing what President Biden won't. We are securing our border. My colleagues and I have been to the border, something the President hasn't bothered to do. We have spoken with law enforcement on the front lines. These brave men and women told us directly that this administration has undercut them at every turn and that they needed more resources to deter illegal immigration rather than incentivize it. While their pleas seem to have fallen on deaf ears at the White House, we here as House Republicans have heard them loud and clear. In this bill, we deliver for them and for every State that, as a result of these policies, has become a border State. We are restoring border security technology funding to its highest level. We are funding the 22,000 Border Patrol agents that CBP requested, and we are finally restarting border wall construction instead of letting those materials that taxpayers paid for rust away on the side of the road. We are fully funding ICE detention capacity as a deterrent, and we are providing funding to deport illegal immigrants. Our southern border is a lawless free-for-all under the Biden administration, undermining the safety and security of Iowans and every American. This bill delivers on our promise to secure the border and keep America safe, so let's shut down our border, and let's keep our government open and move this bill forward.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan bill to recognize today as National Stillbirth Prevention Day. There are 21,000 babies stillborn in the U.S. each year, and the way I see it, that is 21,000 too many. One in four stillbirths are preventable. Every baby lost to stillbirth is a heartbreak that we can prevent, but amidst this grief, there is hope. I am humbled to be joined today by women who have endured stillbirths. These women are some of the strongest people I have ever met. Out of their pain, they have found a purpose: preventing stillbirth and ensuring expecting moms have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. The stillbirth rate in the U.S. is unacceptably high. By leveraging Federal resources for evidence-based care, research, and education, we will save lives and save babies. We can and we must do more for moms and their babies, and together we can end the tragedy of stillbirth.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 276.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, I was not present for votes last week due to a death in the family. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 519; NAY on Roll Call No. 520; NAY on Roll Call No. 521; YEA on Roll Call No. 522; NAY on Roll Call No. 523; NAY on Roll Call No. 524; NAY on Roll Call No. 525; YEA on Roll Call No. 526; NAY on Roll Call 527; YEA on Roll Call No. 528; NAY on Roll Call No. 529; and NAY on Roll Call No. 530.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize NASA astronaut Raja Chari, a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, a decorated Air Force pilot, and commander of the NASA SpaceX Crew-3 mission. Raja recently returned from a successful mission to the International Space Station, a milestone in U.S. space exploration. I had the privilege of meeting Raja yesterday to hear more about his mission with his team, and I appreciate his passion for ensuring that the U.S. wins the 21st century space race--not China. Raja is an inspiration to the next generation of aspiring astronauts, fighter pilots, and scientists. He is a role model for my two boys, Max and Jax, and other young Iowans who truly want to shoot for the stars. From Cedar Falls, Iowa, to the International Space Station, Raja has made America proud, and he has made Iowa proud.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christina Schauer, a veteran and nurse from Dubuque, Iowa, whose courage and dedication to serving others are unmatched. Christina served our country overseas as a combat medic in Iraq. Our veterans face immense challenges when returning home, and unfortunately, our women veterans are often afraid to speak up about their experiences. They may feel invisible or that their service wasn't worthy. As a result, they may be less likely to seek the care that they have earned. Christina is working to right this wrong by sharing her own story. She has championed women veteran visibility, empowering her sisters in sacrifice to talk more about their service and seek the healthcare and the benefits they deserve. So, Christina, thank you for your service and for your commitment to empower women veterans. You are an inspiration to all of us.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this so- called Inflation Reduction Act. Last year, we warned that spending trillions of dollars would cause prices to spike but Democrats did it anyway--ramming through a trillion-dollar Washington pork buffet, sticking families with the bill. Now, Speaker Pelosi is arguing for yet another tax-and-spending spree, wasting hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars on Green New Deal priorities and raising taxes on middle-class families. This will worsen inflation. It sics the IRS on hardworking Iowans-- adding 87,000 new IRS agents to target taxpayers. Iowans are begging for us to get prices down, but instead, this bill takes more of their hard-earned paychecks. And for what? So the wealthy can get a discount on their electric vehicles? So we can increase bureaucracy at the EPA to impose new regulations on our farmers? Mr. Speaker, this bill ignores the pain that Iowans are feeling. It is the worst policy at the worst possible time. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this latest tax-and-spending spree.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to present a reasonable solution to a challenge that millions of American women face: access to birth control. Seventy percent of women aged 18 to 64 reported using oral contraceptives throughout their lifetime. A majority of women also support making birth control available over the counter without a prescription. That is why I will be offering a motion to recommit this bill in a few moments, to stand for those women. Women should be able to access their preferred birth control method conveniently. Unfortunately, that is not the reality for many women. In rural Iowa, some women have to drive an hour to be able to see a gynecologist. That means taking a day off of work, finding additional childcare, spending hours in a car, and paying expensive gas prices to get there. This is unreasonable when we have safe and effective birth control options that have been FDA-approved that still aren't available over the counter. My amendment would require the FDA to give priority review for over- the-counter access to routine-use oral contraceptives that the agency has already deemed safe for women aged 18 and up. I want to emphasize that this is for regular birth control pills, not emergency contraceptives like Plan B. Making birth control available over the counter would have a significant impact on women's lives. My colleagues across the aisle give you a whole lot of lip service about supporting women. They claim that their policies, no matter how far outside of the mainstream, are the only way to support women. That is just not true. Madam Speaker, I am proposing a solution today that the overwhelming majority of American women agree with, making their regular birth control pill available at their local pharmacy. We have an opportunity here to work together to enact meaningful legislation that will benefit women. Instead, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have offered a bill that I simply cannot support. Their bill attacks conscience protections for providers, expands access to abortion pills, and risks women's health. But I am not willing to vote ``no'' and just give up on this, so that is why I am offering a solution that we should all be able to get behind. We should work together to make oral contraceptives more accessible. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the motion to recommit today, adopt my amendment, and give women an over-the-counter option for birth control. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment into the Record prior to the vote on my motion to recommit.

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Newsradio 600 WMT on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the station being on the air. WMT is a local news staple. The team provides informative coverage on local and national news, as well as insightful and witty on-air shows. Over the years, WMT has brought on diverse guests from around the country, amplified the voices of Iowans, and shared countless stories with their listeners. So thank you to the entire team at WMT for all you do to keep Iowans updated, entertained, and in the know. Congratulations again, and I look forward to WMT's next 100 years on the air.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor a dynamic leader from Iowa's First Congressional District, Dr. Liang Chee Wee. Dr. Wee is retiring after serving as the president of Northeast Iowa Community College for nearly 13 years. His passion for inclusivity ensured that everyone who stepped foot on the NICC campus, students, educators, employees, and members of the community all felt at home. Under his leadership, NICC became a space for addressing challenges in the community, and the college has made great strides in promoting growth for minority-owned businesses in the area. Dr. Wee always has a smile and a kind word of encouragement for everyone that he meets. His authentic servant leadership will be missed at NICC, but I know that his work to improve our community is far from over. So thank you, Dr. Wee, and congratulations on this exciting new chapter in your retirement.

Mrs. HINSON

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for yielding on this very important topic. Mr. Speaker, families across this country are desperate for help. Babies are going hungry. Mothers and fathers are faced with empty shelves, and there is no formula to be found. As a mother, this is heartbreaking. As a Congresswoman, this is unacceptable. That is why I will be offering a motion to recommit this bill in just a few moments. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, 67 percent of children rely on infant formula for some portion of their nutrition by the time they are 3 months old. One of my children had to have formula. That is 2.7 million babies that need formula their parents cannot find on the shelves in their local supermarket or anywhere, for that matter. We need to address this supply chain crisis right now. Our families deserve solutions. The Biden administration ignored the warning signs that a formula shortage was imminent, sitting on their hands until the shelves were bare. Their incompetence underscores the need for funding to come with guardrails and accountability for the FDA's failures. Throwing additional money at a problem is the wrong approach. American families need a plan to fix this crisis and to get that baby formula back on store shelves, and they don't need us spending more of their hard-earned money to do it. My amendment would redirect a targeted amount of unused pandemic funds to address the baby formula shortage. It would use $5.75 million of existing Federal funds to respond to this crisis immediately, right now. My amendment would also require the FDA to report to Congress on the shortage, ensuring that the American people know exactly what the administration is doing or is not doing to get formula back on the shelves. We would also immediately require an assessment of all baby formula stockpiled by the Federal Government. Can this formula be redirected to the marketplace for families? Can we do that right now? This amendment ensures the FDA Commissioner can't travel anywhere unless it is related to the baby formula crisis until this crisis is addressed. Mr. Speaker, we have seen the impact this baby formula crisis is having across our country--the mom whose baby can tolerate only a certain kind of formula, the dad who is scouring Facebook groups tonight trying to see if he can find what his baby needs, or the grandparents who have gone to three grocery stores, driven miles, and are still empty-handed. We have an opportunity here to really work together and enact meaningful legislation that will get baby formula back on store shelves as soon as possible and ensure that our families are not ever left in a lurch like this again. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues tonight to join me, join us, in fighting for families, for babies, and for taxpayers. We can do it all together. Vote ``yes'' tonight on the motion to recommit. Adopt my amendment, and let's get this baby formula crisis under control. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote tonight on the motion to recommit.

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mrs. HINSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.