John Joyce

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I would like to point out how essential coal, oil, and natural gas pipelines are to my district in Pennsylvania. These are valuable resources that enhance our ability to provide low-cost energy to the American people. Yet President Biden's decision to cancel the Keystone XL project while allowing Russia to continue to export more and more natural gas puts our national security at risk. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller).

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, as Congress prepares to consider the National Defense Authorization Act, our Nation continues to face national security threats abroad. I am proud that this legislation protects our military from the administration's reckless spending cuts that would have made Americans less safe. It also provides a 2.7 percent pay raise for our Nation's servicemembers and protects their right to personal expression. This bill would allow our troops to make their own choice on whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. It would prohibit them from being dishonorably discharged for making their own healthcare decisions. Furthermore, this legislation would increase security on our southern border. It acknowledges the record number of illegal crossings which is truly a national security crisis. With the threat of global terrorism on the rise, now is not the time to allow our borders to be more vulnerable. President Reagan once said that we maintain peace through our strength and that weakness only invites aggression. Now is the time for a strong United States military. Now is the time for that peace through strength. And now is the time to pass the National Defense Authorization Act and to continue to protect each and every American.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, as a physician, I took the Hippocratic oath to first do no harm. That means caring for the sick and protecting those who cannot protect themselves. That means fighting to protect the unborn. Sadly, not all Members of Congress share that commitment. Right now, liberals in this body are attempting to repeal the Hyde amendment which prohibits tax dollars from funding abortions. Worse, they are attempting to legalize abortions on demand until the moment of birth. While science tells us that the unborn baby is a human life and deserves protection, our collective conscience should motivate us to protect these unborn children. We owe it to the American people to defend the sanctity of life. We owe it to them to protect the most vulnerable among us. As a doctor and as a legislator, I will always stand for life. Strong American Military

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major General Christopher Donahue, the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan. A native of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and as an officer in our Nation's special forces, General Donahue has devoted his life to the service of our Nation. During the global war on terrorism, General Donohue has led soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He has always put his soldiers and their mission first. As the final soldier in Afghanistan, General Donahue showed his devotion to our Nation yet again. This man is a leader, and our Nation is well-served with him commanding our airborne division. I am grateful for General Donahue and for all of the brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have served in Afghanistan. Their service has made our Nation more secure. No political decision can take away what their service has meant.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, President Biden's failure to safely withdraw our troops from Afghanistan has resulted in American civilians being attacked in broad daylight on the streets of Kabul as they attempt to reach the airport. As I speak today, Americans are being stranded behind enemy lines. Our top priority must be to bring them home safely. Now is not the time for taking vacations or giving canned remarks from the west wing. Now is the time for American leadership, and President Biden has failed us in this regard. The evidence is clear, the fall of Afghanistan is Joe Biden's Saigon. Today, my prayers are with the military that they have redeployed and are working to end this crisis. They are also with the American citizens who remain today stranded in Afghanistan.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Regina Williams on being named 2020 Historian of the Year by the Bedford County Historical Society. Throughout the past year, Ms. Regina Williams has kept the history of Bedford County alive through her work to maintain social media pages dedicated to preserving our local history. Her love of Bedford County goes beyond social media, as she has led hikes to the historical salt cave in Sweet Root Park, as well as the Imes Cemetery. She has also created education programs about Southampton Township for the Bedford County Leadership Group. Furthermore, Ms. Regina Williams has worked tirelessly to restore the Point Pleasant School in Southampton Township. Ms. Regina Williams' work has greatly impacted the people of Bedford County for the better and her commitment to sharing our community's history is unmatched. On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate Ms. Regina Williams on being named 2020 Historian of the Year and wish her continued success in her work to tell the story of Bedford County.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize David and Amy Snyder for being named 2019 Historians of the Year by the Bedford County Historical Society. Throughout 2018, David and Amy Snyder worked diligently to preserve and protect the history and heritage of Bedford County through the renovation of the Loy Mansion. The Snyder family first began their research project into the property's history in 2017, and their extensive diligence in researching the history of the mansion has led to a better understanding of the Loy Family, for whom the Village of Loy is named. David and Amy Snyder's research into the history of the Loy Mansion has contributed to preserving the story of Bedford County for generations to come. I am grateful for their painstaking work to research our history and make that information accessible to the Bedford County Historical Society and our community's schools. On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I congratulate them on their achievement and wish them continued success as they work to preserve the history of Bedford County.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, following months of disappointing jobs reports, rising inflation, and irresponsible messaging on how to combat the COVID-19 virus, the American people know that Democrat policies are to blame for the rising inflation that our Nation is facing. Today, Americans are making less money than they were 1 year ago. With annualized real wages down nearly 4 percent, it is families, not politicians that are feeling the effects of President Biden's failed economic policies. Inflation, very simply, is taxation, and it has increased every month since President Biden has taken office. While Democrats in Congress mocked concerns about rising inflation, we saw the effects that this crisis is having at the gas station and at the grocery store. Now, as experts warn that the effects of inflation may last longer than anticipated, President Biden has suggested flooding our economy with even more wasteful spending. Urging $100 bribes for individuals to get vaccinated and spending billions of dollars for social programs will not fix our broken economy. The American people know that this is a failure, and they know that Democrat policy is to blame.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, our Nation is facing a security crisis on our southern border. As a record number of migrants are apprehended on American soil, we have seen a staggering increase in the amount of fentanyl that is being confiscated not only at ports of entry but also in the desert. So far this year, there have been over 1 million illegal crossings along our southern border. Right now, liberals in Congress are attempting to obstruct the Department of Homeland Security from working to keep Americans safe. How many Americans have to be poisoned by fentanyl before we stop the flow into our communities? In Pennsylvania, over 5,000 people lost their lives in drug overdoses last year. We have seen fentanyl is easy to get, and it is fast to kill. We must put an end to the crisis and refuse any attempt to stop the Department of Homeland Security from enforcing our laws and ending this crisis on our southern border.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to wish Miss Coralie Anne Bull a happy first birthday. Coralie was born on July 24, 2020 at 5:59 p.m. in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. She is the firstborn child of Tyler Dietrich Bull and Kristina Debra Bull of Philadelphia. She is the first grandchild of Nancy and Fred Bull, and Monica and Phil Fanfarillo. On behalf of the 13th District of Pennsylvania, I wish Coralie Anne Bull a happy first birthday and wish her all the best in the years to come.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the nearly 2.5 million children whose lives have been saved by the Hyde amendment. This landmark legislation has been a part of every budget in Congress that we have passed since 1976. Now, this amendment is threatened by liberals in Congress who want to force taxpayers to pay for abortions. This is wrong. As a doctor, I know that the dignity of life is a fundamental truth. To turn our backs on this amendment would not only subvert the will of the American people, it will cost lives. By eliminating the Hyde amendment, Democrats want to expand unlimited access to abortion services at taxpayers' expense. Any budget that we pass must include the Hyde amendment.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Colonel Gregory Gibbons on his appointment to command the Letterkenny Army Depot. A New York native, Colonel Gibbons is a graduate of the Army War College, where he received a Master's in Strategic Studies. His first military assignment was in 1997 as a platoon leader, and later executive officer of A Company, 123rd Main Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Germany. Upon completing his tour in Germany, Colonel Gibbons served at multiple posts, including Okinawa, Japan with the Special Operations Command, and in Istanbul, Turkey with the NATO Rapid Deployment Corps. During his career, Colonel Gibbons has deployed to areas of critical interest for our national security around the globe including, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Throughout his time in the Army, Colonel Gibbons has led the soldiers under his command with honor and distinction. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star with Oak leaf cluster and has qualified as an Army Ranger after completing the grueling eight-week leadership course to earn his Ranger Tab. I am grateful for Colonel Gibbons' service to defend our nation. On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate Colonel Gibbons on his appointment to lead the Letterkenny Depot, and I wish him, and the soldiers stationed at Letterkenny every continued success.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Andrew ``Coby'' Short for his dedicated service to our country upon his retirement from the U.S. Army. As Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Pittsburgh District since July of 2018, Colonel Short has served for three years to improve the region's critical infrastructure. In addition to his service to the Pittsburgh District, Colonel Short was also appointed as the Border District Commander and tasked with directing a project that would focus on the construction of the U.S. Government's southwestern border. Since he began his military career with a commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy in 1997, Colonel Short has received numerous awards for his service, including the Bronze Star, the Combat Action Badge, and the Bronze Order of the De Fleury Medal, an award of the of the U.S. Army Engineer Association. Colonel Short served the citizens of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District as a member of our Military Service Academy Interview Board, where he vetted potential nominees to our nation's service academies. I am grateful for his work in this capacity to ensure the continued readiness of our nation's Armed Forces for years to come. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I thank Colonel Short for his service, and I wish him continued success as he enters retirement.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, across our country, parents are facing a new and scary reality this summer. As soccer camps and Little League games get back underway, there is a new and growing crime crisis that is threatening our communities. Just last week, President Biden made the extraordinarily false comment that crime is down. President Biden is wrong. We are seeing a rise in crime throughout American cities. In Philadelphia, there have been 315 homicides this year, an increase of over 35 percent from last year. This is unacceptable. The people living in our communities deserve to feel safe. While families worry about the growing crime crisis, liberal leaders have turned their backs and failed to protect our neighborhoods. Across the country, mayors and community leaders have condemned the police officers and joined protests calling to defund law enforcement. They have failed to support our police officers as the police officers are battling, firsthand, this crime wave. This dangerous rhetoric makes our communities less safe. Now is definitely not the time to defund the police. Tragically, ambush-style attacks on law enforcement have increased 91 percent since last year. These attacks have been deadly, and unfortunately, 155 police officers have given their lives in the line of duty. This is not the time to play games, and this is not the time to cut funding for body armor and safety equipment that protect our officers who are on the front lines. Now more than ever, we must stand with our law enforcement officers. We must stand with our heroes to keep us safe each and every day. We must ensure that they have the tools and the training to protect themselves from harm while they protect us and protect our communities. Now is the time to back the blue. Now is the time to support our law enforcement. Now is the time to speak out against the dangerous rhetoric that puts the lives of the men and women in blue in danger.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to stand for the people of Cuba who are marching against the Communist government that has oppressed them for decades. In recent weeks, the Cuban activists have been kidnapped, jailed, and murdered for daring to stand against the Communist regime. Now is the time to stand against this brutality. We must urge world leaders to cease all support for the Communist regime in Cuba. We must ensure that Cubans can communicate freely with each other and with the outside world. We must forcefully denounce the Cuban dictatorship that has committed these crimes. The Cuban people are rising up in the name of opportunity, the opportunity that they see just 90 miles away on the American shores. As the Cuban people protest in the streets, they are chanting, ``Libertad,'' liberty. They are carrying American flags, and they are calling out for freedom. Now is the time for us to stand with them. It is time to put an end to the murderous regime that has held the people of Cuba hostage for the past 61 years. Freedom. Freedom for all. Freedom for Cuba. Let them see what we have here. Let them attain that freedom.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to oppose H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act. This bill takes the wrong approach to dealing with these complex and complicated chemicals. A de facto ban on all PFAS substances will do nothing but prevent secure disposal of existing chemicals and harm innovation of new, safer products. As a physician, I have personally seen the benefits provided by these products. PFAS materials have a variety of uses in healthcare, ranging from heart valves, cardiac stents, to coatings on contact lenses. Thanks to technology developed using PFAS materials, surgeries, such as those that are needed to repair a child's congenital heart defect, no longer require risky open-heart surgery and can simply be done through the arm. Of course, we don't want dangerous chemicals in our water supply. But to outright ban an entire family of products is not the answer. We would not ban the entire periodic table because it includes arsenic and mercury. We need a science-grounded, risk-based approach that identifies the most harmful chemicals and treats them as such, rather than have Congress regulate the entire family as a single group. Inclusion in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act has the potential to slow down the cleanup process of PFAS, divert resources from current higher-priority public health issues and create another unfunded mandate for critical public utilities and local governments. Instead of interfering, it is time to let government agencies do their work. And so I urge my colleagues, join me, vote ``no'' on H.R. 2467.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Beryl Geddes of Blair County, Pennsylvania as she celebrates her 100th birthday. Mrs. Geddes is a loving mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Born on July 9, 1921 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Beryl graduated from Tyrone High School in 1939 and married Chester Geddes the following year. Beryl traveled across the country with her husband during his time in the military and later returned home to Tyrone, Pennsylvania, where she worked. On behalf of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, I congratulate Beryl Geddes on this very special birthday and wish her many more happy, healthy years to come.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, at the grocery store and at the gas pump American families are facing a harsh new reality. Rising prices have effectively created both a tax hike and a pay cut for our workers. At the height of summer, families are now paying 3 percent more for fruits and vegetables, 9 percent more for milk, and 18 percent more for bacon. Instead of addressing this crisis, President Biden and liberals in Congress are doing what they always do, spending money that we don't have and asking taxpayers to cover the difference. Another $3.5 trillion spending bill is not what our country needs. Passing the Green New Deal under another name will not help American families. In Pennsylvania, inflation has harsh consequences on our local businesses like Guy Chemical in Somerset County who has seen a 30 to 50 percent rise in costs. Let's make it clear: President Biden's failed policies are putting American businesses and American families at risk.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, as the Chinese Communist Party marks a century of power, Americans must renew our efforts to hold this regime accountable for its human rights atrocities. The Chinese Government has imprisoned more than 1 million Uyghurs, persecuting this religious minority for their fundamental beliefs. For 100 years, the Chinese Communist Party has committed gross violations of human rights, mass imprisonment, torture, and genocide. Now more than ever, Americans must stand strong with the people of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. We must support the Chinese people's right to free expression, their right to privacy, and the right to life itself. As Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, we must remember that our freedom is much too precious to be taken for granted. As President Ronald Reagan said, freedom is a fragile thing, and it is never more than one generation away from extinction.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Arizona (Mrs. Lesko), my colleague and a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), who is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan).

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), my friend and colleague.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise to oppose H.R. 3684 as a whole, and, in particular, the AQUA Act. This is yet another partisan attempt at unnecessary and costly legislation. These rush-to-spend bills are bad for rural America. They are bad for my constituents. Every Member in this Congress wants safe drinking water for their communities and constituents. That is why we have already spent over $1 billion in the last 6 months on drinking water and on wastewater assistance. The additional tens of billions of dollars that this legislation will spend is wasteful and gratuitous. Under this proposal, the EPA will be tasked, for the first time, with administering a welfare program, which will be worth $8 billion. Worse yet, these bills restrict the rights of local and municipal authorities to best meet their customers' needs. In this legislation, local water utilities are prevented from taking action to collect overdue payments for up to 5 years, regardless of the income level of the offenders. It would rescind flexibility for modest communities to have variances for their small water systems. Furthermore, it would repeal provisions in the Safe Drinking Water Act that prohibit burdensome regulations where costs exceed benefits. Unfortunately, this legislation yet again demonstrates the Democrats' fixation on urban centers while leaving rural Americans behind. For all of these reasons, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``no,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.