Daniel Meuser

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for the great work that he does for small businesses. Mr. Speaker, when I speak to small businesses throughout my district, they tell me that they are fraught by skyrocketing inflation, rising energy costs, workforce shortages, burdensome regulations, just regular hassles coming from the type of regulations that have been imposed and the type of tax burdens and such. The Biden administration continues, however, to push a policy agenda that is absolutely detrimental to small business--there is no question about it--creating additional headwinds such as inflation. Let's talk about inflation. The excessive and unnecessary spending enacted by Democrats in the last 14 months, exceeding $2 trillion, well over $2 trillion just in the rescue plan, almost $9 trillion over the course of the last couple of years, has obviously contributed to the record levels of inflation; up nearly 8 percent since last year, just last year alone, the highest level since 1981. We look back on that as the most historic inflation ever. Well, it is happening now, and yet, we are talking about exacerbating it with higher levels of spending. Let's talk about energy prices. The Biden administration's blatant and deliberate detrimental policies on domestic energy production has caused prices at the pump to nearly double since last year, making it clearly more difficult for small businesses to get their goods to market; making it more difficult for customers to get to the small businesses. We must support our domestic energy production and make energy affordable again. It is almost that simple. Let's talk about the workforce shortages. Disincentives to work, extended by the American Rescue Plan, have made it very difficult for small businesses to recruit and retain workers. We should all know that. Go visit any small business and they will tell you just that. Sure, it is starting to come back, as it would once those incentives not to work were minimized or eliminated. That is what we need to do, create incentives to work, not discourage work. Let's talk about tax increases. The persistent threat of increased taxes from Democrats in Congress and the Biden administration send shivers down the spine of small businesses, creates enormous uncertainty, while it makes it difficult for them to plan and invest in their businesses. Let's talk about regulations. Since taking office 14 months ago, the Biden administration has instituted hundreds of new regulations costing over $200 billion in real terms, and burdening businesses with what has been estimated as 130 million hours of additional paperwork. Instead of saddling our small businesses with burdensome and costly regulations, we should be trying to actually create an environment that breeds growth and success and allows owners to invest in their business and employees. The solution to the difficulties that America's small businesses are facing is not to pump $55 billion of new, unpaid spending into the economy. This will exacerbate much of what I just went through. Mr. Speaker, there is no reason just to criticize legislation without a solution. We have a solution, the ENTREE Act, introduced by Ranking Member Luetkemeyer, is fully paid for and delivers $60 billion in aid to America's restaurants who were excluded by the previous Democrats' unconstitutional and discriminatory RRF rollout which was proven illegal. Unlike the bill we are considering today, the ENTREE Act would replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund by repurposing unused American Rescue Plan dollars and would not further contribute to the hyperinflation that all American small businesses--and our deficit-- that all businesses are burdened by today and, again, the highest since nearly 50 years. So, the real solution is a smart, responsible approach that provides targeted relief without exacerbating the many crises small business owners are facing today. Every idea, Mr. Speaker, in this Congress cannot be solved by spending billions of dollars more of taxpayer money, as stated earlier, over $10 trillion in excess over the last 2 years. It has got to stop somewhere, sometime. We need to stop this out-of-control spending, reduce inflation, stop the assault on domestic energy production, lower energy costs, and create a business environment that is friendly to growth, not friendly to a tax, spend, and over-regulatory Big Government. The solution, again, is not difficult. But it must be definitely not adding another $55 billion of spending. American job creators need to be the most competitive in the world. We need to do what we can do to create an environment for that. The policies of the Biden administration and far too many Democrats in this House have made life more difficult for small businesses. This must change.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, to protect all Americans from Biden's border crisis.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Lieutenant William Lebo of the Lebanon City, Pennsylvania, Police Department. Lieutenant Lebo was shot and killed in the line of duty last week. Lieutenant Lebo was a dedicated, 40-year veteran of the Lebanon City Police Department and planned to retire on May 1 of this year. Lieutenant Lebo and two other officers, Ryan Adams and Derek Underkoffler, were responding to a domestic disturbance last Thursday when the offender immediately opened fire on them. All three officers were shot, and tragically, Lieutenant Lebo was fatally wounded. Lieutenant Lebo has been remembered by his colleagues and those he served as a calm, kind, and ethical police officer who was deeply devoted to protecting the Lebanon community. This tragedy serves as a devastating reminder that every day law enforcement officers put on their uniforms and go to work, as my father did, to protect and serve, always knowing full well that they may not return home. Today and always, we owe our continued support to our police officers and their families in Pennsylvania and across America. We all send our deepest condolences to Lieutenant Lebo's wife, Lora; his daughter, Corrine; and his entire family, as well as the Lebanon City Police Department, the Lebanon DA's office, and the entire Lebanon community.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, when the Biden administration learned Iran was just weeks away from enriching enough uranium for a weapon, this administration's response was to rush to a deal to slow but not stop Iran's nuclear ambitions. This is so. Mr. Speaker, the fact is, no deal will include concrete guarantees that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons. Yet, in pursuit of a deal, the Biden administration is offering concessions that will enrich our adversaries, endanger our allies, and cost America dearly. The whole new deal now hinges on delisting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard--yes, that terrorist organization--even as the IRGC supported attacks against U.S. troops recently in the UAE. Mr. Speaker, sanctions relief will give Iran access to over $100 billion in frozen assets. That is over $100 billion in frozen assets to the center of terrorism in the world. Nuclear trade, in addition, with Russia and China will only strengthen this unholy alliance. What can our allies expect from an Iran enriched from energy sales and free from sanctions? Even worse, President Biden is seeking to buy oil from Iran instead of ramping up U.S. production. This disastrous decision, irrational decision, will fill their coffers even more. We have wrecked our U.S. national and economic security, Mr. Speaker, by forfeiting our energy over the last 15 months and our independence. We are now subject to the fluctuations from the randomness of the geopolitical events rather than relying upon American workers and American energy. We have cost our Nation thousands of jobs and empowered our enemies. We are seeing this firsthand with the leverage we have ceded to Russia because this administration seeks to decimate U.S. energy production. The Department of Energy is taking trips and seeking oil purchases from Venezuela. Mr. Speaker, I have not seen Department of Energy representatives in Pennsylvania to see how the great reserves in the Marcellus Shale can support our country's energy needs. Is the Biden administration choosing Venezuela over Pennsylvania? Are they choosing Tehran over Texas? And as my good friend, Representative August Pfluger, branded not too long ago: Are they choosing Moscow over Midland? This is the product of disastrous domestic policies weakening our hand in diplomacy and the Biden administration rushing to negotiate from a position of weakness. It is why our allies are urging us to walk away and keep sanctions in place on Iran. This deal was misguided 7 years ago. It is downright dangerous today. We need Democrats and Republicans in this House to stand up for America and against this erroneous, misguided, senseless Iran nuke deal.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. I yield myself such time as I may consume, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Keating, and wish him a happy Saint Patrick's Day as well as thank him for bringing this resolution to the floor today. Madam Speaker, happy St. Patrick's Day. This January marked the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday when British troops in Derry, Northern Ireland, shot at a crowd of innocent protesters, killing 14 people. This unjustified act of violence marks a low point in the difficult history of Ireland in the 20th century. In fact, Bloody Sunday was just one of many tragic episodes during the Troubles which lasted 33 years and resulted in as many as 3,000 deaths. This bipartisan resolution we are considering today commemorates this solemn anniversary. It also serves to remind the world that there is still work to be done to achieve full reconciliation and safeguard a lasting peace for all Irish people. With the support of the United States, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement brought an end to the violence that characterized the Troubles and began a process to establish peace in Northern Ireland. Stories about atrocities, violence, and repression began to recede from the headlines. Today, Northern Ireland's story is one of prosperity, freedom, and peace. Issues remain, however, and the United States and the U.S. Congress must continue to engage strongly in the pursuit of an enduring peaceful future for Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement signed in 1998 is the best framework to achieve this noble end. While post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland have posed challenges to this historic agreement, both sides have worked in good faith to resolve them. This resolution also encourages both the European Union and Great Britain to continue acting in good faith negotiations to implement Brexit's Northern Ireland protocol. I support our transatlantic allies' efforts to find a more workable solution for trade not only at the north-south Irish land border, but also at the Irish Sea border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue the U.S. legacy of supporting a lasting peace in Northern Ireland by joining me in supporting this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I do thank my colleagues for their articulate, eloquent, and important words: Chairman Neal, my friend Representative Boyle, Chairman Keating, and Representative Jackson Lee. Madam Speaker, in closing, I again thank Chairman Keating for his work on this bipartisan resolution to commemorate the anniversary of a tragic time in Northern Ireland. It is fitting we are considering this resolution on St. Patrick's Day, a day when many Americans proudly display their Irish heritage, including my own family. My mother, formerly Maeve McMenomy; her father, my grandfather, Philip McMenomy, who descended directly from Ireland. As a matter of fact, my mother's mother was from Ukraine. As you can imagine, we know how to get our Irish up in our family and enjoy St. Patrick's Day and also reflect on the important history in Ireland as well as the very unwarranted and deadly and destructive events taking place in Ukraine currently. Today, we can also say that we are at peace, perhaps proud. The scenes of violence from the past years in Ireland have subsided that have reigned for more than 20 years. I was sorry to hear that the Irish Prime Minister tested positive for COVID yesterday, so we all wish him a speedy recovery. I do look forward to the United States and Ireland continuing to build on our strong relationship and advance our shared interests. This resolution is important right now, because we have had, Madam Speaker, far too many Bloody Sundays, including in the United States. March 7, 1965, was a terrible Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. The last several Sundays in Ukraine have been as well, with unnecessary bloodshed without justification. In the words of a good Irishman, Bono of the band U2: ``No more.'' I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. It is critical that the U.S. Congress speaks with one voice toward promoting lasting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, we have a very, very serious energy crisis here on our home shores. As fuel continues to rise, the Biden administration continues to point fingers at anybody but themselves-- they have done it many times before--for this self-inflicted crisis. There are statements such as this is Putin's fault. The fact is, though, that the numbers truly tell a different story, and they do, in fact, tell the truth. This situation cannot be denied by many of our colleagues here in the House, that we are issuing virtual propaganda about the realities of a national crisis. On January 20 of last year, a gallon of gas cost $2.39. After a year with the Biden administration, and with much of the House leadership supporting, we shut down the Keystone pipeline; paused leases for energy development; failed to approve even one permit for drilling, not one; imposed new regulations on the energy industry; threatened higher taxes on energy companies; and, yes, actually warned banks and financial institutions not to make investments in our domestic energy industries. Yet, what is coming from the White House, and many in this House, is to blame Putin for the gas prices. It is just horrible propaganda. Last week, the President actually told the American people that he ``can't do much right now'' to lower gas prices. Yes, you can. Yes, it can be done. Meanwhile, they are looking at Iran, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and, up until recently, Russia. So why don't we look at central Pennsylvania, west Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana? Create American energy and American jobs. We need to reverse the policies that have depressed production, throttled back investment, and led to higher gas prices at the pump and for heating people's homes nationwide. Madam Speaker, energy security is national security. I think we have all heard that. It has never been more important to be reminded of it than today. We must reverse these damaging policies now and safeguard our Nation's security for today and tomorrow.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank my very good friend, Dr. John Joyce from Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, we are witnessing horrible brutality by Vladimir Putin. He is killing civilians and committing war crimes while Zelensky has ordered his troops to ``not cross the line between humanity and animals.'' Zelensky requested aircraft, military supplies, and for credit card processing to be cut off. Mastercard and Visa stepped up and cut off their services the day that he asked, on Saturday. And I hope the aircraft is on its way, as was planned. He also asked for the U.S. to impose an embargo on Russian oil. Finally, the Biden administration is taking this important step. Madam Speaker, 14 months ago, this would have been a simple ask as we, the United States, were in fact energy independent. Because of the Biden administration's reckless anti-domestic fuel energy policies, it is far more complicated. At a time when we should be ramping up domestic production, the Biden administration is sending officials to Venezuela and Iran in a desperate attempt to buy oil from these rogue nations. The historic gas prices we are all facing are a direct result of the Biden administration's foolish domestic energy policy. Producing oil and gas here at home doesn't just keep prices low but serves as a strategic global advantage. Madam Speaker, regarding Ukraine, we must lay out our own terms to Putin: Get out of Ukraine or be subject to war crimes and every crippling sanction imaginable, as well as to fortify the Ukrainians. This war is about tyranny versus freedom, oppression versus liberty, totalitarianism versus democracy, and injustice versus justice. The rest of the world is watching. This is a pivotal moment. Glory to Ukraine.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I, too, join my colleague, Representative Thompson, in remembering and feeling very blessed to have known Jim Hagedorn, our colleague and friend, and I pray for his family. Mr. Speaker, on this day we need to discuss the fact that Vladimir Putin is absolutely stunned by the courage and resolve of the Ukrainian people. After 6 to 7 days of fighting, Ukraine controls most of its major cities including the city that my family is from, Lviv. The Russian people are protesting their leader's unprovoked aggression seeing, as the world sees, that this is Putin's war alone. We must do more. Our crippling sanctions are strongly hurting the Russian economy. But, Mr. Speaker, we must recognize this conflict is where energy is both the carrot and the stick. We must hit Putin where it hurts, by cutting off imports of Russian oil to the United States, unleashing U.S. energy, and ensuring Nord Stream 2 never goes into effect. Putin can't be trusted. This is understood. His prior interest in diplomacy was insincere. We must show leadership. We must provide the weapons that, by the way, were provided by the Ukrainian Parliament.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, there is a fentanyl crisis in our country. It is plaguing our communities. It is plaguing my district, poisoning our children, and devastating American families. Madam Speaker, it seems to be ignored by many, however, both in the White House and on this House floor. Our southern border is an unmitigated disaster due to this administration's open border policies. Drugs, crime, and the secret transportation of illegal immigrants flooding into our communities without warning in the middle of the night is causing serious, long-term damage. Yet, it seems to be ignored by too many. Fentanyl is an extremely deadly substance. It has flowed into our country in droves by way of the southern border. A recent study found that fentanyl deaths have doubled in 30 States amid the border crisis. Americans are suffering at the hands of the drug cartels. Customs and Border Patrol reported a 134 percent increase in fentanyl seizures in fiscal year 2021 with a disturbing 11,201 pounds confiscated, which is estimated to be able to kill every American seven times over. This is devastating and unbelievable. With this high amount confiscated, the Drug Enforcement Agency was forced to put out a Public Safety Alert, warning the American people about fake pills laced with fentanyl and other fentanyl-related poisons putting so many at risk. Drug overdoses have hit a record high in 2021 at over 100,000 deaths in the United States including more than 5,000 deaths in Pennsylvania. Nearly two-thirds of these deaths were connected to fentanyl. In 2021, the leading cause of deaths for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45 were drug overdoses. Is there any question that Congress should act? Madam Speaker, I am a cosponsor of the HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation will permanently schedule fentanyl substances as a schedule I drug, giving law enforcement the ability to prosecute the trafficking of deadly fentanyl into American communities. My Democrat colleagues recently blocked this lifesaving legislation when my Republican colleagues offered it for consideration last week. It truly is hard to understand why President Biden and far too many of our Democrat colleagues, in fact, all last week, have ignored this crisis, blocked legislation that would help fight it, and have sat idly by as they contemplate what the root causes of our southern border crisis might be. Madam Speaker, if someone can show me where we have seen the White House actually mention fentanyl as the terrible scourge on our country, I would like to see it. If, however, they were to take a mirror to their own policies, they might realize that the root cause is the policies themselves. It is certainly time for Congress to act, to step up and do its job together to stop the flow of fentanyl into our communities.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for his leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for the amendment proposed by Representative Crenshaw. Despite being the world's leading emitter of carbon emissions and the second largest economy, China made minimal commitments under the Paris Agreement for greenhouse gas reduction, and we let them get away with it. Now we have heard claims from the CCP, this administration, as well others, the CCP is stepping up their commitments and generally want to address climate change. In fact, China has only committed to stop increasing emissions by 2030. That is another 8 years of increasing emissions from China. This administration's wishful thinking ignores the fact that the United States is the only industrialized nation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the last 2 years in a row, which has been achieved primarily with low-emissions natural gas from my home State of Pennsylvania. However, the reality of China's new commitments is that they are still doing the bare minimum compared with what the United States and other leading economies have committed. China continues to use fuels that this administration is strongly throttling back. If we are expected to believe the CCP is genuine in their commitments on climate, then it is critical that we see proof and accountability. Madam Speaker, that is why I support this amendment to require annual briefings on the Peoples Republic of China's progress toward their climate commitments.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Florida for yielding. Madam Speaker, we have far too many domestic and international crises facing us right now to name them here. From the southern border to Ukraine, Afghanistan to the crime in Philadelphia's streets, soaring gasoline prices to supply chain bottlenecks. We have an opportunity here to make the U.S. economy more competitive--we can do that with the right bill--particularly against our number one competitor and often adversary, China. Rather than lower the costs for American large and small businesses, Madam Speaker, and creating a more competitive business environment, this so-called America COMPETES Act places burdens on the American economy in the form of debt and regulations, is filled with special interest subsidies, nobody can deny that, and has a whopping $325 billion price tag to go along with our escalating deficit and debt. Meanwhile, the only part of the $325 billion that I agree with, and I believe my constituents agree with, would be the CHIPS USA Act and some of the rural broadband.

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, this bill really is a plethora of new government programs that will not advance the U.S. economy. Madam Speaker, this bill will likely get the vote of China, but would not get the vote of American small business. The CCP is very serious about economic growth with little regard for how to get there. We had better wake up or we will be responsible for letting them.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank my very good friend from Louisiana for his leadership. Madam Speaker, the Biden administration has created a crisis at our southern border. And instead of addressing the problem, they are empowering it. The administration has been flying illegal immigrants into my home State of Pennsylvania and across the United States on ``midnight express flights'' in the middle of the night. HHS has conducted these flights with zero forewarning in order to facilitate the Biden administration's open border policies. After meeting with the Biden administration, Madam Speaker, regarding these flights, I was told--this is incredulous, but I was told it is simply a coincidence that each one of these flights came in in the dark of night. Madam Speaker, I was born at night, but it wasn't last night. I questioned that answer. And when questioned regarding these specifics, the administration refused to answer. This is not right, and the American people deserve better. To address this, I will be introducing the Immigration Transparency and Transit Notification Act, which will bring light to this process, ensuring that the States have a say. This bill will: Number 1, require DHS and HHS to notify the appropriate Federal, State, and local officials of the placement and transportation of illegals in their State before the process begins. Number 2, grant Governors an opportunity to question the placement of illegals in their States. Number 3, ensure the safety of unaccompanied minors from human trafficking by requiring agencies to provide information about the sponsors of where these young people are being placed to the Governor and other relevant officials. Madam Speaker, it is time for Congress, all of Congress, Republicans and Democrats, to act. We must control the southern border and take control of the crisis that is truly deteriorating our country.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, in business, a 1-year review is customary. So let's review the Biden administration's first year by the numbers. As we tend to say in business, the numbers don't lie. Regarding the economy, there are 6 million Americans unemployed while 10 million jobs remain unfilled. The vast majority of small businesses are hiring, yet 95 percent report few applications. Inflation, Mr. Speaker, is at a 40-year high of 7 percent. Gas is up 50 percent, and it costs about $100 to fill up the gas tank on a pickup truck. Regarding national security, it is really no better. Two million illegals have crossed our border. Twice as much fentanyl is coming in; we have over 100,000--sadly--fatalities throughout the United States. And we have 125,000 troops preparing to invade Ukraine. We have 2-mile long lines for COVID testing in my district. Mr. Speaker, we are not going to hold our breath for corrective action to be taken by the Biden administration; they have stated how they plan to double down. It will be up to the American people to solve this problem come November.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend Mr. Davis of Illinois for yielding. Mr. Speaker, Democrats have a scheme to take over elections, and it has taken a very disturbing turn. The Federal takeover of elections bill is masquerading as what was a noncontroversial NASA bill. The Constitution, Mr. Speaker, is clear: State legislators alone determine the time, place, and manner of elections, period. Voter participation, Mr. Speaker, over the past 20 years has enormously increased; it is well over 70 percent at this point because States have implemented policies assuring easy access while maintaining voter integrity to the best of their ability. Nevertheless, Democrats want a Federal takeover of all elections. This plan legalizes ballot harvesting nationwide, bans voter ID laws. Does America hear that? Prohibits the ability to ask for an ID to vote. Somehow that is in the interest of our election integrity. I don't think so. It allows noncitizens to vote, Mr. Speaker, and imposes new mandates on all precincts, regardless of their size or resources. Perhaps most egregiously, they want to provide millions of dollars in taxpayer funding for campaigns. Under this new taxpayer scheme, the American taxpayer would give our Speaker of the House $22 million and a whopping $44 million to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his campaign. Americans can't get COVID tests, hospitals are being overwhelmed, businesses can't find workers, and this is the focus, to blow up the Senate filibuster and seize control of all elections to secure future Democrat majorities. Let's vote ``no.''

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, it is no surprise to anyone here or throughout the United States that we have a serious crisis at our southern border. All anyone has to do is go visit the southern border to see the devastation, to see the death, to see the desperation, to see the drugs coming across, Madam Speaker. Since President Biden has come into office, a record number, over 2 million illegal immigrants, have been apprehended: a 128 percent increase in apprehensions from the previous year. And 1.7 million migrants were apprehended illegally just this year, while 400,000 illegally crossed the border and got away. But the President and his administration halted the Trump administration's successful remain in Mexico policy, has reinstated catch-and-release, has refused to enforce title 42, and is providing incentives for illegals to come into our country through mass amnesty proposals, work visas, and driver's licenses. Okay? This is a serious matter for every State, for my constituents, for my district. We have the highest level of overdose fatalities ever, and it is a direct result of the Biden administration policy. This needs to stop. This is a terrible situation caused by the Biden administration. I wish it would stop. We could stop it here.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida, my good friend, for yielding and for creating this opportunity. Madam Speaker, just a short time ago America was energy independent. The American people had access to affordable energy and the U.S. led the world in carbon emissions reductions. What a difference 1 year and one administration can make, Madam Speaker. Americans are paying the most they have paid at the pump since 2014, gasoline prices are up 45 percent in Pennsylvania. With winter fast approaching, home heating prices are projected to rise even above 50 percent--54 percent for some American households. The Biden administration's solution is to literally double down on the failed energy policies. This is creating national security issues and real issues for every American, and certainly every Pennsylvanian. Along the way, some of the solutions from the Biden administration have been to beg Russia and OPEC countries to please produce and ship more, to tap the strategic oil reserve--which is a reserve for emergencies and catastrophes, meanwhile, it is yielding only 3 days' worth of oil--and a proposed increased cost to produce oil and gas on Federal lands. With actions like this, we shouldn't be surprised when we hear the White House press secretary argue that higher gas prices somehow highlight the need for the rapid transition to clean energy. This is ridiculous. It is woke gone mad and it is quite deliberately manipulative. President Biden and his administration have virtually done everything in their power to decimate domestic fuel production by holding up the Keystone pipeline, pausing the oil and gas leasing on U.S. lands, and actually even discouraging our banks from investing in traditional forms of energy and production. So out of respect for time, we can all appreciate the goal for a cleaner environment and reduction in carbon emissions, but it must be done in a manner that is economically feasible and not damaging to the American people and our constituents who we are supposed to be representing.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the esteemed gentleman from Texas very much. Mr. Speaker, this break business' backs bill is the latest iteration of an upside-down--in fact, inverted--economic agenda, ignoring today's problems and doubling down on what we see are failed policies. What is in this partisan reconciliation bill says more about Democrat's Big Government agenda than people's actual needs, and it will exacerbate challenges currently facing working families and small businesses. It is an $80,000 tax break for wealthy individuals and $400 billion tax hike on small businesses, with a total of $800 billion in new taxes. That is a fact. It subsidizes green energy but it has a new tax on natural gas, making heating your home more expensive. That is a fact. It disincentivizes work with new unaccountable entitlements while business owners are desperate to fill nearly 10 million jobs. It will increase costs on domestic businesses and manufacturers and make products overseas more attractive. And it is big spending that everyone agrees is not paid for; will increase debt to somewhere in the neighborhood of--I don't know, what is the debt ceiling request going to be?--$34-, $35-, $36 trillion on something that was said was going to cost zero? Decrease GDP, reduces wage growth, and drives inflation higher. We need to make our country better not make government bigger.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, Americans are feeling the pinch of rising prices as they are gearing up to both host and visit their families and friends this holiday season. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it is shaping up to be the most expensive meal in the history of the holiday due to rising costs, largely from President Biden and Democrats' failed economic policies. Inflation is at a 30-year high, crushing American holiday budgets from the cost of travel, food, and gifts. The price of gasoline, Mr. Speaker, is up 61 percent--nearly $4 nationally--from a year ago, causing the price of driving and flying to see relatives skyrocket. Many Americans are now facing the decision to cancel holiday travel due to these rising costs. Most holiday staple foods are significantly more expensive as well, if Americans are lucky enough to find them on the grocery shelves due to the supply chain crisis we are facing. The cost of turkey is up about 20 percent. Potatoes are up about 15 percent. Carrots are up almost 50 percent. Cranberries and biscuits are up nearly 10 percent. And even pumpkin pie is way up. On average, a Thanksgiving meal this year will cost families between 15 to 20 percent more than it did just 1 year ago today. With the rising cost of energy and essential goods, nearly one-third of working families' earnings are going to food and energy costs. Instead of finding ways to offset this, mitigate it, improve and fix the supply chain crisis, and bring domestic energy back to minimize these skyrocketing energy costs, President Biden and my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus in this House continue to push for a historically large multitrillion-dollar spending bill called Build Back Better that will raise taxes and seriously damage domestic energy production, which I completely don't understand, nor does anyone in my district. As well, it has special interest tax cuts, and it will not cost zero. Can we please stop insulting the people? It will cost trillions, all the while suppressing our economy and opportunity. When you are in a hole, Mr. Speaker, you don't keep digging, but our Democrat friends continue to push for far-left policies that will further drive inflation by creating excess demand with no building of supply, which hurts low-income and middle-class families the hardest. Now is the time for Congress to pass pro-growth, free market legislation that will actually empower our economy and put more money into the pockets of the American taxpayer, not in the coffers of Washington. Mr. Speaker, the solutions are actually kind of simple. We must follow our rule book, which is known as the Constitution. We must respect and abide by our oath to the Constitution, not with some crazy mandates coming out of Washington. We must strengthen our national security, including securing our borders. We must strengthen our economy, not grow our government. No one in my district is saying, hey, the Federal Government is not big enough. Let's expand it by 30 percent. We must continue to focus on making America the land of opportunity, the land of independence, not the land of dependence. That is not what we wrote way back when. This is done through education and through driving career opportunities. Mr. Speaker, we, as well, need to have an understanding that it is our job to be the adults in the room and be fiscally responsible with the taxpayers' money. It is not our money; it is the taxpayers' money. So the American people deserve better. They deserve better from this House. We need to deliver. Truly, the idea of America depends upon it.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Madam Speaker, after elections where the American people rebuked the left's tax, spend, and Big Government control agenda, our Democrat colleagues are doubling down on failed and unpopular policies that will exacerbate inflation, workforce and supply shortages that are hurting everyone, including waste, abuse, and fraud. Madam Speaker, this reconciliation bill has no return on investment for the American people. In fact, independent analysis shows it decreases GDP and it will weaken U.S. economic strength worldwide. The bill raises $420 billion in taxes on small businesses while giving a massive tax break for high earners in high-tax states. It gives amnesty and driver's licenses to illegal immigrants while a crisis rages at the border. It spends big on entitlements that disincentivize work and, as stated, are ripe for fraud. As well, it misses any mark for pay-for by $2 trillion to $3 trillion. This irresponsible spending bill, coupled, by the way, with a bipartisan Transportation and Infrastructure bill, has made it very, unfortunately, impossible to support both, because the net effect of these dependent bills is detrimental to our economy, national security, and global competitiveness.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ranking Member Luetkemeyer very much, as well as Chairwoman Velazquez, for working on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4481, the Small Business 7(a) Loan Agent Transparency Act, introduced by my colleague, Mr. Phillips of Minnesota. In fiscal year 2020, the SBA's 7(a) loan program made approximately 42,000 loans, totaling over $22 billion, providing creditworthy small businesses access to capital they could not obtain elsewhere. In some cases, these loans are facilitated by third-party loan agents. These loan agents can be attorneys, accountants, consultants, or others who assist a lender or borrower with their loan. As recent as last year, the SBA's Office of Inspector General issued reports highlighting the need for the SBA to improve its oversight of loan agents. The SBA's OIG cited at least 22 cases of confirmed loan agent fraud, totaling at least $335 million in taxpayer money. This bill addresses bipartisan concerns with third-party loan agents involved in the SBA 7(a) loan program by creating a registration system for loan agents that can be used to track and evaluate performance of loans generated by loan agents. I would like to thank Congressman Phillips for working with me to address the role loan agents play in this program and ensure that both Congress and the SBA remain good stewards of taxpayer dollars. I look forward to continuing to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure the SBA has the correct procedures in place for the growing number of loan agents within its flagship 7(a) loan program. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this legislation, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. MEUSER

Mr. MEUSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 4531, the 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act. First, I would like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for advancing this bill to the House floor. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips) for working together on this important legislation. The 7(a) loan program is considered the flagship program of the SBA. It is an important tool for helping small firms gain access to capital. Unfortunately, the SBA's Office of Inspector General has highlighted a need for improved oversight of the 7(a) loan agents due to increased risk of fraud associated with these agents. To ensure that Congress can properly address these issues, we must have the information necessary to determine how to mitigate these risks. Without accurate information, we cannot perform the proper oversight that is needed to safeguard and protect American taxpayer dollars. My bill will ensure that Congress receives the data it needs to conduct proper oversight of the 7(a) loan program by requiring the SBA to develop and publish an annual portfolio risk analysis for Congress on loan agents that operate within the program. Specifically, the analysis will examine the number of fraudulent loans that are associated with the loan agents as well as the default rate of the loans associated with these agents. At the end of the day, these are government programs that were developed to assist small businesses in gaining access to capital. Given this important mission, Congress and the SBA must conduct the appropriate level of oversight. The information that will be provided to Congress under H.R. 4531 will be paramount as we measure the effectiveness of these programs and whether the SBA has the correct oversight requirements in place to administer such a significant program. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4531, the 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act.