Mike Kennedy

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Madam Speaker, today I rise to celebrate something truly remarkable happening in Utah. It is the reconstruction of the Salt Lake Temple. For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like myself, this is a sacred house of worship. For all Utahns, it is a symbol of our heritage and the pioneer spirit that built our State. Think for a moment what it took to build this temple in the first place. Impoverished settlers spent 40 years quarrying granite from the Wasatch Mountains and hauling the stone by wagon. They had almost nothing. But they had faith, and they built something meant to endure. It has endured. Over 130 years later, the temple still stands strong. This temple has stood through wars, depressions, and tremendous change. It has watched Utah grow from a pioneer settlement into a thriving State. The temple has been closed for renovation since 2019, and I know many have missed seeing this architectural masterpiece. Even this marvel of architecture requires each generation to do the work of preservation. In that same pioneer spirit, engineers and skilled artisans are fortifying it with seismic upgrades, base isolation, structural reinforcement, and steel reinforcement to keep it standing for another 130 years. I believe there is a lesson here for all of us. This year, America celebrates 250 years. Our Founders, like the Utah pioneers, built something extraordinary, not just for themselves but for us and for generations yet to come. They built this country with faith and sacrifice. They built it to last. Madam Speaker, if we want America to last another 250 years, we need to do more than celebrate. We need to renovate. We need to strengthen our foundations. We need to strengthen our foundations of individual liberty and responsibility. We need to fortify what made America great in the first place. Like those pioneers who built the temple, we must be wise stewards of what we have inherited. We must be willing to make the hard choices today. We must be willing to cut waste and restore accountability so American families can thrive. We must build not for ourselves but for those who come after us so they inherit a nation with a strong foundation and faith in the principles of freedom our Founders gave us. Madam Speaker, with the Salt Lake Temple completion expected in 2026 and a public open house planned for 2027, just next year, I extend a personal invitation to my colleagues in this Chamber to come visit and see what faith and determination can build and preserve. The open house is free. It will be next year from April to October, and all people around the world are invited.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand in support of the SAVE America Act. Consider the simple realities of life. In this country, you are required to show an ID to drive a car, to board an airplane, or to cash a paycheck. These are routine requirements for everyday participation in our society. Yet, for the most fundamental act of a self-governing people, the right to vote, that same standard of verification is missing. Let us be clear. Despite the rhetoric, this is not about creating hurdles at the polling place. It is about the integrity of the registration process. As Americans, our right to vote is sacred, but that right is only as strong as a system that protects it. When one single illegal vote is cast, a legal vote is diluted. When a foreign national influences an election, the voice of an American citizen is silenced. This isn't a hypothetical concern. It is a matter of protecting the value of everyone's choice. The SAVE America Act is guided by one simple principle: Only Americans should decide American elections. Across this country, we have seen noncitizens identified on voter rolls. This is a vulnerability we can no longer afford to ignore. By passing this act, we provide the public with the one thing our political system needs most: trust--trust that the process is secure; trust that the rules are followed; and trust that every legal vote counts. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me. Let us unify around the democratic principles that built this Republic. Let us pass the SAVE America Act to keep our elections exclusively in the hands of the American people.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend from Florida, Mr. Haridopolos, for organizing this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Housing for the 21st Century Act. I support this because it is good policy, and I support it because my constituents want me to support this. But I also support it because my children and grandchildren deserve better than what we are currently delivering. For example, I have a family member who has gone to medical school. This individual has taken out enormous amounts of debt to achieve that significant opportunity to become a doctor and currently is in that practice. At the same time this individual has taken on the burden of a home mortgage, which in the State that this individual resides in is costing up to $500,000 for that individual to just buy a home and take on a mortgage. When added to the medical school debt, this individual in their early thirties is subject to a million dollars of debt. In the State of Utah where I am from, the median home price is more than $500,000. In other States that many people are moving to you are looking at three to $500,000 just to buy a starter home. These costs are unacceptable. They are multifactorial in how they have been driven, as well. The reality behind this--I am a doctor and most people around here know that in order to cure cancer there is not just one simple answer. When it comes to the unaffordability associated with housing costs, there is not just one answer there. That is why I am so proud to support and have voted in favor of the Housing for the 21st Century Act. I call on my friends in the Senate to pass this along as well. I thank Chairman French Hill for his leadership in confronting the housing affordability crisis with practical and progrowth reforms. I also appreciate President Trump's leadership and his focus on making the American Dream attainable again for hardworking families. President Trump is not serving for his own benefit. He is serving because he believes in the future of the United States of America. As we look to America 250 and the next 250 years of America's success, we need to focus on policies that are going to fulfill the American Dream, which homeownership is integral to. The American Dream is getting more and more out of reach as housing costs continue to climb. While demand soars, the country remains stalled by a 5\1/2\ million unit shortfall. Between the red tape of regulatory delays and the rigid constraints of zoning, the path to affordable living is being made more difficult to navigate, and it is American families who are paying the price. As one of the fastest growing States in the Nation, this is a harsh reality for Utahns. We face one of the most expensive housing markets in the Nation, and too many families are being priced out of the American Dream. The truth is simple. When the government makes it slow, expensive, and unpredictable to build houses, the costs get passed along to families. This bill attacks that problem by reducing regulatory costs and delays that make housing more expensive in the first place. It encourages zoning reform the right way. It respects local control and gives communities tools and flexibility to expand housing supply, rather than forcing one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington. It expands opportunities for rural housing developments by ensuring rural communities aren't left behind and directing real attention and resources to rural housing needs. It strengthens accountability at HUD by demanding more transparency and more meaningful oversight, so taxpayers get results not bureaucracy. Making the American Dream attainable requires us to make housing affordable again, and I appreciate President Trump and Chairman Hill for leading on reforms that prioritize supply, affordability, and accountability. I thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Haridopolos, for organizing this Special Order hour.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the epidemic of waste, fraud, and abuse that is ripping off taxpayers with impunity. Too often, Congress forgets that every dollar of government money collected comes from an American who worked hard for it. That is why waste, fraud, and abuse are not abstract problems. They are real problems that hurt real people. When government programs pay twice for the same service, fund projects that never get built, or lose track of billions, taxpayers suffer and confidence in government weakens. We need to honor hardworking families by pursuing the bad actors with a vengeance. Stewardship is our sacred responsibility. We just found out about a case in my own district where an individual was collecting her dead mother's Social Security checks for 3 years. Her blatant fraud was finally discovered, and she was sentenced and ordered to repay $25,000 in restitution. This case is not isolated. The Government Accountability Office estimates that the Federal Government loses up to $521 billion to fraud every single year. The American people expect honesty, fiscal discipline, and respect for their sacrifice. I am proud of the Republican Conference for doing just that.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, there is a lot of symbolism that is happening at this point. I appreciate the bipartisanship. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. It is a reflection of what really should happen around this place. We should love and help each other and try to find common ground. It is a great representation of how Doug LaMalfa served. He was a man of the people. He served his people well. He was a man of the land. He loved his land. He loved his rice. He would talk about it with me and everybody else here regularly. He also loved people sufficiently to give them nicknames. My nickname had something to do with the villain in ``Ocean's Twelve.'' I was the ``Night Fox.'' I don't know if I agree with that characterization. He was the guy that did a break dance across a laser dance floor to steal things. Maybe some around here would think that is the kind of person that I am. I knew it was all in good taste and good fun. Doug game nicknames to everybody. Mr. Speaker, I will point out the last thing about Doug is that he loved his country. He knew that on the top the Capitol rotunda was a statue called the Statue of Freedom. Doug served not only his people but he served his God. He certainly loved both. In serving his country, he understood he was serving freedom. Mr. Speaker, I hope that I, as well as all of us, can live up to Doug's standard of service, his love for people, and his love for God.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Missouri for this time. As a family practice doctor for more than 25 years, I hear directly from my patients about the skyrocketing cost of insurance and prescription drugs. Americans were promised lower costs, more choices, and better care. More than a decade later, too many families are asking what happened. Since its passage, the unaffordable care act has created a subsidy- fueled illusion with spiraling costs hidden by taxpayer dollars and deficit spending. Today, many Americans have insurance on paper but still cannot afford to use it. Plans often come with deductibles of several thousand dollars, meaning families pay out of pocket for most routine care. Insurance that cannot be used when people are sick is not real security. It is an illusion. Let's look at the facts. Healthcare costs have skyrocketed since ObamaCare went into effect. The ACA promised to lower healthcare premiums by up to $2,500 per family per year, but since ObamaCare went into effect, premiums have nearly tripled and deductibles have nearly doubled. The cost of coverage for a family of 4 has increased by more than $10,000. The benchmark ACA silver plan cost $346 a month in 2014. In 2026, the same exact plan costs $625 a month. The benchmark ACA silver plan deductible was $2,425 in 2014. In 2026, the average deductible will be $5,304, a 119 percent increase. That means that before your health insurance even kicks in, you have to incur $5,304 in out-of-pocket costs. Such deductibles leave families effectively self-funding their care despite being insured. A policy that you can't afford when you are sick is not a real solution, only an illusion of coverage, leaving individuals functionally uninsured. Compounding these design failures are serious fraud and enforcement breakdowns within the system itself. A 2024 GAO investigation found that fake identities were approved for ObamaCare subsidies at a 100 percent rate. Often remaining enrolled despite missing or falsified documentation, these ObamaCare subsidies continued for these fraudulent applications. Taxpayers are left footing the bill as reused Social Security numbers, subsidies paid on behalf of deceased individuals, and billions in unreconciled payments expose a system unable to protect public funds. To be clear, expanding access to health insurance and protecting people with preexisting conditions are worthy goals, but good intentions do not excuse bad results. Mr. Speaker, faced with these affordability problems, what have my Democratic colleagues proposed? Their answer has been more taxpayer subsidies to paper over ObamaCare's problems. Rather than address the root causes of high premiums, they want to pour ever-larger subsidies to insurance companies to mask the broken system. Extending subsidies without reform is just paying more for a broken system. I am not going to vote to promote a broken ObamaCare system. If health insurance only looks affordable when Washington pumps in billions of temporary subsidies, the law itself is not affordable. That structure is the real problem that we need to fix. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Do No Harm in Medicaid Act, which will ensure that taxpayer dollars are not funding the evil practice of transgender child mutilation. I thank my colleagues from Texas and from Kentucky for sponsoring this important bill. As a father of eight myself, I know that we all want our children to grow up healthy, supported, and empowered. Children should not be subjected to a medical system that pushes life-altering medical procedures and hormone treatments that are incredibly harmful. As a family doctor for over 25 years, I took an oath to do no harm and provide my patients of all ages evidence-supported treatment plans. That is why, as a Utah State senator, I led the way in 2023 by passing Utah's landmark legislation that banned transgender treatments and procedures for minors. As a result, I faced death threats, and my house was vandalized by woke activists, as demonstrated to my left. I am not deterred. That is why I am staunchly committed to getting this right and finding Federal solutions, as I did in Utah, that will protect America's children. At the core of the practice of medicine is that we do not subject the patient to unnecessary and dangerous medical treatments. When it comes to gender-transition interventions, puberty blockers, hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and surgical procedures, the evidence shows that this is the wrong approach to getting these kids the help that they need. The most comprehensive and authoritative review of these practices was conducted in the United Kingdom by Dr. Hilary Cass. Her 2024 ``Cass Review'' concluded that the scientific evidence supporting such interventions is remarkably weak. There is no strong, long-term evidence showing that puberty blockers and transgender surgeries improve long-term mental or physical health outcomes for minors, nor is there robust data on their safety or impact on development. In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services released a peer-reviewed report last month titled: ``Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices.'' This study concluded that harms from treatments, including these puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries are significant, long-term, and frequently underrecognized in clinical research. The evidence for these interventions in minors is weak and insufficiently checked, particularly for outcomes like fertility, psychological well- being, and quality of life.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to protect the children of Utah and commend the 25 other States that have stood up for their kids, as well. I urge all of my colleagues to follow the scientific evidence and stop funding these horrific procedures on kids.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Utah for yielding and leading this important discussion on how Republicans are focusing on making healthcare more affordable for hardworking American families. We have taken action and are committed to doing more to fix the broken system of ObamaCare that empowered Big Insurance at the expense of our taxpayers. As a family practice doctor for over 25 years, I hear directly from my patients about the skyrocketing cost of insurance and prescription drugs. Democrats promised Americans lower costs, more choices, and better care. More than a decade later, too many families are asking a simple question: What happened? Former President Obama, in pushing the ACA, promised that the bill would lower healthcare premiums by up to $2,500 per family per year, but since ObamaCare went into effect, premiums have nearly tripled and deductibles have more than doubled. The cost of coverage for a family of four has increased by more than $10,000. Back in July of this year, this Republican Congress passed the Working Families Tax Cut Act. This important legislation puts more money back into the pockets of Americans and will help lower the cost of healthcare as well as childcare. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, all Bronze and Catastrophic ACA Marketplace plans are now considered high-deductible plans, allowing more people to contribute to health savings accounts. Health savings accounts can now be used to pay for direct primary care arrangements that cut out the middleman and allow patients to coordinate care directly with their chosen provider. High costs are not the only ObamaCare failure. It also resulted in a major increase in fraud. A 2024 GAO investigation found that fake identities were approved for ObamaCare subsidies at a 100 percent rate, often remaining enrolled despite missing or falsified information. In 2023, $21 billion in subsidies were paid out with no evidence of tax reconciliation. Taxpayers were left footing the bill, as reused Social Security numbers, subsidies paid on behalf of deceased individuals, and billions in unreconciled payments expose a system unable to protect public funds. In the Working Families Tax Cut Act, Republicans restored accountability and fairness to the healthcare marketplace through reforms that save taxpayers billions of dollars and drive down costs for everyone. There is full income and eligibility verification before subsidies are issued, ensuring assistance goes only to those who qualify. We have ended ``anytime'' enrollment abuse that fueled fraudulent signups and drove premiums higher for everyone. We closed loopholes that allowed illegal immigrants and other ineligible groups to access taxpayer-funded health benefits. Many Americans have insurance on paper but still cannot afford to use it. I am committed, along with my Republican colleagues, to addressing the root cause of rising costs to provide real relief for taxpayers and families. I appreciate my congressional colleague from Utah for yielding to me.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1045, the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025. Utah is in a wildfire crisis. Our unique environment makes wildfires a constant danger. It is common to drive down I-15, a major thoroughfare in Utah, in the warm months and see fire on the side of our beautiful mountains. In 2004, Congress created three regional centers in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico dedicated to strengthening forest health and reducing wildfire risk. These centers, now collectively known as the Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes, or SWERI, serve as hubs for research, data sharing, and on-the-ground collaboration. They bring together the expertise of our universities with the experience of State, local, and Federal land managers. Since 2004, Utah has had over 23,000 wildfires and over 3 million acres burned. These aren't mere statistics but represent impacted livelihoods, damaged watersheds, strained emergency responders, and long-term burdens on our economy, infrastructure, and public safety. These fires have scarred our lands and endangered our growing population. For us in Utah, the next major wildfire is not a question of if but when and how devastating it will be. That is why the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act is essential. By passing this bill, Congress has the opportunity to strengthen how we understand, prevent, and respond to wildfire in the Mountain West. As the only Four Corners State to not have a SWERI facility, it is only right for Utah to have a dedicated hub focused on the wildfire challenges facing Utah and the surrounding States. It will allow our universities, firefighters, land managers, and Federal partners to work together. It will help us understand fire behavior in high-elevation deserts. It will support innovations in fuel management, post-fire watershed recovery, and community resilience. More importantly, the Utah wildfire institute will ensure that we are not simply reacting to each crisis as it comes but planning ahead. This bill reflects what Utahns already know, that collaboration, science-based planning, and proactive management are the most effective tools we have to protect our land and our people. It is a vote for safer communities, healthier forests and rangelands, and responsible stewardship of the places that we call home. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act as this investment will protect Utah for generations to come.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, in 2027, beginning in April and ending in October, the Salt Lake Temple, which is to my left, will be open for public tours. All are welcome, with 3 million to 5 million visitors expected during this historic event that will be important to Utahns and especially to those who will again worship and serve there. I invite all of my colleagues in the House and their friends to visit Salt Lake City and tour the temple with me. Though it was not the first, it has become the most recognizable temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many visitors associate the temple with Utah's capital city. The temple is built of native granite and took 40 years to complete, with the goal to construct it so it would last throughout time. Come experience the spirit of this event with me.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate both the Corner Canyon and the Lone Peak High School football teams who recently faced off in the Utah 6A State Championship. Their matchup showcased exactly what Utah embodies: determination, grit, and exceptional spirit. Corner Canyon emerged victorious, securing their sixth State title in the past 8 years and their third straight championship. This championship capped a phenomenal season where they finished with a record of 12-1 and boasted one of the highest scoring offenses in the Nation. Their success reflects the leadership of head coach Eric Kjar, who instilled in these men values of dedication, perseverance, and hard work. I hope you all join me in wishing them good luck as they play in their first ever Overtime National Championship against St. Frances Academy. I would also like to congratulate Lone Peak High School and their head coach Bart Brockbank. Despite their loss in the championship, they played admirably throughout the entire season, even giving Corner Canyon their only loss of the season back in September. I congratulate the teams, the coaches, and the schools. They certainly make Utah proud.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to highlight the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pioneers began constructing the temple in 1853. What they created over the course of 40 years is one of the most remarkable feats of engineering for its time. They had no cranes or modern-day machinery. Instead, they relied on grit, community, and a collective vision to make a building that would stand the test of time. They accomplished this goal. The temple has foundation walls that are 16 feet thick and 16 feet deep and a spire of 210 feet topped by the famous 12-foot famous Angel Moroni statue. When it was dedicated in 1893, journalists were impressed with its infrastructure and facilities, including its impressive design, plumbing, heating, cooling systems, and electricity. Beyond the temple's state-of-the-art infrastructure, the pioneers who built it showed exemplary sacrifice. For instance, a stonemason, John Moyle, walked 20 miles every morning from his farm in my hometown of Alpine to Salt Lake City to work on the temple. Even after his leg was amputated, he made himself a wooden leg so he could continue his long journey to work on the temple.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of my alma mater, Brigham Young University. Since its founding in 1875, BYU has stood firm as a fundamental institution of learning and innovation in the State of Utah. Throughout its history, the university's programs, students, athletes, professors, and alumni have made great contributions to a variety of fields, including the advancement of technology, physical and social sciences, sports, business, law, and many other areas of significance. BYU continues to grow and evolve as they plan to open a medical school soon. The university, which also includes campuses in Hawaii and Idaho, is renowned globally. Further living up to its motto, ``The world is our campus,'' the BYU Pathways Worldwide program served over 74,000 students in over 180 countries in 2024. Above all, I appreciate BYU's focus on instilling its motto, ``Enter to learn, go forth to serve.'' I am grateful for the BYU education I received in undergraduate and law school and am proud to represent BYU and the Provo community in Congress. Congratulations to BYU and President Shane Reese on 150 years of innovation. I am excited to see how BYU will continue to grow and forgive me for that parking ticket when I was a student so many years ago.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, 9 days ago in my district, a loving husband and father of two children, a public figure who debated vigorously conservative values and a representative for free speech, was assassinated by a deranged coward who felt that violence was the only way to deal with voices that he opposed. Mr. Speaker, from Charlie Kirk's example, I have learned that we should live boldly, without fear. We should address and confront the cowards of the world who will oppose with violence those who seek to destroy free speech. I have also learned from Charlie Kirk that we should debate vigorously, that we have opinions, and in this Hall, this sacred Hall, we can debate those opinions with respect and vigor. Mr. Speaker, I have also learned that we should love completely. Charlie Kirk never degraded an individual that he debated. He always approached them with respect. With a loving approach, he tried to push forward his views and offer them as an alternative to those who debated him. Mr. Speaker, I also point out that a widow and two amazing children are now left without a husband and a father. To Erika and those children, I will just say that God has a special place in his heart for the widows of the world. Since ancient times, such as the widow Zarephath with Elijah, the mite that the widow cast into the temple treasury, as well as Jesus Christ' own mother, Mary, a widow, whom Jesus on the cross, while He suffered and died for all mankind, offered that widow, his mother, to His most beloved apostle to take care of for the rest of her life and make sure that she was cared for. For Erika and her children, I will say that God has a special place in his heart for the widows and for the orphans. They also have a special place not only in my heart but in the hearts of millions as they suffer through the loss of her husband as well as the father of her children. Mr. Speaker, I am inspired by Charlie Kirk and his example and the fact that his life now transcends not only his life and his message, but he stands for something more important now, which is freedom of speech, a constitutional privilege that our Nation will fight vigorously to protect. I join with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to shun and eschew violence and to pursue freedom of speech through the rest of my days. God bless America, Charlie Kirk, and his widow as we move forward.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Indiana for yielding me her time. Mr. Speaker, just days ago, Charlie Kirk was assassinated by an act of deranged cowardice. His death was not only the loss of a husband, but a father, and a friend to many. It is also a sobering reminder that the very rights he spent his life defending must never be taken for granted, rights endowed to each of us by our creator and effectuated by our Constitution. This resolution officially honors Charlie Kirk's commitment to the constitutional principles of civil discussion and debate between all people of the United States, regardless of political affiliation. From the beginning of our Nation, freedom of speech has been a foundational liberty for the American people. The architects of our Republic enshrined the right to speak one's mind without fear as a first principle, knowing that if the people were silenced, then every other freedom would be in peril. Throughout our history, Americans have disagreed fiercely and vigorously about politics, morality, and the course of our Nation, but history shows that responding to words with hatred or violence only sets us back. Instead, generation after generation, we have chosen the harder path: to keep the conversation going and to answer speech we oppose with more speech and with reason, civility, and conviction, rather than be intimidated by violence or dragged down into vengeance. The Founders placed their faith in the power of truth and discourse. They knew that in a free republic, the solution to false or harmful ideas is to counter them in the light of public discussion. As Thomas Jefferson reminded us, ``error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.'' We must hold fast to that principle. We will turn more hearts with calm truth than with angry thunder. We will not let violence intimidate us, and we will not let violence drown out truth. Every great struggle for justice, every step forward for our Nation, and even its very survival has relied on the ability of courageous voices to speak out and enlighten the people. Charlie Kirk was more than just a prominent political leader. He was a devoted husband, father, and man of deep convictions. As a father myself, I cannot begin to imagine the pain of such a loss. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Erika, and two amazing young children. Mr. Speaker, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Erika and those children, and we hope they find comfort and peace in this time of unimaginable grief. Charlie lived with purpose and a clear understanding of what matters most. He loved his family and pursued truth, and he shared those values boldly with the world. He gave young Americans the courage to believe their voices mattered, that they, too, could take part in shaping the future of this Nation. Just last week, I sat with students who told me they first found their way into political engagement because of Charlie's example. That is his legacy, not only the words he spoke, but the lives he touched, the movement he built, and the spirit of civic courage he inspired. Mr. Speaker, let us pray that God bless and receive Charlie Kirk, and may He grant comfort and strength to Erika and their children. May God bless our Nation and unite us against violence, unite us in the fight for free speech and truth. I pray that we lift one another up and resolve to leave our children a brighter future and more free than the one we inherited.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today I rise and recognize a proud U.S. Army veteran, Lisa Duckworth, who was recently named Military Friendly's 2025 Veteran of the Year for the State of Utah. From her role as a chaplaincy resources manager in the Army for close to 6 years to her current role as Utah's veteran employment representative, Lisa has demonstrated her outstanding devotion to education and empowerment. As Utah's veteran employment representative, Lisa advocates for the veteran and military community by working with organizations that provide them with employment, training, and development opportunities. This award given to Lisa recognizes the tangible difference she makes every day for those in Utah's military community. Her unwavering dedication to those who have served our country reminds us that all public service continues beyond uniform, whether it be through advocacy or community. She reminds us that when we support our veterans and military members, we strengthen our communities. I am proud to have Lisa Duckworth representing our beautiful State and thank her for her continued service. I thank Lisa for all she does to ensure a supportive environment for our veterans in Utah.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Representative Bice's Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025, and I applaud my colleague, Mr. Knott, for his role in this important piece of legislation. For too long, open-border policies have left American families at risk. Under the Biden administration, the vast majority of those charged with illegal reentry already had criminal records. In Utah, we have seen the consequences firsthand. This July in Salt Lake County, a 43-year-old Mexican national was sentenced for drug trafficking and illegal reentry. He had been deported three times before. When he was arrested, he carried an illegal firearm and more than 9,000 fentanyl pills. In May, ICE officers in Utah apprehended and removed an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who was facing charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, after previously being caught and removed twice before. In January, a 24-year-old Mexican national was charged with the murder of his girlfriend in Utah just one week after being deported for the second time. These are not isolated cases. They are just a few recent examples from my home State, and there are countless more heartbreaking stories from across the country. It is clear that the current penalties are not enough to deter this dangerous cycle of illegal reentry. The safety and security of our citizens must never be compromised by those who abuse our system and exploit our borders. H.R. 3486 protects American families, upholds the rule of law, and keeps our Nation secure by setting real penalties for those who seek to enter our great Nation illegally to commit crimes. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to celebrate 175 years since the establishment of Pleasant Grove, Utah. Established on September 13, 1850, by pioneers, Pleasant Grove is located in an idyllic location, nestled at the base of the majestic snowcapped mountains of the Wasatch Front. Its rich history is highlighted by the iconic Strawberry Days celebration, which began in 1921 and remains the longest-running city celebration in Utah. Each year, families gather to celebrate the city's agricultural heritage with strawberries and cream, parades, concerts, and rodeos. Pleasant Grove also offers outstanding recreation and cultural treasures, from the scenic trails of Battle Creek Falls and the wooden castles at Discovery Park, to the family traditions of Hee Haw Farms and the Christa McAuliffe Space Center. Though the city has grown, it continues to be a family-oriented town where residents can learn, explore, and thrive together. At the heart of Pleasant Grove is its tight-knit community, people dedicated to service, education, and preserving the city's rich history. I want to recognize the service of Mayor Guy Fugal and the members of the Pleasant Grove City Council, whose leadership reflects the values of this remarkable community. I am proud to represent Pleasant Grove in Utah's Third District and look forward to celebrating this momentous achievement with them.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 3425, the Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025, or the POST Act. I thank Mr. Barrett and Mr. Figures for their support of this really important bill. This is a commonsense bill that fixes a broken system and restores accountability within the Federal Protective Service. The Federal Protective Service, or FPS, is responsible for protecting nearly 9,000 Federal facilities nationwide. In fiscal year 2024, FPS operated with a $2.2 billion budget and oversaw more than 15,000 contract protective security officers. With that level of funding and manpower, taxpayers expect reliable results. Unfortunately, that is not what they are getting. A recent GAO investigation showed contract guards failed to detect banned items like batons and pepper spray in half of all covert tests. That is unacceptable, and it should never have been allowed to persist. It is also preventable. H.R. 3425 makes sure FPS reviews these failures, documents them, identifies the root causes, and then takes corrective action. This bill also addresses the embarrassing state of FPS's Post Tracking System. Back in 2018, FPS promised to modernize guard sign-in with a digital system. Years later, that system still doesn't work, and the agency is still relying on paper as its official record. That means Washington can't even confirm in real time whether a building is staffed and secure. In some cases, buildings have had to close because of it. That is a waste of money and a failure of leadership. H.R. 3425 fixes this by giving FPS 6 months to either make the system work or replace it with one that does. Mr. Speaker, this is not complicated. When Americans walk into a Federal building, they deserve to know it is staffed and secured. The American people expect their government to meet basic duties. The POST Act honors that expectation by restoring accountability and requiring results. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3425, the POST Act, so that we restore proper oversight and accountability in the Federal Protective Service and protect taxpayers from waste and failure.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with great pride to congratulate the Price, Utah, Battle 13u youth baseball team. This talented group of 13-year-old baseball players from Carbon and Emery Counties won the Pacific Southwest Regional, advancing to the Babe Ruth World Series. They are only the third Utah team to do so in the 75-year history of the tournament. The Price Battle team won third place at the championship, making history for our community while competing on the national stage. Price Battle also took home the most awards for the tournament, including one player with the best batting average for the World Series, two players making the All-World Offensive Team, and three players making the All- World Defensive Team. Not only did the team play well, but they also showed excellent character and conduct, earning the prestigious Heart of the Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award. This combination of skill, hard work, and character is something our entire State of Utah can cheer for. Congratulations to the team and their coaches on an incredible season and for making Price and Utah proud. We can't wait to see what they do next.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight the important benefits the One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivered to Utah's businesses and workers. Madam Speaker, we had the opportunity to be in our districts for the past month, and I had the privilege of meeting with my constituents in Utah's Third District. At the end of this district work period, I participated in a business-focused event with members of the Salt Lake Chamber to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other industry- related issues. During this event, I was able to hear directly from local businessowners and stakeholders about how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other Federal policies are impacting businesses in my district. What I heard was clear: Businesses want certainty. They want competitiveness. They want opportunity. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers all three. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes permanent the section 199A passthrough deduction, giving small businesses a 20 percent tax break. For the 69,000 eligible firms in Utah, this means long-term stability and provides them with a foundation to thrive. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also protects about 72,000 full-time jobs in Utah over the next 4 years relative to if the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act had been allowed to expire. Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, said: ``This vital legislation provides crucial long-term certainty for Utah's businesses and families. Making these progrowth provisions permanent empowers businesses to continue investing, innovating, and creating jobs, while also ensuring Utah families can keep more of their hard-earned money and better manage their financial responsibilities.'' The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is also critical to innovative national security-focused companies in Utah, such as Northrop Grumman and Vector, which I had the opportunity to tour during the August work period. Northrop manufactures the five-segment solid rocket boosters for NASA's Space Launch System in Utah. They are currently developing next- generation rocket boosters, which will power us to the Moon and Mars. Thanks to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, NASA will receive $4.1 billion for the Space Launch System for the Artemis IV and V missions. That investment will support Utah jobs and power new American advancement in space. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also supports a strong national defense by investing in America's UAS industrial base to boost U.S. drone capabilities. In my district, companies like Vector, a veteran- owned drone manufacturer, are leading that charge, developing technologies to strengthen the warfighter, secure our supply chain, and drive 21st century innovation here at home. I am glad the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will help support these capabilities and ensure America, not China, sets the standard in this critical field. In voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, House Republicans voted to power economic growth by boosting local production, supporting small businesses, and strengthening America's national security. I enjoyed discussing these issues with the Salt Lake Chamber and other groups while in my beautiful State of Utah last month.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Baird), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize some of the impacts the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have on my State. By passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the House Republican majority kept its promise to preserve the 2017 tax cuts and provided further relief for American families. The White House's Council of Economic Advisers estimates the bill will raise Utah wages between $4,300 and $7,700 over the next 4 years, putting more money in the pockets of our hardworking Americans. Typical families with two children can also expect to see higher take-home pay in the range of $7,900 to $11,400. Utah is one of the fastest-growing States in the Nation and has the highest average household size. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act increases the child tax credit to $2,200, which will help our Utah families as they continue to grow. Without the bill's passage, the child tax credit would have dropped to just $1,000 per child. I am glad this bill invests in the future of our families, not just in Utah but all over the country. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also helps hardworking Americans by cutting taxes on overtime pay. Around 22 percent of all employees in Utah regularly work overtime and could benefit from this tax break. The bill also cuts taxes on tips. Whether you are a waitress earning tips or a nurse working overtime, this legislation will make sure that your hard-earned money stays where it belongs: in your pocket. The legislation also benefits those who give to charitable causes, including tithes or religious contributions, allowing individuals who do not itemize their deductions to claim charitable deductions. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers historic tax relief for seniors. This legislation ensures that nearly 90 percent of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay Federal income taxes on their benefits. In Utah alone, around 400,000 seniors could benefit from the no taxes on Social Security provision of this bill. Our seniors have spent their lifetimes contributing to our Nation's economy, and House Republicans are glad to provide them relief through this bill. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will also help Utahns in ways beyond tax credits. It will help rural Utah by boosting Utah's energy sector due to provisions slashing the bureaucratic red tape associated with permitting delays and by restarting oil, gas, and coal leases. This will create thousands of jobs in Utah. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also helps Utahns by reauthorizing the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, also known as RECA, for another 2 years following its expiration last year. RECA authorization will compensate Utahns who were exposed to radiation after the aboveground atomic testing at the Nevada Test Site. It will also extend compensation to uranium miners and expand eligibility for downwinders across the State of Utah. This will help relieve burdens for Utahns who were harmed during active nuclear weapons testing. The bill will provide funding for technological advancement for our military and enhance the quality of life for our military personnel by allocating up to $7.4 billion in benefits for servicemembers across the country. Under this bill, the budget will provide for restoration and renovation of barracks, more funding for the Defense Health Program, aid to military families by adding to the childcare fee assistance, and bonuses for members of the military. This policy reflects our commitment to honoring the sacrifices of our military by investing directly in servicemembers and the infrastructure that supports their well-being. It demonstrates our commitment to putting America first by ensuring our servicemen and -women in Utah and across the world receive the care and support they deserve. This legislation is designed to put hardworking Americans, families, and small businesses first, including my constituents in Utah's Third District. By passing this bill, Republicans have delivered on the promises we made to the American people. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Dakota (Mrs. Fedorchak), my distinguished colleague.