Gregory Murphy

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 4931, the National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act. As was noted previously, there is a Senate companion with slight differences that hopefully can be worked out. My bill would give the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the National Park Service, the authority to extend the lease if the lease has been entered into less than 5 years before the date of extension is to take effect. The Director of the National Park Service would determine if extending the lease is in the best interests of the applicable unit of the National Park Service. Within my district in Dare County, we have a lot of national parks, and we work very well with them. We have a model of an excellent public-private partnership at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, where the National Park Service works with a local vendor to provide necessary marine services. My bill is simple and straightforward. It gives the National Park Service the authority to give an extension of a lease, if the National Park Service thinks it is in the best interests of the National Park Service, for a total duration up to 60 years. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my Democratic colleagues and appreciate the opportunity to attend to any concerns that they have. By granting this authority to the National Park Service, it would encourage other private investors to invest wisely in the hope of being considered for this opportunity to make a win-win with a public-private partnership. Current law does not allow this to happen. Mr. Speaker, I ask your consideration of this bill, and I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 4931.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I take great joy today to recognize the dedication, loyalty, and hard work of my legislative director and healthcare adviser, McLean Piner, and to congratulate him on a well- earned next chapter he will soon embark upon. I have known McLean his entire life. McLean comes from a great family who live just around the corner from me in our neighborhood in Greenville, North Carolina. My wife and I are great friends with his parents, and our children played and went to school together for many years. In fact, only one issue ever caused any consternation between the Murphys and the Piners, and it was their inexplicable, and, frankly, despicable, allegiance to Duke University sports programs. Such a fine family, but such misguided loyalty. At least they know that the great basketball coach, Coach K, lost his final game to UNC. Fortunately, this one personal impediment, which I hope one day he will grow out of, has not impacted his character nor will it impede his career. McLean first began working for me back in 2016 as an intern while I served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Not possessed with a loud voice, nonetheless, he was still a hard worker, tenacious, and a joy to have around. When I came to Congress in 2019, I was able to wrangle him away from a job downtown to come work for my office. Since then, he has put his head down and continued to earn a place of very high respect in Washington. Over nearly 8 years, McLean distinguished himself, working his way up from legislative correspondent all the way to legislative director, a role he has now held for 3 years. He quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with when it came to healthcare issues. As a physician, my chief focus in Congress has been one of making healthcare accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality. I have fought for patients and those who deliver their care. We have endured close to 7 years of late-night votes, painful policy briefings, unconscionably long markups, and spirited hearings in the Ways and Means Committee. Yet, through countless meetings, briefs, and events, McLean has been there every step of the way with me. We have learned from each other, and his counsel is one I have learned to appreciate and trust. At the beginning of this session, he came to me and told me he was being recruited by the administration for a job there. I told him no, he wasn't ready, and he had more to learn. Now he is ready. As all good mentors should do, when it is time, they should let their proteges fly away. McLean will soon depart Team Murphy for the next chapter of his career, an enormous and deserving leap forward over at the Department of Health and Human Services as Deputy Assistant Secretary. With gratitude and a heart full of pride, I honor and congratulate McLean on this remarkable run we have had and his very, very bright future. It is not often a Member possesses a staff member that has shown such loyalty, thoughtfulness, and dedication as McLean Piner. Washington can be a very difficult environment to operate in, especially those new to politics. McLean has developed a keen sense of what is necessary to deliver meaningful change to improve American healthcare. His intellect, ability to connect with others, and communication have made him an indispensable asset to anyone who wants to get down to business and make an impact. While I wish I could keep McLean in my office as long as I have the privilege to serve in this body, it is time now for him to move on. I have no doubt that he will be successful in his new perch, continuing to serve the American public. This is not a good-bye, but it is a celebration. It is a heartfelt congratulations that I salute a special individual who deserves great recognition and will continue to impress beyond my imagination. I give my congratulations to McLean. I wish him well in his next chapter and next journey. I thank him for his service in my office on behalf of the constituents of eastern North Carolina.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue to shed light on the egregious, unethical, and deliberately unscrupulous practices of our health insurance companies that deny patients care and rip off the American taxpayer. I have spent 35 years taking care of patients. The amount of treachery in the healthcare industry at this point in time continues to boggle my mind. A few months ago, the House Ways and Means Committee hosted representatives from the Nation's leading insurers. There was bipartisan outrage against what they are doing to the American patient and the American taxpayer. Healthcare is no longer affordable and, in large part, it is due to the ever-increasing, insurance-company-driven middleman apparatus. These megacorporations are squeezing every last penny out of patients and physicians, all in the name of profit. Today, I want to discuss an interesting event, how the American taxpayer is subsidizing stock buybacks by the United States' largest health insurers. A buyback is when companies, flush with cash, our cash, are buying back their own stock. In 2025, the seven largest for-profit health insurance conglomerates took in nearly $1.7 trillion in total in revenues, yielding over $50 billion in profits. The true number was much higher because of the way they hide their finances. Regardless, that was a great year for these companies, which receive record sums of American taxpayer dollars. In fact, UnitedHealthcare now gets more than three-quarters of its revenues from government programs, even though it covers almost twice as many people in its commercial plans. No wonder they lobbied so hard to keep the ObamaCare subsidies in place. They love that taxpayer Federal dollar. What is even more sinister is the amount of money that these giants have spent on their own stock buybacks. Instead of using money to lower the cost of care for patients across the country, they pump it in to boost up their own profits. In 2015, the top seven companies spent more than $137 billion buying back stock shares. United has more than 50 percent of these buybacks, and guess who makes the most profit? United does. They are flush with cash--so flush, they even own a bank. Why is this important? As they buy back their own stock, it makes their stock more expensive, drives up earnings, and, guess what, makes their executives richer because of their compensation plans. It is all at the expense of patients. Further, they have become more diversified, vertically integrated conglomerates that have swallowed up nearly every part of our healthcare system. Mark Cuban and I agree completely. The middleman is destroying American medicine. As it stands, we are now allowing an oligopoly to take nearly $2 trillion from the American people, while making it more expensive and harder to access healthcare. As I have said before, if it were up to me, I would break up these giants and eliminate for-profit health insurance. Medically necessarily healthcare cannot be treated the same way as other customer goods and services. I believe that patients must take responsibility for their well-being, but I also think it is a marked way that we incentivize making people healthier. I also understand that people cannot afford healthcare right now. We are all impacted by emergencies and illnesses at some point in our life, even the most robust and healthy individuals. A visit to the emergency room should not be a life-altering financial event. Therapy for cancer we know how to treat should not be a death sentence because of the cost of care. Access to a lifesaving medicine that sustains your life should not bankrupt you. I am an equal opportunity offender. I will go after any entity in the healthcare industry regardless that is causing the cost of healthcare to be so expensive. These greedy and egregious practices of our health insurance companies top the list. Countless patients are denied medically necessary care every single day because these companies want to save a buck. They want to save a buck to buy back their stock and increase their profits. Make no mistake, the health insurance industry is the most powerful one in Washington, D.C. But fortunately, the American people are waking up. They are waking up to the nonsense and demanding change. I have dedicated my entire life to taking care of patients. I am happy to take on this fight. We cannot deal with this anymore. The insurance industry is destroying American healthcare. I will not rest until this job is finished and we break up these insurance company monopolies.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue to shed light on the egregious practices of our health insurance industry companies that continue to deny patients care and rip off the American taxpayers. I have been practicing medicine now for 35 years and have dedicated my life to serving others, primarily those in rural and underserved areas. American medicine is sick. American medicine is unaffordable. A few months ago, the House Ways and Means Committee hosted representatives from multiple insurance companies to deal with healthcare affordability. During that time, I exposed the unconscionable practices of these megacorporations that squeeze every penny out of patients and physicians for their own profit. Today, I want to talk about the bad actors in Medicare Advantage, a program that seeks to prey upon the elderly and those who have health insurance issues as they get older, that rely on prior authorizations as a way to deny care. These denials have been up in recent years, as have been, amazingly enough, insurance company profits. They have created barriers to lifesaving care for patients. In fact, in 2024, Medicare Advantage insurers denied over 4 million prior authorization requests. Yet, when appealed, over 80 percent of those were overturned. This was only after patients and caregivers were forced to fight for the care that they deserve. Sadly, many give up, and they don't receive the care that they need and the care that they have paid for. I am far from the only physician ringing the bell on this travesty. Recent surveys show that 93 percent of doctors say that prior authorization leads to care delays, and 82 percent say that it sometimes causes patient harm. Nearly one in three state that delays have contributed to a serious adverse safety event. The current state of prior authorization allows insurance companies to deny care and pad their profits. I commend the Trump administration for bringing insurance companies to the table and forcing them to improve their process. Sadly enough, I don't believe a word that these insurance companies say because they are ever increasingly putting profits above patients. I understand that there are bad actors and those who overbill the system. I truly do. They overorder to drive up costs. The response cannot be a regime that continues delays and denies care for patients who deserve to be healthy. Congress must be bold in its action to deliver meaningful and lasting solutions to make healthcare work for all Americans. I am proud to have introduced the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act with my friend and colleague, Dr. John Joyce. As co-chairs of the GOP Doctors Caucus, our unique experience as physician-legislators gives us perspective on how the healthcare system delivers and finances care. MAIA streamlines Medicare Advantage prior authorization by enabling real-time approvals for routine care, setting up clear decision guidelines and preventing repetitive reauthorization denials, denials, denials. It also strengthens network adequacy and access centers so that seniors can obtain the full spectrum of medically necessary care when they need it. Healthcare is expensive. We are living longer because of wonderful innovations in healthcare. Yet, sadly enough, vertical integration and the middlemen are destroying the American healthcare system. We don't need to be padding the profits of middlemen, be they insurance companies, be they PBMs, or be they any individuals in the middle who are siphoning off profits away from patients and away from those who care for patients. We need to get back to a system that is streamlined, and we need to stop paying those who deny patient care.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable literary achievements and lifelong dedication to Korean literature and education of Dr. Jong-Hoi Kim. Through decades of scholarship, teaching, and cultural leadership, Professor Kim has made an enduring impact on the literary and academic communities both in Korea and abroad. Born in Goseong, Gyeongnam, South Korea, Dr. Kim graduated from the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Kyung Hee University before earning his doctorate in literature from the university's graduate school. He went on to serve as a professor in the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Kyung Hee University, where he mentored generations of students and scholars. Today, he serves as the head of the Hwang Sun-won Literary Village, Sonagi Village, and President of the Korean Literature Association, the Korean Digital Writers Association, and the Korean Dica Poetry Association. Since his literary criticism debut through Munhaksasang in 1988, Dr. Kim has served in editorial leadership roles for numerous literary journals and has led respected literary and academic organizations throughout his distinguished career. His scholarship and literary accomplishments have earned him honors including the Kim Hwan-tae Literary Criticism Award, the Kim Dal-jin Literary Award, the Pyeonun Literary Award, the Yusim Award, and the Korea Christian Arts Award. His published works and contributions to Korean literature have enriched readers and scholars around the world. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Dr. Jong-Hoi Kim for his outstanding contributions to literature, education, and cultural preservation. His lifelong commitment to advancing Korean literary scholarship continues to inspire future generations.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor someone whom I deeply admire and respect and am lucky enough to call friend, Sheriff Asa Buck, who will retire on June 1, 2026, after more than 25 years of devoted service to Carteret County. Asa was born and raised in Carteret County, graduating from East Carteret High School before earning his bachelor's in criminal justice from East Carolina University. After completing his BLET program, Asa joined the Sheriff's Office in 1999 and because of his dedication and exemplary work ethic, quickly worked his way up the ranks. In 2006, after campaigning and knocking on over 5000 doors to introduce himself to the people, he was elected to his first term as Sheriff. The citizens of Carteret County have rewarded him for his hard work, re- electing him multiple times as he has diligently served the community for over 19 years. In his role as Sheriff, Asa has made the safety of the people of Carteret County his top priority. He focused much of his time on the opioid and drug crisis that has ravaged so many North Carolina communities. He played a pivotal role in launching Carteret's ``Pills can kill,'' a drug take back program, and M.E.D.S., a medication education program on safe storage and disposal. These anti-addiction and collection programs served as a model for other counties across the state. Additionally, under his leadership, Carteret County now tops the state in arresting and prosecuting drug dealers for death by distribution. His tough stance on illegal drugs has saved countless lives. Asa's commitment to his community has been rewarded with more responsibilities. He was elected to serve as the President and Chairman of the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, selected for the Governor's Task Force for Mental Health and Substance Use, and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his contributions to his community. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is the highest civilian honor in the state of North Carolina. As Asa looks to future opportunities to serve, I know that Asa's friendly demeanor and servant leadership will be greatly missed by the county and the communities he served. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the amazing work Sheriff Asa Buck has done and wishing him the best of luck in his retirement.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Bradley ``Brad'' Brechtelsbauer, who passed away on April 15 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. I had the distinct privilege of knowing Brad for more than 40 years. We went to college and medical school together and later practiced medicine side by side in eastern North Carolina. From the very beginning, he was the kind of man you were proud to call a friend. He was steady, humble, and deeply committed to others. Brad was a gifted physician, accomplished musician of many instruments, and, most of all, a trusted and beloved friend. For nearly three decades in Greenville, he cared for patients as an ENT doctor, becoming a regional leader in cochlear implantation, giving many the gift of hearing their very first words. Brad also gave back through teaching and service, shaping future physicians in eastern North Carolina at East Carolina University's School of Medicine and contributing to the broader medical community with distinction. Beyond his accomplishments, he will be remembered most for being the great person that he was. Though he literally towered over other people at 6'9'', he was known as a gentle giant--kind, compassionate, and beloved by his patients, colleagues, and all who knew him. I recall the phone call when I first spoke with him about his lung cancer diagnosis. Even in the face of a very daunting illness, he showed remarkable courage, compassion, and grace. Brad spent the last few years of his life on his beloved farm, riding his tractor, tinkering with equipment, and playing in his cherished musical group. Mr. Speaker, along with many in our medical community, I will miss Brad dearly. May God grant comfort and peace to his family in this difficult time.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a vital member of the Jacksonville, North Carolina community, Ms. Lori Ready-DiGiovanni. Ms. Ready-DiGiovanni is receiving the 2025 HIRE Vets Platinum Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. Lori is the Human Resources Manager at Stanadyne in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where she is receiving the award. The HIRE Vets Medallion Platinum Award was designed by the HIRE Vets Act and is the only federal-level Veterans' employment award that recognizes companies for Veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. To receive this honor, companies must meet strenuous criteria regarding percentages of Veteran employees that are hired and retained, as well as provide resources to those employees that help with integration and personal growth. It is designed to highlight the companies and employees working to support our Veteran population. While this is Lori's first time receiving the award at Stanadyne, it is, in fact, her fifth award since the HIRE Vets initiative was established in 2019. An outstanding accomplishment, her receipt of this award speaks highly of her devotion and steadfast loyalty to those who have courageously defended our Nation. Lori is a wonderful example of what all executives should be doing to support our service men and women as they transition back to civilian life. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and thanking Ms. Lori Ready-DiGiovanni and her dedication to supporting the Veteran population.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize an outstanding community leader in Eastern North Carolina, Pastor Darron Carmon. Pastor Cannon will be recognized this weekend by his congregation and the community for his devotion to his faith and community. After being raised as a pastor's son, Pastor Carmon's journey took a pivotal turn when a wrongful conviction at the age of nineteen led him to spend eight years in prison. During this time, he devoted countless hours to studying and praying, eventually becoming the chaplain's assistant. In this role, he counseled fellow inmates from all backgrounds and oversaw church services seven nights a week. Upon his release, he transitioned seamlessly into a role as an assistant pastor. Building on eleven years of service, Pastor Carmon later founded Rebuild Christian Center Church in Winterville, North Carolina. As head pastor, his dedication to the community has shown through food drives, Christmas gift distribution programs, and even providing a single mother with a car. Additionally, he continues his work in correctional facilities by ministering to inmates at several local institutions. However, some of his most important works come through Sikono Mentoring, one of his two non-profits. At Sikono, Pastor Carmon leads a group providing father figures to young boys and girls who do not have active fathers in their lives. The group organizes activities and trips, and attends special events, ensuring that kids in their community are supported and guided as they grow into future leaders. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Pastor Darron Carmon for his continued selfless work in his community.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two outstanding members of the Greenville Police Department: Senior Police Officer Mackenzie Rainone and Detective Brandon Peebles for their service to eastern North Carolina. Officer Rainone, recently named the department's 2025 Officer of the Year, has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to public safety. Over the last year, she made 98 arrests, conducted more than 2,500 traffic stops, and handled 81 crashes, all while serving as lead investigator on serious cases. Just as importantly, she earned the respect of her community through her professionalism, fairness, and dignity. It is especially fitting that we recognize Officer Rainone and the example she sets forth in law enforcement this month as it is Women's History Month. I also rise to Recognize Detective Brandon Peebles as he retires after 24 years of dedicated service. Throughout his career, he played a key role in major investigations, locating missing individuals, and dismantling large-scale drug operations. Detective Peebles' legacy is not only in the cases he solved, but in the community that he made safer, helped build, and the trust he earned along the way. Mr. Speaker, I thank both Officer Rainone and Detective Peebles for their unwavering commitment to protecting the people of Greenville and keeping us safe.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shed light on some of the egregious, profit-driven practices that American health insurance companies are using to wreak havoc on the American patient. I have dedicated the last 35 years of my life to taking care of patients, primarily those in rural and underserved areas of eastern North Carolina. I have taken care of every patient who walked into my office, regardless of their ability to pay, but the American patient should not be one illness away from bankruptcy. Yes, American patients are sick, but, unfortunately, the payment system of American healthcare is sicker. Recently, I spoke passionately about this issue in a House Committee on Ways and Means hearing which hosted CEOs from the largest health insurance companies in this country for a hearing on healthcare affordability. During my time, I exposed some of the unconscionable practices of a few insurance companies that are squeezing every last penny out of patients and those who care for patients. This is a matter far beyond partisan politics. These four insurance companies alone made more than $1.1 trillion in revenue. In fact, take a look at the graph here that I pulled from Wendell Potter's recent Substack article titled: ``2025: Big Insurance's $1.7 Trillion Year.'' It shows the ridiculously insane profits of Centene, Cigna, CVS, Humana, and United over the last 2 years. To illustrate how bad things have gotten, I am going to make an example out of UnitedHealthcare because they are the worst actor. It is the largest insurance company by over $400 billion of revenue in 2024. To give people an idea of how large United has become, there are just two companies that are on top of it in the Fortune 500 list. It is the most consolidated of all insurance companies, with over 2,700 in subsidiaries. They own doctors' offices, home health agencies, pharmacies, surgery centers, and because they make so much money, they are able to finance a large bank. Size isn't just the problem. It is, however, their practice. They are mired in allegations of fraud and abuse. In fact, there are accusations right now that by playing the system to their own profit, United is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice for alleged Medicare Advantage billing and coding fraud. In fact, in 2021, United scammed the Medicare Advantage system by adding diagnoses to patients' records for conditions that no doctor treated, which triggered an extra $8.7 billion in payments. Looking at this graph over here, United doctors diagnosed things a lot more commonly in their Medicare Advantage plan than in a fee-for- service plan: A diagnosis of senile purpura, 732 to 26 in fee-for- service; obstructed leg arteries, 403 times compared to just 5 in fee- for-service; secondary hyperaldosteronism, 318 times compared to just 8 times in fee-for-service. In fact, taxpayers paid Medicare Advantage organizations $50 billion in 2021 for diseases diagnosed but not treated--a total waste of taxpayer money. It is like being diagnosed with being left-handed. There is no reason to treat it, yet they charge the government anyway. It is no wonder the cost of healthcare insurance premiums skyrocket every year. Right now the average premium cost for a family of four is $27,000 a year. Make no mistake, the ridiculous climb in premium costs could have been prevented. We all know that the Affordable Care Act was written by insurance companies for insurance companies. The unfortunate truth is that the ACA failed in its promise to lower healthcare costs. These graphs here demonstrate that since ObamaCare came into use, insurance company profits have skyrocketed. But guess what else also skyrocketed--patient premiums. Inflation has risen by 2.6 percent since 1999, while insurance premiums have risen 6 percent per year. Over the last 5 years, nearly half of small employers have had to cut profit or suffered a loss to pay for insurance premiums. The health insurance companies are bleeding the American people dry. They are destroying access to high-quality, affordable care in this country. Companies like United, which have destroyed the market with a profit-first-patient-last vertical integration, need to be broken up to restore competition in the marketplace. This is the best way to lower premiums. Congress and the administration must act boldly and swiftly before it is too late. Insurance companies have a stranglehold on Washington, D.C., and that must be stopped.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to memorialize Lance Corporal Chukwuemeka Oforah, a marine stationed at Camp Lejeune who tragically lost his life in a recent boating accident. While conducting operations in the Caribbean on February 7, Oforah fell overboard while on the USS Iwo Jima, prompting an extensive multibranch, 72-hour search-and-rescue effort by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. Despite these efforts, Oforah was later declared deceased. Despite the bravery and dedication of all those looking for him, sadly enough, his body was not found. Oforah, an infantry rifleman, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2023, graduated from Parris Island in February 2024, and completed the School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He was later assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. We mourn the loss of his life. May God give peace to his family in their time of profound grief. At the time of his passing, he was deployed with Battalion Landing Team 3/6 and the 22nd MEU aboard the Iwo Jima. We pray that the family feels the gratitude of a nation that will never forget their son's sacrifice. Our servicemembers sacrifice so much in the line of duty and risk their lives to keep our country safe and free. As the Representative of Camp Lejeune, as well as Cherry Point and New River Air Stations, I remain steadfast in my commitment to supporting our heroes in uniform and their families who stand behind them. May we honor Lance Corporal Oforah not only with our words but with our unwavering support for those who continue to serve.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Future Business Leaders of America. I include in the Record the following proclamation: Whereas, Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) is a non-profit educational organization whose first chapter was established in Johnson City, Tennessee, in 1942; and Whereas, Iowa became FBLA's first state chapter in 1947; and Whereas, Junius H. Rose officially chartered its FBLA local chapter on January 21, 1969; and Whereas, FBLA includes more than 250,000 members and advisers in 4,600 chapters nationwide in middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, career and technical schools, and private business schools; and Whereas, FBLA is a professional business organization dedicated to bringing business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs; and Whereas, FBLA members perform community service activities and strive to build a student's understanding of the realities of the modern business world; and Whereas, FBLA teaches middle school, high school, and college students basic business and leadership principles; and assists them in the transition from school to work; and Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Greg Murphy, M.D., United States Representative for North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District, recognize February 9-15, 2026, as National FBLA Week in North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District, in recognition of the activities and efforts led by the students at J.H. Rose High School.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 2433, a bill originally introduced by Representative Green of Tennessee, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026; and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet on Monday, February 9, 2026, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1849, a bill originally introduced by Representative LaMalfa of California, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the remarkable accomplishment of an outstanding young man from my district, Mr. Jacob Lewis, who, after many years of perseverance, will receive his Eagle Scout on February 7, 2026. Jacob began his scouting journey in the first grade and has risen all the way to the highest rank Eagle Scout, showing his determination to achievement and dedication to the principles of Scouting which include Duty to God, Duty to Others and Duty to Self. Through his experience, he has taken on multiple leadership roles, such as Patrol Leader, where he ran troop meetings, planned activities, and represented the troop. This role required Jacob to utilize the leadership, communication, and organization skills that scouting helps instill in our next generation of young men. Jacob set the example for what a scout should be all the way to his Eagle Scout. A key requirement Jacob had to fulfil to receive the Eagle Scout rank is to complete a self-directed and self-planned service project. These projects provide an opportunity to demonstrate leadership while benefiting the community. Jacob's service project was designing and building a donation box for his local humane society, to ensure they were able to collect donations in an organized manner. He coordinated with the society to ensure that the donations were picked up on a weekly basis. He went above and beyond to ensure his design was weather-protected and provided information to donors. This project highlights Jacob's caring nature and the values instilled in him through his scouting experience. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Jacob for his outstanding accomplishment. He has shown the attributes that will serve him well as a dedicated citizen and servant leader. He is to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Angela Emireth Flores, a constituent of mine and an exceptional student. Angela is a senior at Ocracoke High School and soon will become the first student enrolled through Hyde Academy, where she will graduate from high school with an associate degree from Beaufort County Community College. This incredible program helps students who wish to accelerate their academic careers get a jump start at the college level. As a surgeon, I am elated to hear that Angela plans on hitting the books hard to become a nurse anesthetist. I love our nurse anesthetists. Eastern North Carolina needs more dedicated and more diligent individuals in medicine. Serving patients is one of the most rewarding and meaningful career paths one can pursue, and I am glad that Angela is pursuing medicine. As a physician of 35 years, I derived great joy from treating patients and helping them in times of great difficulty. I know she will also. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Angela on her remarkable achievement, and a special thanks to her parents for nurturing her in her educational journey. I wish her the best as she furthers her studies.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to vote on the following. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 2; YEA on Roll Call No. 3; NAY on Roll Call No. 4; YEA on Roll Call No. 5; YEA on Roll Call No. 6; YEA on Roll Call No. 7; NAY on Roll Call No. 8; NAY on Roll Call No. 9; NAY on Roll Call No. 10; NAY on Roll Call No. 11; and YEA on Roll Call No. 12; YEA on Roll Call No. 13; YEA on Roll Call No. 14; YEA on Roll Call No. 15; YEA on Roll Call No. 16; YEA on Roll Call No. 17; NAY on Roll Call No. 18; YEA on Roll Call No. 19; NAY on Roll Call No. 20; NAY on Roll Call No. 21; NAY on Roll Call No. 22; YEA on Roll Call No. 23; YEA on Roll Call No. 24; and YEA on Roll Call No. 25.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to vote on the following. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 352; YEA on Roll Call No. 353; YEA on Roll Call No. 354; NAY on Roll Call No. 355; YEA on Roll Call No. 356; NAY on Roll Call No. 357; YEA on Roll Call No. 358; NAY on Roll Call No. 359; YEA on Roll Call No. 360; NAY on Roll Call No. 361; and YEA on Roll Call No. 362.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill H.R. 6504, the HELP Extension Act. My legislation provides a three-year extension of the HOPE/HELP programs. These are trade preference programs which in the past has helped deliver meaningful economic opportunities to thousands of people in Haiti who desperately need stability, hope, and a path forward. I first traveled to Haiti doing medical mission work following the devastating earthquake in 2010, and I have returned many times since. Through those visits, I have come to know the people of Haiti well. They are good, hard-working people who are resilient and strive for stability and dignity in the midst of chaos and profound suffering caused by political unrest. Today, Haiti is facing an unprecedented convergence of crises. Rampant gang violence, political uncertainty, and the near-total collapse of basic institutions have devastated daily life and pushed an already fragile nation to the brink of disaster. In this environment, economic stability is not a luxury. It is a necessity to give the people an opportunity to have some semblance of a normal life. Jobs mean food on the table, children in school, and communities that are less vulnerable to criminal influence, corruption and violence. The HOPE/HELP programs remain among the few functioning lifelines that provide lawful employment and economic stability in Haiti, and it is imperative that the U.S. play a role in these endeavors. Extending these programs will not by any means solve all of Haiti's challenges, but it will preserve jobs, provide employers with certainty, and allow them to continue employing hardworking Haitians during an extraordinarily difficult time. Stability in Haiti matters deeply to the United States. Haiti is in our own backyard. What happens there affects the broader stability of our hemisphere. When nations in our hemisphere collapse, the consequences inevitably reach our shores. Malign influences such as Islamic radicals or dictatorial regimes such as Russia and China see an avenue to gain a foothold against the U.S. in our region. Ensuring stability, opportunity, and lawful economic activity in Haiti as a defensive measure, if for not other reasons, is squarely in the national security interest of the United States. If these jobs were to disappear, it would fuel further instability and risk creating a vacuum that could be filled by gangs, transnational criminal organizations, or these hostile foreign actors. Without legitimate employment opportunities, many Haitians are left with impossible choices. Either submit to criminal networks, migrate to another country, or starve. So please understand that the HOPE/HELP program is a win-win for all parties involved. It is good for Haiti, good for America, and good for the security of the Western Hemisphere. I would also like to mention a dear friend of mine, Father Rick Frechette, a Catholic priest from Connecticut who has served the poorest of the poor in Haiti for more than 40 years. He has regularly tended to their spiritual and medical needs. Yet at the same time, he has, at his own personal peril, rescued hundreds of kidnapped individuals held ransom by these murderous bandits that control much of Port au Prince. I converse with him regularly, and he provides firsthand insight into the worsening conditions on the ground. The picture he describes is heart breaking and appalling. Several hospital guards have been killed, many hospitals workers forced to leave the country, and the threat of criminal gangs continues to be an ever- present danger. These are the real human consequences of instability. We have a moral and national responsibility to act where we can and to support policies that prevent further collapse. I urge all of my colleagues to support this critical life and nation saving legislation.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to vote on the following. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 335; YEA on Roll Call No. 336; YEA on Roll Call No. 337; YEA on Roll Call No. 338; NAY on Roll Call No. 339; YEA on Roll Call No. 340; NAY on Roll Call No. 341; YEA on Roll Call No. 342; YEA on Roll Call No. 343; YEA on Roll Call No. 344; NAY on Roll Call No. 345; NAY on Roll Call No. 346; YEA on Roll Call No. 347; NAY on Roll Call No. 348; YEA on Roll Call No. 349; NAY on Roll Call No. 350; and YEA on Roll Call No. 351.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Officer James ``XY'' Brown of the Jacksonville Police Department. A well-recognized icon in Onslow County, Mr. Brown, after 68 years of selfless service and dedication to the City of Jacksonville, is retiring this December. Prior to his service to Jacksonville, he served our country in the Army during WWII. Following that, he began volunteering in 1957 with the Jacksonville Police and officially joined the force in 1971. In his devoted and generous fashion, he currently serves as a crossing guard and public service officer, helping ensure the safety of the residents and children of Onslow County. He is well known for his positive demeanor and professionalism. Mr. Brown is currently the oldest serving police officer in the Jacksonville Police Department at a resounding 98 years old. In 2022, he was recognized by the NC Lead Project, a statewide organization whose mission is to bridge socioeconomic gaps and strengthen the community through leadership and education with a lifetime achievement award, highlighting his leadership and service to his community. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing and congratulating Mr. Brown and his service to Jacksonville and the country. I thank Mr. Brown for his commitment, and wish him the best of luck in his retirement.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in remembrance of American Hero, Retired Army Sergeant Michael Verardo. After a heroic fifteen- year battle with catastrophic injuries from his deployment to Afghanistan, Sergeant Verardo tragically lost his life this past August. He will be laid to rest on November 19, 2025, in Arlington National Cemetery. Sergeant Verardo enlisted in the Army in 2001, joining the distinguished 82nd Airborne Division as an infantryman and serving multiple tours between Iraq and Afghanistan. During his deployments, he received numerous well-deserved awards and decorations for his service, including two Purple Hearts for deeds in April 2010. He received the second award as the result of life altering injuries from an improvised explosive device detonation. He underwent extensive speech, visual, physical, and occupational therapy to recover from his injuries. During his fight, he sought to help other veterans by selflessly dedicating time to their needs and struggles. Through the Wounded Warrior Project and countless other initiatives, he worked alongside his wife, Sarah, to make meaningful changes not just in individual lives but through legislation at the state and federal levels. His wife, Sarah, continues his work as the CEO of the Independence Fund, where she supports service members, combat Veterans, their Caregivers, and families. Michael inspired many of the Independence Fund's programs, and his legacy will live on in all those they continue to help. Mr. Speaker, please join me in remembering the life and legacy of American Hero, Sergeant Michael Verardo, who will continue to serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made to protect our Nation.

Mr. MURPHY

Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mr. David ``Dave'' Fowler, who dedicated much of his life to serving the people of North Carolina. Dave was raised in Greenville and after his graduation from Western Carolina University, stayed in Jackson County to work in the local community. Dave started his career as an educator in Jackson County in the public school system, where his efforts inspired the next generation of learners. His desire to serve the public good took him to work for the Jackson County Government. He also assumed numerous volunteer roles including acting as the Chair of the County Board of Elections and Chairman of the Jackson County Republican Party. After Dave and his wife, Wanda, resettled in Eastern North Carolina, and in his role as a servant leader, he represented his community as a dedicated member of the Noon Rotary Club. Given his dedication and civic minded competence, he was appointed to the Coastal Regional Solid Waste Authority and the Carteret County Board of Equalization and Review. Given his desire to also lead in the political arena, he was later elected as Chairman of the Carteret County Republican Party. His election as a Carteret County Commissioner further paved the way for his later roles as Town Commissioner and, ultimately, Mayor of Cape Carteret. Dave's commitment and service to his communities is remembered for his selfless desire to better his community and serve all his constituents. His service has led many Eastern North Carolinians to live a better life with a brighter future. Mr. Speaker please join me in remembering Mr. David ``Dave'' Fowler's life and legacy.