Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson), a leader on energy issues and a new member of the committee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber), a new member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. De La Cruz).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mills).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining?

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lawler).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Leadership matters. American leadership matters. You can't be a diplomatic power without being a military power. You can't be a military power without being an economic power. You cannot be an economic power without energy. In order to reverse the damage to our energy security and our global leadership, we must flip the switch and unleash American energy production. We need to stop the Biden administration from wasting our strategic reserves. It is time to cut the red tape and expand energy production here at home, modernize our infrastructure, and create new opportunities for jobs and economic development. The Democrats suggested if the bill included Iran, Russia, and North Korea that they would support it. The fact of the matter is those are the countries this administration has gone to. They have gone to OPEC, Iran, and Russia and actually asked them to produce more oil. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the passage of this bill today, and I am eager--I am eager--to work with my colleagues on additional solutions to make energy more affordable, more reliable. It is America that is leading in clean, reliable, renewable, affordable energy, and it is so important to energy dominance. It is important to American leadership. It is important to our economy. It is important to every person in this country that has been living with record-high energy prices. Every time they go to the gas station to fill up over the last couple of years, they have been experiencing record-high energy prices. Mr. Speaker, we are prepared to lead. We want to unleash American energy, unleash clean American energy jobs. This is important to our national security. It is important to our economic security. I urge everyone to vote ``yes.'' Pass H.R. 22. It is just the beginning. There is more to come. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate my longtime friend, Spokane Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. At the end of December, Ozzie will retire from public service after serving more than 29 years in law enforcement, including 16 years as Spokane County Sheriff. Sheriff Knezovich began this law enforcement career as a patrol officer for the City of Olympia, WA, and the City of Rock Springs, WY, before joining the force in Spokane. Here, he rose through the ranks serving first as a Field Training Officer, then as a Property Crimes Detective, Sex Crimes Detective, SWAT Team Operator, SWAT Team Supervisor, Patrol Supervisor, and later as a Training Supervisor, where he remained until he was elected as the top law enforcement officer of Spokane County in 2006. Sheriff Knezovich has faithfully served the people of Spokane County as Sheriff for the last 16 years, during which he earned the trust and confidence of our entire community. In his role as Sheriff, Ozzie oversees a vast law enforcement force of officers, who under his direction, protect and serve nearly 546,040 Spokane County residents across more than 1,781 square miles. A devoted public servant dedicated to reaching out to the community and Spokane County youth, Sheriff Knezovich serves on several outreach boards including the United Way, Daybreak Youth Services, the Salvation Army, Frontier Behavioral Health, the Arc of Spokane, Boy Scouts of America, Community Service Team. He is also the Founding Board Member for the Spokane County Human Rights Task Force. Sheriff Knezovich is a true public servant who is always eager to make a difference. His long-held goal has been to provide effective and efficient law enforcement service while building strong and trusting relationships within the community. He has certainly achieved that goal and so much more. Sheriff Knezovich' s dedication to and impact in Spokane County is seen far beyond the walls of the Sheriffs Department, as he has proven himself to be a catalyst in improving the lives of Spokane County citizens. Having first been elected in 2004 myself, I've had the honor of working with Sheriff Kenezovich throughout his entire career. I've enjoyed the many projects we collaborated on to make Eastern Washington a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. He's been a tremendous partner, and he will be dearly missed by all those who had the pleasure of working with him. Madam Speaker, Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has dedicated his entire adult life to public service. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the dedication and selflessness displayed by Sheriff Knezovich for nearly three decades. While Sheriff Knezovich is deserving of far greater accolades from a grateful public, the United States House of Representatives extends our sincere appreciation and best wishes for a retirement of joy and peace.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Robert ``Bob'' Allen Klicker, the third-generation owner of Klicker's Strawberry Acres in Walla Walla, Washington. Bob was the definition of a hardworking American, passionate family man, and inspiring leader in his community. He lived an extraordinary 95 years, and every day, he proved his passion and love for those around him. A rancher, farmer, innovator, and entrepreneur, Bob leaves behind him a legacy that will never be forgotten. Bob's passion for helping others began as he grew up working on the family homestead with his 5 siblings. He was inducted into his high school's Blue Devil Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in baseball, football, and track. After graduating high school in 1944, Bob served our country overseas in Guam as a servicemember in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning home, Bob met and married the love of his life, Nancy, with whom he went on to raise a family with for 67 years. Bob loved hunting, horseback riding, hiking, and working in the Blue Mountains. Ever the trailblazer, Bob was known for trying new ideas in farming and expanding his family's business venture. He truly believed that growing the Klicker Strawberry enterprise would impact the Walla Walla community, and he was right. Over the years, Bob gave countless kids the opportunity to work on the strawberry farm and learn valuable skills that will last them a lifetime. Despite Bob's passing, these lessons continue to this very day, as the fourth generation of Klickers is keeping up with the tradition of providing work opportunities for local high school students. Bob's legacy will live on as his son, Kirk, and his daughter-in-law, Nancy, continue the family business. Bob joined his family and his Savior Jesus in Heaven on September 9, 2022. He was a trusted friend and advisor to me throughout the years, and I will miss him dearly. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the wonderful life of Bob Klicker.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charlie Bourg. Charlie lives in Chewelah, a small town in northeastern Washington. He is an Army veteran. He served in Vietnam, and he is a fierce advocate for his fellow men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. Charlie also has terminal cancer. He received the devastating news months ago after a yearlong delay in receiving care from the Spokane VA due to a broken electronic health record system. This could have been prevented. He should have more time to spend with his wife, Debi, his children, and his grandchildren. My heart breaks for them. Charlie is here sharing his story this week, and I would like to make him a promise: No matter how long it takes, we will fix this system. You will be the reason that it never happens again. You will not be forgotten. Matthew 28:11 says, ``Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join in recognizing Charlie Bourg. He is an incredible American and an even better husband, father, and grandfather.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Walla Walla County Commissioner Greg Tompkins. On December 31, 2022, Mr. Tompkins will retire from public service, marking the end of a long, impactful career devoted to the people and community of Walla Walla County. Greg has long-been an inspiring leader whom I have had the honor to work with for many years. He first earned the people's trust when he was elected to serve as a county commissioner in January 2003. From day one, Greg worked hard to deliver results for the people who call Walla Walla County home, which earned him the support to serve two more terms before retiring--for the first time--in 2014. Just four short years later, Greg answered the call to serve--again-- following the unexpected passing of his friend and colleague on the county commission, Jim Duncan. He served the remainder of this term as passionately as he did his first three, before seeking re-election to a final term that will come to a close at the end of this year. Madam Speaker, I have met few people more dedicated to serving Walla Walla County and Eastern Washington than Greg Tompkins. For 16 years, he proved himself to be someone our community could count on. His work on numerous local and state government committees have yielded incredible results on issues related to housing, emergency services, behavioral health, and many other important challenges residents face. Greg is the embodiment of a public servant whose mission was to leave a lasting impression on the world--a mission our community would proudly say he accomplished. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Greg Tompkins for his many years of service to the government and people of Walla Walla County. Together, let us celebrate his faithful service to Eastern Washington and the United States of America by congratulating him on his well- earned retirement.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chaplain Benjamin Vegors, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Sunday, September 25, 2022. Benjamin lives in Walla Walla, Wash., where for the last four decades, he has lived an inspiring life full of purpose. As anyone who knows him will tell you, Benjamin has had a positive impact on every person he has crossed paths with, both in his service to our country and community. Chaplain Vegors is a man of great integrity, and he is a tremendous example to the next generation. He valiantly protected our country's freedom and liberty in the midst of World War II, when he served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. During a particularly fateful mission in which two of his plane's engines were shot out, Chaplain Vegors made a promise that if he survived, he would serve God for the rest of his life. Benjamin stayed true to his word. After his time as a serviceman, Chaplain Vegors turned his focus to living a life dedicated in service to God and His people. He attended Seminary at Multnomah Bible College in Portland and was appointed as a full-time chaplain at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla in 1972. For 42 years, Chaplain Vegors selflessly served his brothers and sisters in arms, veterans from all across Eastern Washington, by offering his counsel and care until his retirement in 2014 at the age of 91. During his remarkable 100 years of life, Chaplain Benjamin Vegors has undoubtedly fulfilled his mission to serve God and help others. Madam Speaker, on this most special day, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Benjamin Vegors the happiest 100th birthday and celebrating the legacy he will leave within our community for generations to come.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, China is the biggest threat facing America today. The Chinese Communist Party uses its centrally controlled economy to pick winners and losers through massive government subsidies and handouts that benefit the ruling party's political allies. They do not adhere to free-market principles and the high labor and environmental standards that we have here in America. This is not a model America should embrace. We succeed when we reward hard work, creative thinking, risk-taking, and innovation and ensure that a company's success isn't contingent on the approval, direction, or spending by the Federal Government. I support making chips in the United States, but we cannot lead a new era of innovation through massive government subsidies. We cannot beat China by trying to outspend them. The CHIPS bill unlocks the Democrats' radical tax and spending spree and will make President Biden's inflation crisis worse. American competitiveness is suffering today as a result of harmful regulatory barriers and record government spending. This has resulted in unaffordable, high prices for every family, supply chain issues, and, as we learned today, the U.S. is entering a recession. Meanwhile, Democrats' new reconciliation package spends hundreds of billions of dollars and raises taxes to achieve their grand socialist agenda for more control and more inflation. To win the future, we need a reliable regulatory and permitting environment that unleashes innovation, secures our supply chains, and ensures American companies are creating jobs right here at home in the United States of America. Instead of more radical spending, lifting these barriers must be central if we want to secure American leadership and beat China. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 4346.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I grew up in a small town, Kettle Falls, and I have lived through the challenges that people face in rural communities. I have also visited hospitals and healthcare facilities all throughout my district. During the pandemic, Providence Health System scaled up their telehealth services with a 1,000 percent increase in volume. Telehealth visits by seniors on Medicare increased from 840,000 in 2019 to 52.7 million in 2020 nationwide. Many of these visits were from seniors' homes, which were not paid for by Medicare prior to the pandemic. Congress and the Trump administration, by action, required Medicare to pay for more telehealth services, reducing out-of-pocket costs and expanding the availability of telehealth services and long-term care where people are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. This bill today makes some of those actions last beyond the public health emergency through 2024. While I support this legislation, I do think this is a missed opportunity to do more. Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have many solutions to not just look at telehealth and Medicare for a couple of years but to look also at how we incentivize employers to provide access to telehealth for an estimated 156 million people with employer health insurance. We have examined and worked on solutions to address both where telehealth may not be appropriate and where it drives better outcomes for patients. Healthcare providers and patients need certainty. The pandemic has made it clear that telehealth can and should be a part of modernizing healthcare. I plan to support this legislation and hope to continue to work to unwind the public health emergency in a way that provides patients and our healthcare providers the certainty that they need. I do think that we could have done more on this and hope that this process won't be a model for the rest.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7624, the Spectrum Innovation Act, led by Chairman Doyle and Republican leader Latta. The Spectrum Innovation Act preserves United States leadership in wireless technology and ensures Americans stay connected. Through this legislation, Congress is taking steps to protect national security, improve our public safety communications, and continue to push the administration to manage our Nation's airways more effectively. The Energy and Commerce Committee is leading on finding bipartisan solutions to ensure America leads a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship. Today's legislation is a result of that bipartisan work. The Spectrum Innovation Act extends the Federal Communications Commission's authority to conduct spectrum auctions by 18 months. Without congressional action, the FCC's authority to issue spectrum licenses expires on September 30. With the upcoming 2.5 gigahertz auction, Congress must act now to make sure that spectrum can be used to provide faster mobile connectivity across the United States. For the American people, it will mean faster internet, better connectivity, and stronger cell service. In order to fully utilize our communications network, we must make sure that they are secure. In 2020, Congress passed the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act to ensure communications networks in the United States were secure. This provided funds to carriers that contained dangerous equipment in their networks like Huawei and ZTE, so that these carriers could maintain service while replacing that communications equipment with secure components. Earlier this year, the FCC determined that they needed more money to secure our networks. This legislation addresses that shortfall. If we fail to act, dangerous equipment from CCP-connected companies could remain in our communications networks indefinitely. This is a serious national security threat that must be addressed as quickly as possible. The Spectrum Innovation Act also includes legislation sponsored by my colleague from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) to establish an incumbent informing capability at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. His legislation, the SMART Spectrum Act, will provide NTIA another tool to better manage Federal spectrum use and help us win the future by making more spectrum available for commercial use as the demand and uses for wireless technology grows. Finally, the Spectrum Innovation Act would facilitate a nationwide transition to next generation 911. This legislation will help bring 911 fully into the 21st century by considerably improving the public's ability to contact and share information with first responders during emergencies. It will also enable our first responders to respond to emergencies more safely by providing them with additional information-gathering tools to help strengthen their response when they arrive at the scene. I thank Mr. Hudson and Ms. Eshoo for their years of hard work to put together comprehensive legislation to upgrade our Nation's aging 911 infrastructure. This bill advances innovation, improves public safety, and strengthens America's economic leadership all while remaining budget neutral and costing the American taxpayers nothing by using the proceeds from future spectrum auctions to fund these important priorities. I thank Chairman Pallone, Chairman Doyle, and Ranking Member Latta for working with me and for all of us to come together on a bipartisan agreement. This legislation is currently the only proposal moving through Congress to address these challenges, and there are imminent consequences to our national and economic security if Congress fails to act. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to see the House lead and take up the Spectrum Innovation Act with bipartisan support, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4551, the RANSOMWARE Act. Every sector of our economy can be targeted by bad actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in software and networks. Last year, we saw a significant increase in ransomware attacks from groups operating out of and affiliated with foreign countries like China and Russia. This legislation builds on my SAFE WEB Extension Act, which was enacted last Congress, and amends it to include ransomware in its international reporting and cooperation. This will help protect Americans from ransomware and other cyberattacks from foreign actors. Just a few months ago, the U.S. learned that hackers for the Chinese Communist Party had breached major telecommunications companies and network service providers to steal credentials and harvest data. What the CCP will do with this information, no one knows. If their intent is ransom or to use it to extort Americans, this bill will help us better understand and combat these attacks. We will achieve this by requiring the FTC to report on cross-border complaints involving ransomware, or other cybersecurity-related incidents, committed by foreign adversaries. This will help safeguard critical industries from countries like China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and others that may wish to harm us. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce (Mr. Bilirakis) for his work on H.R. 4551, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 8373. Every woman's potential journey to motherhood is different, and I support their access to contraception. However, this legislation has a lot of problems. Democrats just introduced it on Friday and debated it for the first time on Monday in the Committee on Rules. And since then, they have had to introduce multiple amendments to address their own failures to draft good policy. This is not how we build trust in solutions to bring forward in the people's House. If Democrats came to me and asked to work together on a bill, I would have been happy to roll up my sleeves and work with them. For years, Republicans on both sides of the Capitol have led on solutions to allow for great access to safe and effective contraception, including making it available over the counter. Right now, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Congresswoman Stephanie Bice are leading on these bills. Unfortunately, today, rather than work with us, Democrats again, are spreading fear and misinformation to score political points. And they are doing it with a very poorly drafted bill that opens the door further to extreme abortion on demand and their agenda. H.R. 8373 is a Trojan horse for more abortions. It should be called the payouts for Planned Parenthood act. It would send more taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood, freeing up more funds for them to provide abortions and end vulnerable lives. This bill endangers the health and safety of women. It allows Planned Parenthood and abortion providers to prescribe both on- and off-label drugs to be used for abortions without any restrictions. Additionally-- and again, despite many drafts--Democrats included a definition of contraception that is not limited to FDA-approved products. The term ``contraception'' is defined as an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility awareness- based methods and sterilization procedures. This means that the bill creates an individual right to engage in contraception which can include the use of FDA-approved products, but also any other action taken to prevent pregnancy, including non- approved products. H.R. 8373 will also continue President Biden's war on religious liberty and conscience protections. It would force health providers to violate their religion and sincerely held beliefs to provide contraception and perform sterilizations, including on minors. It would also force organizations, like the Little Sisters of the Poor to violate their religion and provide contraception. For all the fearmongering Democrats are spreading about other Supreme Court precedents being threatened, where is the respect for the Little Sisters of the Poor and their victory for their constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom? The unfortunate reality today is that this bill goes too far and defies the most basic safeguards meant to protect women and children. Women deserve the truth, not more fear and misinformation that forces an extreme agenda on the American people. Again, Republicans have led to make birth control available over the counter. In 2019, the Federal Government, under a Republican President, spent $1.8 billion for family planning. We have solutions to build on this work to support women. Unfortunately, Democrats are conflating the issues of abortion and contraception to promote unrestricted abortion for all 9 months of pregnancy. Contraception is fundamentally different than abortion; a distinction recognized by the pro-life community, doctors, medical professionals, the science, and in Justice Alito's Dobbs opinion. Abortion intentionally ends a human life. Contraception is to prevent conception. There is a clear distinction, and to suggest otherwise is more fearmongering and scare tactics that are a disservice to women everywhere. Madam Speaker, I urge opposition to H.R. 8373, and I urge my colleagues across the aisle to work with us. We welcome the opportunity. Rather than rushing another poorly drafted bill--an extreme bill--through the people's House, we can come together to support every woman's path to a better life and every woman's journey to motherhood. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cammack).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from Florida an additional 1 minute.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.