Dan Newhouse

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. One of the things when I was a freshman in Congress that just shocked me, amazed me, is how easily events on the floor would devolve into what I would describe as something akin to a high school pep rally, and that pains me to say that. We are all adults here, discussing some of the most important issues facing the American public, I would daresay the entire world, right here in this Chamber. The things that happen in this Chamber that reflect poorly on us reflect poorly on every single one of us. I would say to you, Mr. Speaker, that this is truly a wake-up call for this Chamber. The lack of decorum has reached a new high when the President of the United States cannot even come into our Chamber, invited, and complete his speech without the interaction that we saw last night. We have to take this action of censure. Let me tell you, there are many people on my side of the aisle that would like to take this even further. The notion of intentionality versus emotion does not justify the actions that we witnessed last night, the disrespect of the institution. Using the argument that, well, our side did it so we can do it, too, well, that doesn't work. That does not hold water. Mr. Speaker, we can do better. Mr. Speaker, we must do better. We cannot ignore the willful disruption intended to stop a proceeding. Let me use another word that is also difficult to say. It was shameful. Without decorum, without respect, what have we got? What do we have? Truly. You have all seen the newsreels of other countries that chambers similar to ours evolve into fistfights on the floor. Is that where we are headed next? Is that what we want to have happen so that these fine people that work their tails off every day can be part of that and be the referees in a situation that is out of control? Like I said, this shameful action reflects on every single one of us. You are right. I will concede that all of us need a reminder that we all need to raise our level of accountability due to the actions that we take. Mr. Speaker, I think this is a necessary but difficult step. This resolution is offered in all seriousness. It is something that I believe that we must do in order to get us to the next level of conduct in this hallowed Chamber. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to join with me to attain that better level of conduct. We owe it to our constituents for sure. We owe it to our future constituents in this country. We owe it to our country. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. I am prepared to close, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the comments of Mr. Doggett and do consider him a friend as well, but let me just tell you that we are talking apples to oranges when we are speaking about something that happened under President Obama's speech on the Republican side. Last night, Mr. Green was reprimanded at least three times by the Speaker to stop and desist what he was doing, shaking his cane at the President at the rostrum in a threatening manner, underscoring--what I saw was emotion, energy and emotion; and intentionality, absolutely, intending to disrupt the speech by the President of the United States. I think we are talking about two different things here. The incident during the Obama administration was over in just a few seconds. This went on and on and on. Certainly, debating the issue is one thing in different circumstances. This was not an open debate. Mr. Green was trying to make it one. This was a message from the President, so the actions that we are proposing to take here are absolutely justified. The President was here under invitation by the House of Representatives for a report to Congress. It was not an open debate. It was a message being received by the joint session, and that is the way it should be treated. Respect should be given to the Presidency whether or not they are your guy or your gal. It is the Office of the President that needs the respect because it reflects on all of us as Members of the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is very interesting to listen to the arguments coming from the other side of the aisle about what we are doing here tonight. In talking about free speech, it seemed to me that the gentleman from Texas was doing all he could to prohibit or get in the way of the President of the United States exercising his free speech and his address to the joint session. This is not about policy. This is not about whether Republicans are better than Democrats or vice versa. This is about how we conduct ourselves on the House floor. This is about how we treat each other. This is a reflection on every single one of us in this Chamber. As my colleague from the State of Washington said, it is not just us this affects. This affects the kids of our country, as well, who are learning, one way or the other, from our examples. You can go on and on about how much you disagree and detest some of the policies and positions of the President of the United States. Be my guest, but that is not what is being argued tonight. That is not the issue that we are taking a stand on today. This is how we, as a body, should conduct ourselves in these hallowed Halls, this Chamber, that not very many people ever get to set foot into. This is something we should hold to a higher standard. We have to or else what are we? Are we just a debate club that yells at each other, or do we stand for something? Do we truly see ourselves as Representatives of the people of the United States? Something has to change. It truly does. A line has to be drawn. Not all of us on either side of the aisle are perfect examples of what we could or should be, but certainly, as I mentioned before, in my career here, I have never ever seen a Member of Congress escorted from the floor of the House by the Sergeant At Arms. It has never happened in my career, and I don't want to see it happen again. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Baumgartner).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that I respect Mr. McGovern's opinion and his viewpoints. They may conflict with mine on many occasions, but he has the absolute right to express them on this floor, and we need to continue that tradition. However, this is not about the President. This is not about President Trump. This is about how we, as Members of the House of Representatives, conduct ourselves while we are doing business on the House floor. This is about how we treat each other. It is about how we treat each other, whether with respect or not. It is so important, especially when the eyes of the world are focused right here in this very room. In my short time in Congress, which is just about a decade now, I have never ever seen a Member of the House, by the direction of the Speaker, escorted from the premises by the Sergeant at Arms. That is a first. Maybe, Mr. Speaker, you know of the last time it happened. It has been a long time. I am very disappointed and ashamed of the fact, and this is not personal to Mr. Green, who is a very amiable fellow, but we must, as Members of this institution, leave our rhetoric, calm our energy, and make sure our emotions do not take over and conduct ourselves in a way that all of us, not just here in this room but across the country, can be proud of because we truly are on display to the rest of the world. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for a very serious issue that I think troubles and disturbs every Member of the House of Representatives on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, decorum, order, and respect are the foundations for the way that we conduct business in this Chamber, in this institution. Respect for the institution is paramount. Respect for each other and respect for the responsibility that each one of us has been given and has been tasked with and who has the responsibility to the American people are the building blocks and the most important facets of our system that truly separate us, the United States of America, from the rest of the world. During the President's address just last night to a joint session of Congress, Mr. Speaker, those principles were violated. The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) performed one of most shameful acts that I have ever seen on this floor. As an advocate for bipartisan problem-solving and for working across the aisle as hard as possible to come up with solutions for the people whom I represent and for the people whom every single one of us represents, I was deeply disappointed to see the behavior that we all saw and that the world saw unfold in this Chamber. I thank my Republican colleagues and certainly House leadership, particularly Mr. Crane and Mr. Nehls, for helping elevate the Conference's concern on this very, very important matter. Mr. Speaker, we must maintain a standard in the House of Representatives, and any Member's refusal to adhere to the Speaker's direction to cease such behavior, regardless of their political party and regardless of who is at the lectern giving a speech, has to and must continue to be reprimanded. We cannot afford to let it go by. Mr. Speaker, we can do better. Mr. Speaker, we must do better for ourselves, for the institution, and for the people who sent us here. Checking our emotion, checking our energy, and checking our rhetoric and prioritizing decency between each other sends the message not only to our colleagues but to the rest of the country and the rest of the world that we are working for the people and not against each other. With those brief comments, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to a question of the privileges of the House and offer the resolution that was previously noticed.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I rise to give notice of my intention to raise a question of the privileges of the House. The form of the resolution is as follows: Resolution Censuring Representative Al Green of Texas. Whereas, on March 4, 2025, during the joint session of Congress convened pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 11, the President of the United States, speaking at the invitation of the House and Senate, had his remarks interrupted by the Representative from Texas, Mr. Green; Whereas, the conduct of the Representative from Texas disrupted the proceedings of the joint address and was a breach of proper conduct; and Whereas, after numerous disruptions, the Representative from Texas had to be removed from the Chamber by the Sergeant at Arms: Now, therefore, be it resolved that Representative Al Green be censured; Representative Al Green forthwith present himself in the well of the House of Representatives for the pronouncement of censure; and Representative Al Green be censured with the public reading of this resolution by the Speaker.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

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

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a fallen hero in central Washington. Zuza served the Yakima County Sheriff's Department at the hand of Deputy Nick Ward. In her 7-year career with the sheriff's department, Zuza had an incredible record of 138 captures, including dangerous criminals and murder suspects. Tales of her heroism and ferocity spread quickly throughout Yakima County, with many stories of her taking down criminals at record speeds and even more stories of suspects only hearing her bark before giving themselves up to authorities. Outside of her bark and her bite, she was a comforting presence for officers in tense situations and offered a sense of security when things got difficult. Yakima County is safer because of Zuza, and I thank Deputy Ward for his commitment to her handling and to the safety of our communities.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to extend one more thank-you to my chief of staff, Amanda Bihl, for her leadership and service to my office and the people of Washington's Fourth District. Rising through the ranks over the years, Amanda has been a strong leader who has delivered on our priorities and been an incredible mentor to my staff. I am fortunate to have had her by my side and will certainly miss her dearly. Joan and I wish Amanda the best as she continues her journey with her husband, Peter, and her growing family, and we remind her that she will always be a member of Team Newhouse.

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reflect on my 4 years serving as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. It has been a tremendous 4 years, filled with memories and accomplishments that certainly will last a lifetime. The caucus' work on behalf of the issues impacting Western and rural America is invaluable, and it has been a great honor to be a part of this effort. From supporting the multiple use mandate for public lands to upholding the rights of private landowners, supporting American farmers and ranchers, and pushing for American energy and mineral dominance, the caucus advocates for a stronger and more prosperous West and America. While I could reminisce for hours about the caucus, I want to highlight some of my favorite memories and achievements over the past 4 years. For the first time in its history, the caucus reached 100, actually 110, members. What once started out as a group small enough to literally meet in a closet is now the second largest caucus on Capitol Hill. Last year, we also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the caucus, a noteworthy milestone. We have participated in numerous field tours hosted by our members over the years to connect our policymakers and staff with Westerners to learn firsthand about the issues impacting the region, bringing the voices of the people back to Washington, D.C. We have visited miners from northern Minnesota, cattle ranchers in Fort Worth, park officials in Yosemite and Yellowstone, and those who use and benefit from the Columbia River system, all to get a better understanding of policy issues in these communities. We have supported many pieces of legislation to unleash the full potential of domestic energy, support American farmers and ranchers, and end the assault on multiple use mandates for public lands. I thank my colleagues who have joined and worked hard for the caucus over the past 4 years. It has been my pleasure to serve as your chairman. I also thank the staff, who have made hard jobs easier and have accomplished much. I also want them to know that our successes on behalf of rural and Western America would not have been possible without their dedication. Lastly, I congratulate my good friend, Doug LaMalfa of California, on his election as chairman for the next Congress. I am excited for the future of the caucus and know it is in good hands. While I no longer will be serving as chairman, I will continue to be a strong advocate for Western and rural America. Thanking Amanda Bihl

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a dedicated leader, public servant, and good friend--Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. For nearly two decades, Cathy has been a champion for the people of Washington's 5th Congressional District and a powerful voice for rural America. From delivering for our veterans to advancing clean energy initiatives, she has left a lasting mark on our Nation. Outside of her hard work as a Member of Congress, Cathy is a good friend. Over the years, we have joined forces in protecting the Pacific Northwest's hydropower operations and even hosted a high-turnout ``Save the Dams'' rally together in 2022 for the Lower Snake River Dams. I'll never forget shaking cowbells as we rallied the public behind our precious dams. As she begins her well-deserved retirement, I extend my gratitude for all the work she has done for the Washington Delegation and wish her the very best for this next chapter of her life. I thank Cathy, for her service to our Nation and the communities across Washington's 5th Congressional District. She will be missed.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a remarkable leader, dedicated public servant, and good friend--Chairwoman Kay Granger. Chairwoman Granger's tenure in public service began long before she came to the United States Congress. From her time as a teacher and businesswoman, to becoming the first female mayor of Fort Worth, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving her community and her country. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked side by side with Chairwoman Granger, and her leadership on the Committee has delivered on real conservative priorities. She has led critical policies that have touched every corner of our Nation--from bolstering our national security and supporting our veterans, to investing in American technology and backing rural America, her work here in Congress will continue to help Americans for decades to come. Her departure from Congress is not just the end of an era for Texas' 12th District, but a significant moment for all of us who had the privilege of serving alongside her. As she begins this new chapter of her life, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for her decades of service and wish her the best for all that lies ahead. I thank the Chairwoman for her incredible service to our Nation and the communities across Texas' 12th District.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Westerman for yielding me time to debate on this very important issue and bill. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the Fix Our Forests Act. As chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I can tell you that wildfire risk remains top of mind as States across the West are ravaged by wildfires year after year. In fact, as we heard, just this year alone, over 7 million acres have burned due to out-of-control fires, and get this: Fire season is not over yet. We are already above our 10-year average of acres affected, with fires burning larger and hotter than ever before. We need proactive forest management now, and the Fix Our Forests Act will help us achieve that goal. This bipartisan effort will enable desperately needed active forest management by expediting permitting reviews and limiting senseless lawsuits from extreme environmentalists. With more proactive forest management, we can prevent the risk of fires raging out of control and save our communities from devastating damage. Mr. Chair, I thank my good friend from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) for his leadership on this legislation. I am very proud to support this victory for rural Western America.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, the reality that we face is simple: The CCP, the Chinese Communist Party, is planting roots in our homeland and working around the clock to infiltrate our institutions. In the last decade, Communist China's investment in U.S. ag land has grown tenfold. That is a dangerous trend that we cannot overstate, but today, we are taking an important step in keeping them out. My bill to add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is critical in keeping the CCP off of American soil. Mr. Speaker, food security, as you have heard many times, is national security. This legislation strengthens the safety of our supply chains and opens a door to new reporting mechanisms that USDA can use to keep us safe from this threat. With an already flawed foreign purchase reporting system within USDA, we must be sure our ag land is protected from nefarious actors. As chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I hear from farmers and ranchers across the country who are concerned by the reality that not only is the CCP in our backyard, but we cannot accurately say where. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, my bill guarantees that the Secretary of Agriculture can accurately monitor and report purchases not just for land, but also for biotechnology, transportation, storage, and processing. This bill is a first step. It is the beginning of the effort to keep our greatest adversaries from being able to purchase any American farmland because, the way I see it, a group like the CCP, who has made it their goal to cripple the United States, has no business having a hand in our supply chains and critical lands, but, first, we must know exactly how much they already have. Mr. Speaker, time is not on our side here. Every moment we wait, the CCP tightens their grip on our system, further succeeding in their efforts. I thank Speaker Johnson and Leader Scalise for bringing this important piece of legislation to the floor. A vote for this bill is a vote for our farmers, our economy, and our national security.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Guest for yielding. Mr. Chair, it is no secret to anyone in this room that the CCP is working around the clock to infiltrate and influence our institutions. In their attempts to undermine our economy and our livelihoods, they have made a concerted effort to target young Americans. For years, agents of the CCP and the People's Liberation Army have executed a strategy to influence our students in college, a time when many young Americans form political ideologies, learn about the laws of the world, and how we all interact in it. For many of these students, the CCP is there with a hand on the wheel that drives thinking in their favor and against the United States. I applaud my colleague, Mr. Pfluger, for his leadership on this issue. Prohibiting DHS funds from going to universities with Confucius Institutes and ties to the CCP is a huge step in loosening the CCP's grip on American institutions. Our universities must be held accountable for their associations and any tie to the CCP or the PLA. They must not be rewarded with Federal investment. Mr. Chair, our position on the CCP is clear, and we are doing what it takes to protect our students and our future.

Mr. NEWHOUSE

Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Fleischmann for yielding to me today. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment as part of this en bloc which addresses an important issue in my district as well as the State of Washington. The Bonneville Power Administration is required to carry out a Fish and Wildlife program to protect, mitigate, and enhance species affected by the development of and operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System. There has not been an inspector general report in over a decade regarding the effectiveness of the program, which has received significant resources and is supported by rate-paying customers in my district. I want to ensure transparency and that ratepayer dollars are being used effectively in carrying out the mandates explicitly established by Congress for this program. My amendment is simple. It highlights the need for a report from the Department of Energy Inspector General on the Bonneville Power Administration's Fish and Wildlife program to ensure it has fulfilled these mandates. In light of covert efforts to breach the Lower Snake River dams, which are a crucial source of power, irrigation, and transportation in the Pacific Northwest, it is essential that Congress continue to apply oversight and ensure that all entities involved in the operation of these dams meet their statutory requirements and provide clean, renewable power to our region.