Marcy Kaptur

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues information regarding a recent event held in my home district. On Saturday, October 17, 2026, I hosted a roundtable in Toledo, Ohio alongside the Democratic Women's Caucus and Chair Teresa Leger Fernandez to shed light on the corruption and abuse perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and Leslie Wexner. We must hold these crooks accountable and bring justice to the dozens of victims who suffered at their hands. Lex Wexner is the richest man in Ohio with a net worth of $11.5 Billion. He has been influential across the state, namely with his development of the New Albany community and his large donations to The Ohio State University. Wexner employed Epstein as his financial advisor, thus entrusting him with his entire estate and granting him permission to buy and sell properties and other holdings on his behalf. This status propelled Epstein into wealth and bankrolled his trafficking ring. Without Wexner, there is no Epstein. In bringing together survivors, advocates, and researchers, we amplify the consequences of Wexner's influence in Ohio and elevate the voices of survivors. Epstein survivors Wendy Pesante, Marina Lacerda, and Jena-Lisa Jones participated in the roundtable to share their unique perspectives, as did local Toledo sex trafficking survivors Angela Navarro and Marie Fitzpatrick. Dr. Celia Williamson of the University of Toledo's Human Trafficking and Social Justice Institute and former Ohio State Senator Teresa Fedor also participated. I encourage my colleagues to read and examine the following sources: Kaptur holds roundtable with Epstein survivors Toledo Blade Alice Momany October 18, 2026 `Why Hasn't Ohio investigated Epstein?' Marcy Kaptur Targets Les Wexner Over Epstein Scandal Oneindia Staff October 19, 2026 Election 2026 updates: Obama coming to Cleveland, videos from recent campaign stops The Land Cleveland Chris Mosby October 19, 2026 Affidavit of Successor Trustee: Leslie Wexner grants Jeffrey Epstein as trustee of the 1990 Family Property Trust Franklin County Official Records Doc #200712270220208 Daniel J. O'Connor October 19, 1990 Power of Attorney: Leslie Wexner grants Jeffrey Epstein power of attorney Franklin County Official Records Doc #199907290192823 Daniel J. O'Connor July 29, 1991 Fiduciary Deed: Jeffrey Epstein purchases home on East Dublin Granville Road, New Albany, Ohio Franklin County Official Records Doc #199211180228288 Daniel J. O'Connor November 2, 1992 Wexner's deposition revisits Epstein accuser's allegations WBNS 10 Columbus Rochelle Alleyne February 20, 2026 Statement from The Ohio State University regarding completion of Jeffrey Epstein review Ohio State News Staff April 9, 2020 Application for Registration of Foreign Limited Liability Company: Epstein becomes president of New Albany Co. Ohio Secretary of State Doc #199826701876 Bob Taft September 18, 1998 Ohio billionaire Les Wexner claims Jeffrey Epstein stole hundreds of millions from him over decades Cleveland.com Sabrina Eaton February 6, 2026 A timeline of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and the fight to make the government's files public Associated Press Staff February 5, 2026 Revocation of Power of Attorney Franklin County Official Records Doc #200712270220043 Daniel J. O'Connor December 20, 2026 Epstein trafficking victim claimed to have sex with Wexner The Lantern Nicole Nowicki, Arianna Smith January 11, 2024 Ohio billionaire Les Wexner claims Jeffrey Epstein stole hundreds of millions from him over decades Cleveland.com Sabrina Eaton February 6, 2026 Jeffrey Epstein's connection to New Albany's transformation NBC4i Columbus Mark Feuerborn January 5, 2024 Les Wexner denies knowledge of Epstein crimes in deposition with skeptical Democrats The Hill Emily Brooks February 18, 2026 Les Wexner steps down as chair of namesake Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, remains on board WOSU NPR News Allie Vugrincic August 20, 2026 Ohio politicians keep promise to rebuke Les Wexner by donating $200K in campaign contributions WOSU NPR News George Shillcock September 8, 2026 Billionaire's political contributions make the Epstein files a focus of Ohio's US Senate race ABC News Julie Carr Smyth, Alexandra Olson September 23, 2026 Why Ohio billionaire's deposition for Epstein files matters Spectrum News Chrissa Loukas February 16, 2026 Key Epstein Witness Speaks out for the First Time With a Clear Demand to Trump The Daily Beast Will Neal September 3, 2025 Epstein survivor: Trump `owes us an apology' The Hill Ashleigh Fields November 19, 2025 I'm an Ohioan and Epstein survivor. I need you to know what happened to us | Opinion The Columbus Dispatch Wendy Pesante October 8, 2026

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues, Mr. Finstad of Minnesota and Mr. Davis of North Carolina, in introducing the ``U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan Act'' to formally establish and codify in U.S. law a voluntary program to be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for pork farms, pig breeding facilities, and swine producers to certify that herds meet rigorous standards to prevent, detect, and respond to animal diseases, and to allow for greater marketability of U.S. pork products in international markets. The U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan, known as ``U.S. SHIP,'' was established in 2020 as a voluntary Federal-State-Industry pilot program using grant funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The pilot program enables covered swine facilities to receive certifications upon meeting certain biosecurity, traceability, and surveillance standards for African Swine Fever and Classical Swine Fever. Modeled on the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which has successfully served the poultry industry since 1935, U.S. SHIP is a producer-driven program governed from the ground up that now includes participation by 38 States. The House of Delegates, composed of producers appointed by their State pork producer associations and of State animal health officials, votes each year on updates to the program's standards, which are then reviewed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for adoption. African Swine Fever and Classical Swine Fever are two of the most devastating swine-specific foreign animal diseases threatening the U.S. domestic pig supply, international trade markets, and the livelihoods of American pork producers. If either disease were detected in the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates approximately 76 million domestic pigs would be at risk. African Swine Fever has already reached the Western Hemisphere, with confirmed cases in the Dominican Republic and Haiti in 2021. Neither disease poses a risk to human health or food safety, but the economic consequences of an outbreak would be immediate and severe. Since its establishment, the U.S. SHIP pilot program's certification framework has helped hog farmers in selling healthy and trusted swine and pork products both domestically and internationally. The bill I have introduced with my colleagues today, which is a companion to S. 4893 in the Senate, amends the Animal Health Protection Act to build upon the U.S. SHIP pilot program's success by Congressionally authorizing the program and institutionalizing it within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill would also set up the program to address not only African Swine Fever and Classical Swine Fever but any other disease that may surface in the future and threaten the American swine industry. Additionally, the bill would establish a Federal advisory committee to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on program administration and to study problems related to swine health more broadly and to recommend ways the Secretary could assist the swine industry in addressing such problems whether through the U.S. SHIP program or otherwise. Notably, a Federal advisory committee has been key to the long-term success of the National Poultry Improvement Plan, and it is essential for U.S. SHIP to function as intended. By increasing certainty for and expanding the U.S. SHIP program, Congress can support swine facilities in receiving health certifications and strengthen the marketability of domestic swine products. In doing so, we would bolster our Nation's agricultural trade economy and help protect animal health, public health, and the security of our food supply by preventing future animal-disease outbreaks, a true ``One Health'' approach. Further, by establishing the U.S. SHIP program, creating certifications, and enabling excess U.S. pork to reach international markets, we create a mechanism to increase global demand for U.S. pork and increase income for American pork producers. Just as important, U.S. SHIP is a business continuity tool. In an outbreak, farms that cannot document their biosecurity, animal movements, and disease surveillance risk being locked in place, unable to move healthy pigs to market or to the next stage of production, with animal welfare and financial consequences that can compound by the day. Certification builds that record before a crisis arises so that regulators can quickly distinguish healthy herds from affected ones and keep commerce moving. A common national standard also gives trading partners with the United States a stronger basis to recognize disease- free regions of the United States rather than closing their markets to all U.S. pork. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, roughly one quarter of U.S. pork production is exported abroad, valued at more than $8 billion each year in recent years. Protecting that international market access protects the price every American pig farmer receives. For Ohio, this is not abstract. Ohio's 2,500 pig farmers raise pigs on 3,500 farms, many of them family farms in Northwest Ohio, and they are a major customer for Ohio corn and soybean growers and support jobs in feed mills, packing plants, trucking, and veterinary practices across our State. Ohio pig farmers have been active in U.S. SHIP since the pilot program's inception, and together with our State animal health officials, they continue to help write and refine its standards through the program's House of Delegates. That's one of the reasons why I am stepping forward to introduce this legislation with my colleagues. This legislation also provides important protections for American consumers, Should an outbreak of African Swine Fever or Classical Swine Fever occur in the United States, export markets could close overnight, the prices paid to farmers would fall sharply, and herd losses would ultimately disrupt the supply of an affordable, nutritious protein and raise costs for American families at a time when they can least afford it. Our consumers, our pork producers, and all those involved throughout the supply chain would be harmed. This legislation is about prevention and minimizing the risk of such harm. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation whether through the pending Farm Bill, another appropriate vehicle, or as a standalone measure. I urge my colleagues, including the leadership of the Committee on Agriculture, to support it. I thank my constituents, including Mr. Kevin Stuckey of Hicksville in Defiance County, Ohio, for raising issues important to the swine industry, such as U.S. SHIP, and for his service as a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Pork Producers Delegate Body.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the President's U.S. Trade Ambassador was born in California, graduated from college in Utah, and lived in Virginia. He does not know anything about the Great Lakes region or our economy. The Great Lakes economy is the third largest in the world, amounting to over $6 trillion. The administration has now imposed more huge tariffs on the American people. Tariffs are taxes on the American people. They increase the cost of everything. Rising prices especially hit hard in my home State of Ohio, the largest exporter of goods to Canada in the Great Lakes region. Numbers don't lie. U.S. exports to Canada keep going down. Tariffs have already cost Ohioans in industry, agriculture, consumer goods, and tourism over $11 billion more in rising prices due to these tariffs since January of last year. That amounts to over $2,274 for each household, which is unacceptable. Why would a U.S. President force this burden on the American people? Consumers and producers must stand up against these destructive tariffs. Let's get rid of these crippling tariffs, protect hardworking Americans, and preserve our valued friendships with our closest, reliable, fair trading partner in Canada.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Clay High School as they mark their Centennial Anniversary. Part of the Oregon City School District, Clay High School opened its doors to its first class of freshmen on September 13, 1926. Public education is a partnership between students, educators, families, and the communities they call home. The students in the classroom today are the leaders who will change the world tomorrow. For a century, Clay High School has helped prepare generations of young people to meet that responsibility, with nearly 23,000 graduates receiving their diplomas since the school first opened its doors. Named for Jeremiah Clay, on whose farm the school was built, Clay High School has grown from a small school serving its first freshman class into a thriving, comprehensive high school. The school seeks to develop and care for the whole student, offering a range of technical programs, honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, and a College Credit Plus Program. Its 27 varsity sports teams and numerous extracurricular activities give its students a place to connect, grow, and learn outside of the classroom. Through its commitment to rigorous and relevant education, strong relationships, and a culture of excellence and growth, Clay continues to prepare students to become engaged, adaptable citizens. Please join me in offering heartfelt congratulations to the teachers, staff, and community members who have invested in the success of Clay High School, its many students, and the entire City of Oregon. This milestone reflects a century of dedication and commitment by countless individuals. As Clay High School celebrates 100 years of tradition and achievement, I am so proud of the work being done to expand educational opportunities for young people in Oregon, and across Lucas County and look forward to the many accomplishments still to come. Go Eagles. Onward.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Pam Wilson on the occasion of her retirement. As the Senior Vice President of Long-Term Care at the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Pam has lovingly and dutifully served older adults in Northwest Ohio for over four decades. Tasked with connecting older adults to the care services they need, Pam took her role in stride, always going the extra mile for those who leaned on her. Most remarkably, she secured home care services for nearly 3,000 older adults annually across a ten-county area in Northwest Ohio. These are individuals who qualify for nursing home care but were instead able to remain in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Through these services, Pam provided a sense of security and dignity to countless seniors, along with their families and caregivers. The program represented one of the most extraordinary and successful Medicaid Waiver home care programs in the entire region. A true wizard on the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid, Pam expertly navigated the systems to secure the care necessary for numerous individuals. She was pivotal in establishing and negotiating contracts with several managed care companies to ensure all recipients were cared for to the highest level. Her service did not end with our region's seniors--Pam was also a tremendous mentor to hundreds of nurses and social workers, and she provided support services to countless caregivers. She organized and led the first-ever Caregiver Support Program, creating a safe space and sense of relief for a group that is often overlooked. Her leadership in establishing high standards and ethical practices had a profound impact on the many nurses and social workers she trained. That impact that will only continue to grow as her mentees continue in the field of aging. Pam's quiet capability, calm assurance, and caring heart, along with her professional excellence, made her a well-respected member of the aging network right from the start. Her legacy is carried forth in policy, precedence, and leadership throughout gerontology and among her colleagues and our community. Please join me and our entire Northwest Ohio community in thanking Pam Wilson for her tireless service and in wishing her well in retirement. Pam's steadfast care and immense knowledge will be sorely missed by all she worked alongside and all whose lives she has touched. May her retirement bring her the same joy and peace that she brought to so many others during her time with the Area Office on Aging.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Dr. Amira Gohara as she, along with our entire Northwest Ohio community, celebrates a remarkable 50 years of service to the University of Toledo and to the greater world of medicine and pathology. Dr. Gohara's medical and scientific training spans three continents. She earned her Doctor of Medicine at Cairo University in Cairo, Egypt, and completed residencies in clinical pathology with Egypt's Ministry of Health, Oldham General Hospital in the United Kingdom, and with the Medical University of Ohio in Toledo. With special training in immunology from the Medical University of Ohio and in renal pathology at the University of Chicago, she is triple board certified in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and immunopathology. Equally impressive is Dr. Gohara's dedication to teaching and mentoring the next generation of medical professionals at the University of Toledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences. She has served as Program Director of the Pathology Residency Program, Director of the Medical Student Fellowship, Director of the Pathology Medical Student Clerkship, and Medical Director of the Pathologists' Assistant Program, among other roles guiding students through their medical education. One measure of her impact is her 36 Golden Apple Awards for Teaching Excellence, an unprecedented number of recognitions for her commitment to shaping her students' futures. As her students and mentees continue in their careers, they carry forward Dr. Gohara's enduring legacy. Dr. Gohara has also taken on significant leadership roles within the University of Toledo, including Dean and Provost of the former Medical College of Ohio (MCO), Interim President of MCO, Dean Emrita of MCO, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, and Chair of the Department of Pathology. Beyond her institutional leadership, she has been a steadfast champion for medical education, a dedicated advocate for the health of our Northwest Ohio community, and a trailblazer for women in medicine. These roles reflect not only her professional excellence but also her authentic investment in the wellbeing of her students and colleagues alike. This month, the University of Toledo's College of Medicine and Life Sciences and its Department of Pathology hosted a Festschrift Symposium in her honor. A Festschrift is considered among the highest honors in academia, bringing together distinguished colleagues, former students, and scholars to celebrate the lasting influence of a respected educator and leader--and certainly, Dr. Gohara is deserving of such distinction. As a physician, pathologist, and educator, Dr. Amira Gohara has shaped the lives of countless individuals--from patients and students to fellow medical professionals and academics--and has left an indelible mark on the culture of academic medicine in Toledo and beyond. She is a remarkable woman and a humanitarian in every sense of the word, quietly, faithfully, compassionately pursuing change.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this coming Monday morning, July 27, in the heart of the largest freshwater endowment on Earth, the Great Lakes, the iconic $6 billion Gordie Howe bridge between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, will officially open. This magnificent suspension bridge, built totally with Canadian financing, coupled with the might of American union muscle, will usher in a new horizon for our international and connected economies and freshwater kingdom. This achievement will lift up our industrial and agricultural nations to new possibilities. As with President Dwight D. Eisenhower's visionary construction of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System following World War II that connected our distant heartland region to the Atlantic Ocean through Canada, this singularly masterful achievement will propel economic growth in long-neglected corridors as multi-transport by rail, air, sea, and land are reimagined and joined. I implore the President of our country and his coastal advisers to see the Great Lakes nation as a long-ignored bastion. Don't put more tariffs on us. Help us build our economy forward in the most sustainable region on planet Earth.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in strong support of the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act. Servicemembers injured in the line of duty have already given so much to our Nation of their substance. They should not be forced to sacrifice again when they return home to their families. Many of these disabled veterans are unable to work full-time. They often face insurmountable challenges for the rest of their lives. Many are denied the full compensation they deserve for all their service. The Major Richard Star Act will correct this injustice by rightfully compensating these veterans with disability pay and retirement benefits. That is why I am a cosponsor of the bill and have signed the discharge petition to bring this essential piece of bipartisan legislation to the House floor for a fair up-or-down vote. I urge my colleagues who have not signed on to this petition to support our veterans and stand with me on their behalf. We are just three signatures away from being able to vote on and pass this bill which already has 337 bipartisan cosponsors. Let's bring it forward, and do the job. Mr. Speaker, I implore you to bring this monumental legislation for a clean vote, so we can give something back to those who have given so much for all of us and the generations to come. I ask my colleagues to sponsor the Major Richard Star Act, just sign the discharge petition. We only need three signatures more, and we can move this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, the President's reckless and power-hungry administration has made yet another attempt to stifle the rights of millions of hardworking Americans. He implemented a lawless database that violated privacy rights. He compiled citizens' private Social Security information to illegally distribute that to States eager to purge voter rolls. This is on top of the administration's secret plan, alongside Speaker Mike Johnson here in this House, to cut hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits. Not only was this data collection started under Elon Musk and his DOGE illegal team, a myriad of so-called data was fabricated and inaccurate. Americans were mislabeled as noncitizens or deceased by the database. They had their voter registrations canceled without any notification whatsoever: Thank goodness for the work of prosecutors and an ethical district court judge for blocking their illegal action. The damage has already been done. I urge every citizen listening, especially those who are senior citizens, go to a website called vote.org to check your registration status to ensure your rightful access to the ballot box. That is Vote.org to check your voter registration status to ensure your rightful access to the ballot box itself. Sadly, you and I both know that this will not be the last time this administration and their billionaire buddies try to limit your sacred right to vote. This year, please make your voices heard, check whether or not your name is registered as a voter that can vote this November or an early vote in your State if that is allowed. Check your voter registration at Vote.org. Compensating Veterans with Disability Pay and Retirement Benefits

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that the leaders of this Chamber need to allow a return to regular order. We are far from that. We see the constant churn of failed rule votes, budget bills hopelessly behind schedule, Congress sent home, dozens and dozens and dozens of days wasted going away from this Chamber rather than passing the bills that are critical, such as appropriation bills not receiving consideration in the timetable allowed, and with a hail Mary pass pivoting to congressional continuing resolutions instead of passing bills to effectively govern. The Appropriations Committee worked on each of our 12 bills. We did our job and tried to move them forward. For weeks, the Energy and Water Development bill impacting every Congressional District in our Nation has been purposefully delayed after a rule to consider it failed for no good reason. Now we head home. We are being sent home again for the August recess and district work period without Speaker Johnson allowing our work to be completed to fund our country for the coming fiscal year. The fiscal year ends the last day of September. The new fiscal year begins October 1. This Congress has failed in its duty. The clock is ticking even louder. I wish the leadership of this Chamber cared about returning to regular order. We are living through great disorder here, but they seem to be fine kicking the can down the road. This hurts every American family. As they prepare income tax forms, people can't get answers. It hurts the Department of Veterans Affairs. They can't hire the staff they need. It hurts every single American calling in to the Federal Government and trying to get answers to questions they have because of understaffing and uncertainty. This isn't the way to run a country of 340 million people. Someone has to restore regular order to this Congress and this House. My fellow appropriators and I stand ready to do this work. We have done our work. The question is: Will this speaker and his team choose to meet our constitutional responsibilities in Article I? It is not at the end of the Constitution. It is not an amendment. It is Article I of the Constitution to meet our constitutional responsibilities to pass these critical bills to run the government of the United States, or are they going to cede the field again to more uncertainty and chaos? Trump's Social Security and Citizenship Database

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time I have urged Americans: Please lower the temperature. Political extremism and dangerous divisions among Americans are still cause for serious reflection. We have seen it time and again throughout our history, and we have seen, sadly, assassination attempts on the President, on former Presidents, on lawmakers at the State and Federal level, Supreme Court Justices, Governors, and many more. Last month, as the LGBTQ community celebrated Pride Month, families nationwide marked Father's Day. We saw another escalation that compels me to raise the issue of political extremism once again. A cruel and heartless person anonymously sent a false tip to State police in Michigan in an attempt to falsely claim that former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband, Chasten, had abused their twin 4-year-old children. Child Protective Services investigated competently and professionally and quickly realized that no abuse had taken place. That false flag proved to be a traumatic experience for the parents and their precious children alike. Dear Citizens of our Nation: Hatred is unacceptable. It is still alive and well in some corners and in some places in America. Call it out. Cruelty must not be our standard, and it should not be allowed without rebuke. I am sorry the Buttigieg family had to endure it. Loving families should live free of bigotry. We all need to lower the political temperature. Be kind. Be kind and be soulful. Regular Order and Energy and Water Appropriations

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, a serious issue is facing our continent. Right now, wildfires are ravaging our neighbors in the Canadian Province of Ontario which Ohio adjoins through Lake Erie. Many First Nation communities have been forced to evacuate. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of forests have burned. However, our northern neighbors were not the only ones who suffered. Just last week, in my hometown of Toledo, Ohio, hazardous air quality ranked among the highest levels in our Nation. As winds blew the smoke into northwestern Ohio, our community was at risk for the grave health concerns that accompany wildfire smoke: asthma attacks, heart attacks, and weakened immune systems. Burning forests remind us that environmental challenges like air pollution and wildfires, which will continue to be exacerbated by climate change, do not stop at national borders. We in the Great Lakes nation must continue to work with our continental neighbor and strongest trading partner to share expertise on forest management and wildfire response. Joint efforts and collaboration are necessary to make both of our countries safer, healthier and more resilient. America belongs to all of us, no matter what side of the border one lives on. As allies working together, we can heal our freshwater and forest systems in our precious, bountiful, and life-sustaining freshwater region. Extremism in Politics

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to return to my alma mater, St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio, earlier this year to join the students at a sports rally that featured student-athletes--a lot of them. The event recognized the senior young women for their achievements. Special recognition was lauded on the 22 members of the dance team who, once again, prevailed as State of Ohio champions this year. These Arrows well represented our State and the academy at the UDA National Dance Team Competition earning a silver placement in jazz and a bronze placement in pom. I was able to present a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to Coach Morgan Losby and her team of extraordinary dancers--boy, are they precision dancers--as our community honored their stellar performances this season. Mr. Speaker, please allow me to applaud all these disciplined student-athletes at St. Ursula Academy including those in--get ready-- basketball, gymnastics, swimming and diving, crew, lacrosse, tennis, track and field, soccer, softball, volleyball, and golf, in addition to the dance team. Congratulations to them all for their hard work and perseverance as they enjoy their hard-won plaudits and pursue their passions into the future. We know they will do well. Canadian Wildfires

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, our northwest Ohio region is lucky to have countless educators who guide our young people and help them grow into strong leaders of tomorrow. One of these educators is Andre Cowell. A retired Toledo detective now teaching criminal justice at Washington Local School District's Whitmer High School, he brings 25 years of field experience to the classroom. Mr. Cowell's deep compassion extends to every student he encounters. A former student at Whitmer, Alivia Garcia, who wasn't even a student of Mr. Cowell's, spoke so highly of the impact he made on her life, I thought it was worth sharing here in the Halls of Congress. There are such good people everywhere, and he showed her true kindness in the wake of a difficult time in her life following the passing of her boyfriend. Mr. Cowell welcomed her into his classroom when she needed an ear to listen. He let her know if you ever need anything, I am always here, and you know where to find me. He kept his word and stays in touch with Alivia to this day. Mr. Cowell is a shining example of someone worthy of congressional recognition. The Whitmer community in northwestern Ohio is blessed to have an educator like Andre Cowell. He is a model of a man for others, sharing empathy and integrity for the generations to come. St. Ursula Academy Visit

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Paul Hollenbeck, an architect, mentor, and rare lifelong community builder. His precious insights to build progress forward in every corner of our city of Toledo is unparalleled. Paul was an astounding, creative, humble citizen, and he embodied the community's hopes in every nook and cranny, and he rarely got attention. He was very, very humble. He didn't look for notoriety. He believed deeply that places matter because people matter. He spent his life proving that belief brick by brick, neighborhood by neighborhood, project by project. He was unrelenting. I knew Paul as a friend and as a doer. He didn't just talk about civic responsibility. He lived it, and he set an example for others to follow. Through his leadership in creating the Toledo Design Collective, his vision for downtown Toledo, or his quiet mentorship of young architects and community leaders, he reimagined the redevelopment of urban spaces and neighborhoods, literally rebuilding America in this new century. He breathed new life into every corner of our community. Paul always demonstrated a focus on the future, and that good design for people is about dignity, access, opportunity, and respect for our built environment. He understood that cities are living places, shaped by generosity and care, and he gave Toledo both. Paul brought people together, listened closely, and always asked how we could do better for the next generation. He leaves behind the Design Collective, The Collaborative building, and revitalized neighborhoods. More importantly, he leaves behind a grateful family, grateful friends, a grateful community, and a civic spirit we all can carry forward by innovating and caring for the precious legacy of our built environment in the largest fresh watershed in the entire Great Lakes. Paul Hollenbeck's legacy will live on in the voices, the dreams, and the successes that have happened across our region. I say to his family, to his friends, and to the architects with whom he spent so much of his life: Congratulations. Job well-done, Paul Hollenbeck. Thanking Teacher Andre Cowell

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this evening, I have real pleasure to send positive messages forward on so many of the phenomenal citizens that I represent here and their life stories. I rise today to celebrate an extraordinary Ohio educator, Cassy Dornbusch, from Ottawa County, Ohio, Congressional District 9. She was honored by the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools as the Outstanding Elementary Teacher for the 2025-2026 School Year, this year. For 33 years, Cassy has been a reading specialist at Benton-Carroll- Salem and a builder of futures. With patience, compassion, and unwavering belief in every child who walks through her door, she has helped students discover how to read, yes, but more importantly, how to believe in themselves. In every word of encouragement, Cassy shapes the confidence, curiosity, and resilience of young minds. Her impact lives on in the voices, dreams, and successes of her students. As she starts her well-earned retirement, we thank Cassy for her dedication, her heart, and the lasting difference she has made in each and every life. Our rocket future is brighter because of her. Honoring Life of Paul Hollenbeck

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, reckless changes to the Affordable Care Act by this administration already have ripped away affordable healthcare coverage for 2 million Americans. Skyrocketing premiums mean healthcare costs too much. Hardworking families simply cannot absorb higher monthly premium costs. My home State of Ohio has been hit the hardest. Almost one-third of marketplace enrollees, 161,385 Ohioans, have dropped their coverage within the last year. That is three times the national average. When hardworking Americans are forced to choose between groceries and healthcare, guess what, Mr. Speaker. They choose food. Between the cuts included in the big bonanza bill for billionaires and its refusal to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, it is clear the GOP's majority is intent on worsening this health insurance crisis for our relatives and neighbors. Before this administration came into office last year, the number of uninsured Americans was at an all-time low. Now, seniors are struggling to afford prescriptions, parents are skipping doctor visits, and millions have lost healthcare altogether. Mr. Speaker, Ohioans work hard and so do all Americans. They deserve peace of mind and affordable healthcare.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise with profound sorrow over the deaths of three American servicemembers killed in Jordan and Iraq, as dozens more were injured. The hearts of the American people are filled with grief and abiding gratitude to their beloved families, colleagues, and friends. Last February, President Trump told us his undeclared war of choice on Iran was only supposed to last 4 days. We are now on day 143 with no end in sight, heading toward 5 months. Curiously, in June, President Trump said: ``It is a little bit unfair for [Iran] not to have some'' ballistic missiles. Their missiles claimed the lives of 25-year-old James Feehan of Hawaii, 19-year-old Isabella Gonzales of Texas, and the life of a soldier whose name we don't yet know, plus dozens of injured troops. Billions of tax dollars are being spent and shifted by the Trump administration, ballooning our gaping Federal debt, without an approval vote by Congress. May God bless our troops. May the leaders of the President's party and our U.S. House and Senate answer the vital questions: What does victory in the Middle East look like? Across the region, where thus far the only troops on the ground are soldiers from the United States, where is the coalition for peace?

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, justice delayed is justice denied. That couldn't be more true for the thousands of honest, hardworking people and businesses I represent in northwestern Ohio. They were wronged for decades by the largest nuclear power corruption scandal in both American and Ohio history. First Energy took the public's money to buy influence and bail out failing nuclear plants, costing the public over $1 billion and counting, at a minimum. That is money stripped from families and our local economy. Just weeks ago, First Energy visited the Public Utility Commission of Ohio seeking to raise electricity bills again--this time for 3 more years. This follows a mistrial declared in the spring in the State in its ongoing corruption case and Federal litigation that is ongoing for conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery. It is over time to recover the money taken and return it to the ratepayers. Nuclear power executives must be held accountable. The Ratepayer Justice Act I just introduced yesterday would do just that. Mr. Speaker, I call on the Energy and Commerce Committee to act with dispatch to schedule a hearing on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, let's get to the bottom of this once and for all and return the public's money.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, tonight, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Toledo resident Betty Ann Amison-Lewis, a community builder. An erudite woman with a true servant's heart, Betty looked for every opportunity she could to serve our community of northwest Ohio. As founding director of Toledo's Grace Community Center, Betty devoted decades to others with the same grace for which the community center was named. She supported young men and women as they navigated parenthood. She offered after-school care to thousands of children and reinvigorated Toledo seniors with a sense of belonging. Our community will miss Betty deeply. We grieve with her loved ones. Our community celebrates her life and will remember her fondly for the tenacity with which she served others. Her life and legacy will live on in the unrelenting mission of Grace Community Center to better the lives of northwest Ohio families. To her husband, Morris; her children, Yvette, Anika, Chantel, Alvin, Alysha; stepchildren, Morris, Terrance, Myron; and her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family and friends who will miss her dearly, know that she was profoundly grateful and awed by your love. May Betty's good work and positive energy live on in your minds and hearts. Her amazing spirit is invincible, and I know it is alive and at work in our community and world. May her life be blessed.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 137th day of President Trump's undeclared war of choice on Iran. He originally said it would last no more than 4 days. It is now day 137, and we are headed toward month 6, one-half of a year, costing taxpayers $1 billion a day. The cost of this war is being borne by hardworking families all across our country, already costing them over $100 billion or more added to the U.S. debt. The war is spreading. The President has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz through which 20 percent of the world's trade flows. He has turned the U.S. Navy into a traffic cop for the strait as his blockade resumed, and the Navy is charged with charging vessels 20 percent, a 20 percent tariff for passing through, which means prices are going up. Gas prices had begun to subside a little bit, but they just went back up. I just paid $4.35 a gallon. Diesel is much higher. One farmer I spoke to last week told me that his fertilizer prices shot up from $90 to $500. This yin-yang is destabilizing. How sad it is that the President says he doesn't think about Americans' finances when he makes his decisions. Mr. Speaker, our people simply cannot afford the latest war in the Middle East. They are telling us that enough is enough. One-half trillion dollars more for war? No.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of The Toledo Museum of Art, as we in Ohio's 9th Congressional District commemorate its 125th anniversary of serving our community and the many visitors from across the globe that visit the museum each year. Located in Toledo's Old West End, our art museum was founded in 1901 by benefactor Edward Drummond Libbey. Libbey is often considered the father of the glass industry here in Toledo, having opened the Libbey Glass Company, paving the way for Toledo's ``Glass City'' moniker, which we still hold today. His generous endowment continues to fund art purchases and operations, contributing to his wish that our museum be a global leader in the museum field. In continuous pursuit of innovation in the arts, the museum is currently undergoing a large reinstallation project, adding new galleries and renovating existing ones. It is a lens through which I think we can all view the evolution of our country. By both preserving the history of what has been and reimagining what is to come, our Toledo Museum of Art remembers what is important and seeks to better itself for the generations to come. Our museum also invites its visitors to view life differently through art as they strive to integrate art into people's everyday lives. This mission has led to a USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice award of Best Art Museum in the USA, furthermore cementing our museum as one of the best in the world. Its 37-acre campus is home to more than 30,000 works of art, from famed impressionist Vincent van Gogh and passionate Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens to American artists Andy Warhol and Thomas Cole. In its dedication to the people of Northwest Ohio, our museum also showcases local artists and has an expansive exhibit on Toledo's glass industry. What a tremendous milestone for our city and The Toledo Museum of Art to reach in the same year that our Nation celebrates her 250th anniversary. Institutions like The Toledo Museum of Art play such a pivotal role in the development and culture of the United States of America. Art museums allow us to preserve our own history while also giving us glimpses into the lives of others and an opportunity to dream of our future. On this concurrent occasion of the museum's 125th anniversary and our Nation's 250th anniversary, let us remember Mr. Libbey's words during the museum's dedication--that it be a ``memory of the past,'' an ``understanding of the . . . present,'' and a means of ``increasing understanding'' for the future. That wish has certainly taken hold with the hard work of its leadership team and the evergreen support of our Northwest Ohio community. I commend this remarkable achievement and look forward to the future of one of our region's and Nation's finest cultural institutions.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of The Toledo Museum of Art as we in Ohio's 9th Congressional District commemorate its 125th anniversary of serving our community and the many visitors from across the globe that visit the museum each year. Located in Toledo's Old West End, our art museum was founded in 1901 by benefactor Edward Drummond Libbey. Libbey is often considered the father of the glass industry here in Toledo, having opened the Libbey Glass Company, paving the way for Toledo's ``Glass City'' moniker, which we still hold today. His generous endowment continues to fund art purchases and operations, contributing to his wish that our museum be a global leader in the museum field. The endowment is currently helping to fund a large reinstallation project, adding new galleries and renovating existing ones. It is a lens through which I think we can all view the evolution of our country. By both preserving the history of what has been and reimagining what is to come, our Toledo Museum of Art remembers what is important and seeks to better itself for the generations to come. Our museum also invites its visitors to view life differently through art as they strive to integrate art into people's everyday lives. This mission has led to a USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice award of Best Art Museum in the USA, furthermore cementing our museum as one of the best in the world. Its 37-acre campus is home to more than 30,000 works of art, from famed impressionist Vincent van Gogh and passionate Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens to American artists Andy Warhol and Thomas Cole. In its dedication to the people of Northwest Ohio, our museum also showcases local artists and has an expansive exhibit on Toledo's glass industry. What a tremendous milestone for our city and The Toledo Museum of Art to reach in the same year that our Nation celebrates her 250th anniversary. Institutions like The Toledo Museum of Art play such a pivotal role in the development and culture of the United States of America. Art museums allow us to preserve our own history while also giving us glimpses into the lives of others and an opportunity to dream of our future. On this concurrent occasion of the museum's 125th anniversary and our Nation's 250th anniversary, let us remember Mr. Libbey's words during the museum's dedication--that it be a ``memory of the past,'' an ``understanding of the . . . present,'' and a means of ``increasing understanding'' for the future. That wish has certainly taken hold with the hard work of its leadership team and the evergreen support of our Northwest Ohio community. I commend this remarkable achievement and look forward to the future of one of our region's and Nation's finest cultural institutions.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to spotlight the urgent need for deepened cooperation between the United States and Ukraine in defense innovation. This follows yesterday's important announcement of $18.4 million of investment through our Department of Defense in our Northwest Ohio region. After over 10 years of Russia's brutal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine has given the world a master class in the future of warfare. Ukraine has pioneered drone tactics and technology. It has developed cost-effective air defense systems, all under the most difficult of circumstances. Imagine Russia, a nation of 11 time zones. Ukraine has but one. Russia has 3.5 times as many people as Ukraine, but Ukraine fights on nobly. Ukraine's ecosystem of innovation is a model that the free world can't afford to ignore. No matter where I travel as a member of our Defense Subcommittee and meet with U.S. troops who are close or in theater, do you know what they say to me? Congresswoman, please help us advance drone technology. I have heard many things from troops, but that has been one of their most constant clarion calls to Members of Congress, and we intend to deliver to them. That is why today, I introduced the bipartisan Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act--I underline bipartisan--along with Representatives Fitzpatrick, Quigley, McCaul, Costa, and Bacon. These are Members with experience, both military and civilian. This companion legislation to its Senate counterpart introduced by Senators Rosen and Rounds would establish a landmark strategic defense innovation working group with Ukraine and NATO. This working group would accelerate joint production of innovative systems to defend our nations at a time when liberty needs it most and it is being challenged in many, many ways globally. Remember, Iran just killed American troops with the same weapons it tested with Russia. Iran and Russia have a relationship, and then they used the technologies against Ukraine. But it was Ukraine that came to our defense with its innovation in the Middle East. It was Ukraine. That is the mark of a true ally and friend under very difficult circumstances. UDD Announcement