Blake Moore

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Babin for his remarks. Mr. Speaker, our Texas delegation, as we are all in border States and as we see this piece of legislation this week is geared toward what is going on in New York, as we are all border States, I am from Utah, other States, we relied on the testimony and the experience from our Texas delegation, our Arizona delegation particularly, they have been through the worst of it, and we appreciate that. We will continue to hear from our Texas delegation and someone who has been a very consistent voice on this. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Van Duyne).

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, waiving regulations on Federal land is a dangerous precedent, and this piece of legislation is very, very important. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for a passionate speech, laced with facts that have been identified for months and months and months. I appreciate the communication. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), my good friend and colleague.

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As vice chair of the House Republican Conference, it is shaping up to be a busy, productive week for House Republicans. I am looking forward to hearing from my colleagues to discuss the issues our Conference is focused on this week, including the crisis at our border, support for Israel, and investigations into the Biden family's alleged illegal financial dealings with foreign nations. We have an energized and diverse conference, eager to make the American Dream possible for the next generation. My team and I are ready to help Members shine and deliver their message straight to their constituents and the American people. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. McClain), for the first remarks of the evening.

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Florida who has a strong and clear message. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon).

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative McClain. I appreciate the comments and I appreciate the clarity and work that the Oversight Committee does on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Donalds).

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my bipartisan amendment urging the Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, to provide a complete accounting of unpaid and partially paid claims by the COVID-19 Uninsured Program, as well as an accounting of how funding from various pandemic-era laws have been used to pay claims generated by providers under this program since it began. The amendment also presses HRSA to provide a plan for the payment of remaining legitimate claims that were made under this program. The COVID-19 Uninsured Program provided reimbursement for claims submitted by healthcare providers who provided testing, treatment, and vaccination services for uninsured individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the spring of 2022, HRSA closed the program and provided little notice or time to submit claims for services already provided under that program. I have heard from providers in my home State of Utah who are owed funds by the administration for services performed prior to the program's closure. Providers that submitted legitimate claims should be compensated for these medical services. I also believe that Congress must continue to provide robust oversight on this program and other pandemic-era laws to ensure funds were used appropriately and in line with congressional intent. For example, a July 2023 HHS OIG report estimated that nearly 19 percent of the uninsured program payments made on behalf of 3.7 million patients were improper. A full accounting of HHS' use of pandemic funding will ensure Congress has the tools and information necessary to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. I have been supportive of efforts to address improper payments by Federal agencies more broadly and to ensure that our government operates efficiently and effectively. Understanding how these dollars have been utilized by the Department would build on these efforts. The administration has continued to provide funding for other testing, treatment, and vaccination initiatives following the program's closure. In addition, the Fiscal Responsibility Act rescinded billions in funding for the provider relief fund because that money sat unused for well over a year following HRSA's closure of the uninsured program. PRF funds had been intended, in part, to reimburse providers for services provided to uninsured patients. I strongly encourage the administration and HSRA to work with Congress and provide an accounting of the funding for the uninsured program. The American people deserve accountability and cooperation from the executive branch. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Chairman, in 2015, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council was created specifically to improve ``the transparency, predictability, and outcomes of the Federal environmental review and authorization process for certain large-scale critical infrastructure projects.'' One of its core missions is to enhance coordination between Federal and State environmental reviews and provide more transparency. As my constituents in Utah and my colleagues here know, our permitting system has long been too complex. Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 1, the landmark bill aimed at lowering energy costs and improving our permitting process. We also passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act this year, which includes important wins to expedite permitting. It was broadly accepted, broadly supported. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle understand the importance of permitting reform because we cannot reduce emissions, lower energy prices, or address vulnerabilities in our supply chain without it. Unfortunately, in September, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council proposed a rule to limit the scope of mining projects eligible for this expedited process. This proposed change is shortsighted and exacerbates the permitting delays that stifle the domestic mining industry and our efforts to produce cheaper, cleaner energy. This will hurt critically important mining projects in my home State of Utah and across our entire Nation. Congress established the steering council to address the delays that continue to be one of the most substantial risks to meeting mineral production goals. This proposed change will threaten U.S. national security and mineral production objectives. I urge the administration to reverse course, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I will just close with this: We have a shortage. We have to rely on foreign sources for some of our critical minerals. If this rule goes through, it will limit the scope of what we need. It will limit the scope of what we need for our Department of Defense, for national security, and for the environmental agencies. We have to be able to look at what we can do better here in America so we can provide cleaner technology. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2717, the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act. I thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership in prioritizing this important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, Woody Williams was born on a West Virginia dairy farm in 1923 and was first drawn to the Marine Corps by their trademark uniforms. At 5-foot-6, Williams was unable to enlist in the Marines due to height restrictions. After that regulation was changed in 1943, Woody enlisted and was in the Pacific theater in less than 90 days. On February 21, 1945, then-Corporal Williams landed on the beach at Iwo Jima, where he distinguished himself by repeatedly risking the threat of enemy fire and bayonet charges over several hours while singlehandedly destroying enemy pillboxes, or concrete trenches, to make way for American tanks and infantry. His gallant actions took place on the same day as the famous flag raising on Mount Suribachi, which he witnessed from about 1,000 yards away. After returning home, President Harry Truman awarded Corporal Hershel Williams the Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest recognition for valor in combat. He recognized his ``aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action, [sustaining] and [enhancing] the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.'' Following his distinguished marine career, Williams continued to serve others in many capacities. Some of my colleagues may remember last summer when Hershel Williams lay in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda as the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient to pass away. Since its inception by President Lincoln in 1862, 3,517 brave soldiers have received the Nation's highest honor for going above and beyond the call of duty and risking life and limb in selfless service to their countrymen. This elite class represents less than 0.001 percent of the 40 million brave sons and daughters who have served in the Armed Forces since the American Civil War. While a permanent memorial for Medal of Honor recipients has been discussed for years, it was not until 2021 when President Biden signed a bill that Congressman Veasey and I introduced to authorize the creation of a new monument to honor those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Today, we continue this work to authorize the creation of this monument in the Reserve, also known as the great cross-axis of The National Mall. The monument will stand as a testament to those who protect our Nation's values, such as the nearly half dozen from my home State of Utah. We envision it as an educational platform for future generations to learn about what has been required to maintain our Republic. By siting this monument near the Lincoln Memorial, we can pay fitting tribute to the President who established the award and embodied its principles. Our work to form a more perfect Union is unending, and I find it fitting that a monument honoring our Nation's greatest heroes will be visible from the memorial honoring one of our greatest martyrs. Today, our Nation finds itself sharply divided along partisan lines. This monument will remind our great Nation and its people that there is far more that unites us than divides us. It is my hope that constructing this monument in its rightful place will inspire all Americans and allow us to pay our respects to and learn from these individuals and these families who, in Lincoln's words, ``have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2717.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 365, and YEA on Roll Call No. 366.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. This is not a safety issue.

Mr. MOORE of Utah. This is simply special interests playing over here. Let the free market decide.

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, all this amendment is doing is adding seven flights, because in 1966, we went with an overregulated approach, and the citizens of the Western United States need to be able to come to the Nation's Capitol. It is the most expensive place to travel to. All we are trying to do is lower prices and increase competition. Traditionally, these are very conservative principles that we all should be able to support. We all support the free market. We have to be able to look and say: Things were different in 1966 than they are now. Planes are more quiet.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for votes on May 30th. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 238, YEA on Roll Call No. 239, and YEA on Roll Call No. 240.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act, which addresses the urgent need to safeguard taxpayer dollars from unemployment insurance fraud schemes. One of our most crucial oversight duties is to ensure the responsible use of taxpayer funds. Recent reports from the White House, GAO, the Department of Labor, and other organizations have exposed the alarming theft of up to $400 billion in taxpayer dollars due to unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID pandemic. This revelation demands immediate action. What we are trying to accomplish here is to show a plan that is feasible to be able to go after this fraud. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about wanting to go after fraud, too. These arguments that we are talking about are missing the point. This bill will go after the fraud that took place. We introduced H.R. 1163, and it will help enable the recovery of lost dollars, ensuring that this stolen money is reclaimed. While fraud has been widespread across this Nation, some States have demonstrated success in minimizing these losses. In Utah, my home State, overpayment due to fraud consisted of less than 1 percent of total benefits disbursed. I am proud of this. Our leaders in Utah have done an excellent job managing and protecting these resources thanks to the systems and processes implemented by former Governor Herbert, Governor Cox, their administrations, and the Utah State legislature. The Federal Government must now work to restore public trust. It starts with holding bad actors accountable. This bill will enable that by strengthening the integrity of our systems for the future and encourage States to be proactive rather than reactive. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this fiscally responsible bill.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Limit, Save, Grow Act. Every time I talk about debt, deficit spending, the budget-- anything--I think about my four boys who are 10 years of age and under. I bring it up a lot, and it drives what I do. It gets me out of bed every single day to be working on this. I just can't hear one more time: Well, let's just raise the debt ceiling, and then let's get to work on this. It is no longer time for that. We cannot accept not using every single opportunity that we have back here in Congress to address this. I am in my second term in Congress. I have sat on the sidelines, and I have watched us constantly do this over and over again. I want to see something substantive happen here. That is what we are doing here today, Mr. Speaker. We are trying to do something substantive. Our debt exceeds $30 trillion. The optimism of our future depends on what we do over the next 10 years. We have learned that the outcome is not good for empires that overextend themselves like we have done. America has done this before, and we are at an inflection point. Our debt to GDP is where it was right after World War II, and for the bulk of the 21st century, we were able to get our debt to GDP down. We have to take action, and we have to do it now. Let's use this opportunity like we have done over the last 30 or 40 years when there is a debt ceiling increase that comes up. Let's take advantage of this, and let's find a way to reduce our spending. That is the best way to address our debt-to-GDP ratio, and I know everybody in this Chamber understands that. We have an opportunity. This spring is our moment, again, to stop debt-fueled spending sprees and give our children a fair shot at success and not a mountain of IOUs. This act saves $4.8 trillion, it grows our economy and our workforce, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 185, and YEA on Roll Call No. 186.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to honor the abundant and exceptional life of Mr. Minoru Hamada as he celebrates his 100th birthday. Born in Ogden to Japanese immigrants, Mr. Hamada embodies the best our country has to offer and has made Utah proud. When much of the nation turned a suspicious eye toward their Japanese American neighbors following the Japanese Empire's attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Hamada saw an opportunity to demonstrate his allegiance to the United States. He volunteered for the military, joining with other Japanese Americans to serve as members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Many of his fellow soldiers in the 442nd were incarcerated in internment camps created to house Japanese Americans in accordance with President Roosevelt's executive order. Mr. Hamada and his fellow Japanese American soldiers saw the war as a chance to fight totalitarianism abroad and racial prejudice at home. The 442nd remains the most-decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service. As a member of the American forces fighting German and Italian fascists for control of the Italian peninsula, Mr. Hamada was wounded in battle. He served in uniform for another two years. After the war, he married his sweetheart, Martha. They were married for 61 years until she passed in 2007. They delighted in raising two kids and now have two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mr. Hamada continued his service to Utah's defense community, making dental prosthetics at Hill Air Force Base and for a local dentist in Layton. It is through the service and sacrifice of individuals like Mr. Hamada that allow all Americans to live in freedom. His life is a model of courage, selfless-service and altruism that we can all learn from. I thank Mr. Hamada on behalf of his fellow Utahns and a grateful nation for his service and wish him a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, as our country grapples with how to respond to this pressing moment facing women, families, and children, I believe we must strive for a better, more compassionate future. All Americans want women and their babies to be safe, loved, and empowered, no matter their situation or socioeconomic status. I believe Americans are capable of seizing this moment and coming together to support those facing tremendous challenges and uncertainty. We can support critical, comprehensive services for women in need. We can make it easier for working-class families to earn money and raise children, and we can support the rights and dignity of our youngest Americans. This month, I was elected to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, and I intend to use this position to do better by American families. We owe our most vulnerable children more effective policies that give them a better runway to achieve their dreams in a broken world. I am engaging on Title IV-B and IV-E programs to ensure child welfare and foster care programs are as evidence based as MIECHV. I am engaging on the Connecting Forever Families Act to expedite foster care placements and help child welfare courts adopt new procedures to address the unacceptable delays and backlogs for children waiting for placements in supportive homes. I will fight for children in foster care who have to spend nights in shelters, government offices, or other inappropriate settings because of our congregate care crisis. I am shedding light on the unfair audit rates of families who have claimed their adoption tax credit, 70 percent of whom were audited in the most recent available data. Children are obviously our future and we must work harder to ensure every child has the opportunity and resources to thrive and succeed.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I hereby remove my name as cosponsor of H.R. 25.

Mr. MOORE of Utah

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, today, we begin the work to reform our government to work better for the American people and not against them. So what do I mean by that? The last 2 years Democrats have had control of the White House, House, and Senate, and they have passed and attempted historic spending provisions. In order to do that, you have to raise revenue. This bill became a ploy to leverage the IRS to be able to essentially do that without directly raising taxes. That is what we are talking about here. I represent thousands of IRS employees. They are some of the best, most hardworking people in my entire district. As I talk to them, they care about two major things: customer service, and that technology needs to be improved. That is what I love about this bill because that keeps that in here, and we actually want to focus our spending to be able to directly support them. As we put forth this bill, we are sincerely trying to take what all of our constituents have been saying: We need the IRS to have more support on customer service and technology. That is why I urge everybody to vote ``yes'' on this bill.