Adam Kinzinger

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today and for the next few minutes, I would like to reflect on my 12 years serving in this body. I knew from a young age that I wanted to serve our Nation. While I was still in college, I was elected to the McLean County Board, the youngest person ever to do so. In 2003, I was commissioned in the Air Force, a responsibility that I took very seriously, and one I still serve to this day. Returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, I ran for Congress, and I won. Well, at the time I didn't have a family, I promised to myself to leave them a better country than the one that I inherited. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I cannot in good conscience say that I have done that. When preparing this speech, I knew that reflecting on our country's past would be the guiding light to our destiny. What made the experiment of our great Nation so remarkable was that the American people put their faith in their fellow citizens to tell the truth and make difficult choices. We have taken these ideals for granted for far too long. Instead of using our platform to advance the well-being of our Nation and our people, we have turned this institution into an echo chamber of lies. Coming home from war, I truly believed that American democracy was infallible. How could a Nation that fought a civil war for the freedom of all, a Nation that vanquished fascism and communism in Europe, how could it falter. How could we stand atop Mount Everest only to decide that we prefer to fight in the mud. I have sworn an oath, both in uniform and in this office, to protect this Nation and its Constitution. While overseas, I witnessed the dangers that radicalization of beliefs can have on people in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sadly, since coming to Congress, I have watched how Republicans and Democrats have weaponized fear in much the same way. We must not abandon our values or our beliefs in the U.S. Constitution. We all swore an oath in this very Chamber to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, not a political party and not a single man. Let us renew this belief while casting out those who take the unprecedented call to abolish this sacred document. Just as Lady Justice looks upon the Constitution and the Old Supreme Court one floor below us, we must remove the blindfold of politics and govern for all Americans when we are executing our duties. Where Republicans once believed that limited government meant lower taxes and more autonomy, today, limited government means inciting violence against government officials. Following the tragic Oklahoma City bombing, former President George H.W. Bush publicly refuted those who used fear to gain support. In stark contrast, our leaders today belittle, and in some cases, justify attacks on the U.S. Capitol as ``legitimate political discourse.'' The once great party of Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan has turned its back on the ideals of liberty and self-governance. Instead, it has embraced lies and deceit. The Republican Party used to believe in the big tent, which welcomed the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Now, we shelter the ignorant, the racists, who only stoke anger and hatred to those who are different than us. Our constituents voted us in based on our beliefs, but we cannot use our faith as a sword and a shield while ignoring the fact that we are all children of God, that we are all Americans. To my Democratic colleagues, you must, too, bear the burden of our failures. Many of you have asked me, Where are all the good Republicans? Over the past 2 years, Democratic leadership had the opportunity to stand above the fray. Instead, they poured millions of dollars into the campaigns of MAGA Republicans, the same candidates President Biden called a national security threat, to ensure these good Republicans did not make it out of their respective primaries. This is no longer politics as usual. This is not a game. If you keep stoking the fire, you can't point the fingers when our great experiment goes up in flames. Unfortunately, there are too few Republicans and Democrats that have the spines to stand up and put country over party. This is not how our Founding Fathers intended for our democracy to function, because, Mr. Speaker, our democracy is not functioning. When one party's megaphone echoes calls for a civil war and the other tacitly, and in some cases, openly supports it, then we are clearly lost, Mr. Speaker. Much like the Titanic on its maiden voyage, if Republicans and Democrats don't urgently course correct, I fear we will hit the iceberg right in front of us. While our politics are more divided now than any time over the past 160 years, we are often reminded of the magic of America at its best. Following tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombing, or Hurricanes Sandy and Harvey, Americans from all walks of life banded together to support their neighbor, regardless of their political affiliation. Through hardship, hope reigns. With this in mind, we cannot allow the loudest voice in the room to become the voice of reason. While we in recent years have failed our constituents, there have been times when we have come together to find commonsense solutions to some of the pressing challenges of our times. As a Nation, we achieve more when we work together. Americans deserve a democracy that values truthful leaders and real dialogue between our parties. It is my belief that we have to put aside our differences and remember that the Nation itself will only survive if the people have faith in one another. Unfortunately, we now live in a world where lies trump truth, where democracy is being challenged by authoritarianism. If we, America's elected leaders, do not search within ourselves for a way out, I fear that this great experiment will fall into the ash heap of history. To millions of Americans looking for solutions, not lies, it is up to us to ensure that this ship does not sink. We are being challenged at home and abroad. We must not crumble under the gravity of this moment. So many men and women around the world would die and have died trying to achieve what we have in the United States. So many of America's sons and daughters, many of whom were my friends, have died protecting it. As we continue to navigate a challenging and changing world, we must remember the past. Whenever the United States turns its back on humanity, we all suffer the consequences. Western appeasement of Hitler not only led to the Second World War, but also the genocide of millions of Jews across Europe. Believing that we could leave Europe destroyed following the demise of Nazi Germany only emboldened Communist Russia to repress the Eastern Continent for nearly five decades. Only through continued American engagement did we defeat communism and liberate our European allies to enjoy their God- given freedoms. Unfortunately, we once again retreated from the world thinking that no one would challenge the sole superpower. Our hubris left a window for 19 men armed with box cutters to murder 2,996 Americans here at home. History has proven that American isolation from world affairs is dangerous. Over the years, I have been privileged to lead the effort on supporting American leadership in a world drowning in faux strongmen. Advocating for the rights of Syrian men, women, and children to live without fear of Assad's death squads shouldn't be political, it is just simply the right thing to do. Advocating for a stronger American assistance in Ukraine to counter Putin's illegal invasion shouldn't be political, it is just the right thing to do. By supporting those who believe in freedom, we advance the interests of the American people. Should this Congress or any future Congress decide to turn their back on our alliances and commitments, it will do nothing but embolden our adversaries. None more than the Chinese Communist Party. It is all but certain that China is gauging their tolerance for pain based on our response to Ukraine. Should we fail to support our allies in Kyiv, China will unleash their own imperial aspiration across the region. Had I known that standing up for truth would cost me my job, friendships, and even my personal security, I would, without hesitation, do it all over again. I can rest easy at night knowing that I fulfilled my oath to the office. I know many in this institution cannot do the same. Some of my most rewarding and memorable accomplishments in Congress have come from working to solve issues directly impacting the 16th District and Illinois as a whole. Whether it was fighting the opioid epidemic or keeping nuclear power plants running and our bridges standing, to responding to more emergent events like flooding, tornadoes, and even a global pandemic, these projects always felt so personal to me, and I took them seriously. Even though my time in Congress is coming to an end, I stand here renewing that promise I made over a decade ago to leave this country a far better place than the one I inherited, not only for my son, Christian, but also for future generations. In closing, I need to first thank God Almighty for his blessings. Without his guidance and protection, I would not be where I am today. I also thank the hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans who placed their trust in me to represent them in this Chamber. While we may not have always agreed on every issue, I always worked to best represent my constituents and my Nation. I certainly would not be the man I am today without my family. For my parents, Rus and Jodi Kinzinger, to my wife and newborn son, Sofia and Christian, you have all lifted me in my time of need. While others fled, you stood your ground, and you supported me through thick and thin. For this, I am eternally grateful. Last but not least, I need to thank my staff, both past and present. Over my 12 years in Congress, I had the privilege of having dedicated young men and women who sacrificed long hours, weekends, holidays, and special events in support of my goals. Without them, legislating would have been impossible. They serve on the front lines every day, prosecuting casework for my countless constituents, advancing my legislation, and taking the brunt of the vitriol from angry and lost individuals. Their work was never easy, and they never wavered. I especially thank my chief of staff, Austin Weatherford; my deputy chief of staff and district director, Bonnie Walsh; my legislative director, Sebastian De Luca; my deputy district director, Patrick Doggett; my policy adviser, Paul Laurie; my field representatives and caseworkers, Greg Ridenour, Casey Gross, Luke Phalen, and Leah Bohlmann; my communications director, Theresa Reed; my legislative correspondent, Luke Sandlin; my press assistant, Emily Hayes; and my staff assistant, Anna Brooks Reed. I was truly blessed to have such a dedicated staff to advise me through this whole process. They have become like family, and I will never forget the work they have done in service to their Nation and me. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast votes on December 8. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 513, and YEA on Roll Call No. 516.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, today I wish to recognize the service and career of Drew Trojanowski, who has a long record of service to National Security and our Nation's veterans. Mr. Trojanowski served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2015, most notably as a sniper. Mr. Trojanowski deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism; also serving as a combat advisor to a foreign military in the realms of operations, tactics, intelligence, and civil affairs. He concluded his military career serving in the Arizona Army National Guard, where he helped develop long-range plans for the Joint Counter Narco-Terrorism Task Force. Mr. Trojanowski began serving veterans in 2015, after returning from Afghanistan, at the Mesa Chamber of Commerce; he established the Mesa Veterans Program and Mesa Industry and Defense Council, a consortium of more than 70 aerospace and defense companies. Mr. Trojanowski's career with U.S. Senator John McCain initiated in 2016 as a military and veteran advocate, where traveled throughout Arizona interfacing with veterans, DoD instillations and personnel and industry. In December of 2016, Senator McCain asked Mr. Trojanowski to be his Military Legislative Assistant and senior policy advisor. In that role, he was at the forefront of advocating for reform, resources, funding, and benefits that our military and veterans earned and deserve. During his time with Senator McCain, Mr. Trojanowski helped champion the writing and passage of significant legislation impacting American servicemembers families and veterans. These include the VA Mission Act, National Defense Authorization Act, the VA Appeals Modernization Act, the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act--also known as the Forever G.I. Bill--and the Veteran Overmedication and Prevention Act. These bipartisan bills, all of which were signed into law, serve as Mr. Trojanowski's dedication and leadership on behalf of the military and veterans. In 2018, Mr. Trojanowski joined the White House as a Presidentially Commissioned Officer and Special Assistant to the President on the Domestic Policy Council. In this role he oversaw the Departments of Veteran Affairs, Defense, NASA and Labor. During his tenure, Mr. Trojanowski was the policy lead on three executive orders and 56 regulations, including the implementation MISSION Act and the PREVENTS initiative. It is my honor to recognize Mr. Trojanowski's outstanding military service and continued service to our military, veterans, and their families. As Mr. Trojanowski begins a new chapter, I have no doubt that he will continue to be a voice for all those who serve.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, for all practical purposes, Dan Scavino's career is Donald Trump. Scavino was 16 when they met, and he is, to this day, a Trump stalwart. Scavino was central to the Trump administration's social media program. He was, for 2 years, President Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. Using social media to monitor trends and shape political views was Dan Scavino's core business. He did that for Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign, and he kept doing it right on through the ``stop the steal'' and the fraudulent challenge to the 2020 election. He also monitored extremist social media sites for the President. Dan Scavino was with the President on January 5 and 6. He spoke with Trump by phone several times on January 6 and was with the President as many urged him to help stop the violence at the Capitol. So, Dan Scavino could shed light on what then-President Trump thought would happen on January 6, especially the potential for violence. Did the President know that the rally could turn violent; that his rhetoric on the Ellipse could send an angry mob to storm the Capitol; that what on the evening of January 5 President Trump called a fired-up crowd might take it literally when, the next morning, he told them to ``fight hard''; that he was pouring fuel on the flames? Dan Scavino was there, so if he were willing to do his duty as a citizen, he could tell us a lot about that. But instead, he has chosen to stiff-arm the American people. President Trump acknowledged that Scavino sometimes helped shape his tweets. On December 19, Trump retweeted a video that urged viewers to ``fight for Trump.'' The January 6 attack was then just 2\1/2\ weeks away. Why did Donald Trump retweet that particular message? Dan Scavino could give us the inside scoop. While Trump and his stop the steal gaggle were working hard to subvert the Constitution and steal the election for themselves, President Trump retweeted, after QAnon already had, a video called, ``How to Steal an Election.'' What would Dan Scavino say about why Trump retweeted a QAnon-blessed video on how to steal an election? He won't risk telling us. What did President Trump's extremist followers on ``The Donald'' and other hard-right sites make of Trump urging them to join a wild protest on January 6? Polls show that some took it as marching orders, in fact. Dan Scavino had to know they would. Dan Scavino knew very well what his boss wanted. He knew that sites like ``The Donald'' attracted violent extremists. Scavino himself sent out a video that a user on that site understood as literal marching orders and literal war drums. President Trump and Dan Scavino had been in the White House for 4 years by then. They knew the January 6 crowd could turn violent. They knew exactly what they were doing. We are here today because Dan Scavino, a key witness, is unwilling to speak with us. He failed to produce a single document in response to the subpoena, and he has clearly demonstrated his complete and utter contempt for Congress.

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time. Dan Scavino's blatant disregard for our subpoena is his effort to ensure that Congress and the American people never get the firsthand story that he has to tell. None of us should find that acceptable. It is contempt for the law and contempt for Congress. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Megan Bugg of Coal City, Illinois, who passed away in her home on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 after a seven year and three month battle with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcorma. Megan will be greatly missed by many, but most especially her family, whom she loved dearly. Megan believed that everyone deserved the honor of dignity, respect, and kindness, and she lived her life spreading that message. Throughout Megan's battle with childhood cancer, she maintained a positive attitude and zest for life that became an inspiration for family, friends, and many others. Although Megan was fighting her own personal battle, she made her fight about something much bigger than herself by becoming a passionate advocate for childhood cancer awareness and the need for increased funding for cancer research. She lobbied legislators for the cause and helped lead marches in- Washington, D.C. calling for increased funding for childhood cancer research. I was lucky enough to meet Megan on one of these visits and was incredibly impressed by her courage, passion, and spirit. It's no wonder she was chosen as the 2019 American Red Cross Youth Hero, one of the Morris Daily Herald ``Women of the Year'' recipients, a Joliet Herald News ``Everyday Hero'', the Grand Marshall of the Grundy County Comfest Parade, and had her efforts honored by the Illinois Legislature in House Resolution 1071. In recognition of her achievements, the Children's Cancer Therapy Development Institute of Oregon is opening the ``Megan Bugg Global Rhabdomyosarcoma Research Lab'' to carry on Megan's goal of making sure no more children go through what she endured. Without a doubt, the world feels a void in the absence of Megan's steadfast presence. As her family shared, Megan had a sense of humor that could light up the room and held a genuine Jove for all of those around her. They will remember all the lives she touched and by honoring her in this way, they can keep her spirit alive and continue to inspire others as she inspired so many. Megan is survived by her father, mother, and sister. She is also survived by her paternal grandparents and her maternal grandparents. May the memories of her light be a comfort to her family and friends, and may we all carry her legacy forward in putting an end to childhood cancer. Madam Speaker, in expressing my condolences, I want to take this time to also encourage the family, friends, and the community to celebrate the life of Megan Bugg--not only for her service in helping address the specific obstacles related to childhood cancer awareness, but for being a beacon of light and hope for all of those who had the opportunity to meet her. She remains an inspiration to not only her community, but to me as well.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Let me just say first, Madam Speaker, as a Republican, don't let my side use the security posture as the straw-man argument in this. The reality is that that is the equivalent of blaming the victim of a crime for the crime. And while it is important, that is not what we are here to talk about today. Madam Speaker, voting on a criminal contempt resolution is not the position we had hoped to be in, but Steve Bannon went out of his way to earn this resolution before us and now we must approve it. Mr. Bannon's willful disregard for the select committee's subpoena demonstrates his utter contempt for the American people's right to know how the attacks on January 6 came about. He has advanced a ludicrous legal argument in support of his decision not to corroborate or comply, a decision that defies the rule of law and rejects the will of the American people. Mr. Bannon's reported actions put him near the center of the investigation into the events surrounding January 6. His own words strongly suggest that the actions of the mob that stormed the Capitol and invaded this very Chamber came as no surprise to him. He and a few others were, by all accounts, involved in planning that day's events, and encouraged those who attacked the Capitol, our officers, and our democracy. I have no doubt that Mr. Bannon's scorn for our subpoena is real. But no one--and I repeat, no one--is above the law, and we need to hear from him. As the select committee's contempt report states, it was Mr. Bannon who on January 5 predicted with chilling accuracy: ``All hell is going to break loose tomorrow.'' On his radio show that day he stated: ``It's not going to happen like you think it's going to happen. Okay. It's going to be quite extraordinarily different. All I can say is, strap in. You made this happen and tomorrow it's game day. So strap in. Let's get ready.'' And it was Mr. Bannon, who was recorded as saying: ``It's all converging, and now we're on the point of attack tomorrow.'' Mr. Bannon said these things publicly, as a private citizen, someone deeply involved with the Stop the Steal movement, and he said them nearly 3 years after leaving his job at the White House. Mr. Bannon was also reportedly among the small group of Trump confidants assembled at the Willard Hotel to discuss plans to stop or delay the January 6 count. Is it any wonder that the select committee needs to hear from him; that we want to see related materials that he has? Furthermore, does anyone really believe Mr. Bannon's actions are covered by a blanket, no-questions-asked claim of executive privilege? One the former President has never actually made. Madam Speaker, Steve Bannon is a key witness to the select committee's probe. He has yet to say or produce anything in response to the subpoena. His assertion of executive privilege is farfetched in the extreme and not his to make. I urge my colleagues to join me to support the contempt resolution.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I remember over the period of the last Presidency joining my colleagues on both sides of the aisle at various times when statements were made that we are just going to leave Iraq or we are going to leave the Kurds in Syria, and I think that was shortsighted, those statements, so I joined my colleagues on both sides. But, yet, today, we are debating the repeal of the 2002 AUMF as if we all somehow believe that we are going to magically repeal this and then come up with some narrow replacement that is going to authorize, when we can't really agree that the sky is blue in this group. But I want to, for a second, look back and say what would have happened when this was introduced originally. So in January of 2014 this repeal was introduced. Let's say we passed it. What happened since January of 2014? Well, I will tell you. In June of 2014 we began airstrikes against ISIS. Because of the 2002 AUMF, we were able to assist our allies to defeat ISIS in their capital of Raqqa, their stronghold in Mosul, and we even destroyed their caliphate throughout the region. I know my colleagues who support this legislation have the right intentions in mind, but even President Biden's own Statement of Administration Policy admits that this repeal would have an impact on our military operations. That is why we don't call for a blanket repeal, but a narrowly crafted replacement. Let's do that first. The bleak reality is that without an authorization to fight terror, more innocent human beings will suffer. Let us not forget the horrors that ISIS perpetrated on innocent men, women, and children. Men were beheaded for practicing their faith, women were stoned to death for trying to flee abusive relationships. Children were made foot soldiers and suicide bombers. Without this AUMF, this would still be happening. Today, we have militia groups attacking the American Embassy in Baghdad. We have malign forces trying to destabilize the democratically elected Iraqi Government. We have dozens of terror organizations, including ISIS, that want to revive the caliphate which brought so much pain and suffering to so many in the region. Before we hastily pass this ill-thought-out and ill-timed political legislation, I urge every Member to meet with Intel, to meet with the Department of Defense to hear about the realities of the threats we face in this world, and maybe once that happens and we put aside these partisan stripes for a moment, we can have an honest debate about what a replacement would look like. Short-term political gain has no impact on what foreign actors make in terms of their policy decisions. ISIS and terrorists don't change based on what we debate here, and they certainly didn't give up yet. We made a decision; the President made a decision to leave Afghanistan. While I disagree with that, I certainly hope he is successful and that my predictions are wrong, but I do know that that sent a message. It sent a message that America is disengaging in the war on terror. What would this send as well, right on the heels of this? What message would this send to the terrorists who are on the ropes, who haven't attacked in the United States, not because they don't want to, but because we haven't let them because we have fought them on their territory, before they have the ability to organize and attack us here? What does that message send? Because to a terrorist, all they need is the ability to go out and say, ``We are winning,'' to recruit somebody, to give their life for that terrorist cause. Madam Speaker, I understand where this is coming from. I deeply would love an AUMF that replaces this the right way, but this is the wrong process and the wrong order to do that. So I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast votes on February 26. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 45.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Remington Kristine Viney, who passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at the age of 26. Through passion for aviation and flying, Remington dedicated herself to service as a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Remington was always flying in the seat of an airplane surrounded by miles of breathtaking sky doing what she loved. On March 14, 1994, Remington was born in Madison, Wisconsin, daughter to Kevin and Tia (Scanlon) Viney. She would then graduate with honors from Sun Prairie High School in 2012, earn an associate degree in tactical aircraft maintenance, and then receive a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UW-Madison in 2017. Her accomplishments were many, but her most memorable asset and what was most important to her was the depth and breadth of her relationships with family and friends. Remington was passionate about any adventure that life had to offer and obtained her pilot license in high school. While in college, she was the captain of the Wisconsin Flying Team. Additionally, she was a founding member of the Women in Aviation, Madison chapter. Remington enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 2013 where she proudly served through several deployments and obtained the rank of staff sergeant. She pursued accreditations and licensing to receive her commercial pilot license in addition to becoming a flight instructor. Further, Remington was working on a degree in Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics. During her service in the Air National Guard, Remington met the love of her life, fellow service member, Kyle Henry. They shared so much together, including her passion for real estate, flying, and raising her future stepson, Kellan. Above all else, her family was the anchor of her life, and she was so excited for her future with her fiance, Kyle. Madam Speaker, I want to express my condolences, but encourage family, friends, and the community to celebrate the life of Remington Kristine Viney, for her service to our country and love for life. My thoughts and prayers remain with her family and friends during this difficult time.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to include in the Congressional Record an opinion-editorial piece written by two of my good friends and colleagues, Former Representatives Barbara Comstock of Virginia and Charles Boustany of Louisiana, which was printed in Roll Call on February 4, 2021. On Jan. 6, 2021, at 2:24 p.m., an angry Donald Trump tweeted: ``Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our country and our Constitution . . .'' At that very moment, Vice President Pence and his family were hiding from a violent mob at the Capitol, having been whisked out of the Senate chamber where he had been conducting his constitutional duty of certifying the election. Over the course of the afternoon, the crowds shouted ``Hang Mike Pence,'' ``President Trump sent us,'' ``Traitors,'' ``Nancy Pelosi, we're coming for you'' and other frightening and direct threats to members of Congress. This violent insurrection culminated in five deaths, including a Capitol Police officer, and 140 other officers were injured protecting members. During this time, the president and his attorney called at least one senator to ask him to delay the count further. ``The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people,'' Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said. At a rally near the White House that morning, Trump spoke apocalyptically, warning, ``If you don't fight like hell, you aren't going to have a country anymore.'' Trump lied that he had won in a ``landslide.'' He had to know this was a lie because his pollster had already issued a lengthy report detailing why he lost. Donald Trump Jr. wildly shouted at the rally, ``We are coming after you,'' directed at members of Congress who were doing their constitutional duty of certifying the election. Many of those arrested at the Capitol echoed Donald Trump and his lies. They said, ``We were invited here by the president of the United States.'' Rioters included members of the Proud Boys, QAnon conspiracy theorists and white nationalists who ripped off the helmets of officers, beat them with batons and flagpoles, and hurled racial epithets at our Capitol Police. Some came with zip ties, presumably to take hostages. At the end of the day, Trump recorded a video message, saying to those who stormed the Capitol, ``You're very special. . . . We love you.'' In the months and days leading to Jan. 6, these election fraud lies that Trump whipped up the crowd with had been rejected across the board: By dozens of conservative judges in over 60 court cases who said they were ``without merit'' and ``not credible.'' By Attorney General William Barr who said, ``We have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome,'' and reportedly called the claims of the president's lawyer ``bulls---.'' By Republican state election officials in Georgia, whom the president belligerently attacked and asked to ``find'' him more votes. By his own White House counsel's office. Nevertheless, Donald Trump persisted. Even after the worst of the siege was visible for the world to see, he tweeted, ``These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly and unfairly treated for so long.'' We Republicans cannot avert our eyes from these violent realities. Some say we must move on. But it is clear that Trump and his mob still aren't moving on. Trump, his family and supporters continue to threaten political revenge and have shown no remorse for their actions. Angry Trump supporters continue to make dangerous threats. ``If this isn't impeachable, what is?'' has been the question asked even by friends of Trump, such as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Such blatant anti-constitutional, anti-democratic actions by a president and the violence he inspired against a coequal branch of government cannot go unpunished. They were unprecedented. The president attempted to use his executive power to direct Vice President Mike Pence, Attorney General William Barr and other Republican officials to pursue anti- constitutional actions on his behalf. As for whether a trial can be held after the president has left office, retired federal appeals court Judge Michael McConnell, a conservative, has pointed out that impeachment in the House occurred while the president was still in office, so that point is moot. Article 1, Section 3, Clause 6 of the Constitution states: ``The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.'' According to Judge McConnell, a trial is not limited to ``sitting officers.'' If it was, there would be no consequence to a president who engaged in impeachable conduct at the end of his term, The Senate must convict Donald Trump and keep him from holding office ever again. This is not a close call. Trump refused to accept the results of an election. He ignored the courts and even attacked the Supreme Court with three of his own appointees. He incited a mob to stop the certification of the election in Congress. And he tried to illegally overturn an election in violation of his oath to uphold the law. Already the House impeachment has been the most bipartisan impeachment in history. Republicans must stand up to police our own. If Republicans continue to excuse Trump's lies and actions that they know are among the worst in history by a president, they will only further divide, not just our own party, but the entire country. Barbara Comstock represented Virginia's 10th District as a Republican from 2015 to 2019. Charles Boustany Jr. represented Louisiana in the House as a Republican from 2005 to 2017. He serves as president of the Association of Former Members of Congress.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the objection.

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, as a student of foreign policy, if somebody described to me the actions that we saw, I would have assumed we were in a failed nation or a banana republic. Storming past police, some carrying the flag of the Confederacy, the mob breached this House. But there is good news: The democracy held today. For the last few years, misinformation and fear has been fed into people for profit and power, and for too many years, leaders around the country said nothing and sometimes echoed those messages because of the belief that winning, no matter the cost, was worth everything. Today, we saw the result of ignoring these warning signs. People look to Washington to give hope. Instead, we simply amplify fears. People look to us for expertise on what can and can't be possible. Sometimes it is easier to say what makes people feel good instead of the hard facts. Today, some Members of Congress argue that we can unilaterally pick the next President, that with our glorious wisdom, armed with Twitter, we know better than the American people. Some have shown that, if conspiracies are repeated enough, they become facts and they aren't disputed. Even here in this Chamber after the events today, some speeches have been shockingly tone-deaf. I have seen people applaud cheap political lines that are embarrassing. Power and cultural fights have divided us so much that they are the ultimate goal now, and sometimes the oath we swear to uphold feels like a prop. People have been lied to by too many for too long. So here is the truth: Joe Biden won this election, the effort will fail, and everybody knows it. For some out there, this isn't about making a statement for the betterment of our country; it is about avoiding the pain of leveling with the people and telling them the truth: the emperor has no clothes. I know many are disappointed in the result, but what legacy are we leaving? Have our kids seen the day where Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill had a beer over their differences, or have they learned that to lead, you must tweet, and sometimes all in caps, because now this is Hollywood, fame is the ultimate goal? But the first step that we can take to restore this is to reject the charade, and what happens next is up to us. We get threatened with primaries; we worry about the political implications. But our names will long be forgotten; the legacy of now will exist. The bottom line: If we ask men and women to be willing to give their lives for this Nation and we talk about their service with tears in our eyes, shouldn't we be willing to give up our jobs to uphold that Constitution? Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Herrera Beutler).

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this to the floor. When we think about Russian prisons, we don't often think about justice because, frankly, justice is at the whim of Vladimir Putin, the man who poisons citizens on NATO territory and uses the bludgeon of a hammer to actually get his will and power. So sometimes I think when we as Americans look at our political debates, we look at it as a form of dysfunction when, in reality, while the debate can be dysfunctional, it is very functional that we are having them. But in this case, I think it needs to be clear that we stand up for American citizens no matter what, and we don't care what their political stripes are when they are detained by somebody like Vladimir Putin. This resolution calls for the immediate release of Trevor Reed. He is a U.S. citizen, he is a Marine Corps veteran, and he was unjustly sentenced to 9 years in a Russian prison. He has been detained for over a year now on baseless charges filed through an overtly corrupt trial. His lawyers have been denied access to the so-called evidence that the Russian authorities used to detain Trevor. After speaking with his mother, I have learned that his family has had a difficult time talking to him on the phone, limited interaction, because the authorities will not let Trevor communicate in English and they give him only a few calls home. It is an abuse of power and it is a clear attempt by the Russians to make an example of Trevor, an American, and this must be rectified immediately. Mr. Speaker, I applaud my colleagues for bringing up this important measure to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Conaway and I thank the chair and ranking member. I thank Chairman Engel for his many, many years of service as well on the committee and in this House.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, the COVID pandemic has changed almost every aspect of American life. While it may be difficult to measure at this stage, we know the impact on medical health of Americans across the country is significant and it is alarming. In the age of technology and instant gratification, more and more people were already feeling less connected. But once the pandemic struck, the negative effects of isolation and uncertainty were only compounded into a sense of hopelessness nationwide. If you don't have hope, you have very little reason to follow a moral code or fear the results of your actions. Hopelessness and desperation can be a dangerous trigger and it can lead to acts of violence. Unfortunately, victims of violence are often caught in a vicious cycle of violence, as one of the main risk factors for violent injury is a previous violent injury. My colleague, Congressman Ruppersberger, and I introduced legislation to try and put a stop to this horrific cycle of violence, the Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act. Our legislation establishes a grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to existing and aspiring violence intervention programs. These programs intervene while a victim is still in the hospital recovering from their injuries, and provide a wide range of services like counseling, substance abuse treatment, job training, or even assistance finding affordable housing. And it doesn't stop when the victim walks out of the hospital. The intervention continues for several months, and sometimes even up to a year following the initial incident. The successes of these programs have been astounding. At the University of Maryland Medical System, participants showed an 83 percent decrease in rehospitalization due to intentional violent injury, and a 75 percent reduction in criminal activity, and an 82 percent increase in employment. These programs really work. By supporting victims with the resources and education to pursue a different path, we can stop the vicious cycle of violence and give people hope for a better tomorrow. It is more important than ever that we work together to help and heal those who are struggling. I remain committed to finding commonsense and bipartisan solutions to problems facing our country, and the Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act is a perfect example of how we can work together to enact policies that will have real and lasting impact in our communities. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger for working on this important bipartisan legislation. I also thank the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this up and your help with that.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of my good friend and mentor, Congressman John Shimkus of Illinois' 15th District. For 23 years, John has served here in the House of Representatives, leading our delegation and making his mark on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Before his service in Congress, John served our country in the United States Army and the United States Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. For his district and his country, John has served with great honor, integrity, and conviction. He has changed the game with his work on our nation's energy portfolio and chemical safety measures, especially with the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which became law in June 2016 and formally outlined how we use and dispose of chemicals. This was a major undertaking and the success of this legislative achievement is one of many you'll find throughout John's career. In Congress, he was a champion for finding safe nuclear waste repository solutions and reducing greenhouse gases and sulfur emissions. He introduced legislation that would streamline permits to enable efficient broadband infrastructure, recognizing the needs of underserved communities. He also championed the 1999 legislation that officially designated 9- 1-1 as the universal emergency telephone number within the U.S. Yes, that's right--John Shimkus made 9-1-1 the official emergency number and we should ALL be grateful. His effort to create and establish this comprehensive emergency communications infrastructure has undoubtedly saved countless lives. During his time in the House, John's legislative accomplishments ran the gamut--from the 9-1-1 legislation and his impressive (and expansive) energy policy portfolio, to improving child safety measures through Anton's Law and others, securing funding for rare cancer research, protecting veterans and our communities, and leading countless biofuel and telecommunication provisions. The bills he championed have been signed into law by three different presidents, showcasing the prowess John has in legislating and working across the aisle to get things done for the American people. It's this ability to find common ground and work together with his colleagues to get the job done that has made John so successful as a Congressman and so well-respected as a colleague. His leadership has been critical over the years, and I know without question that this institution is better because of his service and that I am a better Member of Congress because of his guidance. John Shimkus is more than a colleague, he's a true friend and a patriot. His impact on Members like me has been incredibly profound and I know his legacy of servant leadership will continue to serve as a model for incoming Members of Congress for years to come. Madam Speaker, the hometown hero of Collinsville, Illinois has served this chamber well and is most deserving of this recognition here today. We are going to miss our good friend John Shimkus in the People's House, but we wish him all the best in his retirement.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast votes on July 27, 30, and 31. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 167; NAY on Roll Call No. 173; NAY on Roll Call No. 174; NAY on Roll Call No. 175; NAY on Roll Call No. 176; YEA on Roll Call No. 177; and NAY on Roll Call No. 178.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Gallego for yielding the time. Last year, this Congress came together to oppose Putin's attempts to weaponize Europe's energy resources. I stand here today to urge my colleagues to continue to stand firm against Russia's coercive tactics. With the 1,200-kilometer Nord Stream 2 pipeline nearly completed, time is running out. Should Putin be able to finish the remaining 100 kilometers of pipe, the energy security of the entire continent would be compromised. Let us not forget that Russia has cut energy supplies to Ukraine in the past and is illegally occupying parts of the country. With an even greater stranglehold on Europe's energy market, Putin could exert his influence to devastating effect. This amendment we debate today only clarifies and expands on sanctions that were passed last year. It will also put Vladimir Putin and his cronies on notice that they will not profit from the weaponization of Europe's energy markets. Some critics argue that a new round of sanctions on Nord Stream 2 would infringe on European security and sovereignty. In reality, the opposite is true. The completion of the pipeline and the result would increase Europe's energy dependence on Russia and present a real danger to European security and sovereignty. Moreover, most EU members, including Poland and the Baltic states, oppose the NS2 pipeline project and are concerned it would give Russia greater political and economic leverage over Germany and the rest of Europe. In fact, the European Parliament, in 2019, adopted a resolution opposing Nord Stream 2 and said that the pipeline would reinforce the EU's dependence on Russian gas supplies. If completed, this pipeline would prove a powerful geopolitical weapon for Putin that could weaken and divide Europe. The narrow expansion of sanctions called for in this amendment seeks to prevent Putin from ever wielding this weapon to advance his malign agenda in Europe. Again, I want to thank Mr. Gallego, Mr. Turner, and the rest of the cosponsors for their support of this legislation.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Senior Master Sergeant Jean J. ``JJ'' Hamilton who passed away on May 10, 2020. Jean enlisted into the Air Force in 1960 and remained for twenty-eight years, dedicating his career to serving our country. While in the Air Force, Jean was a flight attendant with the Presidential Fleet, serving five Presidents, many dignitaries, and Heads of State. As a Noncommissioned Officer in charge of the VC-137 and VC-135 Flight Attendants of the Presidential support program and as a Flight Examiner, Jean was responsible for over 100 Flight Attendants operating both Air Force One and Air Force Two. Additionally, Jean served in the U.S. State Department as Special Assistant to Secretary James A. Baker in the George H.W. Bush Administration. Throughout his service, Jean attended the NCO Leadership School, NCO Academy, and the Senior NCO Academy to further his military career. Due to his hard work, leadership, and dedication, Jean received numerous awards while in the Air Force. Jean was honorably discharged on August 1, 1988. Aside from his military service, Jean was a true family man who dearly loved his wife Mea, children Orlando and Yvonne, and all of his family and friends. He also loved to serve others and was a faithful member to Pastor John A. Cherry, at From the Heart Ministries. Jean served as a chef for the Christian school and was on the Ministry of Helps Committee. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 16th District of Illinois, I want to express my condolences, but encourage family, friends, and the community to celebrate the life of Jean Hamilton and his service to this great nation.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 497, a bill originally introduced by Representative Duncan Hunter of California, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great work and inspiring mission of the Black Rifle Coffee Company, a veteran-owned coffee company committed to supporting those in uniform in each branch of the armed forces, law enforcement, and first responders. The Black Rifle Coffee Company was founded in 2014 and was inspired by CEO and Founder Evan Hafer's time in the military where he recognized the impact something as simple as coffee can have on our nation's service members. With a goal of hiring 10,000 veterans, the Black Rifle Coffee Company has expanded greatly from Evan's basement to different locations across the United States and Canada. This growth was made possible by Evan and the rest of the owners, all of whom are veterans themselves: Tom Davin, Mat Best, Jarred Taylor, Richard Ryan, and Logan Stark. As I have said before, I strongly believe the most important part of returning home from the military is renewing that mission and sense of purpose for our veterans, as well as the community around them. It is inspiring to see the Black Rifle Coffee Company take the initiative to look out for their fellow military brothers and sisters--just as they were trained to do on the battlefield while protecting our freedoms. I'm proud to recognize the Black Rifle Coffee Company in this Chamber and thank them for their commitment to helping those who have put everything on the line for our country. This team and community of veterans is the embodiment of true patriotism, and I look forward to watching the mission of the Black Rifle Coffee Company continue to grow and inspire others to do the same.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, due to my Air National Guard unit being mobilized, I was unable to be present and cast votes during the week of January 27. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 23; YEA on Roll Call No. 24; NAY on Roll Call No. 25; NAY on Roll Call No. 26; YEA on Roll Call No. 27; NAY on Roll Call No. 28; YEA on Roll Call No. 29; YEA on Roll Call No. 30; NAY on Roll Call No. 31; YEA on Roll Call No. 32; NAY on Roll Call No. 33; and NAY on Roll Call No. 34

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Sometimes when I watch the debate, I wonder what happened to the confident America that I remember; that when a failing country threatens us, we actually respond with force instead of fear and run away. That said, this process argument that we are having is interesting, but as my colleague said earlier, maybe they forgot something. So I am going to urge defeat of the previous question, because I think in this resolution, something major was forgotten, maybe they can re-craft it, bring it back later, but that is this: I hear my friends on the other side of the aisle say that Mr. Soleimani was a bad guy and they are glad he is dead. However--process argument follows--I think something has been left out of this. When I was in Iraq in 2008 and 2009, I operated mostly against terrorist networks of a different nature, but about a quarter of my operations were against terrorist networks from Mr. Soleimani. So these attacks against Americans, we talked about the dead Americans from Iraq, these have been going on for a very long time, and I was part of the response to that. One of the most important things we can do, if we are going to have this process argument, is appreciate the men and women, not just of the military, but of the intelligence community, of the State Department, of everywhere that has worked to bring the intelligence to bring this evil man to justice. I heard somebody earlier say we should have just captured him. Well, think of the risk that would have put to our military. So maybe we should at least appreciate the job that they are willing to do. That is going to be essential. I often hear my friends talk about keeping the military safe, as if that is the end state of the military. The military's job that they volunteer for every day is to keep the American people safe, and that is exactly what was done a week ago in the death of Soleimani. So, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that we can give them an opportunity and pass this resolution appreciating the men and women of the intelligence community and the military. That is the least we can do after this debate on the floor.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Madam Speaker, I was not present to cast votes on Friday, December 6. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 652, YEA on Roll Call No. 653, and NAY on Roll Call No. 654.

Mr. KINZINGER

Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this legislation, I rise in strong support and encourage its swift passage. By some estimates, nearly 48 billion robocalls were made in the U.S. in 2018, which is a 57 percent increase over 2017. This antirobocall bill provides the FCC new authorities to impose substantial fines on violators--up to $20,000 per violation, and possibly higher in some cases. It requires phone companies to verify callers and help block robocalls at no extra charge. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake: This legislation is a big step forward. But given the rapidly changing technology, combined with the fact that many of these calls come from overseas, we can't let up, and more will need to be done. Thankfully, this bill requires a number of reports to Congress over the coming months that will allow us to start to crack down on these perpetrators even harder. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the work we have done, bicameral and bipartisan. I thank those involved.