Kevin Kiley

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, many Californians were shocked to learn that our legislature and Governor have just imposed what is being called the largest tax increase in State history, which is saying quite a lot in a State that already has the highest taxes in the country. Included in that is a massive new healthcare tax that is estimated to raise the healthcare premiums for many Californians by hundreds of dollars. This is something that our State simply cannot afford. When we already have the highest cost of living in the country, this is the last thing that our families need. What is more, it violates, at the very least, the spirit if not the letter of Proposition 35, passed by voters to limit precisely this kind of a tax increase. Fortunately, there is a way we can fight back. This new change has to be approved by regulators at the Federal level, and so myself and my colleagues are asking HHS--and we will be conveying this in a letter-- specifically to block the implementation of this plan, to block this tax proposal so that Californians do not suffer another blow to both our democracy and our cost of living.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H.R. 3104, the Ukrainian Adjustment Act, I am calling for prompt consideration and passage of this important legislation. We have Ukrainians across this country who came here following Russia's invasion on humanitarian parole. They have contributed to our communities in countless ways. They entered the United States legally. They passed rigorous vetting. They have created lives here, and they have contributed in so many different ways to both our communities and our economy. There are 45,000 Ukrainian-American businesses supporting 300,000 jobs, $60 billion in economic activity, and $8 billion to $9 billion in taxes paid each year. Yet, these individuals right now are in a state of legal uncertainty that creates various problems for their families and their ability to plan for the future. This legislation will adjust their status to lawful permanent resident. It is the right thing to do for these individuals and their families. It is the right thing to do for our economy and communities across this country, and I urge immediate passage of this legislation.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of the No Aid for Ghost Students Act, I am very glad that it passed our committee with overwhelming bipartisan support, and I look forward to it receiving bipartisan support on the floor. Our experience in California has demonstrated the need for this legislation. California community colleges were victimized by a staggering amount of fraud. We learned there were 1.2 million fraudulent applicants. One-third of the applicants were fake. I talked to my local community college, and they said they noticed something odd going on where they saw this huge spike in applications, three times as many as we normally get. They said: We know we are doing a good job, but maybe not that good of a job that the number of applicants suddenly triples. They actually were on top of things and managed to root out the fraud, but not every community college has the wherewithal and the resources to do that. The State has been, frankly, kind of missing in action. So myself and some of my colleagues, one of which was Representative Kim, from California, asked the Secretary of Education to institute new identity verification requirements, and this has largely solved the problem. This bill is simply going to codify those best practices to prevent fraud going forward. This is important because it will save our taxpayers millions of dollars, but also because it will assure that the aid goes where it is really needed. What these fraudsters were doing was they basically submit fake applications, then get the financial aid and then pocket that portion of the financial aid that was above and beyond room and board for discretionary use by the student. When these funds are going to fraudsters and scam artists, they are not going to the students who really need the aid in our community colleges. Our community colleges are vital ladders of economic opportunity. They are vitally important to our workforce, and so we need to assure that they do not continue to be victimized by scam artists and fraudsters at the expense of the students who use them as ladders of opportunity. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah for introducing the measure. I am proud to cosponsor it, and I urge an ``aye'' vote.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I will say a brief word about the passage of today's reconciliation bill. At a time when Congress is more polarized than ever, today's vote is likely to make things worse. The House is giving away its most important power--to make appropriations on an annual basis and assure funds are spent in a way that carries out the intent of Congress while reflecting the will of the American people. This precedent also threatens a last vestige of bipartisanship in Washington, turning appropriations into a party-line exercise. The issue of interior immigration enforcement, in particular the tragic events in Minnesota, have deeply divided the country. Congress needed to come together with bipartisan reforms to restore trust and focus the mission of our immigration agencies. Reforms like body cameras, training, identification, warrants, and nonenforcement zones near schools are supported by the vast majority of Americans and would receive strong majority support in the House. I made it clear for months that I would not consider voting for a party-line reconciliation bill absent these policy changes. There is no national security imperative for additional immediate funding when last year's reconciliation bill provided $170 billion for immigration enforcement. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to vote for what is best for my district, irrespective of partisanship, and will fight for commonsense solutions to the challenges facing our country. Recognizing Detective Austin Alvarez

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Detective Austin Alvarez, a dedicated member of the Folsom Police Department, for his exceptional dedication to public service. Throughout his distinguished career, Detective Alvarez has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the communities of Sacramento County. With 7 years of experience in law enforcement, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. During his ongoing tenure, Detective Alvarez has served in roles such as officer and detective, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. He has been recognized with the Folsom Police Department Lifesaving Award and Unit Citation Award, reflecting his commitment to excellence and a record of exemplary service. Detective Alvarez is known by others for his compassion, exceptional investigative skills, and unwavering commitment to justice. Over the past 2\1/2\ years, he has been working on highly sensitive and emotionally difficult cases during his assignment to the Sacramento County Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force. In this role, his primary mission has been investigating internet crimes against children and identifying those who exploit and prey upon some of the most vulnerable members of our community. His efforts have directly contributed to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of offenders involved in the exploitation of children, while also helping safeguard victims from further harm. The nature of these crimes often requires long hours, extensive follow-up, and exposure to deeply disturbing material. Regardless of these challenges, Detective Alvarez is regarded by his colleagues and leadership for his ability to continue to perform at the highest levels while representing both the task force and his department with distinction. He also stands out for his ability to build strong working relationships with partner agencies and prosecutors at the State and Federal level, enhancing regional collaboration in combating crimes against the most vulnerable members of our community. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Detective Alvarez of the Folsom Police Department as part of this year's District Three Police Honor Roll. Recognizing the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Strike Team

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor seven dedicated members of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office for their exceptional dedication to public service, including Sergeant Blake Alvarez, Deputy Josh Stillman, Deputy Craig Reimche, Deputy Vincent Durant, Deputy Griffin O'Camb, Detective Zachariah Kraus, and Deputy Tyler Costere. Throughout their distinguished careers, this team has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the El Dorado County community. Within their many years of experience in law enforcement, they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. They have earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. Their commitment to excellence and exemplary public service is commendable. This team stands out for their heroic actions during an officer- involved shooting in the town of Camino earlier this year. After they had received a report that a man had shot and wounded a PG&E contract worker and was barricaded in his home, these El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies arrived on the scene, formed a perimeter, evacuated neighboring homes, and attempted numerous ways to establish contact with the suspect to resolve the situation safely. After their efforts to contact the suspect were unsuccessful, the El Dorado County Sheriff's SWAT team was summoned to take over the scene and work toward the safe surrender of the suspect. As they were establishing their presence on the scene, the suspect abruptly exited his home and ran up to an elevated nearby bank embankment that offered tree cover and limited visibility for officers. The suspect began shooting at the deputies below him. Deputy Reimche was shot in the lower leg, causing him to fall to the ground. Deputy Stillman was struck on the upper thigh and went down. Their fellow deputies moved them to safety and administered aid, even breaking cover and risking their own safety to do so. As the shooting began, Deputies Durant and Costere maneuvered toward the suspect, bounding from tree to tree, until they were able to restrain the suspect and take him into custody, also providing the suspect with a medical assessment and treatment, as well as transfer to a nearby hospital. This event illustrates the core foundation of selfless sacrifice and service that embodies the men and women who swear an oath to protect our communities every day as peace officers. They remained calm under fire, even after being wounded, addressed the suspect as he fired on deputies, pulled deputies to safety under fire, applied lifesaving intervention care, and transported the wounded to medics. Their decisive actions and effective teamwork made a meaningful difference toward stopping the threat of a suspect and resolving the incident. It is an honor to represent exemplary individuals like these officers in Congress. On behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincerest gratitude to this team in the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office for their continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring these officers and all those who serve in law enforcement during National Police Week. Recognizing Officer Phillip Brooks

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Officer Phillip Brooks, a dedicated member of the Nevada City Police Department, for his exceptional dedication to public service. Throughout his distinguished career, Officer Brooks has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Nevada City community. Within his 16 years of experience in law enforcement--2 in law enforcement and 14 in probation--he has demonstrated an unwavering devotion to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. He has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike, and his commitment to excellence and record of exemplary service is commendable. Officer Brooks stands out for his dedication to servant-oriented policing and to building strong relationships with the public. He represents his city with distinction and to a level that is highly regarded by his community, colleagues, and leadership. He is known for the great number of written compliments that he receives. In fact, it is not uncommon for his department to see a new compliment submitted every week recognizing Officer Brooks for his outstanding service. It is an honor to represent remarkable individuals, like Officer Brooks in Congress. On behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere gratitude to Officer Brooks for his continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Officer Phillip Brooks and all those who serve in law enforcement during National Police Week. Recognizing Placer County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll, and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor the Placer County Cold Case Unit with the Placer County Sheriff's Office for their exceptional dedication to public service. This specialized team of investigators focuses on unsolved cases, utilizing advanced DNA technology and genetic genealogy to secure breakthroughs in decades-old murders, including the recent arrest of James Lawhead, Jr., in the 1991 case of Cindy Wanner. For 34 years, investigators continued pursuing answers in relation to Cindy Wanner's murder, never allowing the case to be forgotten. After detectives identified Lawhead as the suspect, they collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and used facial-recognition technology to locate him under his new identity. Their steadfast efforts in cases such as these represent a meaningful step toward justice for victims, some of whom have waited decades for answers. The investigators of the Placer County Cold Case Unit have exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Placer County community. With decades of experience in law enforcement between them, they have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. This team has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. Their commitment to excellence and record of exemplary service are commendable. It is an honor to represent exemplary individuals like the investigators of the Placer County Cold Case Unit here in Congress. On behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere gratitude to the Placer County Cold Case Unit for their continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Placer County Cold Case Unit and all of those who serve in law enforcement. Honoring Greg Jensen

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll, and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Lieutenant Greg Jensen, a dedicated member of the Rocklin Police Department, for his exceptional dedication to public service. Throughout his distinguished career, Lieutenant Jensen has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Rocklin community. With more than 19 years of experience in law enforcement, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. Lieutenant Jensen has earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike. His dedication to excellence and record of exemplary service are commendable. Lieutenant Jensen is widely regarded by others for his devotion to community safety, visionary leadership, and results-driven policing. He stands out for his reliability, strong work ethic, and innovative approaches. His contributions have made a meaningful impact on the Rocklin Police Department, resulting in measurable improvements in investigative outcomes, operational coordination, community engagement, and organizational performance. His willingness to take on demanding assignments in addition to his primary duties demonstrates a commitment to his role that far exceeds expectations. Lieutenant Jensen oversees some of the most complex and high-impact operations within the Rocklin Police Department and performs with distinction in this role. His leadership is defined by strategic direction and an ability to translate extensive experience into quantifiable outcomes that strengthen organizational effectiveness and reinforce public trust. He fosters an environment rooted in accountability, mentorship, and collaboration, ensuring that team members are supported, empowered, and held to the highest professional standards. Last year, he supervised a team comprised of four detectives and a sergeant in the investigations unit that delivered truly outstanding results for the department. This team was responsible for 193 criminal investigations and achieved an exceptional clearance rate of 89 percent. Lieutenant Jensen's leadership was instrumental in guiding this highly skilled team of detectives to solve numerous high-profile, multijurisdictional cases. In one notable organized retail burglary investigation, approximately nine suspects used a stolen vehicle to forcibly enter a business and steal nearly $100,000 in merchandise. Working collaboratively across multiple jurisdictions, including agencies in Oakland, Santa Rosa, Campbell, and Berkeley, Lieutenant Jensen and his investigative team coordinated a complex and far- reaching effort. Through the team's diligent investigative work, detectives identified stolen property being sold online, secured search warrants, and ultimately recovered more than 1,200 stolen items. This marks just one of the many cases successfully led by Lieutenant Jensen. Beyond his operational accomplishments, Lieutenant Jensen has demonstrated initiative in developing programs that strengthen community relationships and invest in the future of the law enforcement profession, including the administration of justice dual-enrollment program with Sierra College and the Rocklin Unified School District. Additionally, he played a key role in implementing the Blue Envelope Program in the department, enhancing communication, safety, and trust during law enforcement interactions, particularly for individuals with specific communication needs. My district team and I have had the pleasure of working with Lieutenant Jensen in his support of our district office. He has played a key role in ensuring the safety of my team and visitors, preserving our ability to provide constituent services. We have been touched by his positive and proactive approach to public safety. It is an honor to represent remarkable individuals like Lieutenant Greg Jensen in Congress. Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere gratitude to Lieutenant Jensen for his continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lieutenant Greg Jensen and all of those who serve in law enforcement during this National Police Week. Honoring Alana Gruchow

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as part of the California Congressional District Three Police Honor Roll, and in recognition of National Police Week 2026, I wish to honor Investigator Alana Gruchow, a dedicated member of the Placer County District Attorney's Office, for her exceptional dedication to public service. Throughout her distinguished career, Investigator Gruchow has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and courage in service to the Placer County community. With 14 years of experience in law enforcement, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting public safety and fostering meaningful community engagement. During her ongoing tenure, Investigator Gruchow has served in roles such as deputy for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office, officer for the Roseville Police Department, detective for the Roseville Police Department, and investigator for the Placer County District Attorney's Office, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike within these roles. She has been recognized with the 2019 Elks Lodge Roseville Police Officer of the Year and numerous other accolades from coworkers, supervisors, and citizens, reflecting her commitment to excellence and a record of exemplary service. Investigator Gruchow is widely regarded by others for her strong work ethic, her unmatched positive attitude, and her unwavering support for victims. She stands out for her tenacious approach to investigations and commitment to faithfully supporting her colleagues and serving her community. Investigator Gruchow began her career in the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office, where she worked as a deputy. She later moved to the Roseville Police Department in 2015 and has been an integral part of Placer County's law enforcement team since that time. In 2023, Investigator Gruchow lateraled to the Placer County District Attorney's Office as an investigator, where she handles the child abuse and sexual assault caseload. In navigating these difficult cases, Investigator Gruchow meets and exceeds expectations through her dedication to the fine details of a case and willingness to exhaust all leads. She has handled at least 400 cases in the past 4 years, guided victims through trying court processes, and played a crucial part in keeping dangerous criminal offenders off the streets. In addition to the management of her caseload, Investigator Gruchow proactively brings her peers and law enforcement partners together in meaningful ways. For example, she leads a team comprised of law enforcement representatives from Placer County for the Baker to Vegas Annual Relay Race that spans from Baker, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the world's largest law enforcement sporting event, which hosts over 10,000 participants each year. With Investigator Gruchow's leadership, the Placer Regional law enforcement team has finished at the top of its category for the past 2 years, bringing home a coveted mug. This success, enforcing regional comradery and helping to improve morale across agencies, could not happen without the tireless devotion of Investigator Gruchow. It is an honor to represent remarkable individuals like Investigator Gruchow in Congress. Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to Investigator Gruchow for her continued dedication to safeguarding and serving our communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in offering Investigator Gruchow and all those who serve in law enforcement their gratitude, as well in honoring these amazing individuals and public servants during this National Police Week. Recognizing Bobbi Gagnon

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize school librarians across California's Third Congressional District as part of National School Librarian Day, which was on April 4, 2026. School librarians play a critical role in a student's educational journey, from collaborating with both students and teachers to enable the access of educational resources in a wide variety of formats, to guiding them in how to acquire, evaluate, and use new information. In doing so, they promote curiosity and learning experience by introducing young scholars to new literature and other types of resources. As such, it is my privilege to honor a select group of outstanding school librarians from California's Third Congressional District for their dedication to supporting the education of our country's future leaders and workforce. But there is one librarian who received the highest number of nominations across my district, that being Bobbi Gagnon of Orangevale Open Elementary School in the San Juan Unified School District. This outpouring of support from students, parents, colleagues, and community members alike is an inspiring testament to the impact she makes every day. I will say, I happened to get the chance to see her read a book to her students, and I can understand why she is so popular and has such a great impact on students there. Therefore, I am proud to name Bobbi Gagnon as the 2026 School Librarian of the Year for California's Third Congressional District. Through her role as school librarian, she has enriched her school and the Orangevale-Fair Oaks community, making a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of all those she serves. She is known for her kindness, compassion, care, and commitment to student access. Bobbi opens the library doors before school and during lunch to provide a welcoming place for students to come and finds unique ways to connect with each individual student in the school. In doing so, she fosters a love of learning and an environment of support that motivates students to grow. It is an honor to represent exemplary individuals like Bobbi Gagnon in the United States House of Representatives. Therefore, on behalf of California's Third Congressional District and in celebration of National School Librarian Day, it is my privilege to recognize Bobbi for her tireless efforts and devotion to the students and families of the Orangevale-Fair Oaks community. I thank and congratulate her. Honoring James Berardi

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate James Berardi on his retirement from the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District earlier this year. Throughout his career in education, Mr. Berardi was known for his creative thinking, positive energy, and his commitment to students, families, and staff. Mr. Berardi had the unique experience of retiring from the school district where he not only worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent but where he was also a student. Mr. Berardi was born and raised in Downieville, California, and attended the local high school. After high school, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines and then went on to start his teaching career at Lindhurst High School. He then returned to Sierra County as a teaching principal, later serving as both the principal and superintendent of the Twin Ridges Elementary School District. He then went on to serve as the Sierra County superintendent of schools while simultaneously working as teacher, principal, and superintendent. Not only did Mr. Berardi wear many hats during his career, but he also navigated through unique challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and he developed innovative solutions to continue to support students in their academic journeys through these difficult times. Deeply valued by his community, Mr. Berardi is seen as a pillar of inspiration to his peers, students, and family. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored to join the community in celebrating Mr. James Berardi's successful career and service to the communities of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District and to wish him the very best in his retirement. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, we had an election in California last Tuesday. It is now the following Monday, and the State still has millions of votes to count. How can this be? Nothing like this happens in any other State in the country or, for that matter, any other democratic country in the world. California's absurdly slow, glacial vote counting has been the subject of broad, sweeping bipartisan criticism. The Washington Post's editorial board called it a national embarrassment. The New York Times' editorial board said that California's elections are something out of the pre-telegraph era. How does the State justify this process of taking a month to count votes? They generally offer two excuses. First, they say that California is a really big State. The problem with that argument is that this doesn't come as a surprise every election that we have a lot of people. Maybe you should prepare for that. There are other big States in the United States that manage to count their votes on election night, and there are other, much larger countries around the world, like India, that manage to count their votes a lot more quickly than California does. The second excuse you get is that California is just trying to make sure that every vote is counted and that the people have every possible means of participating. Throughout my time in office, I have supported measures to make voting as accessible to folks as possible, but that has nothing to do with taking a month to count votes. As a matter of fact, if you look at the nonpartisan Elections Performance Index, California ranks 41 out of 50. This measures things like the share of voter turnout, voter registration, transparency, and so forth. California not only has the slowest elections. It actually tends to perform worse across every metric than the rest of the country does. Make no mistake, this is an attempt to cloak administrative incompetence under a disguise of false civic virtue. The consequences for our democracy should not be understated. When we take weeks and weeks to count votes, with the results often changing based upon what they were on election night, it fosters distrust in the entire process. It also creates great instability, as people don't know and the representatives themselves don't know who will be their school board member, county supervisor, city councilor, State legislator, or Member of Congress. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced, along with my colleagues from California here in the House, the Election Results Accountability Act, which says, very simply, that California needs to get its act together. California needs to count votes in a timely manner and give folks results in a timely manner and in a way that should be expected of a well-functioning democratic society. Recognizing Sonbol Aliabadi

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Sonbol Aliabadi, the longtime executive director for the Sierra College Foundation, on her retirement at the end of May 2026. Throughout her 22-year tenure, Sonbol aided the foundation in expanding access and opportunity for Sierra College students by mobilizing more than $22 million in community support funds and awarding nearly $7 million in scholarships, as well as by delivering on many other major initiatives. Sonbol's contributions reduced barriers, enabling more students to enroll and continue their education, and strengthened the Sierra College community. Under Sonbol's leadership, the foundation has helped launch a variety of student support programs, such as the Veterans Success Center, the Student Assistance Fund Endowment, the Basic Needs Center, the Guardian Scholars Program, and more. Earlier this year, the program Endow-a-Bed launched under Sonbol's leadership, providing free room and board for 10 students in the school's new student housing. The foundation has also worked to fund educational and extracurricular opportunities for students, such as the Sierra College Athletics Program and career and technical education programs. Moreover, they have helped provide services to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and have supported programs that embrace a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the school. Valued by so many, Sonbol is known for her leadership and guidance in the foundation. Her passion for supporting students on their educational journey encourages those around her to put students first, as she does. Her devoted efforts have made a lasting difference in the lives of countless Sierra College students and have contributed to the growth and success of the school. As a former educator, I have appreciated the opportunity to work with Sonbol since my time in elected office. It is a true honor to represent such inspirational and effective community leaders like Sonbol. Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored to join the community in celebrating Sonbol Aliabadi's successful career and service to the Sierra College community over the past two decades, and I wish her the very best in her next chapter.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I provided the decisive signature for the Ukraine Support Act to bring it to the floor for a vote because the time to act is now. We have all been inspired by the enduring courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, encouraged by their recent battlefield gains, and horrified by the latest Russian brutality. Recent events make it all too clear this conflict will continue to cause death and devastation on a tragic scale if the dynamic does not change. We have the power to change the dynamic. Today, we can provide potentially decisive leverage. We can make it clear that the United States will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people and provide the material support necessary for their self- defense. We can make it equally clear that Russia will pay a severe price for its unprovoked aggression and ongoing violence. This is what is required for constructive negotiations to end this conflict. This is what is required for peace. This is what is required to vindicate the international norm against wars of conflict, without which the world would revert to an era where bloodshed was a much more common theme in human affairs. This legislation will protect America's national interests, will support our vital alliances, will uphold our highest values, and will reassert the role of Congress in advancing all of these goals. I thank Mr. Meeks for offering this legislation, as well as the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for their leadership, their statesmanship in rallying support for it. I encourage all Members to vote ``aye.''

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I will take a moment to recognize and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sierra College Nevada County Campus. First opening its doors to the Nevada County community in 1996, Sierra College has remained dedicated to cultivating students' success by empowering them to achieve their goals and support them in their academic endeavors. This institution provides access to a high-quality education among a diverse student population, while striving to meet the unique needs of its large student body. I thank Sierra College for their invaluable service to our community as they work tirelessly to prepare the next generation for what lies ahead in their academic and professional journeys. The Sierra College Nevada County Campus celebrated this milestone on Saturday, April 25, and unveiled a time capsule that was sealed in 1996 when the campus first opened its doors to the community. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I am honored to recognize the Sierra College Nevada County campus for their three decades of outstanding commitment to the education of our communities. Honoring Chief Troy Bergstrom

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take a moment to honor and congratulate Chief Troy Bergstrom of the Roseville Police Department, who retired at the end of April following 31 years of exceptional public service. Holding a bachelor's and master's degree in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento, Chief Bergstrom began his career with the San Mateo Police Department in 1995, prior to transferring to the Roseville Police Department in 2000 where he then served for the remainder of his illustrious career. Following his start at the Roseville Police Department, Chief Bergstrom was promoted to sergeant in 2000, lieutenant in 2010, captain in 2016, and then finally as Roseville's 19th police chief in 2021. During his time of service, he worked in varying units of the police department, including patrol, the K9 unit, the crime suppression unit, EOD commander, SWAT, and professional standards and training, all of which contributed to creating a safer community for the residents of Roseville. Throughout his distinguished tenure as chief of police, he led a 240- member department and directed an annual operating budget of $68 million with skill and integrity. To reduce crime in the community, Chief Bergstrom built the Crime Suppression Unit and the Real Time Crime Center, both of which aided in improving call response time, officer safety, and investigative abilities. These initiatives and his leadership contributed to a decrease in crime throughout the years, reaching an 8 percent decrease in 2025, and setting a high standard for public safety. In addition to his police service, he also serves on the board of directors for the Roseville Police Athletics League and the California Chiefs of Police Association and is a member of many organizations such as the FBI National Academy Associates. His compassion for the community is demonstrated through these roles, as well as by his commitment to expanding city services to assist unsheltered veterans and introduce a crisis care K9, Butter, to serve those in need. Chief Bergstrom is highly valued by the Roseville community for his leadership, guidance, and dedication to public safety. He will be leaving a lasting impact on the department as his knowledge, strength, and care have shaped not only his team, but the Roseville community as a whole. His active engagement and dedication to his role have made him a pillar of inspiration in the public, and it has been an honor to be part of the community that he serves. Therefore, on behalf of the United States House of Representatives and California's Third Congressional District, I wish Chief Troy Bergstrom an exciting retirement and thank him for his more than three decades of exceptional service.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, as I have warned for the last year, the redistricting war has spun totally out of control. Those States that have enacted new maps include Texas, California, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. Those looking to do so, either for 2026 or 2028, include New York, New Jersey, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. This is a disaster for our democracy, and we need to bring it to an end. I have introduced legislation to do just that by prohibiting mid- decade redistricting. The good news is, there is growing bipartisan support for this. On the Republican side, cosponsors of my bill include Representatives Kiggans and Baird. On the Democrat side, Representatives Cleaver and Landsman recently endorsed the legislation, and the Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, appeared to do so as well, saying the only reason he is participating in the redistricting war is that there is not a national standard that prohibits mid-decade redistricting. I encourage the minority leader to endorse explicitly my legislation. I will encourage every Member to sign the discharge petition I have opened so we can bring the deeply damaging redistricting war to an end.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, last week yet another State returned to the era of gerrymandering, marking a further regression for democracy in America. This entire redistricting war has been a total disaster for our country. What is more, it has been utterly pointless. As was predicted, neither side is really going to come out ahead. Every side has lost. Meanwhile, the whole conflict that has spread from State to State to State has caused partisanship in this country to truly bubble over. It has destabilized representation across the country. It has further eroded trust in the fairness of our political process. It has further eroded the idea of representation and government by the people. It is past time for Congress to take responsibility for the fairness of our own elections throughout this country. We can do that in two ways. Number one is by passing my bill to end mid-decade redistricting. I introduced this last year, and it passed last year. We could have avoided this whole thing, but we can still pass it now to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again. Number two is by the time of the next Census when we are supposed to do redistricting, we can pass legislation to end gerrymandering in this country once and for all. The way I am proposing we do this is by setting up a truly independent commission in every State, much like California had before it was sidelined last year. Mr. Speaker, gerrymandering is a plague on democracy, and it is well past time that the United States moves past it and ensures fair elections and fair representation for every citizen in our country. California's Economic Performance Review 2025

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, a new report titled: ``California's Economic Performance Review 2025'' paints an absolutely alarming picture of our State's current economic performance. Just to give you a few of the highlights, or really lowlights, Mr. Speaker, California right now has the highest unemployment rate in the Nation at 5.5 percent with over 1 million unemployed workers. There were 181,700 private-sector jobs lost in 2025 and 432,900 private-sector jobs lost in the last 3 years. Meanwhile, almost all of the actual job growth has come from government. There are now 1.9 unemployed workers per job opening in California. That is the worst ratio in the country, with layoffs and separations up by 57 percent in 2025. Net business establishments in 2025 were down almost 90 percent since before Governor Newsom took office, and almost all of the new firms that were rated were sole proprietorships with almost no employees. California, meanwhile, has the highest cost of living of any State, with 6 of the 10 most expensive metropolitan areas in the country. Electricity rates in our State are nearly double the rest of the country for homes and almost triple for industry. We also, of course, have the highest gas prices by far in the country. California has the highest poverty rate in the Nation at 16.4 percent. California had 1.9 million residents lost to other States over the last 7 years, and that includes 409,000 workers lost in job-to-job migration over the last 5 years. All this time, the budget grew by 68.2 percent since 2019, with a structural deficit that is now $20 billion to $35 billion annually. By the way, there has been nearly a 50 percent drop in the number of high earners filing tax returns over $10 million just in the last 5 years, and that number is going to go up a lot with this entire wealth tax scheme that is being proposed right now. Mr. Speaker, California is the greatest State in the country. We have more to offer than any State in the country. With our State's abundance of natural resources, its amazing companies, people, and culture, there is absolutely no reason we should not be outperforming every other State. Instead, we are underperforming every other State by a lot, to the detriment of our own citizens. So I am, once again, calling upon leaders in Sacramento to chart a different course, one that is proworker, pro-opportunity, and progrowth. I am also encouraging those of us here in the House to look at what California has done wrong because it provides us a good roadmap of what we should be doing in order to get the economy and the cost of living right.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, the best way to protect air quality is to stop catastrophic wildfires. This is a statement that should not be controversial and is one the truth of which we know all too well in California. For years in my State, the State piled on regulation after regulation after regulation, piled on new forms of litigation, new fuel blends, all things that raise the cost of living for people in our State. Yet, even more perversely, at the same time, they made it more difficult to proactively mitigate the risk of wildfire through active forest management. Let me tell you what the perverse result of that was. Between 2004 and 2020--this is a period of 16 years--you can aggregate all the emissions that were reduced through emission reduction policies in California--a period of 16 years leading up to the year 2020--take every single emission that was reduced as a result of State policy over those 16 years, and double that number of emissions were released into the atmosphere because of the fires that occurred just that year. All of the sacrifices Californians had made over the preceding 16 years were wiped out two times over because of these devastating wildfires that, of course, on top of the environmental damage that they inflicted, caused untold damage to life and property and our communities. The measure that we have before us today could not be more commonsensical. It is that we should not disincentivize States from taking steps that have been proven by the best science to reduce the risk of wildfires that are an absolute catastrophe for the environment. That includes the use of prescribed burns, which should not be considered a detriment to air quality when the entire point is to improve air quality over the long term. This bill, in addition to other measures like the Fix Our Forests Act, which will allow us to do better forest management without as many arbitrary delays and hurdles to jump over, are vitally needed to assure that we don't continue to have wildfires that devastate our communities and devastate our environment. I will say it again: The best way to protect air quality is to stop fires from happening, and this bill will help us do that.

Mr. KILEY of California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I recently changed my voter registration to Independent. Accordingly, I asked the Clerk of the House to update my party designation to Independent in all official publications and databases of the U.S. House of Representatives. This reflects the way I have always approached my role as an elected Representative: to be an independent voice for the communities that I represent, to hold politicians in both Sacramento and Washington accountable, to work with both sides to find common ground, and to answer directly to my constituents and always put our district first. While it is unusual for a Member of Congress to have no party affiliation--in fact, I am now the only such Member in the House--this is the norm for most elected positions throughout the country. In California, for example, almost all offices are nonpartisan: your mayor, city councilors, school board members, county supervisors, sheriff, and district attorney. Every day, these officials work toward practical solutions to the problems affecting their communities, unencumbered by partisanship. I think we could use more of that in Congress. It is no secret that I have been critical of partisanship in Congress, from the longest government shutdown in U.S. history to an epidemic of gerrymandering that has spread from State to State. If there is one thing that Americans agree on, it is that political division has become a serious problem for our country. We need to reorient our politics toward bringing us together as Americans rather than tearing us apart as partisans. That means, for example, finding concrete ways to make life more affordable rather than each side blaming the other for why it isn't. We are also living in a moment of great uncertainty and perhaps dramatic transformation, where technological change could bring incredible opportunities along with unfamiliar risks and dislocations. The ordinary rituals of partisan politics are simply inadequate in these extraordinary times and are simply incapable of meeting this generational challenge. Our ability to work as one team serving all Americans is now more important than ever. Sequoias Provide Living Link to Past

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, this week, I was delighted to see that a bill that I am sponsoring, the Save Our Sequoias Act, passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. This act, as the name suggests, is designed to save, preserve, and protect one of the truly great marvels that we have here on Earth. The sequoia is the largest organism on the planet, and it actually continues to grow throughout its lifetime. They can live for millennia, so these trees serve as a living link to our past, a link to antiquity itself. When you see these marvels, which we have so many of in California, it truly inspires a sense of awe and humility as you contemplate both their scale here in the present and their link to our past. The bad news is that these incredible marvels are under threat. Over the last decade, we have seen 20 percent of them destroyed, largely because of the growing intensity of wildfires. The time has come for us to take urgent action to ensure that they can continue to inspire awe and serve their important ecological purpose as well for generations and millennia to come. Specifically, the Save Our Sequoias Act enhances coordination between Federal, State, Tribal, and local land managers. It creates a giant sequoia health and resiliency assessment to prioritize and inform forest management practices. It declares an emergency to expedite environmental reviews and consultations while maintaining robust scientific analysis. It establishes a comprehensive reforestation strategy to generate giant sequoias in groves destroyed by catastrophic wildfires. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop and implement an insect-monitoring strategy to limit potentially fatal infestations. All of this is designed to expedite forest management and wildfire prevention for the remaining giant sequoia groves. Mr. Speaker, I was speaking a moment ago about the need to find common ground and things that can bring us together, and this is a small--well, actually quite large, but in the grand scheme of things small--example, but I think it is an encouraging one. This is an example where we have been able to come together and say that this is something that is larger than any of us; this is something that transcends partisanship; and this is a way that we can be stewards of our heritage and protect a true treasure for those who will inherit it from us for generations to come. Science-Based Approach to Literacy

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to convey the good news that a bill that I am an original cosponsor of, the Science of Reading Act of 2026, has passed the Education and Workforce Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. This bill says something very simple, which is that funding for literacy should not be used for discredited approaches to teaching literacy. This is particularly urgent in my State. Sadly, California has the highest illiteracy rate in the entire country. A lot of that stems from the fact that we have a lot of challenges when it comes to education in California, and we have not, for a long time, in many schools, taught literacy in the right way. In fact, this has been a nationwide phenomenon where, starting in the 1970s, there was a departure from the traditional approach where students were taught to read by identifying letters and the sounds they represent. Instead, a new idea took hold called whole language, leaving behind the explicit instruction of phonics as old-fashioned. This new method, which came to be known as three-cueing or balanced literacy, encourages students to read by guessing an unknown word based on its context and structure within a sentence or even adjacent pictures in the book. This approach was at odds with the science of reading, which aims to ensure students develop strong foundational skills. In fact, it is a misapprehension of a false equivalence between spoken and written language, where the human brain is wired to learn spoken language sort of by osmosis, whereas there is this language instinct but no reading instinct. Reading has to be taught in a very explicit way. That is what the science of reading is all about. It emphasizes five core skills that every child must master: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Almost every State has corrected course and is returning to the science of reading, some more than others. California has been late but is now finally getting there itself. We have seen that States that embrace the science of reading, returning to the basics and a science- based approach to literacy, have seen incredible results. We saw Mississippi, for example, go from being one of the worst States in the country in literacy to one of the very best, simply by returning to the science of reading. Now that we have passed this bill through the Education Committee, I look forward to it passing the House of Representatives and the Senate and getting signed into law so that we can declare once and for all here that the reading wars are over. We can return to science-based literacy instruction throughout the country, and this will be of great benefit in my State. We can overcome having the highest illiteracy in the country, as well as the Nation as a whole, where we continue to fall behind our peer nations when it comes to academic achievement. A big, big part of that is our failure to teach reading in the right way. This is a very encouraging sign. I am glad this bill has bipartisan support. I hope that it will quickly move its way through the rest of the process and be signed into law. Raising Alarm on Escalating Gas Prices in California

Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to, again, raise alarm as to the escalating gas prices that Californians are continuing to face, which at this moment is $5.56 per gallon, on average, throughout the State. Of course, some places are much higher. This is about 50 cents higher than the second place State. Even the State with the second highest gas prices in the country is paying 50 cents less than in California. It is over 50 cents higher than Hawaii, which is an island State. Mr. Speaker, while we have seen some volatility throughout the country over the course of the last month, in California, the main problem and the main source of high prices is the policies that we have at the State level. I have introduced a bill here in the House to address part of that, to put a cap on how high a State can raise its gas taxes. That will provide some relief to folks in our State, but we need to see more aggressive action from policymakers in Sacramento. Unfortunately, they have been going in the opposite direction, where, by some estimates, we could soon have $8 per gallon in California or even higher, which is something that our residents simply cannot afford when we already have the highest cost of living and the highest poverty rate in the entire country. There are a few things that we can do right now, and that our State lawmakers, the Governor and the legislature, can do right now, to spare Californians from having to pay so much more than anyone else in the country. Number one, they can suspend the gas tax in its entirety. That right there would save folks quite a bit right off the bat. Number two, they can reverse, rollback, or at least mitigate the regulations associated with the cap-and-trade program. In particular, they can make sure that the California Air Resources Board doesn't adopt a new set that has, by many estimates, the potential to raise gas prices by a dollar more or even more than that. That action is expected to happen very soon. The legislature and the Governor have the ability to stop that from happening. Finally, California could relax its restrictions on its specialized fuel blend, which has made it so that we are now having to source our gasoline from places all around the world, in addition to the fact that California simply is not pursuing energy domestically. That is a fourth thing we can do: relax restrictions on being able to develop our own energy and allow for us to accept our own sources of gasoline, as well as relaxing the fuel blend, so it is not so restrictive, and we are not having to go to the Bahamas in order to bring gas into California. By the way, when you have these tankers that are coming into the State from the Bahamas and other places, those aren't particularly good for the environment. The backward policies we have in Sacramento have given us both the Nation's most expensive gasoline and its most environmentally unfriendly gasoline. Mr. Speaker, we are doing what we can. I am doing what I can here in the House of Representatives. I am glad that I have seen some bipartisan support for the idea from Sacramento that we need to take some bipartisan steps to give Californians the relief that they truly, truly need. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.