Carol Miller

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the veto override on H.J. Res. 39. In the past 5 months, the Republican-led House of Representatives has taken more action to hold China accountable for its unfair trade practices than the past 4 years that I have been in Congress, all while the Biden administration is actively working to promote Chinese interests. The Biden administration is allowing the Communist Chinese Party to outmaneuver us at every step, even rewarding them by vetoing bipartisan legislation that puts America first. Letting Chinese solar companies cheat directly handicaps U.S. solar manufacturers and puts America at a disadvantage. Washington Democrats and the Biden administration have been in lockstep with China since they entered the White House. It baffles me that the administration is so quick to put America last to help China succeed. We need a strategic decoupling from China. Everyone in the United States should be focused on countering Chinese influence by bringing jobs back to America and implementing solid trade agreements with our allies. It is imperative that we override this veto.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Chair, President Biden's threat to veto H.R. 1 tells everything we need to know about the bill. It will unleash American energy and bring down energy costs. H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is about increasing domestic production, permitting reform, streamlining energy exports, and reversing President Biden's anti-energy agenda. In the first week of Joe Biden's Presidency, he stopped American energy production by halting needed permits for energy production and shutting down the Keystone pipeline, also sending home 300 West Virginians who were out there working. He drained our Strategic Petroleum Reserves while failing to fix the problems that he had created. Americans are sick of these policies, which is why they elected a Republican majority to be a needed check on the Biden administration's war on American energy. H.R. 1 is necessary to jump-start American energy production, and is one of many crucial energy policies that I am looking forward to supporting. Mr. Chair, I wish to enter into a colloquy with the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), my good friend, the majority leader.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Chair, I thank Leader Scalise for taking the time to highlight such an important project. He has been a champion of American energy and the Mountain Valley pipeline is a great example of domestic energy production. I am from an energy-producing State and I have seen and lived the effects of bad energy policy coming out of Washington, which is exactly why I came to Congress to fight for West Virginians and my like-minded fellow Americans. Today, I am introducing the complete American pipelines act, a bill to complete the Mountain Valley pipeline and other America-first projects that have been needlessly held up by leftwing radical courts. All gas from the Mountain Valley pipeline will supply domestic energy markets.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Chair, this means lower energy prices across the country as supply will dramatically increase. The Mountain Valley pipeline is crucial to American energy. Remember that Americans' energy security is our American security.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 1. H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, is about increasing domestic production, permitting reform, reversing President Biden's anti-energy agenda, and streamlining energy exports. To be perfectly frank, the Biden administration has been putting out anti-energy policies since his first week in office. He shut down the Keystone pipeline and halted permits for domestic energy production that we desperately needed. He drained our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to stop the pain from his terrible policies instead of coming up with real solutions. Just last night, he tweeted that electric cars are the future. I have never seen an administration so out of touch with the American people, which is exactly why these same people affected by anti-energy policies elected a Republican majority in the House of Representatives. In the majority, our first priority is to bring down energy costs and increase energy production. The Lower Energy Costs Act is just the first of many crucial energy policies I am looking forward to seeing over the next 2 years. One of the pieces of legislation that I am looking forward to seeing is the completion of the Mountain Valley pipeline. The Mountain Valley pipeline is a great example of why permitting works and exactly why we need more of it. In this project's case, the administration isn't the problem. It is the leftwing courts--which are more radical than Joe Biden, which should really tell you something--that are holding up this important pipeline. When the pipeline is completed, it will be delivering natural gas within months, meaning lower energy prices for Americans as supply will dramatically increase. There is no time to waste. Remember that energy security is national security.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive breast cancer and patients with undiagnosed metastatic TNBC have a less than 30 percent chance of surviving past five years. Unlike other breast cancers, TNBC is more difficult to treat. There are limited therapies available specifically addressing the management of TNBC, which has made treating this disease a challenge for clinicians. In my home state of West Virginia, the breast cancer mortality rate among women is the 8th highest in the U.S. The prevalence of TNBC in West Virginia is 13 percent, and studies have found links between obesity and TNBC patients in the state. It is imperative to increase the overall wellness of our population, especially for women suffering from a disease as invasive as TNBC. That's why we need more research and access to care in West Virginia to catch this disease early. We need to work together not just this month, but every month, to maintain momentum to improve early diagnosis, treatment planning, cancer typing, and research to help all those affected by TNBC.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. All life is sacred. Defending innocent lives should not be a policy issue. This legislation protects babies who are not only born but who are then left without care from an attempted abortion. A baby who survives an abortion should receive the same medical attention that any other premature baby would. These precious souls are given another chance at life. It is unacceptable that there are no criminal charges for those who want to take their life away. The people who allow babies to be killed after birth must be fully prosecuted. Let's be clear: Killing a baby who is born alive, regardless of an attempted abortion, is murder. The previous Democrat-controlled House has refused to vote on this bill. Today, a Republican-led majority keeps our commitment to America by voting on legislation that upholds the sanctity of life. I urge the passage of this bill on the House floor.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. The last 2 years under Democrat rule have resulted in terrible policies and more unnecessary taxes for the American people. Americans have been feeling the weight of destructive policies since their first day in power, and now it is time for our Republican majority to fix this mess. The pressure on American taxpayers has continued to increase since the passage of the so-called Inflation Reduction Act when they gave $80 billion of new funding for the IRS to hire the 87,000 new agents to needlessly audit families and small businesses that are forced to fund the out-of-control spending and misguided Green New Deal priorities. How do more audits and scrutiny from the IRS benefit hardworking Americans? Liberals in Congress chose to target American taxpayers by supercharging the IRS, which solely focuses on auditing the hardworking Americans who already pay more than their fair share. This is unacceptable and must be reversed. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats used the tools of the IRS as a means to increase reckless spending.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise also in support of the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022. Programs like these are essential and they deliver meaningful results that strengthen our families and our communities. In West Virginia, the MIECHV program has made over 21,159 home visits, served 1,556 families, and impacted over 1,943 children. The program supports our vulnerable pregnant women, and it comes alongside parents with young children to ensure that they all have the resources that they need to raise their children. I also, of course, take a moment to recognize my dear friend and colleague, Jackie Walorski, who this bill is named after. Jackie was my mentor in Congress when I first came here and she very quickly became my friend. We shared meals together, good conversation, and her office was even directly across from mine in the same hall. It was my pleasure to serve alongside her on the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee. Her leadership and her passion for these issues are reflected in this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the World War II Medal of Honor recipient, West Virginia native Woody Williams, my dear friend. Woody was West Virginia's hero, and he was America's hero. He truly embodied what it meant to be part of the Greatest Generation. Today, he will lie in honor in the United States Capitol. I can think of no better way to honor Woody's life and legacy, as well as the memory of all of the World War II veterans, than allowing him this privilege. Woody will be sorely missed, but his legacy of service, dedication, and patriotism will live on in countless lives that he touched.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Huntington High School girls basketball team. The team won the championship title, and they finished their season with a 24-1 record. They are the only team to win in the newly developed AAAA division. While there is no ``I'' in team, they were led by Dionna Gray and coached by the legendary Lonnie Lucas, who has devoted 54 years of his life to coaching. Congratulations for this outstanding accomplishment.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate both the boys and girls high school basketball teams from the Covenant School in Huntington, West Virginia. The boys high school basketball team took home the national championship in their division and finished their season with an 11- game winning streak. The girls high school basketball team came in second place in their division nationally. Athletics play a huge role in ensuring that our next generation is well-rounded, able to work as a team, and are equipped to tackle challenges ahead. I applaud the Covenant School for instilling these very important values in our student athletes. West Virginia is so proud of the Covenant School's basketball teams.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Madam Speaker, President Biden's trade moratorium undermines U.S. leadership and hands all adversaries a dangerous opportunity to get ahead. China is seizing this moment to advance in the Indo-Pacific. This is why I join with my colleague, Darin LaHood, to introduce the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific and China Act. Our bill would require President Biden to act and report on a trade strategy in the Indo- Pacific and with China. Once again, Democrats didn't allow any bipartisan input in their legislation. There has been zero guidance by President Biden on a trade plan with China. Instead, we continue on a useless wait-and-see approach. The competition between the U.S. and China demands strong leadership. Democrats must wake up to this reality and take decisive action. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support our bill to ensure America's lasting trade leadership.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, since President Biden has taken office, he has tried to increase taxes on everyone. His Build Back Better Act--or as I like to call it, build back broke--is the latest example of his radical tax and spend agenda. This bill includes $4.5 trillion in new spending, $1.5 trillion in new taxes, and will cause $3 trillion in new debt. I introduced two amendments in this legislation, one that would ensure Americans still have access to lifesaving cures and one that would ensure Members of Congress do not benefit from Democrats' SALT deduction. Democrats rejected both. If passed, this reconciliation package will negatively affect all facets of our day-to-day lives. It will make energy more expensive, tax small family businesses, ship American jobs overseas, and make the inflation crisis worse.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Madam Speaker, let us be clear. My colleagues across the aisle want to raise the debt ceiling to pay for their 3.5 trillion tax and spending spree. In my home State of West Virginia and across the country, people are paying more for gas, groceries, and other everyday items because of the liberals' reckless spending. Taxpayers are sick of footing the bill for the terrible policies which continue to make the problem of inflation even worse. Americans shouldn't have to pay for the consequences of Democrats' out-of-touch actions. Democrats are responsible for the spending, and they need to take responsibility for the borrowing. This entire Congress, House Democrats have chosen to go it alone and push through liberal items without any Republican input. The liberals have managed to spend trillions by themselves. They can raise the debt ceiling alone, too. Socialism has a price tag. It is time the Democrats learn that lesson.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill and my four amendments. The first amendment will require a report on the status of women in Afghanistan. The rights we fought to secure for them are in dire peril. The second will hold the administration accountable by requesting a report on the amount of money and materials left behind in Afghanistan. The third blocks any funding for intelligence sharing and ensures no taxpayer dollars are wasted working with the Taliban. They proved that they can't be trusted by the deadly events at the airport. The final amendment will establish a memorial for the 13 servicemembers who perished securing the airport. They lost their lives protecting Americans and our allies. This memorial would ensure that they are never forgotten for their sacrifice. I urge adoption of all four of my amendments.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share stories of employers across the country who are struggling to find and hire employees. According to April's disastrous jobs report, there are 8.1 million job openings in the United States. Employers can't fill them and, as a result, can't operate their businesses effectively. The extended unemployment handouts my colleagues across the aisle keep reauthorizing incentivize workers to stay at home and collect unemployment rather than go to work. I have talked with countless small business owners who cannot compete with these handouts and are facing a grave workforce shortage. I recently visited with manufacturers in Minnesota. They have had to reduce their output on medical device orders by 20 percent because workers, who they pay between $14 and $16 an hour, are making more on unemployment and choosing to stay at home. Paying people not to work won't help us recover from COVID-19. We must encourage people to get back into the workforce and not stay on the sidelines. The opportunity to work hard and get ahead is a pillar of the American Dream. Pursuing a career, providing for a family, and supporting our communities, these are the things we should encourage and celebrate. We have got the vaccines. Now it is time to get back to work.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Madam Speaker, I was denied my vote, by being held up illegally by the person in front of me in the metal detector--they kept wanding him. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 129. members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress Allred (Wexton) Barragan (Beyer) Cardenas (Gallego) Costa (Correa) Crenshaw (Fallon) Donalds (Cammack) Gonzalez (OH) (Timmons) Gosar (Greene (GA)) Grijalva (Garcia (IL)) Khanna (Gomez) Kirkpatrick (Stanton) Langevin (Lynch) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Leger Fernandez (Jacobs (CA)) Lieu (Beyer) Lowenthal (Beyer) Meng (Clark (MA)) Mfume (Connolly) Moulton (Perlmutter) Napolitano (Correa) Omar (Bush) Payne (Pallone) Porter (Wexton) Rush (Underwood) Sewell (DelBene) Speier (Scanlon) Stefanik (Katko) Trahan (Lynch) Watson Coleman (Pallone) Welch (McGovern) Wilson (FL) (Hayes) Wilson (SC) (Timmons)

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against H.R. 1319, Pelosi's progressive payoff, and in support of America's gig economy. Not only is this a costly bill full of liberal wish-list items that do nothing to crush COVID or create jobs, but it also stifles America's gig economy at a time when it needs our support the most. The gig economy provides flexibility and opportunity to businesses, workers, and customers in urban and rural areas. The success of America's gig economy is due to the absence of government overregulation. Let's take a lesson from the gig economy that has flourished and scale our response around demand rather than regulation. I am giving this bill one star. Our gig economy workers and customers deserve the freedom to work and to thrive.

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia

Mrs. MILLER of West Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I raise bison. I know bull when I see it, and I know manure when I see it. Less than 10 percent of this so-called stimulus package actually focuses on the pandemic. In this bill, House Democrats said no to my proposal to target aid to States with high child poverty rates to lift our children up. Instead, they said yes to $1,400 checks that could go to people who entered our country illegally. They said yes to hundreds of millions for absurd pet projects, like Silicon Valley subway systems, the Seaway International Bridge, and $350 billion in blue State bailouts. Let's cut the bull. The $1.9 trillion payout doesn't crush COVID, nor does it create jobs. Our grandchildren should not be saddled with the cost of this bag of bailouts.

Mrs. MILLER

Mrs. MILLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Chuck Yeager. Mr. Yeager was a war hero, an incredible pilot, and a great West Virginian. Born in Lincoln County in the small town of Myra, Chuck was a stellar athlete and a bright student who enlisted in the Air Force during World War II, answering the call to serve. As a pilot, he was known for his outstanding leadership and flying skills, and his incredible vision. I am also proud to say that he never lost his steadfast West Virginia spirit. Flying over 61 missions as an ace, he returned home from the war in 1945. He then became a test pilot who researched high-speed flight. In 1947, Chuck was the first person to break the sound barrier, flying over the Mojave Desert, and went on to accomplish more in the field of flight while serving in the Air Force until 1971. He was one of America's greatest pilots. Chuck passed away this month at the age of 97. He lived a life of adventure, patriotism, service, and strength. He will always be remembered.

Mrs. MILLER

Mrs. MILLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as stated, the aim of this bill, ensuring that mothers and families with young children have proper facilities while traveling, is a need that is long overdue, and it is high time that we fix it. I have a personal story. In the 1980s, I was traveling with my husband and my two sons. One was in diapers, and one was a toddler. I handed the one in diapers to my husband when I realized that the baby needed to be changed. He took the baby and the paraphernalia with him to the men's restroom to take care of the baby. When he comes back, he hands me a child who is crying, looks at his mommy, and reaches out. My husband goes: I did the best I could with what I had. Well, he went into a bathroom that had sinks lined up on the wall, so he had to place the baby on top of two sinks to take care of business. I will leave the rest up to you, but we did do the best we could. Thank the Lord, we are now going to be in modern times and take care of families the way they should be, having the appropriate things in both bathrooms. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER

Mrs. MILLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the goal of H.R. 5139 to prevent incidents of sexual assault and harassment in transportation. Passengers should feel safe while traveling, and transportation workers should feel safe in their workplace. No one condones sexual misconduct in the transportation sector, or anywhere, for that matter. That is why the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Congress took such a strong bipartisan stance against this type of behavior in air transportation in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. I appreciate Chair DeFazio working with the minority to address technical concerns with the bill to avoid unintended implementation issues. I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I don't think there is any doubt that all Members support the intent of H.R. 5139. Like all of you, I want to help ensure that sexual misconduct in transportation is eliminated. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.