Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee, Representative Westerman, both for yielding and also for all of his diligent efforts in helping us pass the Alexander Lofgren VIP Act. Madam Speaker, our Nation is in crisis. Right now, over half of Iowa is experiencing a moderate to extreme drought. This dire situation is mirrored around the country, with thousands of counties across the West experiencing historic drought conditions. This situation has a widespread impact on our way of life. For my constituents, it means our farmers and ranchers must fight even harder to make ends meet after this pandemic. As drought conditions worsen, so does the cost of irrigation. Less water means less yield, less in their pockets at the end of the day, and less in the ground for the next year. For our fellow Americans out West, not only does this drought harm farmers and ranchers, but the real threat of wildfires is made dramatically worse by the lack of moisture. Madam Speaker, this is shameful and avoidable. The government cannot make it rain, but it can and should plan for the future. Republicans have consistently advocated for increased water storage and regulatory streamlining, which would help conserve water for the dry years. These measures have been largely opposed by our Democrat colleagues. Now, as we move into August experiencing another major drought season, this majority and this administration have no plan, no solution, and have taken no action to prepare for the next drought season. Madam Speaker, not only is there no plan, but this current administration is actively making it more difficult for Iowans to access the water they need. During his confirmation hearing, EPA Administrator Michael Regan stated that the Biden administration doesn't ``have any intention of going back to the original Obama WOTUS.'' Unfortunately, on June 9, the EPA announced its intention to revise the definition of the waters of the United States once again and reopen the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. This decision is misguided and undoes the good work and progress achieved by the Trump administration. I have spoken with Iowans dozens of times about the issues created by the 2015 WOTUS rule. WOTUS hurts American farmers, ranchers, landowners, homebuilders, businesses, and just the average, ordinary property owner. It has caused confusion and hindered economic development. By reopening this rule, the Biden administration once again threatens economic development and creates uncertainty for rural America. Madam Speaker, creating this uncertainty, especially during this drought crisis, is a mistake. We should uphold the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and ensure that all Americans have straightforward access to the water they need to thrive and especially to survive. Thank you to the ranking member of the Committee on Natural Resources, Representative Westerman, for organizing today's Special Order to highlight this ongoing crisis.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can take up H.R. 471, the PAUSE Act, which was introduced by my colleague and friend, Representative Yvette Herrell. As a physician and former Director of Public Health for the State of Iowa, I am proud to cosponsor this legislation, and I believe we must bring this to the floor today. This legislation would prohibit the Federal Government from ceasing or lessening the implementation of COVID-19 border health provisions until the COVID-19 public health emergency is no longer in effect, both at the Federal level and all 50 States. At the start of the pandemic last year, through the Centers for Disease Control, President Trump implemented Title 42 border health restrictions. These commonsense restrictions ensure that people crossing our northern and southern border do not present a public health risk to our country. President Biden, to his credit, had left some of these restrictions in place as our country works to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic, until now. Now, the Biden administration is considering eliminating Title 42 border health restrictions and allowing individuals who pose a health risk to enter into our country. This comes in the same week where the President is considering requiring Federal employees to be vaccinated because of the delta variant, and this comes a day after this Chamber is reimplementing a mask policy due to rising cases of COVID-19 across the country, and the Senate is not. Mr. Speaker, the President is rightfully concerned about the rising number of COVID cases across the country, the vast majority of which are among the unvaccinated. While the President and I have different ideas on the best way to stop this virus, it is clear we all want Americans to be safe and healthy from this virus. Yet, while this administration is considering more COVID restrictions for American citizens on one hand, it is planning to loosen restrictions on migrants at the border on the other. This has opened our borders to an unparalleled surge that is not diminishing and is also risking bringing north the lambda variant, just as the Texas House Democrats brought north the delta variant. This administration is considering ending Title 42 restrictions in the middle of a public health crisis at our southern border. Last week, reports indicated that the number of migrants who tested positive for COVID-19 in the Rio Grande Valley sector has increased by 900 percent. Last month alone, over 188,000 migrants were encountered at the border, and 105,000 of those were turned away under Title 42 restrictions. If we are going to eradicate COVID, we cannot afford to repeal Title 42. Lifting these restrictions would threaten the health and safety of U.S. citizens and could lead to higher levels of migration. Our Border Patrol agents and CBP officers are already dealing with migration surges, they support the continuance of Title 42, and we must ensure that they have the tools and processes needed to protect themselves and our country. This includes the ability to process migrants under Title 42 health restrictions until the public health emergency ends. Additionally, testing for COVID-19 should be done at all airports or other ports of entry. Eliminating Title 42 would only exacerbate the current administration's crisis at our southern border and likely lead to an increased public health crisis. Failure to either close the border or continue Title 42 puts all American lives at risk, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. I urge Americans to get vaccinated so we can eradicate this virus. I urge the President not to repeal Title 42 restrictions. And I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can bring the PAUSE Act to the floor and keep Title 42 border health restrictions in place until the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Natural Resources Committee, and I thank Representative Westerman for yielding me time to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 4300, the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act. I was so proud to introduce this overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation with a fellow veteran, Congressman Gallego. Our commonsense legislation would give our servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star families free passes to all of our beautiful national parks and Federal lands for life. This is a reasonable piece of legislation that will support those who sacrifice so much for our liberties. Our Nation is blessed to have some of the most beautiful national parks and public lands. Each year, millions of Americans access the more than 2,000 Federal recreation areas, including national parks, national forests, and wildlife refuges. This includes some of the Nation's most iconic national treasures, from Acadia National Park in Maine and the Dry Tortugas in Florida to the Redwood National and State Parks forest in California and the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska. In 2020, the America the Beautiful annual pass became free for veterans and Gold Star families. However, this change for veterans has never been put into law and could be undone in future years. My bill protects these veteran passes by codifying them into law and making them lifetime passes instead of annual passes that would have to be re-sent every year. Making these passes lifetime instead of annual also makes the job of the Park Service easier and ensures our veterans have full access to the benefits they so richly deserve. Finally, my legislation also creates annual passes for current servicemembers, which can be converted into lifetime passes once they retire. From sea to shining sea, we are a Nation of incredible beauty and biodiversity. Congress recognizes the mental and physical health benefits of outdoor recreation for current servicemembers and veterans. In fact, I think at our hearing, there was not a dry eye when Captain John Paluska spoke on behalf of this bill. Mr. Speaker, as a 24-year Army veteran, I understand the sacrifices made by our military and their loved ones and believe that we must do whatever we can to honor these VIPs. My bill provides these Americans with free access to the land they have sacrificed to defend. Our national parks are there for all of us. Getting outside into nature and enjoying our beautiful country provides an outlet and escape with mental and physical benefits. No one is more worthy of experiencing open access to these incredible places than the men and women who have fought to keep us free and the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to pay lip service to the military's sacrifice but then not follow through with action to recognize their service. We can never fully repay our veterans for their service and their sacrifice, but we want to show our gratitude by giving them lifetime access to America's most beautiful landscapes. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join in supporting my commonsense bill, H.R. 4300, the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a young woman in my district who has become an inspiration to women and athletes everywhere. Erin Kerkhoff, a University of Northern Iowa sophomore and track star from Solon High School, earned a position on Team USA for the Paralympics in Tokyo. Kerkhoff, who has 20/400 vision due to optic nerve degeneration in both eyes is ranked fifth in the world in the 400-meter dash after achieving a personal record of 58.23 seconds in the qualifying trials earlier this month, finishing second overall in both the 400- and 100- meter dashes. The Second District and the State of Iowa are lucky to be represented by stellar athletes like Erin, Thomas Gilman, and Kenny Bednarek competing in this year's summer Olympics. I could not be prouder to represent these three in Congress. Good luck Erin, Thomas, and Kenny, and bring home the gold. Last week, I wished my sister Mari-Eleanor Martino a happy birthday, and this week I would like to extend a happy birthday to her husband, Ralph Martino. Happy birthday, Ralph, and we are delighted to have you in the family.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me time to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of Senator John Kennedy's Dispose of Unused Medications and Prescription Opioids Act, S. 957, or the DUMP Opioids Act. Earlier this year, President Trump signed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act into law. Under this law, the VA is required to set up prescription drop boxes on VA campuses so that veterans can safely dispose of unused and excess controlled substance medications. The DUMP Opioids Act directs the Secretary of the VA to designate periods during which anyone, not just veterans, may dispose of unused medications at VA facilities. In April, I partnered with Congressman David Trone to introduce the House companion to Senator Kennedy's bill, and I am proud to see this bill before the House today. As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the challenges created by opioid addiction and abuse. The opioid epidemic has hit every corner of the United States, and all of us know someone who has been harmed by addiction. The DUMP Opioids Act is a simple expansion of current law that will give more Americans access to safe opioid disposal sites. Congress must work in a bipartisan manner and give our constituents the tools they need to tackle this head-on. America has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic for years, especially over this past year during the pandemic, as illustrated by my colleague from Illinois. Iowa is no exception. With opioid-related deaths up 35 percent in Iowa over the last year, we need to be more focused than ever on our efforts to both treat and prevent addiction. As a physician, I am proud to do my part to help combat this crisis. Mr. Speaker, I thank Senator Kennedy for his work with this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 957, the DUMP Opioids Act.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the issue of vaccinations, vaccine hesitancy, and the rising rates of the COVID-19 delta variant. For the last few months, I have traveled across my district administering vaccines to Iowans. It has been a pleasure to see my constituents and the entire country have a renewed sense of freedom and begin to return to normal. But fully engaged living is threatened by the delta variant, which is causing increased hospitalizations and death, especially among those unvaccinated. Those vaccinated have a much milder course of disease. It is miraculous to have three safe and effective vaccines for COVID- 19 so rapidly. However, this speed of development may give some Americans pause. Therefore, it is critical to emphasize that no safety shortcuts were taken and reassure our constituents that they are safe and effective. Decades of research informed the development of these breakthrough vaccines, and millions have been vaccinated with tremendously low risk. Given the rise in the delta variant, I would once again encourage everyone to get a vaccine as soon as possible so that we continue our path to normalcy and not go back to lockdowns and mask mandates. This vaccine is how we get back to normal and get our lives back. If you have questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this time to wish the youngest of 10 in our family, Mari-Eleanor Martino, a happy birthday.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a young man in my district who will represent Iowa on the world stage. Thomas Gilman, a University of Iowa alumni, has qualified for the U.S. Olympic team for freestyle wrestling and will be competing in this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, later this month. As a former Hawkeye, Thomas was a force to be reckoned with in the 125-pound weight division, finishing his career in Iowa City with an impressive record of 107-12 and a Big Ten Conference title. He was also named the Outstanding Wrestler of the 2017 Midlands Championships. His other athletic accomplishments include a silver medal at the World Wrestling Championships in Paris in 2017 and another silver medal at the U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas in 2019. I wish Thomas the best of luck as he goes on to represent the great State of Iowa and the United States in the Olympic Games. Bring home the gold.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 3263, the DHS Medical Countermeasures Act. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc all over the world, causing countless deaths, both from COVID and from unexpected causes unrelated to COVID, businesses shuttering, job loss, and our everyday way of life almost coming to a halt. While I am pleased that the United States is heading back to normalcy with three excellent and widely available vaccines, we cannot forget the great struggles that we encountered just last year. Every day, countless Americans put their lives on the line for others, including the men and women in the Department of Homeland Security. Throughout the pandemic, the agencies and officers at CBP continued to protect our borders; TSA officers secured our transportation system; and representatives from FEMA, who took a lead role in the government's response to the pandemic, still had to deploy when disaster struck in other areas. My bill, the DHS Medical Countermeasures Act, supports the DHS workforce and Department mission continuity by requiring the Secretary to establish a medical countermeasures program to protect employees and working animals in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosives attack; naturally occurring disease outbreak; or pandemic. This legislation requires the chief medical officer of the Department to maintain a stockpile of medical countermeasures and to develop Department-wide standards for storage, security, placement, dispensing, supply diversity, and documentation of countermeasures. This bill requires the establishment of a medical countermeasures working group comprised of representatives from relevant Department components and offices to ensure medical countermeasure standards are maintained and guidance is consistent. Finally, the bill requires the chief medical officer to develop an integrated logistics support plan for medical countermeasures that includes a methodology for determining types and quantities of countermeasures, inventory tracking, and a replenishment plan for existing stockpiles. Mr. Speaker, as a doctor, former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, and military veteran, I can assure you I know full well the necessity of medical countermeasures for treatment, diagnosis, and maintaining the safety of our community. The Department of Homeland Security has over 240,000 employees tasked with jobs ranging from border and aviation security to emergency response and cybersecurity, with one common goal: keeping America safe. It is imperative that materials and processes are put in place to protect the safety and welfare of employees and to ensure effective pandemic and disaster planning and response for mission continuity. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting this commonsense bill, H.R. 3263.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, the Summer Olympics in Tokyo will kick off in less than a month, and I would be remiss not to mention a young track star from a college in my district who is making his first Olympic appearance. Kenny Bednarek, a 22-year-old sprinter who hails from Indian Hills Community College in my hometown of Ottumwa, earned a spot on the USA Olympic team when he finished second in the men's 200-meter dash, with an impressive time of 19.78 seconds, becoming the first Iowa junior college athlete to qualify for the Olympic Games. Though COVID-19 might have delayed the 2020 Summer Olympics, we are all glad to see that it is back on schedule, and Iowa's Second District is proud to be represented by such a stellar athlete on Team USA. I wish you the best, Kenny, and I know you will do great as you go on to Tokyo to represent both the United States and Iowa in the Summer Olympic Games. I would also like to wish my brother Richard Miller a happy birthday. Richard was a Secret Service agent who guarded five Presidents. Happy birthday, Rick. And happy Independence Day to our Nation.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an Iowa trailblazer from my district. LaMetta Wynn, Iowa's first African-American female mayor, passed away last week at the age of 87 in Lincoln, Nebraska. LaMetta was an incredible woman who spent her life in service to her community of Clinton, Iowa. For 30 years, LaMetta worked during the day at Rock Island Arsenal and night shifts as a registered nurse. LaMetta's service as an elected official officially began when she ran for Clinton School Board in 1983. For 12 years, LaMetta served on the school board, eventually becoming board president, all while raising 10 children. In 1995, LaMetta was elected mayor of Clinton, a position she held for 12 years before retiring in 2007. In 1996, Newsweek picked LaMetta as one of the 25 most dynamic mayors in the country. Madam Speaker, I thank LaMetta for her service to the State of Iowa, and I will keep her loved ones in my prayers.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on a matter that is incredibly important to our national security, our public health knowledge, and preparing for the next pandemic. It has been well over a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our country has closed down in the face of a public health crisis the likes of which we have not seen in decades. And to this day, we still do not have a definitive answer regarding the origins of COVID-19. Getting to the bottom of how this virus originated and how it spread across the globe should be one of our top priorities in Congress. Today, the Republican members of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will hold a forum to discuss the origins of this virus. This is not a partisan issue, and every Member of this body should want to know where this virus came from and every member of the select subcommittee should be in attendance. As I said earlier, finding the origins is important to our national security, public health knowledge, and preparing for the next pandemic. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 18, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an individual in my district who has been the true embodiment of Iowa nice and midwestern tough his entire life. Darrell Harris has lived his entire life in rural southeastern Iowa. Darrell grew up very poor and dropped out of school in the eighth grade to help take care of his family. Throughout his life, Darrell spent time working on the railroad and started a family farm that is still in operation today. Darrell was lucky enough to marry the woman of his dreams and have three beautiful children with her. Sadly, his wife passed away at a young age, leaving Darrell as a single father to raise three young children. Nevertheless, Darrell kept his head down and he worked hard, never asking for help and always willing to lend a hand when others needed it. Darrell's work ethic, kindness, and never-give-up attitude are an inspiration to us all, and I am proud to represent him in Congress.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, Sunday is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day, a day to bring attention to a disorder that affects countless of my fellow veterans. PTSD is a disorder that tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with every year. Sadly, our veterans and Active Duty servicemembers are among those that face the toughest challenge. As a 24-year Army veteran, and as a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I was proud to work together with my colleagues across the aisle in addressing PTSD by introducing two pieces of legislation to help veterans get the mental healthcare they both deserve and need. The Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act will expand VA mental healthcare for veterans in rural areas. It passed the House last month and unanimously passed the Senate last night. I am now proud to cosponsor the recently reintroduced Brandon Act, which will make it easier for veterans and servicemembers to seek confidential mental health resources. We, as Members of Congress, have the ability to take action, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the mental health of our veterans and our servicemembers through passing the Brandon Act.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a high school in my district that was recently recognized for their commitment to student success. For over 15 years, Iowa has partnered with the ACT's college application campaign to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income households in applying for and pursuing higher education. I am proud to announce that, in 2020, 176 Iowa schools participated in the college application campaign, and all together, 504 students completed 1,578 college applications. Of the 176 schools that participated, Muscatine High School in my district was awarded the 2020 School of Excellence Award for Iowa from ACT. Muscatine was selected for this great award based on their commitment to student success and for serving as an exemplary model for Iowa's college application campaign. Congratulations to the students and faculty at Muscatine for being leaders in academic achievement and for serving as a great role model for student success in Iowa and the entire Nation.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an incredibly important national security issue. We all know that Wuhan, China, where the COVID-19 virus originated, is the home to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The WIV is China's only cellular level 4 biosafety super laboratory that researches human infectious diseases. This lab is in very close proximity to the wet market that is reputed to be the origin of COVID-19. Last year, Senator Tom Cotton was thoroughly dismissed for questioning the true origins of this virus, citing the Chinese Communist Party's duplicity and dishonesty from the very beginning. We all know that the Chinese Communist Party lied to the world about the severity of COVID-19, how it is transmitted, and the dangers associated. There needs to be a thorough and serious investigation into the origins of COVID-19, what the Chinese Communist Party knew, and when, and what the World Health Organization knew and when. Uncovering the true origins of COVID-19 will be incredibly helpful in helping us prepare for the next pandemic, which I think is something we can all agree on.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a very special day for a woman in my district, but I also want to say how joyful it is to see people's faces and smiles now that we are following the science and not fining the science. I am rising today to celebrate a very special day for a woman in my district. Last week on June 8, Clarissa Rozenboom of Oskaloosa, Iowa, celebrated her 100th birthday. Clarissa was born and raised on a farm in Mahaska County, Iowa, and is the oldest of five siblings. In the 1930s many children who were raised on farms elected not to attend high school, but Clarissa was inspired by her aunt to not only attend high school but to continue her education through courses at William Penn University, which is still in Oskaloosa today. In the early 1940s, her love for children and teaching led her to pursue a career in education at Bryan County school, a small school south of New Sharon. On August 14, 1945, Clarissa married her husband, Gerald, and together they had six children: Allan, Calvin, Norman, Kathleen, David, and Ken, who is a State senator and my colleague in the State senate in Iowa. Clarissa, I wish you all the joy in the world as you celebrate this with your loved ones.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a young woman from my district for her appointment to fill an important seat in the State of Iowa. On April 16, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Abby Crow, a native of Tiffin, Iowa, and a sophomore human physiology major at the University of Iowa, to fill the student seat on the State Board of Regents. The Board of Regents, which governs five public educational institutions across Iowa, first established a student regent position in 1973 to give students a say in decisionmaking. Since then, five University of Iowa students have served in this position. On April 28, Abby was unanimously confirmed to serve on the board, six years since the last Hawkeye student filled the seat. The student regent seat is incredibly important, and I have tremendous faith that Abby will be an excellent representative for the university and for her fellow students.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share an uplifting story about a young man from my congressional district. Jake Wegner, a senior at Central College in Pella, Iowa, took his first at bat after beating cancer twice. Jake's first battle with cancer began when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma before the start of his high school senior baseball season. After recovering from surgery, Jake enrolled at Central College, where he finished his first semester, but upon returning home for a checkup, he learned that the cancer had relapsed. Jake kept his faith strong and family close while he endured chemotherapy for the next 15 months, and in January of 2018, he was ready to begin classes again. In yesterday's game against Simpson College, after 3 years of being cancer-free, Jake took his first at bat for senior night. Jake, your story of following your dreams and overcoming adversity is an inspiration to all of us, and I couldn't be prouder to represent you in Congress.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Illinois for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the bipartisan Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act, which I was proud to introduce with the Iowa House delegation. This legislation was named in honor of the memory and service of Sergeant Brandon Ketchum of Davenport, which is in my congressional district. Sergeant Ketchum died by suicide in 2016 after being denied access to much-needed mental health services for PTSD at the VA facility in Iowa City. Our legislation would establish new Rural Access Network for Growth Enhancement, or RANGE, programs throughout the VA and support additional research on rural veteran mental healthcare needs. The case of Sergeant Ketchum is tragic and shows us that we must do more to serve our veterans. Expanding healthcare services in rural America and among our veterans are two of my top priorities in Congress, so I am proud to join the entire Iowa delegation in this effort. We simply have to do better for our veterans. There is no other option. I would like to thank my colleagues in the Iowa delegation, Congresswoman Axne, Congresswoman Hinson, and Congressman Feenstra, for their partnership in this simple legislation to help veterans. I urge all of my colleagues to support the bipartisan Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Bost, for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Congressman Gallego's bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act. I am proud that this legislation was amended by the Veterans' Affairs Committee to include my bipartisan VET TEC Enhancement Act. This legislation, which I proudly introduced with a fellow veteran, Congressman Kahele, would increase the amount authorized to be appropriated for the Veteran Employment Through Technical Education Courses program. VET TEC is a 5-year pilot program that allows eligible veterans to use GI Bill-style benefits to attend innovative job training programs to prepare them for future employment in the technology industry. My bill to support our veterans would increase current funding for the VET TEC program from $45 million to $90 million per year to allow the VA to enroll more veterans in this popular program. This program ensures that our veterans have the tools they need to gain meaningful employment. To date, over 1,800 veterans have completed the VET TEC program and found well-paying jobs with an average salary of $57,000 per year. I have spoken to veterans' groups in my district and across the country, and there is overwhelming support for this commonsense program. This is another highly successful avenue to assist veterans reentering the civilian workforce, and I am proud to see the House taking action to support our veterans. In closing, I would like to thank Congressman Kahele for his partnership on this important issue, and Congressman Gallego for his support. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program Act.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Ranking Member Bost and Chair Takano, for their leadership, and I thank Representative Bost for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of my bipartisan GI Bill National Emergency Extended Deadline Act, which I was proud to introduce with a fellow veteran, Congresswoman Sherrill. Our legislation would protect veterans' educational benefits from expiring due to institutional closures or other factors caused by the COVID-19 national emergency. This important legislation will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to pause the time limit currently placed on the use of GI bill benefits and to permit them to restart the clock after it is safe for veterans to return to school. I am pleased to see that our legislation was amended in the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to include my Veterans Readiness and Employment National Emergency Extended Deadline Act, which I was also proud to introduce with Congresswoman Sherrill. The VR&E NEED Act would ensure disabled veterans get the support they need to enter the civilian workforce through the VA's VR&E program. Our legislation will allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pause the 12-year time limit to use VR&E benefits during national emergencies and other crises when eligible, disabled veterans are prevented from leveraging those benefits through no fault of their own. The VR&E program is an excellent path for our veterans to receive the education and training they need to reenter the workforce. By pausing the timer on their benefits when programs are closed, we preserve the opportunities veterans have earned through their service to our country. Our disabled veterans sacrificed greatly in service to our country, so now it is our turn to serve them. It is critical these benefits are not reduced due to no fault of the individual veteran. Over the past year, we have seen the COVID-19 public health emergency force universities and colleges across the country to temporarily close their doors. As a 24-year Army veteran, I know how important being able to use GI benefits is to ensure that our veterans can find meaningful employment. In fact, I used the GI bill benefit throughout medical school. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Sherrill for her partnership on both of these commonsense bills to help our veterans to access the benefits they have earned. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support the bipartisan GI NEED Act.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on an issue critical to this Chamber setting an example for the rest of the country. Yesterday, the CDC issued guidance that fully vaccinated individuals can resume indoor activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing. I am pleased to see the Centers for Disease Control following the science and recommending that fully vaccinated individuals can go without masks indoors. As Members of Congress, we should not only encourage constituents to get vaccinated, we should be showing them what a return to normal looks like and follow the science. According to the Speaker, roughly 75 percent of our Members have received COVID-19 vaccinations, and, therefore, should have the choice to go without masks. Americans are looking for hope, and we are not showing it. Just as I implored on April 22, I am, again, calling on the Speaker and Attending Physician to lift the rules and fines that require fully vaccinated Members of Congress to wear masks in the House Chamber. Even The New York Times today said that the Centers for Disease Control is finally catching up to the science and so should the House. We must be the leaders we were elected to be, follow the science, and have the choice to go without a mask. I am going to be that leader, and I choose no mask.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a man from Iowa's Second Congressional District for his countless hours of service to our community. Recently, Wilson Elementary School principal and Polar Xpress frozen yogurt shopowner Jeff Hendred, from my hometown of Ottumwa, was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award by the United Way of Wapello County. The volunteer service award is given to honor individuals who have gone above and beyond to leave a positive impact in their community and for inspiring others to pay it forward through community service of their own. Jeff was instrumental in coordinating the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and has dedicated countless hours to the Emergency Youth Food Program. It is truly inspiring, and I am incredibly thankful to have Jeff in Ottumwa. With over 20 years of service in Ottumwa's schools, Jeff has the important job of being a role model and teacher to hundreds of students, and his service to the Ottumwa community sets a great example for our next generation of community leaders. I could not be prouder to represent Jeff in Congress, his first Congresswoman from Ottumwa, and to call him and his wife, Sandra, a friend.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, this is National Police Week, and it is an excellent time to say thank you to the heroic men and women who put their lives at risk every day to keep us safe. These officers and their families have sacrificed so much to serve others that we must be doing more to keep them safe, well funded, and supported. This past year has been challenging for all of us, but our police officers have been hit especially hard. Imagine what we have gone through with the pandemic, but being a police officer and first responder during these difficult times. Many of my colleagues have called to reform, defund, and even abolish police departments. While I do believe that our policing system is in need of serious bipartisan and commonsense reforms, I will never support defunding or abolishing the police. Those calling for defunding or abolishment of the police as serious policy are flat out wrong. Our communities need police to stay safe. They must be fully funded, and they deserve our respect and gratitude. Defunding or abolishing the police would make our communities less secure and more vulnerable to criminal activity, putting all of our families at risk. We must produce constructive ways to reform and improve our policing system, not strip departments of critical funding for training, equipment, community engagement programs, and body cameras. To reform our police system, we should focus on real solutions, like empowering police chiefs to fire bad cops and improving police training and accountability in line with best practices, similar to the reforms I proudly supported as a State senator in Iowa. Earlier today, I signed on as a cosponsor to the bipartisan Defund Cities that Defund the Police Act. Introduced by Representatives Fitzpatrick, Golden, Stauber, and Lamb, this piece of legislation would prevent jurisdictions that defund the police from receiving certain Federal grants, stopping specific Federal taxpayer dollars from bankrolling jurisdictions that intentionally make their communities less safe. Under this legislation, any jurisdiction that chooses to defund the police is choosing to defund themselves of Federal assistance. Municipalities around the country that wish to defund or abolish the police will only harm their communities. America does not need to defund or abolish the police. We need to fund and support law enforcement. It is interesting to me and ironic that here I am in this building as a U.S. Congresswoman, and my first tour of this building and the White House was my brother, who was a Secret Service agent in this city. We especially need to honor our fallen police officers, including Iowa State Patrol Officer Jim Smith, U.S. Capitol Police Officers Sicknick, Evans, Liebengood, Green, and Smith. We also need to honor the selfless sacrifice of Officer Goodman. Police officers are true public servants and protectors of our communities who deserve our respect and appreciation. I am proud to back the blue this week and every week. Thank you, Congresswoman Cammack, for your fierce advocacy for our police officers and for organizing tonight's Special Order.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, this year, due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines restricting outdoor activities, many children will be stuck inside when they should be outdoors in the sunlight playing, learning new skills, making friends, and enjoying their childhoods. This is not only important for their mental health but also their physical health and enhancing their immune system. And it is even more critically important in those States which have still not reopened their schools fully to in-person learning, despite all scientific evidence to the contrary. Yesterday, The New York Times reported that the CDC had hugely exaggerated their guidelines by saying that less than 10 percent of COVID-19 transmission occurs outdoors, and that the actual estimate of outdoor transmission is somewhere between 0.1 percent to 1 percent. This misleading guidance from the CDC has led to confusion, increased hesitancy to view outdoor activities as safe, and many summer camps have been forced to close their doors again for yet another year. We have known for quite some time that the risk of transmitting COVID-19 outdoors is exceedingly small. In Iowa, there was not a requirement to wear masks outdoors, even though physical separation and maintaining small group size was encouraged. Due to shelter-at-home orders, the numbers of cases of youth depression, anxiety, attempted suicides, suicides, increased drug use, and hospitalizations have continued to increase, despite the overall decrease in new COVID cases, hospitalizations, and mortality rates. A staggering report from the CDC found that from March to October of 2020, mental health emergency department visits from adolescents had increased 31 percent from the same time in 2019. With the good news related to rapidly approaching community immunity from the pandemic and the relaxing of a number of protocols and controls, the CDC's newly released guidelines for summer camps is both overly cautious, rigid, and unscientific. Many of us have fond memories of spending time with friends and family, including a week at summer camp. Summer camps are a staple of childhood and adolescence. More than 6 million children attend the day and overnight summer camps in any given year. Denying children their ability to attend these camps and the opportunity to make a friend, learn independence, life skills, learn teamwork, build self-esteem, and continue their education beyond the school year is atrocious. With over 12,000 summer camps across the country, there are plenty of opportunities for our children to grow, learn, and play. Iowa is home to several great camps, including Forest Lake Baptist Camp in my home county; Hertko Hollow, a camp for children with diabetes; and Camp Courageous, a camp specifically for children with disabilities. Summer camps also provide employment for over 1.5 million Americans every year. This represents a great opportunity for high school students and adults to have great experiences outdoors while earning an income. As a doctor, former president of the Iowa Medical Society, and former director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, I have addressed the severity of COVID-19 and have been a strong and consistent advocate for all three of the safe and effective vaccines developed through Operation Warp Speed, and, in fact, just finished attending and administering vaccines at clinics in all 24 counties in my district. Just a few days ago, the Pfizer vaccine was given emergency use authorization to be administered to children 12 to 15 years old. It has been well-documented that children are at exceedingly low levels of risk for serious illness and that they do not transmit the virus. COVID-19 deaths were 277 through the end of April. To put this in perspective, the CDC estimates around 600 children died of influenza in the 2017-2018 season; 358 died during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic; and each year, more than 700 children die from drowning. We can see the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, and as the number of Americans who are vaccinated continues to grow, coupled with those who have natural immunity from having the disease, I expect to see a return to normalcy and a return to pre-pandemic life. A return to normal includes allowing our kids to be kids. I am hopeful that we will be able to send our children to summer camp in the coming weeks so that they can have the experience and opportunities that they deserve. Time is extraordinarily limited, and I implore the CDC to act now and allow summer camps to reopen to full activities without the wearing of masks.