Erin Houchin

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to note that the criticism that this bill does nothing to address the spiraling cost of education is just not true. The cost of higher education always rises in connection with the availability of student loans. Making student loans widely available with government backing has caused this wild cost increase in higher education, which has increased 4.6 times the rate of inflation since 1971. Canceling student loan debt will not lead to reductions in the cost of higher education. It will, instead, likely have the opposite effect, encouraging colleges and universities to raise tuition and other fees, knowing full well that the cost of these items will ultimately be borne by the taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we have before us the opportunity to move legislation that could have a positive effect on the everyday lives of Americans. This is not nothing. Whether it is the overreach of the bureaucratic state or protecting our colleges and universities from bad actors, the choice before us in this rule is clear: We must take action. H.R. 4468, the CARS Act, protects American consumers, protects their freedom of choice, and does not give China the upper hand in the energy economy of the future. We must let market forces work and American ingenuity lead the way, not pursue mandates and unrealistic green agendas that drive us off a fiscal cliff and pick winners and losers. H.R. 5933, the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act, or the DETERRENT Act, takes seriously our responsibility to carefully evaluate foreign partnerships, particularly with countries of concern. We must ensure our adversaries are not given a platform within our classrooms to work against the United States, our values, and our interests. H.J. Res. 88, the joint resolution nullifying President Biden's reckless income-driven repayment plans, will increase rather than decrease the cost of college. This Biden rule will effectively forgive nearly half of the student loan debt and cost taxpayers at least $138 billion over the next 10 years. Therefore, it is the responsibility of Congress to reject this rule as we continue our work to address the cost of higher education in the United States. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to moving these bills out of the House this week. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a hero, a trailblazer, and an inspiration to all, astronaut Virgil ``Gus'' Grissom. Growing up in Indiana, I am honored to pay tribute to this remarkable man as he is inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Gus Grissom's contributions to space exploration are tremendous. He was one of America's original astronauts. In 1961, he made history when he became the second American to travel to space. He later commanded the Gemini 3 mission, paving the way for the Moon landing. Gus was a man of courage, unwavering dedication, and profound commitment to his country. Gus was a native son of Indiana. Born and raised in Mitchell, he embodied the spirit of the heartland and carried those values into space. Though his life was tragically cut short during a prelaunch test for the Apollo 1 mission, his legacy continues. He exemplified the qualities that define our military veterans: bravery, sacrifice, and service to a cause greater than oneself. Today, we remember Gus Grissom not just for his achievements in space exploration and service to his country, but for the inspiration he continues to provide to countless Americans young and old. His name will forever be etched in the archives of American history. As we honored him with this induction into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame this month, let us be reminded of the courageous spirit of exploration and of the bravery of all of our veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifices. Gus Grissom's legacy lives on, and we are privileged to celebrate his life and achievements. May his memory continue to inspire generations to come.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 847 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Last night, the Rules Committee met and produced a rule, House Resolution 847, providing for the House's continued consideration of appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024. The rule provides for H.R. 4664, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2024, to be considered under a structured rule with 104 amendments made in order. It provides one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their designees and provides for one motion to recommit. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and support the underlying pieces of legislation. H.R. 4664, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2024, was subject to a robust committee process, one that saw both Republicans and Democrats offer amendments during the markup. This is a work product the whole House can be proud of. Chairman Womack and his team, working together with Ranking Member Hoyer and his team, have produced a comprehensive and timely bill. While I am sure the two sides have differences of opinion on the final product, I am also sure I am joined by all my colleagues in thanking them for their hard work. There are many aspects of this appropriations bill that I want to highlight. First and foremost is the commitment to rooting out wasteful spending. The bill limits funds for 31 unauthorized accounts for a savings to the American taxpayer of approximately $64 million. It ensures that the Small Business Administration focuses on its core mission--helping small businesses--and not undertaking unnecessary climate activism outside of its primary responsibilities. The bill also claws back wasteful spending from previous fiscal years, including money used to hire an army of IRS workers. The American people have been very clear. They don't want tens of thousands of additional IRS agents. I also commend this bill as a product of strong cooperation between the Appropriations Committee and the authorizing Financial Services Committee, on which I am proud to sit. The bill furthers a lot of the efforts we have been working on in that committee. It would prevent the SEC under Chair Gensler from finalizing rules that vastly overstep the Commission's jurisdiction, including ones that push ESG and Green New Deal agenda items over the interests of everyday investors. The bill prevents the Federal Housing Finance Agency from forcing responsible borrowers to subsidize individuals with bad credit. This bill also eliminates funding for the Federal Insurance Office and stops the Federal Government from taking over the insurance industry, an industry that is already successfully regulated at the State level. I would be remiss if I did not mention the waste and abuse that this bill prudently targets, starting with penalizing the administration for not submitting its budget request on time. If the President can't complete this task, then there must be consequences. This is a basic principle in business and in our households, one our government would be prudent to similarly adopt. Additionally, this legislation prohibits funds for Federal agencies until telework policies are reinstated to prepandemic standards. The pandemic is over, and it is long past time that the Federal Government returned to work. Our constituents deserve fully staffed and responsive agencies, and I commend Chairman Womack for his commitment to this principle. Finally, we are here today and over the course of this week to consider more appropriations bills like the one provided for in this rule because we must rein in Federal spending. To be more exact, this bill comes in at approximately 20 percent below the President's request, without sacrificing essential government functions. If enacted, it represents a modest 7 percent cut below last year's fiscal level. The most important number we should all keep in mind is $33 trillion, that is $33 trillion in debt. We can no longer afford to kick the can down the metaphorical road. Madam Speaker, there is no road left. We need to pass this rule and the FSGG appropriations bill so we can continue to deliver on the fiscal sanity that puts us back on the right path. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the sky is not falling. I would remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that the spending levels in this bill are the same as they were just 10 months ago. The sky was not falling then, and the sky is not falling now. We are talking about cuts to some agencies, agencies that are intent on overregulating our small and midsize banks out of business. If our colleagues on the left would have their way, we would have three major national banks and no access to community lending. I certainly think my constituents would rather have access to their community banks than worry about how much funding level we are giving those agencies. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I just want to touch on a few things mentioned by my colleague on the other side of the aisle. We talk about no economic cost to what they are doing in this bill in terms of climate, but we saw during the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank that our regulators Federally were spending more time focused on climate risk to our financial sector than to systemic risk. This is an asleep-at-the-wheel approach of the Biden administration that we are trying to avoid in this piece of legislation. My colleagues also discussed the District of Columbia. Well, the District of Columbia is receiving Federal funds in this piece of legislation which does give us an opportunity to weigh in on what we think the policies and the policy riders that should follow within that should be attached to this piece of legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, again, this bill funds at a level that we were just at 10 months ago. The sky was not falling then. The sky is not falling now, despite protestations of my friends from the other side of the aisle. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, with the Nation $33 trillion in debt, a number higher than the U.S. GDP, Congress has the responsibility to reduce Federal spending when possible. According to the CBO, the United States ran a $1.7 trillion deficit in 2023, driven by $6.1 trillion in spending and $4.4 trillion in revenues following a $1.4 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2022. This type of spending is completely unacceptable, and every Member of Congress knows it. With regard to funding for public defenders, $1.14 billion is afforded in this bill for public defender services. This provides $8.7 billion for the judiciary, of which $110.4 million is above the fiscal year 2023 enacted level. There is no amount of spending cuts that our friends on the left will support. We have to get our fiscal house in order. This is a responsible step forward while still providing for the needs of the American people. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would note for my friends on the other side of the aisle that 40 percent of the debt was incurred under Nancy Pelosi. Both parties are responsible, but it is only House Republicans that seem to be focused on cutting Federal spending. It just simply cannot continue. It is why House Republicans have put forward and support a bipartisan debt commission. We are talking about discretionary spending in these bills, not mandatory spending. The lion's share of our debt is due to our mandatory spending. We must address that. Again, I commend Chairman Womack on this piece of legislation for trying to cut unnecessary programs, stop funding for unauthorized programs, cut spending, and get us back on a better path of fiscal sanity. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, continuing to say that Republicans want to cut Social Security and Medicare, to quote my colleague, ``cutting these programs down to the bone,'' doesn't make it so. Republicans are committed to reducing spending. We are committed to trying to find a way to get our fiscal house in order and to get us out of the calamity that we are currently in with our financial situation. The debt commission won't make cuts. It might make recommendations on how we can restore the Nation's fiscal health, which is a matter of national security. It doesn't matter if we don't make cuts or if do we make cuts if Social Security becomes insolvent. We cannot let that happen, not on our watch. Republicans are taking the initiative and taking the lead on trying to solve the problem. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I note again that this bill is funded at levels that we were just under 10 months ago. If we were operating just fine 10 months ago under the grants that my colleague mentioned, then we will be operating just fine following the passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time. We face another week of big legislation under consideration for a vote on the House floor to better the lives of everyday Americans. H.R. 4664, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2024, as well as the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, which was provided for under a separate rule, are important steps in delivering on our promises for a Nation that is both responsive and responsible to the American people and one that delivers a government that is accountable. It is Republicans that are keeping our Commitment to America. With the passage of these two bills, we are closer to finalizing the appropriations process. We can continue to lead while also reining in out-of-control government spending. As I said in my opening remarks, we need to pass this rule and the FSGG appropriations bill so we can continue delivering fiscal sanity to put us back on a better path. I look forward to moving these promises out of the House this week. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question and ``yes'' on the rule. The material previously referred to by Ms. Leger Fernandez is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 847 Offered by Ms. Leger Fernandez of New Mexico At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 6. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the resolution (H. Res. 178) affirming the House of Representatives' commitment to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. The resolution shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution and preamble to adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question except one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their respective designees. Sec. 7. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H. Res. 178.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, if you ask anyone who knows him, you will learn that Colonel Charles Eckart of Corydon, Indiana, among other things, is devoted. He is devoted to his faith, to his family, and to his country. Colonel Eckart served in the United States Army for 28 years. He served our Nation with unwavering dedication, protecting our freedom and ensuring our liberty. His service extended beyond the call of duty, making a profound impact on countless lives and communities. This is why he is being inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Colonel Eckart was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. He taught English literature at his alma mater, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was the battalion commander in charge of the U.S. Army Reserves in Jeffersonville and retired as a colonel in 1993 in Indianapolis. Although he retired, his service never stopped. He has served his community of Corydon for decades and has served as the West Point liaison for Indiana's 9th District for the last 23 years. This is where my staff and I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know him. Colonel Eckart is loved by my staff, his family, his community, and his country. It is truly a blessing to honor him on the House floor today. Madam Speaker, I congratulate Colonel Eckart on being inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Indiana is proud to call him one of its own.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Devonnia Kate Tscheulin of Scottsburg, Indiana. Devonnia passed away on August 15 due to complications while giving birth to her third child. Anyone who knew Devonnia knew she had a heart for service. After graduating from Salem High School, she became a paramedic and went on to serve as deputy director for the Washington County EMS and the deputy chief director of the Scott County EMS in Scottsburg. It is impossible for me, in the time I have here today, to capture just what made Devonnia so special, so admired. She was known for being a comforting presence for many families in their darkest moments. She was a steady hand in times of crisis, saving many lives during her career. Devonnia's life was meaningful, yet tragically too short. It is difficult to imagine women can die during childbirth in the United States today, but they do. It is in her memory that I commit to pursuing legislation to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the lives of mothers and their babies. That is why I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 3838, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023. I won't stop fighting for solutions to prevent maternal deaths. Devonnia left behind incredible loved ones like her husband, Michael, also a public servant with the fire department, and three beautiful children, Chase, Katie, and Maverick. We will never forget Devonnia and the example that she was and still is to us all.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the General of IU basketball, the legendary Coach Bob Knight. Growing up in southern Indiana, there were three things that shaped my childhood: family, faith, and IU basketball. Any game day, TVs across our towns would play the game, and on the screen was Coach Bob Knight. During those games, my mom really only had two emotions: frustration, yelling, Come on, boys; or elation, celebrating game play. I was a student during Coach Knight's last year at IU, and I always said that you haven't really seen an IU game unless you were able to witness one that he had coached or had been kicked out of. Coach Knight's legacy was complex to say the least, but that didn't stop Hoosiers from loving him and through him the game of basketball. Boy, did he create champions on and off the court. He brought home three national championship banners to the walls of Assembly Hall and 902 wins, more than any other coach in IU history. Under Coach Knight, IU basketball wasn't just a sport about wins and championships, it was a way of life. In his honor, today we remember what it means to be an IU Hoosier.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, with regard to Israel, the mask has finally come off the woke left whose center of gravity, sadly, is situated in American universities. Following the barbaric attacks on Israel by Hamas, student groups at universities across the country demonstrated support for the terrorists. Let me pause to say that again. Demonstrations are happening at universities across the United States in support of terrorists. A student group at my alma mater, George Washington University, called for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. The liberal ideology is emanating from universities and spreading throughout our corporations and tainting the world view of the next generation of Americans. This is dangerous and must be rejected. That is why I am an original sponsor of Representative Owens' resolution condemning the support of terrorists at our institutions of higher education. I urge all Americans to join me and my colleagues in stating in no uncertain terms that we support our Jewish students and affirm the statehood of Israel and the right of her people to live and to thrive. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 798.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow.