Mary Miller

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, America is less safe today than when President Biden was sworn in 7 months ago. Last week, as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, they released 5,000 al-Qaida and Taliban terrorists who are armed with $85 billion of U.S. taxpayer-funded weapons as a result of the Biden administration's incompetent withdrawal. Our allies have lost respect for America, and our enemies do not fear us. At the same time, Vice President Kamala Harris has left our southern border completely exposed and vulnerable for anyone to cross, and over 200,000 people are crossing each month. This is a national security disaster with dreadful future consequences. But we shouldn't be surprised that Democrats are not concerned with public safety. They have been promoting defund the police and supporting soft-on-crime policies that have caused crime to skyrocket this past year. The key role of government is to keep our families safe, and the Biden administration has failed miserably.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Speaker Pelosi reinstated the mask mandate following the ever-changing CDC guidelines. She is even threatening to arrest staff who refuse to be obedient. The Democrats are using fear and mandates to continue the crisis mode. But the real crisis has yet to hit: depression, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, supply chain issues, halted production, economic collapse, and worse, the damage to our children's hearts and minds from being out of their school and activities. For the Speaker of the House, these mandates are all about politics and not science. That is why when she thought no one was watching, she went to a closed hair salon to get her hair done without wearing a mask. She got caught and then blamed the hair salon owner. The rules only apply to we the people. They never apply to those who are in power. Americans are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. The Democrats in this House, and the rest of the Federal Government, do not know better than you, and they never have. Since when did the Federal Government become your doctor?

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, in October of 2019, California passed legislation requiring public universities to provide chemical abortion pills to female students starting in 2023. Chemical abortions have increased. Actually, it has skyrocketed in the past 20 years from just 5 percent in 2001 to 39 percent of all abortions in 2017. We want women across the country to know that we are there for them as a pro-life movement, and there are so many other safe options other than choosing abortion. Congress must act now, not just to protect innocent babies from abortion, but to protect the vulnerable women from the lies of the abortion industry and the potential horrible physical, emotional, and spiritual damage of having a chemical abortion. This is why I have joined Congressman Chip Roy and Senator Steve Daines in introducing the Protecting Life on College Campus Act. The Protecting Life on College Campus Act would uphold the Hyde amendment and prohibit Federal funds to go to universities that provide chemical abortion pills to students. This would be another step in the right direction to save the lives of the unborn and protect the safety of women and our families. The fight for life in the United States has never been more important than today. For the first time in 40 years, the Hyde amendment was excluded from the spending bill introduced in Congress. Further, it was even cleared by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Health and Human Services. The rest of my Republican colleagues and I are ready to fight and demand that Hyde be reinstated into this year's bill.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim. Our communities in Illinois and across the Nation continue to mourn the loss of this fallen hero. Officer Oberheim was called home to be with the Lord on May 19, 2021. Officer Oberheim was on duty when he was shot and killed while attempting to protect a mother and her children. Officer Oberheim put his life on the line and made the ultimate sacrifice. As Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb stated, the debt of gratitude we owe Officer Oberheim and his family goes beyond written and spoken word. Throughout his career, Officer Oberheim put the people of his community first, and he was a true credit to the badge he wore, receiving two medals of valor for courageous acts of selfless bravery, as well as countless letters of accommodation. Officer Oberheim's life and service will not and should not be forgotten. My prayers are with his wife, Amber, as well as his four daughters, Hannah, Avery, Addison, and Aubrey. I had the great honor of speaking with Amber Oberheim, a devoted wife and a strong woman of faith. She told me that her husband had a servant's heart. His life revolved around his family and protecting others. Chris was a son, brother, coach, friend, and leader, but his family was his first priority. To honor her husband, Amber Oberheim wants to create change. She started a foundation, Peacemaker Project 703, to support brothers and sisters in blue. Amber's goal is to promote the support of our law enforcement officers and their families and to shine a light on their service and sacrifice. These are dangerous times. Please love and appreciate our officers. May God bless the Oberheim family.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Foxx for her leadership. Every small business has its own unique characteristics and challenges, and that is a good thing. Having diversity of business structures and operations is what makes America productive and competitive. The Federal Government should move with caution when they pass legislation which puts every detail and decision of American businesses under overbearing rules and regulations. There are already laws in effect which prevent employers from discriminating against older Americans. As it should be, age discrimination in the workplace is illegal. I oppose H.R. 2062 because there has not been thoughtful deliberation with the real Americans involved. The proponents of this bill have not provided the Members of this body with data and evidence which shows that the regulatory changes in this bill are needed or even wanted. The legislation before us today represents big wins for the Democrats' special interests--namely, trial lawyers, not working-class America. Our land is the land of opportunity because everyone from all ages and walks of life has the chance to participate and prosper, and thankfully, they are protected by law against discrimination. Rather than successfully addressing real-world problems, this bill will only enrich Democrats' political allies. I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the Biden administration is promoting its American Jobs Plan as an infrastructure proposal. In reality, it is just a tax-and-spend package that has little to do with actual infrastructure. We can all agree that the Nation's infrastructure is a key component to a well-functioning economy. However, Democrats are disguising a liberal wish list of big government programs as infrastructure. Of the $2.25 trillion in total spending, only 5 percent is going to go toward traditional road infrastructure projects. The Biden administration is labeling everything they propose as infrastructure in an attempt to deceive the American people into thinking that they are talking about roads and bridges. Our constituents deserve an honest accounting of what Congress proposes to do with their hard-earned tax dollars. President Biden's infrastructure plan is not about infrastructure; it is about growing the size and power of the Federal Government. This plan is fiscally irresponsible, and it adds to the massive debt burden that we are leaving our children and grandchildren. We should mourn over what we are leaving our children and grandchildren. The American people deserve better.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Republican Study Committee for hosting this important Special Order. Our Nation's taxpayers deserve to be respected when it comes to our Federal budget. Fiscal responsibility is vital for a stable, strong, and long-lasting economy. Under the current administration and Democrat control in Congress, there are actual Federal efforts being conducted at the taxpayers' expense to redefine gender and demonize traditional American values. We must put a stop to this nonsense, especially on the taxpayers' dime. I have always told my children; the government has no money except for what they extract from the American people. The Republican Study Committee released a counter budget to the extremely irresponsible and radical budget that the Biden administration has put forth. This budget would balance our Federal budget in 5 years, cut spending by $14.4 trillion over 10 years, incorporate 30-plus deregulatory legislative proposals, and reduces taxes by $1.9 trillion. The RSC budget will also adopt my bill, the Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act, to protect spaces for women and girls in schools. The bill would prevent the Title IX provisions in President Biden's executive order--it would limit them to being biological and the genetic definition of sex. I support the RSC budget proposal because it treats the government's money as its own and works to promote all the best parts in America.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Johnson for hosting this Special Order on so many important issues that our country is facing. I stand for peace, and a lasting one. Side by side, the American and Israeli people have stood for freedom and democracy in the face of authoritarian aggression. Side by side, the American and Israeli people have stood for justice with restraint in the face of reckless violence. Side by side, the American and Israeli people have stood for peace through self-defense in the face of terrorism. President Trump was working with various Islamic nation-states in the Middle East to adopt the Abraham Accords in order to foster better diplomatic relations with the nation of Israel. Unfortunately, Joe Biden has brought this peace process to a screeching halt. We know Hamas is a terrorist organization, and they are funded by Iran. The Biden administration continues to negotiate with Iran to get them back in the Iran deal. Iran is a funder of terrorists, and the Iran deal would make it easier for them to commit and fund terror. Iran has provided money to Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations. These groups' intention is to destroy Israel and the Jewish state. The ongoing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians show why America must act immediately to support Israel, condemn Hamas, and sanction those who fund terrorism. My family and I will continue to pray for the peace and safety and for the people of Israel as they combat terrorism.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, our Nation must be united in our condemnation of the acts of terror and stand in support of the State of Israel, our ally and strategic partner, the beacon of light in the Middle East. Hamas is a terrorist organization with the sole purpose of destroying Israel. Since last Monday, more than 3,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel. One of my daughter's close friends attended school in Israel. She has been awakened to rockets being fired over her head, and she has spent days on high alert, ready to run for shelter at any given moment. No country would tolerate thousands of rocket attacks against major cities and population centers. Israel has the obligation and duty to defend its citizens against the violent attacks from Hamas. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. President Trump was the President of peace. His agenda was right, and the United States should stand strong as a friend to Israel. My family and I will continue to pray for the peace and safety of the people of Israel as they combat terrorism.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1065, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The policy choices we make here in Congress about labor should be made to support the family and our freedoms. This is because work, family, and freedom support and need each other. If one of these aspects is weakened, the whole chain is weakened as well. The Federal Government is, once again, overreaching into our freedoms as Americans with this Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Passing the PWFA means that a small business or religious organization could be forced to provide paid time off for an employee to have an abortion or other concerning procedures. Instead of working to improve our systems to support families and the workplace, the Democrats are going after our First Amendment freedom of religion. Religious freedom is a bedrock principle of this country, and we must protect the ability of all Americans to act in accordance with their conscience. The Federal Government must never infringe on this sacred right. Religious organizations should be allowed to make religiously based employment decisions, and States should be the leaders in this, not the Federal Government. We have laws currently in place to protect discrimination in the workplace. The PWFA does not protect religious employers with the same protections contained in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For these reasons and more, I oppose the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I proudly signed a discharge petition in order to vote on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Along with my Republican colleagues, we are standing up for the voiceless to end this ongoing tragedy once and for all. We must end infanticide. Seventy-seven percent of Americans support protections for babies born alive after a failed abortion, but Speaker Pelosi refuses to bring up the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act for a vote. This legislation is long overdue. It is time to stand up to Speaker Pelosi and the radical Democrats' lack of regard for human life and pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. My heart aches in all instances when the dignity of human life is violated. As a Christian, I believe that the image of God in each one of us gives us intrinsic worth that cannot be assaulted. This bill simply requires an abortionist to give lifesaving treatment to a child who survives a botched abortion rather than let them die slowly.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I missed a vote on April 16, 2021. I opposed the legislation in the Education and Labor Committee. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 118.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Cloud, for this very important Special Order. The House of hypocrites may be a more fitting name than this House of Representatives. The Democrats have facilitated the building of a 10-foot-tall wall or fence with razor wire around the people's House, our national Capitol Building, and surround themselves with police and National Guard. Yet, the same people refuse to protect our Nation's border and the continued construction of our border wall. Last week, the Democrats passed two bills that diminish our Second Amendment rights. The Democrats are the people who have told you we don't need guns and walls, yet they have surrounded themselves with guns and walls for months. There are real dangers posed by allowing this massive illegal immigration invasion. We don't know who the people are that are coming or what their intentions are. We do know that a lot of them are bringing in drugs, women and children to be trafficked, COVID and other diseases, and weapons. I call on President Biden and the Democrats to stop obstructing the enforcement of our immigration laws and facilitating this invasion on our southern border.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to call up H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act, to get our kids out from behind screens and back in the classroom.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the PRO Act. The efforts by House Democrats to kill flexible work options in America do not consider the harmful effects this bill will have on mothers. This bill would force workers out of their individual labor agreements and into one-size-fits-all union contracts. I have seven children, and balancing work and family is an issue that I truly care about. For many mothers, flexible work opportunities are their lifeline. Federal law should not discourage mothers from working in positions that fit their unique schedules and needs. When given flexible opportunities, mothers are able to advance their careers while balancing competing priorities of childcare, education, caring for sick or aging family members, and so much more. The only thing that this bill is pro on is big labor. The PRO Act is a massive expansion of union bosses' power at the expense of workers and employers' freedom.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Biggs, for this Special Order. We swore an oath to defend the Constitution, which includes the Second Amendment. But now, Democrats are going back on that oath by proposing H.R. 8, saying that we should enforce universal background checks on guns. Continuing to put forth far-reaching laws on guns will only significantly increase the burden of the millions of law-abiding Americans who wish to exercise their Second Amendment right to self- defense. In my State of Illinois, Chicago has the fourth-strictest gun laws in the country, but criminal misuse of firearms in Chicago remains at the top of the list. This is because, if there is one thing that we know about criminals, it is that they don't care about obeying the law. The Second Amendment was written to prevent the government from seizing arms. H.R. 8 is an attack on our rights and is one step closer to doing exactly what our Founders were guarding against. We do not need to punish law-abiding citizens. Instead, we should do all we can to cherish and protect this right that we are so blessed to have.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, by accident, I failed to vote on H.R. 1, the ``For the People Act'' while on the floor for the vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 62.