Erin Houchin

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jim Lipuma of Downers Grove, Illinois, and J.D. McCourt of Las Vegas, Nevada, for an extraordinary charitable undertaking they are completing this year. Jim and J.D. are riding their bicycles approximately 2,500 miles along the Mississippi River, from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, in approximately 30 days as part of their ``We Ride for Heroes'' journey. Their mission is to honor America's heroes and raise money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports our nation's military members, veterans, first responders and their families. The timing of their journey makes it particularly meaningful. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, as well as the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. These milestones provide a powerful opportunity to remember the men and women who have sacrificed for our country and the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th. Jim and J.D. are honoring those individuals in a very personal way-- by dedicating approximately 2,500 miles of their lives to raising money and awareness for an organization that carries forward the promise to never forget. What makes their story even more remarkable is that this is not simply a fundraising campaign. It is an expression of a lifelong friendship and a belief that ordinary citizens can make an extraordinary difference. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jim and J.D. previously rode approximately 400 miles in a journey called ``We Ride for Jack,'' supporting, Jack Clark Bender, a two-time cancer survivor. That experience demonstrated their willingness to put themselves through a significant physical challenge to help someone else. Today, their focus is much broader: We Ride for Heroes. Jim and J.D. are riding for the men and women who have served our country, for first responders who put themselves in harm's way, and for the families who have sacrificed alongside them. In this anniversary year, I believe their journey represents some of the qualities that have made America strong for 250 years--friendship, courage, perseverance, generosity and service to others. Congratulations to Jim and J.D. for their achievement. I wish them continued success in their future endeavors, and I thank them for their dedication to this meaningful cause.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two exceptional leaders from Indiana's Ninth District, Steve and Julia Moore, whose commitment to protecting children has earned them the honor of having their names added to the founders wall at Johns Hopkins University. The founders wall honors individuals whose generosity and commitment have made a lasting impact on the mission at Johns Hopkins. Through their support of the MOORE Center to prevent child sexual abuse, Steve and Julia have played a vital role in furthering groundbreaking research, education, and prevention efforts, focused on ending child sexual abuse. For the Moores, this mission is deeply personal. After experiencing the lasting effects of child sexual abuse within their own family, Steve and Julia made a courageous decision to use their story and family name to bring awareness to an issue that has often remained hidden and to help break the cycle of abuse. Through the MOORE Center, they have transformed a personal hardship into a mission of help, bringing a greater awareness, supporting prevention-based solutions, and helping protect future generations from experiencing the lasting effects of child sexual abuse. Mr. Speaker, the addition of Steve and Julia Moore's names to the founders wall at Johns Hopkins is a fitting recognition of their dedication to serving others and improving the lives of children and families. I am proud to recognize them on this well-deserved honor and thank them for their extraordinary generosity and service to protecting children and strengthening families for generations to come.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkably talented young artist, Olivia Briscoe, a senior at Salem High School, for winning first place in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Indiana's 9th Congressional District. Each spring, Members of Congress sponsor the Congressional Art Competition to encourage and celebrate the artistic talents of high school students across the country. The competition provides young artists with the opportunity to showcase their work while representing their home districts on a national stage. Olivia's winning acrylic painting, Teal Flowers, stood out for its exceptional detail and creativity, in recognition of her achievement, her artwork will be displayed for one year in the United States Capitol alongside winning pieces from congressional districts across the Nation. Her painting is also featured on the House of Representatives' Congressional Art Competition website, where it can be viewed by people across the country. This accomplishment not only reflects Olivia's talent and dedication, but also the support and encouragement of her teachers, family, and the Salem High School community. I congratulate Olivia on her outstanding achievement. I wish her continued success in all her future endeavors, and I thank her for representing Indiana's 9th Congressional District with creativity and excellence.

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 1333 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), 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. Madam Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and reported out a rule, House Resolution 1333, providing for the House's consideration of four bills. First, the rule provides for H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, to be considered under a structured rule, with 26 amendments made in order. It provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Second, the rule provides for H.R. 7892, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act, to be considered under a closed rule. It also provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Workforce or their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Third, the rule provides for H.R. 7726, the No Funds for Repeat Child Care Violations Act of 2026, to be considered under a closed rule. It also provides 1 hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Education and Workforce or their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Finally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8872, the Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act, under a closed rule. It provides 1 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, and provides for one motion to recommit. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation. The legislation before us this week reflects a straightforward principle: Federal programs should serve the people they were intended to serve. Taxpayer dollars should be spent responsibly, transparently, and accountably. It should be easy for this simple but important effort to be pursued in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion, yet my Democratic counterparts will undoubtedly oppose these bills. In doing so, they will be voting to perpetuate rampant fraud, but that is no surprise since the States flagged for massive amounts of fraud are led by Democratic Governors and State legislatures. Why would they want to clamp down on the fraud Democrats helped perpetuate? Every week, during debate on the rule, Democrats will use a technique we refer to as gaslighting to accuse and blame Republicans for their own egregious behavior. Let's remember that it was President Biden who eased the rules around Federal childcare billing, which resulted in spending double in some facilities in Minnesota while enrollment stayed flat. Here we are, doing much more than combating fraud in our legislative package this week. Together, these measures strengthen oversight, close loopholes that have enabled fraud and abuse, support rural America, and ensure Federal resources are reaching the families, students, workers, and communities they were designed to help. Let me begin with the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The bill makes targeted investments in the programs that matter most to producers, consumers, and rural communities. It continues to support agricultural research, rural development initiatives, and the critical food safety infrastructure that Americans rely on every day. For States like Indiana, where agriculture remains one of the largest economic drivers, these investments will yield tangible results. Whether it is supporting corn and soybean producers, livestock operations, food processors, or rural small businesses, this legislation strengthens the industries that sustain local economies and help feed the world. This bill recognizes a simple reality: Food security is national security. Foreign adversaries are increasingly looking to buy up American farmland, influence our food supply, and gain access to critical agricultural resources. This legislation takes important steps to increase oversight on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, safeguarding against foreign influence and protecting American agriculture from emerging threats. In addition to these wins, I am proud we secured over $3 million in community project funding in this bill for Indiana's Ninth Congressional District. This funding will support projects, including critical upgrades to wastewater systems in Borden and Moorefield, expanded sewer service in Greenville, and replacing aging stormwater pipe in Austin. These projects reflect priorities identified by local leaders and will deliver much-needed updates to aging infrastructure, which will expand economic development opportunities and improve quality of life across the district. I thank Chairmen Cole and Harris for their work on this legislation and urge my colleagues to support it. Also included in the rule is the No Aid for Ghost Students Act. Federal student aid was created to help Americans earn a degree, learn a trade, and build a better future. It was never intended to become a slush fund for fraudsters or identity thefts, and that is exactly what is happening. Bad actors are exploiting the system by using stolen or fake identities to submit FAFSA applications, enroll in classes, collect taxpayer-funded financial aid, and disappear once the money has been issued. The result is millions of taxpayer dollars lost to fraud. Every dollar stolen by a fraudster is a dollar taken away from a student trying to improve their future. Under the leadership of Secretary Linda McMahon, the Department of Education has already prevented more than $1 billion in attempted student aid fraud through stronger identity verification and fraud detection measures. This bill builds on that success by making sure taxpayer dollars go to students, not scammers. It strengthens identity verification requirements, requiring schools to verify suspicious applicants before aid is distributed, and it holds institutions accountable when basic safeguards are ignored. We need to restore the integrity of the Federal student aid system and ensure taxpayer dollars reach the students they were intended to help. Next, Madam Speaker, I will turn to the Stop Child Care Scams Act. Childcare assistance programs are designed to help working parents afford quality childcare so they can provide for their families and pursue economic opportunity. These programs are a lifeline for millions of Americans, but when taxpayer dollars are lost to fraud, it is not just taxpayers who suffer. The families who depend on these services suffer, too. For years, the Child Care and Development Block Grant program has been vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse, yet despite repeated warnings, hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars remain at risk. Recent reports have uncovered troubling instances where providers received Federal childcare assistance funds without actually serving eligible children and families. Shockingly, during a congressional Oversight Committee hearing, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently admitted his State had known about the fraud in its childcare assistance program since 2012 yet took no action. That is unacceptable. When that happens, families who rely on these services are the ones who ultimately suffer, particularly the hundreds of thousands of families in need of childcare assistance vouchers currently sitting on a waiting list. The Stop Child Care Scams Act takes commonsense steps to protect both taxpayers and families. It cracks down on providers who attempt to game the system by increasing transparency, strengthening oversight, and adding additional auditing requirements. Just as importantly, it helps ensure providers caught committing fraud in one program cannot simply move to another State or locality and continue their theft of taxpayer dollars. My Democrat colleagues are going to say this bill is going to make childcare assistance less available. In fact, it does the opposite. It helps ensure these resources reach the children, parents, and providers they were intended to serve, protecting them from being siphoned off by fraudsters. Lastly, let's turn to the Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act. For nearly three decades, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program has helped low-income families meet basic needs while promoting the values of work, personal responsibility, and self- sufficiency. A key strength of TANF has always been the flexibility it provides to States to decide how these funds will best be used. Congress intentionally designed the program to allow States to tailor services and benefits to the unique needs of their communities, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all, top-down Federal approach. But as we have already discussed, flexibility must be accompanied by accountability. Today, TANF is one of the few major Federal assistance programs that is not required to measure and report improper payments under Federal program integrity laws. Let me repeat that. Under TANF, States are not required to report improper payments. As a result, taxpayers and policymakers often lack basic information about how these funds are being spent and whether these resources are actually reaching the families they are intended to serve. Recent Government Accountability Office reports have uncovered a major oversight failure within the TANF program that should concern every taxpayer. This bill requires accountability while still preserving State flexibility. It requires States to track and report improper payments, helps identify and reduce waste and fraud, and ensures Federal funds are directed toward the low-income families that they were designed to serve. A common thread, Mr. Speaker, among each of these bills before us today is that taxpayer dollars should be used responsibly, and taxpayers should have confidence that their hard-earned dollars are being spent for the purposes intended, safeguarding limited resources and directing them to where they are needed most. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bills, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let's be clear. This bill provides $8 billion for WIC which is the level needed to serve expected participation. As the Appropriations Committee crafted this bill, they worked with USDA and OMB to get the most recent program data. This funding level reflects that participation, participation that has been declining, and it is not projected to be as high as originally estimated for fiscal year 2027. USDA also expects to have sufficient carryover funds. Remember, Mr. Speaker, WIC is 2-year funding, and they expect to recover more unspent funds from the States. With the lowered participation estimates and increased carryover funds, $8 billion will fully fund the program full stop. It is completely false to believe that there will be people kicked off of the program. Funding this at the level necessary to meet the need is exactly what we are doing in this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Haridopolos).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to hear my colleague acknowledge that pregnant women carry babies. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Taylor).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I do want to address the WIC cash value voucher funding for the fruit and vegetable benefits since my colleague has mentioned it. I am not sure if my colleague has noticed but the pandemic is over, thank goodness. Chicago-area union teachers are finally back to work. We can leave our homes, shop where we want to, and we can return to pre-COVID funding levels and re-center our spending to meet the need. Let's be clear, we are not eliminating the benefit for fruits and vegetables. We are not even taking it back to pre-COVID levels. We are simply restoring parity to meet the need. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in response to the accusations that have been made in this Chamber today against the President of the United States, a government contractor criminally leaked the President's private tax returns. He was convicted and sentenced to 5 years in prison. The President had every right to fight back. The President took no money from the settlement, not a single dollar. He received a formal apology. A man who has lost billions of dollars since entering politics to serve this country asked for an apology, and that is what he got. When concerns were raised about the fund, the administration listened and pulled back. The weaponization of government against political opponents must end. That is exactly what the President is fighting for and what the settlement represents. The people crying foul today are the same ones who cheered when the President's financial records were illegally leaked. The outrage is not credible. Democrats were silent as President Joe Biden pardoned, preemptively in some cases, his entire family. Democrats today insist on deflecting from the issues we are here to talk: fraud. Republicans have sounded the clarion call on waste, fraud, and abuse that exists within the Federal Government. Meanwhile, Democrats have been content to use hyperbole and vitriolic attacks to hide behind the fact that they have no desire to ferret out this systemic waste, fraud, and abuse that is plaguing our programs. There is fraud in our Government programs. We have known about it for decades. Democrats seem content to live with it. Republicans in Congress have been consistent in going after it, despite the head-in- the-sand posture by our Democratic colleagues. We went after it in ObamaCare in H.R. 1, and, guess what, the CBO stated that premiums would go down as a result of our work. We went after Medicaid fraud, especially involving illegal immigrants. By the way, a Federal court recently ordered officials to turn over Medicaid information to ICE enforcement. We went after waste, fraud, and abuse through our rescissions package. Once again, Democrats refused that premise ever existed, even though it is right in front of their eyes. One just needs to look at the ever-revealing childcare center fraud in Minnesota. The universe of money that stands to be squandered by overbilling could reach in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Worse yet, it has been discovered before, as I mentioned, as has the glaring inability for Minnesota to properly create any enforcement checks. Just earlier this year, the inspector general of Minnesota released an audit that randomly sampled payments to childcare centers in 2023, finding an astonishing 11 percent of government outlays have problems related to attendance and proper payment, and that was simply based on a random sample. Here is a direct conclusion from the attorney general's report: A lack of oversight to ensure accurate and complete attendance documentation could increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse to the CCAP program. The scandal comes on the heels, also, of the worst COVID fraud scandal ever perpetrated: the $250 million Feeding Our Future criminal fraud enterprise in Minnesota that literally robbed taxpayers of funds intended to help hungry children. An early reporting is potentially discovering concentric circles around individuals and families involved in that criminal enterprise, including these childcare centers. Before that, in 2019, the State's legislative auditor revealed it could literally prove at least $6 million in fraud from previous years, believing the true number to be greater. It is not limited to food benefits either. ABC News reported that the student loan fraud that is targeted in this bill we are considering this week, known as ghost students, had thousands of colleges across the country with sophisticated thieves becoming a scourge. The scammers, using stolen or fake identities to enroll in classes online and sign up for Pell grants and loans, then disappear once they get the money, robbing the Federal Government of hundreds of millions of dollars and leaving an untold number of victims in their wake. There are really only three responses to fraud once it is exposed: You attack it, you cover it up, or you minimize it. The legislative auditor in Minnesota previously accused the Walz administration of minimizing or dismissing allegations of fraud, citing a shoot-the-messenger attitude. One media outlet characterized Governor Walz as a hands-off leader when it comes to seeking accountability for episodes of fraud and mismanagement on his watch. Which path will our Democrat colleagues take now that this fraud is being revealed? Will they root it out as we have, or will they turn a blind eye in the mode of Governor Tim Walz? Just a few months ago, the Massachusetts State Auditor released the Bureau of Special Investigations annual report for fiscal year 2025, which exposed nearly $12 million in public assistance fraud across thousands of cases in the State, including $4.1 million in food stamp fraud. Mass Health, the State Medicaid and CHIP program saw more than $1.3 million in fraud. Another report, published in April of 2026, found that more than a billion dollars was improperly spent on food stamps in Massachusetts between 2022 and 2024. The cases show just how deep and widespread the fraud is in Massachusetts. A transportation company allegedly billed Mass Health more than $3 billion for rides that never happened. A tiny bodega, only 150 square feet, somehow pushed nearly $7 million in food stamp trafficking, ringing up a half a million dollars a month like it was a big box store. One man living illegally in the country stole a dead U.S. citizen's identity for decades, even serving prison time under the alias. After release, he used the same alias to apply for food stamps, stealing thousands in benefits. A State employee even flagged his food stamp application with a note: death match. Yet, it was still approved. In 2026, fraudsters used more than 100 stolen identities to funnel food stamps into a restaurant supply scheme, stocking up on hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of wholesale meat, all paid entirely on the taxpayers' dime. It is not surprising, given the lack of oversight, that TANF fraud is so pervasive. Just take a look at Colorado where 135 cases of theft were reported by Pueblo County. Benefit recipients, in one week alone, totaled $73,991 in losses, including 40 TANF Colorado Works customers totaling $19,344. This is just a short sample, Mr. Speaker, of the fraud committed in primarily Democrat States that we know about. It is Republicans, once again, that are heeding the call, the request of American families, to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and protect our tax dollars. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time and inquire if the gentleman is ready to close.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I am really happy that there is at least some agreement in this debate today from my Democrat colleagues on the other side of the aisle. We agree, as it was mentioned today, that pregnant women carry babies. What a momentous day in this Chamber. Democrats insist on deflecting from these issues, though, the ones we are talking about today, because it is their leadership in Democrat-run States and their lax policies that have led to rampant fraud. It is no wonder that they are trying to deflect from that conversation about the fraud that their policies have allowed to perpetuate. Mr. Speaker, the measures discussed here today reflect a clear and consistent commitment by House Republicans to restore accountability, improve program integrity, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used as intended. From agricultural investments that support rural communities to safeguards against fraud in student aid, childcare, and TANF, this package represents practical solutions to ensure that every Federal dollar is accounted for and, again, targeted to meet the need. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to moving these bills out of the House this week, and I ask my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the previous question, and ``yes'' on the rule.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize two exceptional small business leaders from Indiana's Ninth District, Ted and Dana Huber, who have been named Indiana Small Business Persons of the Year by the United States Small Business Administration. Ted represents the sixth generation of a family business founded in 1843, when his ancestor Simon Huber left Baden, Germany, and settled in the small southern Indiana community of Starlight, bringing with him the craft of winemaking and distillation that still defines the family today. Ted and Dana have built that legacy into something remarkable. What began as a fruit farm has grown into one of the Midwest's premier agritourism destinations, welcoming over 600,000 guests annually to their 700-acre property. The next generation is already carrying it forward. Their sons, Christian and Blake, have both returned from university programs in viticulture and distilling to work alongside their parents on the family farm. The Hubers didn't just build a business. They helped build an industry. In 1998, the family worked with Indiana legislators to create the farm brandy distillation permit, opening the door for distilleries across the State. Their willingness to invest not just in their own operation but in the broader agriculture community is exactly what sets Ted and Dana apart. I am proud to recognize them for this well-deserved honor, and I thank them for their generations of contributions to southern Indiana and our State.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Beth Bauer for her more than two decades of dedicated service to the State of Indiana and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Indiana she leaves behind a legacy that has fundamentally strengthened the ``Crossroads of America.'' Throughout her tenure, Beth has been a tireless advocate for the infrastructure that Hoosiers rely on every day. Her leadership was instrumental in the passage of Indiana's landmark 2017 transportation funding legislation. This historic achievement secured billions of dollars in long-term investment, ensuring that our state's roads, bridges, and water systems remain safe and reliable for generations to come. Beth's influence extends far beyond Indiana's borders. She has distinguished herself as a fervent supporter of national infrastructure policy, having served from 2021 to 2022 as the President of the National Association of Engineering Council Executives. On the national stage, she has been a vital voice in Washington, DC, mobilizing professionals to educate federal lawmakers on the critical fiscal challenges facing state infrastructure funding and ensuring Indiana is never overlooked. Under her guidance, ACEC Indiana has become a national gold standard for political engagement. For the 13th consecutive year, her chapter was the first in the Nation to reach its national goals, supporting bipartisan federal candidates who champion the engineering industry's agenda. This unwavering commitment ensures that critical issues--such as federal infrastructure funding, permitting reform, and workforce development--remain at the forefront of our work here in Congress. Mr. Speaker, Beth Bauer is the embodiment of a dedicated servant- leader. Her collaborative approach, bipartisan relationship-building, and relentless professionalism have set a standard for advocacy nationwide. As we fly the United States flag over this Capitol in her honor, we thank Beth for her 21 years of service to ACEC Indiana, her vision, and her unwavering commitment to the public good. We wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate National PEO Week, which starts May 17 and ends May 23, 2026. National PEO Week will celebrate the important contributions of the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) industry, which provides payroll, employee benefits, compliance assistance, and HR services to hundreds of thousands of small and mid-sized businesses that employ more than 4.5 million people. PEOs help small businesses improve productivity and profitability, focus on their core mission, and grow. Through a PEO, employees of small businesses gain access to important employment benefits such as 401(k) plans; health, dental, life, and other insurance; dependent care; and other benefits they might not typically receive as employees of a small company. PEOs also take over back-office tasks that consume time, energy, and resources, enabling small businesses working with a PEO to grow twice as fast, have a 12 percent lower employee turnover, and a higher business survival rate. I know the value that PEOs provide. Before coming to Congress, I worked for a PEO, and I saw firsthand the positive impact they had on small businesses in my home state of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the PEO industry for all they do to help our Nation's small businesses and their employees prosper.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 98, the Rural Broadband Protection Act, a bill I authored and passed out of the House as H.R. 2399 and an issue I have long championed. In April, we passed the House version of this bill. In June, the Senate passed the identical text, sponsored by my friend Senator Capito also by voice vote. Today, we have a chance to finish the job and send this legislation to the President's desk. Across Indiana and rural America, families, farmers, students, and small business owners still struggle with slow and unreliable internet access, and it is more than an inconvenience. It is a barrier to opportunity, to education, to healthcare, and to economic growth. When Congress invests in rural broadband, we have an obligation to make sure those dollars reach the communities they are meant to serve and that the providers that are receiving them are capable of getting the job done. That is exactly what the Rural Broadband Protection Act does. It directs the Federal Communications Commission to vet applicants for broadband funding based on their experience, their technical capability, and their demonstrated ability to deploy. It brings accountability and transparency to the grant review process, ensuring taxpayer dollars go to real, shovel-ready projects, not phantom providers or empty promises. This is smart, bipartisan, commonsense legislation. It passed the Energy and Commerce Committee 51-1. It passed the House by a voice vote last April. It passed the Senate by voice in June. Mr. Speaker, I thank Senator Capito for her leadership on the Senate side and my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for moving this bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. Today, we have a chance to deliver a long-overdue win for rural America. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on S. 98. Let's get this bill to the President's desk where it can finally become law.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional Indiana leader, Scott Dolson, who has been named the 2026 Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Mr. Dolson has made history as the first athletic director of Indiana University to receive this honor. This award is a testament to his dedication, leadership, and the remarkable success of Hoosier athletics under his guidance. Over seventeen years at Indiana University, including six as Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, he has helped elevate programs across the board. That includes leading one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college sports, culminating in Indiana Football reaching the top of the sport and earning a national championship--an achievement that brought pride to the entire state. At the same time, student-athletes across programs continue to excel both on the field and in the classroom. Mr. Dolson's contributions to athletics do not stop with Indiana University. He is active in shaping the future of leadership of collegiate sports, including participating in a White House roundtable discussing the future of college athletics, serving as Chairperson of the Big Ten Athletic Directors group, and a part of the NCAA Division I Baseball Selection Committee. I congratulate Scott on this well-deserved honor. I thank him for his contributions to IU athletics, Hoosier athletes, and to our home state of Indiana.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1131 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), 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. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and produced a rule, House Resolution 1131, providing for the House's consideration of four pieces of legislation. First, the rule provides for H.R. 8029, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act, to be considered under a closed rule. It provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations or their respective designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Second, the rule provides for H. Res. 1128, expressing support of the House of Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security, to be considered under a closed rule. It provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security or their respective designees. Third, the rule provides for H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act to be considered under a closed rule. It also provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, or their designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Last, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5103, the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act of 2026, under a closed rule. It provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, or their designees, and provides for one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation. At a fundamental level, this rule addresses our core responsibilities: maintaining public safety at home, defending American interests abroad, and ensuring the continuity of essential national security operations. The underlying bills represent a consistent theme: America First. This White House and Republicans in Congress have never wavered from that ideal. Let me begin with the Department of Homeland Security funding bill. We are now more than 1 month into the Democrats' shutdown of one of the most critical Departments in the Federal Government, the second longest shutdown in history. The consequences are real, and they are growing. During the State of the Union Address, President Trump challenged Members of Congress to stand if they support the principle that the first duty of American Government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens. The majority of Democrats remained seated. Let's be clear about what the Democrat shutdown means for the American people. It means Democrats are putting the interests of illegal aliens over our own citizens, and they, unbelievably, do this again and again. It is clear their policies are wildly unpopular, with not even 66 percent support from Democratic voters. It is no wonder they want illegal aliens to count in the Census and vote. House and Senate Democrats have voted seven times--seven times-- against funding DHS, and already the shutdown has resulted in $2.5 billion in economic losses. Across the country, essential workers are continuing to report for duty without pay. These individuals are responsible for airport security, disaster response, cybersecurity, and a range of other missions that affect public safety. At the same time, other employees have been furloughed, delaying important work and placing additional strain on those who remain on the job. In total, over 100,000 DHS employees, including TSA officers at our airports, Coast Guard personnel, and FEMA staff, have been directly impacted by the Democrats' shutdown. That is roughly $1 billion in unpaid wages every month, and thousands of DHS personnel who, thanks to the Democrats, have worked with no pay for 49 percent of this fiscal year. The ripple effects extend far beyond the workforce itself. Travelers are encountering longer and longer wait times, with some airports reporting 4- to 6-hour lines to clear security. Staffing shortages are becoming more and more pronounced. Experienced personnel are leaving, including 450 TSA agents, and replacing them is neither quick nor easy. Meanwhile, agencies tasked with responding to emergencies are being forced to scale back planning and recovery efforts. All of this is happening while uncertainty continues, with no clear resolution in sight. The burden of the Democrats' stunt continues to fall on Federal employees and the American public. That is not how critical national security functions should be managed. Regardless of political differences, there should be a shared understanding that maintaining the operations of agencies responsible for protecting this country is essential. That includes our border security and our ICE agents. Delays and disruptions of these functions carry real risks--risks to efficiency, to morale, and, most importantly, to safety. It is irresponsible and easily reversed. Democrats should vote to fully fund DHS when they have the opportunity to do so for the eighth time this week. This rule also provides for consideration of a resolution expressing support for the Department of Homeland Security, led by my good friend from Pennsylvania, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie. Now more than ever, we need to stand with the men and women carrying out the mission of DHS. While our military is engaged abroad, Democrats have shut down the agency responsible for securing the homeland, and Americans are less safe because of it. Ending this shutdown and passing this resolution makes clear we stand with those who protect this country, not the politics that undermine them. I turn now to the Defending American Property Abroad Act. For generations, the United States has stood for the principle based in liberty that individuals and businesses should be able to invest, operate, and compete under the protection of clear and predictable rules. Respect for private property is essential to that system. It is what allows markets to function, innovation to thrive, and economic relationships to grow. However, those principles are not always honored beyond our borders. There have been repeated instances where American companies have seen their assets seized or undermined in ways that are inconsistent with international commitments. When that happens without consequence, it doesn't just harm a single business. It sends a signal that these agreements can be ignored. When there are no meaningful consequences, the problem grows. Existing agreements establish expectations, but expectations alone are not enough. They must be backed by credible enforcement. This legislation is designed to fill that gap, and I thank Representative Pfluger for his work on it. It creates a more structured and timely way for the United States to respond when American-owned property is treated unfairly abroad. It strengthens our ability to deter such actions before they happen and to respond more effectively when they do. It also reinforces the basic idea that access to the benefits of economic engagement with the United States comes with responsibilities. If foreign actors expect to participate in our markets, then they must also respect the rules that govern fair treatment of American businesses. Failing to respond when these standards are violated doesn't preserve stability. It undermines it. This bill represents a measured and necessary step toward protecting American interests and reinforcing the integrity of the global economic system. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I want to turn to the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act. Washington, D.C., is where Americans come to connect with their history, where visitors from around the world come to understand our values, and where we, as elected Representatives, carry out the work of the people. Because of that, the condition and safety of our Capital matters, not just to those who live there, but to the country as a whole. Yet, for too long, too many people have experienced a different reality when they visit Washington. Concerns about public safety, disorder in public spaces, and the condition of key landmarks became more and more visible and pressing. When we take public safety seriously and stop being soft on crime, we see results. After President Trump deployed the National Guard, crime dropped significantly. In the first 30 days alone, total crime fell by roughly 18 percent compared to the same period the year before. Violent crime dropped by nearly 50 percent. Carjackings fell by more than 80 percent. Those trends have continued. This year, thanks to President Trump, violent crime is down more than 30 percent; robberies have been cut by more than one-half; and homicides are down sharply compared to last year. That is what happens when we support law enforcement and restore order. Addressing these challenges requires more than temporary measures. It requires a sustained, coordinated effort that brings together relevant agencies and ensures that responsibility doesn't fall through the cracks. That is what this bill is intended to do. Public safety should not be a partisan issue. The majority of Americans want safer streets, cleaner public spaces, and a Capital that reflects the strength and beauty of this country, especially on her 250th birthday. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bills, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will remind my colleague that they can stop all of this pain at our airports by voting this week for our bill, the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act. Let us remind the American people that the Democrats have voted seven times against funding TSA. Seven times they have had an opportunity to fund TSA, and seven times they have voted against funding TSA. This causes the second longest shutdown in history. 100,000 DHS workers are going without pay, 450 TSA agents have quit, and 49 percent of the fiscal year 2026 TSA agents have worked without pay. Seven times the Democrats have voted against funding TSA. They have an eighth opportunity to fund it this week. I hope they will vote in favor of the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Haridopolos).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that they, too, can vote to fully fund DHS. They have an eighth opportunity to do that today. They have declined funding DHS seven previous times. I remind my colleagues that there are real reforms in this bill that were negotiated with the other side: reforms including mandates for body cameras and de-escalation training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection personnel. They are asking us to not fund ICE and to not fund CBP. That is just not something that we are going to do. They are choosing, again and again, illegal aliens over American citizens. I understand that they have put forward this idea that we could piecemeal funding for DHS, but we are just not going to do that. It is a critical time and public safety is a factor, but also so is protecting our American citizens from violent criminal aliens and removing them from the country after Joe Biden and the Democrats let them in with a wide-open southern border. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Edwards).