Mary Miller

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. Mr. Speaker, I remind everybody again that our Founding Fathers did not shy away from sharing their faith. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Surgeon General of the Continental Army, ratifier of the American Constitution, father of American medicine, Treasurer of the U.S. Mint, father of public schools under the Constitution, said: ``By renouncing the Bible, philosophers swing from their moorings upon all moral subjects. It is the only correct map of the human heart that ever has been published.'' Daniel Webster said: ``The Bible is a book . . . which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow man.'' ``Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens.'' ``The Christian religion--its general principles--must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society.'' I conclude by saying that I begin almost every morning by reading Psalm 25, and I encourage us as a country to read that and pray over it. I have almost gotten it memorized. Psalm 25 reads: ``To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait on You shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You, I wait all the day long.'' God's Word unites, and I believe this body would function a lot better if we took a little time each morning to pray and meditate on this Psalm. It is Psalm 25. What a privilege that we get to share our faith on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I thank each of my colleagues for participating in this year's Faith Month Special Order. I especially thank the ladies of Concerned Women for America for their work in sharing their faith across our great Nation. Mr. Speaker, may God continue to bless our Nation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the SAVE Act, which includes robust measures to prevent illegal aliens from participating in our elections. Under Joe Biden, millions of illegal aliens flooded into our country, and many were given the benefits and privileges that should be reserved for American citizens. In Illinois, JB Pritzker and the Democrats rolled out the red carpet and actively enticed illegals and those covered by Biden's bogus asylum programs to settle in my State, to the tune of over 500,000 people. They received welfare benefits, CDL licenses, and State identification. The Democrats have even voted to allow them to be law enforcement officers. I do not have to tell you how dangerous this situation is for Americans, especially for Americans' confidence in the sanctity of our elections. As far-left jurisdictions seek to allow illegals to vote in local elections, let me be clear about this one thing at this point: Every vote cast by an illegal alien is a vote stolen from an American citizen. Congress must defend the integrity of our elections. We must aggressively push back against the left's attempts to change the electorate and dilute the voices of actual Americans in our democratic process. This past week and today, all we hear are the Democrats sharing their concerns that rural Americans, women, and people of color are not capable of getting an ID. This is insulting and condescending and an untrue argument. You need an ID for most everything else in daily life. Maybe if the Democrats would quit pushing for our schools--

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, maybe the Democrats should quit wasting so much time in our public schools indoctrinating our children and, instead, teach them real-life skills such as reading, civics, and how to get an ID. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of this bill.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the declaration below on behalf of Moms for America. As the mothers, chief architects of the homes of America, and molders of the future of our nation, we declare that the liberty and freedom of all people begin in the home and that a nation is but a magnified home. The values and virtues taught within the family will determine the values and virtues of the Nation as a whole. We uphold the laws of nature affirming the gender roles of male and female as essential elements for the perpetuation of life. As life is our most fundamental right, protected by the Constitution, so too is the truth that God created two distinct genders--male and female--each with purposeful design and irreplaceable roles. We honor both mothers and fathers working together to protect and nurture the fundamental unit of society which is the family. We recognize the sacred role of mother as the heart of the home and home as the heart of society. The liberty of each individual begins in the home and parents are, first and foremost, the primary teachers and protectors of their children in a free society. Properly constructed social, religious, and governmental institutions are designed to support and strengthen the family unit, not restrict it, regulate, or replace it. No association or government organization can replace the family no matter how well- intentioned or well-designed it may be. The privilege of living as a free people in a free society is dependent on being a people of faith, virtue and patriotism--the three pillars of liberty--and these attributes are best developed and nurtured in the home. Each generation has a responsibility to instill a love of liberty and virtue in the hearts of the next generation. We affirm that ``All men and women are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights and to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, [receiving] their just powers from the consent of the governed.'' To secure the blessings of liberty, the Founding Fathers of the United States of America created a written constitution under the inspiration of Almighty God. The preservation of this sacred document and trust is dependent upon each generation who bears the stewardship of safeguarding the constitution and teaching their children the rights and responsibilities associated with the noble cause of liberty and keeping the Republic. Every individual is born with intrinsic dignity that is inherent to each member of the human race with life being our most fundamental inalienable divine right. All men and women have the right to liberty, self-determination and self- governance. The individual's responsibility of work, education, and industry are crucial elements of self- governance in society and the preservation of human dignity. The rights of a free people are protected and preserved through honorable, virtuous, leadership which invokes the nobility inherent in all men and women. As the lessons of history clearly demonstrate, we recognize that freedom is fragile. It is a rare and prized possession and requires constant care and vigilance for its preservation. Living as a free people does not come instinctively; principles of freedom must be studied and applied. Home and families with mothers who nurture and teach these principles produce leaders who honor and hold sacred the intrinsic dignity of the individual and inalienable rights endowed to all people. To safeguard the liberty and enhance the future of our grandchildren, we affirm our commitment to ``stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made us free'' that ``government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.''

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged from further consideration of H. Res. 190, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is a great day in America. We heard from President Trump last night. Clearly, he loves our country. He is amped up to fulfill his promises and get things done that matter to Americans. Thank God for a landslide victory. We can only imagine the dreadful consequences if Kamala would have been our President. I am afraid that Barack Obama's dream of fundamentally transforming our country would have been complete. President Trump is getting it done for the American people, America first as every President should have been. Americans have been abused by a bloated, unaccountable government. We all knew that taxpayers were being abused, but the level of abuse to use the hard-earned money that taxpayers have had to cough up to promote evil in our country and to fund terrorists around the world, it is unbelievable. Thank God for Elon Musk and for DOGE to uncover all the waste, fraud, and abuse. I thank President Trump for securing our border and deporting the murderers, rapists, terrorists, and gang members. I thank him for going after terrorists. I thank him that we are not going to be taken advantage of anymore by unfair tariffs, trade agreements, and funding wars around the world. Instead of driving our manufacturing overseas, I thank President Trump for incentivizing companies to come back and create jobs and leave the money here in our country. I thank him for incentivizing production, for deregulating so Americans can be creative and productive like they want to be. I thank him for getting our economic machine going. Finally, I thank President Trump for standing up for women, for declaring that there are two sexes, that we were created by God, and that we need God's help. Mr. Speaker, I urge our country, as it says in 1 Timothy, to pray for those who are in authority. To every child in America, we agree with President Trump. They are perfect exactly the way God created them.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, Senator Mike Lee and I will reintroduce the Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net Act, also known as the SCREEN Act. The average age of a child's first exposure to pornography is 11 years old. Blocking and filtering software is ineffective, with nearly 80 percent of children and teens between the ages of 12 and 17 being exposed to pornography. Not only has pornography become easier to access, but the content has descended further into violence and degradation, glamorizing assault, physical abuse, and nonconsensual acts. As children become desensitized to depictions of sexual abuse, research indicates that adolescent users internalize and emulate these harmful behaviors. Research reveals a list of psychological effects stemming from modern pornography on the developing brain include anxiety, addiction, low self-esteem, body-image disorders, an increase in problematic sexual activity in younger ages, and increased desire among minors to engage in risky sexual behaviors. There are 16 States that have declared youth exposure to pornography to be a serious public health issue, and 19 States have enacted some form of website age verification requirement. The Supreme Court is poised to rule on the Texas age verification law. Whether they apply strict scrutiny or a lower form of judicial review, it is abundantly clear that the SCREEN Act is the answer. We must take decisive action to protect our children from the scourge of pornography. I urge the House and Senate to act swiftly in passing the SCREEN Act so that President Trump can sign it into law.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I commend President Trump for his steps to close down the Department of Education and to return power back to the parents. For too long the Department of Education has overstepped its bounds, imposing top-down policies that have done more harm than good. Since its creation, this bureaucracy has grown into a bloated, unaccountable institution that prioritizes Federal control over the actual needs of our children. It has drained billions of taxpayer dollars, while delivering little in the way of education. Sadly, we have declining test scores, a one-size-fits-all curriculum, and policies that have often placed ideology over learning. It is time to recognize that the Federal Government does not know what is best for our sons and daughters. Decisions about education should be made at the State and local level by those who are closest to the students, not by bureaucrats in Washington. Eliminating the Department of Education isn't radical. It is common sense. I thank President Trump for standing up for all the parents and students across this Nation.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank President Trump for his efforts to reverse the harmful immigration policies of the last administration. On his first day in office, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and reinstated policies to stop the flood of illegal immigrants into the United States. Under the Biden administration, migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border reached an all-time high. Open-border policies made it easier for military-aged men to enter our country and allow drug and human traffickers to take control of our borders. In 2024 alone, Customs and Border Protection seized over 21,000 pounds of fentanyl at the U.S.-Mexico border. Fentanyl overdoses during this time remained to be the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. I applaud President Trump for taking border security seriously, including his threat to impose tariffs on Mexico, which led their President to deploy 10,000 members of the Mexican National Guard to strengthen border security. It is time the rest of the world sees again we have a President willing to put America first.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a family farmer, I am very concerned with America's prime farmland being covered with taxpayer- subsidized solar panel installations. Food security is national security, and if we cover our farm ground with Chinese solar panels, we will become dependent on foreign adversaries for food. According to the EPA, solar panels contain hazardous waste that can be harmful to human health. That is why we should be alarmed by the increasing number of solar panels being installed on our most fertile farmland, especially when the Federal Government is handing out tax credits for it. Today, I reintroduced the No Solar Panels on Fertile Farmland Act to stop Federal Government tax incentives for installing Chinese solar panels on American farmland. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation and put an end to the left's green bad deal that puts fake environmental goals over food security.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in defense of women. I rise in support of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act which safeguards our daughters from the radical Democrats' agenda to have our daughters and granddaughters compete against and share locker rooms with men. Allowing grown men to compete in women's sports puts the safety of our daughters at risk. We have already seen numerous examples of female athletes being injured by grown men who claim to be women. The physical advantages possessed by male athletes are undeniable. Allowing men to compete alongside women undermines the integrity of women's sports and diminishes the hard work, dedication, and dreams of female athletes. This bill ensures that individuals participate in sports according to their biological sex and keeps men out of our daughters' locker rooms and showers. By passing this bill, we honor the legacy of Title IX and protect the future of women's athletics.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, we are sending a clear message to the radical Democrats we will no longer tolerate our daughters being taken advantage of.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about a national bestseller, a book that has changed the world and had a tremendous impact on my life, the Bible. I regularly pray the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:9: ``Whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.'' I want God to be glorified through every meeting I go to, every speech I give, and every vote I make. My husband and I strive to instill Biblical values in our seven children, and that foundation has provided them with the stability they need to weather life's storms, something they are passing on to our 20 grandchildren. I firmly believe the Word of God is the answer to any problem we face in life, providing clear distinctions between good and evil. Psalms 119:105 says: ``Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'' Our Nation is floundering because we have neglected eternal truth. We no longer respect life, the distinctions between men and women, the beauty of marriage and family, the value of hard work, or the danger of falling into debt. That is why following God's Word is essential to the success of our Republic. George Washington said: ``It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.'' Psalms 18:30 says: ``As for God, his way is perfect. The Word of the Lord is proven. He is a shield to all who trust in Him.'' Whatever problems we face, political, professional, or personal, the answers are found in the Bible. Tyrants have tried to destroy it, but the Word of God endures forever. I urge my colleagues to take a few moments each day to read a couple of chapters, a psalm, and a proverb. I am confident it will change their life and our Nation.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disapproval of Joe Biden's decision to issue a blanket pardon for his son Hunter Biden. During the time covered by the pardon, Hunter was working for entities controlled by foreign governments without registering as a foreign agent. According to the House Oversight Committee report, $20 million in cash and diamonds was paid to Biden LLCs by entities controlled by China, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine, yet there were no Foreign Agents Registration Act charges. Now, Biden issued his son a blanket pardon covering a decade of illicit activity. Hunter's crimes were published in the Marco Polo report. The report can be found at bidenreport.com. The American people deserve to know the truth.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of my constituent, George William Hawthorne. George is a 102-year-old World War II veteran living in Sidney, Illinois, whose life has been a testament of service to God, country, and family. George grew up in Granville and Ottawa, Illinois, where his family were faithful attendees of the Congregational Church. George's family has a proud tradition of service to the country. His family enlisted in World War I, and George was active in the Ottawa Cadet Corps. After high school, George worked several jobs to support the war effort following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was eager to do more to defend his country, so he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on October 2, 1942. Due to the attrition rates among bomber crews, there was an urgent demand for pilots. George courageously rose to the challenge. His class of cadets was raced through training at twice the typical speed to fulfill the need for pilots, and many cadets dropped out of the program. George excelled and won his wings as second lieutenant on April 14, 1944. He was set to pilot a B-24 Liberator on a 13-hour flight to the Pacific theater. As he awaited departure, George became ill and was hospitalized with a serious infection. While in the hospital, his crew left for the Pacific. Tragically, the plane went down in the Philippine Sea after an onboard explosion that claimed the lives of several crewmates. George still wanted to do his part to serve his country. He trained another crew and prepared for the invasion into Japan. He flew to Hawaii and was stationed there when President Truman made the decision to use atomic bombs. George finished out his time in the service flying a rescue squadron and was honorably discharged on October 29, 1946. He entered the Air Force Reserve and served there until July 31, 1960, attaining the rank of captain. Madam Speaker, after leaving the military, George continued his legacy of service by investing in his church community. He attended church regularly and served on multiple boards, committees, and volunteer projects. He also raised three wonderful children with his wife of 64 years, Louise. Through all his years, George has remained passionate about his country and the freedom that makes it great. Like his father before him, George understands the value and the responsibility of serving in our Nation's military and defending our freedom. He instilled these values in his children and grandchildren, and many of his family members have continued George's legacy of military service. He remains passionate about defending liberty, his family, and his right to practice his faith in Jesus Christ. At 102, George is still excited about the future and has plans for things he still wants to accomplish. He is thankful to God for all he has been given, and he loves to talk about his experiences and the lessons he has learned on his journey through life. On behalf of Illinois' 15th Congressional District, it is my honor to recognize Captain George Hawthorne for his courage and selfless service to our Nation.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disapproval of Joe Biden's decision to issue a blanket pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. During the time covered by the pardon, Hunter was working for entities controlled by foreign governments without registering as a foreign agent. According to the House Oversight Committee, $20 million in cash and diamonds was paid to Biden LLCs by entities controlled by China, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine. Yet, there were no Foreign Agents Registration Act charges. Now, Biden issued his son a blanket pardon covering a decade of illicit activity. Hunter's crimes were published in the ``Marco Polo Report.'' This report can be found at bidenreport.com. The American people deserve to know the truth.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the work and legacy of my friend, Representative Debbie Lesko. It has been such a pleasure to serve with her in the 117th and 118th Congress. When I first arrived, Representative Lesko was the most generous with her time, helping me navigate my way, answering questions, and offering advice. I was so grateful. Representative Lesko is a genuinely good person, a true servant of our country, and a smart and fine lady also. I thank her for that example that she has given. Representative Lesko has a sincere care for our children and our grandchildren, and wants to make sure that they are left with a legacy and access to the freedom and opportunities that we have all had to pursue the American Dream. Debbie, I wish you all the best as you go back to Maricopa County, Arizona, to serve the good people there.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, the Biden-Harris administration is once again putting its radical political agenda ahead of the well-being of the American people. The administration's new rule would put the retirement fund of millions of Americans at risk by forcing fiduciaries to consider ESG over financial factors. This is deeply irresponsible. ESG funds are well known for poor performance and high risk, yet this administration is encouraging fiduciaries to gamble with retirees' hard-earned savings. This rule shows that the Biden-Harris administration doesn't care about the financial security of millions of retirees. Retirement savings should focus on maximizing returns, not advancing the far left's political agenda. Americans invest to provide for themselves and their families, not to fund activist projects or woke policies. Fortunately, Republicans are taking action to stop this dangerous trend with the Protecting Americans' Investments from Woke Policies Act. This bill ensures that retirement plans are focused solely on economic factors, protecting workers' savings from politically driven, underperforming ESG investments. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment that would reduce Deputy Secretary Jake Li's salary to $1. Prior to joining the EPA under the Biden administration, Jake Li spent over a decade of his career working for liberal nongovernmental organizations who remain solvent by litigating entities, including the EPA, for agricultural practices they disagree with, regardless of the utility to America's farm families and consumers. Despite Congress passing language requiring EPA to take USDA feedback into account when developing mitigation measures, these proposals were developed without EPA input, leading USDA to express substantial concerns about the severe economic consequences for some farmers. According to USDA estimates, the cost for all corn acres in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska to comply with the herbicide strategy could be upwards of $5.5 billion, and that estimate is for just one commodity across three States. This regulatory overreach is just another example of the burdensome regulations EPA forces on our farm families and those living in rural America just to cater to the demands of environmental extremists like those Jake Li used to work with. Frankly, even $1 is too much for the chief architect of these wrongheaded and callous strategies that seek to put American farmers and ranchers out of business. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. I urge support of my amendment, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise as the designee for the gentleman from South Carolina, and I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would prohibit funding for the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Workgroup that advances the Biden administration's radical DEI agenda. This workgroup's website links to a page of resources with hundreds of woke documents. From the military to corporations to Federal agencies, we have seen time and time again that the DEI mission fosters division in the workplace. DEI undermines our shared American identity and distracts from the missions of our Federal agencies. DEI hurts recruiting efforts and erodes trust between all Federal employees and the government they serve. At a time when our growing national debt has surpassed $34 trillion, we cannot continue to use taxpayer dollars to fund wasteful and unnecessary woke programs. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and prohibit funding for policies that advance the Biden administration's radical diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda, and I reserve the balance of my time.