Erin Houchin

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I note that what my colleague, the ranking member, does not note is that this House has passed under Republican leadership more than 300 bills out of the House of Representatives with 92 percent bipartisan support. Many of these bills go to the Democrat- controlled Senate where they die. The ranking member also likes to criticize this majority when he knows full well just last Congress when he was chair, the Rules Committee was no bastion of an open process. For the record, here are some statistics that might help paint a better picture and provide context for the cherry-picked numbers the Member rattled off. It is true there have been more closed rules, but this majority has reported nearly twice the amount of bills in the last Congress. Considered as a percentage, this majority has reported fewer closed rules than when he had the gavel. Even more, over a third of the closed rules were because no amendments were offered, making the rule closed by definition. Not considering those closed rules brings us still at roughly the same rate as a percentage of closed rules from the last Congress but with significantly more bills offered. I also remind this body that the previous Congress saw the use and abuse of partisan en bloc amendment votes, which created omnibus-style amendments designed to defeat Republican, or tough amendments, and had the practical effect of stifling the Republican minority. Even with this procedural atrocity, the ranking member still can't claim a higher ground on making minority amendments in order. We also needed to keep up with the onslaught of regulations from the Biden-Harris administration that they have unleashed on the American people from unelected bureaucrats. We have considered numerous disapproval resolutions, which traditionally are carried closed because of how they are written. The ranking member carried on this tradition when he had the gavel. While the ranking member wants to talk about how we are stifling Democrat amendments, this majority has actually made more minority amendments in order as a percentage than the previous Congress when he was calling the shots. While the ranking member shakes his finger at the majority for the way this Congress has gone, I point out that he understands the unique difficulties and the tough decisions the Rules Committee is tasked with in moving the majority's agenda. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my colleague from South Carolina (Mr. Norman).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The other side of the aisle won't even deport violent criminals. That is against the very safety of American citizens. In New York City, under Bill de Blasio, they passed a series of sanctuary city policies between 2014 and 2018 that prohibit the New York Police Department and correction and probation departments from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents except under very limited circumstances. However, now, more than 100,000 migrants have passed through New York City since the spring of 2022, and 58,000 still remain in the city's care. Current Mayor Eric Adams and the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, have said: ``We don't have capacity.'' For years, ICE has warned that sanctuary cities create a public safety threat, and they are one of the biggest impediments to public safety efforts. However, under the Biden and Harris administration, the crisis at the southern border has only worsened the consequences of sanctuary policies and made enforcing current immigration laws even more difficult. H.R. 5717, despite mischaracterizations from my friends on the other side of the aisle, creates an incentive for local jurisdictions to cooperate with Federal immigration officials by prohibiting Federal funds from being used to provide sanctuary for illegal aliens going to sanctuary jurisdictions. Under current law, it creates a perverse incentive for sanctuary cities to willingly flout the law. H.R. 5717 holds sanctuary cities accountable for exacerbating the Biden-Harris border crisis and flouting Federal immigration law by prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars to fund housing, healthcare costs, and other benefits for illegal immigrants in such municipalities. Taxpayers who are at risk due to the border crisis should not be funding local governments not interested in upholding the rule of law. No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities corrects these perverse incentives and ensures that taxpayers are not on the hook for this lawlessness. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire if the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) is prepared to close.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Despite what my colleagues on the left have to say, the American people know that the Biden-Harris administration has been a relentless, woke assault on the American economy, the education system, and even Americans' retirement accounts. The American people know the Biden-Harris administration has resulted in crippling inflation, a wide-open border, decreasing public safety, and increasing drug overdose deaths. With the bills before us today, we continue to deliver for the American people. House Republicans are fighting at every turn to secure our borders, restore our economy, and protect free speech and free markets. The Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act and the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act are commonsense bills that would immediately make our communities safer, something the Biden-Harris administration has repeatedly failed to do. I would hope that our colleagues on both sides of the aisle would support these important bills. 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. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to offer my congratulations to the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities on receiving an extraordinary milestone: 50 years of service. Over the past five decades, INARF has proudly represented its members who serve more than 50,000 citizens annually and employ nearly 15,000 dedicated professionals. INARF plays an indispensable role in our southern Indiana community, shaping the landscape of disability services to provide the highest quality of care and support for nearly 900,000 people with disabilities. Last month, I had the privilege of visiting one of INARF's member organizations where I witnessed the vital work that they do. Their unwavering commitment ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and to reach their full potential. As we celebrate 50 years of impact with our local disability service providers, I extend my sincere gratitude. I thank them for their tireless dedication to ensuring Indiana residents have access to the resources and services they need. Recognizing Lischkge Motors

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable milestone, Lischkge Motors' 100 years of business in Aurora, Indiana. If you have ever driven along U.S. Route 50, you have likely seen the iconic 100-foot-tall round barn, the largest of its kind in the State. This impressive structure, built in 1901, took Clayton Lischkge 2 years to convert into a thriving business space, an achievement that amazed professional engineers and silenced the critics. Mr. Lischkge's journey reflects the spirit of that very barn, defying the odds and exceeding all expectations. Starting out as an apprentice mechanic, earning little to no pay in exchange for learning the trade, he opened his own shop in June of 1924. His sheer determination kept the doors of Lischkge Motors open through the Great Depression, and his resilience carried the business through four devastating floods, including the infamous 1937 flood that reached the second floor of the shop. In 1964, Lischkge Motors found its new home at the round barn, a symbol of the family's resilience and adaptability. Today, they hold the title of the oldest Mack Truck distributor in the world, and their impact on the Aurora community is immeasurable. As we celebrate a century of Lischkge Motors, I stand here today to congratulate the Lischkge family on this tremendous achievement and to thank them for being an invaluable part of our community. Congratulating Decatur County Memorial Hospital

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Decatur County Memorial Hospital for over 100 years of dedicated service to the people of our district and southern Indiana. Originally established as a memorial to honor Decatur County residents who bravely fought and lost their lives in World War I, this hospital embodies the care and spirit that rivals any institution in the Nation. With a commitment to integrity, compassion, quality, and a deep sense of community, Decatur County Memorial Hospital continues to be a cornerstone of healthcare in our region. From its beginnings in a 16,000-square-foot facility, the hospital has grown to include surgery, women's care, and rehabilitation centers across multiple locations, all while staying true to its mission of providing top-tier care to southern Indiana. Thanks to their dedication, the need for residents to seek care outside of our community has been greatly reduced. This past August, Decatur County Memorial honored its proud history and built upon its legacy by lowering a time capsule on campus, connecting the past, present, and future of this institution. As we reflect on its rich heritage and the sacrifices of those who have served, we are reminded of the enduring values that define this hospital. I look forward to the next 100 years of building upon these values.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, last night, the Rules Committee met and produced a rule, House Resolution 1243, providing for the House's consideration of several pieces of legislation. The rule provides for H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, to be considered under a structured rule. It provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services or their designees and provides for one motion to recommit. Additionally, the rule also provides for H.R. 5403, the CBDC Anti- Surveillance State Act. H.R. 5403 would be considered under a structured rule, and it also provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services or their designees and provides for one motion to recommit. Finally, the rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 192, a bill which would prohibit noncitizens from voting in elections in the District of Columbia, 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 Oversight and Accountability 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 pieces of legislation beginning with H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, or FIT21. Mr. Speaker, I am very glad that the rule provides for consideration of this legislation. As a member of the Financial Service Committee, we have spent countless hours trying to develop a responsible regulatory structure for blockchain technology and digital assets. These conversations have become increasingly necessary as regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission have failed. Instead of developing a targeted and purposeful framework that would promote innovation and protect consumers, they have led with regulation by enforcement action. This approach threatens the United States' leadership in the future of digital assets, a future that could better protect privacy, reduce business costs, and empower more Americans. This flawed approach by the SEC has required congressional action, and FIT21 is the joint response of the Financial Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. FIT21 establishes a framework consistent with existing law but also appropriate for the digital assets in question and their unique characteristics. First, there is no current clear market structure for the regulation of digital assets in the United States. The SEC has merely been regulating by enforcement action. This leaves digital asset innovators and consumers to play a guessing game. This not only stifles innovation but lends itself to the SEC picking winners and losers. Meanwhile, there is currently no way for digital asset commodities to be registered or regulated by the CFTC. Chair Gensler has repeatedly said most digital assets are securities. However, by his own admission, we know that not all digital are securities. In fact, it is estimated that 70 percent or more are commodities. This is among the most important reasons for the passage of FIT21. The SEC does not regulate commodities. It regulates securities. The CFTC does not regulate securities. It regulates commodities. The advent of digital assets, which can be either securities or commodities, has created a regulatory black hole that FIT21 seeks to remedy. By defining digital asset commodities and securities and creating a clear regulatory market structure, FIT21 protects consumers and provides the regulatory clarity for digital asset developers to innovate. The framework offered by FIT21 will give clear guidance to regulators and thus allow consumers to better judge digital assets for themselves, avoid scams, reduce instances of data theft, and lessen the potential for market manipulation. FIT21 is good for our constituents and good for the country. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of us to support this important legislation. Moving on to H.R. 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, I am proud of H.R. 5403 because I share the concerns of many of my colleagues about the consequences of a Federal Reserve Bank digital currency and what that could mean for our constituents and their privacy. If issued, a government-controlled CBDC, central bank digital currency, would give Federal bureaucrats the ability to track every transaction Americans make, as well as the ability to block any transaction they so choose. This would be an unprecedented level of surveillance on the daily lives of everyday Americans, and we should all be concerned about the potential threats to individual rights and privacy. A CBDC would give the government the power to shut off access to payments and freeze the bank accounts of law-abiding citizens and institutions for political reasons, just like we saw with the Canadian trucker protest or with Operation Choke Point. Mr. Speaker, I hope all of my colleagues will join me in standing against the creation of a central bank digital currency by supporting this bill. Finally, this rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 192, a bill which would prohibit noncitizens from voting in elections in the District of Columbia. Americans are rightly concerned with election integrity. Free and fair elections are essential to any democracy. We all agree on that. What we should also agree on is that noncitizens voting in elections undermines confidence in elections. That is why the District of Columbia's Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act is so objectionable. It allows noncitizens to vote in D.C. elections, including illegal immigrants and foreign agents. It goes without saying that these individuals, in particular, have interests that are at odds with our own. They literally represent the interests of other countries, including countries hostile to the United States. Why would we want to allow Russia or China or any foreign agent to vote on policies that impact the U.S. Capital? It defies logic, but that is exactly what D.C. has aspired to do. My colleagues might ask why we even have an interest in the affairs of local laws in this respect. The answer is quite simple: D.C. has a unique and constitutional relationship with the United States Congress. A lack of confidence in American elections anywhere threatens the confidence in American elections everywhere. It is incumbent upon us to protect the integrity of D.C. elections when the District's elected officials fail to do so and when they allow noncitizens and people with loyalty to other countries to vote. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to consideration of these three important pieces of legislation and urge the passage of this rule. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Langworthy).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1243 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 may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to note that the bury- the-head-in-the-sand approach is the very approach that Chairman Gensler has been taking with regard to the regulation of digital assets. Our colleagues seem to be less concerned about getting a regulatory framework for consumer protection and are hurrying to put in a central bank digital currency for digital surveillance. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Parliamentary Inquiries

Ms. HOUCHIN

Ms. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I demand that the words of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) be taken down.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, Americans have always been a leader in innovation and technology, particularly in financial services. In order for this to remain the case, we must support regulatory structures that continue to foster that same innovative spirit without sacrificing privacy while providing necessary consumer protections and preserving market integrity. Before us is the opportunity to move legislation that could have a positive effect on the everyday lives of all Americans. H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century or FIT21, is a bill that delivers on all of these fronts for the future of digital assets here in the United States. Speaking of protecting Americans, H.R. 5403, the Central Bank Digital Currency Anti-Surveillance State Act ensures that the government is never in a position to weaponize the financial system against the American people. Innovation cannot come at the cost of sacrificing individual liberties. The issuance of a CBDC would only work to compromise Americans' rights and privacy. Finally, H.R. 192 protects the integrity of American elections here in the District of Columbia, and we must prevent it. Congress must step in when local officials in the District fail to protect election integrity in this most basic sense. Noncitizens, including illegal immigrants and agents of foreign governments, must not have the ability to vote in American elections at any level anywhere. This is a basic issue of responsible governance. To ensure government is responsive to and protective of the people it serves, elections must not include noncitizens or foreign actors. 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. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate National Emergency Medical Services Week and honor the EMS professionals and paramedics who provide lifesaving care across the Nation every day. EMS professionals like Nick Oleck, chief of Scott County EMS in my home State of Indiana. Ever since he started serving in Scott County more than a decade ago, Nick and his team have turned around the Emergency Medical Services department, and it is now self-funded, saving taxpayer money while also saving lives. This can be a heart-wrenching line of work. Last year, Nick suddenly lost a friend and colleague, and yet still he perseveres. While suffering through his own grief, he continues to respond to calls for service. Nick has also started a community paramedic program to train future EMS personnel. He is an outstanding medic and an exemplar of the EMS profession. This week we celebrate every EMS professional across the country as they contend for our communities whenever emergencies happen.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my good friend from Iowa's amendment and the underlying bill by Mr. D'Esposito, H.R. 8146. The Nunn amendments will provide policymakers with the information we need to better support our local and State law enforcement officers. This is especially important given the strain the crisis at our southern border has placed on our local communities like the ones we are privileged to represent in Iowa, Indiana, and New York. Biden's border crisis has made all districts across the country battlegrounds where police are fighting the scourge of fentanyl every day. It is an epidemic, funded by China, driven by the drug cartels, and assisted by Biden's disastrous border policies. During National Police Week and every week, we should be doing everything in our power to support the men and women in blue. That is why I am grateful to the gentleman from Iowa for his leadership and the gentleman from New York and encourage all of our colleagues to support the Nunn amendments and Mr. D'Esposito's bill, the Police Our Border Act, H.R. 8146.

Mrs. HOUCHIN

Mrs. HOUCHIN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Last night, the Rules Committee met and produced a rule, H. Res. 1194, providing for the House's consideration of several pieces of legislation. The rule provides for H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation 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 Oversight and Accountability or their designees and provides for one motion to recommitment. Additionally, the rule also provides for H.J. Res. 109, a joint resolution associated with a rule submitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to ``Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121.'' H.J. Res. 109 would be considered under a closed rule, and it provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Financial Services or their designees and provides for one motion to recommit. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 6192, the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act, to be considered under a structured rule. It also provides for 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their designees and provides for one motion to recommit. Finally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2925, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2024 to be considered under a closed rule. It also provides 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled by the Chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Natural Resources or their designees and provides for one motion to recommit. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying pieces of legislation. Beginning with H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act, Madam Speaker, I am glad this rule provides for consideration of this legislation, of which I am a proud cosponsor. The core premise of this legislation is simple. The Census should be an accurate reflection of this country's citizenry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, noncitizens comprise approximately 6.7 percent of the Nation's 333 million people. Including noncitizens in the apportionment of congressional districts will directly impact representation in Congress. This, to me and most Americans, seems to be a way to take Representatives away from red States and add them to blue States; to literally change the makeup of this body by diluting the influence and number of red districts and adding blue districts in their place. Under President Biden's watch, nearly 4.7 million illegal aliens have been released into the country, and more than 1.8 million known illegal alien got-aways have escaped into the United States. When added up, these numbers are larger than the population of 32 States. This isn't simply a constitutional argument. This is a deliberate effort by Joe Biden and the Democrat machine in Washington. On day one of taking office, President Biden issued Executive Order 13986 requiring noncitizens to be counted in the Census both for the purposes of enumeration and determining congressional apportionment. This shouldn't be a partisan issue. Having an accurate count of U.S. citizens for the purpose of congressional representation should not be a partisan issue. Yet, here we are with two sides debating the question of who should be counted. This is a question firmly in Congress' purview. In Department of Commerce v. New York, following the Trump administration's attempt to reinstate a citizenship question on the decennial Census, the Supreme Court made clear this decision is up to the Congress. I appreciate the leadership of the authors of this bill to ensure Congress is carrying out that responsibility. I hope this measure will have the full support of my colleagues. Moving on to the financial sector, as a member of the Financial Services Committee, I am glad to see floor consideration of H.J. Res. 109. This legislation addresses an SEC action that bypassed proper rulemaking procedures. Rather than following the processes laid out by the Congressional Review Act and Administrative Procedures Act, the SEC relied erroneously on a staff accounting bulletin. You don't have to take our word for it. SEC Commissioner Hester Pierce is on record having said the staff accounting bulletin may not be the appropriate vehicle through which to make this accounting change. Beyond that, however, this rule brings more uncertainty into the crypto industry by going beyond clarifying how to account for digital assets. Indeed, this rule effectively requires banks and financial institutions to place digital assets on their balance sheets. This makes it unclear if customers' assets will be lost if the custodian becomes insolvent. It also increases capital, liquidity, and other requirements for financial institutions in order to manage the risk associated with these assets that should never really be on their books. The digital assets ecosystem needs more clarity, not less. My colleagues and I on the Financial Services Committee have worked hard this Congress to provide clear rules of the road for digital assets innovation. This rule clearly does the opposite. The rule also provides for the consideration of H.R. 6192, the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act. One thing we all have come to expect from this administration is the persistent attacks on American energy and consumer choice. This legislation is another attempt by the Republican majority to defend against the latest attack as the focus of congressional Democrats has now turned inside every American's home. The Biden administration is now willing to reduce the affordability and reliability of everyday household appliances in pursuit of an out- of-touch, unrealistic, and unaffordable green agenda. Under the guise of increased efficiency, the administration has offered new rules on home appliances that will raise costs, thus making these household necessities less available, especially to people of modest means. This is at a time when homeowners are already spending 34 percent more on home appliances than they did less than two decades ago. When Americans are struggling to pay for food under the crushing reality of Bidenflation, they now must also worry about affording the appliances they use to prepare it. Instead of relief, the administration offers more obstacles. That is why we need to pass H.R. 6192. Finally, the rule provides for H.R. 2925, the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act of 2024. Simply put, our country is blessed with a diverse array of abundant natural resources. We must be responsible stewards of these resources, but responsible stewardship does not mean abandoning the resources that we have. It does not mean making ourselves more reliant on other countries in the name of unrealistic agendas that are divorced from national needs and our own national security. This bipartisan bill provides certainty where certainty is lacking and allows necessary projects to responsibly move forward. I look forward to consideration of all of these pieces of legislation and urge the passage of this rule. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. (Mr. NEGUSE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1194 and ask for its immediate consideration.