Mark Harris

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Army Sergeant Michael Verardo, a true American hero who passed away last week following a 15-year battle with injuries from his deployment in Afghanistan. Michael served his country with distinction as a proud infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division. He survived devastating injuries from IED explosions that claimed one of his legs and left him with countless other seen and unseen injuries, resulting in over 120 surgeries and hours and hours of therapy. Michael's life was not simply defined by his courage but also by the love that he had for his dear wife, Sarah, and their three precious daughters. Mr. Speaker, his legacy will continue to empower thousands upon thousands of wounded veterans with hope as they live full lives back here at home. Michael's life is a powerful reminder that freedom is not free, and it comes at a cost.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of TJ Costello, a leader of the Charlotte community, who unexpectedly passed away on July 8, 2025. Mr. Costello's life was marked by sacrifice and service, first to his country as a marine leading combat operations in Iraq and then to our local community as a business leader and faithful church volunteer. He also served my district by guiding hundreds of young North Carolinians through the nomination process at the U.S. Naval Academy of which he is a proud alumnus. A devoted family man, TJ married his high school sweetheart, Julia, and had three beloved children, and I will remind them that 1 Corinthians declares: No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagines, what God has prepared for those who love Him. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in celebrating the wonderful life and legacy of TJ Costello.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Earlier this year, Mayor Jim Bell of Weddington, North Carolina, reached out to me to let me know that the city had a problem. Having different ZIP Codes across a single city has caused confusion about where residents file property taxes or even show up to vote. Concerned about how this problem might continue to compound, my office was able to work together with Representative Boebert to ensure that Weddington is included in today's legislation requesting a single, unique ZIP Code. Representing my constituents has been the honor of a lifetime, and I have learned that there is no issue too great or too small that I can't champion for North Carolinians, whether it is casting my vote for a once-in-a-generation tax reform bill like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or today's ZIP Code update, it is my mission to be a voice that responds to the needs of my constituents. I stand here today, Madam Speaker, to urge support for this package to ensure that communities across this country can have the clarity that they absolutely deserve.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, if this $9 billion House rescissions package doesn't reach President Trump's desk, Congress will have blown the political opportunity of a lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a simple message to my colleagues: This is a baby step, but if we don't take it, we are not living up to our promises. We all ran on fiscal responsibility, so let's be responsible now and for future rescission packages. This is low-hanging fruit in the eyes of America, but it breaks the cycle of spending without accountability. It is proof that Congress can and will act responsibly when it wants to. When the American people put President Trump in office, they demanded lasting changes to a bloated Federal Government. We must not let them down.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, we must ensure that our Army Black Hawk helicopters endure as a hallmark of our country's fighting force. That is why I have sponsored the amendment before us to reallocate $15 million within the bill to the Black Hawk Improvement Program, the account that invests in the blade improvement erosion protection system development. Right in the heart of Locust, North Carolina, United Protective Technologies, in collaboration with researchers at UNC Charlotte, have developed materials to fortify the motor blades of the helicopters against wear and tear. UPT is leading the way to ensure that when we put money into these helicopters, they will last for years to come. As Black Hawk helicopters take on increased weight, the fleet ages quicker than anticipated. UPT's work will extend their lifespan and reduce the need for full motor blade replacement. This saves the Army precious time and money. Our brave fighters should have the best equipment in the world to respond to growing threats, and my amendment ensures this will happen in a fiscally responsible manner. Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, 3 years ago today, the Supreme Court made the courageous and correct decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, but, Mr. Speaker, when over a million abortions are still happening every year in our country, we cannot grow apathetic to the ongoing suffering of unborn children. Our Constitution never was a pro-abortion document. It was always intended to guarantee equal protection for all people no matter how young or how small. The good from the Dobbs decision is eclipsed by the rise in abortions nationwide following the decision, mostly due to chemical abortions through telehealth. Congress must act with urgency. My Teleabortion Prevention Act takes a step in the right direction by ending the practice of mail-order abortion that kills children and leaves mothers alone and helpless. We must take the principles woven into the fabric of our country and ensure they are reflected in our laws.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, if we can't unite and say no to exporting transgender ideology abroad, say no to taxpayer-funded leftwing propaganda, and say no to funding pet projects that put America last, then what is the point of being called a Republican? Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to defund NPR, PBS, and USAID. For decades, Republicans have campaigned on being fiscal conservatives, but all we have to show for it is a national debt skyrocketing toward $37 trillion. Let me be clear: There is nothing fiscally conservative about forcing taxpayers to fund vegan food promotion in Zambia or voter ID in Haiti. We were sent here to do government differently, and nothing could be a clearer test of our commitment than to pass this rescissions package. The time to act is today. If we continue on our track, our grandchildren will be enslaved to a debt that will dwarf our current monstrosity.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. What do you call it when the world's wealthiest man, leading some of the most innovative companies in history, offers his unmatched genius to save American taxpayers billions? You call it a blessing, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to urge my colleagues to not let this opportunity slip through our fingers. For 5 months, Elon Musk and the DOGE team have toiled relentlessly, far outpacing this Congress, to deliver bold results for the hardworking Americans back home. They have crushed Social Security fraud, exposed wasteful government agencies, and stopped USAID's disturbing pet projects. These are meaningless if we as Congress fail to codify these reforms into law. No excuses. No delays. We must vote on the DOGE cuts this week. Republicans have abundantly praised DOGE efforts. Americans are expecting it. Now is the time to stop talking and start acting.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, a little over 1 year ago, four law enforcement heroes in North Carolina lost their lives protecting the public from an armed and highly dangerous felon. They showed up to work that morning like it was just another day. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for the Charlotte, North Carolina, community. However, instead of acknowledging the danger that police officers willingly put themselves in every day and standing behind our men and women in blue, some radical progressives on the left would rather defund the police or even abolish them entirely, but not me and not my colleagues that are here with me today. This National Police Week, I am honored to stand behind our law enforcement as they keep our communities safe. I am especially proud to stand today and speak on behalf of H.R. 2240, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act. As I read this bill, one disturbing fact caught my eye: In 2022, 30 percent of the murders of police officers were unprovoked ambushes. This is unconscionable. As a pastor at First Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, I actually witnessed and saw families suffering and hurting of police officers that were murdered in just this way. Police officers are community leaders and public servants who deserve the respect of the country. Instead, it seems coldblooded killers have been deliberately targeting our law enforcement heroes, and it is now more important than ever not to just talk but to act. I am confident that Congressman Moore's bill will accomplish just that. Our Nation's police are under constant attack and they need Congress' steadfast support. This bill will shine a light on the threats that law enforcement face, threats that have steeply risen in number ever since the left began its dangerous defund the police rhetoric, and it will begin the process of expanding the resources available to law enforcement officials. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to join me in supporting the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act, and let's ensure that our Nation's police forces know that we have their back.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, so far, President Trump has signed over 151 executive orders. The Congress has only sent him five bills to sign into law, a historically low number. That is on us. We are legislators, and we have a constitutional duty to legislate. Unless codified into law, President Trump's historic government reforms are in jeopardy. Congress must get to work locking in these victories for good. We can't afford for future administrations to erase them with the stroke of a pen. Republican Members of Congress are quick to praise President Trump's executive orders, but we are very slow to codify them. It doesn't matter if we have to vote 7 days a week. We need to be mass-producing bills that codify the same executive orders that have been keeping our constituents safe. Congress has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve victories that Republicans have always talked about. We need to get this done.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, why is the Federal Government spending more taxpayer dollars on healthcare for illegal aliens and basement bums instead of those who truly need it? For the past several weeks, there have been fearful rumblings on both sides of the aisle about reforming Medicaid. Here is the bottom line. If we fail to act now and allow millions more working, capable adults to continue to freeload off ObamaCare expansion, taxpayers will bear the burden of what will become a $1 trillion program. ObamaCare significantly expanded Medicaid, and it is quickly bankrupting the program. Ironically, Medicaid expansion has shifted resources away from the most vulnerable Americans--single moms, infants, and the disabled--in favor of adults capable of working. Mr. Speaker, if 30-year-olds living in their parents' house get more Federal Medicaid benefits than pregnant, single mothers, then it is clear the system is utterly broken and in dire need of reform. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before us to finally do what we said we would do.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Knott for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure today to be able to share in this time together. I am grateful to Congressman Haridopolos for sharing, also for Congressman Moore whom we heard from earlier. I am honored to be a part of this, and I am very thankful for the vision and the passion that Congressman Knott has shown in pulling together this Special Order. When a burglar breaks into your house, Mr. Speaker, you don't set a place for them at the dinner table. That principle seems pretty obvious. However, for some reason, radical progressives just can't understand it. For the past 4 years, radical, progressive Democrats have openly welcomed criminal aliens into American communities. Lest we forget, here are just a few of the violent guests the left has invited into our country: Felix Rojas, an illegal alien who was deported multiple times, was charged just last week for raping a corpse on a Manhattan subway. In my home State of North Carolina, two illegal aliens whom Congressman Moore alluded to earlier, Paola Duran Duran and Miguel Duran Duran, were arrested for breaking into a home and kidnapping a mother and her 11-month-old daughter. Just outside Washington, D.C., an illegal alien, Hyrum Rodriguez, was arrested by ICE after a local court dropped his charges. What was the crime that he was charged with? It was abducting a 4-year-old. These heinous criminals are only a small number of those welcomed into our country by Joe Biden and who were arrested in just the past few days by the Trump administration. Mr. Speaker, you can only imagine what is happening in our country on a grander scale. While under President Trump's leadership, illegal border crossings are down 95 percent from last year, yet we are still suffering from the impacts of the open-border policies of the last 4 years. The left did not just facilitate an open-border invasion, they have made the American taxpayer pay for it, and we are still paying for it. Under former President Biden's open-borders agenda, it is estimated that at least 10 million illegal aliens entered our country, and on top of the massive financial cost of the crimes they commit and the jobs they take away from Americans, a huge chunk of them have been accessing government benefits like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. Americans are hard workers. That is why we have the best country in the world. They don't work backbreaking jobs their whole careers for their taxpayer dollars to subsidize the lives of the very invaders who have subverted their sovereignty. The left loves to fact-check, so why don't we take a moment and hear some cold, hard facts: Fact number one, under the Biden administration, more than 1 million illegal aliens received Medicaid benefits. Fact number two, in fiscal year 2024 alone, over 2 million illegal aliens were given Social Security numbers. Fact number three, a 2023 study showed that the net cost of illegal aliens to the American taxpayer was at least $150 billion annually. Fact number four, States are still having to bear the financial burden of Biden's border crisis. Texas taxpayers have to shell out $8.88 billion a year to pay for the illegal aliens who invaded their State. For Californians, it is almost $22 billion. By the way, fact number five, in some States, in a complete affront to citizens, illegal aliens can get mortgages, bank loans, insurance, driver's licenses, in-State college tuition, and free healthcare. For illegal aliens, the U.S. has been an all-you-can-eat buffet. However, the American taxpayer and innocent women like Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin have paid the full price of the left's open- border agenda. It is time to turn off the faucet permanently. American taxpayers shouldn't have to fund their own demise, paying for government programs that actually encourage an invasion. President Trump has shown us the path forward. Border crossings are down. As I mentioned earlier, criminal aliens and gang members are being deported left and right. In other words, the forgotten American is first once again. Nevertheless, there is still much work to be done, especially in this 119th Congress. Under President Biden, Americans' hard-earned taxpayer dollars in the Federal budget were used as a slush fund for the radical left to facilitate a border invasion of millions of illegal aliens, export their woke ideologies across the globe with wasteful pet projects, and weaponize the government against anyone who disagreed with their policies. However, President Trump's budget proposal, when signed into law, will be a crucial step in taking our country back from the left. It will defund the wasteful government programs subsidizing illegal aliens and provide President Trump with the very tools to solidify his sensible border security initiatives. For example, President Trump's budget would eliminate the shelter and services program that facilitated swarms of illegal aliens into American communities and save taxpayers $650 million at the same time. It will also stop funneling $428 million to migrant education programs that are taking away from struggling American students. Those are just a glimpse of the countless wasteful projects for which the American citizens should not be footing the bill. It is up to Congress now to come together and advance both the President's budget and the reconciliation package across the finish line. Mr. Speaker, we owe nothing less to the American people who are tired of being placed behind illegal aliens. When illegal aliens are given benefits like Medicaid and Social Security by the thousands, then they will keep coming into our country, burdening the American taxpayer, and exacerbating the crime in our cities. This is why it is so important that this Congress act now with a budget reconciliation, to give President Trump the tools he needs to keep both the wallet and the soul of America safe. Burglars are in the house, and they don't just want a seat at the dinner table. They want the entire spread. It is time for us to use this historic opportunity to correct our course. Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Knott for his vision and his leadership.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, whether they wear scrubs, a firefighter's helmet, or a badge, every town in America has real-life heroes, familiar faces who serve their communities. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true hometown hero, Chief Bryan Gilliard of North Carolina's Monroe Police Department. For 32 years, Chief Gilliard has dedicated his life to public safety, including the last 11 years leading Monroe's police force. Born and raised in Union County, Chief Gilliard has given his entire career back to the community, and Monroe is a better place for it. He has truly exemplified the best of what it means to wear the badge. Today, on his final day, as he enters into retirement, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Chief Gilliard for his three decades of service.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, in America, you can't drive a car, board a plane, or buy fireworks without an ID proving that you are who you say you are. Why are folks allowed to vote, to decide the future of this country, without proving that they are citizens first? Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the House passing the SAVE Act just moments ago. It is common sense that only American citizens should be able to vote in American elections. Congressman Chip Roy's SAVE Act will close election loopholes by ensuring that every State requires voters to provide proof of citizenship before registering to vote. When noncitizens go to the ballot box, the electoral system is compromised and American votes are diluted. The American people have the right to determine the future of our country, and we refuse to be disenfranchised by illegal votes. I was proud to support the SAVE Act when it passed the House today.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, all across the country, at record levels, activist judges are impeding President Trump's America First agenda with nationwide injunctions, depriving the American people of the changes they demanded in November. To put how unprecedented this is into perspective, President Trump has faced more than twice as many nationwide injunctions as Presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden combined. In addition, more than 90 percent of these nationwide injunctions have been issued by Democrat appointed judges. I am calling this what it is: weaponized political lawfare. There are 677 district court judgeships nationwide, and as of now, if just one of these judges decides to block an executive action, they can singlehandedly halt the President's agenda. I am sure our Founders did not envision this extreme constitutional overreach from the judicial branch. Fortunately, Congressman Issa's No Rogue Rulings Act will correct this discrepancy by ensuring that district court judges cannot issue nationwide injunctions. The American people demand sweeping change from us. From cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in our bloated Federal Government to deporting the millions of illegal alien invaders, we need to make progress. Right now, a single district court judge can impede this progress on a whim, essentially holding the America First agenda hostage indefinitely. This must end. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the No Rogue Rulings Act to stop this judicial tyranny from harming the American people.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I thank Congressman Baumgartner for his work on this bill. Mr. Chair, each year adversarial nations like China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia attempt to buy the ability to influence our next generation through donations and contracts with American colleges and universities. The DETERRENT Act will shine light on these shady backroom deals and get malign foreign influence out of our schools. The legislation will strengthen the thresholds of reporting foreign gifts and contracts. According to The Wall Street Journal, in the last 12 years, U.S. schools had nearly 3,000 contracts with China valued at no less than $2.32 billion. That raises an important question: Why would a country that certainly doesn't have the best interests of American students in mind pay such enormous sums to American universities? This bill will get to the bottom of it. The DETERRENT Act includes language from my own legislation, the No Contracts With Foreign Adversaries Act, which requires a college or university to be transparent about the reason they might want to contract with one of the four countries currently designated by our government as a ``country of concern.'' It is true that there could be an academic purpose for a partnership with a country like China, North Korea, Iran, or Russia, but these partnerships cannot come at the expense of our national security, research integrity, or our future generations. Students, parents, and taxpayers have a right to know the financial ties of these universities. The DETERRENT Act strengthens current law by raising the reporting standards and providing a real enforcement mechanism if schools try to hide their dealings with foreign countries. I urge all of my colleagues to stand and support the DETERRENT Act.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my constituents, Representative Dean Arp of the North Carolina General Assembly, for going above and beyond and putting his life on the line for a fellow North Carolinian just this week. On Monday night, Representative Arp found himself in the position of seeing something that looked concerning. During a road trip, he noticed smoke coming from a roadside mobile home. Being moved in his heart to turn around and stop, Representative Arp discovered a woman in a wheelchair, trying to escape her burning home. What did Representative Arp do? He took his public service to a whole new level, rescuing her from the flaming house and saving the woman's life. Not everyone would have the courage to step up and get engaged, but Representative Arp clearly has a hero's heart. Mr. Speaker, in a day of the slogan, If You See Something, Say Something, I thank God Representative Arp saw something and did something to change the outcome.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 30, the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act. Mr. Speaker, common sense dictates that if an illegal alien is in our country and commits a sex offense or domestic violence, they should be deported immediately. Common sense dictates that if an alien is at the border and has committed these kinds of egregious crimes in their past, they should not be allowed to take one step onto American soil. Anything short of this standard is a complete and utter failure to protect American women and girls. This bill before us today ensures just that. As Republicans, we have been called to clean up Biden's border crisis, and that means not only deporting illegal alien sex offenders and abusers, but we must stop them from coming into our country in the first place. It is common sense that the legislation before us today codifies this standard. The Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act shouldn't be controversial. Sadly, as we saw last week with the Laken Riley Act, many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will use any excuse to oppose commonsense border security. I stand on behalf of my constituents in North Carolina's Eighth Congressional District to urge my colleagues to support this crucial initiative in our fight to keep our citizens safe.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, in 2022 North Carolina high schooler Peyton McNabb was seriously injured when a teenage boy spiked a ball into her head during a girls volleyball game, leaving her with a concussion and permanent injuries. Despite stories like Peyton's, the left continues to want us to believe it is totally safe for men to compete against women. In fact, the current administration tried to impose this radical agenda across our Nation. The truth is, President Biden's attempt to redefine the word ``sex'' in Title IX robs our daughters of opportunity and leaves them vulnerable. Thankfully, the Biden administration's perverted rule was invalidated at the national level by a Federal court just this past week. However, I stand today because Congress needs to make it clear that Title IX cannot and will not be weaponized to perpetuate a lie that men can become women. This bill simply affirms common sense and reflects reality. Men and women are uniquely created by God, and no amount of testosterone therapy can reverse biological design. On behalf of the women and girls I represent in North Carolina and those across America, I will vote ``yes'' for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and fight to restore sanity. I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina

Mr. HARRIS of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 29, the Laken Riley Act. For the past 4 years, the American people have suffered under the Biden administration's disastrous open-border policies that have allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood our communities. One of those illegal aliens was Jose Ibarra. In 2023, he was caught shoplifting. Despite multiple arrests on his record in addition to his illegal status, he was released under the Biden administration. Months later, as we all know, he murdered 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley. There is no other way to put it. Her death is a direct result of President Biden's deliberate refusal to enforce our laws. It is the Federal Government's job to defend our borders and protect our citizens, and our government has failed us. Fortunately, a new leader is taking office soon. This past November, Americans demonstrated that they are fed up with the left's refusal to secure our border. I am proud to be part of a Republican majority that will work with the new administration to strengthen our laws to ensure the safety of every American. While I am confident that the Trump administration will secure our border and, yes, empower ICE to do its job, we must not allow our security to depend on whether or not a Republican occupies the White House. We in this Congress must ensure there are no future Laken Rileys. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation.