Nicholas Langworthy

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to open up the text of the rule before us today, and for good measure the underlying legislation as well, and hit ``control F'' on the words Affordable Care Act. They will quickly see that despite their fixation on making everything about the topic, nowhere in this rule or the underlying legislation is the Affordable Care Act, ACA subsidies, or marketplace coverage mentioned. However, the policies that they are working, and hopefully there will be further bipartisan discussions about, were set to expire by their own hand at the end of a 5-year window because it was COVID emergency spending. I don't think I am breaking any news here, but COVID is over. Something that Democrats don't seem to want to ever end is an unlimited spigot of public money devoted to an issue. We have to get to the core reasons why health insurance for all, not just those that are on Affordable Care Act plans, but for people in private insurance, all the public expenditures through our Medicare and Medicaid programs, why is healthcare an explosive cost year over year? That is going to take bipartisanship and working together and putting some of these petty fights aside, because even if we extended these credits for 3 years, as they would like, it doesn't solve the problem for the millions upon millions and tens of millions of Americans who are on private pay insurance. We have to really get serious about affordability, health insurance affordability, and the cost of delivering our healthcare in this country. Their remedy to this problem is putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole. It is an expiration that is by their own hand and own design because it was designed for COVID-era emergency spending. As a reminder, the measures in this rule are straightforward and common sense: strengthening energy reliability and tackling affordability in this area, streamlining permitting so that infrastructure can actually get built, restoring certainty to domestic supply chains, trusting science over ideology in wildlife management, and advancing public safety measures that protect our communities. These bills are about lowering costs, keeping the lights on, and restoring accountability. That is the agenda before us in this rule today. That is an important agenda to the American people and the affordability issues that stand before us and our future prosperity. Democrats want to lecture us about being serious on energy, but the American people remember exactly what 4 years of Democratic energy policy delivered. Under President Biden, Democrats drove up costs, weakened our electrical grid, and forced the premature retirement of reliable baseload power. They flooded the market with mandates and subsidies picked by Washington, not by engineers, and then acted surprised when electricity prices spiked and grid operators started warning about blackouts. When those prices spiked, the price of everything spiked because increased electricity and energy costs drive up the price of all goods and services. Families paid more, reliability got worse, and Democrats told Americans that somehow it was all worth it. Now that President Trump is back in office and reversing that damage, Democrats suddenly claim that these bills are partisan not because they are extreme, but because they expose how reckless the last administration was. President Trump and House Republicans are doing what Democrats refused to do: streamlining permitting so that projects can actually get built, restoring common sense to environmental review, and prioritizing dispatchable power sources that actually keep the lights and the heat on in this country. The truth is, Democrats don't have a serious answer to rising energy demand, grid reliability, or affordability. Their answer is just throw up a few more windmills and all will be well with the world. We can shutter every other power plant that has proven baseline power, and the windmills and solar panels will solve all the problems. Their solution is always the same: more mandates, more subsidies, more regulation, and hope that the grid holds together by wishes and dreams, not by science and practicality. Republicans are offering something different: policies grounded in reliability, affordability, and domestic American production so American families aren't left paying more while China builds coal plant after coal plant month after month and laughs all the way to the bank. Mr. Speaker, that is exactly what this rule advances. The energy bills before us are commonsense measures to strengthen reliability, streamline approvals, and support American jobs as well as ensure that American families have access to affordable American power, not slogans, not lectures, not dreams and wishful thinking. If my colleagues across the aisle are truly serious about lowering costs and securing Americans' energy future, they should stop posturing and support this rule because Americans don't need more talking points. They need the lights to stay on. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my colleague across the aisle wants to paint these bills as giveaways, which is wild considering what Democrats themselves have already done. Democrats passed a so-called Inflation Reduction Act, the most poorly named bill in the history of the Congress because it did nothing but skyrocket inflation. Everyone has the proof of that in their weekly grocery bills and their utility costs. It happened on their watch. They dumped massive new spending on an overheated economy and helped drive the worst inflation in 40 years. That is just fact. That is indisputable. Despite the title, it didn't reduce any inflation, not even close. What it did was create a massive subsidy pipeline for green energy companies, all tied to the People's Republic of China. Chinese firms, ultimately answerable to the Chinese Communist Party, rushed in to take advantage of all these credits and the programs that Democrats set up. Apparently, that part has slipped their memory. When House Republicans tried to add basic guardrails to stop those subsidies from flowing overseas to China, Democrats objected. They objected loudly, not quietly. When Democrats are throwing around the word ``giveaway,'' it is fair to wonder whether they have forgotten their own record or are just hoping that everyone else is focused on something else. Democrats are perfectly willing to outsource Americans' energy future and our national security to foreign adversaries to pursue their agenda. Republicans are doing the opposite. We are strengthening domestic production. We are securing supply chains here at home in the United States and reducing our dependence on China. That brings us back to the rule before us today. The six bills in this rule are focusing on restoring reliability, supporting domestic production, and streamlining permitting so that projects can actually move forward and lower costs for American taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, that is the work before the House today, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, the rule before us reflects a clear choice. After years of regulatory overreach, misplaced priorities, and Washington-knows- best policymaking, this House is taking steps to restore balance, accountability, and common sense. The legislation considered under this rule addresses real problems Americans are facing: higher energy costs, delayed infrastructure, weakened supply chains, threats to grid reliability, and failures that put public safety at risk. These bills do not eliminate environmental protections or public input. They simply require the Federal Government to act responsibly, plan for real-world consequences, and stop using endless process as an excuse for inaction. Republicans are focused on getting things built, keeping the lights on for Americans, keeping the heat on, protecting communities, and strengthening America's economic and national security. That is what the American people expect, and that is what this rule and the underlying legislation advances. I strongly support the rule before us today.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and extraordinary service of retired Schuyler County Sheriff William E. Yessman, Jr., whose passing on November 29 is deeply felt across the community that he faithfully served for more than three decades. Sheriff Yessman began his service to our Nation in the United States Coast Guard, demonstrating the duty, discipline, and integrity that would define his long career in law enforcement. He joined the Schuyler County Sheriff's Office in 1985. Over 36 years, he rose through the ranks to ultimately serve as the elected sheriff. More than the top law enforcement officer, he was a mentor who shaped the careers of countless officers and strengthened the department that he loved so much. His steady guidance, professionalism, and deep commitment to public safety have left an indelible mark on the entire community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House join me in honoring Sheriff Yessman for his lifetime of exemplary service and in extending our deepest condolences to his wife, Anne; his son, Sergeant Andrew Yessman; and the entire Yessman family.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding leadership and service of Dr. Karol B. Wight, who retires this year after fifteen years of exceptional stewardship at The Corning Museum of Glass. Since joining the Museum in 2011 and becoming president and executive director in 2015, Dr. Wight has guided the institution with vision and distinction, advancing its mission and inspiring countless visitors through her deep expertise in ancient artwork. During her tenure, Dr. Wight curated landmark exhibitions, strengthened the Museum's research and educational programs, and championed initiatives that broadened public appreciation for the art and history of glass. Her scholarly leadership and dedication to her work have left a profound impact on the Museum and the community she has served. In addition to her executive achievements, Dr. Wight has been an influential figure in the museum field. She has served on the board of trustees of the American Alliance of Museums, played a leading role within the Association of Art Museum Directors, and contributed her expertise to organizations dedicated to the study of classical antiquity and the history of glass. Through these roles, she has strengthened professional collaboration, supported emerging leaders, and advanced the highest standards of museum practice. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the United States House of Representatives join me in recognizing Dr. Karol Wight for her exemplary contributions and in celebrating her well-earned retirement. Her legacy will endure in the institutions she strengthened and the communities she inspired.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Abigail Provost, who was awarded the National Bronze Cross Lifesaving Award from the Girl Scouts of the USA. Lifesaving Awards are national awards given to registered Girl Scouts in recognition of independent acts of extraordinary bravery that were essential to a lifesaving rescue. These awards acknowledge Girl Scouts who have saved or attempted to save a human life, with or without risk to their own lives, and under circumstances that most people of their age and life experience may not be able to function. Health and safety training is an essential part of the Girl Scout program. In accordance with the Girl Scout Promise, Law, motto, and slogan to which she has subscribed, a Girl Scout is expected to be resourceful, skilled, and competent. She is also expected to have a presence of mind and to be of service to others. Each lifesaving situation is unique and there are many considerations determining if the Girl Scout led actions that were essential to the rescue. On November 11, the Provost family indulged in a typical evening together immersed in their favorite television program. As the evening progressed, Abigail's father excused himself to bed, and Abigail eventually decided it was time for her to do the same while her mom and siblings stayed comfortably in front of the TV. Abigail's rest was soon interrupted when she began to smell smoke. In a panic, she began screaming to get her family's attention and followed the pungent smell down to the basement where Abigail's father met her. Fire extinguisher in hand, Abigail bravely took on the breaker box, which she had correctly assumed to be the source of the fire. The Provosts had recently installed solar panels, so Abigail suggested that she and her father cut that power source too. It turned out these new panels were the source of the sparks and smoke. Abigail's quick-thinking, sharp instincts, and clear mind in this high stress situation saved not only her family home, but also her entire family's lives. This is Abigail's second Lifesaving Award in six months after her and her Girl Scout troop saved a man having a heart attack using the skills they had learned through their Girl Scout training. I thank Abigail Provost for going above and beyond to make a difference in our community. I congratulate her on receiving this well- deserved honor.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this rule and ending this shutdown chaos. For more than 40 days, the American people have endured a painful and entirely avoidable government shutdown. It was not because of policy differences but because Senate Democrats and Chuck Schumer chose politics over people. While Washington stalled, hardworking Americans paid the price. Our air traffic controllers went without pay. A system stretched thinner by the day had a new strain put on that system, which put millions of lives at risk. Americans depend on them to keep our skies safe. Families who rely on SNAP and WIC, parents who are just trying to feed their kids, were left wondering how they would make it through another week. At the same time, our border agents and Coast Guard members continue to serve this country as their own families went without pay. Through it all, while everyday Americans carried the weight of this shutdown, Senate Democrats had chance after chance to end it, but instead they chose to prolong the pain. That is not leadership. That is hypocrisy. It was never about budgets or priorities. It was about power. It is not about turning government on. For them, it was about turning government into performance, where the people paying the highest price are the ones furthest from Washington. For more than 40 days, families were used as political pawns and props while those responsible stood in front of cameras pretending to solve the crisis that they created. I actually saw a Member from my home State stand at a food bank, decry the fact that nutritional assistance was in question, then swear up and down that they would vote against ending this shutdown. That is the epitome of hypocrisy, and the American people deserve better than that. House Republicans did our job. We passed a clean continuing resolution weeks ago, the same kind of straightforward measure that should have been agreed to immediately to keep this government open. Senate Democrats blocked that 14 times, prolonging this shutdown just to score points to their woke, angry mob. This measure before us today is the same bipartisan framework they could have passed 40 days ago. The only thing that has changed is the political calendar. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule. Let's stand with the American people, the families, the veterans, and public servants who have carried the burden of this shutdown and reopen our government. Let's get this country moving again.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life of Charlie Kirk, a husband, a father, a follower of Jesus Christ, and a proud American who devoted himself and his life to awakening civic courage in a new generation. Charlie's faith was central to who he was. He did not shy away from declaring it, nor did he compromise it for the sake of convenience or applause. He was a proud believer in Jesus Christ. We take comfort knowing that today, he is with the Lord. Charlie celebrated the Judeo-Christian values on which this Nation was founded: faith, family, freedom, responsibility. He reminded us that without those values, America would lose the very foundation of its strength. Charlie built his life's work around inspiring others, especially young people, to embrace their responsibilities as American citizens. He told them to get involved, learn your history, speak your mind, and stand firm in your beliefs. He taught America's college students that you could stand up for your values, even if you dared to be a conservative on a liberal campus where your beliefs were vilified. He told them to flex their First Amendment rights, to debate honestly, and to speak boldly, even if professors and campus culture declared them wrong for rejecting socialist or Marxist teachings. Charlie knew America was the greatest country in the history of the world, and he gave students the backbone to defend that truth. He made complex issues clear, and he welcomed debate because he trusted the American people to recognize truth when they heard it. He insisted that free speech was not a partisan slogan but the lifeblood of our free society. Mr. Speaker, it is impossible to ignore the cruel fact that Charlie's life was cut short by a coward who murdered him in cold blood. But let me be clear: That act of violence did not silence Charlie's voice. It amplified it. Millions and millions of Americans and countless more around the world now know what Charlie stood for, what he worked for, and ultimately what he died for. His legacy is not diminished by his death; it is magnified. The ideas he championed and the courage he displayed are now reaching more hearts and minds than they ever have before. Beyond the public stage, Charlie held the most important roles any of us can claim, that of being a husband and a father. He loved his family very dearly, and he drew strength from his faith. He reminded us that the real work in America doesn't happen in the halls of power but at the family dinner table, in our houses of worship, in our neighborhoods, and at the ballot box. Charlie's life is measured in the legacy he leaves. Look at the students who registered to vote because he asked them to. Look at the young leaders who chose to serve their communities because he told them they were needed. Look at the millions who felt less alone because he was brave enough to raise his voice. They had impact. That is real impact. That is a life well lived and a mission faithfully pursued. To Charlie's wife, Erika, to his beautiful children, and to his family: My and my family's deepest condolences and prayers are with you. May you be sustained by the prayers of a very grateful nation for Charlie's life, and may you take comfort in knowing that Charlie's voice echoes louder than ever. Charlie Kirk's life is a call to action. Let us honor him not with despair but with dedication, dedication to faith, to freedom, and dedication to the enduring promise of this great Nation. His courage lives on, his message lives on, and his fight for America will always live on. May God bless Charlie Kirk's memory. May God comfort his family, and may God bless the United States of America.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 707 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 707 provides for consideration of seven measures. The rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, H.R. 5140, H.R. 5143, and H.R. 5125 under a closed rule with 1 hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform or their respective designees. The rule provides each bill with one motion to recommit. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 3015, H.R. 3062, and H.R. 1047 under a closed rule with 1 hour of debate each equally divided and controlled by the chair and the ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their designees. The rule provides each bill with one motion to recommit. The rule also provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 3633, the Clerk shall add the text of H.R. 1919 as passed by the House as a new matter at the end of H.R. 3633. Further, the rule tolls the day counts regarding resolutions of inquiry until March 31, 2026. Finally, the rule tolls the day counts until March 31, 2026, regarding joint resolutions terminating the national emergencies declared by the President on February 1, 2025; April 2, 2025; and July 30, 2025. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation. The rule before us provides an opportunity for Congress to reverse the disastrous energy and crime policies left behind by the previous administration and restore accountability where needed the most. For far too long, the American people have been forced to live under a regulatory agenda that drove up costs, weakened our grid, and made our communities less safe. These measures begin to roll back that damage and put us on a stronger and safer trajectory. To restore accountability in our energy policies, this rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3015, the National Coal Council Reestablishment Act. This legislation permanently restores the National Coal Council, an advisory body for nearly four decades, providing expert recommendations on matters affecting the American coal sector. Established in 1984, the council delivered 40 reports to the Secretary of Energy on coal markets, research and development into clean coal technologies, and regulatory barriers that affect the coal industry. However, in 2021, at the behest of leftwing organizations, the Biden administration disregarded this history and disbanded the council, replacing it with an advisory body charged with fulfilling the left's Green New Deal agenda. Make no mistake. This was not about policy, it was about shutting coal out of the conversation, an essential piece of our Nation's energy matrix. The United States is home to the world's largest coal reserves, with approximately 440 years' worth of supply at current production levels. Today, our fleet of over 400 coal-fired power plants provide 16 percent of America's electricity, and in five States, coal provides more than one-half. In 17 States it provides more than 20 percent. Together, the coal industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, lifts up small communities across the country, and provides affordable and reliable baseload power that helps keep prices stable. Premature retirements of coal plants are being driven by Federal and State policies that intentionally attack their financial viability, yet the demand for electricity is only going up. Since 2022, the retirement of 29,000 megawatts of coal capacity has been delayed because of rising demand and insufficient replacement resources. To put it bluntly, removing coal from the grid at this moment in time would lead to higher costs and greater instability for families and businesses. This is a reality that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to acknowledge. In New York we are already seeing what these anti-energy radical policies have done: shutting down production of reliable baseload power in favor of pursuing unrealistic and dangerous green agenda items. Now, despite widespread public opposition, Governor Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats are moving forward with a ban on natural gas and propane hookups in new construction starting in 2026. That means families in western New York, where winters are long, snow is great, and it is cold and oftentimes dangerous in these terrible winter storms, they will be denied the ability to choose the energy source that best keeps them safe and warm in their homes. Taking affordable and reliable options off the table is not sound policy. It is assaults like this on consumer choice and on the freedom to use reliable, affordable energy like coal and natural gas that leave people more vulnerable when the power goes out. That is why it matters who is at the table. When it comes to energy policy, this measure makes the National Coal Council permanent, so future administrations can't simply shut it down for political reasons. H.R. 3015 also reinforces President Trump's April 8, 2025, executive order to reinvigorate America's clean coal industry recognizing that coal must remain part of our future if we want to ensure future prosperity, meet rising electricity demands, and lower costs for families. By reestablishing the National Coal Council, Congress will ensure that reliable, affordable baseload power remains a cornerstone of our energy policy while supporting family-sustaining jobs and fueling next- generation industries like artificial intelligence. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 3062, the Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act. This measure creates a transparent and permanent framework for permitting pipelines and other cross-border energy projects. For years, developers have been subject to political gamesmanship, destroyed investments, and stranded jobs. The cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline was not based on science; it was simply based on politics. The Biden administration sided with radical activists over American workers in energy security for our country. We have seen the same story play out in my own State of New York. The Northern Access pipeline was a major natural gas infrastructure project that promised thousands of good-paying jobs, more affordable energy for families across the northeastern United States, and new tax revenue for rural communities like mine in the southern tier. However, instead of moving forward, that project was tied up with endless red tape and obstructed by regulators. Western New York and the southern tier lost jobs and investment in energy security that would have come from it. A project that should have supported a large construction workforce and strengthened our region was derailed again because of politics. This is exactly why permitting reform is needed and is needed now. Without certainty, projects like this will continue to slip away, taking good jobs and economic growth with them. Energy developers, workers, and communities all deserve better. Yet when it comes to the permitting reforms that would actually allow critical energy projects to move forward, Democrats have consistently acquiesced to the demands of radical environmental groups instead of the needs of American workers and their families. The result is higher costs and fewer options for American families. This legislation cuts through that red tape, gives developers certainty, and ensures critical projects can move forward. In addition, the rule includes H.R. 1047, the Guaranteeing Reliability Through the Interconnection of Dispatchable Power Act. Year after year, projects that would keep the lights on and lower bills are stuck in the interconnection queues and regulatory wait lists. Sometimes as long as 7 years they are stuck there. That is simply unacceptable. Families do not care about bureaucratic excuses. They care about whether their homes are heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. This legislation cuts through that backlog. It empowers grid operators to prioritize projects that actually enhance reliability. Let us be clear about how we got here. Democrats have spent years forcing premature retirements of coal, nuclear, and natural gas through excessive regulation, while shoveling subsidies to wind and solar. The result is interconnection queues flooded with projects that only have a 5 percent completion rate. Meanwhile, Democrat policies have left ratepayers footing the bill for two grids. One grid props up wind and solar with massive transmission costs. The other is the backup power we all rely on when the Sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing. This measure puts reliability first. It follows the lead of major grid operators who know the danger of relying too heavily on intermittent sources, and it makes sure that the grid is strong enough not only to keep the lights on at home but also to power next- generation industries like AI and manufacturing so America, not China, leads the future. Mr. Speaker, energy security is, simply put, national security. The rule before us takes important steps to keep power reliable and affordable and American made. But security is not just about the strength of our grid. It is also about the safety of our communities. Nowhere is that failure of safety more visible than right here in our Nation's capital. While Washington should be a place that is showcased as what is the very best of America, it has instead become a city struggling with violent crime, juvenile offenses, and weakened law enforcement. The next measures in this rule take direct aim at those failures and restore accountability where the D.C. council has refused to act. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 4922, the D.C. Crimes Act of 2025. This legislation reasserts congressional oversight over the District by prohibiting the D.C. council from further pursuing its progressive, soft-on-crime sentencing guidelines. The council has failed to keep residents and visitors from our country and from around the world safe. Even as violent crime has soared, police staffing has dropped to a 50-year low. This measure takes direct aim at the council's reckless decisions. It lowers the definition of a youth offender from under 25 to under 18 where it belongs so that adults are simply treated as adults. It ends judicial discretion that allows juvenile, violent offenders to escape mandatory minimums, and it prohibits the council from weakening mandatory minimums on sentencing guidelines any further. Make no mistake, carjackings and robberies by juveniles are out of control. More than 500 minors were arrested for robbery in 2023, and more carjackings were committed by juveniles. Every American should be able to visit their Nation's capital without fear of being the next victim. We know all too well what happens when local leaders choose leniency over accountability. In my home State of New York, cashless bail has unleashed a wave of tragic and entirely preventable outcomes. Governor Hochul and Democrats have doubled down on procriminal policies that put violent offenders back on our streets, leaving families and communities to suffer the consequences. The American people deserve better. New Yorkers deserve better. People in Washington, D.C., deserve better, and President Trump has already stepped in to end cashless bail here in Washington. It is long past time for New York to follow that lead. The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 5140, the District of Columbia juvenile sentencing reform act. Since the pandemic, juvenile crime has surged. More than 2,000 juveniles were arrested in both 2023 and 2024. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, over half of robbery arrests last year were juveniles. This year, juveniles account for more than half of carjacking arrests. This legislation responds to that reality. Current law allows juveniles 16 and older to be tried as adults for violent crimes. This measure lowers that age to 14. These are not youthful mistakes. They are violent, life-altering crimes. Consider the tragic example of Mohammad Anwar, a hardworking immigrant killed in 2021 by two teenage girls during a carjacking. Both will be back on the streets by the age of 21. In July of 2023, another Lyft driver, who previously served as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, was fatally shot while driving. The teen responsible was just 14 years old. They were sentenced to only 3 years of secure detention. Old enough to commit horrific and senseless murder, yet he will be back on the streets in just 3 years. Let me be clear. This legislation applies only to violent crimes: murder, first degree sexual abuse, burglary in the first degree, and robbery while armed. These are serious offenses that endanger residents and visitors to our Nation's capital every day. They demand serious consequences to truly restore law and order. The rule further provides for consideration of H.R. 5143, the District of Columbia Policing Protection Act. In 2023, the council imposed a set of restrictions that require officers to evaluate a checklist of 14 factors to decide whether to pursue a fleeing suspect. One of those factors even requires an officer to determine whether anyone in the suspect's car had a chance to surrender a weapon. That is absurd. Officers rarely have time or information to work through such a checklist when a suspect takes off. This legislation repeals those restrictions. It restores discretion to trained officers. It allows pursuit when an officer or supervisor determines it is necessary, the most effective means of apprehension, and does not present an unreasonable risk to bystanders. Officers must be able to act quickly to protect lives, and this measure restores that authority. Finally, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5125, the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act. The Judicial Nomination Commission currently limits President Trump's choices for D.C. judges to a very narrow list of names. That process is slow, it is politicized, and it is very likely unconstitutional under the appointments clause. The result has been persistent vacancies, clogged courts, and criminals slipping through the cracks. This legislation abolishes the commission and restores normal constitutional processes. The President nominates; the Senate confirms. That is how it works everywhere else in America, and that is how it should work right here in D.C. A duly elected President should not be bound by a bureaucratic commission when choosing judges. By ending this broken system, we can fill vacancies faster, strengthen courts, and ensure justice is delivered without delay. Mr. Speaker, Democrats' soft-on-crime policies have failed in D.C. just as they have failed in States like New York. These bills hold the line, restore accountability, and put public safety ahead of politics. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle love to talk about affordability. They love to play class warfare, but if Democrats were serious about lowering costs for working families, then they wouldn't have spent the last 4 years driving energy prices higher with more regulations, higher taxes, and subsidies that pick winners and losers. Families have felt the pain every time they fill up their gas tank, pay their rising utility bills, or try to keep their lights on in their small businesses. Republicans, working with President Trump, are focused on real solutions: Restoring energy policy that unleashes production here at home secures our grid, delivers reliable, affordable power that families and businesses can count on, and creates jobs in the process. That is exactly what this rule is about. The three energy bills before us are straightforward. They support family-sustaining energy jobs. They streamline approvals for cross- border infrastructure and ensure reliable and dispatchable generation for the grid. Together, they mean lower bills for families, stronger supply chains, and a more competitive America. When Democrats talk about affordability, they don't have a leg to stand on in this fight because it is their assault on the American energy industry that led to so much of the inflation that this country suffered under for the last 5 years. The answer is right here in the rule, and we need to support this legislation. I strongly support the legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I want to touch on the gentleman's comments on tariffs. Republicans are doing what Democrats promised the American people for generations that they would do but utterly failed at: ensuring fair trade, protecting American workers, and bringing countries to the negotiating table in the process. For years, Democrats sold a bill of goods to working-class Americans while they turned a blind eye as their factories closed and their jobs were shipped overseas. Today, Democrats claim to be the party of working families, and we know that is not the case. Yet, it is President Trump, over the Democrats' loud objections, who is fighting for fair trade deals for our working families, like the working families in New York's 23rd Congressional District. Access to the American economy is a privilege, not a right. President Trump is using tariffs as leverage to reduce reciprocal barriers, safeguard our national security, and level the global playing field for American producers and manufacturers, and it is working. Treasury has already collected more than $29 billion in tariff revenue this year, while countries like India, China, and South Korea are at the table negotiating new deals as we speak. This is the same decisive leadership that secured stronger trade agreements with the EU, Japan, the U.K., and partners across Asia. These aren't trade wars. They are trade wins that deliver more jobs, higher wages, and greater opportunities for American families and American products around the world. Mr. Speaker, the same focus on protecting working families is exactly what we are doing with the bills before us today. This rule advances commonsense legislation to strengthen our grid, unleash American energy, and restore coal's role in the mix. Also, let's not underplay what it means to protect the people of Washington, D.C., which we do have a Federal oversight responsibility for. Having a crime-ridden Nation's Capital is unacceptable by any metric. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let's set the record straight. There is a lot to unpack there and a lot of talk about playing games, but what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle refuse to admit is how during the COVID-19 pandemic they had intentionally passed premium tax credits with a sunset allowing them to expire and, in the process, playing politics with the healthcare of millions of Americans. If Democrats truly supported these credits, as they claim they now do, being made permanent, they would have made them permanent when they controlled both Chambers of Congress and the White House. It would have been suggested by President Biden when he was in the White House that it should have been a priority of the Congress. They refused to do so. They never brought that up. Mr. Speaker, this is a pattern with Democrats. They would rather use working families for their political means and ends than genuinely work to make their lives better. The American people see that for what it is. Mr. Speaker, you are hearing: The sky is falling. Everyone is going to lose their healthcare if this is not attached to a CR at this moment. Yes, we do have the majority. I am confident we will pass the CR in the House. However, Mr. Speaker, you know darn well that in the Senate, Leader Schumer will hold the majority hostage using the filibuster to force us into a shutdown, just like they threatened to do in March. I mean, that is the tactic that is being played. All these expectations are being set by the other side, knowing that they have a trap door, and they intend to try to leverage the American people to get more of their political will accomplished. Republicans already voted to deliver lower premiums for patients by passing H.R. 1, which targeted waste, fraud, and abuse across the ACA marketplace. Democrats unanimously opposed this bill, showing once again they are not serious about solving affordability problems for everyday Americans, just like they are not serious about trying to keep the government open. If they were, they would have supported these commonsense policies. Instead, they would rather play politics. Mr. Speaker, what we are actually debating today are commonsense measures in this rule to strengthen American energy policy, to keep violent crime off our streets here in our Capital City. These bills are about lowering costs for working families, keeping our communities safe and restoring accountability. We are getting the job done with or without their support. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues across the aisle want to pretend Republicans are manufacturing a crime crisis in our Nation's Capital, but the facts tell a completely different story. Under President Biden and Democratic leadership, Washington, D.C., became one of the most dangerous cities in America. In 2023, D.C. had the fourth highest homicide rate in the Nation, trailing only New Orleans, St. Louis, and Detroit. If D.C. were a State, it would have had the highest homicide rate in America. That number could be even higher because, as we know, D.C. officials may have manipulated the crime data to hide the true extent of the problem. Democrats would rather fudge the numbers to justify their radical policy experiments in places like D.C. than actually protect communities from violent crime. The same thing is happening in my home State of New York. They would rather quibble over process arguments and gaslighting using false statistics than acknowledge how many lives have been saved since President Trump took action to enforce law and order in the streets of Washington. This is how unserious and radical today's Democratic Party has become. Contrast this with what has happened since President Trump stepped in. In the 20 days following the Federal surge, carjackings dropped 87 percent compared to the same period last year. Across the board, violent crime fell 39 percent, burglaries dropped 45 percent, and carjackings fell 75. More than 2,700 arrests were made and 323 firearms were recovered. These aren't talking points. They are results. They are real safety improvements felt by families here in the District of Columbia. While Democrats scramble to defend their failed policies and liberal experiments in America's major cities, and they downplay the true cost in lives that come from policies that have long been supported in these cities, Republicans are restoring accountability, enforcing the law, and delivering real results to make our communities safer. That is exactly what this rule is about. The legislation before us strengthens accountability here in Washington, D.C., our Nation's Capital. It should be the gem of the country, and it will be again. If Democrats are truly serious about protecting families, they should support this rule and all of the underlying legislation, which is common sense to support law and order and protect the lives of the residents and the visitors to this great city. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the authors of inflation, the creators of inflation on the other side of this Chamber, the people who hypercharged an economy and drove down the value of our dollar, are now going to lecture us on why groceries cost so much. Where the hell have they been for the last 4 years? Where were they when Americans were struggling with the cost of their groceries because gas was up near $4 a gallon? Their policies determined that when they ran all facets of the government. Now, they have this revisionist history, and they want to talk about a cup of coffee. The tariff negotiations that President Trump has used have created new deals and new markets for our products around the globe. It is making a more competitive America, and we are not going to be taken advantage of by other countries anymore. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Again, more and more class warfare, Mr. Speaker. We hear the term ``millionaires and billionaires'' thrown around. Yet, every single one of them voted against all the tax benefits that would have helped the middle class and will continue to help the middle class. The minority voted against no tax on tips, against no tax on overtime, against doubling the child tax credit, and against doubling the standard deduction, all things that put serious money back into the pockets of my constituents. Now, to my colleague, $1,800, $2,000, $2,500 might not seem like a lot to him, but it might be two mortgage payments to my constituents. Yet, every single one of them voted no. I will not be lectured, and none of us should be lectured by people who stood in the way of getting that tax code made permanent. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, for far too long, Americans have been forced to endure higher costs, weaker energy security, and rising crime because of policies pushed by the left. The American people rejected that approach last November, and they elected a President and a Congress committed to restoring accountability, protecting families, and ensuring our future is built on reliable and affordable American energy. The measures in this rule fulfill that promise. They strengthen our grid, cut through bureaucratic red tape, and make sure America, not China, leads in powering the next generation. They also hold the line on public safety by rolling back soft-on- crime policies here in our Nation's Capital in Washington, D.C., and they restore the accountability that local leaders have refused to enforce. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the rule before us today and the underlying legislation.

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. I rise today to solemnly honor the courage and sacrifice of the correctional officers and civilian employees who lost their lives at Attica Correctional Facility during the prison riot 54 years ago this week. The events that began on September 9, 1971, represent one of the most tragic chapters in our state's history and serve as a solemn reminder of the extraordinary risks borne by those who serve behind prison walls. These men and women went to work that day committed to doing their duty--protecting their colleagues, maintaining order, and serving the public good. Their lives were cut short in an instant of violence, but their legacy endures. Today, we formally recognize and honor their memory. Their sacrifice stands as a testament to the professionalism and courage of the thousands of correctional officers and civilian staff who serve every day under challenging and often dangerous circumstances. We owe these fallen heroes our deepest gratitude. May their names be remembered, their service honored, and their families comforted in knowing their loved ones' sacrifices will never be forgotten. I ask that the United States House of Representatives join me in paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice at Attica Correctional Facility and in recognizing the ongoing commitment of our Nation's correctional workforce.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable landmark of our history from my hometown of South Dayton. For 150 years, the South Dayton Depot has been a center of connection, culture, and community spirit. Since its founding in 1875, the South Dayton Depot has welcomed generations of travelers and neighbors, serving first as a vital hub for freight and passenger service, and now as a museum where history is preserved for generations to come. The South Dayton Depot has not only preserved our community's railroad heritage, but has also become a gathering place where neighbors connect and visitors experience the rich story of our region. From its role in major motion pictures like The Natural and Planes, Trains and Automobiles, to its continued service through the Movie and Rail Museum, the South Dayton Depot stands as a living link between our past and present. On September 6, 2025, the Village of South Dayton will celebrate the South Dayton Depot's 150th anniversary with a community celebration that honors both its historic legacy and its enduring role as the heart of the village. Thanks to the dedication of local leaders, volunteers, and preservation groups, the South Dayton Depot continues to thrive as a source of pride for the entire region. I ask that the United States House of Representatives join me in honoring the enduring legacy of the South Dayton Depot and congratulate them on this important milestone.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the constituents of New York's 23rd Congressional District to recognize a true cornerstone of our community. For 80 years, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo has been a pillar of strength, service, and unity for Western New York--a place where generations have come together to learn, grow, and celebrate Jewish life and values. Since its founding in 1945, the JCC has embraced its mission to be the town square for building and strengthening community through recreational, educational, cultural, and social programs rooted in Jewish values. For 80 years, the JCC has fulfilled this mission by offering a wide array of inclusive services and programs open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. From preschool classrooms to Camp Centerland, from heated pools to the renowned Jewish Repertory Theatre, the JCC has created a space where everyone is welcomed with warmth and purpose. Today, two vibrant campuses serve over 1,000 people each day--a testament to the JCC's enduring mission and commitment to the greater good. With a vision of ``Shaping Futures, Building Community,'' the JCC continues to help families thrive and neighbors connect. It is with great pride that I recognize the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo on this important milestone and urge all residents of New York's 23rd District to join me in honoring the JCC's enduring legacy of service and its continued contributions to our community.

Mr. LANGWORTHY

Mr. LANGWORTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate a proud rural fire department in my district, the Kennedy Fire Department, which is proudly marking its 100th year of service to its community and surrounding areas. Since 1925, the Kennedy Fire Department has stood as a symbol of courage, commitment, and community. For a full century, generations of volunteers have answered the call, not for accolades or attention, but out of a deep and abiding duty to protect their neighbors. This is a department that doesn't just show up, they step up. Whether it is a fire within their own town or a neighboring community in need, Kennedy's volunteers have never hesitated to offer support through mutual aid. When disaster strikes and the stakes are high, these men and women grab their gear and get moving, facing flames, chaos, and the unknown with unshakable resolve. Their station, nestled on Dailey Hill Road, is home to a well- equipped fleet that reflects their forward-looking mindset. From modern engines and tankers to EMS response vehicles, Kennedy has made the investments needed to stay ready, and it shows. They are more than just emergency responders. They are leaders, mentors, and hometown heroes. The department is deeply woven into the fabric of the Kennedy community--organizing events, hosting parades, educating the public, and building the kind of trust that only comes from a hundred years of walking the walk. As the Representative for New York's 23rd District, it is my honor to recognize this incredible milestone and to thank every past and present member of the Kennedy Fire Department for their service. Their legacy is not only one of bravery, but one of relentless dedication to the people they serve.