Tracey Mann

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend from Louisiana for his leadership and for hosting this here tonight. Less than 24 hours ago, the President delivered the State of the Union Address in this very Chamber. I would like to respond on behalf of the Big First District of Kansas. Last night, Americans hoped to hear our Commander in Chief address the many crises facing our country and explain his plans for fixing them; a reasonable request. Instead, we heard a monologue of half- truths and empty promises. This administration has failed on the world stage, creating one foreign policy disaster after another, and the repercussions are posing threats to America's food supply, energy security, and our freedom. On the home front, this administration has created record inflation, which is destroying livelihoods and killing small businesses across the country and in my district. Drugs and crime are destroying American communities and families, and we have an open southern border where drugs and human trafficking run rampant. The supply chain is still in disarray. Our country's debt is at an all-time high, almost $30 trillion, and the President has halted our march toward energy independence by killing the Keystone XL pipeline. The Biden administration has made a disaster in his handling of the issues at home. Abroad, our country has an egregious trade deficit with China, a country that ripped off American farmers to the tune of $16 billion in the phase one trade deal, and this administration has done nothing to hold them accountable. The President was getting lots of applause last night for talking a big game about supporting Ukraine, but we have done nothing meaningful so far as in response to the humanitarian crisis Vladimir Putin has created there. His financial sanctions won't prevent China from bailing out Russia financially, and President Biden won't stop buying half a million barrels of oil a day from Putin because, again, President Biden killed the Keystone XL pipeline. Furthermore, the President clearly isn't worried about the food implications of Russia taking over Ukraine, which is the breadbasket of Europe, by the way, and the third largest grain exporter in the world, because he still hasn't even appointed a USDA under secretary of foreign trade and agriculture. In 13\1/2\ months he hasn't even nominated one. Americans are a resilient people. We have proven that over the past 2 years. I would argue that Kansans are among the most resilient of all. We have made it through worse times than these. But I am standing here today to say enough is enough. We need to get this country back on track, and to do that we need a President who actually leads. Last night, I hoped that the President would tell us about how he plans to hold Russia accountable for its inhumane invasion of Ukraine, stop inflation, fix the supply chain, secure our southern border, and stand up for American farmers and ranchers who feed, fuel, and clothe the world. But he did not. Instead I heard an out-of-touch stump speech from a politician who wanted me to believe that everything is going to be just fine as long as he is in the White House. I pray for the President, and I want him to be successful, but in order for that to happen, he must lead.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, in preparation for reauthorizing the farm bill in 2023, I rise today to deliver the next installment of my Farm Bill Impact Series where I am highlighting various aspects of the farm bill that deserves Congress' awareness and support. If America is going to thrive, the people who feed, fuel, and clothe America must thrive, and the farm bill contains certain programs that have been critical to the success of agricultural producers in my district and the food security of our country. This week, I am talking about crop insurance. I believe that crop insurance is one of the most important programs within the farm bill, and my conversation with producers, farm economists, and crop insurance agents have shaped my understanding of how critical it is to reauthorize the crop insurance title in full for 2023. Crop insurance helps producers manage the risks that they face every day from weather, pests, disease, and market volatility; it has also been one of our Nation's best public-private partnership programs between the government, private industry, and agricultural producers. Crop insurance does two things: it benefits farmers and it benefits Americans. Crop insurance never replaces a good crop, but it lets producers stay in the game if disaster strikes and it helps to ensure that our country continues to be the most food-secure nation in the world. I recently spoke with two Kansas farmers to get their thoughts on the importance of crop insurance. One of them said to me, ``I spend a lot of time thinking about the agronomic and economic strength of my farm. Crop insurance is the most important tool in my toolbox for ensuring my farm's economic strength in the face of my two biggest challenges: the weather and the global market. For small family operations like mine, banks want to see crop insurance before they will give you a line of credit because they want to know that you can remain resilient as an operation through times of volatility.'' Another Kansas farmer told me, ``The very first year I was not sure that I wanted to take out insurance. My mom convinced me to manage my risk and so I did. That year was extremely dry in the spring, and my first crop of wheat only made 12 bushels to the acre. If I didn't have crop insurance, that year would have put me in a deep hole, and I would have missed my equipment payments. I have never forgotten that, and I have carried crop insurance every year since.'' There are countless stories just like these that testify to the importance of crop insurance, without which the government would be continually considering ad hoc disaster relief programs for farmers. Crop insurance is a market-based approach to risk management with a proven track record. The more we reduce the impact of risk and volatility in agriculture, the more food secure we become as a nation, and the more food secure we are, the stronger and freer we are. I support whatever directly benefits farmers, ranchers, and ag producers in this country because they are the lifeblood of America. They keep us food secure, and therefore, free and self-determining as a nation. That is why I support crop insurance within Title XI, and why I am bringing awareness to it now, to ensure that this program remains strong in the 2023 farm bill. I will be back on the floor soon to deliver another installment of my Farm Bill Impact Series and highlight more programs and titles within the bill that I believe this Congress must understand and support to ensure that agriculture thrives in America. President Biden's First State of the Union Speech

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, tonight the President will give his first State of the Union speech in this very Chamber. Unfortunately, our country is far weaker and has greatly declined in the 13\1/2\ months since President Biden took office. His heavy-handed COVID mandates have decimated workforces and hit certain industries, like healthcare, especially hard. Crime is rising on our streets, which is a direct result of efforts to defund the police. Biden's open border policies will result in approximately 2 million apprehensions in a single year. Our debt is approaching $30 trillion with no end in sight. Inflation and the rising cost of practically everything Americans need to live is wreaking havoc on our people, especially those on fixed incomes. Supply chains are in disarray. The administration's needless war on domestic oil and gas production has led to dramatic increases at the pump and has caused the United States to once again, unfortunately, be a net oil importer. President Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan cost American lives and weakened our standing in the world. This weakness then emboldened Russia and resulted in Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and all the while we are doing far too little to stand up to China. The list goes on and on. America badly needs its President to quickly and dramatically reverse course so that the state of our Union is something that we can all be proud of and that will once again be strong.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, in preparation for reauthorizing the farm bill in 2023, I rise today to deliver the first installment of my farm bill impact series where I will be highlighting the various aspects of the farm bill that I think deserve Congress' awareness and support. If America is going to thrive, the people who feed, fuel, and clothe America must thrive, and the farm bill contains certain programs that have been critical to the success of agricultural producers in my district. This week, I want to speak about two of those programs that fall within the trade title of the farm bill. Each year, $140 billion worth of agricultural products are exported. My State of Kansas is known as the Wheat State, and 50 percent of all wheat sold in the United States is exported. So Congress must think critically and carefully about the international components of the Trade title. Trade programs, which have longstanding records of success in America, represent the partnership between the public and the private sectors of our country. These programs are essential because they spearhead innovative market access, new market development, and promote agricultural sales overseas. Through the Market Access Program, or MAP, U.S. agricultural trade associations, cooperatives, State regional trade groups, and small businesses cooperate to share the cost of overseas marketing and promotional activities. MAP reaches virtually every corner of the globe helping build markets for a wide variety of U.S. farm and food products including dairy, wheat, grain, beef, soybean, and sunflowers that come from my district. The Agricultural Trade Promotion program or, ATP, was created in 2018 to help U.S. agricultural exporters develop new markets and mitigate the adverse effects of other countries' tariff and non-tariff barriers. The ATP supports consumer advertising, public relations, point-of-sale demonstrations, trade fairs and exhibits, market research, and technical assistance for farmers, ranchers, and our agriculture producers. I support whatever directly benefits farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers in this country because they are the lifeblood of America. They keep us food-secure, and therefore free and self- determining as a nation. That is why I support these trade programs within the farm bill and why I am bringing awareness to them now, to ensure that they remain intact for the 2023 farm bill. I also support these programs as a fiscal conservative because they are a great return on investment for all Americans. I will be back on the floor soon to deliver another installment of my farm bill impact series and highlight more programs and titles within the bill that I believe Congress must understand and support to ensure that agriculture continues to thrive in Kansas and in America. Honoring Local Law Enforcement

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I stand today to recognize the dedication of law enforcement officers on the thin blue line, and condemn calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police. No one dislikes bad police officers more than good police officers. While some people are quick to share negative examples of law enforcement, they fail to acknowledge the multitude of men and women who bless our country with self-sacrificial care. Police officers are the glue that holds communities together. They put their lives on the line in the morning, and they go to their children's basketball games in the afternoon. Most of us cannot even comprehend the burden of responsibility that they bear for us and our families. Today, I will share a story about an officer in my district who exemplifies the very best qualities of Kansas law enforcement. Drew Francis started his career in law enforcement 20 years ago as a police officer at Dodge City Police Department. Since then, he has served in patrol operations, investigations, and now, police administration as Dodge City's Chief of Police. Recently, a woman approached Drew and reminded him of a time earlier in his career when he was dispatched to help her. She had been a victim of repeated domestic violence, and when Drew arrived at her house, she remembered that he took the time to talk with her about the importance of removing herself and her children from the cycle of violence. The woman said that Chief Francis inspired her to make this change, and she felt that Drew had actually saved her life. This particular story is an example of the little things that police officers do daily, the positive impact of which may never be fully comprehended. In honor of these individuals who put their lives on the line for our safety, I have cosponsored several pieces of pro-law enforcement legislation, including a resolution condemning calls to defund the police; the Protect and Serve Act, which enhances penalties for anyone targeting and attacking law enforcement officers; as well as the David Dorn Back the Blue Act, which supports State and local police departments; and also, a resolution designating National Police Week. I am so proud to represent a district where police officers like Drew Francis live and work. America must stand in support of those who protect and serve us, our law enforcement officers.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about my heroes-- America's farmers, ranchers, and agriculture producers. These people are my family, my friends, my neighbors, and my ancestors. I came to this Congress to defend agriculture because the time I spent on the farm with my father, brother, and grandfather growing up taught me the most important lessons I have ever learned. Agriculture's core values are the same as America's--hard work, self-determination, responsibility, creativity, others before self, and prayer. Therefore, if America is going to thrive, agriculture must thrive. Of all the hardworking, resilient people in our country, agriculture producers face more challenges and uncertainty than most of us can imagine as they strive to feed, fuel, and clothe our Nation every day. A late winter snow in Washington, D.C., means a frustrating commute to work. In Kansas--where it is snowing right now--it means essential moisture for the soil, better hopes for the spring, profits that might let you buy the tractor you have been needing for 2 years now, and if there is some money left over, an extra birthday present for your daughter in July. Kansas' own President Eisenhower said, ``Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you are a thousand miles from the corn field.'' In Congress, we deal with the laws of our land, and that is important, but the farmers are the caretakers of the land itself. American farmers built our history, sustain our present, and secure our future. In the early 1930s, America was suffering from food insecurity. That is when Congress woke up, realized that above all other concerns, we need to eat to survive, and drafted the first ever farm bill. Now, nearly 100 years later, America is the most food-secure country in the world because of the strength of our ag producers. So when Congress gets the opportunity to reauthorize the farm bill every 5 years, we need to think carefully and critically about the extent and nature of our investment in agriculture because it is an investment in both the immediate and the long-term health of our Nation. Agriculture is also about freedom. It is extremely difficult for a Nation to be free if it relies on another for its food. Therefore, it is essential to America's future that we get ag policy right, so we never ever have to depend on another for our food or our freedom. Over the next several months, as we gear up for the 2023 reauthorization of the farm bill, I will be standing to share some of my thoughts, ideas, and amendments on that legislation. On behalf of my constituents and every American farmer, rancher, and ag producer, I want to say unequivocally that I will do everything within my power to ensure that the 2023 farm bill invests powerfully in agriculture. America's future depends on it.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my reasoning for voting to protect unborn American citizens. I believe that life begins at conception which is why I support adoptions, foster care, and crisis pregnancy centers that work tirelessly to care for mothers and babies. Kansans are leading the way in protecting the right to life by placing the Value Them Both amendment on the ballot, this year's response to the Kansas Supreme Court's unthinkable ruling that abortion is a constitutional right. For my part, I have cosponsored pro-life legislation including H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, permanently prohibiting Federal funding for abortions and abortion services. I have introduced my own H.R. 714 which would require the executive branch to notify Congress and the American public before issuing any new executive order pertaining to pro-life provisions. Mr. Speaker, abortion has desensitized our Nation. I pray we wake up soon and repent for the horrors we have visited upon America's most vulnerable, the unborn. Imagine what this country would look like economically, culturally, socially, and spiritually if abortion hadn't wiped out an entire generation of Americans, 63.4 million people over the last 50 years. Mr. Speaker, I say thank you to all of you who have joined together in this fight. Thank you for using your voices to defend the voiceless.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Louisiana for hosting this today. There are a lot of things to talk about for a year. We could talk about immigration. We could talk about inflation. We could talk about crime. And we could talk about Afghanistan. The list goes on and on. But I want to talk for a little bit today about trade and specifically our relationship with China. I rise today to call the Biden administration to action regarding our trade partnership, or lack thereof, with China. China has proven to be a bad faith negotiator, and they are using the United States as a doormat. Our country made a deal with China 2 years ago on January 15, 2020, and China has failed to live up to their end of the bargain by a long shot. As part of this deal, China committed to importing $36 billion of U.S. agriculture products in 2020 and 2021 combined, but they have fallen short by nearly $7 billion. China sold American farmers a bill of goods, and the Biden administration has made no effort to rectify this egregious situation. Now that phase one is expiring, farmers and ranchers are frustrated to say the least. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a feeble effort to reassure us, said: Ambassador Tai, our U.S. Trade Representative, continues to converse with China about the necessity of living up totally and completely to the phase one trade agreement, making up their deficit over the course of the next several years. This is completely unacceptable. The next several years was never part of this deal, which is not a complex one. China said that they would purchase a certain amount of agricultural goods, and they have fallen short by a margin that suggests that they never intended to live up to their end of the deal in the first place. Again, we have not seen any effort from this administration on behalf of farmers, which is why I am standing here today to state the obvious--the United States must either force China to comply with their end of the agreement or punish them for failing to do so. That is how deals work. At the very least, we need to see this administration developing a new, comprehensive, realistic deal to collect the deficit. The time for conversations already took place long before the deal was signed January 15, 2020, when China signed the deal. This administration at year end needs to step up and defend our farmers, our ranchers, and our country from being financially manipulated by China--yet another unnecessary crisis.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity today to speak directly on behalf of my constituents and their concerns. Each year I make a point to host a townhall in all 63 counties of the Big First District because visiting with and listening to Kansans, who I have taken an oath to serve, is one of the greatest joys of my work as a Member of Congress. So far in 2022, I have hosted seven of these townhalls. At each meeting, I heard the same concerns echoed: government spending, labor shortages, vaccine mandates, and the next farm bill. Kansans believe that government spending is out of control, and I agree with them. One of our country's fastest growing expenses is just the interest payments on our national debt, which is estimated to be $562 billion for fiscal year 2021 alone. You could fund the entire Department of Agriculture more than twice over for that amount. Given this situation, this administration's spending, as we have seen in the bloated Build Back Better plan, is shortsighted and dangerous. Wild discretionary government spending has weakened our great country and, not only that, spending on some programs during the pandemic has incentivized staying at home instead of returning to work. Kansans believe that labor shortages are hurting Americans, and I agree with them. People can't find bus drivers to take their kids to school or sanitation workers to pick up their trash. Meanwhile, inflation is at a 40-year high; grocery store staples are up over 12 percent; and people's essential goods, like car parts and refrigerators, are still stuck on cargo ships. We are in an economic crisis, and this administration has yet to act meaningfully to combat the effects. Kansans believe that vaccine mandates are unconstitutional, and I agree with them. Anyone who wants to get a vaccine should be able to get one in this country, but it is not the Federal Government's job to dictate personal healthcare choices of the American people. Vaccine mandates are a terrible idea for the present situation in this country, as they will only continue to strip the workforce of even more people. Kansans are also worried about the next farm bill, particularly as it relates to crop insurance and the Livestock Indemnity Program, and I share these concerns. The 2018 farm bill did not include any major changes to Federal crop insurance, which provides a robust and strong safety net for farmers across the country. I also want to ensure that the Livestock Indemnity Program remains intact, as it offered critical support to folks in my district after natural disasters like the recent wildfires that we saw last month. Farmers and producers are rightfully concerned that the 2023 farm bill could see significant changes. However, given that fact, House Democrats have held zero farm bill implementation hearings so far. My goal is to do everything within my power for my constituents to ensure that no significant changes are made to reduce either of these essential components in the next farm bill. The new year, which has just begun, brings with it a hope for change and growth. If we have been dissatisfied with the course of our lives or that of our Nation, January ushers in a fresh start. It gives us an opportunity to examine ourselves and to reassess our goals and ambitions. Most of all, the new year reminds us of the greatest privileges we have, living in a free nation where we have the right to life and to liberty and to pursue happiness as we see fit. As we begin the second year of the 117th Congress, I want to reiterate my dedication to serving my constituents in the Big First. I am fighting to preserve the foundation of our free Nation and to protect your values. Kansas is still the pilot light of freedom for America. As long as it continues to burn, I believe that our brightest days are yet to come. Creating the Congressional FFA Caucus

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to invite all of my colleagues to join me and 30 other Representatives from both sides of the aisle in the newly formed Congressional FFA Caucus. Representative Panetta and I established this caucus to serve as an informal group dedicated to issues affecting the next generation of agriculture leaders and students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and related sciences. As a past FFA chapter president from Quinter, Kansas, and a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am dedicated to raising awareness about school-based agricultural education, FFA, and the next generation of leaders who will feed, fuel, and clothe the world. The National FFA Organization is a congressionally chartered school- based national youth leadership development organization that plays an integral role in preparing the next generation of leaders who will change the world. I sincerely hope my colleagues in the House will consider joining our caucus to support agriculture and the students who are passionate about it.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friend, Congressman Estes, for hosting this tonight and for really doing this to further the memory and legacy of Bob Dole. Bob Dole's passing leaves a void for America. I think maybe it hits those of us in Kansas especially hard, so I thank my friend for doing this. Madam Speaker, America has lost a statesman, a noble war hero, and a service-minded Kansan who never forgot where he came from. Senator Bob Dole died peacefully at the age of 98, leaving his district, State, and country better off for his many contributions over 79 years of public life. My prayers and gratitude for Senator Dole go out to his family. In World War II, Bob Dole was struck in the back and nearly killed by a German shell just months before the war ended. He described his experience later in a 1987 speech as ``a sting in the shoulder,'' and he said the first thing he thought about was his home, Russell, Kansas. He was expected to die in the hospital, but he lived. He was told that he would never recover from his injuries, which included paralysis from the neck down, but his unquenchable spirit carried him through. He simply refused to take no for an answer and chose to fight for his life and recovery, the scars of which he carried with him for the rest of his life. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for his military service. Before he became a United States Senator, Bob Dole was the Congressman representing the Big First District of Kansas. After serving in the House of Representatives for 8 years, Kansans sent him to the United States Senate where he served for 27 years, acted as the majority leader twice, and became his party's nominee for the highest office in the land in 1996. It is inspiring and humbling to stand on the shoulders of such greatness. A few weeks ago, I was blessed to spend some time with Senator Dole. His love for Kansas and her people were on full display in his excited curiosity about our plans for the Big First. On that day, he was a thoughtful, committed, and energetic champion for our Nation and our way of life in rural Kansas. He always treated others with respect and kindness, especially his fellow veterans, as he attended nearly every Honor Flight that came to D.C. to the World War II Memorial. He was a fierce advocate for his political views, but he was equally committed to cross-aisle friendship and camaraderie. In our meeting, he spoke about his idea of the Kansas approach, the markers of which he identified as honesty, hard work, respect for your roots, common sense, service, simplicity, and genuine, thoughtful care for people. I left our time together inspired and commissioned, as Senator Dole made it clear we must never forget where we come from. He knew deep down that the heartbeat of our Nation lies in places like his hometown of Russell, Kansas. I know we all are working actively for ways to honor Bob Dole's legacy. One way is by supporting the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which aims to address childhood hunger, improve literacy, train teachers, and make the world a better place for young people across the globe. The program is named in part after Senator Dole to honor his work toward eliminating childhood hunger. Earlier this year, I was proud to offer an appropriations request for the McGovern-Dole program, and I look forward to its continued success. Yesterday, in another effort to honor his legacy, I introduced a resolution to name the post office in Russell, Kansas, the Robert J. Dole Memorial Post Office. I was quickly joined by my other colleagues from Kansas. Senator Dole stayed true to his roots in rural Kansas and embodied its core values of faith, family, and freedom. Naming a post office after one of Kansas' favorite sons in the town that he grew up in is a small but meaningful way to pay tribute to this Kansas giant and American hero. I look forward to this resolution's swift passage commemorating the life of Senator Dole. A few nights ago, I talked to my 8-year-old son, Austin, about Senator Dole. After I finished sharing some stories about his life and work, Austin said: Dad, I think God had a special plan for Bob Dole. That is so true, and God had a special plan for all of us when he gave Senator Dole the faith, values, longevity, and leadership platform that he stewarded so well. Madam Speaker, I want to close by quoting Senator Dole, who often said: ``I offer a willingness to work hard, to hang tough, to go the distance. I offer the strength and determination--molded in America's small town heartland and tempered during a career of public service--to bring commonsense answers to the complex problems facing America.'' Senator Dole's legacy will echo into the future, and his patriotic spirit serves as a benchmark for anyone who believes that our brightest days are yet to come. Madam Speaker, I thank Senator Dole for working tirelessly to make the world a better place. May he rest in peace.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, America has lost a statesman, noble war hero, and service-minded Kansan who never forgot where he came from. Senator Bob Dole died peacefully at the age of 98, having left his district, State, and this country better for the many contributions he made over 79 years of public life. I was blessed to spend some time with Senator Dole a few weeks ago. His love for Kansas and its people were on full display in his excited curiosity about our plans for the Big First District. He was a thoughtful, committed, and energetic champion for our Nation and our way of life in rural Kansas. He always treated others with respect and kindness, especially his fellow veterans, as he attended nearly every Honor Flight that came to Washington, D.C. He was a fierce advocate for his political views, but he was equally committed to cross-aisle friendship and comradery. I left our time together inspired and commissioned, as Senator Dole made it clear we must never forget where we come from. He knew deep down that the heartbeat of our Nation lies in places like his hometown of Russell, Kansas. His legacy will echo into the future, and his patriotic spirit serves as a benchmark for anyone who believes that our brightest days are yet to come. I thank Senator Dole for working tirelessly to make our world a better place. May he rest in peace. Mr. Speaker, my prayers and gratitude for Senator Bob Dole go out to his family.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson) for all of his work in getting this legislation put together and bringing it to the floor this morning. It is not a silver bullet, but it potentially can help our cattle markets. I grew up on a family farm and preconditioning feed yard. I spent thousands of hours riding pens and doctoring sick cattle in the Big First District of Kansas, which is the largest beef-producing district in the country. The Big First is home to cow-calf operations, feed yards, and packing plants of all sizes. In my district and across the country, cattle producers face challenging market dynamics, including historically wide gaps between wholesale beef prices and fed cattle prices, packing capacity and regulation, and more. I have talked to hundreds of cattle producers in Kansas, ranging from small cow-calf operations to some of the country's largest feed yards. Overwhelmingly, I have heard that we need to increase price discovery in the cash market, make sure that producers benefit when they provide a superior product, refuse to let the government in the free market, and acknowledge regional differences in the industry. The Cattle Contract Library Act is a simple step toward addressing some of today's concerns with more fairness, transparency, and healthy competition in the cattle market. I am committed to working with the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Johnson), my colleagues in the House, and others across Kansas and the country in addressing any concerns with the program and the cattle market before reauthorization of the program at this time next year. The Cattle Contract Library Act will help ensure that all market participants are both paying and receiving a fair price for their goods. It sends a clear message to ranchers, farmers, and livestock producers across the country that their voices are being heard in Washington. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss President Biden's shortsighted decision to release 50 million barrels of oil from America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, depleting this national security asset by nearly 10 percent when there is no oil supply shortage, only a manmade one. The United States' oil reserve is not a tool for the President to fix his own political problems. Sadly, this administration throws money away whenever the problems they create reflect poorly on them. We have seen this with COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns and vaccine mandates keeping people out of work, leftist political aims resulting in bad legislation, and a flagrant disregard for the national debt all leading to wasteful spending. Rather than drain one of our essential national security assets to temporarily mask the effects of their policies, this administration should instead encourage our domestic, independent oil and gas producers to take steps to get oil production back up. I shudder to think that the President might drain another 10 percent of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve 2 months from now if our oil production continues to wane. There are other solutions to this issue, like reinstating the Keystone pipeline and encouraging oil production on Federal lands just being two of them. Instead, this administration has canceled the Keystone pipeline, which would make 860,000 barrels of oil available daily, and has demanded a 50 percent fee increase for oil and gas leasing on Federal lands. Just 2 years ago, the United States was producing 2 million more barrels of oil per day than we are now. We are down from 13 million barrels per day to 11 million barrels per day. That means if we could lift regulations and find creative strategies to get our oil production back up, we could create 50 million barrels of oil in just 25 days rather than dip into the emergency reserves. Historically, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has only ever been used in cases of natural disaster and war. With global unrest from COVID-19 and America's enemies looking to do us harm, this is not the time to needlessly weaken a national security asset that exists to provide energy to America in the event of an actual catastrophe in our country. The only catastrophe in America right now is this administration's bad policies. I oppose the President using our emergency oil reserves in this brazen political tactic. This is unnecessary, irresponsible, and dangerous. Waters of the United States

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of Kansas farmers and ranchers who have the right to manage their own resources without overreaching regulation from the Federal Government. The Biden administration is hurting farmers, ranchers, and ag- business owners. Recently, they withdrew from the Navigable Waters Protection Rule which sought to undo the harm caused by the Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule from 2015, through which the Federal Government aimed to exact regulatory control over nearly all bodies of water, regardless of their size or connection to larger waterways. Because of this legislative mess, farmers and ranchers have had to conduct their businesses under three different regulatory definitions of water in just the past 6 years. On a farm, water is the lifeblood of the operation, and farmers in Kansas don't need the Federal Government to tell them how to take care of it. Our farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists who continually update their practices to reduce water use and inputs to produce safe, affordable food while maintaining their water supply for generations to come. Instead of worrying about what farmers in Kansas are doing with their puddles, the administration should instead focus on curbing inflation, getting Americans back to work, fixing the supply chain, and securing our borders. service academy nominations

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss one of my greatest privileges as a Member of Congress, participating in the service academy nominations process, which brings together my passions for engaging with young people, leadership development, and military service in this great country. I am proud to come from a State with a rich history of military service. President Eisenhower graduated from West Point in 1915, which is why I felt it was appropriate to host our State's nomination process in his Presidential library in Abilene, Kansas. After watching young Kansas men and women go through the extensive and competitive nomination exercise, one of the members of our selection committee said: ``Meeting and working with these young people gives me hope for the future of our country.'' In the United States, we have a long tradition of young American patriots willingly embracing the duty to serve, to protect the homeland, to keep the peace abroad, and to secure our rights. Leaders serve, and I want to congratulate all the deserving young leaders who are recipients of service academy nominations. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their willingness to sacrifice for this great country.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Keller for hosting this Special Order and for his hard work and leadership. I rise today with you and scores of our colleagues to call for congressional review of President Biden's vaccine mandates. During his tenure in the White House, President Biden has circumvented this Congress to issue multiple executive orders imposing vaccine mandates on all Federal employees, Federal contractors, healthcare workers, and even private businesses with more than 100 employees. These mandates are forcing Americans to choose between their paychecks and their principles. I have heard from multiple agents at the USDA's Farm Service Agency who have chosen to resign rather than receive the vaccine. Just a year ago, these same agents were deemed essential, connecting vital resources to farmers and ranchers, and today, they are out of a job. Congress should immediately review these mandates in full and take up legislation like my bill, the Stop Vaccine Mandates Act, which would have prohibited OSHA from implementing a vaccine mandate on private businesses altogether. Anyone who wants to receive a vaccine should do so, but that is a personal healthcare decision. It is not an arena for mandates from the government, and I am deeply disappointed by President Biden's policies and lack of responsible, legitimate concerns surrounding them. I will continue to push against these overreaching mandates with all of us and will fight to protect the freedoms of the American people.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the gross misuse of a noble process called reconciliation and the President's apparent lack of concern for the well-being of rural and middle-class Americans. The reconciliation process exists to do exactly what its name suggests--to direct Congress with a tool of compromise to reduce the national deficit with a simple majority vote in both Chambers. President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and House Democrats are, instead, using this process to jam partisan legislation through a deadlocked Congress. This is shameless, and American taxpayers will bear the cost in both their wallets and their consciences. The reconciliation package is chock-full of policy moves that will damage our country and compromise our integrity as a nation. Among them are the expansion of welfare without work requirements. At a time when our supply chains are in crisis and we have help wanted signs at every corner, this will only worsen the issue. Another troubling provision would give the IRS $80 billion to hire 87,000 new agents and ramp up audits on individuals and small businesses. Just a few other terrible provisions include increasing penalties for businesses who don't comply with OSHA vaccine mandates which are an egregious Federal Government overreach, imposing new fines on the oil and gas industry, and punishing States like Kansas who have opted not to expand Medicaid. Perhaps the worst part of the entire reconciliation package, though, is what is not included. Democrats have excluded the Hyde amendment, a longstanding bipartisan amendment that protects Americans who oppose abortion from being forced to pay for these abortions from their tax dollars. While the President is on a tax-and-spend spree for his party's leftist wish list, the price of nearly everything is skyrocketing in this country. Americans are heading into the holiday season more financially insecure because of this administration's policies. Consumer prices have increased over 6 percent since last year--the highest rate of inflation in over 30 years. Should this massive spending package become law, Mr. Speaker, you can expect prices to keep going up. While the White House has stated this bill will cost $1.75 trillion, the true cost of the reconciliation package could be as much as $3.98 trillion according to some models. As if adding to our Nation's already enormous debt wasn't enough, this bill will drive up inflation and end up taxing the middle class. This bill is twice as long as the Bible, it is toxic for the American people, and it is a gross misuse of a usually noble process. I stand in opposition to it on numerous counts. Mr. Speaker, the BBB is bad, bad, bad for America, and I urge this Congress to join me in strongly opposing it.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer a solution to decongest America's ports, revive America's supply chain, and get Americans back to work. In the past few months, we have learned the hard way that congested ports create a real interstate commerce and supply chain problem. Families are waiting 6 months for working refrigerators, farmers are waiting 2 months or more for a simple part to fix their equipment, and manufacturing companies are waiting 5 to 6 times longer for electronic components. Well, people are tired of watching their paid-for, necessary goods sit on our ships off our coasts. The Biden administration is not doing anything about it. Today, I introduced the Truckers Responding at National Shipping Ports Overcoming Retail Turmoil Act, requiring the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program for motor carriers and motor private carriers to relieve congested ports during a national state of emergency or when ports are congested at 50 percent or more. My bill would empower the Secretary of Transportation to issue Federal grants from unused relief dollars to truckers or distributors to transport goods from a port of entry to a destination point. Additionally, my bill would temporarily waive State-operating standards, should those standards be more stringent than the Federal standard. For example, my bill would allow Kansas farmers and truckers to operate their U.S. Department of Transportation compliant trucks in California, a State that otherwise restricts trucks older than 2011 from entering the State, to help relieve the ports and transport goods across this country. Temporarily waiving State requirements is a small price to pay for a strong supply chain, fully stocked shelves in grocery stores, and employed transportation workers. Congested ports have far-reaching implications beyond the States in which they exist, and it is unconscionable to let the American people suffer because of the unwillingness to solve a problem that impacts us all.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to defend the American public from the worst sort of Federal Government overreach, that which involves their private bank accounts. President Biden's proposal to give the IRS unprecedented access to Americans' bank accounts would pose hefty compliance burdens on community banks and credit unions, hamper the ability for individuals to access capital, and entrench the Federal Government even further into our everyday lives, decaying freedom and eroding personal liberty. This is wrong for America, and I stand and will continue to stand in opposition to this indefensible and wasteful proposal to invade the privacy of nearly every American. Recognizing Brycen Gulick

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and thank Brycen Gulick for his service to me, my office, and Kansans throughout the Big First District. During his time in my office, Brycen has shown himself to be kind, creative, and joyful. I most admire his loyalty, always yearning to be a part of our team, and his adaptability and willingness to step outside of his comfort zone. God continually puts open and closed doors in front of all of us, and the wise man asks God to speak and direct his steps as he walks through life. I am proud to have had Brycen on my team, and I pray that the Lord would help him blossom in his next adventure. Mr. Speaker, I thank Brycen for his service.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind Congress that small businesses and consumers all over the country are feeling the repercussions of President Biden's spending spree. It is very simple: President Biden's so-called rescue plan has directly caused a crisis we are seeing on the farm and on Main Street. Injecting $1.9 trillion of government spending into the economy without a clear plan for execution has increased costs and disrupted the supply chain. All government spending must be paid for somehow, and Americans are paying for it with inflation. Since February 2020, the amount of money in the economy has grown by over 26 percent, so it should come as no surprise that Americans are experiencing the highest price increases since the Great Recession. Consumer prices for used cars and trucks have risen by more than 24 percent, and costs have increased 11.2 percent for furniture, 9.6 percent for household appliances, 6 percent for utilities, and 5.6 percent for clothing. President Biden promised to raise taxes only on wealthy Americans, but these price increases happening under his direction are a tax on every American. Inflation-adjusted wages are down nearly 2 percent since President Biden took office, and with the Democrats planning to continue their reckless tax-and-spend habits, American families can expect the cost of living to keep going up. As if rising costs weren't enough, this administration's so-called rescue plan has created a labor shortage that is weakening our supply chain and leaving manufacturers and business owners high and dry. Earlier this month, I hosted a manufacturing tour across my district in Kansas, where I visited small businesses that produce and sell products like highway signs, car accessories, and industrial valves. These businesses are the driving forces in their communities, but the leaders who run them all painted the same bleak picture: Vendor costs are rising; labor is hard to come by; and a weakened supply chain is slowing everything down. The Grasshopper Company in Moundridge, Kansas, builds and sells mowers and landscaping tools, the same ones used by the White House groundskeepers. Grasshopper is facing longer lead times on vendor items than they have ever seen, and the prices on raw materials like steel seem to be rising daily. To meet their customer demand on time, Grasshopper had to pay an extra $28,000 air freight fee. Back in July, Grasshopper's disrupted supply chain and increased cost of doing business forced them to raise the price of their goods midseason, something they have not had to do since the Carter administration. Another manufacturing company in my district told me that the supply chain backlog has made it impossible to plan for their future. Their suppliers are telling them that essential inputs like electronic components will now take at least 5 to 6 months before they even ship. Before this year, they never had to wait longer than 4 weeks. Sadly, these are just two examples from Kansas' Big First District. Small businesses all over the country are being forced to raise their costs due to supply chain issues, inflation impacting their own inputs, labor shortages, or all the above. To get inflation under control, strengthen the supply chain, and stop consumer costs from rising even further, we need to get Americans back to work, stop the vaccine mandate, quit recklessly printing money, and end the spending addiction here in Washington. Securing Release and Return of American Missionaries in Haiti

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express the urgent need for the Biden administration to secure the release and return of the 17 American missionaries taken captive in Haiti by a street gang known for mass kidnapping of religious groups. I cannot imagine the terror they are experiencing in this very moment as we speak. We cannot sit idly by while they fear for their lives. For decades, the United States has invested in developing Haiti through government aid and nongovernment organizations like Christian Aid Ministries. I urge President Biden and this administration to leverage our relationship with the Haitian Government to secure the safe return of every member of this group. The captivity of Americans, whether in Port-au-Prince, Kabul, or anywhere else, is an international crisis. President Biden's actions in this moment are assuredly being watched by those who would not hesitate to do our country harm and could have longstanding repercussions for Americans practicing their faith across the globe. The United States must be clear: If you capture our citizens, our government will respond swiftly and decisively.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Kansas, for this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Father Emil Kapaun, a man of God who served the Lord and his country in both World War II and the Korean war. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2044 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 17 East Main Street in Herington, Kansas, as the Captain Emil J. Kapaun Post Office Building. In March of this year, Father Kapaun's remains were finally identified in Hawaii, and just last month, they were brought back to his hometown of Pilsen, Kansas, which lies in my district, the Big First District of Kansas. Father Kapaun grew up on a farm, became a priest in 1940 at 24 years old, and became a U.S. military chaplain 4 years later. Father Kapaun received a Bronze Star for valor during the Korean war in 1950 when, in the heat of battle, he rushed to the front lines to retrieve a wounded soldier under heavy machine-gun fire, saving that soldier's life with complete disregard for his own safety. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross, which was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2013 for another heroic effort in battle that same year. Father Kapaun rescued nearly 40 wounded comrades from no- man's-land; disregarded an order to evacuate, choosing to stay with the wounded even though it meant his own capture; and pushed aside an enemy soldier who was about to execute a member of his own battalion. He was put in a POW camp, where he gave away his own food and dug latrines before dying a year later. He was a great man, a servant of all who followed Jesus who said: ``Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'' Father Kapaun is on his way to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. I have introduced a resolution in his honor and today urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on my bill, which would rename the postal facility in Herington, Kansas, after him. My prayers are with his family members as they celebrate his life of service, and it is an honor to praise his faithfulness and bravery in this Chamber today.

Mr. MANN

Mr. MANN. Madam Speaker, I rise to discuss this reckless and shortsighted reconciliation package and what I believe to be its worst effects on the American people. The budget reconciliation process exists to reduce the national deficit with a majority vote, not to let the majority party jam partisan legislation through this Congress. Since January, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have not used reconciliation for its intended purpose but rather to pass the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan on party lines and now the $3.5 trillion budget blueprint. Here, we see the opposite of the intended use for the reconciliation process and the opposite of the word ``reconciliation'' itself. This is division. Senator Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said that under this budget, no middle-income family would pay more in taxes. That is not true. The reconciliation bill includes damaging tax increases, falling largely on the shoulders of middle-income families, small business owners, and family farms. This bill would be the largest tax-and-spend measure in America's history and would increase the national debt to $45 trillion by 2031. In addition to the devastating spending and tax hikes, it would allow the Federal Government to intervene even more in our daily lives and kill countless jobs. Unfortunately, the Senate version of this package could be even worse. Right now, the House version of the bill keeps stepped up basis intact, which protects family farms from being taxed out of existence, and it does not include the requirement that banks report to the IRS all transactions over $600, which is patently ludicrous. I am prepared to offer an amendment on the final bill if either of these two provisions, amongst others, are changed. This is the largest tax-and-spend bill in the history of the country. Only 1 percent has even been scored by the Congressional Budget Office. It would result in a whopping $10,600 per American in new spending. We are spending money we don't have on things that we don't need, and I urge this Congress to join me in opposing this horrible legislation which will weaken our great Nation and reduce our freedom. A Path to Healing and Reconciliation