Johnny Olszewski

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1503. I also thank Representatives Smith and Keating for introducing this bill, which, as the chairman mentioned, passed in the 118th Congress. I also thank my colleague and chairman for bringing this and many other important bipartisan bills to the floor today. According to the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ removal is one of the least reported and least understood forms of trafficking but one that experts believe may be growing. Like sex trafficking and labor trafficking, it is ultimately a crime that exploits human beings for economic profit. The State Department's 2023 Human Rights Report highlights troubling allegations regarding the Government of the People's Republic of China forcibly harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, including religious and spiritual adherents. Mr. Speaker, I worry deeply about the administration's proposed State Department reorganization plans that will gut the funding and experts working to address these crimes, giving the PRC and others a pass. Instead of these cuts, the administration should be strengthening efforts to address forced organ harvesting and trafficking. H.R. 1503 shines a light on this horrible practice and calls on the State Department to make its annual reporting on the issue more robust and more in-depth. Not only does it call for more regular assessments of the problem, it also authorizes the imposition of sanctions on individuals who are involved in forced organ harvesting or trafficking. The legislation will make sure the U.S. is carefully gathering all the facts to make an informed assessment on the magnitude and prevalence of this problem and developing appropriate responses. The trafficking of persons for the purpose of organ removal is a form of trafficking in which an individual is exploited for their organs, including by coercion, deception, and abuse of a position of vulnerability. It is abhorrent, repugnant, and dehumanizing. I support this legislation, I urge all of my colleagues to likewise support it again in this Congress, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1503 is an important, bipartisan measure. We know that organ harvesting has been a problem in different places around the globe. We don't know yet the full extent of the problem, and it is certainly a practice that is difficult to detect and track. The bill before us is a strong and important step forward. It calls on the State Department to provide important information to Congress, to the American public, and to the world about the global scope of organ harvesting and trafficking. This bill will help inform Congress so that we can ensure the U.S. can respond appropriately. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1512. In the 118th Congress, this body came together to overwhelmingly pass this bipartisan measure from Representatives Wagner, Connolly, and Lieu 404-7, and I see no reason why today's vote should be any less supportive. It is critical that the United States shows unwavering support for our friend Taiwan in the face of the PRC's persistent use of economic, political, and military coercion against it. Just last month, the PRC conducted large-scale drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan in a dangerous and destabilizing show of force. I heard these concerns reinforced recently during a congressional visit to the Pacific countries. Under such tense circumstances, we must work to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by bolstering deterrence and redoubling our commitment to the U.S. One China policy. While providing Taiwan with the weapons to defend itself, we must also strengthen our unofficial relationship with Taiwan in the cultural and economic space and build resilience in Taiwan against PRC gray zone tactics. Since 1979, in order to build a bilateral relationship with China, our government has maintained internal executive department guidelines to limit official interactions with Taiwan consistent with our One China policy. This bill simply directs the executive to report the guidelines to Congress every 5 years so that Congress is aware of them. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is a friend and a fellow democracy that we should continue to engage with warmth and respect. The United States needs a Taiwan policy that works for us and Taiwan while upholding our longstanding One China policy, which has kept Taiwan safe for over four decades. Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 36, a bipartisan bill designed to make sure that the United States remains committed to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic and democratic aspirations. I thank my friend, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson), for his tireless efforts on this topic, in addition to his fervent work to support Ukraine. For years following the fall of Communism and particularly after the Rose Revolution in 2003, the people of Georgia have worked to successfully build their democracy and their economy, all while fostering aspirations to join the EU and NATO. The United States, along with European partners, have played an integral role in ensuring that the path of integration was open to Georgia and that its people had the means to implement the necessary reforms. Georgia's story has been one of success. Georgia, strategically located on the Black Sea, is no stranger to larger geopolitical forces. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 during the Beijing Olympics and proceeded to occupy 20 percent of its territory. Despite the persistent threat from Russia, Georgians continued to forge forward with democratic reforms and even made significant contributions to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as this legislation notes. However, we know too well from the experience in other parts of Europe and at home that democratic progress is fragile and requires constant attention. In February 2023, the Georgian Government introduced a foreign agents bill in its parliament that it claimed was aimed at transparency. However, the bill was set to impose burdensome restrictions on civil society organizations and independent media, stigmatizing them as foreign agents. Following warnings from the United States and partners in Europe, as well as waves of protests, the government withdrew the bill, only to reintroduce it in April 2024. This time, despite massive protests, a Presidential veto, additional rebukes from the United States Congress, the Biden administration, and the EU, the Georgian Parliament pushed this legislation through. Then, in another illustration of democratic backsliding, parliamentary elections were held in the fall of 2024 that were neither free, nor fair, and tainted by numerous and serious electoral violations. This legislation is a response to the deteriorating democratic situation in Georgia. It will let the Georgian people know that we stand by them in their quest for democracy, respect for their rights, and deeper integration into the Euro-Atlantic community. This also provides a framework for appropriate cooperation with the Georgian Government going forward. Madam Speaker, I am pleased with the bipartisan work of this bill, look forward to its passage, and hope that it has the desired effect to show the people of Georgia that Congress is watching, the United States cares, and that we want to ensure their future in Europe and NATO. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purposes of closing. Madam Speaker, H.R. 36 works to show the people of Georgia that the United States remains committed to its Euro-Atlantic aspirations and provides a framework for appropriate cooperation with the Georgian Government in light of worrying democratic backsliding in the country. I thank my colleagues again for their steadfast support and leadership on this issue in support of Georgia's ambitions to join NATO and the EU, and I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1486. This is legislation that authorizes sanctions against any person or entity that provides material support for Russia's military and industrial defense base. We know that Russia uses missiles, drones, planes, and rocket launchers to wreak havoc on Ukrainian cities and citizens. They do this to overthrow the government, to end democracy in Ukraine, and to seize Ukrainian territory to reconstitute a new Soviet Union, or at least a Soviet-like sphere of influence. Ukrainians have bravely stood up to this unprovoked, unlawful aggression. The Ukrainian military has bravely fought back against the much larger Russian military and has repelled this invasion for years. The United States and its partners and allies have been critical to the defense of Ukraine, and Congress has been instrumental in the support we have provided. As Russia continues to suffer heavy losses and economic hardship from waging this illegal invasion, it has turned to China and even Iran and North Korea for support. We absolutely should be bolstering sanctions not just on Russia's warmongering but also on its enablers. China has played a crucial role in supporting Russia. Though they have not provided overt military support, they are continuing to provide dual-use goods, like industrial tools and semiconductors. At a minimum, given its tendencies to appease Russia rather than pressure it, the Trump administration must maintain the current posture of deterrence with the existing tools it already has. The better approach is for this administration to also use the additional tools offered by this legislation to deter further PRC shipments of dual-use goods to Russia. Madam Speaker, I appreciate Representative McCormick and Chairman Mast for negotiating further changes to this bill last week. I appreciate the bipartisan spirit that went into this legislation and for the work that both Ranking Member Meeks and his team have done on this legislation. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1486 will authorize sanctions on any person or entity that supports Russia's military and defense industrial base. Russia expected to take Kyiv in a matter of days, but it has now been years as brave Ukrainians continue to defend their country and their sovereignty against Russia's illegal invasion. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative McCormick, and others for their work on this, as Russia has now had to turn to other nations for material support to continue that invasion, which is why Congress must not only continue our support of Ukraine but also authorize sanctions on those enabling Russia's war. This is an important bill, and I am proud to support it. I hope we can put forward other legislation like this, including a few bills sponsored by Ranking Member Meeks that have passed with bipartisan support in the past. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1540. Like H.R. 1503, the Falun Gong Protection Act also imposes sanctions on individuals who knowingly and directly engage in or facilitate the involuntary harvesting of organs within the People's Republic of China while strengthening reporting requirements regarding this heinous crime. These steps are vital to address the forcible harvesting of organs, a grave violation of human rights and bodily autonomy. The PRC has been accused of forcibly harvesting organs from victims who range from prisoners of conscience, including religious and spiritual adherents, to ethnic minorities. Shining a spotlight on these crimes and the people that perpetrate them while advancing accountability is essential. The reporting requirements in this bill will help us better understand the scope of these terrible abuses and allow us to address them more effectively. This reporting relies on the very offices and experts at the State Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health that are being gutted currently by the Trump administration, a gift for traffickers and criminals that only illustrates just how dangerous the administration's proposed reorganization and so-called streamlining of the government has been for United States' national security. The sanctions in this bill may help to hold perpetrators accountable and deter the practice, as well. We cannot remain silent in the face of such cruelty. We must stand with the victims, show them they are not forgotten, and ensure that perpetrators face justice. I thank my colleagues for their leadership on this effort and other efforts to tackle this heinous crime. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1540 will help Congress better understand the scope of organ harvesting and will enable the sanctioning of individuals who knowingly engage in or facilitate this horrendous crime. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1724, the No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act. Congress has a history of bipartisan cooperation to call out Beijing's genocide and human rights abuses against Uyghurs and members of other minority groups in Xinjiang. We passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in 2021, but our work isn't done because Beijing's repression isn't done. Just as was done in the 118th Congress, today we should pass H.R. 1724. This bill prohibits the State Department and USAID from funding grants or contracts with companies or organizations that import products mined, produced, or manufactured in Xinjiang. The intention of this bill is to make sure that the standards we use at home when it comes to forced labor also apply to American activities abroad. I commend Representative Moran for his sustained focus on forced labor and fully endorse the spirit of his bill. Given that this bill is being taken directly to the floor without the benefit of feedback from the State Department however, I ask that we work with our Senate colleagues and the administration to ensure that it is ultimately implemented in a way that is both workable and does not inadvertently impede critical State Department operations and programming. This bill is especially necessary because the Trump administration's actions have gutted U.S. leadership on these issues. Thus far, the administration has cut funding for programs that support human rights in the China context, even though Congress explicitly authorized and appropriated such funding via statute. We know the administration has cut at least $50 million for projects that focused on addressing Beijing's human rights abuses. This includes programs that were empowering Chinese advocates and diaspora groups to combat transnational repression, monitoring forced labor goods in global supply chains, and promoting religious freedoms. The administration is also trying to shutter Radio Free Asia as we speak, despite the fact that Radio Free Asia helped break the story about the PRC's program of detention, reeducation, and forced labor in Xinjiang. The administration's opposition to Uyghur resettlement in the United States is hypocritical at best and morally reprehensible at worst. This bill is a good step for Congress to take, but President Trump is squandering American leadership and taking us backward. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1724 calls on the State Department and USAID to verify they are not funding any programs or projects that unwittingly use goods or materials made using forced labor in Xinjiang. This is a preventative measure to ensure that America's diplomacy, development, and economic engagement continue to stay true to America's values. I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1316. Over the past 6 years, export controls have become a crucial tool for our national security and foreign policy to respond to the challenges posed by Russia, China, Iran, and others. Our use of export controls have become more and more frequent and more complicated, as we have started to apply novel controls in critical technology areas such as semiconductors and AI. While this change in U.S. export control policy has taken place, congressional consultation and oversight has not kept up. The bill in front of us today by Representative Jackson is an important step toward remedying this problem by calling for the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, BIS, to conduct greater transparency around license application, information, and conduct checks for problematic companies in arms-embargoed nations. This bill will also enable Congress to conduct better oversight to ensure that BIS licensing and enforcement processes are working properly and efficiently. This bill will ensure that the Foreign Affairs Committee is getting the information it needs on export control policy and implementation, while protecting business proprietary information and allowing BIS to effectively execute its core national security mandate. However, as we add to the list of things we are asking BIS to do, it is also important that we equip BIS with the resources and staffing to meet those requirements. This administration claims that it will prioritize export controls, yet it has frozen 10 percent of BIS' budget. That is not keeping America safe. BIS desperately needs to revamp its outdated and inefficient IT system, which has not been updated in over 15 years. The number of license applications BIS receives per year has more than doubled in that span to over 40,000 per year. I worry that without a better IT system, reasonable requests for information like this bill will further tax BIS' limited resources. Representative Crow and Ranking Member Meeks are working on a bill to fund IT modernization for BIS. I hope that as we pass good bills like this one by Mr. Jackson and Ms. Jacobs, we will also properly equip BIS so that it can effectively carry out its work. I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, transparency is critical for effective congressional oversight, and Mr. Jackson's bill will allow Congress greater insight into the license application decisions and enforcement actions taken by the Bureau of Industry and Security. Notwithstanding the length of the title, as pointed out by the chairman, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2416, the Taiwan International Solidarity Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Connolly, for his work in developing this bill. As has been said on this floor earlier, we know that he can't be with us today, and we send our best wishes and our prayers to him and his family as he continues his courageous battle with cancer. Representative Connolly is among the hardest working Members of Congress and the most dedicated public servants in the United States. He is as tough as they come, and I know he is going to keep fighting. Our thoughts and prayers are truly with him. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan measure, which will strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties, showcase our support for Taiwan, and help counter Beijing's coercive influence around the world. U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains consistent across administrations and guided by the Taiwan Relations Act. What has changed, though, is Beijing's increasingly aggressive international campaign to exclude Taiwan from the international community through intimidation, coercion, and distortion of established and well-accepted norms. To be clear, there is no justification in the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 for Taiwan's continued exclusion from international bodies. The resolution only established the Government of the PRC as a representative for China at the U.N. It did nothing to define or determine a role for Taiwan. This bill codifies what has long been the United States' position; that is, to oppose Beijing's actions to misinterpret and distort U.N. Resolution 2758 and enable the United States to empower our partners to resist Beijing's overtures to reduce or sever relations with Taiwan. Taiwan is a friend, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the world. In this Congress, on a bipartisan basis, we will continue to push for its inclusion in global dialogue. Mr. Speaker, by reinforcing the United States' opposition to Beijing's misinterpretation of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, this bill sends a clear signal that the United States will not waiver and that we will stand up for our friends when they are bullied. Our partners should be able to rely on U.S. support in the face of Beijing's coercion, especially its efforts to maliciously exclude the interests of Taiwan's 24 million people in international organizations. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy that contributes to the global community, and it deserves to participate in fostering peace and cooperation. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1800, the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2025. For nearly 30 years, Congress and the executive branch have utilized the Iran Sanctions Act, or ISA, to constrict Iran's energy sector, denying the Iranian regime needed funds to grow its nefarious nuclear program and carry out state-sponsored terror activities. Originally passed into law in 1996, the ISA has been the key statutory element undergirding our sanctions infrastructure against Iran. The ISA provides secondary sanctions authority to hold third- party firms accountable for their investments in Iran, as well. Since 1996, Congress has built upon this legislation multiple times and has expanded the list of transactions that are considered violations of the ISA. These sanctions, combined with additional sanctions on Iran's financial system and petroleum transactions, as well as aggressive American diplomacy, are what drove Iran to the negotiation table to finalize the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015, a deal that effectively prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon before it was torn up by President Trump in 2018. Today, Iran is closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon than ever before. The Iranian regime, through its backing of terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, continues to wreak havoc throughout the Middle East. We must ask ourselves: Under what circumstances can Congress envision abandoning our sanctions infrastructure while this Iranian regime is in power? What indications have we had since 1996 that this regime is interested in changing its nature and becoming a productive and peaceful member of the international community? While it is exceedingly rare that Congress should waive sunsets, and I would support an extended authorization, the failure of Iran to change for decades speaks for itself. The ISA is the only major Iran sanctions statute that contains a sunset provision. In general, sunset provisions have value, forcing Congress to reevaluate and reconsider sanctions to adjust to new situations. However, even in the instance a new Iran deal is reached and successfully implemented, I believe we would want this sanctions infrastructure still in place, just as it was under the JCPOA, so that Iran and the international community know what awaits them if progress is not made or promises are not kept. Repealing the sunset provision of the ISA is also an issue of checks and balances. Losing congressional authority of this critical sanctions infrastructure would effectively cede more authority to the executive branch, which has already proven to be more than willing to act unilaterally and without congressional oversight in carrying out executive actions. Passing the Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 would send an important message about Congress' role in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy toward Iran and, in sum, serves American national security interests. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, this bill sends a clear signal that the United States will continue to use every tool at its disposal necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, deter it from carrying out state- sponsored terrorist activities, and defend American interests and that of our allies and partners in the Middle East. Preserving Congress' ability to ensure sanctions against Iran is critical to maintaining congressional sanction authorities and protecting U.S. national security. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, in November, the American people sent us all here to Congress with one clear mandate: to lower costs, to make life easier for working families, and to ensure that no one in this country has to choose between putting food on the table and keeping the lights on. I came to this floor 49 days ago with a similar poster. Now, here we are again, 81 days into this session of Congress, and I return with the exact same message. Nearly 3 months in, and what do we have to show for our work? Not one vote, not one serious effort from the Republican leadership of this House to tackle rising costs for struggling families, nothing to lower grocery prices, bring down the cost of gas or prescription drugs, help parents afford childcare, or support seniors who are worried about their retirement. President Trump promised to lower costs on day one. He has now failed to deliver on his day-one promise for 64 consecutive days. Making matters worse, costs are anything but lower. Instead, the reality is grocery prices are rising, inflation is up, and the stock market is unstable. In fact, rather than lowering costs, the Trump administration is actively promoting policies that are poised to drive up costs even higher. The Trump tariffs alone will increase costs for the average family by as much as $2,000 per year, simply to buy essentials like gas and groceries. God forbid your family needs a new car or a home renovation in the near future. Making matters even worse, as prices go up, safety nets for our most vulnerable families are poised to be slashed under this reckless Republican budget. I voted ``no'' because it cuts hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for SNAP and Medicaid, which means children will go hungry, seniors will lose care, and people with disabilities will be left behind, period. You don't have to take my word for it. The Congressional Budget Office issued a letter on March 5 where they reinforced that the math is conclusive: Major cuts are the only way to meet the requirements of the Republican House budget resolution. The American people are tired of the political theater. They are simply asking for solutions. However, this administration and extreme Republicans have offered no real plans, no real solutions, just more empty promises with painful cuts and a whopping Federal deficit increase looming on the horizon. That is why I have been tracking congressional inaction day after day after day on my social media, because families in Maryland and across the country cannot afford to waste any more time. Here we are, on the House floor once again, calling on House leadership to bring real legislation to this floor that will start delivering results for our constituents. The good news is, there is no shortage of legislative proposals that will help accomplish this. For example, I am proud to have cosponsored bills that will provide immediate relief by strengthening and modernizing the child and earned income tax credits, expanding paid leave, providing penalty-free retirement withdrawals, and giving Americans more financial flexibility in these tough times. These aren't partisan bills. These are commonsense solutions. Yet, House leadership refuses to bring a single one forward for a vote. Mr. Speaker, I will not stop calling for action. Families in Maryland and across the country demand it, and they deserve it. I will not stop until we do what we were sent here to do: lower costs and build a better future for every American.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding. I also thank the chairman for bringing this legislation forward along with my colleague from California (Ms. Simon). Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act, legislation that will help ensure that small businesses who need and deserve support get it, while cutting out fraudsters seeking to exploit vital relief programs. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs, they foster innovation, and they drive our local communities forward. They should be who we lift up and support, and they rightly are the beneficiaries of many Small Business Administration programs. However, far too often, we have scammers taking advantage of these worthy programs. We saw this, for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and other relief funds were a lifeline for so many, but were also exploited by bad actors to the tune of an estimated $36 billion. This bill ensures that will no longer happen again. It protects taxpayer dollars, ensuring that they go where Congress intended: only to the legitimate small businesses of our country. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for bringing this forward. Government efficiency is a good thing, but there is a right way to go about it and a legal way to go about it. This bill is a great example of a bipartisan way to go forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. I also thank Chairman Williams and my colleagues who are leading on this important legislation. I rise in support of the bipartisan Rural Small Business Resilience Act. My home in Maryland's Second Congressional District is home to nearly 640,000 small businesses, many of which are in rural communities, all with unique needs and challenges. I support this bill because it will help ensure small businesses in rural communities receive the resources they need and the support they need to recover during times of crisis by requiring targeted outreach and marketing materials and requiring a deadline to get it done. Small businesses are the heart of our economy. That is especially true in our rural communities. However, we know that small businesses in rural America often face unique challenges that are often overlooked, especially when it comes to disaster relief programs. It is simple. We need to make sure that small rural businesses aren't left behind when disasters from pandemics to hurricanes and everything in between strike. As a county executive, I witnessed firsthand the severe financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which devastated many small businesses. I saw how rural communities in particular often struggle with limited resources, reduced access to broadband and cellular services, and longer response times when disaster relief is needed. This bill will help break down those barriers and ensure that rural businessowners are aware of and can effectively access available resources. I urge my colleagues on both sides to vote ``yes'' and show rural America and our Nation's employers that we are committed to their success.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to remind this body that the American people elected all of us with one clear mandate, which was to lower costs. We are now 32 days into this session of Congress. Sadly, we have not held a single vote, not even a committee hearing on legislation to lower costs for so many who are struggling at the grocery store and at the gas station. While we waste our time on partisan bills that do nothing to lower costs, Americans continue to struggle. My constituents will see me and this tracker often until House leadership brings to this floor bills to vote on and pass that lower the cost of living for our families. To that end, I have proudly added my name to a suite of bills that help achieve this commonsense goal, bills that strengthen and modernize the child and earned income tax credits, improve paid leave, and more. These are the kinds of bills that should be bipartisan, and they should be our focus. Let's roll up our sleeves, and let's get to work.